Because of the issue with his eyes, Doma remained somewhat listless until the next day. Normally, his emotions came and went quickly and couldn't be maintained for so long. This made him feel a little novelty amidst his sadness, so he let the emotion fester freely.
However, it soon reached its limit. By the time the believers who came to complain had left one after another, Doma's mood had returned to a state of calm. He lay sideways on the soft cushion without any regard for his image, listlessly tossing his fans, wondering if he should go to the Infinity Castle tonight.
"Lord Doma, may I come in?" Noriko's voice sounded from outside.
"Please do," Doma sat up properly again. In front of the believers, he was quite particular about maintaining his solemn and gentle image as the Founder.
Noriko opened the door and walked in, secretly observing Doma's expression with some worry. When she saw his usual smile, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had keenly sensed that Lord Doma seemed a bit off today, which was very rare.
In the eyes of all the believers, the Lord Founder not only had a face favored by the gods, but his temperament was also god-like. No matter how many believers he listened to, no matter what rude requests he faced, he never showed any fatigue or impatience, always remaining as gentle and compassionate as a god. How could such a being not be believed to be the Child of God?
Only a few, like his personal maid Noriko, knew that Lord Doma's private temperament was more like a child's, always evoking their maternal instincts.
Today, Doma had rarelya displayed a bit of his own emotion in a formal setting. This made Noriko feel a little relieved amidst her worry. This side of Lord Doma felt more real and approachable, not like before when it seemed he might ascend to godhood and fly back to the heavens at any moment.
"There's a lantern festival in the town at the foot of the mountain tonight. Would Lord Doma like to go see it?" Noriko said with a beaming smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She hoped Lord Doma's mood would improve because of it. "There will be many outsiders who have come because of our fame, so everyone from the temple will also participate to spread our teachings at the festival."
Ah... isn't that a bit too high-profile? Doma thought, tilting his head.
Well, a stronger cult can make more money, and Lord Muzan will surely understand~
"Alright, I'll go take a look," he said nonchalantly.
"That's great! Everyone is looking forward to it," Noriko smiled happily. "With Lord Doma there, we can surely attract more people to join us." After all, who could refuse such a Lord Doma? Hmph, impossible!
Noriko took her leave and retreated, her cheerful back, almost bouncing, looking like some fluffy, small, and cute animal in Doma's eyes.
"Noriko is so cute~" Doma murmured with a smile.
The summer night festival was fiery and magnificent, the streets hung with lanterns of various colors and teeming with people. Beautiful lanterns of all shapes and sizes were strung together and held high by people, their flickering candlelight like twinkling stars in the night sky. The powerful music of taiko drums and flutes echoed through the streets and alleys.
The believers of the Eternal Paradise Cult had set up a lantern pole in the busiest part of the street. Exquisite lotus-shaped lanterns were hung high, and the words "Eternal Paradise" were clearly visible in the night scene.
Doma, wearing his splendid Founder's robes and a flawless smile, sat cross-legged on a high platform surrounded by lanterns, watching the bustling crowd below with a bored expression. The believers had grandly built a magnificent platform for him, as if enshrining a clay statue of a god. If he moved even slightly, someone would come to ask if he was cold or warm, as if he were some fragile object.
"So boring~" Doma nodded with a gentle smile at a believer. "If I had known, I would have gone to the Infinity Castle to bond with Miss Nakime."
"Mmm~ I haven't seen Lord Akaza for a day now. I miss him."
At the other end of the street, a young man in a water-patterned haori walked with a serious expression through the cheerful crowd. Under the haori was a strange black uniform, and a long sword was tucked into his waist.
"This must be the place, right?" He looked up at the Kasugai Crow, which was almost blending in with the night sky. "There have been rumors of a man-eating demon recently."
"There are so many people. It would be bad if a fight broke out," the young man sighed. "If it were Master, he could definitely slay the demon without alerting anyone." Thinking of his master, he tightened his grip on his sword, his brow furrowed with worry.
The day before yesterday, his master and the Wind Hashira had encountered Upper Moon Six. After a fierce battle, the demon was slain at the cost of the Wind Hashira's life and his master's severe injury.
"The doctor said Master can no longer engage in high-intensity battles and can only retire to a behind-the-scenes role."
His name was Koji Kamiya, a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, and the Tsuguko (successor) of the current Water Hashira.
"No, I have to pull myself together. Master is waiting for me to inherit the name of the Water Hashira!"
"Master and the others killed an Upper Moon. This is a great victory that hasn't happened in decades." Koji patted his cheeks, encouraging himself.
He weaved nimbly through the crowd, then suddenly stopped, seeming to sense a faint demonic aura. He frowned, scanned the crowd, and finally looked at a woman in a white cult uniform by the roadside.
"She seems to have a demon's aura on her? But when I try to sense it again, it's gone... Strange, is it my imagination?" Koji walked purposefully towards her, and the woman also looked over at him.
"Sir, would you like to learn about the teachings of the Eternal Paradise Cult? Ah, my name is Miyuki."
"What teachings?" Koji asked, feigning ignorance.
"The teachings of the Eternal Paradise Cult are to live happily with a calm and serene mind. There's no need to force yourself to do things that make you sad or pained."
"That sounds quite nice," Koji said with an interested expression.
Miyuki's eyes suddenly lit up, her smile becoming more sincere and brilliant. "Of course. The Eternal Paradise Cult has always been helping those in suffering. Our goal is to achieve happiness for all."
It doesn't sound like a wicked cult, Koji nodded.
"This is all thanks to our Lord Founder," Miyuki said with genuine reverence and gratitude. "The Lord Founder is the Child of God. He can hear the voice of the gods and always gently and benevolently helps those in deep suffering."
"Child of God?" Koji frowned. It sounded like a charlatan who was good at swindling people. However, if this cult was really helping others, it wasn't so bad.
Seeing the disbelief in his expression, Miyuki's face suddenly became serious. "If you saw the Lord Founder's face, you would never doubt my words. We mere mortals are bound to be captivated by his radiance."
Not a mere mortal, which means he doesn't look human. An image of a figure with a square face, eyes, nose, and mouth popped into Koji's mind.
Ugh... oh no, now I'm really curious!
"The Lord Founder is just on the other side of the street. I can take you to see him," Miyuki said.
"Alright, alright," the words tumbled out before he could think. After hastily agreeing, Koji fell silent for a moment and secretly slapped himself.
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