Horitake, feeling a bit helpless, caught sight of Yae.
Yae had already woken up and was recuperating. She was wrapped in a blanket, sitting in a corner, looking sorrowful and silent, her previous strength replaced by a low, somber demeanor.
It was understandable; her entire family was gone, with only her dog remaining by her side. If it weren't for her father's dying wish, whether Yae would even want to live right now would be a question.
This girl's situation was a little tricky to deal with. The best way to help her recover was to give her a new goal, something she could fight for.
This happened to align perfectly with Horitake's earlier intention.
Horitake gave Shinobu a look, signaling her to cooperate. Shinobu smiled and nodded slightly.
Horitake moved closer, sitting nearer to Yae. He tried his best to appear kind:
"Yae-chan, what do you plan to do next?"
Yae, like a wounded animal, silently shook her head and slowly spoke:
"I don't know. Father wanted me to live, so I'll just keep living. But I probably can't stay in Sukuzu anymore."
Horitake nodded, showing understanding.
In Sukuzu, nearly twenty people had died at the hands of Yae's father. As the daughter of the culprit, even if she was dragged into it and was innocent, Yae couldn't bring herself to continue living there. Even if Horitake didn't say anything, Shinobu didn't say anything, and Yae herself didn't say anything, no one would know.
But Yae was kind-hearted, and the families of the deceased were also in Sukuzu. Seeing them every day, how could Yae, burdened with guilt, face them with a clear conscience?
Therefore, leaving was the only choice for Yae. If she stayed, and if the truth about her father came out, Yae would certainly not be treated kindly, and might even be isolated and ostracized by the entire town. Rather than letting such a terrible thing happen, it was better to leave quietly in advance.
Looking at the pitiful Yae, Horitake continued:
"The world is unstable now. As a young girl, alone and far from home, where can you go? Where do you plan to go? What do you plan to do in the future?"
Stroking her dog and looking at her hunting rifle, Yae said sadly:
"My father taught me how to hunt since I was little. Besides hunting, I don't know anything else. Perhaps I'll go to another mountain, settle in a different town, and continue to make a living by hunting."
Horitake felt the time was right and extended his olive branch. He smiled and invited Yae:
"Yae-chan, would you consider joining us?"
Yae was puzzled, slightly startled, and looked up at Horitake and Shinobu.
At this moment, gentle Sister Shinobu was needed to clarify things for Yae. Shinobu walked over, sat beside Yae, and explained with a smile:
"We are the Demon Slayer Corps. As the name suggests, we are a squad dedicated to slaying demons and protecting civilians and the weak. Although we are not an organization officially recognized by the government, we are tacitly acknowledged."
Looking at Horitake and Shinobu, and recalling the incredible strength they had displayed earlier, Yae murmured to herself, not even realizing that her tone held a hint of longing.
"The Demon Slayer Corps... specifically slays demons? Like... a demon like my father?"
Horitake nodded and continued to explain:
"Indeed, most demons are like your father, afraid of sunlight, able to move only at night, yet possessing strength and speed far exceeding humans, with incredible regeneration and healing abilities.
Demons are the natural enemies of us humans.
Because they can only feed on humans, whether to satisfy hunger or to increase their power, they must devour people.
Without a doubt, if these man-eating demons continue to run rampant, we humans will never know peace. It is precisely for this reason that the Demon Slayer Corps emerged, and for hundreds of years, we have been slaying demons, fighting to eradicate all of them.
Demons are transformed from humans. Ordinary humans, once exposed to demon blood, even if it's just a wound touching demon blood, will be forced to become man-eating demons, their humanity extinguished, their demonic nature rampant, resorting to any means to eat humans, completely transforming into terrifying and ferocious monsters.
I'm very sorry, but your father was likely transformed into a demon in this way.
To prevent more tragedies like your father's from happening, to keep innocent people from being eaten by demons, and to protect more civilians, we of the Demon Slayer Corps have strived for hundreds of years.
Yae, I can tell you're a kind and good child. You wouldn't want such tragedies to happen to more and more people, would you? What do you say? Will you join our Demon Slayer Corps?
Together, we can slay demons, protect more people, and strive to reduce the sorrow and grief caused by demons."
Horitake's words were undoubtedly appealing. Especially with Yae in a state of confusion, joining the Demon Slayer Corps represented a new path, a new goal for her.
A confused person desperately needed such a path and goal, and Horitake's invitation touched Yae's heart.
If someone played the good cop, someone else had to play the bad cop. Horitake saw Yae's inclination and, at this moment, gave Shinobu a look. Shinobu immediately understood and said to Yae with a gentle smile:
"Yae-chan, this matter is extraordinary.
I must seriously tell you that while our mission is noble, the dangers we face are clearly greater.
As a hunter, you are often hunting in the forest, and that profession is already quite dangerous. But our profession as demon slayers is many times more dangerous than hunting.
Even if we undergo training and can possess miraculous powers to fight against those demons, those demons are always stronger than us, and there are many of them.
For hundreds of years, our Demon Slayer Corps has never gained a clear upper hand. Joining the Demon Slayer Corps is a dangerous matter; you could lose your life at any time.
So, Yae-chan, don't make a hasty decision. You must think it through and be responsible for your future."
Listening to Shinobu's words, Horitake nodded in satisfaction.
Yes, Shinobu's words were exactly what Horitake wanted. Horitake genuinely wanted to invite Yae to join the Demon Slayer Corps, but if Yae were to recklessly join and then encounter danger, that would be irresponsible of Horitake towards her.
At this moment, someone needed to advise Yae to be cautious, someone needed to tell her to think clearly.
Yae was currently in a period of confusion, and decisions made during such a period could very likely be rash and impulsive.
Shinobu's role was to make Yae think carefully, choose cautiously, without rashness or impulse.
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