Tamayo and Abel, a demon and a devil, sat facing each other. Yushiro lay peacefully to the side.
Looking at the dim room, Abel made a small joke, "Tamayo-san, how about opening the window for some fresh air?"
"That joke isn't funny, Your Excellency."
Tamayo's expression shifted slightly, but she still asked calmly, "What do you wish to know from me, Your Excellency?"
Getting straight to the point, Abel went directly to the matter at hand, "Tamayo-san, do you know where Tsugikuni Yoriichi's grave is?"
Tamayo was clearly taken aback, wondering why this person in front of her would ask such a question.
The grave of the strongest person who died hundreds of years ago.
Moreover, Tamayo didn't believe that the person in front of her was merely looking for the grave of someone who had died so long ago.
Abel continued, "I wonder if you could tell me."
Tamayo mustered her courage and asked, "Could you please tell me why?"
"I'm here to deal with Kibutsuji Muzan."
Abel leaned closer to Tamayo, looking into her eyes as he asked, "Do you believe me?"
Listening to his words, Tamayo was somewhat moved. "If Kibutsuji Muzan is eliminated, I, Tamayo, will definitely help. I believe you."
"Tsugikuni-san's grave is at..."
Tamayo spoke, revealing Yoriichi's burial location.
Yoriichi was buried with Tamayo's help. At that time, Yoriichi's body had been bisected at the waist, and when discovered, part of it had been eaten by animals. So Tamayo buried Yoriichi on the spot, allowing him to rest in peace.
Abel listened to the information provided by Tamayo and nodded slightly.
Now that he knew, he would go and see.
Abel stood up, preparing to leave.
Looking at Tamayo in front of him, he thought for a moment, then spoke, "I wonder if Tamayo-san would be willing to become a devil?"
Hearing Abel's words, Tamayo thought of something unpleasant and her expression turned ugly.
"Since Your Excellency knows what you wanted to know, please leave immediately."
Seeing Tamayo's reaction, Abel remembered something. It seemed Tamayo had been traumatized by Muzan concerning such matters.
However, Abel took out his card and placed it on the table. "My apologies for bringing up unpleasant memories, Tamayo-san. I will be dealing with Kibutsuji Muzan during this time, and I wouldn't mind if you wished to observe. Of course, my invitation will not change."
With that, Abel opened the window slightly. Feeling the sunlight, he transformed into a gentle breeze and vanished from the spot.
Tamayo watched Abel leave in such a manner, her gaze falling upon the card on the table, her expression somewhat complex.
She had a trauma over changing her race. Moreover, she was only living to wait for the opportunity to eliminate Kibutsuji Muzan.
However, she still, as if by a strange impulse, picked up the card.
At this moment, Yushiro slowly woke up, and seeing Tamayo, he quickly flipped over and came before her.
"Tamayo-sama, I've come to protect you!"
—
Outside a dilapidated wooden house in a certain mountain forest.
Abel surveyed his surroundings. "According to the location provided by Tamayo-san, this should be where Tsugikuni Yoriichi is buried."
Abel began his search. To be honest, he hadn't seen many souls so far. It seemed highly probable that after their obsessions were eliminated, they entered reincarnation.
Then Yoriichi should not have entered reincarnation yet. After all, he was a bit of a bro-con, and Muzan hadn't kicked the bucket yet, so how could he willingly go into reincarnation?
Before long, Abel found the location and arrived before the tombstone. The writing on the tombstone had been weathered away, making it illegible, but he was 100% certain that the tomb before him was Tsugikuni Yoriichi's grave.
After all, kneeling beside the tombstone was a ghost with dark red hair, a red haori, a dark red pattern on his forehead, and sun-patterned Hanafuda earrings. He sat there quietly, gazing at the sun.
Perhaps noticing Abel's gaze, Yoriichi's eyes turned towards him.
A non-human fellow.
This was Yoriichi's first impression.
He possessed powerful energy within him, yet he was not a demon. The person in front of him had no trace of a tyrannical aura, and very little scent of blood.
This was his second impression.
After glancing at Abel, Yoriichi continued to look at the sky, at the sun. Perhaps he himself didn't know why he lingered in the human world.
Was it because of Kibutsuji Muzan, or because of his older brother?
"Yoriichi-san, hello." Abel stepped forward and greeted Yoriichi.
Yoriichi turned to look at Abel. "You can see me?"
Abel nodded, then sat down in front of him.
Yoriichi was somewhat surprised. After all, except in special circumstances, no one could see ghosts.
"May I ask why you are looking for me?" Yoriichi asked.
"I'm looking for you to deal with Kibutsuji Muzan, does that count?" Abel said.
Yoriichi paused slightly, then shook his head. "I apologize, but I may not be able to help you. I am merely a ghost."
Abel denied Yoriichi's words, "No. You can help me."
Yoriichi was confused. "How can I help you?"
Abel smiled faintly. "You are the greatest help."
He could allow Yoriichi to return to the human world for one night. He looked forward to how Muzan would react upon seeing Yoriichi again.
Yoriichi didn't understand, but still said, "Since you need my assistance, I will do my utmost to help."
Thus, a verbal agreement was temporarily settled.
Next was Yoriichi's talent. Copying a talent wouldn't be a big problem, he only needed Yoriichi's consent.
Then, the next time he faced the King of Swords Salvatore Doni, his sword would not be at a disadvantage.
"Yoriichi-san, I wonder if you would be willing to shake my hand?"
"You can touch me?"
"If I can see you, of course I can touch you."
Yoriichi thought for a moment and then extended his hand towards Abel. After all, he was just a ghost, with nothing to hold onto.
Abel grasped it without hesitation and Prometheus's stealing ability operated. If even authority could be stolen, then Yoriichi's talent was no problem.
As Abel's palm flickered slightly, Yoriichi felt as if he had lost something important.
A Sacred Gear appeared on Abel's right hand..
Telos Karma!
Talent copied and pasted into his body. Then the stolen talent was returned.