Tokyo Area, District 39.
During this time, the Retainers had found and protected all the Cursed Children in the outer areas.
In fact, most of the Cursed Children were not found by them.
Instead, they received God's protection and came out on their own.
Coupled with the natural trust brought by the Favor of God, a large number of Cursed Children quickly gathered.
Although the Cursed Children were very young and knew nothing, their survival instinct made them rely on each other. Once one was safe, she would tell everyone she knew.
There were about 100,000 Cursed Children in the outer areas of Tokyo, and nearly 200,000 Cursed Children in the entire Tokyo Area.
The entire world previously had about 700 million people, but the number of Cursed Children was only 3 million.
The number of Cursed Children born far exceeded 3 million; these 3 million were just the ones who survived.
"Elder, Elder, the world has turned red," a little loli tugged at Songqi's sleeve, pointing to the sky.
"It's alright, God is saving the world," Songqi said kindly.
"A crimson world." Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but cover her mouth and look around.
It was her first time seeing such a scene, as if the entire world was in a rage.
Muichiro Tokito looked up at the sky: "Lord Xia Wei is angry. I can feel the murderous intent of the entire world."
God's anger even changed the color of the entire world.
"Gulp—" Sanemi Shinazugawa swallowed: "It's even deeper than when we were in the Kabane World."
Kyojuro Rengoku nodded: "Lord Xia Wei is truly very angry."
Even as a human, he was furious with this world, let alone Lord Xia Wei, who could see everything.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help Lord Xia Wei," Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, filled with shame.
"Next, it's your turn."
"The Heavenly Realm Gate will lead to the ISO locations in human settlements all over the world. Eliminate all personnel and bring all the children back."
"After that, comes the true trial: defeat the nine Zodiac Gastrea. Defeat them to advance to Lv.2."
Of course, Xia Wei couldn't just let them bring the children. He was only judging human civilization and would not personally intervene to solve human problems. Human problems must be solved by humans themselves.
This is how human heroes are born.
"The Zodiac Gastrea already possess a trace of God's power."
"You must gather all your wisdom and strength to defeat them."
"I hope I won't have to intervene to save you."
"The hymn of humanity is the hymn of courage. The greatness of humanity is the greatness of courage. Display your courage to the fullest."
Iguro Obanai's expression was serious and resolute: "Understood, Lord Xia Wei, we will definitely satisfy you."
"I will also work hard, Lord Xia Wei," Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her small fists, her cheeks flushed.
"As it should be," Gyomei Himejima took a deep breath.
He had thought that God would eliminate the Gastrea along with the Great Judgment.
But God entrusted the most powerful Gastrea to them to eliminate.
This was a sign of His trust in them, a profound expectation for their growth.
How could this not move him?
As for why God did not eliminate the Gastrea.
There must be God's own considerations.
Humans are complex; they need a clear enemy to channel all their negative emotions, which will greatly weaken the inner demons within humanity.
"Go."
A golden portal appeared before them.
Xia Wei used the Heavenly Realm Gate's spatial crossing function to open the gate directly into the bases of ISO in various major regions.
It was easy to gather the Cursed Children outside, but those confined in underground training grounds and laboratories were difficult to find.
So, this required the Retainers to take action.
He would manipulate destiny to ensure the Retainers accurately took all the Cursed Children away.
Sanemi Shinazugawa grinned, his face full of cruelty: "Let's go! I've been annoyed with those scumbags for a long time, hehehe."
He drew his nichirin blade and stepped into the Heavenly Realm Gate.
He felt no pressure at all killing people; in his opinion, those scumbags merely resembled humans.
He then looked at Kyojuro Rengoku: "Kyojuro, don't hold back when dealing with those scumbags."
Kyojuro Rengoku said seriously: "I am not lenient." Just as Lord Xia Wei wills, if evil people are not eliminated, they will harm good people. He would not show mercy to evil people.
Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her small fists: "I won't hold back either!" Her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke.
Those bad people were too bad! Those children were so cute and sensible, yet they still hurt them.
"I definitely won't hold back!" she said, tears welling up.
"..." Everyone looked over, well, that expression had no persuasive power at all.
"Huh, Kanawo, aren't you scared?" Mitsuri Kanroji looked at Kanawo, who smiled just like Shinobu Kocho.
Kanawo smiled and said: "No, I'll kill them all."
Mitsuri Kanroji envied: "So brave. I wish I were that brave."
Yaozai Ubuyashiki chuckled dryly. In his opinion, Mitsuri Kanroji was braver and more resolute than he had imagined; she just hadn't realized it herself.
Among all the Pillars, Mitsuri Kanroji was once second only to Gyomei Himejima and Shinazugawa.
The Retainers talked as they entered the Heavenly Realm Gate.
"Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho—"
On the other side of the Heavenly Realm Gate, people dressed in unified priest uniforms were carrying supplies out with grunts of effort.
There were many of them, already exceeding a thousand.
These were all former 'Kakushi' members of the Demon Slayer Corps, now serving as divine personnel in the Demon Slayer World, responsible for logistics in the lower realm.
Yaozai Ubuyashiki sighed: "Alas, we still don't have enough logistics personnel; we can't take care of all the children."
Songqi said kindly: "Hehe, the children are very sensible; most of the time they can take care of themselves."
Aihara Enju put her hands on her hips, raised her small head, and proudly said: "Elder is right, we are very sensible and will definitely not cause trouble."
At this point, Aihara Enju's eyes were filled with light called expectation.
"Teacher, teacher, when will God Big Brother come back?"
Yaozai Ubuyashiki smiled gently: "Why are you looking for God Big Brother?"
Aihara Enju stretched out her hands, fingers spread, and sweetly said: "Teacher Mitsuri said that God saved everyone."
"Elder used to tell stories, that if you're helped, you must repay it. When a princess is saved, she marries the prince."
"So, I want to be God Big Brother's wife, just like Teacher Mitsuri!"
Songqi flinched in surprise.
"Uh—." Yaozai Ubuyashiki was dumbfounded; Aihara Enju's innocent words astonished him.