Mitsuba's tone was utterly relaxed and leisurely, even carrying a hint of mockery.
This was the mockery that absolute strength displayed when facing the petty tricks of absolute weakness.
She was supremely confident.
"I do indeed have an ambush."
Collecting himself, Ubuyashiki took a deep breath. Looking at Mitsuba before him, he likewise smiled and said:
"However, before we officially begin the battle, Miss Tsugikuni Mitsuba, would you be willing to let me ask you a few questions?
Consider it... an appetizer before our formal battle begins?"
"Hmm..."
Her gaze simply rested upon him, neither agreeing nor refusing. She waited until Ubuyashiki gradually became somewhat restless, before Mitsuba suddenly laughed.
"Of course. After all, the night is still long, and I have always been quite patient with the dead."
Raising her hand, she gestured with impeccable politeness.
"Please ask. Within the bounds of what is permitted, I shall certainly answer without reservation."
Tamayo had been right.
Within Tsugikuni Mitsuba's personality, there existed a considerable degree of arrogance.
This arrogance born from her own formidable strength caused her to be unlike professional killers in battle—cold and decisive.
On the contrary, she was capricious.
Sometimes, she would even choose to spare her enemies based on momentary whims.
Just like now. Even though Mitsuba clearly knew there was a trap, even though she was well aware that he was stalling for time, she was still willing to cooperate.
There was no other reason—simply because she wanted to see what kind of spectacle they could produce...
It was also thanks to Mitsuba's unique personality that their plan could smoothly progress to the second stage.
"First question: Nearly a hundred years ago, during the Warring States period, the Demon Slayer Corps once suffered a catastrophic disaster.
At that time, even the head of my ancestor was severed and taken away by demons...
Miss Tsugikuni Mitsuba, can you tell me—was the demon who committed this atrocity you?"
"Hmm... I suppose so, as I was indeed present at the time."
Facing Ubuyashiki's unwavering gaze, Mitsuba nodded lightly, then shook her head with great regret.
"What a pity. If not for your god's 'cheating behavior,' I would have had the opportunity to wipe out your entire clan that night.
In my hundred-plus years of existence, this truly counts as a very regrettable matter."
"Cheating?"
"Unwilling to descend into the mortal realm to interfere personally, only daring to hide in the heavens and use such 'tattletale' underhanded tricks.
Hinting and guiding, almost writing the answers directly upon your faces—Mr. Ubuyashiki, is this not cheating?
Oh my, oh my~ if we demons could also have a god who cherished us so, how wonderful that would be~"
Mitsuba spoke in jest, her words filled with irreverence toward the divine.
After all, no one had ever stipulated that believing in the existence of gods necessitated respecting them, had they?
"Miss Tsugikuni jests. If such a mysterious existence truly existed, for us humans, that would be the true catastrophe..."
Having obtained the answer he sought, Ubuyashiki did not continue to纠缠 on this topic.
He spoke again:
"Second question, Miss Tsugikuni. Your elder brother, that legendary Child of God—Mr. Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
After he vanished from the world back then, where exactly did he go?
And was he... killed by demons?"
"Yes, he was."
Contrary to Ubuyashiki's expectations, Mitsuba answered this question almost instantly.
Her smile gradually faded, her expression finally becoming solemn. Looking at him, she spoke in a deep voice:
"Moreover, he was killed by the very demon standing before you now.
On that night over forty years ago, when the Tokugawa Shogunate was established and Osaka Castle burned."
"What?!"
Facing this completely unexpected answer, Ubuyashiki's face—covered in ugly scars—finally revealed an expression of utter shock for the first time.
Regarding the fate of the Child of God, this was a secret even Tamayo had not known.
Ubuyashiki... no, it should be said that probably no Demon Slayer in this world would dare to imagine it.
This legendary starting breath user who had brought breathing techniques to the Demon Slayer Corps, and had even once driven Muzan Kibutsuji to the brink of death—had ultimately died at the hands of his own younger sister who had become a demon?
The strongest Demon Slayer could actually be killed by a demon who was not the Demon King?!
Ubuyashiki had considered the possibility that Mitsuba was deliberately lying.
If Mitsuba had spoken these words with that same smiling expression, perhaps he would not have believed it so readily.
But precisely because of this, the previously relaxed and leisurely Tsugikuni Mitsuba had instantly changed her expression when this topic was raised...
She was serious. She had truly... killed the Child of God!
Her Blood Demon Art had actually grown powerful enough to reach such a realm?!
"Miss Tsugikuni..."
After briefly closing his eyes to calm his emotions, Ubuyashiki looked at Mitsuba before him with an expression that could only be described as pity, and asked:
"Can you tell me—what kind of experience is it to kill one's own elder brother with your own hands?"
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, please put away your disgusting rhetoric. Do not attempt to profane my elder brother."
Facing Ubuyashiki's attempt to use Brother Yoriichi to affect her state of mind, undisguised killing intent flickered in the depths of Mitsuba's crimson eyes.
"I am clearer than anyone else in this world—I killed the Child of God, not my elder brother."
Mitsuba was clearer than anyone that her elder brother named Tsugikuni Yoriichi was merely an ordinary person who longed for the ordinary. He had never wished to be the so-called Child of God.
Therefore, ever since that night in Osaka Castle over forty years ago, Mitsuba had never again referred to Yoriichi as the "Child of God," and detested anyone else using this title to address him.
Child of God was a profanation of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's existence.
From Mitsuba's reaction, Ubuyashiki keenly perceived that behind the mysterious death of this Child of God, there was likely another hidden story.
He was curious about this. Extremely curious.
But he also realized that Mitsuba completely did not wish to discuss this topic with him.
If he dared to pursue further, she would certainly strike immediately.
What a pity. For the subjugation plan to proceed smoothly, he could only choose to abandon this line of inquiry.
"My apologies, Miss Tsugikuni. Please forgive my offense just now..."
Calculating the time in his mind, Ubuyashiki spoke while reaching behind his cushion to retrieve a firework.
After lighting it, he raised his hand toward the night sky above, releasing a brilliant blossom of flame.
Obviously, this was the signal to attack, but Mitsuba showed no intention of stopping him.
"What's this, Mr. Ubuyashiki? Have you finally finished chatting and decided to fight me?"
She had watched the entire process, that exquisite face once again adorned with a brilliant smile.
___
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