I don't want to be an elf!

Even so, a single Pillar is no match for any Upper Moon.

If it weren't for Kotori Itsuka's intervention, the Demon Slayer Corps would have certainly lost a valuable member of their fighting force.

Therefore, if another war is to be fought with the Upper Moon, Kagaya Ubuyashiki must make all the necessary preparations this time.

“Upper Moon Two, Doma,” Kotori Itsuka said. “He is the leader of a cult called Eternal Paradise. I need you to find him so that Muzan’s power can be weakened and I can collect Muzan’s blood from his body and give it to Dazai.”

The Upper Moon demons are elusive, and Kotori Itsuka has no intelligence-gathering abilities or extensive networks in this world. Therefore, unless she happens to encounter them, it will be difficult to eliminate Muzan Kibutsuji's influence.

Of the seven Upper Moons, apart from Upper Moon Six, Gyutaro, and Daki, the only one with a settled location is Upper Moon Two.

However, unlike the red-light district that anyone can find, the location of Doma and his Eternal Paradise Cult remains unknown to Kotori Itsuka.

The search is best left to the Demon Slayer Corps.

Since they were able to find Ratatosk, they can certainly find the Eternal Bliss Cult as well.

"I understand, I will send someone to investigate."

Without doubting the authenticity of the information, Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded seriously, "After we find it, I will have the Pillar-level members of the Demon Slayer Corps go with you."

"No need, I can go by myself."

Doma's ability to rank as Upper Moon Two suggests he was quite powerful, and his defeat in the original story was somewhat of a plot device.

This guy's Blood Demon Art and Ice Crystal Poison are specifically designed to target humans, and they also deal area-of-effect damage. Anyone who needs to breathe will inevitably be affected.

Although Kotori Itsuka, who controls flames, is fearless, the consequences are extremely severe for the mortal Pillars if they are even slightly touched.

If the enemy were to fight other Upper Moon demons, even Kotori Itsuka, she could consider bringing them along.

But Doma was the only exception.

However, the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were clearly unaware of this.

They naturally attributed Kotori Itsuka's decision not to take them along to her disdain for their power, and they all frowned.

"Hey, stop looking down on people here."

Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was always outspoken, suppressed his anger and asked in a deep voice, "From the very beginning, you acted like you were the only one who mattered, saying that you could even take down Muzan all by yourself. Wasn't that a bit too arrogant?"

"Your strength is indeed very strong, but the gap between Upper Moons is definitely not small."

Uzui Tengen nodded slightly and said seriously, "I admit that you defeated Gyutaro in a magnificent manner, but he is only Upper Moon Six, and Daki is still being held back by us. Defeating Upper Moon Two is not on the same level."

This time, Kagaya Ubuyashiki did not stop his subordinates from doing so.

Because this is a reasonable suspicion.

After all, the opponent was Upper Moon Two, and countless Pillar-level members had fallen at his hands. He was a top-tier Upper Moon among all the Upper Moons.

“Since Ratatoskr and the Demon Slayer Corps will be cooperating from now on, it’s necessary to know each other’s strengths,” Kagaya Ubuyashiki said slowly. “If you have nothing else to do tonight, how about sparring with my Pillars a few times?”

"Hehe, that works too."

Seeing the Pillars rubbing their hands together in anticipation, Kotori Itsuka couldn't help but smile.

She was afraid these people wouldn't ask.

If these arrogant Pillars don't challenge her, she'll spar with them in a few days under the pretext of helping the Pillars improve their strength.

After all, so far, only one-fifth of the side quests that require defeating the five Pillars or Upper Moon Demons have been completed.

If you can complete the side quests ahead of time, the earlier the better.

"The space here isn't small. If you don't mind, let's have our match here."

With a flick of her wrist, Kotori Itsuka conjured the Scorching Demon in her hand.

Carrying a giant axe that was disproportionate to her size, she beckoned to the nine Pillar-level members.

"So, are you planning to go one by one, or all at once?"

----------

----------

Twenty minutes later.

Ratatosk and his group quietly departed under the cover of night.

In the vast mansion, only pillars remained in the front yard, some barely able to stand, others completely exhausted and lying on the ground.

Looking at the Pillar-level members he was so proud of, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had very mixed feelings.

After hundreds of years of selection and inheritance, the Demon Slayer Corps finally reached the pinnacle of its power, possessing a group of exceptionally strong Pillars.

However, even the strongest among them, Ximingyu Xingming, could not last ten rounds against that girl who called herself the Flame Demon.

After they were all defeated in one-on-one sparring, the opponent even allowed them to all come at once.

Even so, the combined attack of the nine Pillar-level members only extended the time it took to lose by several times.

"The physical constitutions of humans and ghosts are indeed incomparable."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki already knew this, but seeing the Pillars he had promoted defeated one by one, he still couldn't help but sigh.

But soon, that little bit of frustration disappeared.

After all, Ratatoskr, though an organization of demons, became an ally of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The stronger the allies, the better.

"Damn it, this is on a completely different level from the ghosts I've killed before."

Sanemi Shinazugawa lay on the ground, panting heavily, completely unlike a Pillar-level member, and pounded the ground in frustration.

He didn't use his full strength.

After all, this is just a friendly sparring match, and there is no need to use any deadly moves.

But how could the leader of Ratatosk not show mercy?

In the battle just now, she didn't even use her signature flames; she defeated everyone solely through pure strength and stamina.

However, now that things have come to this, no one doubts whether she can defeat Upper Moon Two on her own.

If even she can't defeat him, then perhaps only Upper Moon One and Muzan Kibutsuji could do it.

"The final battle is coming soon."

A moment later, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at the nine pillars who were gradually regaining their strength. His tone was not reproachful, but as gentle as usual: "For the next period of time, you will temporarily stop your demon-slaying activities and focus on special training."

"Yes, my lord." X9

None of the pillars present refused.

However, just as the group was about to leave, Rengoku Kyojuro broke away from the group.

"My lord, I want to go see if my sister is in Asakusa, so I won't be traveling with you."

"I foresee that Asakusa is likely to become dangerous in the future," said Kyojuro Rengoku.

"If she were here, I would like to take her back with me."

Chapter Thirty: The True Form of the Flame Demon?

Having achieved their objective for the night, the Demon Slayer Corps members quickly departed.

Many of these proud and arrogant individuals, who had never tasted defeat, realized their shortcomings and weaknesses during their sparring sessions with Kotori Itsuka, and either felt resentful or remained silent.

For the next period of time, they will suspend their demon-slaying operations to prepare for the final battle in the near future.

Under the cover of night, Rengoku Kyojuro broke away from the group alone.

After bidding farewell to his colleagues, he concealed his presence and leaped rapidly across the buildings in a manner imperceptible to ordinary people.

Although everyone had bruises and welts from the sparring, for the Pillar-level members who practice breathing techniques and fight demons year-round, injuries were not considered serious as long as they did not affect their internal organs or bones.

Soon, he arrived at a mansion in Asakusa.

Upon landing in the courtyard, he sensed the presence of people inside the house.

However, Kyojuro Rengoku was not surprised. He walked straight into the house and gently knocked on the door of one of the rooms.

"Kotori?" he whispered his sister's name. "Wake up."

Seemingly sensing the noise outside the door, the sound of someone getting dressed came from inside the bedroom.

Shortly afterward, the door was opened.

"elder brother?"

Kotori Itsuka rubbed her tired eyes and yawned sleepily: "Is there something important that you came to see me so late?"

“Father said you’ve been to Asakusa again recently. I happened to be passing by, so I thought I’d take you back with me,” Rengoku Kyojuro said. “Asakusa might be a bit dangerous for the next few days, so you should stay with Father and Kyojuro.”

"Is it related to ghosts?"

"Yes."

"OK then."

Upon hearing that it was related to ghosts, Kotori Itsuka obediently nodded.

I turned on the room lights and started packing my luggage.

"Hey, brother, why are you covered in injuries?"

As the lights came on, Rengoku Kyojuro, who had been in the darkness, was exposed to the light.

Seeing the bruises on her brother's face, Kotori Itsuka covered her mouth in surprise: "Who did this? Did my brother just come back from a battle?"

"Let's discuss."

Kyojuro Rengoku coughed, unsure how to explain, so he simply said, "I encountered a strong opponent, but don't worry, it's just a friendly spar."

"I have bandages and alcohol here, come and bandage it up quickly." Kotori Itsuka said with heartache in her eyes, "How could a sparring match turn out like this? Who was behind this? It's really too much."

"Thank you for your kindness, but this superficial injury will heal in a day or two." Rengoku Kyojuro waved his hand, refusing Itsuka Kotori's treatment. "You should pack your things first. After you're done, let's leave quickly. Maybe we can still catch the last train."

"Ok."

Kotori Itsuka persisted for a while, but seeing that Kyojuro Rengoku really didn't need bandaging, she reluctantly put away the medical kit.

Watching the girl bustling around the room, Rengoku Kyojuro's initial doubts gradually disappeared.