Under the bright moonlight, Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood quietly, gazing at the sky with a faint smile.
To have angered Muzan Kibutsuji into such a frenzy — it was precisely what he had hoped for.
Let him rage. Let him thrash about.
The time when the Demon King could run rampant was coming to an end.
"For thousands of years," Kagaya murmured, "our clan has dreamed of this moment. Finally, Muzan... it's time to wake up."
Their family had fought against the Demon King for generations.
Now, at long last, the conclusion was drawing near.
Beside him, Amane Ubuyashiki — his devoted wife — spoke with a trace of worry:
"Husband, was it really wise to provoke him so openly?
What if he retreats again into hiding? Wouldn't we be locked in the same stalemate as before?"
Her concern was not unfounded.
Whenever Muzan felt pressured in the past, he would simply vanish.
Decades would pass; the strongest Demon Slayers would age and die, and then Muzan would emerge once again to spread death and terror.
Even though they had received good news after good news recently, unless Muzan himself was slain, the demon threat would never truly end.
Kagaya chuckled softly.
"You're too cautious.
Now that we have the grace of the Eternal God, we can ask Him for a method to track Muzan down."
He dared not hope the Eternal God would personally intervene to kill the Demon King — that would be too much to ask.
But requesting the ability to locate Muzan's position?
That was a humble wish, well within reason.
Amane's eyes brightened in realization.
"So that's the plan. I see... Oh, by the way," she added, "Hina and Hinaki have agreed to your idea. They are willing to serve as sacrifices for the Eternal God."
Kagaya smiled warmly.
"Thank them on my behalf.
I am proud to be their father."
"As members of the Ubuyashiki family, they understand. We all do," Amane said gently.
Even if it pained her to send their daughters as offerings, she knew it was necessary.
The Ubuyashiki clan had battled demons for generations.
A few sacrifices, if it meant victory, were a price they were willing — and proud — to pay.
Early the next morning.
The entire Demon Slayer Corps assembled.
Everyone was dressed neatly in formal robes.
Their youthful faces were a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and awe.
Though through Eternal Meditation they had glimpsed the Divine Body in visions, today would be different.
Today, they would witness a true miracle.
In addition to summoning all Demon Slayers, Kagaya had cleverly invited high-ranking government officials to witness the ceremony firsthand.
Tanjiro had once explained — the Eternal God needed believers.
What better way to spread His name than by inviting the powerful and influential?
Inside the meeting hall, murmurs of amazement spread among the officials.
Many stared at Kagaya in disbelief.
The man once cursed and bedridden now sat tall and healthy, vitality returning to his frail body.
An elderly official with graying hair sighed deeply:
"I never thought... I would witness divine power with my own eyes."
"Since it is a true god," another said reverently, "it is only natural that it transcends our understanding.
I heard the God is called the Eternal God... If He truly appears today, I will build a temple myself."
This man was not an ordinary bureaucrat — he held military command, and he knew about the existence of demons.
The government publicly denied their existence, but within elite circles, the truth was well-known.
Monsters lurked in the dark, and many fine warriors had perished over the years.
Everyone present was eager — even enthusiastic — about the Eternal God's arrival.
Except, perhaps, the elder priests.
Their faces were strained, uncomfortable.
Among them, the head priest fidgeted.
In all their ancient scrolls and records, there was no mention of an "Eternal God."
It shook the foundations of their beliefs.
Were they really about to accept a god even greater than Amaterasu herself?
If it weren't the Ubuyashiki clan leading this ceremony, they might have attempted to resist.
But against the Demon Slayer Corps, and against visible divine miracles, they could only swallow their unease.
Half an hour later.
A solemn bell tolled across the grounds.
The hour had arrived.
The sacrificial ceremony was about to begin.
Kagaya stood and smiled calmly.
"Everyone, please move to the courtyard.
The ritual will now commence."
The crowd followed him outside.
There, in the center of the courtyard, stood a magnificent altar built of gleaming sunstone — shining with a faint divine aura.
Near the altar, kneeling in silent reverence, were several young women.
They were Kagaya's daughters — Hinaki, Nichiika, Kiriya, and Kanata — as well as Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri.
Originally, Shinobu hadn't intended for Kanao to participate.
This was a sacred offering, not a casual visit.
But Kanao had clung to her stubbornly, refusing to leave her side.
In the end, Shinobu relented.
Kanao, after all, was like a true younger sister to her.
A dignified voice rang out across the courtyard:
"The auspicious hour has arrived.
Divine Envoy Tanjiro Kamado, please preside over the ceremony!"
Amidst respectful murmurs, a young man stepped forward.
Tanjiro knelt solemnly before the altar and began chanting the ancient sacrificial text.
Whispers broke out among the government officials:
"Why is a child presiding?
Shouldn't the head of the Ubuyashiki family lead?"
"Maybe the boy has special talents?"
"What talent could a child have? Maybe it's because his heart is pure.
I heard that only those with pure hearts can serve the gods directly."
Nearby, the elder priest could barely conceal his disdain.
To him, this was blasphemy.
A child reciting rituals?
A god no one had ever heard of?
He clenched his fists under his robes.
Even if the Eternal Meditation seemed real... he would not bow so easily.
His faith would not waver.
No matter how dazzling the miracle ahead might be.