Demon Slayer World.
After capturing Kocho Kanae, Kikyo gave the order, "First, find a suitable place to establish the base."
"Spread Lord Lynn's will across this world!"
"Yes!"
The cursed children flapped their wings and flew off to scout the surrounding area.
Kanae's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the scene unfold.
So many flying demons...
Her heart trembled. A deep sense of despair began to rise.
How could the Demon Slayer Corps possibly defeat such an army of evil beings?
Her eyes dimmed.
Not long after...
A pair of cursed children returned to report, "Miss Kikyo, there's a large place named Eternal Paradise Cult headquarters to the northwest. The area looks huge!"
Kikyo's eyes glinted. "Good. We'll go there first."
Soon after.
Eternal Paradise Cult Headquarters.
Kikyo stood before the large structure, frowning. "What a filthy place."
And...
There was an evil aura lingering within.
Tap.
As if sensing their presence, someone stepped out.
He wore a black cloak and the ceremonial headpiece of the Eternal Paradise Cult's leader.
His pale white hair floated slightly, and his rainbow-colored eyes gleamed. On his irises were engraved the characters "上弦" and "弐".
"Upper Rank Two!"
Kanae's pupils shrank the moment she saw Doma, her heart sinking instantly.
"Hmm?"
Doma looked surprised at first but quickly grew excited.
"So many delicious girls, all sent straight to me!"
Utaha's eyes turned cold. "This guy's disgusting."
"No need to waste words," Kikyo said coldly.
She raised her bow.
She drew it back.
"Demon-Breaking Arrow!"
Whoosh!
A white-glowing arrow shot forward like a meteor!
"?"
Doma tilted his head, a question mark forming in his expression.
Why would someone shoot at him?
Even Kanae was surprised.
Aren't they on the same side as the Upper Moons?
But...
"Be careful! He's Upper Rank Two. His strength is overwhelming!"
Kanae couldn't help but warn them.
"And..."
"You can't kill a demon without a Nichirin Blade!"
Just as she finished speaking, Douma, clearly unconcerned, didn't even move.
He opened his mouth slightly.
"Frozen Lotus."
Whoosh...
The temperature dropped drastically.
A frigid wind blew from nowhere, and in front of him, an ice crystal formed midair.
Clink—
The Demon-Breaking Arrow pierced the ice crystal without slowing, continuing toward Doma's forehead.
Doma's eyes widened slightly.
This human woman… seems powerful.
But...
Without a Nichirin Blade, she can't kill me.
That's what he believed.
However...
Why does my skin feel like it's burning?
In the next instant, the arrow pierced straight through his forehead.
His rainbow-colored eyes went wide!
Sss—
White smoke began to rise.
"Aaaarghhh—!"
Doma suddenly let out a pained scream!
"Impossible!"
"How is this possible?!"
He dropped to his knees, his expression twisted in agony and disbelief.
His body… was collapsing!
As if the sun were shining directly above him!
"I… am Upper Rank Two!"
With those final words, Doma was purified completely.
Upper Rank Two, defeated!
Only then did Kikyo glance at Kocho Kanae and ask curiously, "What did you just say?"
Kanae opened her mouth, swallowed hard, and murmured, "N-Nothing… It's nothing."
She stared at the spot where Doma had vanished, her heart unable to calm down.
To her, and to the entire Demon Slayer Corps, that demon was overwhelmingly powerful…
Yet he was just.
Killed.
So easily?
With one arrow?
A chill ran through her.
Who are they?
Devils?
Only now did she begin to fully contemplate the word.
At the very least...
They're definitely not the same as the man-eating demons.
Otherwise, how could Upper Rank Two have been purified by that shrine maiden?
But...
The word "devil" doesn't exactly sound good either…
Kanae's expression turned complicated.
What's going to happen to this world?
After eliminating Doma,
Kikyo purified the entire Eternal Paradise Cult headquarters with a single move.
Still...
"I still feel disgusted..."
Utaha frowned.
"Let's find somewhere else."
Kanae opened her mouth to speak, but Utaha silenced her with a spell.
Kocho Kanae: "?"
"You're a prisoner now. You don't get to talk."
Meanwhile.
Infinity Castle.
Muzan abruptly opened his eyes.
"Doma… is dead?"
His voice turned hoarse. The memory Doma transmitted before dying left him with a deep sense of unease.
The scar on his side throbbed faintly.
---
The next day.
Main World.
Apartment.
Lynn silently stared at the tied-up Kocho Kanae, who had been sent by Utaha.
"Mmph—mmph!"
Kocho Kanae was restrained in an almost artistic way, rolling on the ground with muffled whimpers.
Due to the silence spell, she could only make sobbing sounds.
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
Lynn sent a message in the group.
Sigma Man: Utaha, you're really becoming more and more like a devil.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: Master, no need to thank me.
Lynn shook his head.
Just who did this girl think she was?
He snapped his fingers while looking at Kocho Kanae.
Bang!
The golden chains disintegrated into dust.
But...
So did her clothes.
Kocho Kanae: "!"
"Sorry, I overdid it," Lynn said calmly.
He snapped his fingers again. Her outfit returned to normal.
Phew...
Kanae finally let out a sigh of relief.
But...
She stared at Lynn with resentment.
He had seen it all…
Once the silence spell was lifted, Kanae gasped for air.
Not being able to speak the whole night had been unbearable!
"Um…"
She looked at Lynn nervously, hesitating.
The group yesterday… they were all his followers, right?
Lynn...
"You should have a basic understanding by now."
"Y-Yes!"
Kanae knelt before Lynn, clearly nervous.
She had been forced to follow Kikyo and the others yesterday, and heard many things from them.
Devils...
Her violet eyes wavered.
But... it must be true!
Because...
Only a devil could kill Upper Rank Two with a single arrow, right?
Still...
Kikyo's power didn't exactly seem devil-like?
But none of that mattered!
During Kikyo's preaching yesterday, the names "Lord Lynn", "Ancestor of Devils", and "Devil God" were etched into her heart.
Join them, or...
She was confused.
Kikyo had said Lord Lynn and his peerage would bring change to her world.
Kanae couldn't help recalling the events of yesterday.
Upper Rank Two was obliterated in an instant...
That image had shaken her to the core!
Only by facing an Upper Rank demon personally could one understand their true terror.
But...
He was instantly destroyed...
Thinking of this, Kanae's heart began to race.
Change...
Could they destroy Muzan?
Could they...
"Lord Lynn, can demons and humans coexist peacefully?"
Curiosity flashed in her eyes.
Lynn smiled. "As long as we eliminate all the man-eating demons, peaceful coexistence is possible."
Kanae's face froze.
"Yeah, that makes sense..."
She let out a breath and asked cautiously, "Lord Lynn, will you eliminate the evil demons?"
"Of course."
"Your world needs only the voice of devils."
Lynn affirmed.
Kanae was stunned.
If devils could eliminate evil demons, then trusting them...
Didn't seem wrong?
And...
Kanae looked out the window.
Isn't this a beautiful world where devils exist?
She closed her eyes, recalling the countless comrades who'd fallen while fighting demons.
She also remembered Kikyo and the others.
Even though they were devils, they didn't act evil at all.
Except for...
Capturing her…
But that was due to a misunderstanding.
Devils were nothing like demons!
At the very least, even if Muzan lived a thousand years, he wouldn't be able to cross dimensions.
She took a deep breath and made her decision.
"Lord Lynn, please allow me to become your follower."
She was selling herself to the devil!
In exchange...
For the destruction of evil demons!
Lynn was pleased with her answer. "Alright, then remove your clothes."
"?"
A giant question mark appeared in Kanae's head.
"Is this..."
"The ritual for joining?"
"Of course."
Lynn remained calm.
Kanae's eyelids twitched, feeling conflicted.
Even though he already saw her…
Doing it herself was different!
"Just reveal your back."
"Oh..."
Kanae let out a breath.
That was easier to accept than stripping completely.
Still, it was embarrassing...
She took a few deep breaths and removed her haori.
After slowly unfastening her uniform…
Click.
Her uniform loosened.
"Mm..."
Her face flushed as she turned her back to Lynn.
Seeing this, Lynn gathered the Evil Piece and pressed it against her back.
"Ah~"
As the energy surged into her body, Kanae let out a moan, then quickly covered her mouth.
Moments later.
The Blessing Message appeared.
[Kocho Kanae]
Low-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Endurance: i0
Magic: i0
Innate Skills:
[Flower Breathing]
Crimson Eyes on the Other Shore — Slight boost to agility.
[Floral Veil] — When activating skills, invisible petals form a barrier, increasing agility. Petals possess purification effects, resistant to curses and toxins.
A special devil form without reincarnation…
After copying the Blessing info, Lynn handed it to her.
"This is…"
Kanae looked confused.
"The power you gained by selling yourself to the devil."
Lynn teased, then explained the Blessing system.
Phew...
After understanding, Kanae's breathing grew rapid.
She…
Had received the Devil God's blessing...
Meanwhile.
Demon Slayer World, Butterfly Mansion.
The crow delivered terrible news.
Crash!
A bowl fell, breaking into pieces as dark green medicine spread across the floor.
The sharp sound echoed throughout the Butterfly Mansion.
The strong medicinal smell began to spread.
But...
No one cared anymore.
Kocho Shinobu stood frozen.
"Big Sister..."
"Taken… away?"
(To be continued.)