Chapter 66: Dealings with Daki

Chapter 66: Dealings with Daki

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It's been a fortnight since I awoke after facing off with Doma.

Detailing my condition, the recovery proved more gruelling than the actual confrontation. Solid food became a luxury for a week, as my stomach was quite delicate after the fight. Simple movements caused pain during the initial week, requiring assistance even for a trip to the bathroom.

But after my conversation with Yuki, she became my primary caretaker. Her nurturing instincts flourished, and she evolved into a noticeably clingy presence. She really was slowly becoming a Yandere.

And, with her care and regularly basking in the sun and practising focused breathing exercises, the speed of my recovery became very fast. At present, I'd estimate my healing progress at over 40%, marking the close of the second week.

And one more thing, there was a celebration in my honor, acknowledging my achievement of single-handedly killing two Upper Moons in a single mission, one of them even being a top-ranking member. Normally, it wouldn't have warranted a celebration, but Shinobu insisted, framing it as a gesture for my recovery. 

However, not all of the Hashiras attended, as they were still grappling with the aftermath of the demon attacks and Tengen's death, especially Sanemi, who had failed to defeat Upper Moon 4, though they sent their best wishes.

And since not many were attending, the celebration was quietly held in Butterfly Mansion. Present were Shinobu, Mitsuri, Kanao, Yuki, Tamayo, and Rengoku also making a brief appearance. Although he didn't stay the night, he left after offering an encouraging pat on my shoulder.

Something special also happened on the same night, not in the festivities themselves but in something else, which should be a tale for another day.

Now, considering all that has transpired, including the confrontation with Doma, I can confidently assert that I am currently the most powerful member among the Corps. Of course, after I am fully healed.

With 40% of the healing process completed, I believe it's finally time to pay a visit to my demon girl, who refuses to talk to anyone other than me.

.

.

.

.

Stepping into the chamber, meticulously designed to detain demons, the craftsmanship was made by none other than Demon-Tamayo-san herself.

Situated in the heart of a sun-drenched field, the chamber stood alone, its surroundings devoid of any shade. The high sun in the sky left no refuge except for this specially crafted enclosure. 

Even if escape crossed her mind, the lack of shadows meant there was nowhere for her to flee, unless she managed to somehow gain immunity to the sun's rays.

And any attempt to attack someone would trigger a swift response – a mere flick of a switch that would dismantle the chamber in a moment,  making the rays of the sun fall directly on her.

There were also wisteria incense burned continually, its aroma potent enough to suppress the strength of any demon within its vicinity.

Observing Daki, bound by chains and seated in the chair with an inscrutable expression, her gaze fixed on the sun beyond, I couldn't resist a smirk as I quipped, "How's life, Mrs. Oiran? Missing the sun, are we?"

Upon hearing my words, she pivoted towards me, her voice undergoing a notable transformation. Devoid of the arrogance and sarcasm I remembered, it now exuded a calm and...authoritative tone? "You've arrived at last," she remarked.

Taking a seat directly in front of her, I reiterated, "I have. And from what I've heard you were quite eager to speak with me, going so far as to decline any conversations with others. May I inquire as to why?"

"I simply desired to converse with someone who not only defeated me but also chose to bring me here instead of just killing me," she calmly expressed, though I can see the hidden meaning she was implying.

Arching my eyebrows at her response, I clarified, "If you believe my actions were driven by any sentimentality towards you after spending a night with you, you're on the wrong track. I saved you purely for the information we needed, nothing more."

Although his decision was not entirely devoid of sentiment, it was akin to comparing a cup of water to a pond. It wasn't enough to spare her, but I saw no need to disclose that.

"Is that so? Truly. Why not my brother, then? He was weaker, easier to handle," she said, her smile now carrying a sense of amusement. However, I detected a subtle wavering in her voice when she mentioned her brother.

"There was no specific reason why it was you and not your brother. His demise was merely a result of his weakness, which occurred before your capture. If you had perished before him, it would be him sitting here," I responded.

Her expression turned a bit cold after hearing my words, but I paid no mind. "Hmm... So all you want is information, most likely about Muzan-sama, right?" she inquired.

"You are correct," I nodded.

"But what do I get in return for that? You're not going to ask me to betray my master for nothing, right?" she asked, her expression now more intrigued.

Leaning in closer, I asserted, giving her a direct stare, "I believe you are failing to grasp your situation, Daki. Your current condition doesn't afford you the luxury of making demands."

"No, I have not. It's you who doesn't understand the situation, Ace. If you want me to cooperate with your plans, you have to offer me something. Otherwise, I'd prefer to meet my end now rather than later. And you can't do anything about it; I can just step outside and vanish in just a few moments," she asserted confidently.

"You think we wouldn't be able to get the information out of you by force. Do you? Then you are an idiot. You should know there is an expert in demon physiology with us," I said, though I was bluffing. If Tamayo was capable of extracting information, there was no need for having this conversation.

It seemed Daki was quite adept at catching bluffs or lies. She said, smiling, "I think we both know that's a lie. You already tried it on me but weren't successful." I sighed, realizing that Tamayo had indeed attempted it when I was still unconscious, but they weren't successful.

I remained silent for a moment, then asked, "And what are your demands then?"

"I want nothing luxurious, by the way, Ace. Just ensure that Demon Slayers won't interfere with me after you deal with Muzan, if you're able to, and I won't meddle with them anymore" she stated.

"You must be foolish to believe that the Demon Slayers would agree to such terms. They would sooner eliminate you now and confront whatever plans Muzan has on their own, than let you live," I snorted at her proposal. There was no chance they would let her go.

"Of course, I would swear on my demon heart that I won't consume any human flesh or kill humans. I would only consume some blood for my survival!" she said, her expression showing complete sincerity, but I believed not one word of it.

"Do you think I am gullible enough to believe your words, Daki? You should try better," I replied, skepticism lacing my tone. Only a fool would trust her words without any proof.

"Then don't believe it and just kill me now. The most you would be able to achieve is killing the least powerful Upper Moon and lose the ultimate battle against Muzan," she challenged, her expression daring as if she had no fear of death, which I found quite odd.

"And if you're worried about me still killing humans, you can ask that demon who is cooperating with you. What was her name... Tamayo, right? To make me biologically like her so that I won't need to rely on human flesh much," she said with an earnest expression.

I remained silent for a moment, contemplating her proposal. Is she really telling the truth, or is there some hidden agenda of hers? This Daki was quite complicated and different than the old Daki, making it challenging to calculate what she is planning.

"And how should we trust your words or that you won't betray us midway or provide us with false information ?Like how you are doing to Muzan" I asked.

"You don't have to trust me. Whatever you used on me that day severed my link with Muzan. All of them should now think I am currently dead," she explained.

"As for why I am betraying, it's just because I don't want a hidden danger to my life, and Muzan isn't merciful enough that he would spare me now. So, I am much more comfortable with him dead," she added.

After a moment of contemplation, I finally responded, "I'll consider your proposal and relay it to them to see what they decide, but trust is earned. You'll have to prove your sincerity, Daki, first."

Daki smiled at my answer and said, "I won't reveal all the details right now, but I can say for a fact, you won't win the battle without me. So take my advice and be a little more flexible on your decision."

"That's on us to decide," I said, standing up from my seat and taking a syringe out of my pocket, filled with a purple liquid. It was an anesthetic crafted by Shinobu that would keep Daki unconscious during the night.

Walking up to her, I held her face in my hand as she looked at me with a certain expression as I inserted the syringe into her neck, causing her to frown a little at the insertion, but she didn't move.

"You are quite cooperative" I said sitting back on my seat . It would take around one minute for the the serum to take effect.

"What should I do otherwise? Attack you or try to struggle and get killed later?" she said, as if I was asking the obvious.

I raised my brow at her behavior. "What's up with you? One moment, you don't care about your life and say you can just kill yourself now by jumping into the sun, and then in the next, you are going through all the hassle of negotiating with me about letting you leave alive and killing Muzan so he wouldn't come after you."

I was quite perplexed at her thinking; if I had to say, she was the character with the most difference in personality compared to her original counterpart than any character.

Daki took quite a moment to answer and finally said, ".... It's nothing grand. It's just that I'd rather…."

She fell asleep before I could hear her complete answer. I could only give up now and put the thought to the back of my mind for later.

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