Muzan poured himself another glass of wine, trying to steady his emotions. When he looked at Sol Mirek, his expression carried a complicated mix of jealousy and quiet anticipation.
"You… you can really move freely under the sun?" Muzan asked again, unable to hide the longing in his voice.
Sol lazily swirled the wine in his glass.
"I can cooperate with the Demon Slayer Corps, what do you think?"
That answer only deepened Muzan's conviction. The being before him had to be the answer he had sought for a thousand years. The Demon Slayer Corps would never work with someone who consumed humans.
Which meant one thing.
Even as a demon, survival might not require feeding on humans.
"Tell me," Muzan said, his voice dropping, almost pleading. "How did you do it?"
Sol set his glass down, a knowing smile forming.
"That is why I told you to call the Upper Ranks. I need to confirm a few things before I decide whether to tell you."
Muzan frowned slightly. A sense of unease crept in, but the temptation of the Blue Spider Lily was too great to ignore.
"They will be here soon," he said, forcing calm into his voice.
Sol watched him, faint amusement flickering in his eyes. The Demon King, who had lived for a thousand years, now looked like a restless child waiting for a reward.
At that moment, the mansion doors opened.
A tall figure stepped inside, his presence heavy and imposing. Six eyes stared forward, and a sword rested at his waist.
"Lord Kokushibo!" Gyokko called out from the corner, his voice full of relief.
Kokushibo ignored him completely. All six of his eyes locked onto Sol, narrowing at once.
"Who is this?" His voice was low and rough.
Muzan rose to his feet, his composure returning.
"A special guest. Kokushibo, take a seat first."
Kokushibo did not move.
"He does not have a demon's aura. But he is not an ordinary human either."
Sol studied him with clear interest.
"You are Yoriichi Tsugikuni's brother. Funny, you chose this path while he became a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kokushibo stiffened. All six eyes widened slightly.
"How do you know that?"
Sol gave a small chuckle.
"I know far more than you think. For example, you have never stepped out of your brother's shadow."
Kokushibo's hand tightened around his sword, tension rising, but Muzan cut in sharply.
"Enough. Sit down, Kokushibo."
Before things could escalate, a window shattered.
A figure slipped inside lightly, landing with ease.
"Oh my, everyone is already here," Doma said with a bright smile, fanning himself lazily. "And who is this? He looks interesting."
Sol glanced at him, unimpressed.
"Doma, leader of the Eternal Paradise Faith. No matter how well you pretend, it does not change the emptiness inside you."
Doma's smile paused, his fan slowing.
"That is a strange thing to say."
Muzan's unease deepened. Sol knew too much, far more than he should.
"Who else is left?" Sol asked casually.
"Akaza, Gyutaro, Daki, and Hantengu. They will arrive soon," Muzan replied.
Sol leaned back into the sofa.
"Then we wait."
Douma drifted closer, curiosity clear in his tone.
"So, who exactly are you? Why do you know so much about us?"
Sol looked at him for a moment, then suddenly reached out.
His hand locked around Doma's neck.
The speed shocked even Kokushibo.
"That fast…" Kokushibo muttered.
Sol's voice turned cold.
"Do you know what I dislike the most? People like you who enjoy the suffering of others."
Doma's pupils shrank. His usual composure cracked. He struggled, but the grip was absolute.
"Let go," he said, his voice stripped of its usual playfulness.
Muzan stepped forward immediately.
"Stop. He is one of my key subordinates."
If Doma died now, their chances would drop even further. Muzan could not allow that.
Sol released him without hesitation, pushing him aside.
"Relax. I am not killing him. Just making a point."
Doma staggered back, his smile gone. He moved behind Kokushibo, unusually silent.
Moments later, the doors opened again.
A man with short pink hair and patterned markings stepped inside, followed by a pair of siblings.
"Akaza, Gyutaro, Daki, you are finally here," Muzan said, exhaling quietly.
With all Upper Ranks present, his confidence returned.
Even if they could not win, he still had a way out.
Akaza's gaze locked onto Sol instantly.
"Who is he?"
Gyutaro pulled Daki slightly behind him, cautious.
"Lord Muzan, what is going on?"
Muzan was about to speak, but Sol stood first.
"Perfect. Everyone is here."
His eyes moved across each of them, lingering briefly before he nodded.
"Now we can get to the point."
Muzan's unease grew stronger.
"What exactly do you want?"
Sol smiled faintly.
"I want all of you to consume the Blue Spider Lily and complete your evolution."
Silence filled the room.
Muzan's pupils tightened. The Upper Ranks exchanged uncertain glances.
"You have all wanted to break free from the sun, right?" Sol continued calmly. "The Blue Spider Lily is the answer."
Muzan's fingers curled into his palm, nails digging in.
The thing he had chased for a thousand years was suddenly within reach.
Yet something felt wrong.
"Why?" he asked slowly. "Why help us?"
Sol turned slightly, a relaxed smile on his face.
"I already told you. I want to study your abilities. If you can move under the sun, it makes things easier for me."
Inside, he was quietly amused.
More test subjects, more room to experiment.
Exactly what he needed.