Chapter 819: The Butterfly Sisters' Mission
Chapter 819: The Butterfly Sisters' Mission
In the pitch-black night, the moon's radiant glow pierced through a damaged roof, illuminating a stately mansion—an imposing structure that clearly belonged to a wealthy and influential family.
However, the estate was enveloped in an eerie silence, permeated by a bone-chilling cold.
This chill went beyond mere spiritual perception.
A glance around revealed large patches of frost covering the walls and grounds of the entire compound. Though winter was still far off, this place seemed to have already embraced its icy embrace.
Most heart-wrenching and terrifying of all was the sight of the corridors and grounds covered in frost, where numerous figures were frozen solid, transformed into ice sculptures.
Among them were hunched-over servants and tall, sturdy guards.
But at this moment, without exception, everyone, regardless of their role, was frozen in ice, their lives extinguished.
Whoosh!
Two figures appeared on the outer wall of the estate. They landed gracefully and silently, clad in Demon Slayer Corps uniforms, with colorful butterfly-patterned haori draped over them. One had an enchanting figure, while the other was petite and soft-featured.
A year had passed, and the Butterfly Sisters had undergone noticeable changes. Kanae Kanro had learned swordsmanship from Shinobu Kocho and, after over a year of training, her strength had significantly improved from when she first started.
She had not participated in the previous large-scale battle.
However, based on the subsequent intelligence and battle power analysis of the Twelve Kizuki, she believed that her strength was now comparable to that of the Wind Hashira and the Sound Hashira. Even if she couldn't defeat the Upper Moon Four and above, she could still put up a fight and wouldn't lose quickly.
A year ago, any one of the Upper Moon Four and above would have been a match for two or more Hashira, and it would have been difficult for any single Hashira to hold their ground for long against an Upper Moon.
Compared to Kanae, Shinobu had changed even more drastically.
Over a year ago, Shinobu still carried a hint of youthful immaturity, but now, her gaze was much more resolute and steadfast, inspiring greater trust in those around her.
She had endured countless trials and tribulations over the past year, and although the swordsmanship she practiced seemed mismatched with her innate abilities, it had ultimately benefited her. As a result, just half a month ago, she was no longer considered merely the "Flower Hashira's successor"; she had officially become one of the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, earning the title of 'Insect Hashira' and establishing her own faction.
This time, the sisters were assigned the same mission:
—Investigate the dense demonic energy frequently detected in the southeast area of the Pleasure District!
In recent months, intense demonic energy had been detected in the Pleasure District, but each occurrence only lasted for a brief moment, causing the Demon Slayer Corps' attempts to track it down to end in failure time and time again.
Especially a week ago, when a team of seven Demon Slayers who were on the trail went missing without a trace.
This incident finally prompted the Demon Slayer Corps to take the matter extremely seriously. They dispatched the Flower Hashira, Kanae Kanro, to personally investigate, and the newly appointed Insect Hashira, Shinobu, requested to accompany her sister on the mission, a request that was approved by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"Such dense demonic energy," Kanae remarked as she stood lightly on the wall, so delicate that a gentle breeze seemed like it could blow her away. Her exquisite and beautiful face seemed to emanate a sense of gentleness, just from a single glance.
Contrasting with her gentle appearance, however, was the gravity in her eyes.
At that moment, Shinobu's gaze also turned towards her sister. The two sisters locked eyes, and without needing to speak, they both understood that they had come to the same realization.
This was...
One of the Twelve Kizuki, an Upper Moon demon!
Such dense and terrifying demonic energy far surpassed that of a Lower Moon, leaving no doubt that it was an Upper Moon. However, it was still unclear which Upper Moon it was.
"Be careful, Shinobu."
Even though her younger sister was now an official pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kanae still felt the need to offer a gentle reminder.
Encountering an Upper Moon demon was not entirely unexpected. After all, the situation had escalated to the point where pillars were personally dispatched to investigate, and now two of them were present. Anything could happen.
The sisters, already mentally prepared for such an eventuality, showed no signs of retreat. With a nod to each other, they gracefully leaped forward, their movements as light as butterflies in the moonlight, heading deeper into the mansion.
As they soared over the estate, most of what lay within came into view.
From the outer walls inward, frost covered the grounds and buildings. Frozen figures stood like ice sculptures, their faces forever trapped in expressions of shock and fear.
"Ice..."
Butterfly Shinobu murmured, her eyes narrowing.
This ability didn't match any of the known Upper Moon demons.
Enmu, Upper Moon Two, was known for his exceptional martial arts skills, a blood demon art that allowed him to sense all kinds of spiritual energy, and the ability to survive even when his neck was severed, only perishing when exposed to direct sunlight.
Gyutaro and Hantengu's abilities had also been largely uncovered. There was also speculation about another demon with the ability to move large numbers of demons over long distances instantaneously, but it was unclear if this individual was an Upper Moon.
The ice ability they were now witnessing was clearly something new.
Swish! Swish!
The sisters continued their approach, heading deeper into the heart of the estate.
The malevolent aura of the demon grew more intense, swelling to a terrifying degree. Even Butterfly Shinobu, the newly appointed Insect Hashira, felt a weight of pressure bearing down on her.
Finally, they arrived at a building in the very center of the estate.
This was the backyard of the estate, and from here on out, it wasn't just the chill that gripped them, but also the thick, cloying scent of blood that permeated the air, intermingled with the foul stench of demons. The source of this odor seemed to be the illuminated house before them.
Without hesitation, Kanae and Shinobu landed in front of the building and made their way towards the main entrance, one after the other. Both had unsheathed their Nichirin Blades, their spiritual senses and vigilance heightened to the maximum.
The sisters moved with silent, graceful steps, alert for any traps that might be lurking.
As they stepped through the main entrance, a brightly lit hall came into view. Several lamps illuminated the spacious room, revealing a luxurious carpet on the floor, stained with blood that had yet to dry.
Following the trail of blood, their eyes fell upon a youth with grayish-white hair, a smear of blood on his head, sitting in a chair. He held his chin in one hand, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as if he had been expecting the Butterfly Sisters' arrival.
In his other hand, he held a young girl's head, detached from her body.
Her eyes, unblinking in death, seemed to still hold the fear of her final moments.
"Oh my, our guests have finally arrived, and what adorable young ladies they are. How delightful," the youth said, his voice warm and pleasant as he toyed with the severed head. "It brings me great joy."
Reflected clearly in his eyes, which held a hint of mirth, were three distinct characters:
Upper Moon Three.
(End of Chapter)
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