Chapter 125: Lady Muzan, You're Quite a Sight
Lady Muzan knew the nature of the subordinate standing behind her all too well.
She didn't even fully turn around. She merely cast a side-long glance at him,
the disgust in her blood-red vertical pupils thick enough to be physical.
"He is a swordsman who has not even attained the rank of Hashira," she stated,
her voice colder and sharper than before.
"He is not worth your time. Your mission is to find the Blue Spider Lily. Focus
that useless curiosity of yours on your actual duty."
The air in the room grew heavy as an invisible pressure, born of absolute
genetic dominance, crushed down upon the red-clad Upper Moon.
However, the smile on Doma's face didn't waver for a single frame. It was as if
he were immune to the aura that would have made a Lower Moon disintegrate in
terror. He even tilted his head playfully.
"Yes, yes. Lord Muzan's orders are absolute, of course."
"Oh, but one more thing—"
His tone was light, but his eyes swept subtly over Muzan's current feminine
silhouette.
"The form you've taken today, Mistress... it's truly adorable. It makes me want
to savor the sight just a little longer."
There was no lechery in his voice or gaze—just a pure, clinical appreciation of
beauty. Yet, a thick vein of rage instantly bulged on the girl's pristine
forehead.
"Begone."
A single word.
SQUELCH!
The next second, dozens of jagged gashes erupted across the surface of Doma's
perfect demonic body without warning. Blood sprayed like a pressurized fountain,
instantly soaking his gray trousers and the floor beneath his feet.
Even to an Upper Moon, the Demon King's whim was a death sentence.
"Cough—haha—"
Doma staggered, but a low chuckle escaped his throat. It was as if the
excruciating pain were a pleasant, new sensory experience. He wiped a smear of
blood from his lip, then lazily licked his own blood-stained fingertip, his
smile remaining brilliant.
"So... so strict..."
His voice held a trace of genuine satisfaction. "In that case, I shall take my
leave, Lord Muzan."
Still covered in horrific wounds and wearing that saint-like grin, his
silhouette dissolved into a mist of frost and the scent of lotus flowers,
vanishing from the room.
Silence reclaimed the estate. Lady Muzan turned and walked toward the exit, the
hem of her dress trailing through the blood-stained carpet.
A dead Lower Moon? There will be a new piece of trash to fill the slot soon
enough.
As for the swordsman? After suppressing her initial spike of irritation, she
pushed him to the back of her mind. Compared to these "trash-mobs" of the Slayer
Corps, her current priority was the Western pharmaceutical company she had
infiltrated.
Reverse-engineering the doctor's ancient recipe was the only goal that mattered.
While the dark world of demons viewed Natsuya with dismissive annoyance, the
atmosphere within the Demon Slayer Corps was the complete opposite. It was a
surge of excitement and high-stakes evaluation.
In a tatami room within the Ubuyashiki Mansion, the candles burned bright.
Despite his ailing health, the young Master sat perfectly upright behind his low
desk, listening to a Kakushi's animated report.
The agent recounted the battle in Nagoya in grueling detail.
He started with the demon's terrifying "Dream-Trap" Blood Demon Art. He
described the "Total Party Wipe" scenario where even a Kinoe-rank veteran like
Uzui Tengen had been rendered helpless.
Then came the climax: Natsuya Kokonoe, standing alone, defeating the hypnosis
through sheer force of will and dismantling the Lower Moon Two with his bare
fists. In the Kakushi's eyes, the boy had become a War God of ancient legend.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's pale, sickly face broke into a rare, radiant smile. He
wasn't just happy that Natsuya had survived; he was heartened by the shift in
the agent's attitude.
Initially, most of the Kakushi had been skeptical of Natsuya's rapid
"double-jumps" through the ranks. They whispered of favoritism. But as Natsuya's
kill count grew, as he consistently reinforced struggling squads and used his
divine medical skills to save both Slayers and civilians...
By today, almost every member of the logistics division had a "High-Affinity"
rating for the Five-Colored Radiance.
This was his proof of strength.
The first time might have been luck or Hashira oversight, Kagaya thought. But
soloing the Rank Two Moon? That is a statement.
Kagaya looked at the liaison. "Kitagawa. After this performance, what rank do
you believe Sir Kokonoe deserves?"
The Kakushi blinked, then answered with total conviction.
"Although Sir Sabito and Sir Uzui were present, they were Hard-CC'd by the Blood
Demon Art and could not assist. Lord Kokonoe essentially solo-subjugated Enmu in
a short window of time."
"Furthermore, he prioritized the safety of the civilians and performed expert
first-aid immediately after the kill. His management of the scene was flawless."
"Therefore, I believe he should bypass the Kinoto (Rank 2) tier and be promoted
directly to Kinoe (Rank 1)."
The agent spoke firmly, but then hesitated. He looked at the Master's gentle
face and took a gamble.
"However... I personally believe even 'Kinoe' no longer matches his actual
combat output and merit."
A faint smile touched Kagaya's lips, one that seemed to brighten the dim room.
"Kinoe?"
He shook his head slowly. He straightened his back, and though his voice was
weak, it carried an aura of absolute authority.
"Natsuya Kokonoe has met every requirement to become a Hashira."
1. Kill Count: Subjugate 50 demons OR solo-kill one of the Twelve Kizuki.
- Natsuya has over-cleared this requirement, having taken down two Moons
solo.
2. Rank: Must be Kinoe.
- With this promotion, he hits the cap.
3. Vacancy: There must be a seat at the table.
- Currently, there are only four active Pillars: Flame, Stone, Wind
(Storm), and...
"Three conditions," Kagaya whispered. "And Natsuya-kun has cleared them all with
a perfect score."
The Kakushi's voice trembled. He realized what the Master was planning.
"Oyakata-sama... do you mean—?"
Kagaya nodded.
"First, send the Kasugai Crows. Inform Natsuya that he has achieved the rank of
Kinoe."
"And send his mission bounty. Double it, and ensure it is delivered personally.
That child seems to value practical rewards."
"Furthermore—"
Kagaya stared into the candle flame, seeing a new future for the Corps.
"Draft a formal announcement in my name to the entire organization."
"Kinoe-rank swordsman, Kokonoe Natsuya, through the subjugation of multiple
Lower Moons, has proven himself capable of shouldering the ultimate burden."
"He is hereby elevated to the rank of Hashira."
He looked at Kitagawa, his tone turning solemn. "Prepare a Hashira Meeting with
the highest protocol. I want every active Pillar to witness our new
colleague—the rising star who is destined to disrupt the very threads of fate."
"Let us celebrate. A new Pillar is about to be born."
The Kakushi pressed his head into the floor, his body shaking with excitement.
"BY YOUR COMMAND! I WILL SEE IT DONE IMMEDIATELY!"
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