Unfortunately, her attempt to mediate didn't work very well this time.
"If everything has to be done by you, Mitsuba, then what use do I have for the other Upper Rank demons?!"
His rage increasingly overflowing, veins bulging on his face, Muzan nearly roared:
"I don't understand, I cannot comprehend! You are among the most powerful demons in this world, creatures far surpassing humans in strength!
Why, time and time again, are you killed by those Demon Slayers as weak as ants?!
Is this... how you treat my trust in you?!"
"L-Lord Muzan, I am willing to for you..."
"Enough! I'm already tired of your stupid faces! Mitsuba!"
"Hmm? Did you call me, Lord Muzan?"
Waving his hand to interrupt Gyokko, Muzan suddenly called out Mitsuba's name.
Meeting her puzzled gaze, Muzan ordered in a tone that brooked no refusal:
"From now on, the Upper Rank meetings... no, from this day forward, unless special circumstances occur, all Upper Rank and Lower Rank meetings will be hosted by you!
The changes and filling of positions will also be left to your selection. I no longer wish to waste my time on these boring matters!
I must devote all my energy to searching for the Blue Spider Lily!"
...Huh?
As Muzan's words fell, not only Mitsuba, but all the other demons present were stunned for a moment.
Was Lord Muzan... planning to wash his hands of this?
Because he was so disappointed that the Twelve Kizuki kept getting killed by Demon Slayers, so he just... gave up?
Wait, you can actually do that?
At this moment, Mitsuba suddenly understood why Muzan had specifically named her to definitely attend this Upper Rank meeting earlier...
So you were waiting for me here all along?!
No, Lord Muzan! You got tired of it yourself and dumped the troublesome matters on me?!
I don't want to manage it either!
"I-I see!"
A brilliant smile instantly blooming on her face, Mitsuba clapped her hands sharply and played dumb:
"So among the Upper Rank demons, besides me, there was actually another demon called Mitsuba?
Excellent! Then from now on, the Upper Rank meetings will be left to this lucky lady who shares my name!
Lord Muzan! If there's nothing else, I'll be going first..."
"Don't play dumb!"
Zheng!
With a sound of the biwa, Mitsuba—who was sitting on the building just a second ago—was instantly teleported beside Muzan by Nakime in the next second.
An iron claw ruthlessly pressed down on Mitsuba's shoulder. Muzan turned to look at the still dazed demons below and repeated in that voice filled with anger:
"From this moment on, except for intelligence related to the Blue Spider Lily, you need not report anything else to me. Report directly to Mitsuba instead.
She has the authority to handle anything except matters concerning the Blue Spider Lily. Is that understood?!"
"Y-Yes! Lord Muzan..."
"Wait! Lord Muzan! I think this matter is still..."
"That's how it is!"
Zheng!
Giving Mitsuba no chance to stop him, as if he had finally dumped this mess onto someone else, Muzan disappeared with a whoosh along with the biwa sound.
Inside the Infinity Castle, silence fell once again.
Mitsuba lowered her outstretched hand and silently turned to look at the demons below, who were staring back at her with equally blank faces, eyes wide.
"Congratulations, Miss Mitsuba! Congratulations, Lord Upper Rank One!"
The first to react was Gyokko.
He hopped and jumped forward, spreading his arms and offering Mitsuba the most enthusiastic congratulations.
"Miss Mitsuba, as one of the demons first transformed by Lord Muzan among us, not only are you powerful, but you are also so deeply trusted by Lord Muzan. You are truly a model for our generation! A role model we must follow!
From this day forward! Gyokko will certainly do his utmost to assist Miss Mitsuba! Share your burdens! Help you maintain the convening of Upper Rank meetings!
And if you have need, even for Lower Rank meetings, Gyokko is willing to contribute his modest effort!"
"Hah!"
Completely opposite to Gyokko's high enthusiasm, Akaza beside him merely sneered coldly, mocking without reservation:
"Assist? I think you just want to take this opportunity to curry favor with Lord Muzan, don't you?"
"Lord Akaza!"
Hearing this, Gyokko immediately flushed red and loudly refuted:
"What do you mean by that?! What do you mean by currying favor with Lord Muzan?!
We, as members of the Twelve Kizuki, as the most powerful demons in this world! Shouldn't we be sharing Lord Muzan's burdens? Is there anything wrong with what I'm doing?!"
"Yes yes yes, I didn't say you were doing anything wrong..."
"Lord Akaza?!"
"Eek! So scary! They're going to fight! They're going to fight!"
"Sigh..."
While Hantengu was screaming curled up in the corner, from the adjacent room came the exhausted sigh of Upper Rank Two.
"Mitsuba."
Finally, it was Kokushibo, positioned below the others, who spoke to end this farce.
"First introduce the new Upper Rank Six. I believe Lord Muzan should have already told you."
"Oh? The new Upper Rank Six has already been selected? Where is he? Miss Nakime, hurry and let him in!"
Hearing this, Gyokko immediately stopped his argument with Akaza.
Clearly, Muzan's delegation of power to Mitsuba had indeed made him, who worshipped Muzan extremely, very excited.
He must work hard, he must perform, he must let Lord Muzan see him too!
Someday, he too would be entrusted with such important responsibilities by Lord Muzan, just like Miss Mitsuba!
"Yes, Elder Brother..."
Taking a deep sigh, after brief shock and helplessness, Mitsuba still accepted her new identity.
She turned and instructed Nakime, who was sitting beside her:
"Nakime, let the person in."
When Muzan left, he had indeed informed Mitsuba of the new Upper Rank Six candidate through mental communication.
According to convention, when a new Upper Rank demon was appointed, an Upper Rank meeting also needed to be convened so the other demons could meet them.
Perhaps Mitsuba should feel fortunate that at least this time, Muzan had helped her select the candidate rather than making her choose herself this time.
"Yes, respected Lord Upper Rank One~"
As if deliberately teasing Mitsuba by using this honorific, Nakime lightly strummed the biwa in her hands, and tonight's final guest arrived in the Infinity Castle.
"Ahem, good evening everyone~"
That was the figure of a tall man, wearing blood-red tight clothes and holding an iron fan.
He had long white oak-colored hair, a small hat on his head. Not only was he handsome and dashing, but those gorgeous rainbow-colored eyes were particularly eye-catching and unique.
"My dear companions~ I've finally met you all~ Really~ Taking so long to let me in, I almost thought everyone had forgotten about me~"
His name was Doma.