"But where exactly should we go?" Tamayo frowned deeply in thought.
"Let's head to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters," Yohan offered his suggestion without hesitation.
"If we go there, not only will it be safer and more hidden, but you and Yushiro won't have to worry about the supply of blood bags for daily sustenance."
"More importantly, there's someone there I know—someone highly skilled in medicine. If you collaborate with her, I believe your research could make great strides."
The person Yohan had in mind was none other than Shinobu Kocho. Though still young and sharp-tongued, her talent in pharmacology was nothing short of exceptional. Otherwise, she wouldn't eventually become the Insect Hashira with her poison techniques alone.
From Yohan's perspective, relocating Tamayo and Yushiro to the Demon Slayer Corps base was undoubtedly the best course of action.
"The Demon Slayer Corps, huh..."
Tamayo mulled it over silently. Truth be told, she hadn't considered that place before. But now that Yohan laid it all out, it did seem like the most suitable choice.
Not only would she no longer need to worry about hiding constantly, she could focus on her research—and she would be right on the frontlines of the fight against Muzan Kibutsuji.
"But is it really okay to go to the Demon Slayer Corps?" Tamayo's voice hinted at hesitation, clearly still unconvinced.
"No! Absolutely not!"
"How can you suggest Lady Tamayo go to the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"That's like sending her to her death!"
"I won't allow it!"
The voice that suddenly burst out was Yushiro's. Until now, he'd kept quiet, but his emotions had clearly been simmering under the surface, and now they boiled over in defiance.
His fierce objection sliced through the conversation like a knife, making the atmosphere grow heavy in an instant.
"Yushiro, is it?"
"Did I ask for your permission?" Yohan's tone dropped to icy depths.
A powerful pressure rolled off him like a crashing wave, suffocating the space around them. Mitsuri Kanroji instinctively unsheathed her sword, the tip pointed straight at Yushiro in a flash.
The tension was immediate and suffocating.
Under the oppressive force of Yohan's presence, Tamayo and Yushiro both felt as if a mountain was bearing down on their chests.
Especially Yushiro—his knees trembled, his back stiffened. It felt like he was locked inside a freezing cellar.
For the first time, he regretted opening his mouth so recklessly.
"That's enough, Yushiro!"
"Whether I go or not is not your decision to make."
Tamayo, forcing herself to remain composed under the crushing weight of Yohan's aura, finally scolded Yushiro.
She had always known about his feelings for her—after all, she had saved his life, and he had clung to her ever since. But Tamayo had lived for centuries, and she could see through such emotions all too easily.
To her, love had never been an option—not when her only goal, her only reason to keep existing, was to kill Muzan Kibutsuji and atone for her sins.
If there was anyone she felt a flicker of emotion for, perhaps... it was the man standing before her now.
Yushiro opened his mouth again, but no words came.
He could only bow his head in silence.
Of course, had he continued to voice his discontent, Mitsuri likely wouldn't have waited for Yohan's signal—she would have cleaved him down right then and there.
To Mitsuri, someone who had just been saved showing such ingratitude was utterly intolerable.
Was being a demon a free pass to act like a jerk?
If it hadn't been for the risk of disrupting Yohan's plans, she would've sliced him in half the moment he started spouting off.
Yohan gave Mitsuri a small wave, signaling her to lower her sword.
He didn't even bother looking at Yushiro, turning back to Tamayo instead.
"For your sake, Lady Tamayo, I'll let this go. Just this once."
"But let me add one more thing."
"You're still hesitating, aren't you? Worried that going to the Demon Slayer Corps might put you in danger."
"Exactly. That's one of my concerns," Tamayo admitted.
It was only natural. To ask a demon to walk into the very heart of an organization built to kill demons—it was like throwing a lamb to a den of wolves.
If even one of them insisted on seeing her as the enemy, she would die in vain.
"If that's what's holding you back, then you don't have to worry."
"Since I'm the one suggesting this move, I'll be the one to protect you."
"If anyone at headquarters has an issue with your presence, they can take it up with me."
"You just focus on your research. Leave everything else to me."
Yohan's promise was clear, unwavering, and powerful.
Hearing those words, Tamayo finally stopped thinking. She had made up her mind.
"In that case, I'm in your hands, Yohan."
Yes—she had fully resolved herself now.
With Yohan's strength behind her, she believed she could walk into that place without fear.
"Yushiro, come help me pack," she said gently.
There were many research materials and documents she needed to take with her—this place had been her home for years, and her work here was irreplaceable.
"Yes, Lady Tamayo," Yushiro answered softly.
He hadn't spoken another word since earlier, and now that Tamayo had made her decision, he could only follow.
But as he moved, he deliberately avoided looking at Yohan and Mitsuri—despite the fact they had just saved his life.
"What an ungrateful brat," Mitsuri muttered, clearly annoyed at his attitude.
"Don't worry about it, Mitsuri."
"My goal has only ever been Lady Tamayo. As for him..." Yohan's gaze was cold, emotionless.
"We'll see how he conducts himself from now on."
To Yohan, Yushiro was just another pitiful soul—a man forever longing for something he could never have.
If he dared to cross the line again, Yohan wouldn't hesitate to send him to the afterlife, regardless of Tamayo's opinion.
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T/N:
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