Chapter 64: The Tragedy of Tanjiro's Family! 

[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!] 

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In a vast, interwoven labyrinth of twisting paths and floating structures extended in every direction.

This was Infinite Castle, a bizarre and ever-shifting space created by the Blood Demon Art of Nakime, the biwa-playing demon.

"Ding!"

The sharp twang of a biwa echoed through the eerie silence, summoning figures one after another into the space.

"W-W-Why did Muzan-sama summon us all of a sudden?"

A hunched, grotesque old man with a bulbous tumor on his head cowered behind a wooden staircase, his voice trembling with fear.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he anxiously scanned his surroundings.

"Ugh, stay away from me, you ugly old man!"

A disgusted voice sneered.

"Sister, you shouldn't speak about Lord Hantengu like that."

The rebuke came from a thin, gaunt man, his tone urging gentleness.

Standing beside him was a strikingly beautiful woman with long, flowing hair—yet her expression twisted with revulsion as she eyed the cowering old man.

These two were Daki and Gyutaro, a pair of inseparable demons who shared the title of Upper Rank Six.

The pitiful, elderly demon—despite his frail and fearful demeanor—was Hantengu, the Upper Rank Four.

"Hmph… Muzan-sama isn't here yet?"

A voice filled with cold disdain broke the murmurs.

A tall, muscular man with peach-colored hair and a body adorned with dark blue tattoos scanned the room with sharp golden eyes.

The kanji "Upper Rank Three" gleamed in his irises.

Akaza.

His piercing gaze swept the gathering before narrowing slightly.

"Huh… Douma isn't here either?"

His lips curled in distaste.

Among the Upper Moons, Douma was the one who disgusted him the most—his very presence made Akaza feel sick to his core.

"S-Shh! Haven't Lord Akaza and Lord Douma reconciled yet?"

A voice chimed in hesitantly.

The sound came from a clay pot—or rather, from within it.

Gyokko, the Upper Rank Five.

The mere mention of the word "reconcile" made Akaza sneer.

"Reconcile? There's nothing to reconcile. I simply find him repulsive."

His voice dripped with venom.

"Silence. Do not lose your composure before Muzan-sama."

A deep, commanding voice cut through the conversation like a blade.

At once, the air grew heavier, the oppressive aura forcing the gathered demons into an instinctive hush.

They turned their gazes upwards.

Sitting in a dimly lit chamber above them, calmly polishing his blade, was Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One.

Akaza was just about to speak when—

"I truly don't understand why I continue to tolerate such failures!"

A cold, furious voice ripped through the air.

The atmosphere itself seemed to tremble.

"Muzan-sama!"

The Upper Moons immediately lowered their heads in submission.

Floating at the very heart of Infinite Castle, bathed in an aura of undisguised fury, was a regal figure dressed in elaborate finery.

Despite the delicate appearance of her current form—

All demons knew better than to mistake it for weakness.

For this was Muzan Kibutsuji, the King of Demons.

Her piercing gaze seethed with rage, the sheer weight of her anger pressing into every demon present.

Not a single one dared to speak.

Only Kokushibo remained composed, his voice measured as he broke the silence.

"Muzan-sama… what has happened?"

Muzan exhaled sharply, reining in some of her fury before delivering the devastating news.

"Douma… has been killed by the Demon Slayer Corps."

A shocking revelation.

The Upper Moons stiffened.

Even Kokushibo's normally unshaken composure faltered.

Douma, the Upper Rank Two.

The second most powerful demon under Muzan, a being who had existed for centuries—was dead?

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then—

A shudder ran through Hantengu and Gyokko, their eyes filled with fear.

But among them, only one had a different reaction.

Akaza.

Shock, yes—but also satisfaction.

Muzan's crimson eyes snapped toward him.

"You look… pleased."

Akaza immediately lowered his head, suppressing the twisted smirk threatening to surface.

"Useless.

A bunch of worthless, pathetic failures!"

Muzan's voice dripped with pure contempt, her frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"The blue spider lily remains unfound, and now even the weaklings of the Demon Slayer Corps can eliminate an Upper Rank?!"

Her scathing words burned into their minds.

Not a single demon dared to refute him.

None were foolish enough to provoke Muzan when she was like this.

Only when her rage had finally settled did she deliver her next command.

"Find out how Douma was killed. And continue searching for the blue spider lily—no matter what it takes."

At once, the demons scrambled to obey.

The sound of Nakime's biwa resonated once more, and one by one, the Upper Moons vanished from Infinite Castle.

Three days later.

The Demon Slayer Corps finally received news—

They had located Tanjiro Kamado's home.

Nanashi wasted no time.

He set off alone, soaring through the sky faster than the speed of sound.

In the blink of an eye, he arrived in the dense mountain forests where the Kamado family resided.

As he descended—

His golden eyes narrowed.

"Something's wrong."

Too quiet.

For a home that housed a large family, the absence of any sound was… unnatural.

Nanashi stepped forward.

Through the slight crack in the wooden door, he caught the scent of something thick… metallic…

Blood.

A strong, pungent smell of fresh blood.

His expression darkened.

"I was too late."

With a light push, the door creaked open—

Revealing a massacre.

The inside of the house was drenched in red.

Bodies lay scattered, motionless in pools of their own blood.

Adults.

Children.

All slaughtered.

Nanashi remained silent.

His gaze swept over the carnage.

Muzan was not here.

Then—

A sound.

A weak, ragged breath.

Nanashi's sharp ears picked it up immediately.

He stepped further inside.

Among the lifeless corpses, a lone figure stirred.

A young girl, her black hair loose and disheveled, her pink kimono now stained with blood, her breathing shallow and uneven.

"...Nezuko?"

Nanashi recognized her instantly.

Her delicate features, the faint trace of life still clinging to her body—

And the undeniable sensation of demonic energy slowly consuming her.

She was transforming.