Dawn was approaching.
Nearly all of the local magistrates, yoriki, and doshin from the area surrounding the Eternal Paradise Cult Faith gathered near the cult's headquarters.
These were the local authorities.
The magistrates were roughly equivalent to city-level officials, the yoriki were mid-ranking local officers, and the doshin were grassroots personnel similar to constables or patrol officers.
Under the coordination of the Ubuyashiki family, all of them were cooperating with the Demon Slayer Corps in this operation.
"It's time to move."
Soma raised his head and looked toward the sky. It was still dim, but he could already sense that the sun was about to rise.
The town magistrate immediately gave the order. Under the leadership of the yoriki, large numbers of doshin rushed into the Eternal Paradise Faith to arrest its followers.
The Eternal Paradise Faith had existed in the area for many years without incident. It had never imagined that it would face an official arrest operation.
Some believers resisted, but it meant nothing.
The arrests went extremely smoothly.
However, arresting the followers of the Eternal Paradise Faith was not the Demon Slayer Corps' true objective. It was only to prevent these believers from interfering with the Corps' demon-hunting operation.
Soma turned his head and glanced behind him.
For this hunt against Upper Rank Two, the Demon Slayer Corps had gathered almost the majority of its strength.
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa.
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku.
And a large number of swordsmen.
Together with the Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho, who had infiltrated the place, this lineup was powerful enough to hunt Doma even in the depths of night.
If Doma doesn't die, then who would?
"Proceed according to the plan we set in advance." Soma spoke.
And so, under the leadership of one Kinoe-ranked swordsman after another, the Demon Slayer Corps members swiftly rushed toward their prearranged locations. In addition to their Nichirin Swords, they also carried plenty of explosives.
These explosives were meant to blow up some of the buildings within the Eternal Paradise Faith. The area had already been scouted in advance. When these buildings were originally constructed, the traits of demons had clearly been taken into consideration. Even in broad daylight, sunlight could barely reach their interiors.
Moreover, the buildings were extremely sturdy. Trying to topple them through manpower alone would be very difficult, but with explosives, the matter became much simpler.
The other swordsmen had already begun moving according to the plan. Soon, only Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Tanjiro remained beside Soma.
At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Tanjiro.
Tanjiro also knew the responsibility resting on his shoulders. After closing his eyes briefly, he drew in a deep breath through his nose. Then, almost immediately, he moved quickly in a certain direction.
Kyojuro Rengoku and the others were overjoyed and hurried after him.
...
The sun rose, and sunlight shone over the earth.
Inside the palace of the Eternal Paradise Faith, however, not a single ray of sunlight could enter.
The entire palace was illuminated only by lamp after lamp.
Doma drank another cup of tea brewed by Kanae Kocho and listened to another piece she played on the thirteen-string koto. The tea she brewed was delicious, and the koto she played was also very pleasant to hear.
But Doma was gradually growing impatient.
Because—
He was hungry.
If he was hungry, then he needed to eat. The young woman before him was very delicious food. And she, like the believers he had eaten in the past, surely longed to enter that legendary world of ultimate bliss.
Perfect. I could grant her "salvation."
This was a very good thing.
"All right. You may stop now."
Doma set down the teacup and looked at Kanae Kocho, who had been playing the thirteen-string koto.
Kanae Kocho stopped and put the koto aside, her purple eyes looking at Doma.
"Did you not say that you wished to serve me for the rest of your life?"
Doma looked at Kanae Kocho, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"Yes."
Kanae Kocho spoke softly, also revealing a smile. Compared with Doma's emotionless smile, Kanae Kocho's smile appeared very gentle, and it carried sorrowful compassion.
"I did say that. However…"
"However, I was lying to you."
As she spoke, Kanae Kocho blinked her beautiful purple eyes, carrying a hint of mischief.
"Beautiful women really do like lying."
Doma shook his head. Kotoha Hashibira had once said that she would serve him for the rest of her life as well, but in the end, all Kotoha Hashibira had shown toward him was fear. She had even refused to fulfill the words she had once spoken.
There was no helping it. He had no choice but to act himself.
Now, it was the same.
Ordinarily, being deceived would always bring anger. But Doma felt no anger from being deceived, nor could he sense rage at all.
From the time he was still human, he had never experienced any emotional fluctuation. He could barely feel joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. Human emotions had always been something illusory to Doma.
And so, even now, Doma's face still wore that gentle smile.
"Do you wish to enter that world of ultimate bliss? Do you wish to live forever and never die?"
This was the delusion of almost all humans.
There were almost no exceptions.
"By being eaten by you?" Kanae Kocho asked.
"Yes."
Doma nodded very seriously. "Human lives are truly short. Once you die, you become nothing. You can feel nothing. When the brain and heart stop, and the whole body rots away, you return to dust."
As he spoke, Doma stood, preparing to enjoy the delicacy before him.
"But I can bring you salvation. All you need to do is be eaten by me—consumed completely, from blood to flesh without a trace remaining—and you will be able to live eternally together with me."
"But that is not eternal life, nor is it salvation."
Kanae Kocho also stood, sadness in her voice. "Those people were eaten by you. You only treated them as food."
"It seems you do not believe me." Doma shook his head. "Once you are eaten by me and become one with my body, you will be able to feel all of it."
As he spoke, Doma suddenly closed the distance. Only an afterimage seemed to remain in the air, and his five fingers reached straight for Kanae Kocho's neck.
In the past, many foods had been unable to accept the salvation he offered them. But Doma would still generously allow them to experience his sincerity, letting them become one with his body.
No one could escape from his palm.
But when his hand grabbed out, it caught only empty air.
Doma froze slightly, clearly not expecting the young woman before him to dodge. Ordinary people could never evade him. No matter how unwilling they were, no matter how they resisted, they could only accept the "salvation" he gave them.
His eyes unconsciously fell upon Kanae Kocho.
The young woman's figure landed lightly at the side. At the same time, she raised both hands, gathered the black hair behind her, and tied it with a hair cord so that her flowing hair would not interfere with her movements.
Looking at Kanae Kocho's actions, and faintly sensing the familiar "breathing" in her breath, Doma confirmed that she was a swordswoman of the Demon Slayer Corps.
His gaze unconsciously fell on the young woman's hands.
There was no weapon.
A Demon Slayer Corps swordswoman without even a Nichirin Sword.
Even though he could not feel emotions, a faint sense of absurd amusement arose within Doma's heart.
A swordsman without a Nichirin Sword—how could she possibly kill a demon?
...
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