Fengichiro's head fell in front of the woman.
His wide-open eyes stared straight into hers.
"M-My power… how could it be…"
Aoyama Ren jumped down from the roof.
His expression looked slightly pale.
Light Breathing — Seventh Form: Swift Light Phoenix Feather: Silence was a technique he had personally modified from the original form. Using it consumed a tremendous amount of energy.
Fengichiro had no rank engraved in his eyes—he was not a member of the Twelve Kizuki.
But his strength was far from something that could be easily cut down.
He must have received quite a bit of blood from Muzan Kibutsuji, and after devouring the villagers, his power had increased significantly.
Nezuko noticed something was wrong with Aoyama .
She quickly ran over and hugged him tightly.
"Mm…!"
Aoyama felt warmth in his heart.
Holding his sword in one hand, he gently placed the other on her head.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
On the roof, Fengichiro's body was slowly turning to ash.
The severed head on the ground began disintegrating from the neck downward.
"Fa… Fumiko… I'm… sorry…"
Large tears flowed from his eyes.
After his head had been cut off, the consciousness he once had as a human began to resurface.
After receiving Muzan's blood, he had changed from a cowardly, powerless man into a demon with absolute power over life and death.
He slaughtered the entire village.
Those villagers who mocked him for being an orphan—
He sucked out their brains and devoured their flesh.
Even the parents of the woman he loved were not spared.
He ate them too, strengthening himself.
The ones he hated the most were precisely those two people.
If they hadn't opposed their relationship, he and Fumiko could have been together long ago.
He wouldn't have had to become a monster.
But now…
He regretted it.
The woman's legs went weak.
She collapsed to her knees before Fengichiro's head.
Her trembling hands lifted it carefully.
"Fengichiro… Fengichiro…"
She cried uncontrollably.
Even though he had become a demon—
He was still the man she once loved.
"I'm sorry… If I had another chance… I would rely on my own strength…"
Before he could finish speaking—
His head crumbled into ashes in her hands.
Nothing remained.
Aoyama quietly watched the scene.
This was the tragedy of becoming a demon.
"Ding!"
"Host has slain a demon."
"Reward: Body Enhancement Serum ×1, Summoning Scroll Spirit Power +5."
"Fengichiro… Fengichiro…"
The woman lowered her head, crying until she could barely breathe.
Nezuko walked over and gently placed her small hand on the woman's head.
Her expression was filled with sadness.
After eliminating all the demons in the village, dawn slowly began to rise in the east.
Nezuko returned to the wooden box to avoid the sunlight.
The mission was complete.
A crow flew down from the distant sky, flapping its wings.
"Aoyama -kun! North! Demons appearing in the north! Please proceed there immediately!"
Aoyama lifted the wooden box onto his back, preparing to leave.
He turned back and glanced at the woman still kneeling on the ground.
He sighed softly.
"I'll escort you down the mountain."
"You can start a new life in the village at the foot of the mountain."
He extended his hand.
The woman raised her tear-stained face.
Her red eyes stared at the hand before her.
After a few seconds of hesitation—
She nodded firmly.
Then she placed her hand in his.
She would live well.
For her parents.
For the villagers who died.
And for Fengichiro.
She would live on.
Recently, the Butterfly Mansion had been flooded with injured Demon Slayer Corps members.
Many wounded slayers were brought in for treatment.
Some reports reaching headquarters claimed they had encountered members of the Twelve Kizuki.
But when Hashira arrived to investigate, they discovered these demons were not actual Kizuki.
They were merely demons with relatively powerful Blood Demon Arts.
Sanemi Shinazugawa returned to headquarters and reported this situation to the Master.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki frowned slightly.
"Sanemi… we must work even harder."
"Muzan Kibutsuji has already begun moving."
"As members of the Demon Slayer Corps, we must reduce human casualties as much as possible."
Sanemi listened attentively.
"Sanemi, go north as well."
"The demonic disturbances there seem severe."
"Aoyama is already heading there. You can fight together."
Hearing that Aoyama was going too, Sanemi's eyes widened slightly.
"Yes, Master."
On his way out, Sanemi encountered Mitsuri Kanroji, who had just returned from a mission.
"Ah! Shinazugawa-san!"
Mitsuri greeted him cheerfully.
Her eyes moved over him and noticed a wound on his arm that hadn't fully healed.
"Was your battle with the demon difficult this time?"
Sanemi's face showed clear disgust when demons were mentioned.
"Cutting down those disgusting creatures is worth any hardship."
Watching him stride away, Mitsuri looked at him with admiration.
Sanemi didn't even rest at headquarters.
He immediately departed for the north.
He wanted to meet up with Aoyama as soon as possible.
After the Mugen Train battle, Rengoku had mentioned several times how strong Aoyama was.
It made Sanemi curious.
He wanted to experience fighting alongside someone that powerful.
On the road north, Sanemi encountered a stray dog lying weakly by the roadside.
He stopped briefly.
Then he fed it the last rice ball he had.
Meanwhile, Aoyama Ren had already arrived at a northern city.
The town was bustling and prosperous.
At first glance, nothing seemed unusual.
Aoyama walked slowly through the streets.
It was already close to midnight, yet the streets were still crowded.
Since there was no immediate danger, Nezuko walked quietly beside him with her eyes closed, letting him lead her by the hand.
Suddenly—
A car sped past them.
A faint demonic scent drifted from inside the vehicle.
Aoyama grabbed Nezuko's hand and immediately gave chase.
But there were too many pedestrians.
They eventually lost the car.
"Mm!"
Nezuko puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
Aoyama smiled and gently tapped her cheek.
"It's fine."
"We'll find them."
Still holding Nezuko's hand, he walked toward a nearby newspaper vendor and bought a paper from a boy selling them.
In this era, very few people owned automobiles.
Anyone with a car in this town would likely be someone important.
If something unusual had happened recently, it would probably be reported in the newspaper.
And that might lead them to the demons.
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