The final outcome of Doma's battle was unexpected, sending a faint shiver of fear through the surrounding demons.
Even the current Upper Rank Five cast a solemn glance toward Doma's position, as he was among those who understood the situation.
Doma hadn't gone all out in this fight.
He had studied, guided, and controlled his opponent from start to finish. Thus, there was no need to reveal everything: his enemy and he simply weren't in the same league.
Normally, Muzan remained indifferent to the battles of Lower Moons within his organization.
Why such behavior?
Because those demons changed so frequently over the decades due to two reasons tied to their weakness: the Demon Slayers and other demons vying for their positions.
But Doma had forced Muzan to reassess his stance on the matter, thanks to a truly impressive spectacle.
'It seems… I've underestimated Doma's talent once again…' Muzan thought, after evaluating the entire situation.
Doma had surpassed all the expectations placed upon him that night.
The mad demon clearly possessed far greater potential than anticipated, well beyond what Muzan had initially estimated, even after his victory over the horned demon.
A single drop of blood was enough to spark a noticeable improvement in Doma's overall strength, and Muzan instinctively envisioned his future.
This realization wasn't entirely pleasant, yet it excited the demon king.
However, it also reminded Muzan of a problem.
The talent of demons had been declining over the past few centuries.
The demon progenitor grimaced in disappointment at the achievements of the other demons under his command, aside from Kokushibo.
They had lived for hundreds of years. And yet, none had revealed potential as prodigious as Doma's.
Muzan found himself thinking he had wasted his blood on this generation of Lower Moons.
In light of these reflections, Doma suddenly seemed far more appealing… almost fascinating, despite his eccentricities.
'Aside from his mental issues and his love for women, he's undoubtedly a remarkable recruit…'
In the face of such talent, Muzan could tolerate a few minor, harmless quirks. Especially since he already had other concerns.
'Talented demons are truly too rare. The levels of the Upper Moons are also far too uneven…'
Thinking of the former Upper Moon Six, eliminated by two Hashira, Muzan's face twisted with contempt.
He decided to shake up his "aquarium" further, hoping to uncover another unexpected prodigy like Doma.
But…
"What? No one wants to challenge another opponent?"
Muzan scanned the silent arena, his brows furrowing with growing displeasure.
His gaze shifted to the high platform where the Upper Moons stood.
Compared to the skirmishes of the Lower Moons, Muzan vastly preferred watching battles involving the Upper Moons.
Unfortunately, no one dared to challenge them.
Muzan then fixed his gaze on Upper Rank Five, his frown deepening further.
This demon's strength was barely different from that of the former Upper Moon Six, recently slain by the Demon Slayers.
His potential seemed limited, far below what Muzan had hoped for.
As for Hantengu, Muzan expected nothing from him. His subordinate preferred safe stagnation.
He was far too cautious… and cowardly.
Finally, his gaze lingered on Akaza, Upper Moon Three.
Based on his strength, Muzan estimated that Akaza could already surpass Upper Moon Two, Yuri.
Yet, he hadn't challenged her.
Muzan didn't like Yuri. Her madness wasn't comparable to Doma's, which he found tolerable. No, Yuri was far too mentally unstable.
And yet, her power was immense, her attack range vast. This combination made the situation tricky for Muzan.
Yuri's strength was real, but it encompassed too many traits he despised: too flashy, too stubborn, and above all… too unstable.
Muzan thus wanted to see Akaza challenge Yuri.
Unfortunately, he had underestimated his subordinate's moral code.
Akaza refused to fight a woman.
'Thankfully, Kokushibo took my situation into account and didn't devour her…'
Even though Muzan could command any demon, Kokushibo remained a special case.
Akaza lowered his head after noticing Muzan's gaze, which only heightened the latter's frustration.
Finally, he turned back to Doma.
"Well then, starting today, you are the new Lower Rank One."
The eye in Doma's hand glimmered faintly, a sign of his official recognition as a master.
A subtle change came over him: the vector power of the hundred eyes was now his.
As he floated on his little cloud, delighted with his new power, Muzan's arm transformed into a whip and struck the top of Doma's head.
'W-What… again?'
Muzan paid no heed to Doma's mental complaints, transferring enough blood to make him a true Lower Moon.
This wasn't just a simple blood transfer—it also imparted knowledge.
Doma now knew everything a Lower Moon needed to know.
As for his ability to withstand this transformation, Muzan didn't care.
'Ah… I… I feel stronger.'
Doma placed his hands on the ground, his vision darkening and his head spinning under the intensity of the pain and impact.
Meanwhile, Muzan observed the other demons, his cold, dark gaze sweeping over those who hadn't participated in the battle.
"Too cowardly to dare challenge… what use are you to me? Your lack of ambition is exhausting," he said in an irritated tone.
Before they could beg for mercy, Muzan's arm transformed into a grotesque maw and devoured them whole.
This cruel act wasn't the only one Muzan committed that night in the Infinity Castle.
He surveyed all the demons still alive before immediately issuing his orders.
"Go destroy every stronghold tied to the Demon Slayer Corps and teach them a lesson."
After this massacre, Muzan retracted his arm and resumed a calm yet "noble" posture.
"Yes, Lord Muzan."
The sound of Nakime's biwa echoed in the distance, and the silhouettes on the high platform vanished one by one.
Once his mind cleared, Doma shook his head and immediately stood up from the ground.
"Haha! I'm finally an important member of the organization! Now I can rub shoulders with the others!" he said, thinking of Kokushibo, Akaza, and Nakime.
As for the other demons? Gyokko was currently a lower rank and of little interest to Doma due to his cruel habits.
The others, like Enmu, hadn't yet been recruited by Muzan. His targets were thus limited.
He looked at the Upper Moons' platform, now completely empty.
"Huh…"
He glanced at the other platform, but the situation was the same.
"Eh?"
'How is it that I'm the only one left?'he thought. No one had stayed; all had left Nakime's domain.
"I feel like everyone forgot about me…" he said with mock sadness.
But his solitude was short-lived: Muzan's calm voice resonated beside him.
"Doma…"
"W-What?!"
Jumping like a startled cat, Doma let out an exaggerated sigh of relief.
"Ah… it's just you, Muzan-sama…"
Muzan frowned at the overly familiar tone and the words "just you," but he let it slide. Doma was valuable for now.
The demon progenitor didn't realize he was digging his own grave for future headaches.
"You were waiting for me here? That's really embarrassing…" Doma said with mock shyness, scratching the top of his head.
It was the spot pierced by Muzan during the blood transfer.
A vein throbbed on the demon king's forehead, but he didn't forget to issue his order to Doma.
Thus, he controlled his anger once more.
"Keep the number of people joining your cult in check. I don't want it to become too conspicuous," he said after a brief pause.
"Huh?" Doma's eyes widened.
This wasn't good news from the perspective of his future plans. Doma didn't just want to become a powerful being; he aspired to be a man controlling the world from the shadows.
This cult was a key element.
"But everyone holds onto faith to pursue happiness…" he said, looking sad. "I really can't refuse everyone's requests."
Doma wanted to convince Muzan, not act behind his back at this stage.
For him, it was still far too early.
"Besides, if more people help, it'll be easier to find the blue spider lily."
He added another argument after noticing the other party's silence.
Unfortunately, Doma had misread the situation.
"You think I haven't tried that method?" Muzan's expression darkened, his aura causing the surrounding buildings to tremble.
"Don't try to defy me, Doma."
The pressure of his blood sent shivers through every cell in Doma's body. But Doma, unfazed by fear, tilted his head nonchalantly.
He even took a brief moment to think.
"Hmm… but faith can bring in a lot, and some believers are rich and influential," he said, thinking of Kaguya and her loyal entrepreneurs.
His rainbow eyes sparkled as he clapped his hands, as if he'd found the perfect solution.
"If Muzan-sama needs anything, the Eternal Paradise Faith will do everything to meet your expectations!"
Muzan remained silent, tempering his murderous aura.
The idea was indeed useful: a human organization providing funds could support his experiments without drawing attention.
This strategy employed by Doma was thus relevant.
Moreover, none of the Twelve Kizuki would have bothered managing a human organization, as wealth and power didn't interest demons.
Even though Muzan preferred Doma to focus on strengthening himself, like Kokushibo and Akaza, Doma had precisely achieved his power by leading his cult.
Muzan also feared that his order might hinder certain aspects of Doma's progress.
He narrowed his plum-red eyes at Doma but decided not to dwell further on the Eternal Paradise Faith.
"From now on, you'll be in charge of gathering what I need and delivering it here," he ordered in a final tone.
"I understand! I won't let you down!" Doma replied, performing an exaggerated bow.
"Contact Nakime with your thoughts, and she'll teleport you to the Infinity Castle to facilitate your deliveries to me."
Doma stood stunned for a moment by the promotion his temporary boss had just granted him. For the first time since his arrival, he felt genuine excitement.
Muzan remained silent for a moment, sensing that his decision might be a mistake. Ultimately, he told himself it would be someone else's problem: after all, Nakime managed the Infinity Castle.
"Avoid causing trouble with your cult and keep a low profile. That's my only order for now."
Unfortunately for Muzan, Doma hadn't heard the second part of his order. He was too busy winking at Nakime.
(Image)
Doma's behavior made Nakime nervous: she had never met a man like him and didn't know how to react to his eccentricities.
Especially since Muzan's orders essentially forced her to put up with him.