Chapter Thirty-Five: The Dawn of Victory

Meanwhile, Shinobu Kocho led her team to clean up the battlefield, working through the night. As Chu Fan had predicted, dozens had perished on the mountain, not a single survivor remained. Shinobu could only instruct the Hidden Corps to carry the bodies back for burial. If a Demon Slayer Corps member’s body was recovered, it would be interred; if not, a gravestone would be erected, commemorating their contributions and names. This ensured they would not be forgotten after death.

Upon returning, Shinobu glanced toward the Chrysanthemum House, recalling Chu Fan’s obvious avoidance, and felt a pang of disappointment. But instead of sleeping, she called Kanao to join her at her sister’s grave.

“Sister, the demon who killed you is dead now,” she murmured. “A man named Phantom Feather helped me slay him. He is remarkable, possessing power unlike anything I’ve seen before. I once thought I’d join you soon, but now it seems that won’t be happening just yet…”

She placed a golden folding fan before her sister’s grave, speaking softly. Shinobu poured out the words she had wanted to say for years. She had been prepared to die, but Phantom Feather’s arrival, and his defeat of the demon, changed her mind. Just as he had said, he would help humanity seize victory over the demons. Shinobu now glimpsed the dawn of true victory for humans.

“Kanao, stay here for a while, talk to Sister, keep her company,” Shinobu said gently. “I need to attend the Pillar Meeting.”

She wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks, and spoke calmly. She knew that the death of Upper Moon Two would certainly prompt a Pillar Meeting.

“Alright,” Kanao Tsuyuri nodded in acknowledgment.

Meanwhile, Chu Fan was at home, for once not meditating, but enjoying a restful sleep. Previously, without encountering an Upper Moon demon, he lacked clear understanding of his enemy’s strength. But after killing Upper Moon Two and learning his true power, the tension that had been wound tight in his mind finally relaxed. He now knew he could clear the world of Demon Slayer. Even if fate’s agents turned into demons and caused trouble, it would only bring minor complications.

Still, Chu Fan remained confident that he could exterminate the demons before all nine Pillars and Tanjiro Kamado, the Child of the World, perished. He decided to reward himself with a comfortable sleep—his first in over a month since arriving in the Demon Slayer world, choosing rest over meditation to restore his spirit.

Little Kiku was delighted by the news, wanting to celebrate with her lord. But upon seeing Phantom Feather return and immediately go to sleep, she suppressed her urge to cheer.

※※※※※※

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

“Phantom Feather didn’t come?” Shinobu Kocho asked, disappointed to find the protagonist absent upon her arrival.

“How reckless,” grumbled Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar.

“Sanemi,” said Kagaya Ubuyashiki with a smile, “the crow reported that Phantom Feather went straight to sleep upon returning. Last night’s battle must have exhausted him—let him rest.”

“Fortunately, Phantom Feather slew an Upper Moon without any Pillar casualties on our side. Amitabha,” said Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Pillar, tears streaming down as he pressed his hands together, his tone tinged with happiness.

“But if he’s not here, it’ll be hard to get any useful intelligence,” remarked Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Pillar. Though he disliked Phantom Feather, his hatred of demons and desire to destroy them outweighed his personal feelings.

“Miss Shinobu, you were there last night, weren’t you? Do you know anything?” Kyojuro Rengoku looked at Shinobu.

“I’m very sorry,” she replied. “When we received the call to mobilize, Phantom Feather had already gone ahead on his own, as usual. I gathered the medical corps to clean up the battlefield, which took about two hours. By the time I arrived, Upper Moon Two was already dead at Phantom Feather’s hands. I don’t know how long they fought or how the battle unfolded.”

Shinobu shook her head apologetically, explaining her circumstances.

“Upper Moon Two is dead, so his intelligence is irrelevant,” Sanemi Shinazugawa said directly. “The main thing is how to find the Upper Moons and what strength is needed to kill them. These two points must be clarified.”

Though he was annoyed by Phantom Feather, he was the first to kill an Upper Moon, so Sanemi was eager to know how he managed it.

“Since the Upper Moons appeared, there have been no casualties among them,” Kagaya Ubuyashiki added. “Shinobu, you’ve interacted with Phantom Feather more than most. Did you notice anything unusual about him? For example, did he gain any markings?”

“I don’t know. We’re neighbors, but I haven’t interacted with him much,” Shinobu replied, shaking her head again. She wished to know more about Phantom Feather, but he rarely spoke with her.

“I see; if you don’t know, there’s nothing we can do. Still, with the loss of an Upper Moon, Muzan Kibutsuji will surely react. We may face a major battle soon—strengthen your defenses. We still don’t know what level of strength is needed to slay an Upper Moon. Over a hundred years, so many Pillars have died, proving how difficult they are to defeat. But the gears of fate have begun to turn, and the dawn of victory is upon us. I hope you all will find ways to grow stronger. Let us, in our era, bring an end to the demons.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke gently, knowing such matters could not be forced.

“Yes,” the nine Pillars replied in unison, dropping to one knee.

For centuries, demons had plagued humanity, costing countless comrades and predecessors. More than anyone, they yearned to eradicate this evil, even at the cost of their lives.