Miri's heart leaped at Horitake's voice.
Byouyo's heart sank in shock! His mood was crumbling! This woman thwarting his plans was overpowering him, clearly capable of defeating him yet only blocking his advance, able to kill him but not letting him escape!
What was with her!? Already irritated, Byouyo now heard another man's voice!
Trouble! She had backup! Worse, this man said he'd resolved the Kusatsu situation!? Could he mean…
Panicked, Byouyo looked up at Horitake, emotions surging, and roared, "You ruined my plague plan in Kusatsu!?"
Horitake's face turned cold, restraining the urge to tear him apart.
As expected, this guy was the mastermind!
Miri's eyes flashed. A flaw! Byouyo, shocked and panicked, was wide open! The perfect chance!
Gripping her custom whip-like Nichirin Blade, Miri inhaled deeply with a unique rhythm: "Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Love Wind."
In a blink, she rushed Byouyo!
He reacted too late, unable to defend, only watching as Miri, smiling, closed in!
Spinning rapidly, her blade slashed at Byouyo's neck with the momentum! Crack—a soft sound, and his neck was severed.
In disbelief, the demon's head fell, facing death.
Byouyo, Lower Moon Three, was truly unlucky. In the original story, he had few lines, killed by Muzan in disguise while fleeing. Now, worse off, he spoke one line before Miri's sudden strike ended him!
Yet this unlucky demon nearly unleashed a plague on Kusatsu, even all of Neon—an unforgivable crime!
Horitake dropped from the tree, standing beside Miri.
Blushing, Miri beamed, seeking praise: "Horitake-bro, I did it! I killed Lower Moon Three!"
Horitake nodded, but congratulations weren't on his mind. He still felt lingering dread.
What if the plague had erupted?
Neon could've lost tens of thousands.
What a horrific disaster that would've been?
Anger rose in Horitake, pushing him to an unexpected act.
He grabbed Byouyo's fading head, staring coldly into its eyes.
He wasn't looking at Byouyo but at Muzan Kibutsuji.
Tone icy, gaze colder, Horitake's aura was chilling. Staring into Byouyo's eyes, he spoke slowly: "Muzan Kibutsuji, I know you see this. I know you can access this bastard's memories.
You know what he almost did! He nearly unleashed a massive plague here! A plague with over 50% mortality! One that could kill millions!
Do you grasp what that means?
Hah, you probably don't care. Just a plague, a few deaths, right? Let me tell you what it means. If this plague had erupted, what would'vehappened!?
If millions died, Neon would riot! The world would be shaken!
Neon's noble families, tycoons, government, officials, military, even the imperial family—they'd all be enraged! Neon's elite forces would see you demons as a thorn in their side, desperate to eradicate you! These usually conflicting powers would unite against your actions, forming a massive, terrifying force!"
Horitake laughed, chillingly: "Muzan, guess what this force is for? You! To destroy you! To wipe you out at all costs! Not just Neon—the world, overseas, those old capitalist nations with deep roots you can't imagine! If Neon suffered this catastrophe, wouldn't other nations feel threatened? Wouldn't they guard against you demons? They would! Everything I've said would happen.
You'd face more than just our Demon Slayer Corps! You'd face an enraged nation! A wary world!
What a terrifying force that'd be?
Government sanctions, nationwide military hunts, tycoon-led purges.
Against such overwhelming might, what are you demons?
Even if you're strong, even if you, Muzan, are fearsome, you'd be crushed to dust! You'd scurry like a sewer rat! When I say this, Muzan, you'll feel humiliated, enraged! But if you have any sense, any wisdom, you know I'm right.
Otherwise, why hide for a millennium? It's not just sunlight you fear—it's that you can't reach higher powers.
If you're so capable, why not turn noble families into demons? Generals? Officials? The prime minister? The emperor!? Why not turn Neon into your dark kingdom!?
Dare you!?
You coward!
You don't dare! You can't!
For a thousand years, you've known how terrifying a nation's true elite is! You're wary! You're scared!"
Horitake's tone softened, mocking: "Since you're scared, tuck your tail and be a good demon. Don't stir up plagues.
Eat a few people quietly, keep the nation's order, skirmish with the Corps—isn't that fine?
Why cause chaos, inviting Neon to hunt you, leaving you demons with no grave? If this fool had triggered the plague, your fate would be as I described.
In other words, Muzan, you should thank me for stopping it!
That's all. Think it over, Muzan. I trust you'll understand."
As Horitake finished, Byouyo's head fully dissipated.
He clapped his hands, as if shaking off filth.
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