Dōma spent the entire day with Kikyo after clearing things up between them.
Even though he hadn't yet conquered the sun, Dōma had managed to convince the young woman to accompany him to his quarters within the monastery.
A place where sunlight struggled to penetrate.
This scene was witnessed by many servants and cult followers. Some gave knowing smiles, their eyes seeming to whisper, "You've finally done it."
Fortunately, the scene lasted only as long as a conversation with Taïga and the walk to Dōma's quarters.
Poor Kikyo had turned as red as a tomato.
As for what happened there… no one knew, except the duo.
…
"I knew you'd pull it off with Kikyo-san," Taïga declared after being summoned.
The masked man gave Dōma a thumbs-up, like a partner in crime after a successful heist.
Dōma flashed a smile but didn't respond immediately. It was as if he was savoring something only he could understand.
'Indeed… mission accomplished, my dear accomplice,'he thought, glancing at his most trusted tool in this world.
Dōma Jr. was clearly delighted to have a new kind of meal, especially since Kaguya had replaced all the maids with her own.
Why hadn't he simply devoured the newcomer?
Kaguya was a clever woman.
She already knew Dōma wouldn't touch elderly women or those too young.
And she had carried out this surgical operation with calculated slowness.
The Upper Moon realized his situation… a bit too late.
Poor Dōma Jr. had been stuck with the same meal for far too long for his taste (Kaguya herself).
He craved a bit of variety.
After this brief pause, he addressed the matter of the orders given to Taïga after his time with Kikyo.
"Have you already finished the investigation?" Dōma asked in a calm tone.
The ice demon wanted to know why Kaguya had dared to try to keep Kikyo away from him so openly.
Normally, Yuruzu would never have had the courage to deliver a thinly veiled threatening letter to Kikyo.
The only explanation was a possible increase in Kaguya's power in the region and within the cult itself.
The former Demon Slayer nodded after listening to his lord's words.
His face remained hidden behind the oni mask, but Dōma could sense his displeasure.
Tatsumi Taïga was clearly angry.
Dōma concluded that the news must be unpleasant, judging by his demeanor.
"The news isn't good. Part of the security seems closer to the current sect leader, and they've started reconnecting with the Demon Slayer Corps," Taïga said, pausing momentarily.
His expression made it clear he had more bad news.
"Beyond that… I've heard there's another organization within the sect… but it cares nothing for our doctrines. It's only after money and political influence," Taïga admitted, a hint of shame in his voice.
However, the man soon noticed something unusual about his master.
Dōma wasn't furious and showed no negative emotions in response to the news.
He simply remained calm, maintaining his smile.
Taïga even thought he detected a hint of satisfaction and relief in him.
It didn't take more for the swordsman to understand the situation.
"Y-You… you planned this?" The warrior's voice trembled slightly, but Dōma didn't care in the least.
He simply opened his fan to conceal the predatory smile that few had the misfortune of witnessing.
'No, no, little Mori. It's still too early for you to spread your wings… And Kaguya, you've been a naughty girl ~,'he thought with amusement.
Dōma easily pieced together the facts thanks to Taïga's brief investigation and his rational mind.
Everything had unfolded exactly as he had foreseen since Ogai Mori's birth.
Kaguya was a clever woman, but her greed was plain to see.
She knew what she wanted and how to get it by any means necessary.
From the start, Dōma knew their carnal relationship wouldn't be enough to satisfy this greedy woman.
Mori's birth had merely been the trigger the ice demon had been waiting for.
Kaguya didn't just want Dōma's child—she wanted the demon himself.
'Unfortunately, what she covets is impossible,' he mused with a self-deprecating smile.
Dōma's heart was something unattainable, except fleetingly—and, according to his rational mind, it wasn't worth the effort.
"Indeed, I already knew the sect would be stolen by Mori… but Kaguya sped things up," he said with a shrug, as if it wasn't his problem.
No matter the little game Kaguya and Mori were playing, they were like Sun Wukong in the palm of the Buddha.
They wouldn't escape Dōma's control and would only amuse him in the end.
Taïga was stunned by Dōma's indifference and genius.
Yet, the man was unaware of the power called Vanity's Paradise.
If he knew, the former Demon Slayer would feel more fear than admiration.
After all, Dōma could control Kaguya, Mori, and even Taïga himself at any moment.
But why would he?
He already knew Mori would take control of the sect in his lifetime until his natural death, and he didn't care.
Besides, Muzan wouldn't appreciate his power or influence growing too quickly.
It was better to hide his own progress and use talented individuals like Mori as intermediaries among humans.
That way, he could use the sect's resources and continue training without dealing with followers all day.
There was also another truth Dōma knew.
Mori and Kaguya would never try to kill him, thanks to Vanity's Paradise.
At worst, Kaguya would simply try to keep him from pursuing other women.
It was all part of the plan.
The only loser was the future Mori, who would be buried under work and responsibilities.
As for Kaguya? She was doing fine, as she could always console herself with Dōma Jr.
"But… they're traitors!"
Taïga drew his Nichirin Blade, a palpable bloodlust emanating from him.
His murderous intent wasn't directed at his lord but at the woman and child.
An act of loyalty Dōma appreciated but didn't deem necessary.
"Taïga…"
Dōma's expressionless face showed nothing, but the icy atmosphere in the room made cold sweat bead on the former Demon Slayer's forehead.
"You want to kill my heir?"
At that question, the man sheathed his blade and sat back down on the floor.
Dōma nodded in approval before moving on to the final two topics.
"Have the two children been precisely located?"
Taïga nodded and replied in a clear voice, "Indeed."
The news delighted Dōma, but he decided to ask one last thing of Taïga.
Yet, he didn't speak immediately.
He rose fluidly and walked toward the door.
His destination was clear in his mind: retrieving Gyutarō and Daki.
But he glanced over his shoulder to confirm one thing, which was also the final topic.
"Taïga, do you really want to stay human? It'd be a shame if you didn't stay with me."
The room grew solemn after that question.
The swordsman froze for a moment, as if weighing the proposal, before declining.
"Sorry… I've seen too many atrocities committed by demons when I was in the Demon Slayer Corps," he admitted, though his eyes betrayed a hint of regret.
Tatsumi Taïga didn't want to leave Dōma, but he also didn't want to stop being human.
"Pity… but here's a piece of advice," Dōma said with a fake smile tinged with strange sincerity.
Dōma's reaction intrigued the former Demon Slayer, who leaned slightly forward to listen better.
"Live, Taïga… live without regrets, for the other side can be fickle," he said, alluding to both paradise and hell.
Taïga remained still for a moment after Dōma's departure but eventually followed.
His master and mentor's words echoed in his mind for a long time.
But he resolved to remain human and live fully.
'Maybe I should join the clan program the lord wants to establish… Three beautiful wives, could that be possible?'he thought, seriously considering the idea that had popped into his head out of nowhere.
The clan program of the Eternal Paradise Faith cult involved organizing multiple arranged meetings by the sect.
The idea was created because Dōma deemed it the most effective way to increase the size of families already loyal to the sect.
The sect even encouraged polygamous marriages, but with certain restrictions.
The first was the limit on the number of wives.
It was possible to have three wives, but the previous ones had to give their consent.
The other rule, which people didn't always understand, was to prioritize those listed in a recommendation sheet provided by the sect.
This sheet listed men and women deemed compatible, based on the wisdom of the cult's elder.
In truth, this last rule was a key part of Dōma's plan.
A form of selective evolution.
Dōma encouraged intelligent people with common traits and strong individuals to come together.
He was trying to create specialized groups.
It's all quite brilliant, isn't it?
Unfortunately, this idea wasn't Taïga's.
Dōma had used his Blood Demon Art: Vanity's Paradise after Taïga's refusal to stay with him.
He had planted the idea of marriage after advising him to live fully.
Normally, Taïga's brain would have treated it as an intrusive thought.
But the atmosphere and Dōma's advice were enough to make Taïga accept it as a good plan for the future.
'This way, I'll always have Taïga close to me, in a way,'the Upper Moon congratulated himself.
…
It was late that night.
Winter had already wrapped the Yoshiwara pleasure district in Tokyo in its gentle embrace.
Yet, the silhouette of a man and his companion caught the attention of the beautiful women displayed like luxury goods.
"He's handsome."
"Did you see? He smiled at me."
"Is he from a rich family?"
"The other one looks strong ~."
Several oiran chatted animatedly about the duo.
Unfortunately for their hearts, Dōma hadn't come for them or to have fun.
He was there for business.
"The girl works here, my lord," Taïga said, pointing to a specific establishment.
Dōma unfolded his fan, his eyes not hiding his excitement.
He was at the place where Tengen and Gyutarō had fought an epic battle in Jay's memory.
How could he not appreciate the view?
'Even though I've been here before, I'm still fascinated, like when I'm in Nakime's infinite castle,'he thought as he entered.
Unfortunately, the young girl named Ume was no longer on duty that night.
At least, that was the official story.
"Ume-san isn't the only one who can satisfy Dōma-sama," the mistress of the house immediately brought out alluring women, her face showing unease at the mention of Ume.
"I'm not interested, but…" He slipped money into the middle-aged woman's hands before boldly whispering in her ear, "But I'm sure a beautiful woman like you could take me to Ume-san, couldn't you?"
The woman froze at Dōma's actions but managed to nod mechanically.
She was clearly charmed by Upper Moon Two.
'The lord really has a way with women… should I ask him for advice for my future date?' Taïga stayed back, analyzing the scene.
Yet, he didn't voice his inner thoughts.
It was neither the time nor the place for that.
The trio walked through the streets of Yoshiwara until Dōma witnessed a "canon" scene.
Ume was about to be burned alive.
Dōma didn't hesitate to intervene.
He wasn't interested in Daki's birth, and he knew Gyutarō would likely become his subordinate after he saved his sister.
Dōma didn't want a broken man but a born warrior.
After neutralizing the samurai with a kick and knocking out his accomplice, he took the still-confused girl into his arms.
"Don't worry, the hell is over…"
Dōma didn't finish his sentence when he saw holographic words floating in the air:
[You have altered a major "canon" event beyond recognition.]
[You are qualified to become a "protagonist" in future "scenarios" of an administration.]
The message was brief, but Dōma could read it.
'Administration? Scenario? …'
Several questions raced through his mind, but he had to set them aside due to a small problem.
"Ume!!"
A kid lunged at him with a sickle in hand.
(Image)
***
Author's Note: I know the system worries a lot of people (you don't want chapters made up of 60% system announcements lol, I know that too as a reader).
However, I've decided (thanks to comments from readers of Chapter 0) to avoid integrating the chat-group too much into the story and to continue developing the KNY arc. Until the end of this arc, the chat-group will therefore not be too present.
This way, I'm satisfied (I keep the planned ending) and the reader can fully enjoy KNY: Dōma's development in this universe with his tools, rather than the appearance of an Orochimaru-style snake in Muzan's castle. Of course, I could sometimes integrate a quest, but I'll avoid it during the important moments of the timeline.
Oh, I almost forgot, but this decision will increase the slice-of-life aspect of the story… (not all readers like that, but KNY is mainly focused on character stories rather than battles, so… sorry).
Anyway, I'm counting on you to support this story.