Chapter 19: Movements of both sides, conflict breaks out!
Infinity Castle.
Within this bizarre, upside-down, and intertwined architectural complex, several powerful demons were once again summoned.
Unlike the Lower Rank Demons who appeared panicked, each of them displayed distinct personalities.
They either stood or sat, calmly awaiting Muzan Kibutsuji's arrival.
Thrum—!
The sudden plucking of a string sounded, and the figures of Muzan Kibutsuji and Nakime solidified before the demons.
"Akaza is dead; a corner of the Twelve Kizuki is missing."
Without any greetings or pleasantries, Muzan Kibutsuji immediately dropped this news on the Upper Rank Demons present.
"Are you serious? It's Akaza-sama... I never thought something like this would happen."
In this oppressive atmosphere, a young man spoke his opinion on the matter with an extremely cheerful and optimistic tone.
He wore a religious-style red hat, and beneath his white-oak hair were a pair of rainbow-colored pupils, yet they were hollow and devoid of emotion.
His name was Douma, Upper Rank Two of the Twelve Kizuki.
Muzan Kibutsuji glanced at Douma with a cold expression and continued.
"I have now received news about the blue spider lily, but I am growing increasingly disappointed in all of you!"
As he spoke, an invisible, terrifying pressure emanated from Muzan Kibutsuji.
The demons felt the blood flowing within them stagnate, and their hearts felt as if they were tightly clutched by an invisible hand, causing unbearable pain.
"Because Akaza was too useless, I lost the chance to obtain the blue spider lily."
"Because you all are too lax, I must actively step into the trap prepared by the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Is there really any difference between Upper Rank Demons and Lower Rank Demons? You're all just useless!"
The angrier Muzan Kibutsuji became, the darker the ink-like marks in his crimson eyes grew, and the surging pressure rendered the demons silent and speechless.
Facing their enraged master, even Douma, who usually wore a playful smile, sobered his expression and respectfully prostrated himself, no one daring to speak up at this moment.
Muzan Kibutsuji's tyrannical gaze swept over the demons one by one, and after a long while, he finally suppressed the urge to crush them all.
Just then, the ink-like color in the Demon King's eyes surged, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, which was already filled with rage.
He didn't need to fall into the Demon Slayer Corps' so-called trap at all!
Although they held the trump card of the blue spider lily, he wasn't without cards to play himself.
"For the next month, I will command all demons to act; you are no exception."
Muzan Kibutsuji hastily informed all Upper Ranks of their mission, then vanished amidst Nakime's biwa music.
After the Demon King left, the prostrate Upper Rank Demons slowly rose to their feet.
Douma opened his golden fan, covering the lower half of his face, and spoke with a hint of lingering fear.
"Muzan-sama's power is too great; I almost thought I was truly going to die."
"Eeek!!! Douma-sama, please don't say such inauspicious things!"
Hantengu, who had two horns on his head and resembled a timid old man, clutched his head, his voice tinged with a whimper.
Although his eyes didn't bear inscriptions like other demons, he was indeed the genuine Upper Rank Four.
"Akaza-sama... it must have been over ninety years since we last met, and I never thought that last time would be goodbye forever."
Gyokko, whose upper body extended from an oval vase, spoke in an inexplicable tone, but it was certainly not sadness.
His appearance was vastly different from a human's; mouths grew where his eyes should be, and there was an eyeball on his forehead and another where his mouth should be, each inscribed with 'Upper Rank' and 'Five' respectively.
Looking at the Upper Rank Demons around her who had completely relaxed, Daki, with her long white hair falling to her waist and hips, and her revealing attire, scoffed.
"You all have nothing else to say, right? Then my brother and I will go carry out Muzan-sama's mission first."
With that, several sashes extended from her waist, enveloped her entire body, and she vanished instantly.
The demons glanced at the spot where Daki had been and all showed disdain.
If not for Muzan-sama's "affection" and Gyutaro's protection, what right did this arrogant little girl have to be ranked Upper Rank Six?
"Alright, Daki is not wrong; everyone go back and prepare."
Kokushibo, as Upper Rank One, spoke for the first time.
His voice was calm yet authoritative, instantly quelling the demons' desire to continue conversing.
And so, the Upper Rank Demons used their various abilities and left the Infinity Castle.
...
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
After listening to Kyojuro Rengoku's full report, the most hot-tempered Sanemi Shinazugawa slammed the table and thundered,
"Are you kidding me! Upper Rank Demons don't die even if their heads are cut off!"
Uzui Tengen added, "Not just that, if even Upper Rank Demons aren't afraid of decapitation, then Muzan Kibutsuji, as the Demon King..."
Kocho Shinobu calmly analyzed, "Judging from the situation with Upper Rank Three, sunlight is still their weakness."
Iguro Obanai's voice was low, "So we can only try our best to stall for time and wait for the sun to come out to defeat them?"
Upon hearing this, a vein bulged on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead, and he sharply turned to glare at Arthur, who was sitting nearby teasing Fufu, and roared,
"Why did you set the time for midnight!"
"How can humans fight demons for a full six hours!"
"And such a crucial plan, you only tell us now! You did this on purpose, didn't you!"
The other Pillars remained silent, but their gazes towards Arthur clearly showed dissatisfaction.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki quickly reached out, wanting to smooth things over, but Arthur, who was sitting cross-legged, spoke first.
"You're right, I did it on purpose."
"Nani!?"
The Pillars' expressions all changed; they couldn't understand why he would do such a thing.
Arthur continued, "First, Muzan Kibutsuji is a cowardly scumbag."
"If he doesn't see hope of victory, he will immediately burrow into some ditch and hide, not showing his face for a hundred years."
"And then, the second point: why am I only telling you now?"
"Because I never expected you to be of much help from the beginning; I am enough to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji on my own."
A vein throbbed on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead, his right hand already on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, as he growled through gritted teeth.
"I really still want to cut down this bastard right now!"
"Sanemi, this plan was decided jointly by me and Arthur-san."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke in time, forcing the almost berserk Sanemi Shinazugawa to calm down.
Then, he looked sideways at Arthur, whose expression remained indifferent, and bowed slightly.
"But Arthur-san, according to our previous discussions, the Demon Slayer Corps would help you clear away unnecessary obstacles, wouldn't it?"
Arthur shook his head, "Sorry, I changed my mind temporarily."
"Judging by the power displayed by Upper Rank Three, you—I'm afraid you really can't be of much help."
"Oh, except for the Stone Pillar."
His utterly blunt assessment instantly ignited the anger of several Pillars.
The Pillars all stood up abruptly, glaring at Arthur, who was still teasing the pure white cub.
Kyojuro Rengoku quickly stood in the middle, separating everyone, and said in a loud voice,
"Everyone, please calm down!"
"Although I am also disheartened by Arthur-san's assessment, Upper Rank Three's power was indeed despairingly strong!"
As the universally recognized good-natured person among the Nine Pillars, Kyojuro Rengoku successfully made the enraged Pillars temporarily restrain their impulse to draw their swords.
Uzui Tengen frowned, staring at Arthur.
"I won't give up fighting just because of someone's words! Unless you can brilliantly provide proof that will convince me!"
Hearing this, Arthur finally looked up, a playful smile on his lips, and pointed towards the open space outside the courtyard.
"Alright, then let's go over there and I'll show you."