In the autumn as the days grew shorter, Akira and his group were climbing a mountain path that had already grown dark.
If they were ordinary people, they might have been cautious, but these were beings far beyond the realm of normal humans.
"Akira-san, this way. Looking at the soil condition and vegetation, we're getting closer to an environment suitable for rare medicinal herbs."
Leading the way was Kanae. Even on the rugged mountain path, her breathing remained steady as she guided them with elegant steps. True to her pharmacist family background, she excelled at reading the subtle traces and flow of plants.
"Oh, sister. Look over there. Someone is coming."
Shinobu also lightly stepped on a branch and jumped up, pointing ahead.
In the distance, they saw a boy climbing the mountain with a charcoal load on his back. A boy with a youthful face bearing a burn scar on his forehead.
It was the protagonist of this world, Tanjiro Kamado.
'So it's him.'
Akira recognized him instantly. The upright and gentle aura emanating from the boy. He deliberately made his presence known and naturally walked into the boy's path.
"Ah…!"
Tanjiro stopped in surprise at the sight of the unfamiliar, lavishly dressed group on the mountain path. But he soon bowed politely.
"Hello! You're climbing the mountain late. Did you lose your way?"
His voice held more concern than wariness. Akira responded with a gentle smile.
"No, we haven't lost our way. We're herbalists from Asakusa, and we came to find a very rare herb, but the sun has set."
"An herb? There are many herbs in this mountain… but it's dangerous at night. Bears might come out."
At Tanjiro's concern, Kanae, who was beside him, spoke softly.
"Thank you. But we'll be fine. Have you… lived on this mountain for long?"
"Yes! I've lived here since I was born."
"Then, by any chance, have you ever seen a white flower with a slight bluish tint that blooms only briefly during the day and then withers?"
At Kanae's question, Tanjiro tilted his head for a moment. Then, as if remembering something, his eyes sparkled.
"Ah! Yes, I've seen it! When I was little, I saw it when I went with my father to make charcoal. It was a really mysterious flower."
"Can you tell us where it is?"
Akira stepped closer and asked. Tanjiro raised his hand and pointed to the east of the mountain.
"There's a side path heading east from here. If you follow that path, you'll come to a sunny cliff, and it was near there. But since it's autumn now, the flowers have probably all withered…"
"That doesn't matter. Just knowing the location is enough."
Akira took out a rather heavy money pouch from his pocket and placed it on Tanjiro's charcoal load.
"This is payment for the information. Don't refuse and take it."
"What?! Oh, no! I just told you the way…! It's too much!"
Tanjiro flinched in surprise and waved his hands, but Akira shook his head firmly.
"It's a merchant's duty. And… I can smell good charcoal from you. It seems you work hard for your family, so consider it a gift."
Akira patted Tanjiro on the shoulder a couple of times.
"When the sun sets, the beasts become ferocious, so hurry back home. And for a while, don't wander out late at night."
"Ah… Yes! Thank you! Please be careful!"
Although puzzled, Tanjiro was overwhelmed by Akira's serious gaze and nodded. He looked back several times to bow and then hurriedly ran in the direction of his home.
As Tanjiro disappeared from sight, Akira's expression turned cold.
"Let's go. The cliff to the east."
The cliff that Tanjiro had indicated was a prime spot that received the most sunlight during the day. Now, it was overgrown with weeds and dry grass, but Kanae and Shinobu's eyes turned professional as soon as they arrived.
"It's here, Akira-san. The energy of the soil is different."
Kanae knelt and touched the soil, speaking in a confident voice. Tamamo watched and admired it.
"Amazing. It has a vitality completely different from the surrounding plants. It traps the power of the sun in its roots during the day. This must be it…"
When Akira carefully dug out the soil, bulbs emitting a faint blue light like sapphires were revealed.
Blue Spider Lily.
"Found it…"
Akira shuddered. What Muzan had searched for for a thousand years was here, in a place so close it felt absurd.
"Please. Don't damage the roots."
"Leave it to me."
Benienma harvested the bulbs with delicate hands and placed them in a special box. When all the work was done, Akira let out a sigh of relief.
"Let's return. To Asakusa."
On the way back to Asakusa after achieving their goal. While walking through a deep forest path where even moonlight didn't reach.
"Kihihihit…! I smell something delicious!"
A demon drooling saliva jumped out from the darkness of the forest.
It wasn't one of the Twelve Kizuki, but a large, deformed demon that seemed to have eaten people for a long time. Its gaze was fixed on Kanae and Shinobu, who appeared the weakest.
"I'll eat those pretty girls first! They look so tender!"
The demon swung its sharp claws and charged at the sisters. But Kanae and Shinobu didn't even blink.
Instead, behind them, angry energies exploded.
"How insolent. How dare you wag your tongue in front of whom?"
A red cloak fluttered in the air. Nobunaga summoned dozens of matchlock guns and aimed them at the demon.
"To try and lay a hand on my vassals in front of me. I'll fill that head with gunpowder."
"Master."
Ushiwakamaru had already taken a drawing stance, emitting a chilling killing intent.
"It's blasphemous for such a lowly monster to even block my master's path. Give the order. I'll cut off its head in one stroke and clear the way."
"Mikon~ Is that really necessary?"
Tamamo spread talismans like a fan and twitched her fox ears. Blue magical flames flickered from her tail.
"Wouldn't it be better for me to burn that filthy bug to a crisp and turn it into fertilizer, darling♥? Very crispy."
And, Kiyohime, who was tightly holding Akira's arm, her eyes turning blank as she opened her fan.
"Darling… I'll burn that one up."
The demon hesitated in confusion. It had targeted human women, but suddenly monsters with overwhelming energy jumped out from behind.
"Wha, what is this! Who are you people…!"
At that moment, Hokusai with a brush swung a giant brush and jumped out.
"Hey, wait a sec. That thing has tentacles, so give me a little time to draw it!"
"Everyone's so noisy. It's night, so let's just cut it down."
"That's right. Let's just kill it quickly and move on."
Benienma and Okita quietly drew their swords. Shuten next to them yawned as if uninterested.
"Can I tear it apart, maybe? Master~?"
Tamamo Cat was already on all fours, circling around the demon and drooling.
The demon stepped back in terror. It was surrounded by monsters.
"Ee, eek! Sp, spare me…!"
Akira sighed and pressed his forehead.
"Sigh… All of you are too noisy."
With Akira's one word, the chattering Servants all stopped their movements simultaneously.
Akira gestured to Ushiwakamaru.
"Ushiwaka."
"Yes!"
Ushiwakamaru's figure disappeared. There wasn't even the sound of wind, and the demon, not even realizing it was dead, had its head fall off with a thud.
"Huh…?"
The demon's vision spun. That was its last memory.
As the demon's body turned to ash and vanished, Akira urged the group again.
"Now, let's go. We have a mountain of work when we get back. Kanae, Shinobu. Your help is crucial."
"Of course, Akira-san."
"Let's make the best medicine."
Leaving the brief disturbance behind, they returned with the Blue Spider Lily and immediately began research. First, while Tamamo conducted magical analysis to explore what effects could be created.
Tamamo used magic to bloom one Blue Spider Lily, and the Kocho sisters researched the petals.
And.
"Everyone's working hard, but I have nothing to help with. So, I want to serve Akira-san, is that okay?"
"Isn't that just what you want to do?"
"Heheh, that's also true! It's fine to do it one last time before Akira-san takes the medicine and evolves, right?"
It was Mitsuri, who had entered under Akira's desk in his office and was using her mouth to lower his pants zipper.
"Trying to monopolize him alone, so you really are a greedy dumpling."
"Eh, Kiyohime?"
At that moment, Kiyohime revealed herself from the ceiling.
"I'll serve you too, darling."
"Ma, master! I want to do it too! Under-desk play is the domain of the secretary, meaning the right-hand, so!"
"Sure, sure, do as you please. I'm practically public property now."
Even Ushiwakamaru appeared subsequently. Akira, with a resigned expression, offered his body to satisfy their desires. Somehow, it was a harem with roles reversed.