After retracting his gaze, Shinji said nothing more.
He kept all information about the Hegemon under wraps, as its taint was far too potent. Even a "Lampbearer" wasn't fully immune.
Ryūhei Ubuyashiki had been targeted by the Hegemon due to a moment of greed and carelessness.
So, at least until the Hegemon devoured the Demon Slayer world and began infiltrating the shinobi world, Shinji had to keep the secret tightly guarded, doing everything possible to delay the Hegemon from finding his world.
Using the power of his "Lamp," Shinji silently opened a spatial rift.
Seeing this, Karin and the others stepped through one by one, quietly returning to the shinobi world.
Haku, lingering at the end, hesitated before asking Shinji with reluctance, "Boss, is there truly no hope for this world?"
Shinji nodded. "Yes."
Haku pressed, "Can you give me some time? I want to…"
Shinji didn't refuse but said calmly, "Even if you tell them the truth, what good would it do? It'll only make them despair sooner. Nothing will change!"
He knew what Haku wanted to do but also knew it was utterly pointless.
If Ryūhei Ubuyashiki had approached Shinji in the shinobi world to negotiate and seek refuge for the Demon Slayer world's people, Shinji might have considered it.
Even if he couldn't save everyone, he could at least have saved a small portion.
But Ryūhei hadn't done that. To preserve his privileges as the Demon Slayer world's "Lampbearer," he had chosen to invade the shinobi world. Abandoning his world would have stripped him of his "Lampbearer" status.
Now, even if Shinji felt compassion, there was no way to save anyone here.
The Hegemon's power had permeated every corner of this world. Every person Shinji took away would serve as a coordinate for the Hegemon, making it easier for it to locate the shinobi world after consuming this one.
To buy more time for the shinobi world—and for himself—Shinji had to erase as many traces of their presence here as possible.
Seeing Haku struggle to speak, Shinji sighed and said, "Go back first. I'll check on the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Yes!"
Trusting Shinji, Haku said no more and stepped through the spatial rift back to the shinobi world.
Whoosh.
As soon as Haku left, a new spatial rift suddenly appeared on a nearby boulder. A figure in a black robe stepped out.
Upon spotting Shinji in the valley, the figure froze,Lambbearer, clearly wary.
"Hm?"
Shinji, having just sent his team back, was equally startled.
But he quickly realized what was happening. The Demon Slayer world was on the verge of being devoured by the Hegemon, weakening its spatial barriers. Nearby "Lampbearers" must have sensed the rifts and come to investigate, just as Shinji had once witnessed a world's destruction.
Coincidentally, Shinji had just opened a rift to the shinobi world, making this area's spatial barriers particularly fragile, which explained why the figure's rift appeared nearby.
Realizing the figure was likely a "Lampbearer," Shinji considered how to approach and communicate.
But at that moment, the figure glanced at the sky, shook their head, and, with evident caution, retreated back into the rift and vanished.
"They just left?"
Shinji was astonished.
But then he understood.
Unlike the world he had witnessed being destroyed, which still had its "Lampbearer" and served as a temporary trading hub for other "Lampbearers," the Demon Slayer world was different. Its "Lampbearer" was dead, and the Hegemon's influence was stronger here, making it far more dangerous. The visiting "Lampbearer" had sensed this and fled without giving Shinji a chance to make contact.
"Heh."
With a wry chuckle, Shinji vanished from the spot.
According to Ryūhei's notebook, "Lampbearers" like the one who just fled were considered "newbies."
Veterans never crossed through weak spatial barriers, as they were prone to variables. Bad luck could mean encountering malicious "Lampbearers" or being tainted by the Hegemon's power.
Per the notebook, if Ryūhei were in this situation, he would choose a harder-to-access area, infiltrate to investigate, and then cautiously engage with other "Lampbearers" who discovered the place.
If he encountered someone obviously weak or a clueless new "Lampbearer," he would strike, treating them as prey.
Racing along, Shinji arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps' temporary headquarters in Mount Fujikasane.
With apocalyptic omens growing, the place was in chaos. From low-ranking swordsmen to the leading Hashira, everyone's faces were filled with confusion and panic.
Observing from a distance, Shinji thought, I hope the shinobi world never reaches this point…
With a flash, he appeared at the headquarters.
His arrival quickly drew attention, and soon, several Hashira stationed there rushed out to meet him at the torii gate at the mountain's base.
"It's you!?"
Nezuko exclaimed.
Though she didn't know Shinji, she recognized his distinctive hooded red-cloud cloak, knowing his group had cleared four demon domains.
Genya Shinazugawa demanded, "Who are you? Is Haku with you?"
Shinji said calmly, "Want to know about the missing Hashira?"
The Demon Slayer Corps members froze, their breathing growing heavy.
Genya pressed urgently, "You know where they are?"
Shinji nodded. "They didn't betray the Corps. They were trying to save this world in their own way. Unfortunately…"
Kanahu asked, "Unfortunately what?"
"Their methods were wrong," Shinji paused, then continued, "Don't hate them or search for them. Cherish the little time you have left."
With that, Shinji vanished with a whoosh.
After he left, the Demon Slayer Corps members exchanged stunned glances.
After a long silence, Genya's hoarse voice broke the quiet. "So… my brother and the others failed?"