"Doma…"
After Doma's suggestion, a heavy silence fell over the training ground.
Fortunately, that silence didn't last long.
Muzan spoke in a calm voice, but everyone present could clearly sense something unusual.
There was something more in Muzan's voice, though no one could quite pinpoint it… except Kokushibō.
'Lord Muzan seems to have higher expectations,' Kokushibō thought as he observed his master and Doma.
"What is it, Muzan-sama?"
Even though he was still within range of Kokushibō's katana, the ice demon turned his back to him.
A clear sign of confidence.
But the question was… in whom did Doma have such confidence to turn his back on Kokushibō when their fight wasn't even over?
Everyone present shared a similar opinion… or perhaps a different one.
'Is Dōma-sama really so powerful that he dares speak like that next to Kokushibō-sama without fearing any repercussions?'thought the biwa demon, tightening her grip on her musical instrument.
The pale woman seemed slightly uneasy in that moment, troubled by her "inappropriate" behavior toward a superior.
Even if Doma played music "poorly," she should have handled the situation better.
That was the conclusion Nakime had reached, but the reality was slightly different.
Demons respect strength, no matter its origin.
That's why, in the Demon Slayer manga, Akaza gritted his teeth when facing Doma. He could let his frustration show, but Doma was stronger and could commit acts Akaza found shameful without ever facing consequences from him.
The law of the strongest reigns among demons, but not all demons understood this.
Nakime could not know that her behavior was not entirely the result of her free will.
The demon instinct, engraved in their biology, guided her to submit to Dōma.
The feelings of guilt she currently experiences are similar to the behaviors of animals during mating season: it is purely instinct.
On his end, Muzan remained calm on the surface.
Yet, his mind wandered over several things as he watched Doma step slightly closer to him, his back still turned to Kokushibō.
'Judging by these thoughts, he has complete trust in my judgment…'concluded Muzan, after probing Dōma's mind.
Yes, Muzan was reading Doma's memories and thoughts.
He already had an idea of the situation thanks to memories altered by the power of the Paradise of Vanity.
Yet, a certain satisfaction coursed through him upon "discovering" the absolute trust Doma placed in his rationality.
In his mind, the ice demon believed Muzan would help him rein in Kokushibō's madness, as he could likely reach at least the level of Upper Moon Two.
A position currently held by Yuri, a demoness Muzan deeply despised for her instability.
However, she was powerful, which is why she had remained number two for decades.
In the end, Muzan reached a different conclusion from Nakime's after analyzing the situation based on his understanding of Doma and the memories he had observed.
'He's insane… b-but I like that audacity.'
A charming smile spread across the refined face of Muzan's feminine form before she parted her lips again.
He had decided to let Doma end this pointless fight and give him the chance to eliminate Yuri.
"Tell me, Doma… why did you interrupt the fight on your own accord?"
Muzan's question immediately drew Kokushibō's attention.
The former samurai and Upper Moon One tightened his grip on his katana, as if warning Doma at his side.
If his answer didn't satisfy him, then…
"And why not?"
Everyone looked at Doma as if he were mad—except Muzan.
He had already gained a certain level of selfcontrol over his subordinate's deranged behavior.
He simply narrowed his eyes at him and emitted a faint murderous intent, a clear sign of his displeasure.
"Okay, okay… I decided to stop because this fight lost its essence."
Doma shrugged casually, continuing his explanation.
Of course, he kept feeding Muzan false impressions and fabricated opinions every time the Demon Progenitor probed his mind.
"I didn't challenge Kokushibō-sama to a fight to the death, but for a training spar… however…"
He turned his gaze toward the six-eyed demon, who stood motionless.
To someone unfamiliar with Kokushibō's ways, he might have seemed indifferent to the situation.
Yet, the chaotic, battle-hungry aura emanating from his body spoke volumes about his desire to continue this "training."
He no longer merely wanted to "punish" Doma's irritating behavior.
Kokushibō felt that fighting Doma would also aid his own path as a swordsman.
After all, anyone could see Doma was a genius in the art of combat.
"However… things got a bit out of hand because of Kokushibō-sama's enthusiasm to help~," he said, opening his fan and casting an almost pleading glance at Muzan.
A bit like a kid, persecuted by his older brother, seeking his mother's help.
Muzan remained unmoved by Doma's little act but glanced at Kokushibō.
The two had lived together for centuries, so few words were needed between them.
More importantly, Muzan had already probed Doma's mind, unaware that the information he gleaned was falsified.
However, out of respect for the man, he hadn't probed Kokushibō's mind.
Upper Moon One nodded toward Muzan after noticing his gaze.
That was more than enough to confirm Doma's words.
"I see… but fights between the Twelve Kizuki are forbidden, except in the case of a direct and clear challenge," he said, before stepping off the platform and approaching Doma.
"But… I understand this was just an overly enthusiastic training session," he added.
He walked with an elegant gait, like a noble lady, before stopping in front of Doma.
"Oh… I'm glad Muzan-sama understands our bond…"
Doma didn't finish his sentence before the top of his head was sliced off by Muzan's attack.
Unlike the incident at the monastery, he saw the attack coming but didn't dodge.
He even used his Paradise of Vanity power to show Muzan his indifference to the punishment.
"However, the Castle of Infinity is neither a playground nor a place meant for quarrels between people of your stature."
Muzan surveyed the environment, ravaged by Doma and Kokushibō's techniques.
'He could indeed take on Yuri,' he thought, before turning his attention back to Doma.
The demon had already regenerated, despite the temporary absence of the top of his head.
"Besides all that… and I must add that Muzan-sama shouldn't waste his precious time on me," Doma declared, heedless of Muzan's warning about his casual attitude toward him.
'His insanity is sometimes… annoying too,' Muzan thought, ignoring Doma, then stabbed him through the heart.
A large quantity of blood was injected into him without Doma having a say. But Doma wouldn't complain. Unlike the pain of the past, he now felt his strength growing exponentially.
"This is your reward for that performance, even if you were reckless."
Muzan was already walking toward the door, leaving Doma to assimilate the blood.
Once it was done, Doma discovered a hidden message in his mind: challenge Yuri within ten years.
It was a message Muzan had directly planted in Doma's mind through the blood injection.
An odd silence settled among the three demons left behind after the Demon King's departure.
But it was quickly broken by Kokushibō, much to Nakime's surprise.
Though she wasn't very talkative by nature, Kokushibō was no less reserved in that regard.
"You… can come at the end of each month for advice."
Without turning back, Kokushibō left.
"Oh my… Kokushibō-sama is such a tsundere, isn't he, Nakime-san?"
The biwa-playing demoness wanted to scream that she didn't want to get involved in the affairs of important demons. Unfortunately, she lacked both the authority and the strength to voice her true opinion.
All she could say was:
"Please… Doma-sama, I can't meddle in the affairs of higher ranks."
An unusually long speech for her, but she made the effort to speak more due to the sight of Doma facing Kokushibō.
"Hmm… you're right. But you know what? I feel like relaxing now… how about we play that music…"
At that moment, Nakime genuinely wanted to banish Doma from her domain.
She even considered trying to join the Twelve Kizuki to gain authority over Doma.
But unfortunately, she wasn't a demon specialized in combat.
Oddly enough, Nakime wasn't the only one lamenting her fate at that moment.
Doma was also lost in thought as he gestured for the biwa player to start the music.
'Inevitable fights, even if you're a chill guy.'
He would have to face Yuri soon, whether he wanted to or not.