Chương 27: Chapter 27

He had short, oak-white hair and rainbow-colored irises, and wore the crimson robe of the religious patriarch. His hair gradually darkened on the right side, as if it had been splashed with blood.

The rainbow-colored right eye bore the kanji for "Upper Rank," while the left eye bore the kanji for "Two."

A false, gentle smile played across his lips, as if he were truly a benevolent priest.

"Hehehe, I've been waiting for you for a long time. You are much stronger than the other demon slayers I've encountered. So you are a Hashira. My name is Doma, Upper Rank Two."

Doma clapped his hands, his voice carrying a deceptive warmth. If she hadn't known he was a demon, Butterfly Kanae might have thought he was an innocent religious figure.

"Since you are a Hashira, and such a charming young lady, you are worthy of me knowing your name. What is it?"

"I am the Flower Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Butterfly Kanae." Kanae held the Nichirin Sword in both hands.

"Mr. Demon, since you can communicate, you must be capable of reason. You were also once human before becoming a demon. I know eating people must be an uncontrollable urge, but I believe you don't want to keep doing it."

Doma found it amusing that the Hashira wasn't attacking right away. "Oh? Are you preaching to me? How entertaining," he said with a grin.

"Mr. Demon must know the gods have arrived. I believe if Mr. Demon sincerely repents, the gods will save you," Kanae continued.

Butterfly Kanae believed a demon slayer's duty wasn't only to save the people that demons sought to kill, but also to free demons from their sad fate.

"Ah, I see. You think I am sad and in need of redemption. Hahaha! Very well, tell me about the gods. I wish to repent," Doma replied, rolling his eyes with a feigned display of sorrow.

Despite her kind intentions, Kanae was aware of Doma's deceit—he was interested in what she knew about the gods, likely on orders from Muzan.

"If he truly seeks redemption, he will come to the shrine with me," she thought, her eyes narrowing.

"Hmm... I guess there's nothing else to do," Doma sighed, his tone shifting abruptly as he flashed a sharp-toothed grin. "I guess I'll have to catch you first to find out everything about the gods."

A chilling aura enveloped the night, weighing heavily on Kanae. The sword in her hand felt heavier, and her body tensed under the pressure.

Her instincts kicked in, and she swung her blade.

"Breath of Flowers: Fourth Form—Crimson Hanagoromo!"

Two arcs of slashes swept downward, aimed at Doma's neck.

"Originally, with a delightful young lady like you, I'd take my time. I would savor every bit before we became one forever," Doma mused, removing two folding iron fans painted with pink and purple lotus flowers.

"But that person gave me an urgent order, so I'll have to capture you quickly. I'm sorry," he said insincerely.

"Blood Demon Art: Freezing Mist."

Cold mist erupted from the fans, enveloping Kanae in an instant.

"Breath of Flowers: Second Form—Honorable Shadow Plum!"

Kanae reacted swiftly, swinging her sword in every direction to disperse the mist before retreating quickly.

"It's so cold!"

Looking at her hand, she saw it had turned a sickly shade of purple from the cold. Her chest ached as the frostbite spread.

"Cough... cough..."

"I've killed 47 Hashira so far," Doma boasted. "They all die the same way—their lungs freeze, and they lose the ability to breathe."

He smiled, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Isn't the breathing technique of the demon slayers entirely dependent on their lungs? My Blood Demon Art can freeze the air itself, and as long as you breathe, you'll inhale my ice mist. Eventually, I'll freeze your lungs solid."

"Don't you feel hopeless?" he mocked, watching Kanae's trembling hands.

Kanae's heart pounded. "So this is how the previous Hashira died," she realized, her eyes wide with fear.

"If you tell me what you know about the gods, I'll let you go. It's a fair deal," Doma offered, his smile ever deceptive.

Kanae didn't reply. She simply steadied her grip on her sword, her eyes fixed on Doma. She had tried to reason with demons before, only for them to deceive her. She wouldn't fall for his lies again.

Seeing her silence, Doma sighed, "What a pity. I wonder—if I capture you, will your sister choose to save you or keep the secret?"

A cruel smile spread across his lips. "Such a tragic dilemma."

With that, he lunged forward, and the clash of their weapons echoed through the night.

...

Breathing heavily, Butterfly Shinobu watched as the last demon fell, the poison finally taking effect.

"Thank goodness, there aren't any more," she muttered, pocketing the two remaining vials of wisteria poison.

"I wonder how Sister is doing... Even for her, a battle against an Upper Rank demon is dangerous," Shinobu whispered, her concern evident. But as she turned, she froze in her tracks.

There, in front of her, was her sister, badly wounded and held captive by the demon. The kanji for "Upper Rank Two" glowed in his eyes.

Kanae's Nichirin blade had been taken, and it pierced through her shoulder, pinning her in place.

"Shinobu... run," Kanae struggled to speak, her voice barely a whisper. "Run towards the shrine..."