Lord Ubuyashiki's name was Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Tetsu no Sosuke's entire understanding of this man came from anime and manga.
A gentle leader with extraordinary personal charisma, his voice could soothe the most agitated emotions, calming even the most restless hearts.
Severely ill, he had been blind since his first appearance.
The final battle at the Infinity Castle began with him using himself as bait, employing massive amounts of explosives to severely wound Kibutsuji Muzan.
However, his wife and two daughters were also sacrificed in the process.
He was an unforgettable figure, one whom no one could help but admire.
At that moment, Sosuke stood in his courtyard, with Kanae beside him.
The corridor before them slowly opened, revealing two nearly identical young women.
Their gazes settled on Sosuke's face, and they spoke in unison: "Please come in, guest."
Sosuke glanced at Kanae, nodded, removed his shoes, and stepped onto the corridor into the house.
After he entered, the two young women closed the doors behind him.
Kanae stood silently, patiently waiting.
The room was dimly lit, yet it didn't feel oppressive.
Light streamed through the side window, illuminating only half the space.
In the shadowed portion sat two figures:
A man and a woman— Kagaya and his wife, Amane.
According to Sosuke's information, Amane was of priestly lineage. In fact, throughout history, the wives of the Ubuyashiki Clan heads had always been of priestly blood.
She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, with hair as white as snow.
She sat quietly beside her husband, her gaze fixed on Sosuke.
As for Kagaya, Sosuke had imagined him in countless ways before meeting him.
Yet now, he realized none of those imaginings had been accurate.
The visual impact of his nearly ulcerated skin paled in comparison to the gentle smile that played at the corners of his lips.
Sitting there, he exuded the warmth and trustworthiness of an elder brother, as if one could confide in him without reservation.
He would always greet them with such a smile, embracing everything with boundless tolerance.
Sosuke didn't linger his gaze on their faces for too long; it would have been impolite.
He lowered his head slightly, maintaining the necessary decorum.
"Please, sit," Kagaya's voice reached his ears. After a moment's hesitation, Sosuke sat down.
Kagaya continued, "My health has been deteriorating recently. One of my eyes has completely lost its vision. But thankfully, I still have one eye that can see clearly, allowing me to still see your face, Sosuke. There's something I must ask you in person. Will you answer honestly?"
Sosuke was taken aback. Such solemnity?
Did he want to know how he knew about Upper Moon Two's Blood Demon Art?
Kanae had never mentioned this matter, and he himself had been struggling to find the right way to bring it up.
Or was it simply that the man before him wished to hear the answer directly from Sosuke himself?
The thought tumbled through his mind before he nodded silently. "Yes."
"Are you willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Kagaya's voice was calm as it reached Sosuke's ears, yet the question was utterly unexpected.
'Willing to join... the Demon Slayer Corps?'
Sosuke instinctively looked up at Kagaya. The gentleness on his face seemed genuine, and the troubled expression in his eyes appeared equally sincere.
'He... is he serious?'
"Wh-why?" Sosuke asked, bewildered. What qualities had led Kagaya to believe he was qualified to join the Demon Slayer Corps?
"Your fighting spirit during the battle against Upper Moon Two was astonishing."
Kagaya smiled and said, "Even when facing the Twelve Kizuki, you maintained a clear mind, rescued my swordsman, and, despite your severe injuries, destroyed the Kizuki's weapon, turning the tide of battle. Your composure, your resolve, and your performance in combat are what I value most!"
He paused briefly, then lowered his voice slightly. "However, this means you can no longer remain in the Swordsmith Village. The dangers you face will multiply exponentially, and that is something I absolutely do not wish to see. You are a precious talent. I've seen the Flower Pillar's Nichirin sword, and your abilities could potentially reshape the current balance of power."
"This is what truly troubles me. You possess the potential to become a formidable swordsman, yet you are also an extraordinary swordsmith. Ultimately, the choice..."
Kagaya smiled gently. "We believe it should be yours to make."
Sosuke felt both honored and overwhelmed. Such high praise was truly remarkable.
But a sudden thought struck him. "We?"
Amane retrieved a letter from her kimono and handed it to Kagaya.
"This is a letter from the Village Chief of your village, written to me after your injury."
Kagaya said, "Part of this letter concerns you. It seems you're very eager to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Sosuke finally understood why Kagaya had been asking him these questions.
He recalled how, shortly after his arrival in this world, he had repeatedly pestered the Village Chief about joining the Demon Slayer Corps. No doubt, the Village Chief believed Sosuke was stubbornly fixated on becoming a member.
But back then, his Golden Finger hadn't awakened yet, had it?
His desire to join the Demon Slayer Corps stemmed from his hope of learning a Breathing Technique to protect himself.
Now... well, he had the Breathing Technique, but he couldn't wield a sword.
Everything the Golden Finger had granted him so far revolved around forging and enhancing his physical capabilities. Sword techniques? That seemed to be beyond its scope.
Could someone join the Demon Slayer Corps without sword skills?
After agonizing over the question for a while, he finally voiced it.
Kagaya chuckled. "Your relationship with the Flower Pillar seems quite good. She has already agreed to teach you basic sword techniques. The only question is, are you willing?"
"I am!"
Without a moment's hesitation,Sosuke immediately accepted.
His swift response startled Kagaya. Had he accidentally triggered some strange switch?
But Sosuke, who had just moments ago agreed with unwavering conviction, now looked conflicted again. After a long pause, he asked in a low voice, "Then... will I still be able to forge swords?"
Kagaya seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at this question. He smiled and replied, "Of course! In fact, if you wish to forge a Nichirin sword, you won't need to take on any missions during that time. However, this doesn't mean you'll become a full member of the Demon Slayer Corps immediately. Before that, you'll need to learn the basic sword techniques from the Flower Pillar. When the time is right, you'll still need to undergo a trial to officially join the Demon Slayer Corps."