Chereads / Crimson Monarch: The Rise of Muzan Kibutsuji / Chapter 9 - The Obsession Blooms

Chapter 9 - The Obsession Blooms

Ethan's Thought's:

Five months had passed since the fall of the Demon Slayer's yet Yoriichi remained as elusive as ever. Despite this setback there was a glimmer of progress,the Blue Spider Lily had finally been found. My human subordinates were currently accompanying a merchant who claimed to know its exact location. 

As the Merchant entered, an overwhelming wave of longing surged through me. It wasn't simply desire no it was an instinctual, consuming obsession no doubt inherited from Muzan. My body fought to remain composed resisting the primal urge to kill the man and extract the information directly. Control was key, I would not succumb to the same shortsighted impulses that had plagued my predecessor. 

Merchant: "Hello sir. I've brought you the flower's location. May I be paid now?" 

Ethan: "Ah yes. Servants bring this man the reward he so richly deserves."

The Merchant's eyes gleamed with greed but his tone was measured.

Merchant: "Oh, there's no need for flattery, sir. But if I may ask would you be interested in obtaining more of these flowers? I could locate them for you."

I considered his offer, my mind calculating the potential benefits. 

Ethan: "More flowers? Certainly. Perhaps it hasn't reached your ears,

yet but I'm using these rare flower specimens to develop experimental medicines so I'd gladly purchase the locations of as many as you can provide."

Merchant: "That's excellent to hear sir. I look forward to our continued trade. I'll bring you more locations soon and I wish you success in your endeavors." 

Ethan: "Perfect since our partnership will continue, ensure you remain vigilant. Servants escort this fine gentleman out." 

Once the Merchant departed,his information now securely in my possession, I turned my attention to Kyogan who stood silently nearby. 

Ethan: "I see the confusion in your eyes Kyogan. You wonder why I treated the Merchant with such courtesy well allow me to explain." 

I paced slowly, my voice measured and deliberate. 

"Yes, I could have simply taken the information and killed him. But that would have been shortsighted. Sometimes violence isn't the most effective solution. Diplomacy and calculated generosity may often yield far greater rewards."

Kyogan's expression shifted as my words began to sink in. 

"By treating the Merchant well and rewarding him generously I've secured his loyalty. Now he will willingly dedicate his resources to finding more flowers for me. To some aristocratic people this may seem wasteful,to spent a fortune on something as fleeting as a flower. But wealth to me kyogan is a tool and in my hands it becomes a means to overcome the greatest weakness of all to me the sun."

I let the words linger in the air before continuing. 

"I don't want you to blindly follow my orders. I need you to think,to understand the reasoning behind my actions. Doing so will make you not only a more valuable servant but also a more effective extension of my will."

Satisfied that the lesson was clear, I shifted focus. 

"Now rise Kyogan we have work to do. We will personally retrieve the flower and transport it to a secure location. Only when it is thriving will we begin our experiments."

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Narration:

The Blue Spider Lily in Demon Slayer is a rare flower central to Muzan Kibutsuji's story. Initially used to treat his terminal illness, the flower inadvertently turned him into the first demon, granting him immortality but also making him vulnerable to sunlight. Muzan's obsession with the flower stems from his belief that it could eliminate this weakness. 

The flower blooms only 2–3 days a year during daylight, making it nearly impossible for demons like Muzan to obtain. Despite centuries of searching

Muzan never acquires it. Interestingly researchers find the flower 100 years after Muzan's death but it withers during experiments leaving its potential unknown. 

Muzan's reliance on brute force and fear coupled with his arrogance prevented him from effectively utilizing human allies to secure the flower. Ethan by contrast adopts a more strategic and diplomatic approach prioritizing careful planning and long-term gains over impulsive actions.

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As we prepared to retrieve the flower, I drew upon my knowledge of modern botany to ensure its survival. Transplanting a specimen of this rarity required precision: 

1. Timing and Condition's:

 - The task would be performed at dawn to minimize stress on the plant. 

2. Preparation:

 - The soil would be watered thoroughly before uprooting to preserve the root structure. The new site was enriched with compost ensuring optimal conditions for the flower. 

3. Uprooting and Replanting:

 - The root ball would be carefully excavated and the flower would be placed into its new environment with minimal disturbance. The soil from its original site would be integrated to reduce transplant shock. 

With these methods in mind, I was confident the flower would survive the relocation and I would soon begin my experiments once it thrived in its new environment.

After meticulous preparation the transplantation was a success. Every precaution was taken to preserve the flower's condition during the process. I ensured it was placed in a location abundant with sunlight an essential factor for its growth and vitality. 

This chosen site will now serve as my secret garden. A sanctuary accessible only to myself,Kyogan and a select few trusted demons. Here the flower will thrive under close observation shielded from prying eyes and external threats. It is within this secure haven that we will cultivate its potential and begin our groundbreaking experiments.

Ethan's Reflections:

In the solitude of my chamber, I turned to documenting my thoughts.

Lately, I have been meticulously documenting my knowledge of 21st-century subjects including languages, medicine, warfare strategies, history, physics and mathematics. To ensure absolute privacy, I have chosen to write everything exclusively in English,

a language that no one in this era can decipher granting me an unparalleled strategic advantage. 

Curiously, despite not knowing Japanese before my reincarnation, my mind instinctively translates everything I wish to say from English to Japanese with seamless precision. This peculiar ability likely stems from inheriting Muzan's memories and instincts granting me natural fluency in the Japanese language. 

To further safeguard my insights, I have adopted the habit of voicing my thoughts in English. This additional layer of security ensures that my strategies and inner reflections remain indecipherable to those around me. 

"The flower is only the beginning,"

I thought, penning the final line of the day's notes. "With it, I will rewrite the laws of power and carve a new path to supremacy."

Rising from my seat, I decided it was finally time to begin the experiments on the flower with the goal of uncovering its unique abilities and attributes.