"What did you say? Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Hashira, has already left?"
After finishing Sanemi's treatment, Nightingale didn't even think of taking a break—she was already impatient to find her next victim—no, her next patient.
Even a workaholic couldn't keep up with her pace. Only a Servant's body could handle this kind of workload.
Her next target was the Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai. She remembered that when he was young, his own family had cut his mouth with knives—hence the bandages always wrapped around the lower half of his face.
But when she went to ask a Kakushi about his whereabouts, she found out that Iguro had already left headquarters, out on a mission to hunt demons.
Ah, I forgot—Hashira have a huge workload. They're always traveling across the country, and only a Hashira Meeting can bring them all together for a moment.
Nightingale quickly realized what was going on. Looks like I'll have to wait until next time to treat Obanai...
It was a bit of a pity, but there was nothing to be done. Nightingale had spent a long time treating both Rengoku Kyojuro and Shinazugawa Sanemi; by now, nearly every battle-ready Hashira had gone out on missions.
Which, she thought, was proof the Demon Slayer Corps was full of remarkable people.
The Hashira never put themselves above others just because of their strength. Instead, they worked even harder—fighting through the darkness to protect the weak.
And the ordinary members of the Corps had just as much resolve. She remembered how, in the final battle of the manga, countless unnamed Demon Slayers threw themselves into danger, shielding Kamado Tanjiro and his friends with their bodies. Even when each of their sacrifices bought less than a single second, not one of them hesitated. That scene had made her blood boil with pride as she read it.
So... to this day, she still couldn't understand. Among so many admirable people, how could a scumbag like Kaigaku exist?
After bidding farewell to the Kakushi, Nightingale returned to the Butterfly Estate.
"Nightingale-neesan, you're back so early today?"
Afune spotted her and hurried over, Tasuke on her back, a bright smile on her face.
"Ee-yaa, ee-yaa!"
"Eh? Tasuke, do you want Nightingale-neesan to hold you again? Honestly, don't cling to her so much—you'll make Nightingale-neesan uncomfortable."
From the very start, Tasuke had been attached to Nightingale, never shy or nervous around her—even though Nightingale's stern face and no-nonsense attitude usually scared people off.
Seeing Tasuke reaching out his chubby little hands, chirping for her, Nightingale's expression softened.
"I really don't mind," she said, and gently lifted Tasuke into her arms.
"Ee-yaa, ee-yaa!"
Tasuke's smile bloomed even wider.
Afune smiled too, seeing her little brother so happy.
Their feet crunched on the gravel path as they headed toward the house.
"Nightingale-neesan, how is Oyakata-sama? Is he still getting better?"
Every day, Nightingale had been visiting Ubuyashiki's mansion to check on Kagaya. After all, she'd only treated his physical illnesses and extended his life—she hadn't eradicated the curse rooted in his blood by Muzan. The chance that it could suddenly flare up was never zero.
"So far, everything's going smoothly. He's been cooperative with follow-up treatments, and the results might be even better than I expected."
"Really? That's great!"
Afune was genuinely relieved. "Being sick is so awful. I just hope he can stay healthy forever. Then Kanae-neesan and the others wouldn't have to look so worried all the time."
"Patients in pain, and families suffering along with them... I see."
"Oh—did you finish treating Oyakata-sama and not look for anyone else who needed care today?"
Afune couldn't help asking, curiosity plain in her voice. "You're home so early."
"Everyone who needs treatment is out on missions. I wish they'd take their health more seriously and make my life a little easier. Not that I can just chase after them all over the country."
Nightingale's tone was matter-of-fact. "Besides... If you want to stop people determined to do their duty, you have to show them you believe in something even stronger."
As they spoke, they entered the house.
Once inside, Nightingale glanced around and asked, "Where are Kanae and Shinobu?"
"There aren't any medicine or pharmacology lessons today, so Shinobu-neesan went to train her Breathing. Now that she's got wisteria poison, she said she doesn't have to focus on cutting off demon heads anymore—she wants to adjust her sword forms. Kanae-neesan went along to give her some advice."
"I see..."
Adjusting her forms... Does that mean Insect Breathing is about to be born?
In terms of combat, Nightingale had only taught Shinobu [Shukuchi]; Shinobu's sword talent was pretty ordinary, and Nightingale's own techniques weren't suited to her. It made more sense for Shinobu to evolve her own sword style from Flower Breathing.
And honestly, ever since she became Nightingale, she'd lost most interest in swordplay—her skills hadn't faded, but her heart was set on medicine, healing, and sanitation.
If, instead of Nightingale, she'd been summoned as Watanabe no Tsuna, the experience would've been totally different. After all, Watanabe is FGO's only Servant with a direct anti-demon trait—his "Onikiri Yasutsuna" can suppress demons just by being drawn, B-rank or higher. If it were Watanabe, Muzan would probably have been even more terrified than when he met Yoriichi... and gone to ground for centuries.
"Nightingale-neesan, what are you thinking about? You look so serious."
Startled from her thoughts, Nightingale met Afune's gaze.
"Nothing. I was just... thinking that everyone in the Corps is working so hard to kill demons and save lives, and it makes me feel pressured—I can't just sit around doing nothing."
Kibutsuji Muzan wasn't a real threat to her, but the man was so cowardly that killing him would require a plan to keep him from self-destructing and splitting apart.
Wait, how did they stop him from blowing himself up in the manga again...?
"But, Nightingale-neesan, aren't you the one putting pressure on them?" Afune asked, puzzled. "I mean, I don't really get all this stuff about demons and the Corps... But Kanae-neesan told me you've defeated several super-strong demons, and you cured Oyakata-sama. If we're talking about contributions, don't you rank higher than everyone else combined?"
"Hmm? Is that so?"
Nightingale frowned, pondering for a long moment. "...I guess that's true."
Because of Nightingale's example, both Rengoku and Uzui had resolved to defeat an Upper Moon themselves. Sanemi never said it out loud, but with his pride, he must have felt even more impatient.
"I just hope they don't overdo it. At their current level, any of them would be in danger fighting an Upper Moon alone... well, except that half-crippled Hantengu."
Nightingale glanced down, silently hoping they wouldn't run into trouble.
Other than Daki and Gyutaro (whose territory was fixed), the other Upper Moons wandered as they pleased.
Hantengu, Upper Moon Four, was half-crippled and probably lying low.
Akaza, Upper Moon Three, was Muzan's favorite—he got most of the important jobs.
Kokushibo, Upper Moon One, had a relationship with Muzan more like that of a business partner—Muzan wouldn't dare give him orders. Kokushibo's actions were completely unpredictable. In the manga, Kaigaku had the rotten luck to run into Kokushibo during a mission.
"Nightingale-neesan, have some rice dumplings! They're delicious."
Afune ran off to the kitchen and returned with a plate. "They're dusted with sweetened soybean and peanut powder, and sprinkled with black sesame. Kanae-neesan made them with us."
Nightingale glanced at the plate and, after a thoughtful pause, spoke.
"Kids who eat too many sweets get cavities easily."
A moment later, her tone shifted.
"But that's only for kids with no self-control... Just remember to brush your teeth."
"Of course, Nightingale-neesan."
Afune smiled.
"Ee-yaa, ee-yaa!"
"No, you can't have any."
"Yaa-yaa!"
Once she confirmed Ubuyashiki Kagaya's health was stable, Nightingale planned to go searching for the Blue Spider Lily.
With most Hashira out on missions, headquarters was left mostly to the Kakushi, who didn't fight demons and thus needed little medical care. With no patients left, what reason did she have to stick around?
If she could just get the Blue Spider Lily, there'd be no need to worry about Muzan showing himself. The trouble was, she didn't know its exact location; she'd have to ask Kamado Tanjiro and his family.
The flower had appeared in Tanjiro's memories, so he'd seen it in bloom. Some fans online speculated that the Kamado family had actually eaten the Blue Spider Lily as a wild herb, which was why Tanjiro and Nezuko could survive sunlight as demons.
Whether that was true, Nightingale wasn't sure. But it struck her as odd... If Tanjiro and Nezuko could withstand the sun after becoming demons, did Muzan really not take even a single bite of the Kamado family after slaughtering them? He just left their bodies behind?
If Muzan had just tasted a little of their blood, could he have conquered the sun right then and there?
If that's the case... wow, Muzan is an idiot on another level. He spent a thousand years chasing what was right in front of his nose, and just stomped it into the dirt.
Aside from the Blue Spider Lily, Nightingale also wanted to visit Asakusa to meet Tamayo.
She was interested in Tamayo's medicines—the one that turns demons human, the aging serum, and most of all, the drug to stop Muzan's self-destruction.
To kill Muzan, all of these would be necessary—especially the one that prevents him from splitting apart.
The three fastest ways to boost the Hashira's strength—Demon Slayer Marks, the Transparent World, and the red Nichirin blade—of these, only the red blade was something Nightingale could help with. Demon Slayer Marks were too dangerous to the body, and not something she wanted them to use. The Transparent World depended on personal insight, and even in the manga's final battle, not all the Hashira mastered it.
But pharmacology—that was Nightingale's domain. With her help, Tamayo could definitely create anti-Muzan medicines much more quickly.
"But earning Tamayo's trust won't be easy... And to make these drugs, she'll need blood samples from Upper Moon–class demons."
Nightingale rubbed her chin, thinking. "So... does that mean another trip to the Entertainment District or Natagumo Mountain?"
Come to think of it, she had a lot on her plate.
"Nightingale-neesan, these dumplings are so good," Afune said between bites, smiling. "They're soft but chewy, with a gentle rice aroma in every bite... Would you like some tea?"
"Hmm? Thanks, Afune. I'd love a cup."
"Okay, Nightingale-neesan. Tasuke, you stay with her, okay?"
Cradling the chirping Tasuke, Nightingale watched Afune head to the kitchen, her mind already drifting to her next task.
There are so many places I need to go, and so much distance to cover... Should I take Afune and Shinobu with me? If not, their studies will fall behind. Or maybe leave them here, and let them self-study while I'm gone?
---
T/N: IM SORRY FOR NTO UPDATING
Fufufu~ that's all for today's chapters, dear readers!
Oh, and a little announcement from your favorite genius:
It's been one whole year since our Translator began their wondrous journey of bringing these stories to life! To celebrate, the Patreon (patreon.com/wisetl) is offering a special 40% OFF on all memberships for one month!
It's the perfect time to support their art and read ahead—talk about a win-win, hm?
And don't forget, every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter. The more you offer, the more new chapters get transmuted into existence!
If you'd like to chat, laugh, or simply bask in the creative chaos, join the Discord (discord.gg/wisetl) Da Vinci-chan always approves of lively company~
Until next time, stay inspired and curious, my dears~
— Leonardo da Vinci
— Leonardo da Vinci 🖋️✨