Horitake was fuming, thoroughly riled up by the System.
This blasted System, always yammering about fate—and by fate, it meant plot. Apparently, this so-called balance of fate was just about keeping the power levels even between heroes and villains.
Because only with that balance would the final battle end with both demons and Hashira wiped out.
"Damn it! This is ridiculous!" Horitake vented through his mental link to the System. "I didn't cross worlds just to chase girls! I came to rewrite those tragedies, one by one! And you're still pushing this Hashira Slayer nonsense? Believe me, I'll quit right now!"
The System, ever patient, responded calmly:
"No need to worry, Host. Your existence lies outside fate's grasp, so your actions are beyond its control. They only trigger butterfly effects.
Positive effects go unnoticed, with no tasks assigned. Negative ones, however, prompt missions.
Take this mission: your rise to Sky Hashira disrupted the plot, affecting fate and causing a negative butterfly effect—Mitsuri Kanroji's slim chances of becoming a Hashira.
Precisely because you're outside fate, only you can help her. Your actions can boost her odds of becoming a Hashira."
The System droned on, and though Horitake understood, he was too exasperated to care.
"Fine, fine! I'll take the mission. There's no time limit, right?"
"No explicit deadline, but if you delay until the final battle and Mitsuri Kanroji still isn't a Hashira, the mission will be deemed a failure."
"Don't worry, that won't happen. She's my woman—of course I'll help her.
Oh, and what's this 'Stand-in Doll' reward?"
"It's hard to explain now, but the System assures you it's something valuable."
"Alright, I'll trust you on that. You haven't let me down with rewards so far."
Mission accepted, Horitake began plotting how to complete it.
To make Mitsuri a Hashira, two conditions had to be met.
First, her strength needed to be up to par.
That was straightforward. If Mitsuri's skills weren't sufficient, she wouldn't have become a Hashira in the original story. At worst, Horitake could train her further.
Second, she needed enough merit—slaying a significant number of demons or a sufficiently powerful one.
That was manageable, too.
Horitake planned to take Mitsuri on missions, racking up kills.
Slaughter a few dozen demons or hunt down a Lower Moon of the Twelve Kizuki, and she'd be set.
With a plan in mind, Horitake glanced around and spotted his Kasugai Crow perched on a nearby rooftop, seemingly on standby.
He waved it over, and the crow fluttered to his shoulder. Feeding it a berry, he asked, "Any missions for me lately?"
The crow squawked loudly:
"Caw! No tasks currently require the Sky Hashira's personal attention. But if you wish to take on a mission, the Demon Slayer Corps will provide all available demon intelligence!"
"Hmm, got it."
After a moment's thought, Horitake instructed the crow:
"Deliver a message to Mitsuri. Ask her to meet me at Corps headquarters. I'm taking her on a mission to train and build her merits."
"That's all, Lord Horitake? Caw!"
"That's all. Go."
The crow cawed a few more times, flapped its wings, and soared off in a direction.
No sooner had it left than Gotō arrived, jogging up to Horitake and bowing respectfully.
"Lord Horitake!"
"Oh, Gotō. What's up? Another order from the lord?"
"Here's the thing, Lord Horitake. Every Hashira is entitled to choose a residence at Corps headquarters—a perk of the job.
As Sky Hashira, you're no exception.
There are plenty of spacious, vacant houses at headquarters. Let me show you a few. If you like one, it's yours, free of charge, from now on!"
Horitake's eyes lit up.
In his past life, he'd been ready to chain himself to a mortgage. Now, in this life, he was getting a house for free—not just to live in, but to own!
The Demon Slayer Corps' benefits were top-notch. Thumbs up!
Suddenly, Horitake saw Gotō in a new light—not just the lord's lackey, but… a real estate agent fawning over a big client.
For some reason, this thought puffed up Horitake's ego immensely.
Then a realization hit him. He turned to Gotō.
"Gotō, that big house next to the Butterfly Mansion—is it vacant?"
Gotō blinked, caught off guard, but nodded.
"It is, Lord Horitake. Are you thinking…"
Horitake clapped Gotō's shoulder, flashing a knowing grin.
"First to the water gets the moon, right? You get the idea, Gotō."
Gotō rubbed his hands together, mirroring Horitake's grin.
"I get it! I totally get it, Lord Horitake! This way, please!"
With that, Gotō led Horitake toward the Butterfly Mansion.
As they walked, Gotō overheard Horitake muttering:
"If I wasn't worried about looking like a freeloading pretty boy, I'd just move into the Butterfly Mansion. But being Shinobu's neighbor isn't bad either."
Gotō couldn't help but interject:
"Lord Horitake, maybe hold off on deciding until you see the house. What if it's not to your liking?"
"As long as it's not a total disaster, I'm not picky. A mansion at Corps headquarters can't be that bad, right?"
"Of course, of course… Here we are, Lord Horitake!"
Gotō guided Horitake to the house beside the Butterfly Mansion. With a quick turn of the key, he opened the gate and ushered Horitake inside.
Horitake stepped into a modest yet elegant Japanese courtyard, complete with flowers, trees, rocks, and a serene pond. The tranquil setting instantly won him over.
First impression: stellar.
He turned to the main building—a classic two-story Japanese structure, exuding a calm, dignified air that somehow suited Horitake's vibe. (Or so he thought.)
Inside, the decor was tasteful and to his liking, but one thing nagged at him: the house wasn't move-in ready.
No bedding in the bedroom, no pots or pans in the kitchen, no toiletries in the bathroom… the little details were missing.
Noticing Horitake's hesitation, Gotō hurried to explain:
"Lord Horitake, that's the only downside. It'll take a few days to furnish everything. What do you think?"
"No big deal. I can wait a few days.
This place is perfect—I love it. Mostly because of the neighbors.
Gotō, please have the Hidden Corps handle the furnishings, and pass my thanks to the lord."
"Absolutely, Lord Horitake! I'm glad you like it.
Uh, one small question—where will you stay in the meantime?"
"Obviously, I'll crash at the Butterfly Mansion…" Horitake paused, a sudden thought striking him. "Wait a second! That jerk Sanemi Shinazugawa is recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, isn't he? He better not have taken my room!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.