NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 40: Chapter 40
There were crowds of people in front of Shizuki Shrine, including locals from Tokyo who had experienced a terrifying night, as well as those who came for various reasons, including curiosity or the ghosts.
Not far away, in an attic window blocked from sunlight by a black curtain, Tamayo carefully opened a small gap and looked at the 'Demon King' who was tied up on the high platform of the shrine. Her face instantly became flushed.
"It's Muzan Kibutsuji. He really has been captured and is about to be executed!"
In this way, her long-cherished wish would finally be fulfilled. Once the Demon King died, all the demons cursed by him would disappear as well.
The curse on her body had been lifted with a concoction when Muzan Kibutsuji was nearly killed by Yoriichi Tsugikuni and had weakened to his limit.
Tamayo closed the curtain again. "Yushiro, close the window."
Yushiro asked in astonishment, "Aren't you going to continue watching Muzan Kibutsuji's execution?"
Tamayo shook her head. "It's enough for me to know it's truly him."
She then remembered the purple light that enveloped all of Tokyo when she came here last night. Despite being a demon, the light did not harm her.
"By the way, Yushiro, come with me to Narukami Grand Shrine tonight to give thanks to the gods."
Yushiro was instantly horrified. "Lady Tamayo, we cannot do that! We are demons. The gods will strike us down with lightning from a clear sky."
Tamayo smiled gently. "Yushiro, you have never eaten a human being. The gods' punishment will only target those who have harmed humans."
Yushiro's face turned serious. "No, I won't let you go."
Tamayo also spoke firmly. "Yushiro." Yushiro was immediately frightened into silence.
In the crowd, a man with red hair, a burn mark on his forehead, and a frail body was supported by two children, looking at the high platform of the shrine from afar.
The ten-year-old boy, who also had red hair and a burn mark like the man, asked doubtfully, "Father, you're still unwell, why did you come here in the middle of the night?"
Kamado Tanjuro touched the boy's head lovingly. "Tanjiro, this is related to a story about our ancestors in the Kamado family. It's okay now. I'll tell you the story when we get home."
"I also want to listen, Father," the nine-year-old girl holding the man's other hand said, blinking her big eyes in a pleading manner.
Kamado Tanjuro smiled. "Alright, Nezuko will listen too."
He then touched Tanjiro's head again.
"Tanjiro, I won't be able to take care of your mother and younger siblings for much longer. As the eldest son, you'll have to shoulder that responsibility in the future."
Tanjiro's eyes were filled with determination. "Yes, Father. I'll take good care of Mother and my siblings. I want to be an honorable man like you, protecting everyone."
"Good, then I'll be at ease."
Suddenly, Tanjiro clutched his forehead in pain. "Ouch! Something hit my forehead."
A crisp sound echoed from the ground. It was a glass ornament in a gorgeous frame—an expensive item that could only belong to nobles.
"What is this? It's so beautiful," Nezuko said, picking it up curiously. "Brother, look at this."
"Nezuko, this must be very valuable. We should return it to its owner," Tanjiro said, taking the 'Vision' from Nezuko.
The moment it fell into his hand, the Vision glowed brightly.
A powerful and gentle voice echoed in the ears of Tanjiro and his family.
[Haha, do you want to be an honorable man and protect everyone? I agree with your wish. Use my gift to live more freely.]
Tanjiro was astonished. "Father! It's glowing and talking!"
Kamado Tanjuro regained his composure and touched Tanjiro's head. "That's because the gods have blessed you, Tanjiro. As a man, you must keep your word, so don't disappoint the gods."
Tanjiro looked at the Vision in his hand and nodded firmly. "Yes, Father. The gods have blessed me, and I will never let them down."
Nezuko's eyes sparkled. "Brother is amazing! The gods have blessed you!"
A voice echoed from the loudspeaker, signaling the start of the trial.
On the high platform of the shrine, High Priest Kamisato spoke loudly into a megaphone, glaring at the Demon King tied to a wooden post with his mouth covered by a spell.
"Muzan Kibutsuji, for thousands of years, you have created demons to devour humans, causing countless families to be torn apart and spreading evil.
Last night, you killed members of the royal family and numerous shogunate nobles.
You also created a Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, causing many to be devoured by evil spirits."
"Your crimes are heinous, deserving eternal condemnation!"
"Therefore, you are sentenced to death by exposure to sunlight."
"If you have no objections, let the execution begin!"
Muzan Kibutsuji was filled with terror.
No wonder they tied him here and put a big umbrella above his head. They intended to expose him to sunlight until he burned alive!
His mouth was gagged, preventing him from uttering a single word.
The high priest asked if he had any objections, but all Muzan could do was whimper in fear.
"Let the execution begin!"
With that command, Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been waiting, stabbed a hole in the umbrella with his blade.
The midday sun shone through the hole and onto Muzan Kibutsuji's body.
*Sizzling—*
The sound was like pig skin sizzling in hot oil. The sunlight seared his flesh, and Muzan Kibutsuji began to burn.
"Mmmphhh!"
It was over. The spell covering his mouth made it impossible for him to regenerate, and his body remained immobilized.
As Muzan burned in the sun, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Ambassadors and newspaper reporters from various countries took photos of the 'devil' being destroyed by the 'holy light', portraying it as if it was the work of divine retribution.
With the crowd's cheers growing louder, more holes were opened in the umbrella above Muzan's head.
Eventually, Muzan Kibutsuji was completely incinerated by the sunlight.
In his final moments, he still thought, 'I object.'
As Muzan Kibutsuji perished, Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, who was hiding in a secret dojo, turned to ash.
The Upper Ranks Three, Four, and Five were also annihilated, dying with mournful cries.
After Muzan's death, the priests of the shrine answered questions from ambassadors and reporters from around the world.
Within a day, terms like 'Vision', 'Become a God', 'Wish', 'Ning Shen', 'Fox Fairy', and 'Demon Slayer' appeared on the front pages of newspapers across the world.
…
*At the Same Time*
*Sky Island, on the Heavenly Throne*
[Drop! You have acquired the faith of 21% of the total population in Demon Slayer World.]
[Drop! The Vision to God System has completely become the only recognized system in Demon Slayer World.]
[The influence of Teyvat has expanded to 99% global awareness in Demon Slayer World.]
[Drop! Teyvat's interference in Demon Slayer World has reached 98%.]
[Drop! Acquired 95% total authority in Demon Slayer World.]
[Would you like to initiate the annexation process?]