Tonight, the moon shone exceptionally bright and clear, as if draping the world in a thin, silver veil. Muzan Kibutsuji stood with his hands clasped behind his back atop the peak of an attic. Bathed in moonlight, he looked both otherworldly and mysterious.

  “Moonlight is cool and crisp, yet it will never compare to the warmth that nourishes the body and soul—the sun.”

  “All that eludes me is the sun.”

  As is the nature of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji was supremely greedy. As the progenitor, the first demon king, he wielded unimaginable power. Whatever he desired, nothing was beyond his reach.

  But after a thousand years, even Muzan—who once believed himself to be at the pinnacle of the world—harbored one fatal weakness.

  The sun—the radiant light that even ants, mice, and insects bask in freely—remained utterly untouchable by Muzan.

  Gazing up at the night sky, Muzan spoke in a quiet tone, “Demons, awaken! Go forth and cause the Demon Slayer Corps even more trouble.”

  “Kokushibo.”

  “Douma.”

  “Akaza.”

  “Hantengu.”

  Behind Muzan, multiple demon silhouettes flickered in the shadows.

  “Present!” they intoned.

  Muzan’s gaze was deep and unfathomable as he murmured, “You four—disperse in the four cardinal directions: east, south, west, and north.

  Carry forth my will to all demons.

  Each of you, select some demons of your own and slaughter a town of a thousand souls in your assigned direction.

  It is time to keep the Demon Slayer Corps busy—they’ve been so idle lately, always tracking my whereabouts.”

  Four demons of distinct appearances leapt from the shadows and half-kneeled on the ground.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  As if recalling something, Muzan added, “By the way, Akaza—when you head west, take a detour toward Blue Ridge Mountain.”

  “In Blue Ridge Mountain, there’s a young demon known as Black Wolf Fang—a promising prospect. His Blood Demon Art bears a hint of Kokushibo’s style; I have some impression of him.”

  “However, it seems he was recently slain by members of the Demon Slayer Corps, much to my displeasure. This is one reason why I intend to massacre four towns. Has the Demon Slayer Corps grown so bold that they can now slay you all at will?”

  “Are they willing to trample even my scant interests?”

  “You need not search for the towns yourself—I recall that there is a town called Shiqiao Town near Blue Ridge Mountain. Annihilate it.”

  Among the four demon silhouettes, the one named Akaza stood out. He had short hair interwoven with shades of peach and red, golden eyes, and a complexion as pale as death. He was a handsome youth, his body etched with countless deep-blue, band-like tattoos symbolizing sin. His nails were blood-red, he wore a short purple-red jacket, and around his ankles dangled oddly shaped prayer beads.

  Akaza slowly rose to his feet. He did not understand what this “destroyed interest” mentioned by Muzan was, but that was unimportant.

  He simply bowed slightly and said respectfully, “Understood, my lord.”

  After a brief hesitation, Akaza tentatively asked, “But, may I spare the women of that town?”

  Muzan Kibutsuji was not surprised. He replied coolly, “Akaza, you still cling to your principles, daring to voice such concerns.”

  “I admire that about you, truly. But tell me—if I were to say no, what would you do?”

  Akaza fell silent for a moment, then answered resolutely, “Of course I would obey your will, my lord, and spare no one.”

  Muzan nodded in satisfaction. “Akaza, you are very steadfast in your principles, but remember—principles ultimately must yield to my orders. That is what I truly admire.”

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  “You know, I have always been lenient with you all. This time, act according to your own inclinations.”

  Akaza’s golden eyes shone with gratitude as he said, “Thank you, my lord.”

  Muzan waved his hand dismissively, “Go now, and have the others mobilize as well.”

  “Some places have almost forgotten our very existence.”

  “From this day on, awaken and relish in slaughter.”

  With those words, all the demon silhouettes behind Muzan vanished, and calm returned. Alone, Muzan fell into deep contemplation.

  “The Ubuyashiki Family—do you truly intend to eradicate me?”

  “In truth, we are still of the same lineage.”

  “For a thousand years, while new demons replaced old ones, you have continuously led the Demon Slayer Corps against me at every turn.”

  “Sooner or later, I will locate your stronghold and put an end to your tragic, cyclical fate…”

  Muzan leaped down from the rooftop and walked back toward his own abode.

  “My daughter is about to awaken—if she does not see me, she will surely weep…”

  Thinking of his beloved daughter, Muzan’s lips curved into a slight smile, and his perpetually gloomy mood lightened somewhat.

  After all, who can resist delectable, sumptuous food? I shall nourish myself a while longer.

  ……

  Akaza casually selected four demons from among his subordinates and, with them, set out for Shiqiao Town. Shiqiao Town was not far; at a demon’s speed, it would take roughly three days to reach.

  “Upon arriving in Shiqiao Town, you four: freely kill and devour any males, but allow the females to flee—do not touch even one of them, understood?”

  One demon, known as Wuguo, whose entire body shimmered with a cold metallic luster in black and gray, spoke in a sardonic tone, “Akaza, you yourself are unwilling to kill or devour women—surely you can’t expect us to abide by your preferences?”

  “My lord means that you may spare those females, though I do not require that all of us must follow suit.”

  “Young, tender-skinned females are my favorite! You cannot simply deprive me of my pleasures because of your personal likes or dislikes.”

  The other three demons remained silent, watching in anticipation to see how Akaza would respond.

  Apart from Muzan Kibutsuji, no demon could command the others. Demons are quick to brawl; without power, one has no say.

  Akaza’s golden eyes gleamed as he looked at Wuguo, then raised his fist.

  “Bang!”

  With a tremendous crash, Wuguo’s upper body was pulverized into blood and meat powder. The other three demons recoiled, visibly intimidated by Akaza’s brutality.

  Wuguo’s body began to regenerate its flesh slowly. He quickly knelt, “My lord Akaza, I was wrong—please forgive me.”

  In an instant, he submitted. Though he had long heard that the Twelve Kizuki were all immensely powerful, he had never witnessed it firsthand and remained somewhat defiant—until today, when he finally learned that as Upper Moon Three, Akaza could kill him as easily as a common pig or dog. Wuguo’s self-proclaimed invincible defense had proven worthless.

  Akaza snorted coldly, “Whoever opposes me, anyone who dares defy my orders, may challenge me to a blood battle. Any demon who defeats me shall become the new Upper Moon Three.”

  “But if one lacks the strength, it is best not to question my commands.”

  “You must adhere to my principles as well.”

  “Though demon versus demon combat is troublesome, I do not mind testing my might on a fellow demon.”

  Wuguo trembled, too frightened to speak further.

  Akaza coldly glanced at the other three demons. “Let’s go. If you delay my master’s orders, none of you will survive.”

  With that, the five demon silhouettes charged toward Shiqiao Town at breakneck speed.

  ……

  Later, Kawagishi entered the wine cellar. Along the walls were rows of oil lamps fixed in place, but the oil had long since dried up and was unusable.

  He did not need them, however; darkness could not obscure his vision.

  Everything in the cellar was clearly visible.

  “This is a fine spot—I’ll stay here for now.”

  “Once I’ve outlasted tomorrow’s sunlight, I’ll leave immediately. Although I haven’t yet uncovered any news from the town at the foot of the mountain, it will have to suffice for now.”

  Kawagishi leapt lightly and landed atop several large wine casks. He punctured a smaller cask, eager to sample its contents.