"This is a child who joined the Demon Slayer Corps not long ago," Kagaya introduced. "Two other people joined with her. The three of them formed a small team to carry out missions, and their strength is not weak."
Shinobu Kocho shifted her gaze to Rara, sizing her up, but saw that the other's expression was dazed and her mind seemed to be elsewhere, as if she had suffered a great shock.
"Then, over a month ago, her squad encountered Muzan while on a mission in Kyoto. Only she escaped."
Hearing the Master's words, Shinobu immediately understood why the girl was like this. It was clear that the deaths of her teammates had a great impact on her. She couldn't help but feel sympathy, and her hatred for demons deepened.
Every time she saw people who had been harmed and ravaged by demons, she couldn't help but feel anger and resentment.
"Then she gave me this, and told me, 'Lexon of the Demon Slayer Corps is a demon. The proof is inside'," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, taking out a small, square box.
If anyone from the modern era were present, they would certainly recognize what that little box was...
It was a touchscreen smartphone.
"What is this?" Shinobu asked, puzzled.
"I don't quite understand either," Kagaya handed the phone to Rara, signaling for her to operate it. "This thing seems to have a recording function. She showed me the recorded footage."
Of course, Kagaya was blind and couldn't watch the video; his wife had watched and described it for him.
Rara silently took the phone and operated it mechanically. Instantly, a video began to play.
The camera angle was a bit low, but the image was clear.
Standing close in the frame was a man in a white hat and a Western suit with his back to the camera. Standing in the distance was Lexon, carrying a burlap sack.
If Lexon were here, he would surely be able to clearly identify the source of the video as the recording devices on the two deceased veterans.
["Who are you?"]
Muzan's gloomy voice came from the phone.
Hearing this voice, Rara looked as if she had been struck by lightning. Her face became exceptionally terrified, and her body trembled and curled up as she continuously retreated. She had most likely developed a deep psychological trauma regarding Muzan.
"Let her go and rest," Kagaya instructed his wife to take Rara away to rest.
["Gyokko!"]
The video continued to play.
Shinobu's gaze was burning as she stared intently at the phone's screen.
[Demonization.]
Seeing the sinister transformation of Lexon on the screen, Shinobu couldn't help but widen her eyes.
"This..."
"Master!"
Shinobu cried out in alarm.
'Lexon, Lexon is really a demon!'
'Researching those sword forms that only have destructive power wasn't because it was interesting!'
'I should have known. They're useless against demons, but they're the most harmful things to people!'
'Joining the Demon Slayer Corps wasn't because it was "interesting" as he said, but for some unknown purpose!'
Her heart jumped. All sorts of thoughts popped into her head. She truly hadn't expected that the person she had spent over a month with was actually a demon!
At this moment, she only wanted to hurry back to the Butterfly Mansion and ensure the safety of the people inside.
"Keep watching." Kagaya's voice was without a ripple.
"It's just..."
"Keep watching, Shinobu," Kagaya Ubuyashiki repeated his words.
"Yes..." Shinobu had no choice but to sit down again.
["You can switch between human and demon?"]
Muzan's excited voice came from the phone, and Shinobu's expression changed because of it.
'He can switch between human and demon? Doesn't that mean the sun is no longer his only weakness?'
["If I eat you! If I eat you, maybe I can become like you!"]
Muzan's frantic voice sounded as he attacked Lexon.
["Mist Breathing, Second Form: Great Fog Blaze."]
Lexon's voice was a bit hoarse and deep, completely different from usual.
Shinobu had seen him practice this sword form, but the power during his practice had clearly been restrained.
At this moment, only a dense fog could be seen on the phone screen.
The next moment, black flames erupted, and the screen went black.
Shinobu stared at the triangular pause button on the screen, somewhat speechless.
"Do you have any thoughts, Shinobu?" Kagaya said flatly.
"It seems he and Muzan are not on the same side," Shinobu stated her opinion.
"Yes," Kagaya nodded. "The enemy of Muzan is our friend."
"But... he's a demon!"
"You should have seen it too. Lexon can switch between human and demon. He is both human and demon. As long as he doesn't eat people, we should accept him."
"But..." For a moment, Shinobu couldn't quite accept it and wanted to argue.
"His strength and talent are immense, and he possesses the ability that Muzan dreams of. For his sake, Muzan will definitely stop at nothing. Therefore, we need him."
Kagaya interrupted her words again.
"I respect your thoughts, Master," Shinobu could only nod.
"Don't worry. His cultivator, Mr. Sakonji, spent several years with him and never once smelled the scent of human blood on him. I believe he will not eat people," Kagaya Ubuyashiki comforted Shinobu a little.
But Shinobu still couldn't quite let it go. She hated demons. All the relatives she loved had died because of demons, and she had seen too many people suffer because of them.
Even though her sister had insisted on the idea that "humans and demons can coexist peacefully" until her death, and she herself had intended to uphold her sister's wish...
But...
"That's why I found it strange that Miss Shinobu suddenly asked me those questions." A figure suddenly walked in from outside the hall.
The newcomer's sleeves were loose, yet he didn't appear sloppy. His cold eyes were hidden under his messy bangs.
"Lexon?" Shinobu couldn't help but place her hand on her Nichirin Sword.
"Even after spending more than a month together, you're still so wary of me," Lexon said as he slowly walked into the hall and sat down.
"A phone?" He saw the device on the floor, a little surprised.
Lexon had only overheard their conversation midway through, so he wasn't entirely clear on the details, only that the fact that he could turn into a demon was now known.
"You heard..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled, seemingly not holding any grudges against Lexon for "being able to turn into a demon."
His attitude towards Lexon was the same as always.
"I was planning to come and ask you about something and happened to overhear on the way," Lexon replied.
"Ah... what did you want to ask?"
"Mr. Rengoku's whereabouts. He's been gone for so long and still hasn't returned," Lexon said.
He kind of missed Kyojuro Rengoku, who could trade blows with him.
After all, among the creatures he knew, Kyojuro was probably the only one who would enthusiastically accept his request to test out his sword forms and not die.
Of course, Gyokko would work too.
But Gyokko had to be an experimental subject, so it couldn't be helped.
And without demonizing, Lexon didn't have the strength to completely overwhelm Gyokko. What if, in the middle of testing, he thought he had a chance? He would have to demonize again and chop at him until his arm got sore.
"Kyojuro should be back soon."
"Ah, then I'll just wait a bit longer."
After saying this, Lexon stood up to leave.
"Wait," Shinobu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]