[Kakunodate, Eastern District, Year 1839, January]
Unfortunately, peace was short-lasting.
It was deep into the night, and the crimson Pavilion had just opened its door, but a hurried Scale changed everything:
"Master", he hissed, "Demons...They are attacking near the main square. The slayers are converging"
Hitoku rose, moving to the window. From the fifth floor, he could see an ant crawling onto doors in the western district. There was a reason he had used the Mayor's debts in his establishment to get the authorization to expand the Crimson Pavilion upwards. From there, he could see everything.
His Perceiving Eye activated, its yellow glow cutting through the night. Six demons, humanoid but with cracked and pale skin that screamed demonic nature, broke through the city's walls, shredded the town guards, and moved directly towards the main square, as Scale reported.
'Six demons working in tandem...', Hitoku thought, 'This is rare...No, it should not even be possible. Demons are naturally drawn by lone predator instincts. They would fight over territory and kill each other at the first opportunity unless...'
Hitoku looked at his companion, Scale, who had willingly started to follow him.
'Unless there is a demon much stronger than the others', Hitoku's mouth curled upwards.
As predicted, dark shapes descended from the rooftops. The Kakunodate outpost was mobilizing.
Pairs of demon slayers, their nichirin blades catching the firelight, moved to flank the demons.
"Who do you think will win, Master?", Scale asked
Hitoku pondered.
[Gekido – Lv. 36 Demon]
[Janshin – Lv. 24 Demon]
[?? – Lv. 12 Demon]
[?? - Lv. 16 Demon]
[?? - Lv. 18 Demon]
[?? - Lv. 16 Demon]
Among the six demons, two of them looked stronger. They looked like vampires. Nails that seemed sharper than knives, and eyes that were bloodshot red. And then there was their pale skin, like a robe of white in the darkness of the night.
The strongest, Gekido, was especially threatening. Muscular, strong, and agile.
'Level 36...', Hitoku analysed, 'This is strong'
Demon slayers against demons.
Who was the strongest?
It was a difficult question. Humans possessed more technique, and usually more experience. Even the weakest of demon slayers would have practiced a demon slayer breathing style for a set period of time. Months, at the very least. Years, as a standard. Decades for the more experienced.
Although demons possessed longer lifespans, they were on average killed much quicker. The weak ones, especially, would become arrogant after eating a couple dozens of humans. They'd win against one or two demon slayers, and mistake them for weaklings.
But demon slayers were many things, but not weak.
At the same time, demons possessed an advantage in the night. They were stronger, faster, and had more vitality from humans. Their regeneration alone gave them a vast array of possibilities that humans simply did not have.
Most did not fight using regular human techniques, but through their blood demon arts.
In that sense, demons and demon slayers were two sides of a coin. There was not one that was inherently stronger than the other. But demons definitely possessed higher potential. Longer lifespans meant that they could offset talent with longer training periods. Better regeneration meant that they grew stronger as they grew older unconditionally, which was not true for humans who could be crippled from one fight.
"The demons will win"
"Should we help them, then?", Scale asked, "They might be thankful and we will be able to take over Kakunodate once for all"
"Hahaha...", Hitoku laughed, "This is why you are not good at shogi despite all those games, Scale"
Hitoku had not invested the past two months in raising an empire of gambling to throw it all away at the sight of six mere demons. What's more, they were weaker than him.
Scale gasped: "You don't mean...I knew it! Master has a territory and they dared to invade it! So naturally, we should kill them"
*SIGH*
"Why would we help those who hunt us? Let's frame it that way. We will control the battlefield just enough to inflict maximum casualties to both of them. But first, let's do some treasure hunting. With all of those demon slayers on the move, there must not be many left in their outpost. You mentioned wanting a Nichirin blade, didn't you?"
Scale's eyes widened.
The plan was dark.
And he loved it.
"That's my master for you...", he muttered, "Just like in shogi, he always plan two moves ahead"