Chapter 45: Side Quest - Bloody Purge
"Miss Muzan, have you seen the latest firearms? How do they compare to your Ogresubordinates?"
Kibutsuji Muzan wore a black kimono embroidered with blood-red flowers, exuding an aura of noble coldness.
This demeanor was unmatched even by the young ladies of prestigious families, which was why Yuhito was initially willing to speak with her.
Muzan sat in the guest seat below, her expression serene, her every movement silent. Only upon hearing Prince Yuhito speak did she ponder for a moment before replying.
"The lethality is decent. Excellent soldiers, with sufficient ammunition, can withstand the attacks of multiple ordinary Ogres."
She neither mocked nor praised.
This caused the smile on Prince Yuhito's face to fade slightly, but soon, he shook his head and chuckled.
"Indeed, these firearms are ultimately just mundane objects. Compared to the immortal and undying demons under Miss Muzan, they are still far inferior."
Muzan did not reply, effectively assenting to this answer.
She had little interest in the so-called Restoration and reforms. In her view, these humans, who would turn to dust in a few decades, were merely flaunting their fleeting time.
Such things were merely her sustenance.
But one day several years ago, somehow, she suddenly received a revelation.
Kibutsuji Muzan hated and cursed gods, so she naturally didn't believe it was a divine revelation, but she inexplicably understood many things.
She realized the vast number of humans, she realized the greedy and complex nature of human hearts, she no longer ignored humans, but instead began to dominate them.
This transformation was highly effective.
Coincidentally, the Meiji Restoration in Japan had ended, entering the Taisho era. All industries, including cities, were undergoing immense changes, and there were too many restless hearts and desires that she could exploit.
For example, the warlord factions that were constantly emerging and were now attempting to control the entire country.
Although the warlord magnate named [Katsura Tarō] was defeated by various forces several years ago, the dominant power was still the warlord factions.
More and more powerful figures realized Muzan's terrifying power. More importantly, the elders among these powerful figures, unwilling to die, knelt before Kibutsuji Muzan, begging her to bestow upon them the elixir of "immortality."
Hmph, Kibutsuji Muzan sneered inwardly. She had never imagined in the past thousand years that humans were such a frail species.
After all, a human like Tsugikuni Yoriichi is a rare sight in a thousand years!
Prince Yuhito had already inquired about some news regarding the blue spider lily. He believed that soon, his long-cherished wish could be fulfilled, and then he could slowly deal with the so-called Demon Slayer Corps. Everything in the world would be his for the taking.
Suddenly, in the dim room, an ugly creature crawled out of a rather valuable glazed pot.
Behind Prince Yuhito, several figures instantly appeared, protecting the Prince.
[Upper Moon Five - Gyokko] saw this scene and curled his lips in a mocking expression.
These humans, unaware of their impending doom, were unprepared when with Kibutsuji Muzan, yet were always wary when he appeared. Truly foolish and ignorant.
Did they not know that Kibutsuji Muzan was the most terrifying monster in the world?
Muzan nodded, signaling Gyokko to speak directly. She did not regard Prince Yuhito highly. In fact, a significant portion of the powerful figures in this country had already become Ogres who needed to rely on her for survival.
"Kibutsuji Muzan, traces of the Demon Slayer Corps have appeared near Mount Fujikasane. A Lower Moon candidate and a security official under the Minister of the Left have died."
Muzan was expressionless, and Yuhito also showed no reaction, even feeling somewhat bewildered. Was the death of a security official a major event?
As for investigating the misdeeds of the Ubuyashiki Clan, the Minister of the Left's appearance would be more than sufficient.
Gyokko also knew that Kibutsuji Muzan would react this way and continued.
"Also, two humans say they want to pledge allegiance to you. They claim to know the detailed location of the [blue spider lily] and the origin of the humans who killed the security official and the Lower Moon tonight..."
"Oh?"
Kibutsuji Muzan narrowed her scarlet eyes. In an instant, Gyokko's memories began to be read and searched by her. She also saw the two individuals dressed in night clothes, their special skills, and... that greed for power...
"Gyokko, you've done quite well."
"I am very interested in these two humans."
Heian-kyō was once the capital of Japan. However, with the passing of the Heian Era, everything from the age of gods and spirits to mysterious powers faded away.
The Emperor of Japan also moved the capital to what was once Edo, now the city of Tokyo.
In Heian-kyō, the Minister of the Left frowned. He was also wearing a military uniform. The current cabinet was long controlled by warlords and the new capitalists who held wealth. He chose to stand within the warlord faction; in fact, this faction was heading towards success.
He could feel that the entire nation was boiling with excitement because of the Meiji Restoration. There was an irrepressible urge for destruction, a desperate need for a world-sweeping war to vent.
Just like the war currently underway in the distant West.
"Minister, Minister!"
Urgent calls jolted him awake. The soldiers behind him held rifles. He was not guarding against civilians or the samurai who were long past their era.
He was guarding against the Ogres!
In the shadows of the great hall, an Ogre with clear markings of [Lower Moon] [Two] in its eyes felt similar disdain for this so-called Minister of the Left, but Kibutsuji Muzan had forbidden them from eating these officials without orders.
The Minister of the Left was still thinking about what he could gain from the Ubuyashiki Clannow that Ping Ye was dead. That clan had substantial wealth, enough to satisfy him.
But suddenly, the powerful Ogre in the shadows moved.
The Ogre named [Rotor], with long black hair and an equally thick beard, twitched its nostrils and emerged from the shadows. Ignoring the Minister of the Left's vigilance, it spoke.
"There's an unfamiliar scent, human, and... the body is very strong."
The Minister of the Left was startled and immediately waved his hand. In the courtyard, a small army unit immediately set up their firearms and went on alert. Those Demon Slayer swordsmen, their swordsmanship was not much weaker than the legendary Shinsengumi of the past.
Fortunately, they had guns now.
But the next moment, several figures suddenly appeared on the outer wall. Several black objects were thrown into the courtyard by them.
The next moment.
Boom!
High-explosive grenades from a high-tech world exploded in Taisho-era Japan.
Amidst flying flesh and blood, the Minister of the Left's mind trembled from the terrifying explosion, unable to control himself.
Rotor's pupils also contracted. The power of this firearm was probably enough to threaten a Lower Moon demon.
Rotor's figure became a blur as it lunged towards the few people, but Vincent roared and blocked its path.
Professor also instantly raised their hand cannon, and a shot roared.
...
[You have triggered Side Quest - Bloody Purge]
[Quest Description: Many humans have defected to the Ogre faction. Purge them. For each person killed, you will receive an extra reward.]
[Failure Penalty: None]
[Extra Reward: Killing high-ranking individuals can earn you special point rewards]
Bai Cangshu's hand flashed with light, and a silver revolver appeared. He didn't even aim, raising his hand and firing a shot into the great hall.
Thud!
The Minister of the Left's pupils dilated, and he slumped onto the chair. He was shot between the eyebrows, the back of his head blown off, dying a swift death.
[You have killed the Minister of the Left - Kōno Kōsuke, obtaining 300 dimensional points]
[Side Quest - Bloody Purge, extra reward triggered. Quest participants receive 1 e-class special point]
Bai Cangshu whistled. He hadn't expected that his lucky shot would directly trigger the effect of [doom knocker].
Vincent and Elizabeth also had a look of joy in their eyes at this moment. They hadn't expected that the side quest triggered by this lunatic would have such high rewards; killing an ordinary plot character even gave special points.
Only Professor frowned slightly. They knew that the higher the reward, the greater the danger.
This world is becoming increasingly dangerous.