"Your Majesty!" Army Chief of Staff Yamamoto stepped forward abruptly. "This man's origins are unclear, how can he…"
He never finished.
In an instant, Doma appeared behind him, his golden folding fan resting lightly on Yamamoto's shoulder.
"Lord Yamamoto seems to misunderstand me," Doma said softly, a smile lingering in his voice.
Yamamoto's body froze.
A chilling cold spread from his shoulder, creeping through his veins. His lips turned pale, then a deep shade of blue. Before anyone could react, his body stiffened and collapsed to the floor.
A thin layer of frost coated his skin.
"Congratulations to Lord Yamamoto on his journey to paradise," Doma said, clapping lightly, his tone almost cheerful.
The council hall fell into complete silence.
Every minister stared in horror at the lifeless body on the ground. No one dared to speak.
Doma slowly swept his gaze across the room, his fan moving lazily in his hand.
"Aren't you going to congratulate him?" he asked, his smile faint but unsettling.
The air itself felt frozen.
The ministers exchanged nervous glances, each waiting for someone else to speak first. Doma's icy blue eyes lingered on them, patient and amused.
"C… congratulations, Lord Yamamoto," an elderly minister finally stammered.
That single voice broke the tension.
"Congratulations, Lord Yamamoto," others quickly followed, their voices overlapping, uneven and strained.
Doma nodded in satisfaction, snapping his fan shut.
"That is better."
From the throne, Yoshihito watched with clear approval.
"Now," he said, his voice steady, "who else objects to Our decision?"
No one answered.
Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the chamber.
Yoshihito rose to his feet, looking down at them.
"From today onward, the Empire will enter a new era. We will personally oversee both military and political authority. The Cabinet will be reorganized into an advisory body."
He let his gaze pass over each pale face.
"Those willing to pledge loyalty may remain. Those unwilling…"
Doma opened his fan again and gave a gentle wave.
The temperature dropped sharply.
"I pledge loyalty to Your Majesty!" the Finance Minister cried, dropping to his knees.
"We pledge loyalty to Your Majesty!" the others followed immediately, pressing their foreheads to the floor, their bodies trembling.
"Good," Yoshihito said, a satisfied smile forming.
"Mr. Doma will assist in handling state affairs. From this moment on, there will be only one voice in Nihon."
He paused.
"And that voice is Ours."
He clapped his hands. An attendant stepped forward, presenting a bright yellow imperial decree.
"First, the parliamentary system is abolished. Direct imperial rule is restored."
"Second, a Special Action Squad will be established under Mr. Doma, responsible for eliminating traitors."
"Third…"
One decree followed another.
With each announcement, the ministers' faces grew paler, yet no one dared to object. Yamamoto's frozen corpse still lay in the hall, a silent warning.
"The court is adjourned."
Yoshihito waved his hand and turned away. Doma cast a light, almost playful glance at the ministers before following.
Only after they left did the ministers dare to move.
They hurried out of the hall as if escaping death itself.
Outside the palace, they gathered in small groups, whispering anxiously.
"How could His Majesty change so suddenly…"
"Keep your voice down!"
"General Yamamoto died just like that. Who exactly is this man called Doma?"
At the rear, Matsumoto walked alone.
His expression shifted constantly, unease written across his face. He reached into his sleeve, touching a small wisteria sachet that had been slipped to him earlier that morning.
"Is the Emperor… a demon?" he murmured under his breath.
---
Deep within the palace, inside a hidden chamber, Yoshihito knelt respectfully before Sol.
"Everything has been handled as instructed."
Sol sat at ease, calmly sipping his tea.
"Well done," he said. "What I want is a stable and obedient Nihon, not a country drowning in blood."
"Yes," Yoshihito replied, lowering his head to the ground. "Only those who resisted were eliminated. All useful individuals were spared."
Doma stood to the side, his fan covering half his face.
"Oh, the looks on their faces were priceless," he said lightly.
Sol glanced at him, faint amusement in his eyes.
"Do not get carried away. Control is the goal, not chaos."
"Yes," Doma replied at once, dropping to one knee. A trace of cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Even he felt it.
The pressure in Sol's presence was overwhelming, like standing at the edge of something endless and dangerous.
Sol set his teacup down.
"Next, take control of the military, police, and intelligence divisions. Do it gradually. No sudden upheaval."
Yoshihito nodded quickly.
"Understood. Plans are already in motion, beginning with the Ministry of Finance…"
Sol raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Handle the details yourselves. I only care about results."
He stood and walked toward the window, his gaze drifting to Mount Fuji in the distance.
"In two days, Nihon should be under initial control. After that, I will take Muzan and the Upper Ranks and leave this world for a time."
He glanced back at them.
"You will maintain order here. Understood?"
Yoshihito lowered himself even further.
"I will not fail you."
Doma's usual smile faded as he bowed his head.
"We will handle everything."
Sol studied them for a moment, then nodded.
"While I am gone, you will stand at the top of this nation."
His tone remained calm, yet carried weight.
"But if I find you abusing that power, you already know what happens."
"We would not dare," both of them answered immediately, cold sweat forming.
"Good."
Sol waved them off.
"Time is short. Go."
They left without hesitation.
---
Now alone, Sol stood at the highest pavilion of the palace, overlooking Kyoto.
The setting sun cast a golden glow over Mount Fuji, its snow-covered peak shining against the horizon.
He let out a quiet breath.
"A pity," he murmured. "The Demon Slayer Corps has talent, but they will not follow me."
His lips curved slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Just do not get in my way."
A soft breeze passed through.
Muzan appeared behind him, silent as a shadow.
"Everything is prepared," Muzan said respectfully.
Sol did not turn.
"How is control over the military and police?"
"Our people are already in key positions," Muzan replied. "Reliable ones have replaced the rest."
"Good."
Sol nodded slightly.
"When the next world opens, your strength will grow. Perform well, and I may allow you some freedom."
A flicker of surprise crossed Muzan's eyes before he lowered his head.
"Yes."