As Dōma reflected on recent events, which made him increasingly aware of his age, he caught the scent of a familiar servant from beyond the door.
It didn't take long before a soft knock echoed, followed by an aged voice from outside.
"Come in, Lin-san."
Dōma straightened up, his expression instantly softening into one of kindness and warmth. Gone was the shadow of the demon Nakime had encountered during their telepathic conversation.
Lin was a woman nearing the end of her forties, with a serious face and a dignified posture. Each of her steps seemed measured with the precision of a ruler—a testament to her noble origins.
According to Dōma's knowledge, she hailed from an important family across the sea. Tragic events had forced her to seek refuge in Japan with her only daughter—a story all too common within the cult. But Dōma never trivialized their misfortunes in their presence.
Fortunately for her, Lin's age had secured her a position among the servants closest to Dōma. Kaguya and Kikyo had deemed her "old enough" not to attract Dōma's interest. Of course, Lin's clothing style and tattoos had contributed to their… mistaken judgment.
"Elder Lord, the annual cult festival is approaching," Lin declared in a reserved tone.
Her voice, however, carried a hint of unease, as if bearing uncomfortable news.
"Hmm, I know, but that doesn't concern me."
Dōma unfurled his fan out of habit, a gesture Lin interpreted as a sign of his current good mood.
"That is true… but the sect leader will be occupied with envoys from the Demon Slayer Corps. The department heads have deemed it necessary for you to temporarily return," the older woman explained calmly.
Yet, Dōma detected a slight nervousness in her voice.
'She's likely afraid I'll refuse and that she'll bear the blame when she leaves,'he concluded mentally.
Lin's situation was also why Dōma had handed over the sect to Mori. The political games of his entourage bored him. At first, it was amusing to think, 'I already predicted this.'But it quickly became repetitive.
Dōma loathed being bored without his monthly dose of emotions.
As for the connection between the cult and the Demon Slayer Corps, which had grown into a sort of symbiotic relationship, Dōma found it harmless and didn't stop Mori. Taiga had already eliminated the potential issue Muzan might have held against him: the cult strengthened the Ubuyashiki clan with Breathing Style users.
The sect cooperated with the Demon Slayer Corps solely to aid demon slayers in their travels through its branches. Dōma allowed it because he hoped to soon uncover the Ubuyashiki clan's base and the swordsmith village.
For what purpose? Naturally… to eliminate or subjugate them.
To Dōma, any demon slayer not trained by his sect through the Shadows posed a potential threat. Thus, the Ubuyashiki clan was a potential enemy.
After all, the memory of Kyojuro Rengoku's ancestor remained fresh in his mind.
"Is that so? *Sigh* I'll help a bit, but all the other details will be in Kikyo and Kaguya's hands…" Dōma mused for a moment before proposing this alternative.
This way, he increased his two wives' workload and could enjoy himself with Nakime in peace. He couldn't help but mentally nod in approval of his own genius.
Lin nodded and said, "Then, you must assist with certain matters now."
"Which ones?" he asked, his tone curious.
"Most of the preparations for the festival activities have been arranged thanks to the cult's funds and the Ogai family, through Kaguya-sama," Lin explained meticulously, her voice professional.
"But there's still much to be done…"
She began listing tasks and events.
"At the start of the festival, we've planned a float parade, which will require Shinto-style decorations, preparation of clothing, and ceremonial items, as well as your input. The procession's formation isn't fully ready yet, as the followers need more practice with their choreography during the event…"
The issues Lin and the department heads faced were not trivial. If Dōma miscalculated costs or failed to provide proper guidance, the cult wouldn't profit much from the stalls and other events. There was even a risk of resource loss.
"Hmm…" Dōma nodded, resting his chin in one hand as he listened to the older woman's clear voice.
His mind never stopped, recording her words and analyzing the issue, drawing on information he'd noted from past festivals. A terrifying analysis, made possible by Dōma's nature and his power: the Paradise of Vanity.
"After the parade, fireworks will be set off. The followers are preparing fireworks imported from our dear Chinese neighbors, to be launched at the end of the festivities," she concluded firmly.
"Huh? Fireworks…" Dōma's eyes widened slightly at this pleasant surprise from his followers.
'Haha, I really want to watch fireworks with Nakime, but I should keep it a surprise,'he thought, nodding at Lin to show his approval.
Dōma's multicolored eyes lit up, and he spoke enthusiastically, with his usual fake smile: "Please, ask the followers to prepare more fireworks and bring some to the monastery."
Later, he could share the fireworks with Akaza and Kokushibo. He didn't want to enjoy such an event alone while his demon comrades were likely bored.
Lin didn't question why her lord wanted fireworks at the monastery but diligently noted it down.
After this brief exchange about the fireworks, the two discussed various festival details. Eventually, Lin took her leave.
"Dōma-sama, I must now inform the department members of your decisions regarding the festival," she said politely and neutrally.
'This sounds like a lot of trouble,' Dōma thought, glancing at the servant's weary face.
"Yet, Lin still seems so enthusiastic… how cute~" Though Dōma said it casually, the milf blushed slightly before coughing to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
She then left hurriedly, but Dōma didn't miss nodding at her retreating figure. "Hmm, yes, she really doesn't look her age," he remarked after a quick analysis of her figure.
(Image)
Would he eat her? No, unless she made the first move. Thus, Dōma had no intention of seducing Lin.
Not only was she the mother of a girl close to Mori, but he also had a date to prepare.
After nodding to himself and convincing himself not to involve his "little brother" recklessly, the Upper Moon decided to review the preparations the cult members had made before his consultation.
…
Over the following days, all the monastery's followers busied themselves with preparations. People constantly moved through the corridors, yet maintained a certain level of organization in their movements—a feat only possible thanks to Kikyo and Kaguya, who compensated for Mori and Dōma's absence.
What did Dōma do during this time?
He played "Dōma," of course~
It was the only thing that truly amused him in his daily life, though it also depended on luck.
With "nothing to do," Dōma wandered, smiling as he watched the followers work, occasionally creating "surprises" to their great dismay.
He wore muddy shoes, leaving a trail of footprints on the freshly cleaned festival floats, and watched Kikyo's serious expression turn to pure rage.
He also eagerly removed high-hanging decorations to inspect them, then carelessly put them back.
Kaguya and Kikyo's nightmare lasted until the night of the annual festival.
'Hehe, Kikyo and Kaguya are clearly on edge because of me,'he thought with an amused smile.
Playing "Dōma" wasn't just a pastime but also a strategy. Now, he was certain his two wives would be too busy ensuring the festival ran smoothly to pay attention to him and "Dōma Jr."
"D… Dōma-sama… could you please remove your hand?" Nakime's low voice reached his ears, but Dōma pretended not to hear.
He continued kneading the biwa demon's buttocks as they stood amidst the crowd.
Was this sexual harassment between a superior and his subordinate?
Yes, but Dōma recalled an important detail thanks to Jay: no known laws protected demons. This was also why demon slayers hunted demons without fear of legal repercussions—a similar situation to Denji's universe in Chainsaw Man.
This explained why Dōma deliberately let his hand slide from Nakime's waist to her buttocks.
"Thank you for blending into the scenery, Nakime-chan~ Come on," he said, bringing his mouth close to the woman's pale ear.
"You look ravishing in this form and these clothes," he whispered, breathing in a way that unsettled Nakime.
"Y-you say that, but you're the one who insisted I take my human form and try on all these clothes… ugh…"
(Image)
Nakime let out a small moan she'd been holding back.
Dōma had pinched her waist when the demon moved his hand to a "decent" place, in her view.
The poor girl didn't realize she was falling victim to basic commercial manipulation. Initially, Dōma had tried something bold: touching Nakime's buttocks during their walk at the festival.
He knew full well she'd reject it. After all, Nakime was like Kokushibo—conservative, unwilling to offend her superior but also refusing to fully comply.
She opted for a compromise. So, Dōma went from touching her buttocks to holding her waist.
Was he displeased? No. Initially, he only wanted to walk holding Nakime's hand, and she'd allowed him to reach her waist.
'I've never tried eating a demon, hehe,'he thought, a cunning smile forming behind his fan.
If Kikyo saw this, she'd instantly recall the night she lost her virginity.
"Here, Nakime-san, this is a local drink people enjoy," he said, handing her a cola.
Recreating cola wasn't difficult for Dōma, and he didn't hesitate to present it as a local specialty.
Nakime took the drink without suspicion, and the duo gradually melted into the festival crowd.
Dōma didn't notice the blue-eyed girl who had witnessed the entire scene.
"D… Dōma-sama is cheating on Kaguya-sama and Kikyo-sama," Ume said in a low voice, her shock evident.
If Dōma heard her, he'd simply open his fan and say, 'Don't worry, she's not human, so it's all legal.'
A hypocritical excuse, but Dōma wasn't a saint, and Kikyo already knew what she was getting into with him.
As for Kaguya? She eliminated all young servants around Dōma to prevent such situations.
Poor Ume was still in shock but decided to follow Dōma through the festival crowd.
To the young kunoichi, Dōma was her savior and a role model in her heart. She preferred to believe he was being manipulated by the "witch" in his arms rather than the other way around.
'Onii-san will have to wait; Dōma-sama needs me,'she thought as the silhouettes of her two targets entered a theater's reserved section.
"N… no, they've gone into the VIP area…"
The worst had happened.
Dōma was alone… with the manipulative woman.
Ume had learned from Taiga not to use her strength against humans or dishonestly. Yet, she decided to follow Dōma—an illegal act.
She sneaked up to the door, where Dōma's scent was strong. Her tracking skills, honed under her ninja village mentor, made it easy to locate him by his scent.
Once at the door, Ume's blue eyes widened, and her face flushed at the sight unfolding before her.
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Author's Note :Over 1,900 words, so don't complain about the upcoming R-18 (I'm talking to those who opposed the R-18. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but you're outnumbered).
I plan to post a double chapter today (I want to wrap up the R-18 and move on with the plot, as I don't want to offend anyone).
The bonus chapter will be released at 1,650 stones (I'm counting on you; I want to snatch that 2nd place in the rankings).