Demon Progenitor Development Project

Having been away from home for many years, Muzan found it difficult to adapt to life at the Ubuyashiki residence, where even the most basic living conditions were inferior.

There are no snacks made from seasonal fruits every year, and no vegetables or fruits in winter (the greenhouses are made of natural glass), and so on.

Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, Muzan could no longer bear the poverty and increasingly missed his days at the Fujiwara Kita family and... Hiiragi Go.

When he's sick, Shugo cares for him, tells him stories, plays with him, and brings all sorts of novel and interesting things. Even Muzan now finds watching Shugo practice swordsmanship and bicker with Agu at the training ground more interesting than being at the Ubuyashiki house.

After returning home, Muzan was met with endless official duties, countless documents, and extremely noisy brothers and sisters. His relationship with the head of the Ubuyashiki family was also lukewarm.

"I'm sorry, Lord Fujiwara is still working inside the Imperial Palace..."

"Excuse me, Lord Fujiwara has gone out on an inspection..."

Muzan, repeatedly turned away, fell ill from anger.

Then he received an apology gift from Shugo, who expressed his remorse.

Muzan, who had just begun taking over government duties, knew it was because the other party had too many official duties, and he couldn't blame them, which made him even angrier.

In the eyes of his servants, Muzan's temper became increasingly strange due to his illness, and he was often dissatisfied with them.

Muzan, on the other hand, was dissatisfied with the difference in quality between the servants of the Fujiwara Kita family and the Ubuyashiki family.

When he was bedridden and recuperating at the Fujiwara Kita residence, he was always quiet, so quiet that he was like a shadow that was hard to detect. Unless someone responded when he gave an order, Muzan felt that they were not there at all.

However, the servants of the Ubuyashiki family would whisper among themselves, disturbing his rest, and saying things that made him quite angry.

"Didn't you say you were cured? How come you're still..."

"Your face is so pale..."

"Can this illness be cured? No way..."

Muzan's Mood Value -1 -1 -1 -1

The outcome has already been revealed to us by the Lower Moons who were purged.

The servant who gossiped was punished for cursing his master and carried out of Muzan's courtyard.

After being stained with blood, the servants, just as Muzan had predicted, learned to keep quiet from the bottom of their hearts.

The quietness of the bedchamber did not improve Muzan's mood.

I feel like something's missing.

Muzan propped himself up and scanned his surroundings.

What is missing?

It shouldn't be this quiet.

He lacked people to talk to him, to share novel stories he had never read in books, and strange and unheard-of experiences.

With the thought of 'When will Shugo arrive?' Muzan counted down the days, his anxiety growing with each passing day.

Muzan never considered the possibility that Fujiwara Shugo might not come.

He knew that Shuuga liked him the most, and he would come to see him every time he was sick.

Once upon a time, a sealed demon thought this.

In the first century since the seal began, the devil harbored hope: "I will repay the one who rescued me, promising him lifelong wealth and glory." But no one came.

In the second century since the seal began, the demon harbored hope: "I will repay those who rescued me and tell them the location of all the world's treasures." But no one came.

Countless years after being sealed away, the demon harbored resentment and vowed to kill whoever freed him.

Three months later, when Shugo finally had some free time, he met Muzan, who was full of resentment.

Muzan was furious and kicked him out without even seeing him, showing none of his previous anticipation or lingering affection.

Ren Guang, who was serving Muzan, was dissatisfied with him.

What an ingrate!

The adults treated him so well, yet they kicked him out. Ren Guang glared at the person inside through the door.

"Rinko, put your things down and let's go." Shugo didn't seem to care, or rather, he was prepared for it.

After comforting the servants one by one and inquiring about Muzan's current situation, Shugo left with his men.

Muzan, secretly spying!

How could you just leave like that!

Shouldn't you be comforting me?

Furious and anxious, Muzan's face paled even more, and a sweet taste rose in his throat as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Blood splattered onto the wooden window, a horrifying sight that caused the servants to cry out in alarm.

Shugo, turning his head to look back: ? ! !

Later, sitting next to Muzan who was receiving acupuncture, Shugo fell into deep thought.

Isn't it?

Is Muzan really that temperamental?

Hiiragi sensed something was wrong; he wasn't this vulnerable when he was with the Fujiwara Kita family.

"Ren Guang".

Hiiragi called out and whispered a few words of advice.

Ren Guang frowned slightly after hearing this, but still quietly agreed to go and take care of the matter.

Adjusting his kneeling position, Shugo quietly gazed at the sickly boy lying on the bedding.

Muzan avoided the gaze that Shuugo was giving him.

The doctor withdrew his hand and respectfully took his leave.

For a moment, the two remained silent.

An awkward silence ensued.

Hiiragi played with the jade pendant in his hand, carefully considering his words before speaking.

"Yueyan, I came back to see you right after I finished my patrol."

Muzan, who had his back to him, didn't move.

After offering a few words of comfort, seeing that it had no effect, Shugo resorted to harsh measures.

“We’re both adults now. We can’t be like we used to be. We both have responsibilities to shoulder. You’re all grown up now, no longer a child. Stop being so willful like a child. It won’t do you any good.”

Shugo calmly finished reciting the above lines, and without waiting for a reply, he got up and left.

Muzan stubbornly remained huddled in his bedding, not moving, until he heard the creaking of the floorboards. Only then did he get up and watch the other person walk away. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but something blocked his way, making it difficult to speak.

Only when a domesticated cat becomes a stray cat roaming the streets will it realize how wonderful it is to have an owner.

Jinguang soon discovered that it was a power struggle in the backyard of the Ubuyashiki family.

Looking at the written materials handed over by Renguang, Shugo frowned.

The second in line to the throne plots to harm the sickly eldest son—what kind of family power struggle is this?

Lady Dezi was quite clever and her methods were discreet. She didn't use any poisons, but simply added things to her daily necessities that would make ordinary people uncomfortable.

These things are enough to worsen the condition of those who are already weak.

Considering that the Ubuyashiki family has been getting closer to the Heiwa and Tachibana families in recent years, it seems they are trying to please both sides.

Has Ubuyashiki maxed out her friendliness?

Hiiragi knew all too well how arrogant the Taira and Tachibana clans were.

"Give these to the head of the Ubuyashiki family," Shugo said.

Smart people know what to do.

The head of the Ubuyashiki family quickly dealt with Lady Tokuko without hesitation, sending her far away and stripping her son of his inheritance rights.

Quite decisive.

After that, Muzan and Shugo gradually lost contact. Muzan was taken by his father to familiarize himself with affairs and learn to be a noble family head, in addition to his physical condition.

I hardly have time to go see Hiiragi.

The two fell into a cold war.

The patient Hiiragi: Have some tea (No rush, Jinkosuki delivers something every year, they just haven't arrived yet, I'm leaving myself some leeway!)

Muzan, who had wanted to give the cold shoulder for a long time but couldn't bring himself to do it: ... (conflicted and unwilling)