When the Shogun returned to the courtyard, she noticed that everyone inside the barrier was gone. It seemed they had already left.
She raised a hand and brushed the air lightly.
Crack!
The barrier shattered and faded away.
This time, she didn't bother taking off her shoes, stepping directly onto the tatami. The room around her had been left in ruins by the two demons. The floor was covered in grime and dust; the once warm and peaceful living room now looked like a battlefield. The broken lamps left the space cloaked in gloomy darkness.
"Where is everyone?"
She murmured softly to herself.
[They probably went inside... maybe check the basement?]
Ei's calm voice suggested.
"..."
Following the advice, the Shogun walked toward the narrow stairway leading down to the basement. From below, she could faintly hear voices.
"Miss Raiden, is that you?!"
Tamayo's voice echoed from below, carrying faint reverb through the corridor.
"It's me."
She raised her voice slightly in reply.
"Ah... I'm so relieved to hear your voice. Please, come down—we're in the basement."
Tamayo exhaled in relief, inviting her to join them below.
"..."
The Shogun looked down at the steep staircase. It was narrow, barely wide enough for one person, and rather confining. She lowered her stance slightly, one hand resting against the wall for balance, and made her way down carefully. Soon, she reached the warmly lit corridor below.
The basement hallway was surprisingly spacious, with rooms lining both sides—likely used as patient wards. Now, however, they stood empty. Tamayo and the others waited at the far end of the corridor. Seeing the Shogun arrive, Tamayo smiled gently and waved.
"Over here, Miss Raiden."
She nodded and approached.
"Miss Raiden, are you alright?!"
Tanjiro asked with concern.
"I'm fine... those creatures were not enough to pose a threat to me."
She answered simply, arms folded as usual.
"Ahaha... yeah, that figures—you're really strong, after all."
Tanjiro laughed awkwardly but nodded in admiration.
"Miss Raiden, your outfit...?"
Tamayo tilted her head curiously. The woman before her no longer wore the gentle kimono she had seen earlier. Now, she was clad in her Raiden Shogun attire—elegant yet intimidating. The transformation was striking.
Even Tamayo, a fellow woman, found her presence breathtaking. The subtle violet eye shadow, the low-tied braid, the mix of grace and command—it was beauty and strength perfectly intertwined.
"My outfit? Oh... this is my combat attire. The other one is just casual wear."
The Shogun glanced down at herself and replied indifferently.
"Yeah! And Miss Raiden can change instantly—it's so amazing!"
Tanjiro said excitedly.
"Ah... I saw that earlier too. Is that some kind of Breathing Technique? No, wait... it looked more like a Blood Demon Art."
Yushiro frowned, puzzled.
"Neither. It's simply an innate ability of this body."
The Shogun shook her head calmly.
"So if Miss Raiden has returned, that means those two demons are already—"
"Correct. Both have... departed."
She phrased it delicately.
"..." ×4
Everyone fell silent, glancing at her.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
The Shogun blinked, slightly confused.
"N-No, nothing at all! It's just—Miss Raiden, you're incredible! So cool!"
Tanjiro's eyes sparkled with admiration, practically glowing with fanboy enthusiasm.
"You flatter me. 'Cool' is not a word that suits me. There are always those greater than oneself. Besides, if I hadn't intervened, you all would have been in grave danger—wouldn't you agree?"
She spoke humbly, her tone calm and matter-of-fact. To her, helping them was simply the natural thing to do. After all, saving a life was a virtue beyond measure—and the enemies had been demons of pure malice.
"R-Right! Of course!"
Tanjiro's admiration only deepened. Her modest composure made her all the more awe-inspiring. Truly, she was a warrior of both grace and honor!
"Hmph... I still find your words irritating, but... t-thank you for saving Lady Tamayo, anyway...!"
Yushiro's face turned red as he awkwardly averted his gaze, stammering his thanks in a tone both proud and embarrassed.
"If you're not good at giving thanks, don't force yourself. It'll only make things awkward."
The Shogun glanced at Yushiro and teased him with a casual tone.
"You—!! W-Who said I was thanking you?! I-I was only speaking on Lady Tamayo's behalf! A-And don't think just because you're prettier than her I'll think better of you! Tch... stupid woman—ah! Lady Tamayo, I didn't mean that! You're way prettier than her anyway///!"
His face turned bright red as he shouted, his words stumbling over themselves in flustered chaos. It was so transparent and ridiculous that even the Shogun found it mildly amusing.
"Please don't misunderstand, Miss Raiden. Yushiro is merely trying to thank you."
Tamayo clarified calmly, unbothered by the boy's antics.
"Lady Tamayo///!!"
Steam practically shot out of Yushiro's head. He wanted to vanish into the floor. How mortifying! He thought she'd at least spare him this once!
"Ahaha..."
Tanjiro gave an awkward smile.
"Fufu~"
Thud~
"?!"
The next instant, Nezuko ran up and suddenly hugged the Shogun tightly, catching her completely off guard. She instinctively took half a step back.
The Shogun froze, looking down at the girl clinging to her. Her violet eyes were wide and full of puzzled softness as she tilted her head slightly, trying to see Nezuko's face—but the height difference made it difficult. The girl had to stand on tiptoe, arms wrapped tightly around her.
"Nezuko... huh..."
Tanjiro blinked, then smiled warmly. So Nezuko had already grown fond of Miss Raiden, he thought. After all, she had truly protected them. It made sense—hardship forged genuine bonds.
Noticing Nezuko's struggle to hold on, the Shogun gently bent her knees, lowering herself so the girl could stand comfortably instead of stretching. The gesture didn't go unnoticed—everyone in the room exchanged surprised looks.
How... gentle.
Even Yushiro turned red at the sight, grumbling internally but secretly impressed.
Nezuko, realizing the woman had adjusted for her, gave a happy little hum and began softly patting the Shogun's hair—as though comforting a younger child.
"?"
The Shogun blinked again, confused by the sensation on her head. Still, she didn't resist. If it was a child's gesture, there was no harm in humoring it.
"What... is she doing?"
She asked Tanjiro, still crouched slightly, her tone innocent.
"Please don't worry, Miss Raiden. She probably sees you as family now. She did the same thing to Lady Tamayo earlier."
Tanjiro smiled gently.
"Family? But... didn't you say Nezuko was conditioned to protect humans? I'm... not human."
Tamayo asked curiously.
"I'm not human either."
The Shogun added casually.
[...Ahem. You're not human.]
Ei's quiet correction came through the mental link, her tone exasperated.
"I'm not human," the Shogun repeated obediently, in a small, earnest voice.
"Eh? Miss Raiden, you're not human?! Are you... a demon?!"
Tanjiro asked in shock, eyes wide.
"?" ×2
Tamayo and Yushiro also turned toward her, equally curious. As a doctor, Tamayo's scientific interest was instantly piqued.
"I am... a puppet."
The Shogun stated plainly.
"A... puppet? What do you mean?"
Yushiro asked uncertainly.
"Like... a marionette?" Tanjiro added.
"No... think of it as a kind of machine. A robot."
She sighed softly, offering the simplest possible explanation.
"Robot?!" ×N
All of them cried out at once.
Yes—she was indeed something akin to an intelligent construct. A machine infused with a soul.
"Is that... really true?!" Yushiro asked, incredulous.
"Haa..."
The Shogun exhaled lightly. Then, she raised her slender arm and gently lifted her kimono sleeve, revealing the smooth, pale skin of her forearm.
"..." ×N
Everyone—including Nezuko—leaned closer, eyes fixed on her arm.
Under their watchful gaze, she slowly turned her wrist back and forth. The next moment—
Buzz~
"!" ×N
Gasps filled the room.
Before their eyes, the skin of her arm began to glow with a faint violet light. When it faded, what remained was no longer flesh—but a beautifully crafted mechanical structure.
Her joints—elbow, wrist, and fingers—had transformed into elegant, spherical mechanisms of polished metal. The surface was flawlessly smooth, gleaming like a mirror, unmarred by even the slightest imperfection.
Under her control, the puppet arm and hand connected to her body flexed and stretched fluidly, occasionally emitting a delicate crackle—like a living mechanical organism.
Tamayo picked up a steel medical instrument and tapped lightly against the exposed surface of the Shogun's arm.
Clink~!
A clear, metallic sound resonated through the room.
"Very hard... but it doesn't seem to be ordinary metal," Tamayo murmured, frowning thoughtfully.
"Wow... today really opened my eyes," Tanjiro exclaimed, amazed. He never would've imagined Miss Raiden was something like this.
"I'm curious," Yushiro grinned slyly, "what would your face look like without its skin on?"
"Unfortunate for you," the Shogun replied with a faint smile, her eyes calmly closing for a brief moment, "my face is precisely as you see it—unchanging. It won't turn grotesque like a certain someone's."
"!!"
Yushiro's face twitched. He could tell she was mocking him—mocking how, as a demon, his regenerating flesh would look repulsive after getting his head blown apart.
"Yushiro, how many times must I tell you not to be rude?" Tamayo sighed tiredly, reprimanding the boy beside her.
"Ugh... sorry..." he muttered, finally backing down.
The Shogun retracted her mechanical arm, the surface skin reforming seamlessly until it appeared human once again.
"No wonder," Tanjiro said suddenly, realization dawning. "I always sensed a strange scent from Miss Raiden—something unlike humans or demons."
A scent?
"I... have a smell?" The Shogun blinked, raising her arm and sniffing curiously. Hopefully it wasn't unpleasant.
"Ah—n-no! That's not what I meant! It's not a bad smell or anything!" Tanjiro waved his hands frantically. "It's just... I have a very sharp sense of smell. I can detect the essence of someone. Yours is... unique."
"I see..." The Shogun lowered her arm, relieved. For a moment she'd worried she smelled of oil—but that was impossible. She wasn't powered by something so crude. Her body was immaculate, clean, and pure.
"Anyway... we'll be leaving this place soon," Tamayo said suddenly, turning toward the Shogun and Tanjiro.
"Eh? Why?" Tanjiro blinked in confusion. The Shogun wasn't surprised, though—it was only natural. Their location had already been exposed.
"I've drawn too close to Muzan Kibutsuji... and now that he's found this place, staying here would be far too dangerous."
Tamayo's gaze softened as she looked around the warm corridor, her eyes filled with quiet melancholy. This home had been theirs for years—leaving it wasn't easy.
"Lady Tamayo..." Tanjiro said softly, his expression complicated.
"Even if we find another place to hide," Tamayo continued, "I'm a doctor. I can't avoid human contact. The more I treat others, the greater the risk that someone realizes I'm a demon—especially children and the elderly. They're... very perceptive."
"That does sound difficult," Tanjiro admitted. "I understand."
He truly did. Every family carried its own burdens. Lady Tamayo had suffered enough—and this whole ordeal had started because of him.
"One last thing," Tamayo said gently, turning to face him. "Would you consider leaving Miss Nezuko in our care? We can look after her for you."
"!"
Yushiro's eyes widened instantly, his face twisting in shock and indignation—like a child being told he'd lost his favorite toy.
"I can't promise absolute safety," Tamayo continued, "but compared to life on the battlefield, it would be far safer here."
"..."
Tanjiro hesitated, then turned to look at Nezuko. She quietly shook her head.
"I truly appreciate your offer, Lady Tamayo... but I swore I'd always stay by Nezuko's side. So... forgive me." He bowed deeply.
"I understand," Tamayo said softly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Watching the siblings' intertwined hands, she felt a quiet peace settle within her. "Then I wish you both good fortune."
"Farewell. Once we've finished clearing away the remains here, we'll leave too. You three should go ahead," Yushiro muttered, turning away with a pout, his tone awkward and begrudging.
"Tch... just go already."
"Alright! Then... Miss Tamayo, Mr. Yushiro—please take care of yourselves!"
Tanjiro bowed deeply, pulling Nezuko along beside him.
"Mm!!"
Nezuko bowed as well, then suddenly took off running down the corridor, leaving her brother behind.
"Wait—Nezuko! Ah... Miss Raiden, we'll wait for you outside!"
Tanjiro called back before chasing after his sister. The two soon disappeared down the hall—after all, they were traveling together now, and looking out for one another was only natural.
"Much appreciated," the Shogun said politely. Once they were gone, she turned back to Tamayo.
"Miss Raiden... truly, thank you for today. If not for you, we wouldn't have survived."
Tamayo lowered her head in genuine gratitude.
"It's nothing. When injustice appears before one's eyes, it's only right to draw one's blade. Besides, you've done much to aid me as well."
The Shogun shook her head, her tone calm and modest.
"Miss Raiden, your sense of honor is admirable. You truly have the heart of a warrior. I respect that deeply."
Tamayo smiled gently and bowed once more.
"You flatter me," the Shogun replied softly.
"We don't have much to repay you with," Tamayo said quietly, almost embarrassed, "only a few medicines... I'm ashamed that it isn't more." Her face flushed faintly as she spoke.
"There's no need for repayment. Our meeting was by chance, and I didn't help you for the sake of reward. But... if you truly wish to thank me, then please—accept my refusal as a favor instead."
The Shogun placed her hand over Tamayo's, gently pushing back the small bundle of medicines.
"...!"
Tamayo's eyes widened in surprise before softening with gratitude. Was it really possible for a being like this—a mechanical construct—to show such grace, such empathy? In some ways, she thought, this woman's heart was purer than most humans she had met. A creation this refined could only have been raised with great care and moral grounding.
And indeed, she was right. Ei had never once neglected her daughter's education. For the Shogun, grace and discipline were second nature—instilled deeply by the one who created her.
[...]
From within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei watched her daughter's calm composure with a faint, proud smile.
After bidding farewell to Tamayo and Yushiro, the Shogun once again set off toward her next destination. Along the road, she soon spotted the Kamado siblings waiting ahead.
"Miss Raiden!"
"Fufu~!"
Both waved cheerfully when they saw her.
Seeing this, the Shogun sighed quietly but continued walking toward them.
[Not happy to have company?] Ei teased gently.
'As long as they don't cause trouble...' the Shogun replied flatly.
[Heh... that seems unlikely.] Ei's tone was amused.
'That's precisely why I sighed,' the Shogun muttered inwardly.