The last remaining Swamp Demon saw Aoyama emerge unharmed and panic flooded its eyes.
He came back up… without a scratch.
And the other two were gone.
Which meant—
Aoyama stepped toward it, one slow step at a time.
"You dared to hurt Nezuko."
A flash of steel.
One of the demon's arms was sent flying.
"Senior Brother…" Tanjiro sensed something was off.
But Aoyama ignored him.
He stopped in front of the demon and slammed his foot down on its shoulder, pinning it against the wall.
"So. How do you want to die? Quick and clean? Slow and painful? Or shall we chat about Kibutsuji Muzan? Maybe you'd prefer to die on your own?"
All demons were bound by Muzan's curse.
If they spoke of him, the blood within them would kill them instantly.
Aoyama knew that very well.
The swamp demon's fear deepened instantly.
"I can't say it—I can't say it—I can't say it—!"
Aoyama lost interest.
One clean slash.
The demon's head fell.
Its body disintegrated into ash.
"Ding! Host has slain all Swamp Demons. Reward: Body Enhancement +5, Fist Strength +10k, Intermediate Combat Suit."
He turned immediately to Nezuko.
With surprising gentleness, he used his sleeve to wipe the blood from her forehead.
"Next time, don't rush forward when there's danger. Stay by my side. Tanjiro's unreliable. Got it?"
"Mm?"
Nezuko blinked and looked at her brother.
Tanjiro felt wronged.
"I'm her brother! Of course I'll protect her!"
Aoyama sheathed his blade.
"That's exactly why she should take it seriously. I'm stating facts~"
As they spoke, Nezuko quietly crouched down and fell asleep against the wall.
The battle had drained her energy.
Sleep was the only way she recovered.
After the fight, Tanjiro picked up a piece of cloth torn from one of the demons.
Inside were the belongings of the missing girls.
Including Riko's pink ribbon.
He handed it to Kazui.
"Take it."
Kazui clutched it and broke down in tears.
Riko was gone.
Forever.
The rescued girl suddenly ran up and hugged Aoyama around the waist.
"Thank you!"
At that moment, a crowd rushed into the alley.
At the front—
The girl's parents.
The woman from earlier pointed accusingly.
"It's them! They tried to stay at our house earlier! After we refused, they kidnapped my daughter!"
Aoyama's mouth twitched.
What kind of ridiculous development was this?
He glanced down at the girl still hugging him.
"Miss, maybe explain things to your mother?"
Blushing, the girl let go and hurried to whisper everything into her mother's ear.
Meanwhile, Tanjiro had already tucked mini-Nezuko back into the box and stepped up beside Aoyama.
"Senior Brother, it's fine. We didn't do anything wrong."
Aoyama shot him a sideways look.
He genuinely wanted to pry open Tanjiro's skull and check if there was anything inside at that moment.
Of course it was a misunderstanding.
What else could it be?
They were demon slayers, not criminals.
Soon, the woman hurried back with a beaming smile.
"Aoyama-kun, could you please come to our home? We've prepared food to thank you properly."
Now they were welcoming them in?
If she had agreed earlier, he wouldn't have had to vault over the wall.
Go now?
Just because she asked?
Aoyama raised an eyebrow.
"No need. We're in a hurry."
He turned to leave coolly.
The woman glanced at her daughter's teary eyes and quickly chased after him, grabbing his arm.
"Aoyama-kun, please forgive me for earlier! It was my fault. Please honor us with your presence so we may properly express our gratitude."
At that exact moment—
Tanjiro's stomach growled loudly.
"Senior Brother… maybe we can go? Eating won't delay us."
It wasn't just hunger.
He simply couldn't bear to refuse someone so earnestly apologizing.
In the end, they went.
The household prepared a lavish meal, and they ate until fully satisfied.
Just then—
The Kasugai Crow landed cautiously on the veranda outside.
This time, it kept its distance.
It had learned its lesson.
"Aoyama-kun~ Next destination: Tokyo Prefecture, Asakusa. Can you depart now?"
Aoyama smiled.
Smart bird.
He stood and picked up his blade.
"Let's go."
But the woman quickly grabbed him again.
"Aoyama-kun! Since you saved my daughter—and she has fallen for you at first sight—would you consider staying? Our family is wealthy. You would live in comfort for life!"
"My daughter is gentle and virtuous—"
Aoyama gently but firmly removed her hand.
A faint, confident smile curved his lips.
"My ambitions go far beyond that."
"Tanjiro! Move it—we're leaving."
He strode out decisively.
Tanjiro hurried after him, box on his back, sword at his waist.
And just like that—
They departed for Asakusa.
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