Despite their fear, the oldest child continued under Horitake's piercing gaze. "Led by the snake demoness, we saw other demons! It was like a devil's lair—blood and bones everywhere. I don't know how many people they've eaten! One demon was gnawing a human thigh, blood dripping!"
His terror was palpable, the memory haunting him.
Horitake gave him a moment to steady himself, then asked, "How many demons did you see?"
The child shook his head. "Too scared to count. At least five."
"Hm. Five's manageable. Any seem particularly strong?"
"Yes!" the child said. "The one in the center, sitting above the rest—ordinary-looking but terrifying!"
Others chimed in, trembling:
"So scary!"
"Like the king of demons!"
"His aura was overwhelming!"
"I thought I'd die!"
"One glance nearly knocked me out!"
Their fear was raw, etched deep from last night's horror.
Horitake pondered. The "demon king" they described couldn't be Muzan Kibutsuji—too minor. Likely one of the Twelve Kizuki. An Upper Rank? Unlikely; most don't form groups, and Douma's cultish vibe didn't match. A Lower Rank, then—perhaps the Second, Third, Fourth, or Sixth. He knew Nightmare (Lower One) and Rui (Lower Five) didn't fit. The others were unknowns.
Interrupting their fear, Horitake pressed, "What next? The snake demoness brought you to these demons. What did they want? Not to eat you, clearly. What orders did they give, and what did you do?"
The oldest spoke, others adding details. "Facing those demons, we were terrified, resigned to our fate. Some wanted to eat us, but the leader forbade it. Then… he had the snake demoness give us each a large basket, filled with… red-black flesh orbs, like rotting organs! They were alive, writhing, covered in blue veins! Every basket was stuffed with them!"
He gagged, face pale, triggering nausea in the others.
Horitake, slightly queasy himself, asked, "What were those orbs? What did they want you to do with them?"
The child fought his disgust. "The leader ordered us to take the baskets to Kusatsu during the day, hide the orbs in shadowy, secluded spots, and not get caught. Every single one had to be placed, discreetly."
Horitake and Mitsuri's faces darkened. Horitake's calm shattered. Kusatsu was in danger—grave danger!
Though their baskets were empty, he confirmed, "You did it? Scattered them all across Kusatsu, hidden?"
The children nodded, miserable. "We had no choice!"
"Damn it!" Horitake stomped, teeth gritted. "Don't you realize you're helping demons harm people? All of Kusatsu! You're accomplices! Executioners! Even as kids, that's unforgivable!"
Sobbing, they pleaded, "We were forced! We knew it was wrong but couldn't disobey!"
"Idiots! You were out in daylight, away from the demons! Why not flee?"
"They threatened to slaughter our villages, our families, if we didn't obey."
"Why not warn your villages during the day, get them to evacuate?"
"Our villages are too far from Kusatsu. We couldn't make it back in a day."
Horitake slapped his forehead, speechless. The demons had outmaneuvered them, cutting off every escape.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his rage. "What are those red-black orbs?"
They shook their heads. "We don't know. Didn't dare ask."
"Fine. You really hid them all across Kusatsu?"
They nodded.
"Evenly, in every hidden corner?"
They nodded.
"No spot missed?"
They nodded.
"Can you at least remember where you put them? Could you retrieve them?"
They exchanged glances. One said, "There were so many, hidden randomly. We could find some, but all? Unlikely."
Horitake had hoped, but knew it was a long shot.
For the first time, he felt the situation slipping beyond control. Kusatsu's vast size, the scattered orbs, their unknown purpose—it was overwhelming.
What now? he asked himself.
Mitsuri, panicked, echoed, "Horitake, what do we do?"
Her eyes were wide with fear. Horitake steeled himself. As the Sky Hashira, Mitsuri's anchor, and the one in charge, he had to stay calm. If he faltered, it was over.
What was the priority? Recover the orbs? Or figure out their purpose?
Recover first. Find as many as possible.
Just as he decided, another child spoke up.
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