"Ah, the timing is indeed about right..."
Looking up at the firework successfully ascending into the sky, Ubuyashiki's face likewise revealed a similar smile.
"Miss Tsugikuni, thank you for allowing me to release this signal."
"No need for thanks. After all, I had originally intended to annihilate you all once again tonight, in exchange for several decades of peace hereafter.
Mr. Ubuyashiki, your willingness to summon them here has actually made things more convenient for me."
Mitsuba responded with a smile.
By now, both sides were essentially playing with open cards.
Mitsuba was well aware that the Demon Slayer Corps had an ambush prepared, and Ubuyashiki was equally aware that Mitsuba knew this.
But Mitsuba firmly believed that she could crush all of the Demon Slayer Corps' traps through her own strength.
And Ubuyashiki also firmly believed that the arrangements made by the Demon Slayer Corps and Tamayo tonight would be enough to bury the powerful demon standing before him.
It was under this equal confidence that both sides, with remarkable tacit understanding, pushed the situation together toward that predetermined direction...
"Then, before killing me, would Miss Tsugikuni permit me to ask you one final question?"
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, you certainly have many questions. Being so blatant about stalling for time—are you not afraid I might get angry and leave?"
Casually making a jest, and seeing the flash of panic in Ubuyashiki's eyes, Mitsuba said with a smile:
"Just joking. Please ask, for after all... I must also wait here for those Demon Slayers under your command to arrive, must I not?
Having someone to chat with me during these final moments to pass the time—I am more than willing."
"Thank you... Then, Miss Tsugikuni Mitsuba, can you tell me:
When you kill those Demon Slayers and innocent people as a demon, what exactly are you thinking in your heart?"
"How truly disappointing. I thought it would be something novel, but it turns out to be this same tired old question again..."
Hearing this final question of Ubuyashiki's life, Mitsuba's face was filled with disappointment.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, you may not know this, but nearly a hundred years ago, your ancestor also asked me a similar question.
I truly cannot understand why your clan, when facing us demons, so particularly enjoys using these boring moral questions as means to attack us?
Do you not find it extremely foolish to demand that your enemies be moral, to have conscience?
Well, never mind... Since you are so curious, I shall patiently explain it to you once more."
Although she mercilessly mocked with her words, Mitsuba still satisfied Ubuyashiki's final question.
"My answer is: nothing at all."
Looking at Ubuyashiki before her, Mitsuba raised her index finger, opened her eyes wide, and with unprecedented seriousness, spoke word by word:
"Demon Slayers are my enemies. This has been true from beginning to end.
Therefore, I never speak any morality to Demon Slayers, nor do I feel anything in my heart when killing you.
Whether man or woman, old or young—I feel nothing.
Likewise, I do not demand any morality from you. If you can kill me, that is your capability, and I shall have no complaints.
But if you cannot kill me and are killed by me instead, then you deserve it. Please spare me your moral nonsense and shut your mouths and die obediently.
You die, I live—this is the best description of our relationship. Please do not attempt to confuse this point, Mr. Ubuyashiki.
Furthermore, even if I were truly to act according to your morality, your standards, I have never harmed truly innocent people.
Perhaps you do not believe this, but I actually particularly love those adorable lives.
Over the past hundred years, the only ones who have truly died by my hand have always been Demon Slayers."
"Miss Tsugikuni, your summary of the relationship between Demon Slayers and demons is indeed incisive.
However, as someone who was once human, have you ever considered that each Demon Slayer you killed—had they lived—could have saved even more innocent people from the hands of other demons..."
"So what exactly does this have to do with me?"
Her gaze gradually turning cold, looking at this Ubuyashiki who still attempted to persuade her, Mitsuba's face was filled with incomprehensible confusion.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, grievances have their heads and debts have their owners. Whoever killed their families, let them go find that person for revenge! Do not push every random thing onto me!
What, do you still want to tell me that because Demon Slayers slay demons, I should not kill them?
Do you still want to say to me that because Demon Slayers slay demons, my killing them is equivalent to being guilty?
So, all those other people who died because of other demons—their lives must all be counted on my head?!
Ridiculous! Whose law is this?! And whose crime is this?! Why should I be responsible for those I did not kill?!
And why should I abide by your morality, why should I act according to your rules?
Nothing but a life-and-death struggle between two species, yet you must insist on dragging in so-called morality and conscience, attempting to seize that meaningless moral high ground for yourselves—hypocritical posturing, utterly nauseating!
Mr. Ubuyashiki, if you truly possess such great love and hold all living beings in your heart, then please do not keep staring at us with those eyes all day long.
Please put your tremendous influence to slightly better use, release some of the astronomical wealth your family has accumulated, and go care for and benefit those suffering masses throughout the world instead!"
Having finished this long speech, Mitsuba looked at the silent Ubuyashiki, and that originally angry face once again revealed a brilliant smile.
"How do you feel about my words, Mr. Ubuyashiki?
Nothing but moral blackmail—who cannot do that? I simply have always disdained to do so... Very well, the time for idle chat ends here."
Distant sounds gradually approached. In the breeze, fierce killing intent swirled.
A crimson formation spread from beneath her feet, intricate mandala patterns arising and perishing within it. Mitsuba slowly raised her hand toward Ubuyashiki, who was enveloped within the formation.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, I have no interest in continuing to chat with you. Please die—oh my?"
Her arm had just risen when Mitsuba noticed her fingers rapidly turning black and melting.
Immediately after, that blackness spread throughout her entire body like a drop of ink falling into clear water!
Her cheeks began to melt, her right arm broke off like a melted candle, her body uncontrollably collapsed to her knees, and an unprecedented weakness swept through her entire being at this moment.
Mitsuba felt with extreme clarity that a massive amount of wisteria poison had suddenly erupted within her body just now!
They surged like tidal waves, madly devouring every drop of blood, every cell within her...
Under this violent toxin erosion, not only was her flesh rapidly dissolving, but even her bones were dissolving at a speed visible to the naked eye!