Taking advantage of the Eternal Paradise Faith's expansion and recruitment, as many as seven or eight young women had infiltrated the cult. The one leading them was Miho Arakaki, a Kinoe-ranked swordswoman of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Like the other believers, Miho Arakaki sat below the platform, listening as the old believer explained the doctrine of the Eternal Paradise Faith.
After lying low here for so many days, Miho Arakaki had discovered that everything about the Eternal Paradise Faith's operations seemed perfectly normal. It also encouraged its followers to maintain a calm attitude and live happily.
By now, Miho Arakaki had nearly seen every believer in the Eternal Paradise Faith, yet she had found no sign of a demon.
After all, demons had one fatal weakness: they could not stand beneath the sun.
Almost every believer here could move about during the day.
The only mysterious figure was perhaps that enigmatic Founder.
If there was a demon here, then it could only be him.
Miho Arakaki had already been at the Eternal Paradise Faith for many days, but up until now, she still had not seen that mysterious Founder.
...
On the platform, the old believers enthusiastically preached the doctrines of the Eternal Paradise Faith to the crowd. Toward the end, they declared that as long as everyone upheld the teachings faithfully, they would surely attain salvation. When that day came, the Founder would personally lead them to the world of ultimate bliss.
The gathered believers erupted in excitement.
After the scripture lecture ended, the believers gradually dispersed. The old believer packed away his books, feeling unusually invigorated. With the Founder's permission to expand the faith, the cult had grown rapidly, and in a short span of time, the number of believers had multiplied severalfold.
Seeing more and more people devote themselves to the Eternal Paradise Faith filled the old believer with incomparable excitement. He even began to imagine that if he performed well enough and earned the Founder's recognition, perhaps he might be allowed to enter that legendary world of ultimate bliss ahead of time.
What kind of place was that legendary world of bliss?
He had heard there was no sickness there, no suffering…
"Sir..."
Just as he was lost in those thoughts, a sudden voice rang out, making the old believer raise his head. Several believers had gathered around him.
The old believer recognized them. One of them was called Miho Arakaki, a newly joined follower of the Eternal Paradise Faith.
He had a rather deep impression of this newly initiated girl. Not because she was especially outstanding; on the contrary, Miho Arakaki always behaved with extreme piety. When listening to scripture, she never lost focus, and when reciting the teachings, her voice was clear and earnest. She was the type of person who made others think at a glance, This child truly believes in our faith.
"Is there something you need, my child?" the old believer asked kindly.
Miho Arakaki bowed slightly, her face showing both longing and a trace of timid hesitation, like a devout believer who had just entered the faith and was filled with curiosity toward everything.
"Sir, this disciple has a question in her heart, but I do not know whether it is proper to ask."
"Speak freely, child."
The old believer was in a fine mood, especially after seeing more and more people place their faith in the Eternal Paradise Faith. He was full of patience toward every new believer. After all, these people were all the Founder's flock, and they were also his contribution to the Founder.
Miho Arakaki raised her head, her gaze clear and serious.
"Sir, just now, on the platform, you said that as long as we uphold the doctrine, the Founder will lead us to the world of ultimate bliss. This disciple wishes to ask… does that world of ultimate bliss truly exist?"
When the old believer heard this, he could not help laughing.
"Of course it exists."
His tone was firm.
"The Eternal Paradise Faith has been passed down for countless years. The Founder has never deceived anyone. If he says there is a world of ultimate bliss, then there must be one."
Miho Arakaki blinked, and her tone became even more cautious.
"Then… ir, have you ever entered that world of ultimate bliss?"
The old believer's smile froze slightly.
He had lived for so many years. He had heard from his father of the beauty of the world of ultimate bliss, and he had personally witnessed the Founder's ageless, undying existence. He believed in the existence of the world of ultimate bliss without the slightest doubt.
But in the end…
He truly had never entered it.
The old believer was silent for a moment before continuing.
"I have not entered that world of ultimate bliss."
He raised his head, his clouded old eyes filled with fanaticism and devotion, as well as an unquestionable certainty.
"The Founder once said that the world of ultimate bliss is not a place anyone can enter. Only those with pure souls, those who absolutely believe in the doctrine, are qualified to be personally guided there by the Founder. I have worked hard all my life, but perhaps… perhaps I have still not done enough…"
He paused, his voice trembling slightly.
"But I believe that as long as I continue serving the Founder, one day, the Founder will see my devotion. When that time comes, he will surely lead me into that world of ultimate bliss."
When he spoke the word "Founder," the old believer's hunched body seemed to straighten a little, and on his aged face appeared an almost childlike anticipation and longing.
"What exactly is the world of ultimate bliss like?"
Miho Arakaki asked again, her voice filled with yearning.
"Sir, could you tell this disciple about it?"
The old believer opened his mouth, only to realize that he could not give any concrete description.
He had heard many legends about the world of ultimate bliss.
Some said there was no illness and no pain there.
Some said it was as warm as spring all year round, with flowers blooming like brocade.
Others said there was endless food and wine to enjoy…
But in the end, those were all only rumors.
He had never experienced it himself.
In the end, the old believer merely shook his head, his tone deep and solemn.
"The form of the world of ultimate bliss is not something ordinary mortals like us can imagine. But there is one thing that can be said with certainty…"
He extended a thin, withered finger and pointed toward the night sky beyond the window.
"So long as one can enter that place, they will never again need to endure the suffering of this mortal world. There will be no birth, aging, sickness, or death; no joys of union or sorrows of parting. There will only be eternal peace and joy."
The old believer drew back his hand, his gaze falling upon Miho Arakaki's face. His clouded old eyes were filled with affection and expectation.
"Child, you are still young. If you devote yourself wholeheartedly to the faith, you will surely receive the Founder's favor in the future."
Miho Arakaki lowered her head slightly, as though digesting the old believer's words. A moment later, she raised her head again.
"Sir, after hearing your words, this disciple will certainly work even harder."
She pressed her hands together, assuming a devout posture. "This disciple holds a bold request... and begs for your assistance, sir."
"What is it? Speak, child."
The old believer's fondness for this pious young female believer was growing stronger and stronger.
Miho Arakaki took a deep breath, and a shy, expectant blush appeared on her face.
"This disciple wishes to meet the Founder."
The old believer was stunned for a moment, then could not help smiling, as though he had seen his own younger self.
That boy from years ago, who had heard of the Founder's great name for the first time and could not wait to behold his true appearance.
"However…"
The old believer stopped smiling, his expression turning slightly more serious. "The Founder is not someone who can be seen at any time. These past few days, the Founder has been in seclusion in the inner courtyard and has forbidden anyone from disturbing him. Unless the Founder personally summons someone, even I cannot enter the inner courtyard without permission."
When Miho Arakaki heard this, the anticipation on her face grew even stronger.
"Is the Founder engaged in holy cultivation within the inner courtyard?"
"Yes, and no."
The old believer shook his head in a profound and mysterious manner.
"The Founder is already a divine being. What need would he have for cultivation? He is in the inner courtyard to comprehend an even deeper path to ultimate bliss, so that in the future, he may guide even more believers into the world of ultimate bliss."
He paused, then added, "But do not worry. Since the Founder has already permitted the faith to expand, in three days, he will personally meet everyone. When that time comes, not only you, but all devout believers will have the chance to see the Founder's true appearance."
Miho Arakaki bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir. This disciple will devote herself even more sincerely to the faith and await the Founder's summons."
The old believer nodded in satisfaction. After giving her a few more reminders to listen carefully to the scriptures and practice diligently, he gathered up the sutras and left.
Only after the old believer's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Miho Arakaki slowly straighten. The devotion and shyness on her face faded like the tide, and as she looked at the so-called Eternal Paradise Faith, a hint of mockery appeared in her eyes.
"Sister Miho."
A young girl beside her lowered her voice and leaned closer. "It seems this Founder should be the so-called demon."
"Most likely. After all, only a demon could live for such a long time."
Miho Arakaki slowly clenched her fist.
...
Early the next morning, Soma led everyone to a remote village about five kilometers away from the Eternal Paradise Faith.
The village was called Ochishi Town, named for its location in a mountain hollow where rockfalls often occurred.
Ordinarily, few travelers passed through the area, making it an ideal place to hide. The Demon Slayer Corps had rented a small inn there in advance and booked the entire building, using it as a temporary base for the operation.
Soma pushed open the second-floor window and gazed into the distance. From there, he could vaguely make out the outline of the Eternal Paradise Faith's temple complex. Amid the lingering morning mist, the cluster of vermilion buildings faded in and out of view, exuding an eerie, indescribable atmosphere.
"Mr. Soma."
The sound of hurried footsteps came from behind him. Soma turned his head and saw that Miho Arakaki had somehow already slipped back into the stronghold.
Morning dew still clung to her forehead, and her clothes were damp in places. Clearly, she had rushed back as quickly as possible.
"You've worked hard."
Soma poured her a cup of hot tea. "Sit down and tell us."
Miho Arakaki accepted the tea and swept her gaze around the room.
Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Gyomei Himejima, and Kanae Kocho were all there…
"Everyone, here is the exact reality of the situation,"
Miho Arakaki reported in detail everything she had seen and heard over the past three days.
According to what she had learned from the old believer, that mysterious "Founder" truly had never moved about during the day, nor had anyone ever seen him appear beneath the sunlight. His movements were also extremely secretive.
"The most important point is this." Miho Arakaki lowered her voice. "In three days, the Founder will personally appear to meet the believers. When that time comes, all the followers will gather in the main hall of the outer courtyard to listen to the Founder preach."
"A flawless opportunity!" Sanemi Shinazugawa slammed his palm onto the table. "In three days, when he comes out, we'll charge right in and kill him."
"Sanemi is right." Kyojuro Rengoku nodded as well.
Miho Arakaki also spoke. "When the time comes, I can see whether I can find an opportunity to strike from behind and launch a surprise attack on that demon."
"Then it's decided," Sanemi Shinazugawa stood up, his scarred face full of killing intent. "Three days from now, at night—"
"Wait." Soma spoke up.
Everyone's gaze fell on him.
Sanemi Shinazugawa's hand was still raised in the air, and the eager expression on his face faltered slightly.
"What is it?"
Soma shook his head. "Aren't we being a little too hasty?"
"Hasty?" Sanemi Shinazugawa frowned. "That demon is appearing in three days. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we miss this chance, next time—"
Kyojuro Rengoku also nodded. "Sanemi has a point. With us Hashira gathered here, and with Miho on the inside to coordinate with us, we can strike from within and without. Even if he is Upper Rank Two, he may not gain the upper hand. If we hit him with a thunderous strike the moment he appears, our odds of victory will be extremely high."
"I am not saying this plan is unworkable."
Soma shook his head. "I only feel that everyone has fallen into a misconception. Why must we act at night? Why not choose daytime instead?"
"Demons will not come out during the day." Kyojuro Rengoku shook his head.
After all the years the Demon Slayer Corps had spent hunting demons, one thing was clear: demons hid extremely well during the day and would not possibly show themselves under the sun.
Sanemi Shinazugawa nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If we could act during the day, who would want to risk their lives fighting demons in the dead of night? The problem is that we simply can't find them. During the day, those demons hide in cellars, secret rooms, caves—each one buries itself deeper than the last. Even if we know they're in this area, without an exact location, are we supposed to overturn every inch of land for miles around?"
"Moreover," Kanae Kocho added softly, "this situation is even more special. The Eternal Paradise Faith has several hundred ordinary believers, and the vast majority of them are innocent people who have been deceived. If we carry out a large-scale search in broad daylight, not only might we alert the enemy, but it could also cause unnecessary panic and casualties."
Although everyone acknowledged the advantage of acting during the day, the practical problem stood before them.
If they could not find the demon's location, everything else was empty talk.
Rather than risk rushing in and finding nothing, it would be better to fight him head-on when he showed himself.
This was not stubbornness or a refusal to adapt. It was experience the Demon Slayer Corps had accumulated over countless battles with demons across centuries: finding a demon during the day was almost impossible.
Only after everyone had finished speaking did Soma open his mouth.
"Everything you've said makes sense. But summed up, the issue is simply that we cannot locate the demon during the day. However…"
"What if we can find the demon during the day?"
The room instantly fell silent.
"Find a demon during the day?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes widened, suspicion written all over his scarred face. "Mr. Soma, you're not joking, are you? Those demons hide deeper than rats during the day. How are we supposed to find one?"
"I know it sounds unrealistic."
Soma smiled faintly. "But what I mean is, if we have a method that can precisely lock onto the exact place where the demon is hiding during the day, then wouldn't we be able to act during the day?"
Kyojuro Rengoku furrowed his brows. "Mr. Soma, this method you speak of… does it truly exist?"
"It does."
He answered, then said, "Tanjiro, come in."
The door was gently pushed open.
A boy with deep crimson hair walked in.
It was Tanjiro Kamado.
He wore the Demon Slayer Corps uniform, and the Nichirin Sword at his waist swayed lightly with each step. Although he seemed somewhat nervous facing so many senior Hashira, his gaze was exceptionally firm.
...
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