The next morning, at the Ubuyashiki Estate...
This was the location the Kasugai Crow had mentioned—the sacred grounds of the Demon Slayer Corps.
As Lucas approached, a sea of blooming wisteria flowers stretched out before him, enveloping the estate in a delicate purple hue. Before he even set foot inside, the fragrant aroma of wisteria filled the air, sharp yet refreshing, a natural barrier against demons. The sheer size of the cultivation made one thing abundantly clear: Yaozai Ubuyashiki, leader of the Corps, was heavily protected.
Lucas took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he walked through the estate's outer garden.
On his back, the wooden box carrying Nezuko stirred.
He paused and gently patted the box, whispering, "It's okay, Nezuko. You're safe."
The scent of wisteria was likely making her uneasy, but Lucas's steady hand and calm presence seemed to settle her. He glanced sideways toward Tanjirou, who was tied up and walking with sluggish steps beside him.
Last night, after the Kasugai Crow delivered the orders, the Natagumo Mountain incident had officially come to an end.
Zenitsu and Inosuke were both severely injured and had been rushed to the Locality for treatment. Tanjirou, along with Lucas and Nezuko, was also brought here under watch.
However, when it came to Nezuko's escort, Lucas had strongly objected to the standard procedure. The Demon Slayer Corps intended to transport her separately under armed guard, but Lucas refused.
He knew that if the standard squad took her, Nezuko wouldn't be able to survive a direct blow from the Wind Pillar, who was notorious for killing demons without question.
Some Corps members protested, but all objections dissolved the moment Lucas drew his nichirin blade.
With a single motion, he unleashed a storm of thunder that electrified the air around him. The five-meter radius surrounding him crackled with lightning. The intimidating power he displayed was no bluff—it was raw, volatile force.
When Pillars like Kochou Shinobu and Tomioka Giyu caught wind of this, neither attempted to stop him. They merely observed Lucas from a distance, their eyes filled with intrigue rather than judgment.
After all, Lucas had single-handedly slain a Twelve Kizuki.
That alone was proof enough. In the Demon Slayer Corps, strength was the only currency that mattered.
Besides, if Lucas had truly intended to rebel, he could have easily disappeared. His choice to come willingly spoke volumes about his character—and his intentions.
As they ascended the steps into the heart of the estate, Lucas could feel the weight of several gazes on him. The pressure wasn't exactly hostile, but it wasn't friendly either.
The Demon Slayer Pillars—elite swordsmen at the top of the Corps—were already watching.
Their eyes shifted from Lucas to the box on his back, then back to Lucas himself.
He met their stares calmly, his steps steady and composed.
Thanks to the Ghost King's Aura—a mysterious blessing that bolstered his energy—Lucas's spiritual presence was equal to, if not stronger than, most of the Pillars. Even without that aura, Lucas wouldn't have flinched. He was not the type to crumble under pressure.
As he passed by other Corps members, he eventually came to a stop beside the gathered Pillars.
They studied him closely. Some were surprised by his composed attitude, others intrigued.
"Is this the one who took down Lower Moon Five? Not bad... though not as handsome as me," murmured one flamboyant Pillar with a grin.
"Oh my, what a graceful child," chirped another with amusement.
"When will that cloud drift over…" muttered one absent-mindedly, gazing at the sky.
"To defeat a Twelve Kizuki solo... impressive indeed. But why does he carry a demon?" questioned another, the suspicion in his voice evident.
Just then, the Corps member responsible for escorting Tanjirou nudged him awake.
Tanjirou blinked a few times as his surroundings came into focus. His heart skipped a beat when he realized where he was.
"Where's Nezuko? Where is she?" he blurted out, panic rising.
"Shh! Don't speak so loudly," the escort whispered, hurriedly covering his mouth. "The ones standing before you... they're the Pillars."
"Pillars?"
"They're the strongest swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps."
Tanjirou's breath caught in his throat. At any other time, he might've taken a moment to process that—but not now. His eyes scanned frantically for his sister.
Where was Nezuko?
Had she been harmed?
Had Lucas protected her?
Before the panic could consume him, he heard a familiar voice.
"Tanjirou. Over here."
Lucas called out, turning slightly so that the box on his back came into view.
"Mr. Lucas!"
Relief surged through Tanjirou as he saw both Lucas and the wooden box intact.
She was safe. Lucas had protected her.
But just as the burden lifted from his heart, a new fear crept in. He turned toward the six Pillars standing before him. Their presence was overwhelming. Even from several meters away, their spiritual pressure made it feel like the air had thickened.
Any one of them could kill him effortlessly. Could Lucas really protect Nezuko against all of them?
Was bringing Nezuko here truly the right choice?
What if they decided she was a threat?
Could Lucas stand against them all?
Could he… survive?
A voice broke the silence.
"Your trial begins now. But before that—"
"There's no need for a trial," a loud, passionate voice interrupted. "Harboring a demon is a clear violation of Corps law. Both the demon and the person protecting her should be executed!"
Flames danced in Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes as he delivered his verdict with unflinching resolve.
Lucas turned to look at him. Since arriving, Rengoku hadn't blinked once.
Does he even sleep with his eyes open?
As if sensing Lucas's stare, Rengoku turned and met his gaze.
Lucas smiled softly.
In truth, Rengoku was one of the characters he admired most. He was honorable, passionate, and unwavering. A man like him deserved to see the sunrise beyond the battles, not fall in the darkness of the Infinity Train.
If Lucas could change that fate—he would.
After that brief, silent exchange, the questioning resumed. Kochou Shinobu began gently asking Tanjirou to explain himself. The boy answered honestly, detailing everything about Nezuko and their journey.
Meanwhile, Lucas subtly scanned the courtyard.
The Snake Pillar was perched on a tree branch nearby. The other seven Pillars were all accounted for—except one.
The Wind Pillar.
Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Lucas knew he was the most dangerous one in the group, especially regarding Nezuko.
Where was he?
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
Lucas instinctively stepped aside as a blade sliced through the space where he had just been.
A figure appeared behind him, standing in the place Lucas had occupied mere seconds ago.
Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Wind howled around him as he drew his sword back.
"Hmm? That speed... You're a Thunder Breathing swordsman?" Sanemi asked, tilting his head.
"But it doesn't matter. If you're harboring a demon, then prepare to die."
He licked his lips, eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
"Wait! Shinazugawa-san, you've got it wrong! He's not the one harboring her—he's just protecting her temporarily. The real responsible party is—"
Kochou Shinobu stepped in quickly, trying to diffuse the situation.
She knew better than anyone how terrifying Sanemi was. Among the nine Pillars, he was among the most powerful. If Sanemi truly went all out, even Lucas wouldn't survive.
Even that last strike… it hadn't been serious. Barely ten percent of Sanemi's strength.
But before she could say more—
"No. I am too."
Lucas drew his sword in one smooth motion, the blade gleaming with energy.
His calm voice echoed across the courtyard, and the tension instantly escalated.
"You're… what?" murmured one Pillar.
"You're saying… you're also harboring a demon?"
Silence fell.
Even Sanemi was briefly stunned.
Kochou Shinobu looked at Lucas in shock, utterly speechless.
He didn't have to do this. He could have stayed out of it. With his rapid growth and raw power, he could've easily become a Pillar in just a few more months.
But now, with a few simple words—he had thrown that future away.
What was he thinking?
Why would someone with such a bright path ahead choose this?
The answer was clear to Lucas.
He didn't just want to be strong.
He wanted to protect those who needed him.
Even if it meant drawing his sword… against the entire world.
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