"No need to clean up too thoroughly. Just take anything valuable. There's a good chance this place will turn into a battlefield tonight."
With the Kakushi's help, Hiru changed into his squad uniform, never once setting Doma's head down during the process.
"If you don't have anything else to do, disperse as soon as possible. If fighting really breaks out, I won't be able to look after you."
"Yes, sir! Please take care as well!"
The Kakushi gathered up the clothes Hiru had changed out of.
"The message has already been sent. Many Hashira are on their way."
"Tell them to go back. If they can't even take one of Muzan's attacks, are they coming here to serve themselves as meals?"
"But… can only three Hashira really face Muzan?"
"Of course not—they can't."
Hiru looked at the Kakushi.
"Do you think Muzan is some kind of wooden dummy? That anyone can just walk up and cut him down? That would be actual death."
"Then you—"
"That's why tonight's operation will involve only me. Kanae and the others will stay at the foot of the mountain to protect you and the civilians."
"But going alone just makes it even more dangerous! Please, let us help at least a little!"
"Don't be stupid. If you want to catch fish, you need bait. Without it, how do you expect them to bite?"
Hiru let out a short laugh.
"Besides, as long as Muzan comes here to kill me, whether I die or he dies, this fight ends in my victory."
"Eh? Eh?! B–But—"
"No buts. Put my weapons down and leave, now. If something happens to Kanae and the others, let them come up on their own. At least they'll have a chance to escape if things go wrong. You'd just be throwing your lives away."
"…Understood."
The Kakushi bowed deeply.
"May good fortune follow you in battle."
Hiru watched the Kakushi hurry away, then lowered his gaze to Doma.
"Do you think your boss will come to save you?"
"Hmm—who knows?"
Doma sounded relaxed.
"By the way, how far have you gotten in my memories?"
"I just saw the part where you became a demon and started eating people."
Hiru found a room that was mostly intact, sat down on a chair, and lifted Doma's head in both hands.
"I never imagined eating people would feel like that… it's strangely subtle."
"For demons, the idea that eating makes power surge through you isn't just talk~"
Doma smiled.
"And if you ask me, freshly grown girls taste the best~ After all, women store plenty of nutrients in their bodies to nurture the next generation~"
"You really enjoyed your first time eating a human, didn't you?"
Hiru muttered quietly.
"Honestly… it's making me a little hungry."
"Hey~ You really haven't eaten anyone before?"
"No. But I have wanted to…"
Hiru paused.
"Actually, there's someone right beside me I've always wanted to eat. That guy smells far too good."
"Then how did you hold out until now~?"
Curiosity flickered in Doma's eyes.
"Not eating, yet still keeping your sanity… I'm really curious. Since you like me, how about you tell me?"
Hiru closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair.
"I'll tell you when you're about to die."
"So cold~"
"But you really weren't lying."
Hiru opened his eyes.
"About your memory."
He stared at the ceiling.
"Every face in your memories is perfectly clear. That's something I haven't seen in other demons. Most of them are doing well if they can even remember how many people they've eaten."
"Of course. I told them I'd grant them eternal life, after all~"
Doma laughed.
"By the way, I can't remember any of the memories you've already read~ Did you eat them? What's this—are you eating me? How interesting~ It's a lot like our Blood Battle for rank, isn't it?"
"You could say that."
Hiru clicked his tongue.
"It's my first time reading memories this way. Before this, those demons were so unpleasant I didn't even want to look at them twice. Should I blame Muzan's sense of aesthetics? He looks decent enough himself, yet the demons under him come in all kinds of bizarre shapes…"
"Demons who haven't eaten much don't have the power to maintain their original forms~"
Doma smiled.
"Though some of the Upper Moons look pretty casual too. But we're good friends, right? Aside from Yomi-sensei's paintings, a lot of things were chosen for me by him. He's an amazing artist, you know?"
"An artist?"
Hiru scoffed softly.
"Then I'll have to get to know Yomi-sensei properly someday."
He lowered his gaze.
"But why do you like his paintings?"
"Hmm~ Probably because every painting carries such intense emotion~ I feel like I can resonate with them~"
...
While the two demons on the mountain chatted in relative harmony, Kanae and Makomo below were running themselves ragged.
After confirming that the cult members affected by the Blood Demon Art were safe, Kanae and Makomo planned to return to the Eternal Paradise Faith's base to set up an ambush with Hiru. Instead, they found themselves overwhelmed by the constant stream of messages delivered by Kasugai Crows.
Ever since the news spread that Hiru had captured an Upper Moon and was planning to ambush Muzan, the entire Demon Slayer Corps had gone into motion. The Hashira were all rushing toward the area, and naturally, messages arrived ahead of them.
With the possibility of Muzan's arrival, nearby residents also needed to be evacuated. Since Hiru chose to wait on the mountaintop for nightfall, that responsibility naturally fell to Kanae and Makomo.
The first to arrive was Yoriichi, who had sensed Hiru's complete demon transformation early that morning and immediately set out. Rather than heading up the mountain right away, he stayed behind with Kanae and the others, directing the Kakushi as they evacuated the residents around the mountain.
The second to arrive was Tomioka, whose jurisdiction was closest. As soon as he arrived, he took over the task of delivering food to Hiru from the Kakushi, confirmed the route, and headed straight up the mountain.
Watching Tomioka's retreating figure, Kanae turned to Yoriichi.
"Yoriichi-kun, is it really all right for you not to go up yet?"
"I'll head up the mountain before nightfall."
Yoriichi withdrew his gaze.
"Besides Muzan, there are other factors we need to consider."
"Other factors?"
"Muzan may very well send demons to slaughter civilians. We need to be prepared for that as well."
Yoriichi lowered his eyes.
"At night, having Hiru and me on the mountain will be enough. You should all stay below and deal with any demons that appear."
Kanae frowned slightly.
"Isn't it a bit reckless to have only you and Hiru face Muzan?"
Yoriichi smiled faintly.
"It's fine. He's nothing worth worrying about."
[Nothing worth worrying about? Who?]
Kanae stared at the smile at the corner of Yoriichi's lips, frozen in place.
[He can't be talking about Muzan… right? That's the Demon King.]
"And given his overly cautious nature, he probably won't appear right away. But if he sends too many subordinates, Hiru might have trouble dealing with them…"
Yoriichi rubbed his chin.
"If Gyomei were here, everything would be easier. He'd be able to keep up."
[Huh… what? Keep up with what? How did the conversation even get here?]
Kanae was completely stunned.
"There's not much time left. No amount of preparation is ever enough when it comes to Muzan's tricks."
Yoriichi's voice remained calm.
"Don't space out. Get moving, Kanae."
"Ah… yes!"
Kanae tightened her grip on her sword hilt and instinctively straightened her posture.
Watching Yoriichi issue calm, orderly instructions, she slapped her own cheeks, turned around, and threw herself back into the pre-battle preparations.