"Alright, that's the decision!"
"Let Kokushibo deal with that Demon Slayer tonight!"
Muzan's voice echoed in the empty world, his words revealing a deep indifference.
His gaze was like a bottomless, icy pool, coldly sweeping over the six people kneeling obediently below.
The hall was deathly silent, with only Muzan's voice echoing through it.
After a long while, a faint ringing sound was heard.
The once lifeless Infinity Castle regained some vitality.
"How terrifying! How terrifying! Lord Muzan's angry face is absolutely terrifying!"
Gyokko said in horror, then clutched her head with her small hands, and an unusual flush rose to her cheeks.
"But... Lord Muzan is truly beautiful like this!!!"
"Hey! Gyokko, do you think so too?"
Doma looked at the Gyokko and spoke, his voice soft and gentle, as if it could soothe all unease.
Upon hearing this, Gyokko involuntarily twisted her body, as if trying to express her respect and admiration for Lord Muzan.
"Yes! Lord Muzan truly lives up to his reputation as the most perfect being! Even his angry expression is so beautiful!"
Hehe, yeah! yeah!
Doma nodded, but then a hint of regret appeared on his face.
"It's a pity that Lord Muzan left so early! I was thinking of going to see this Demon Slayer too."
At this point, Doma turned to look at Kokushibo on the other side, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and longing.
"Hey! Kokushibo! Can I come with you? Please, please!"
However, just as Doma was speaking, Akaza had already stepped up and appeared behind him.
Whoosh--!
Fresh blood slowly dripped from Akaza's hand.
In an instant, half of Doma's head was severed, and blood gushed out, staining his clothes and the ground red.
"I don't recall Lord Muzan ordering you to do anything, did he?"
Akaza stared coldly at Doma, his deep voice emanating from his mouth.
Get out of here!
Whoosh--!
The sword Flash through the air.
Akaza's eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his fist to meet the attack.
Clang!
A crisp metallic clang rang out, shaking the entire hall.
Kokushibo, " Akaza... you've gone too far!"
Four pairs of eyes met, their gazes clashing in mid-air.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Infinity Castle became oppressive once again.
Hantengu, Gyokko, Daki looked at the three people in the center with tense expressions.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it, are they going to start fighting inside the Infinity Castle...?
Hantengu wailed inwardly.
Doma's severed head quickly regenerated, and he turned to look at the two men behind him, who were locked in a tense standoff.
His signature gentle smile immediately appeared on his face.
"It's alright, Kokushibo! I don't mind at all. This is just my way of connecting with Akaza!"
Kokushibo slowly sheathed his long sword, his eyes remaining indifferent.
"I didn't say this on your behalf... I'm worried that disrupting the rankings could ultimately cause a rift in the hierarchy."
Ah! I see!
Although he didn't quite understand, Doma still pretended to have a sudden realization and said...
Kokushibo's gaze fell upon Akaza.
"I know your strength has improved a lot this time, but... remember your current identity!"
You're only Upper Rank Three right now!
As Upper Rank Two, Doma is practically your superior!
Doma waved his hand dismissively.
"Hey! It's alright! It's alright! Kokushibo, those in positions of power shouldn't be so harsh on their subordinates! They should be more lenient..."
Kokushibo ignored Doma and continued speaking while looking at Akaza.
Akaza, do you understand what I'm trying to say?
"Ah! I understand!"
Akaza glanced down at Doma, then looked up at Kokushibo.
"Including you!"
"Yeah..."
Kokushibo, and then walked out of the platform.
"Well then... I look forward to your challenge!"
"Zheng..."
As the sound of the biwa (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) began, Kokushibo's figure disappeared into the Infinity Castle.
"Sayurara, Kokushibo! Sayurara!"
Doma waved goodbye in the direction where Kokushibo had disappeared, a relaxed and cheerful smile on his face.
He then turned to look at Akaza, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a faint sense of disappointment.
"Hey! Akaza! I feel like I can't seem to join your conversation! Is it just my imagination?"
Akaza glanced at Doma without replying, then looked up at Nakime.
Seeing this, Doma quickly raised one hand towards Akaza, as if trying to stop Akaza.
"Eh? Akaza! I haven't finished speaking..."
"Zheng..."
"... yeah."
"Sigh~"
Doma sighed, looking dejected. "Why is everyone so cold? We're each other's most important companions, after all..."
He raised his head and looked at the few people still present.
Upon being noticed by Doma, Hantengu shivered and quickly raised his hands.
"Please teleport me back to where I was!"
"Me too!" Gyokko chimed in.
"And... and me too!" Seeing Daki quickly followed.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
As three notes of the pipa sounded, three figures disappeared one after another from the Infinity Castle, leaving Doma alone facing the empty hall.
"Hey! What's going on? We haven't seen each other in ages, why isn't anyone staying to catch up..."
Doma complained plaintively, but then, as if he had just thought of something, his eyes lit up and he looked at Nakime.
"Hey! Miss Pipa, if you have some free time, would you like to come to my house for a visit?"
Nakime smiled slightly and refused without any politeness.
"I refuse!"
Then, before Doma could speak again, he lightly raised his five fingers.
"Zheng..."
As the familiar house came into view, a look of sadness appeared on Doma's face.
"Ah, really..."
"This will only make everyone's feelings grow weaker..."
"There's no other way, I guess I'll have to be more proactive next time..."
"Creak..."
The sound of a sliding door opening came from behind him, and Doma looked toward the door.
A bald cult member dressed in white was kneeling behind the door.
"Your Excellency! A follower has come to see you!"
A smile immediately appeared on Doma's face, as if his earlier disappointment had never existed.
"Ah! A believer has arrived? I'm so sorry to have kept them waiting so long!"
"No, they won't mind!" the bald cult member shook his head.
"That's good!" Doma a sigh of relief. "But wait a moment! Just a moment!"
Doma stood up, looked around, and then, as if he saw something, walked over to it.
Doma picked up a hat from the ground.
That hat belongs exclusively to the leader of the Eternal Paradise Cult.
He put the hat on his head and then sat back down in his original spot.
He rested his right hand on his cheek and his left hand on his leg.
"Now it's all right! Please let them in..."