— — — — — — —
Demon Slayer World
After capturing Kocho Kanae, Kikyo gave a direct order:
"First, find a suitable place and establish the Devil's Cult!"
"We shall spread Lord Lynn's will to this world!"
The little devil girls flapped their wings and flew off into the distance to scout the area.
Kanae Kocho's eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene before her.
So many flying demons?!
Her heart clenched as a wave of despair washed over her.
With this army of demons, how could the Demon Slayer Corps possibly win?
Her expression darkened.
After a while, one of the little devils returned to report. "Lady Kikyo! There's a large cult headquarters in the northwest called the Paradise Faith Cult. The place is massive!"
Kikyo's eyes flashed. "Good. Let's check it out."
---
Paradise Faith Cult Headquarters
Kikyo frowned as she looked at the grand structure before her. "What an ominous place."
Step.
As if sensing their presence, a figure strode out.
He wore a black cloak and a hat adorned with the words Paradise Faith Cult Leader.
His pale platinum blond hair rose slightly, and his eyes shimmered in rainbow colors. On his left and right eyes, the words "Upper Rank" and "Two" were inscribed.
"Upper Rank Two!"
Kanae's pupils contracted, and her heart sank.
"Oh? What's this?" Doma's eyes gleamed with intrigue before his expression twisted into delight. "Could it be that gods truly exist in this world? To think they'd send me such a feast of lovely girls!"
Utaha's gaze turned ice-cold. "This guy is utterly disgusting."
Kikyo's voice was calm but firm. "No need for words."
She raised her bow.
"Sacred Arrow!"
Swish!
A glowing white arrow shot forward at blinding speed.
"Huh?"
Doma blinked in confusion.
Why… why would someone dare to shoot at him?
Kanae was equally shocked.
Wait—weren't they on the same side?
"Be careful! He's Upper Rank Two! His strength is terrifying!" Kanae blurted out. "Without a Nichirin Blade, you can't kill a demon!"
As if confirming her words, Doma watched the incoming arrow with utter indifference.
He didn't even feel the need to dodge.
He simply parted his lips and uttered two words.
"Frozen Lotus."
The air around him dropped in temperature as a chilling mist formed, materializing into a crystalline wall of ice between him and the arrow.
Shhhhk!
The Arrow pierced straight through the ice and continued toward Doma's forehead!
Doma blinked in surprise.
This woman… she's quite skilled.
But still—
Without a Nichirin Blade, killing him was impossible.
That was his thought.
"… How?"
His skin suddenly felt like it was burning.
That moment of doubt was his last.
The Purifying Arrow tore through his skull, and his rainbow-colored irises dilated in shock.
Fsssshhh!
A wave of searing smoke rose from his body.
"Aaaaaaahhhh!!" Doma shrieked in agony.
"Impossible!"
"How could this happen?!"
Doma collapsed, his face twisted in disbelief.
His body was burning away, as if he were standing beneath the sun itself.
"I… I'm Upper Rank Two…!" His words barely escaped his lips before his body was completely purified.
With Doma gone, Kikyo turned to Kanae, raising an eyebrow. "What were you saying just now?"
Kanae opened her mouth, swallowed hard, and finally muttered, "N-Nothing…"
She stared at the empty spot where Doma had stood, her mind in turmoil.
A demon so overwhelmingly powerful… had been eliminated effortlessly?
With just a single arrow?
A chill crept up her spine.
Who… no, what were these people?
D-Devils…
For the first time, she truly contemplated the meaning of that word.
At the very least, they clearly weren't demons.
Otherwise, Upper Rank Two wouldn't have perished at that shrine maiden's hands.
But still…Devils… doesn't sound like a good thing either…
Kanae's expression grew complicated.
What will become of this world?
---
With Doma dealt with, Kikyo performed a large-scale purification, wiping the Paradise Faith Cult Headquarters off the map.
"Still feels disgusting…" Utaha grimaced.
"Yeah. Let's find a different spot…"
Kanae opened her mouth to object, but before she could say anything, Utaha silenced her with a single spell.
"Mmph?!"
Kanae: "???"
"You're a prisoner. You don't get a say."
— — —
Infinity Castle
Far away, in Muzan Kibutsuji's domain, his eyes snapped open.
"Doma… is dead?"
His voice was hoarse as the last memories of his fallen Upper Rank flickered through his mind.
A chill ran through him.
The scar on his neck throbbed in pain.
.
.
.