But soon, Mitsuba's expectations were disappointed.
It turned out that even after another hundred years, the entertainment district was still nothing but the same old carnal desires and the singing and dancing she had seen countless times before.
"Truly nothing new. I thought after so much time had passed, these people would have at least come up with some new tricks...
Turns out it's either mating or performing the same ancient repertoire over and over again. Don't they ever get bored?"
In the entertainment district, inside a second-floor private room of a certain courtesan house, Mitsuba—who had once again transformed into Kokushibo's appearance—leaned against the window.
She propped her chin on one hand, listening to the faint sounds of string and bamboo instruments from the adjacent room, feeling utterly bored.
Doma sat opposite her. The room they were in was currently extremely quiet.
But this wasn't because they hadn't invited geisha to perform. Rather, the geisha originally responsible for performing was currently being "eaten" by Doma in his embrace.
Literally eaten.
"That's because Holy Maiden has lived too long~"
His mouth full of flesh and blood, hearing Mitsuba's bored complaint, Doma immediately smiled and said:
"Unlike us, who possess infinite lifespans and can live eternally in this world, human lifespans are so brief, their lives so fragile—they could die suddenly at any moment.
Yet such pitiable and pathetic creatures must divide a large portion of their already short lifespans to rest and maintain their livelihoods, further compressing their already limited time available for pleasure.
Precisely because of this, the vast majority of humans in their hurried lives can never enjoy all the pleasures of this world.
In fact, most of the time, they are sunk in the sufferings of this mortal realm, unable to feel any joy in living...
Holy Maiden, tell me—for such people with bitter fates, how could they possibly feel bored with these pleasures?"
As Doma spoke, tears actually flowed from his eye sockets.
He seemed to truly empathize, lamenting for the suffering people of this world.
But under the Transparent World, Mitsuba could clearly see that the sorrow Doma currently displayed still only remained on his facial features.
This was still just his performance. This guy actually felt nothing in his heart.
"Oh~ I never expected Knight Doma could speak such profound words. Truly surprising."
But Mitsuba didn't expose him, because she wanted to see more of Doma's performances.
She really wanted to know where this guy's limits lay.
"Hmph hmph~ Naturally, after all, I am the founder of Holy Maiden your Eternal Bliss Sect...
By the way, Holy Maiden, are you really not going to have a bite? This girl's flavor is also quite good, you know?"
Saying this, Doma directly extended a section of arm toward Mitsuba, issuing the invitation once again. He really seemed to want to dine together with Mitsuba.
Perhaps in his view, this should be some way of expressing friendship?
But Mitsuba truly didn't like this bloody manner of eating, and furthermore...
"No, I only eat Demon Slayers."
Yes, from the past until now—two hundred years—Mitsuba's diet had always been very singular. She only ever ate Demon Slayers.
"Eh? Why?"
"Why..."
Meeting Doma's puzzled gaze, Mitsuba also began to seriously contemplate this question she had never thought about before.
"Hmm... From a physical perspective, perhaps it's because the first human I devoured after transforming into a demon and waking up was a Demon Slayer, so my body came to like this initial flavor?
From a nutritional value perspective, Demon Slayers' physical strength also far surpasses ordinary humans.
Therefore, the stamina replenished by devouring them naturally greatly exceeds devouring ordinary humans—one can match several, extremely cost-effective.
And from an emotional perspective, I personally am also unwilling to devour ordinary humans. After all, every person's life in this world is precious.
If possible, I actually quite hope that kind people could all live to a hundred..."
Hearing Mitsuba's words, an even more puzzled expression appeared on Doma's face.
"Holy Maiden, aren't your words somewhat contradictory?"
"This isn't contradictory, Knight Doma."
Very clear about what Doma was puzzled by, Mitsuba simply smiled and spread her hands, speaking in that carefree tone:
"Because the 'humans' in my eyes don't include Demon Slayers.
Or rather, before viewing Demon Slayers as humans, I first view them as enemies.
Knight Doma, would you show mercy to your enemies?"
"Absolutely not!"
"That's exactly right!"
Instantly getting on the same wavelength, Mitsuba and Doma immediately raised their hands and high-fived with perfect understanding.
But immediately, as if suddenly realizing something, Doma first looked down at the beautiful geisha in his embrace who had been dead for some time, then looked up at Mitsuba before him, putting on a wronged expression on his face.
"Then Holy Maiden, will you be very unhappy with me harming ordinary people before you like this?
After all, you least like harming ordinary people..."
"This is completely fine~"
Waving her hand with a smile, Mitsuba said carefreely:
"Because my standards only ever apply to myself alone. What others choose to do is their own business—I won't use my standards to demand things of others~
However, if Knight Doma is willing to use the same standards as me, I would also be quite happy~"
"Eh—Holy Maiden is so mean! Using this method to coerce me? You clearly still hate this behavior of mine, don't you?!"
"Hmph, I never said such things~"
[This guy is truly brilliantly intelligent.]
Smiling as she watched the tearful Doma before her, Mitsuba marveled inwardly.
[Clearly an emotional void himself, yet unexpectedly able to sharply perceive the concealed emotions in others' words. Truly remarkable.]
[How was this kind of human born into this world?]
"In that case, in order not to be hated by Holy Maiden, I'll also work hard to move closer to Holy Maiden from now on..."
After a bout of bitter weeping, Doma looked at the geisha in his embrace, seemingly having made some kind of resolution.
"Decided! Starting tomorrow, unless I truly can't find anything to eat, I'll also only devour pretty female Demon Slayers from now on!"
"I don't understand. Why are you so fixated on devouring females? Is it because you like them?"
Mitsuba finally couldn't help but ask this question.
From when they met until now, Doma had been devouring all kinds of pretty women. Mitsuba had never seen him devour any males.
"No, Holy Maiden, it's actually because females are more nutritious than males!"
...Huh?
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