With the progenitor of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, completely reduced to nothingness under Kanae's divine punishment-like Evil-Slaying Strike.
That interdimensional nest he had created—the Infinity Castle—also began to lose its support, crumbling inch by inch like a shattered mirror.
The eerie atmosphere and oppressive energy permeating the castle quickly dissipated, space violently trembling as it revealed the true scenery of the original world behind it.
At the same time, the remaining demons in the castle, whether directly or indirectly transformed by Muzan's blood.
Also began to collapse due to Muzan's demise.
Their bodies began to crumble simultaneously, finally transforming into wisps of black smoke, completely disappearing into shadows where sunlight couldn't reach, as if they had never existed.
The thousand-year demon plague was finally completely eradicated from its source at this moment!
"It's over..."
On the platform, the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps who had witnessed the Demon King's execution firsthand now wore expressions of incredulous excitement and relief.
Wind Pillar Sanemi breathed heavily, his scarred face showing a relieved expression for the first time as he murmured: "Is it really... over?"
"Hmm! Indeed it is!"
Flame Pillar Rengoku burst into loud laughter, his voice resonant and filled with joy.
"The thousand-year wish has finally been fulfilled in our generation!!"
"Namo Amitabha..."
Stone Pillar Gyomei clasped his hands together, tears of emotion flowing down his cheeks—tears of excitement and comfort for fallen comrades.
The other Pillars also broke into smiles, high-fiving each other in celebration, sharing the joy of this hard-won victory.
Phaethon, standing in the center of the crowd, looked at these swordsmen who had survived the ordeal and were crying tears of joy, and also showed a gentle smile.
He raised his hand, soft golden light shining once again, enveloping everyone like a warm tide.
The next second, accompanied by slight spatial fluctuations, everyone felt their vision blur.
The collapsing Infinity Castle scenery instantly disappeared, replaced by the familiar courtyard scene of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Phaethon had brought everyone back together, transferring them to the Demon Slayer Corps' main base.
After Muzan's death, Kagaya, who had long been cursed!
He clearly felt that the bloodline curse that had clung to the Ubuyashiki family like a parasitic worm for over a thousand years, constantly eroding his life force.
At this moment, it completely disappeared like melting ice and snow!
An unprecedented sense of relief spread throughout his body, and even the hideous curse marks on his face seemed to fade somewhat.
Kagaya, upon returning to the Demon Slayer Corps, immediately used the messenger ravens connected to all members.
Solemnly announced to the entire Demon Slayer Corps, to all members still fighting:
"Muzan Kibutsuji has been defeated! The thousand-year curse upon us has been lifted! The Demon Slayer Corps' destiny has finally—completely ended today!!!"
The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the Demon Slayer Corps!
All members who heard this news, whether resting at headquarters or on missions outside, first froze, then erupted in deafening cheers!
"We won! We won!"
"Muzan is dead! The age of demons is over!"
"Wuu... so wonderful... finally..."
Countless swordsmen wept tears of joy, embracing each other in celebration, cheering for this victory that had been a thousand years in the making.
In the courtyard, the Pillars present once again looked at Phaethon, their eyes filled with endless gratitude and awe.
They knew well that without this deity's descent from another world, the Demon Slayer Corps' victory could never have come so swiftly and completely.
Many of them might not have lived to see this day.
Phaethon looked at this stirring scene before him, also quite moved.
He knew that because of his intervention, this world's destiny had been completely changed.
In the original story, to kill Muzan, the Demon Slayer Corps paid an extremely heavy price.
Almost all Pillars died in battle or were severely wounded, and the main characters also experienced countless separations.
Now, because of his early intervention, all these tragedies had been nipped in the bud.
He thought of that protagonist with a troubled fate in the original—Tanjiro Kamado.
Because of the Demon King's early defeat, Tanjiro's family would no longer face that family massacre in the future.
That kind and strong boy should be able to live as an ordinary charcoal-selling youth in the countryside.
Living peacefully and happily with his brothers and sisters, no longer bearing the heavy destiny of demon slaying.
There were also those two disciples of the former Water Pillar Sakonji Urokodaki in the original story, Sabito and Makomo.
They also wouldn't die at the Hand Demon's hands during the Final Selection, and might become excellent swordsmen in the future, or return to ordinary life.
Looking at it this way, he had also ended many misfortunes early.
Thinking of this, Phaethon's mood became light and pleasant.
Just then, Kagaya, supported by his wife, slowly walked into the courtyard and came before Phaethon.
He bowed deeply once again, his tone filled with sincere gratitude.
"My Lord, words can no longer express our Demon Slayer Corps' gratitude to you. You have not only saved us, but saved this world that has suffered from the demon plague."
Phaethon smiled and helped him up: "It was just a small effort, and besides, Kanae is also my follower, so helping you was only natural."
Kagaya nodded, then said.
"My Lord, although the Demon King has been eliminated, there may still be some scattered demons remaining in the world.
Next, the Demon Slayer Corps will conduct final sweeping operations until we completely eliminate every one of these creatures from this world."
His gaze became determined: "After that, I will formally disband the Demon Slayer Corps.
Let all members lay down their burdens and return to normal life, to embrace this hard-won peace."
"Mm, these matters can be left to you people of this original world."
Phaethon agreed with this, knowing that this world was basically settled and concluded.
Then he proposed his farewell: "With matters here concluded, we should also leave."
He glanced at Kanae and Miko beside him, adding.
"I will take Kanae, Shinobu, and Kanao together, returning to Orario."
Hearing that Phaethon would take the three Butterfly sisters away, Kagaya and the Pillars present felt somewhat reluctant but also understood.
They knew that with the Butterfly sisters' talent and potential, following the deity to a broader world might be their best destination.
"Safe travels, Kanae, Shinobu, Kanao."
Kagaya showed a fatherly smile to these three subordinates of his, offering his most sincere wishes.
"May you find your own happiness in the new world."
"Please take care, Master!"
Butterfly Kanae also bowed deeply in farewell to this master she respected like a father.
Phaethon lingered no longer, raising his hand as golden light gathered once more, a light gate connecting to the world of Orario slowly opening.
He took the lead stepping into the light gate.
The three Butterfly sisters looked back once at this land they had fought for, and at those comrades who had fought alongside them.
Their eyes filled with reluctance, but ultimately they resolutely turned and walked into the light gate together.
As their figures disappeared, the light gate slowly closed, finally dissipating in the air as if it had never appeared.
In the courtyard, the members of the Demon Slayer Corps looked up at the empty sky, silent for a long time.
The thousand-year darkness had dispersed, and humanity's dawn had finally arrived.