Chapter 98: The Missing Demon King

In an alternate dimension, a realm of shadows and whispers, the Infinity Castle of demons loomed. It was a vast, enclosed indoor space, its layout a labyrinth of chaos and peculiarity. Stairs spiraled into oblivion, storage rooms hung suspended in mid-air, and display rooms were arranged in a dizzying, non-Euclidean fashion. Furniture clung to side walls or ceilings, defying gravity and reason, creating an atmosphere that was as surreal as it was eerie.

Through this disorienting maze, a young man named Akaza walked. His short, peach-pink hair was a stark contrast to the gloom around him, and his golden eyes glowed with an inner fire. His pale skin was adorned with deep blue tattoos, a testament to battles fought and victories won. He wore a purple-red shirt, the color of twilight, and a string of prayer beads around his ankle, each one a memory of a life taken.

Akaza was the third of the Upper Moons, a title that carried both power and brutality. "To be summoned here," he mused aloud, his voice echoing through the castle's vast halls, "it means that a Moon has been slain by a Demon Slayer!"

Ding!

With a sense of foreboding, Akaza pushed open a door, the creaking sound swallowed by the castle's silence. As the door swung open, the melancholic sound of a lute echoed through the air. In a protruding area of the chaotic wall, a woman cradled a lute, her long bangs obscuring most of her face. This was Nakime, Muzan's close attendant, the puppeteer who controlled the Infinity Castle with her Blood Demon Art.

Nakime's art was the heartbeat of the castle, her melodies shaping its layout, teleporting Muzan and other demons at will. When Muzan urgently summoned the Twelve Demon Moons, it was Nakime who orchestrated their gathering within the Infinity Castle.

What surprised Akaza was the presence of five other demons. They were the remaining Upper Moons, a revelation that made him even more annoyed. "If no Upper Moon has died, why has Lord Muzan summoned all the Upper Moons?!" Akaza asked, his golden eyes scanning the room, confusion etched on his face.

The demons present were a motley crew, each one unique in their own terrifying way. There was Hantengu, the fourth Upper Moon, an old man with a swollen forehead and two horns, his demeanor timid yet deceptive. Daki, the sixth Upper Moon, was a beautiful young girl with pink tattoos on her face, her innocence belying her deadly nature.

Gyokko, the fifth Upper Moon, was a ghostly figure with half its body in a pot, its body entirely white and gills on its head, a grotesque parody of life. Doma, the second Upper Moon, was a handsome young man draped in a black cloak, his snow-white hair a stark contrast to his dark attire.

And then there was Kokushibo, the first Upper Moon, a samurai from the Sengoku period with a high ponytail and six eyes, his presence commanding respect and fear.

"Something... more serious has happened..." Kokushibo said, his voice a low rumble that echoed ominously in the room. His six eyes scanned the room, each one reflecting the tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. The room fell silent, the only sound being the soft strumming of Nakime's lute, a haunting melody that seemed to underscore the gravity of the situation.

"Oh my~! Kokushibo-san, what could be more important than the death of an Upper Moon? It's all Akaza's fault for being so weak!" Doma's voice was light, almost playful, as he casually placed his hand on Akaza's shoulder. His innocent smile was a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

Slash!

In a flash, Akaza reacted. His hand moved with the speed and precision of a striking snake, his palm slicing through the air like a blade. In an instant, half of Doma's head was severed, falling to the ground with a sickening thud.

"I've told you, never touch me with your filthy hands!" Akaza's voice was cold, his golden eyes glinting with disgust. His gaze was fixed on Doma, his body language radiating hostility.

"Akaza...!"

The voice came from behind him, a chilling whisper that seemed to freeze the air. Akaza turned, his heart pounding in his chest. Kokushibo stood there, his six eyes boring into him, his presence as intimidating as ever.

"You've... gone too far..."

Kokushibo's words hung in the air, a silent reprimand that sent a shiver down Akaza's spine. He could feel the cold sweat trickling down his back, the tension in the room palpable.

However, Doma seemed unfazed. He laughed, a light, carefree sound that echoed through the room. "It's okay, Kokushibo-san! I don't mind at all~" His voice was cheerful, his demeanor relaxed, as if he hadn't just lost half his head. As he spoke, the severed part of his head began to regenerate, healing itself in a matter of seconds.

Kokushibo's gaze shifted to Doma, his voice low and measured. "My words... are not only for you... I'm just worried... that disorder... will lead to... a rift... in our hierarchy..."

Doma clapped his hands together, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah— I see!" He turned to Akaza, his smile widening, which was both mocking and dismissive.

"Akaza... If you're not satisfied, you can always apply for a challenge to change the order of the Upper Moons..." said Kokushibo.

"That will be meaningless Kokushibo-san," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Even if Akaza did apply, he's no match for either of us~. I became a demon after Akaza, yet I was promoted first, so it's natural he feels a bit unbalanced! Please be more understanding~. I didn't dodge on purpose, considering his feelings~. Besides, this kind of playfulness helps us bond~"

"Akaza... as a higher-ranking demon, you should be more composed. There's no need to be overly critical of those beneath you..." Kokushibo's words hung in the air, a silent reprimand that echoed through the vast halls of the Infinity Castle. His voice was calm, measured, a stark contrast to the tension that filled the room.

Slowly, Kokushibo turned, revealing his terrifying visage. His face was adorned with six enormous eyes, their depths as unfathomable as the abyss. Around his neck, markings resembling flames danced, a testament to his power and status.

"You should understand what I mean!" His words were a command, a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down.

"Of course..." Akaza's voice was a low growl, his golden eyes fixed on Kokushibo. "I will kill you with my own hands!"

"I will be waiting..." Kokushibo's response was indifferent, his voice barely above a whisper. "... keep trying..."

With that, Kokushibo moved to a higher position, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Upper Moons. "Now, it's time to discuss why you were summoned here!"

The room fell silent, the demons holding their breath, their attention riveted on Kokushibo. His next words sent a shockwave through the room. "Not long ago, Nakime's Blood Demon Art... lost contact with Muzan-sama."

"!"

The reactions were immediate and varied. Akaza's face paled, his body stiffening in shock. Daki was at a loss for words, her eyes wide with fear. Hantengu trembled, his body shaking like a leaf in the wind. Gyokko lamented the loss of a potential gift for Muzan, his words a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation.

Doma, however, laughed. "Oh my~! Has Muzan-sama lost contact? Could he have encountered some dead-end?" His words were light, almost flippant, a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

"Doma-san, is it appropriate for you to say that?!" Gyokko's voice was sharp, his eyes flashing with anger. To them, Muzan was omnipotent, the thought of him encountering misfortune was unthinkable.

However, Kokushibo's next words sent a chill down their spines. "It's... not impossible."

The room fell silent once more, the demons hanging on Kokushibo's every word. "If... Nakime can't sense... Muzan-sama's presence." He paused, letting his words sink in. "There are only two possibilities..."

"First, the lord deliberately cut off contact with us... Second, he has been trapped by an enemy, and some method has been used to block his connection with us..."

The implications of his words were clear, and the demons could only stare in stunned silence. The thought of Muzan's death was unthinkable, for if Muzan died, all demons would die. The balance of power had shifted, and the demons could only wait and wonder what would come next.

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