Ashen Demon

14

 Byleth felt like she has forgotten to breathe for a moment, as soon as she read the kanji within the middle set of the eyes.

 Upper Moon 1, the most strongest one among the Twelve Demon Moons. The one who is much stronger than Douma himself, and the second strongest demon among the demon race. She can see even though Douma doesn't seem fazed to see the strongest Demon Moon here, she can practically sense that he is on edge.

His grip on his fans had tightened, knowing that their situation was not good at all. Rui even looked like he is looking at his worst nightmare, staring at the raven-haired demon with absolute dread. And to be honest, Byleth even felt like she is staring at death itself as she stares at him.

 She looks down at her hands, watching them tremble violently was every instincts in her body is screaming at her to run.

"Kokushibo-dono." Douma starts to say with a wide smile, his open fan held close to his face while looking at the former demon slayer. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here."

'So his name... is Kokushibo...' Byleth thought, as she remembers that his name essentially means 'Black Death'.

With how suffocating she is sensing from him, it was obvious that he had killed millions of lives during his years as a demon. The killing intent so overwhelming. He is without a doubt unlike any of the demons she and the others have encountered.

She then realized that he was staring at her intently, making her pursed her lips from the gaze so intimidating that she felt like she is walking on thin ice.

"So..." came the deep voice of Upper Moon 1, who eyes are staring deeply into Douma who didn't shy away from his gaze. "This is where... you've been all this... time."

"And not to mention..." Kokushibo casts his eyes onto Rui, who flinches. "Lower Moon 5.... is alive. To think all this time... he has affiliated himself... with the Demon Slayer Corps. And it seems to be... the same for you." he added when he looks back to Douma, the last part obviously directed to him.

"Answer me... Why did you betray... that man?"

The question hangs heavily in the air, as tension is seemingly growing.

 Both demons who have betrayed their king knew the longer they prolonged, the more they are wasting time for not just themselves but also for Kokushibo. He can easily make quick work with both of them. Well, Douma can hold out much longer than Rui can against him as he is much weaker. A Lower Moon has no chance of defeating against an Upper Moon.

While waiting for their response, Kokushibo took this time to glance over to Byleth who is staring at him with slightly wide eyes. 

Right away, he notices that she is obviously a foreigner and the fact she is armed with two weapons. A standard weapon for demon slayers to carry around on one side. But the other weapon made him question its appearance, especially with the way it glows.

He can tell it's no ordinary weapon, but he was sure it was nothing for him to be concerned about.

But the human... there was something about her that made her different. Appearances aside, he also noticed that her scent is very odd and unique. It smelled extremely sweet, it made him think if she is a marechi. But it wasn't, she smelled too divine to be just one of those marechi. Plus, the scent of a standard human was nowhere to be detected, which had his eyes narrowed a bit in suspicion.

"Because Byleth-chan here is special." Douma starts to say with a wide smile. "I know you heard me say that many times in the past about my followers, but this time I really meant it. Byleth-chan is not your typical demon slayer, I can assure you. She was the only one who is on equal grounds with me and even kept me on my toes! Me, an Upper Rank 2! How amazing is that!" he continues while laughing in a manner of delight and amaze.