Heard Tomoaki was someone who ached endlessly for Corps members' losses.
He treated swordsmen as his own children. Every time hearing tragic news—equivalent to carving a wound in his heart.
Ultimately, he couldn't bear this torment. Still chose to end his own life.
I didn't know if Ema and Kagaya blamed him in their hearts... But since I came to the Ubuyashiki residence, only saw them silently take over responsibilities belonging to Tomoaki.
Now Kagaya also grieved for swordsmen's casualties. I worried a bit he'd be like his father—unable to bear such pain.
Frequent succession changes weren't good for the Demon Slayer Corps.
But Kagaya was obviously much stronger than his father.
I led him to observe from afar. Watched how Inoue tracked and traced. All the way finding demon traces. Also how, after a dangerous struggle, he finally beheaded the demon.
Geniuses like Yoriichi were ultimately few. Most swordsmen in this Demon Slayer Corps were ordinary people like him. Breathing Styles not used so well—probability of injury greater. Could only clumsily fight. Accumulate experience in battle.
If luck was good enough, they'd rapidly grow. Gradually learn how to refine their mastered Breathing Styles. Even further become one of the Nine Pillars.
Inoue cut down the demon. Simply treated wounds the demon clawed on his body. Only then limped away.
Kagaya watched the direction he left. Watched for a long time... When the moon reached zenith, only then returned with me.
I felt after that night, he suddenly grew up quite a bit. Conduct became even more seasoned. Made the Nine Pillars at the next Pillar meeting very surprised.
Kagaya smiled without speaking. After the Nine Pillars reported recent situations, used experience accumulated from chatting with passersby to chat casually with the Nine Pillars.
He mentioned mother Ema safely gave birth to his younger brother. Incidentally asked if the Flame Pillar's wife was healthy. Heard he was blessed with a son. Asked how big the child had grown.
In these words—if ignoring his age, really seemed like a loving father.
I shrank my head, hiding in the room. Watched Rengoku Shinjuro beam with joy. Spoke endlessly about his son Kyojuro...
He said last time returning home, his son could already crawl all over. Flopped around everywhere, especially energetic. Just his wife alone couldn't watch him. Still had to ask someone to help care for him. When that child grew a bit bigger, might even have a chance to bring him for the Master to see.
I stretched my neck. Sized up his golden hair and fiery red eyes. Felt he really needn't go to such trouble. Without looking, I already knew what his son looked like.
A thousand years. A thousand years!
Your family's genes are so terrifying!
After the meeting ended, I quietly whispered to Kagaya. He couldn't help laughing.
"The Rengoku bloodline is indeed remarkable. Each generation's Flame Pillar is almost always a Rengoku child. In the future, Kyojuro will also become a swordsman as formidable as his father."
This wasn't wrong. When Shinjuro retired, Kyojuro should also have grown up. If no surprises, definitely would also enter the Demon Slayer Corps.
Kagaya's growth speed was fast. Also made the Nine Pillars completely at ease... Though Urokodaki retired, very soon another swordsman was promoted. Became the new Water Pillar.
Several years passed. The Demon Slayer Corps also didn't encounter particularly thorny troubles. Could be considered safely passing through the succession period.
Just that external threats were absent. Internal troubles constant.
Once again hearing Kagaya's younger brother Asahiya cursed at him and Ema—I really couldn't hold back. My fists clenched.
Ubuyashiki Clan children were always precocious. Even Kagaya's younger brother was no exception.
But Asahiya, growing to five years old—after understanding the curse the Ubuyashiki faced, fell into terror.
The first thing he did was cut the girl's dress he'd worn since childhood into shredded cloth. Never willing to touch it again.
Not only that, he also increasingly antagonized Kagaya. Because of the Ubuyashiki curse's influence—each generation, only one male could live to adulthood.
With Kagaya already succeeding as Demon Slayer Corps Master—Asahiya felt he couldn't live to grow up. Also a very reasonable thought.
More than once, I heard him collapse in hysterical screaming and crying at home. Used the most vicious vocabulary possible to curse Ema. Questioned why she gave birth to him. Also constantly insulted Kagaya. Said he was only born as Kagaya's replacement. Cursed him to die early.
Whether Ema or Kagaya—neither refuted him. Obviously also felt his resentment wasn't wrong.
Don't know if it was because of their silent endurance—Asahiya became more extreme.
Because only I didn't spare his feelings—would forcibly periodically drag him for physical examinations—I quickly discovered he was self-harming.
Don't know when he hid the small knife. When people weren't paying attention, carved wound after wound on his arms. Looked shocking.
After Ema heard, hurriedly rushed over to help treat his injuries. But was cursed out by Asahiya. Probably long-term pent-up feelings—the next day, couldn't hold on and fell ill.
I ordered servants to watch Asahiya well. Also checked his room once through. From various corners, searched out some porcelain shards, small glass pieces—even a fire starter.
Didn't dare scold him. Feared tomorrow he'd die to show me.
I held my breath. After confirming I hadn't missed other dangerous items, left his room to see Kagaya.
He already heard what his brother did. Silently sat in the room's corner, hugging his knees. Pale as an illusory shadow.
"Kagaya? Kagaya?"
I repeatedly called him several times. Reached out to gently push. Only then did he suddenly come to his senses.
"Yes. Is Asahiya alright now?"
How to say this? I could only tell him everything searched out from the room. Also said servants were now watching Asahiya. Short term, he probably wouldn't self-harm again.
Kagaya nodded. Expression still dazed. After a while, suddenly asked me, "Lord Chihaya, in each generation of Ubuyashiki—can truly only one boy survive?"
I seriously recalled. "Should be. Each time I've seen, also only one adult male."
Kagaya didn't speak again for a time. Long after, as if making a resolution, said, "I understand."
Not long after, I knew what decision he made. He specially brought his mother and younger brothers together. Went to the mountains where the Shrine Priest lived in seclusion. I also accompanied him.
The Shrine Priest's family still served the mountain's Amaterasu deity. Perhaps blessed by divine spirits—never could demons break in here. Disturb their peaceful life.
Kagaya's purpose in coming here—I quickly knew.
He asked the Shrine Priest—if letting his younger brothers be removed from the Ubuyashiki Clan, follow their mother back to the Shrine Priest's family, change surnames—could they survive?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (40+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!