"Who?" Jean heard a name that was completely unexpected.
"Kibutsuji Muzan. It's said he bought his way into office and relied on all sorts of dirty methods to become a Minister. Thinking about it now, he likely used the methods of a 'Demon' as well. Perhaps for families like yours where Breathing Techniques are passed down, this name is even more ancient."
Seeing Jean nod, Najenda continued:
"Next, Kibutsuji Muzan used his own blood in front of everyone to turn Great General Budo into his subordinate—a Demon.
Not only that, even the entire Imperial Guard was transformed into Demons.
Although the Demon Imperial Guard immediately locked down the Imperial Capital, such blatant actions naturally couldn't be hidden. The news spread across the entire Empire as if it had grown wings.
The high-ranking officials of the Revolutionary Army believed this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thus, they joined forces with the original Imperial Army and marched toward the Imperial Capital, preparing to take the chance to seize power."
"Thinking back now, that was indeed a rare and great opportunity," Najenda said with some regret. "Unfortunately, we didn't know that these Demons could only come out at night, nor did we know just how powerful they were."
"It was one night at a mountain pass near the Imperial Capital. The demonized Great General Budo led several elites to raid the entire camp. The battlefield was turned into a river of blood, filled with wails of despair.
In the end, nearly a hundred thousand troops were almost completely wiped out. Budo was at the front, and demonized elite soldiers were at the rear. Only a few Teigu Users managed to escape by relying on their Teigu.
At the same time, the demonized Imperial Guard struck out from various routes, crushing all the allied forces surrounding the Imperial Capital.
Just like that, the Demon race achieved an overwhelming victory.
On the other side, Esdeath's army, which was returning to provide support, faced Kibutsuji Muzan directly. Her army of hundreds of thousands was completely annihilated, and even Esdeath herself was forcibly transformed into a Demon."
Speaking to this point, Najenda appeared somewhat lonely. Her former friend, the woman considered her strongest rival, had failed just like that.
She took a deep drag of her cigarette and continued:
"In the days that followed, after the failure of the resistance, the entire Empire fell under the rule of Demons. However, Demons have one major weakness: they cannot face the sunlight.
Naturally, it's unrealistic for Demons, who cannot appear during the day, to rule the Empire.
But while Demons can't, aren't there still humans? The atmosphere of the Imperial Capital was already foul beyond measure. Naturally, many people served Kibutsuji Muzan for the sake of survival, wealth, or even to become Demons themselves.
Perhaps the most evil are not these man-eating demons, but those beasts wearing human skin.
To ensure the Demons in the Empire had enough people to eat, these beasts came up with a method—'Shepherding the People on behalf of Heaven'.
It means exactly what it says: raising the people in the villages like livestock, ensuring the population base and output so the Demons have a continuous supply of food.
Finally, two years later, today, the Empire has become like this. High-ranking Demons bestow their blood upon ordinary people to make them their subordinates. Many people even consider becoming a Demon to be an honor.
Civilians' villages rarely pay taxes anymore; what they collect now are living people!
Villages even have newborn quotas. Even the elderly, who are old and weak and whose labor capacity has begun to decline, are killed directly to save food.
In the end, only a few combatants, including myself, formed the Revolutionary Army, using the few Teigu that can affect Demons to contend with them.
Fortunately, we eventually found the production method for the specialized weapon against Demons: the nichirin blade, as well as the power necessary to drive the nichirin blade, Total Concentration Breathing.
So, we secretly established bases, seeking or training successors of Breathing Techniques while forging nichirin blades, and founded the demon-slaying organization 'Demon Slayer'.
Through this, we continuously save people who still have the heart to resist from the hands of the Demons, accumulating strength in the hope that one day we can liberate the country from the Demons' grasp."
---
The story wasn't long, but it was exceptionally depressing to hear. I just didn't expect that Scum Boss to actually develop some competence. If the Scum Boss in the original Demon Slayer had this kind of ambition, the story wouldn't have needed to unfold at all.
Then Najenda stubbed out her nearly burnt-out cigarette, stood up, and reached out her hand to Jean, asking, "This is the current situation. Although there is hope, it's still very pessimistic. May I ask if you are willing to join us?"
Jean also stood up and shook Najenda's hand. "Of course, I'm willing."
Next, Najenda gave a few instructions and told Jean to go to the swordsmith shop first to have a custom nichirin blade forged, then rest for a few days. Once the nichirin blade was finished, she would arrange for combat against the Demons.
And so, led by Sayo once again, she walked toward a building with a huge waterwheel built by the river.
This was the true core of the entire Swordsmith Village, the nichirin blade production Workshop.
Inside the Workshop, it was a scene of fiery activity. Several brawny men were bare-chested, swinging hammers and striking red-hot iron blocks against the high-temperature furnace fire.
At that moment, a young boy carrying a wooden box and dressed like an apprentice came over and greeted them.
"Sayo, you're here, ah..." However, when he saw Jean, he suddenly froze, then his face turned red, and he spoke with a bit of a stutter. "H-Hello, I am Tatsumi, I'm, I'm an apprentice here."
'He really is green,' Jean thought, looking at this former protagonist.
To be fair, although her past self wasn't this severe, she would also be a bit shy when seeing pretty girls. It's just that she's grown now; after all, it's hard to find a beautiful girl more stunning than herself.
Now overflowing with confidence, Jean greeted Tatsumi with composure: "Hello, I'm Jean. I just arrived at this village."
Tatsumi just stood there dazed, hand over his heart, motionless. But Sayo, unable to watch any longer, grabbed Tatsumi by the ear and dragged him aside.
It seemed these two childhood friends had a different kind of relationship. Thinking of this, Jean suddenly recalled something from a few days ago:
That day after training, Shiraori had specifically pulled her aside and asked, "Do you often read novels, manga, anime, movies, or play games?"
Although she wondered why Shiraori would ask that, she answered honestly, "Those are some of my few hobbies. Maybe fewer movies, but I know ACGN very well."
Shiraori nodded and continued: "I've said before that you might encounter characters from many works. But there's one thing you must remember: even if it's the same person, if their circumstances are slightly different, their personality or behavior will vary greatly. Never rely entirely on the works in your memory to judge; it could very well get you killed."
And now, Shiraori's point was being proven. Here, Sayo hadn't died, Tatsumi was a blacksmith apprentice, and even the Scum Boss was playing at usurping the throne.
While Jean was contemplating life, Sayo finished disciplining Tatsumi and returned to Jean's side.
But before she could speak, Jean asked curiously, "Sayo, what's your relationship with that Tatsumi?"
Hearing Jean's question, Sayo said with a red face, "Ah, Miss Jean, really... Tatsumi and I are just ordinary childhood friends. Anyway, let me take you to see the Master Craftsman."
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