Rei.
If I had been a tyrant who crushed everything,
perhaps I wouldn't have driven you out.
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We of the Ubuyashiki clan hate Kibutsuji Muzan. We pour our killing intent only on that man, the stain of our clan and the source of all evil.
But what the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen hate are all demons.
Without even distinguishing between good and evil, they hate the very existence of demons.
As they say, if you hate the monk, you hate his robe. It was inevitable that the Hashiras cast cold glances at Rei, who wielded demon swordsmanship.
The fact that a demon did not eat humans and taught swordsmanship was suspicious enough, and moreover, if the subject was a white-haired, red-eyed individual who granted immense power to demons, there was no need to say more.
Everyone frowned, thinking it strange that such a delicacy was left alive without being eaten.
──Perhaps he made some secret pact with the demon.
──Perhaps he infiltrated the Demon Slayer Corps as a spy in exchange for being released.
──The reason he survived fighting Upper Ranks was because he was in cahoots with them.
The Hashiras, blinded by their hatred for demons, added suspicion upon suspicion.
The spread of ominous rumors about Rei among the members must have fueled their rampage.
The Hashiras summoned Rei, whose arms and legs were not fully healed, to the meeting and glared at him with eyes as if looking at a demon.
In truth, I should have calmed the Hashiras before that. But my voice no longer reached their hearts, eroded by doubt and distrust, and ultimately, the Hashira meeting was held.
Rei admitted that the demon was his master, but said he didn't know he was a demon. And he swore that he was not a spy for the demon. The only ones who believed his words were Jigoro and Sakonji.
Of course, I believed too. I knew what kind of swordsman Rei was without relying on something like Ubuyashiki's intuition.
I had believed enough in the goodness of the boy who shouted "I'll be back!" at the Final Selection exam on Mt. Fujikasane.
"──Urokodaki Rei is sentenced to expulsion."
So, when I had to deliver that verdict, how acutely I felt my own helplessness.
The Ubuyashiki family is the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, but its essence is merely a symbol. We are just one piece in the organization of the Demon Slayer Corps, not an absolute power.
Fortunately, the members call me 'Lord' and follow me, valuing this existence, but that doesn't mean I can act like a tyrant relying on it.
As the father of the swordsmen, I have a duty to love my children fairly. If I tried to force my opinion, I had to present appropriate grounds to suppress opposition. But at that time, I had no such grounds.
It was fortunate that the trial, which began with the premise of seppuku, could be mitigated to expulsion. But not only me, but Sakonji and Jigoro probably didn't want expulsion either.
The only remaining options were seppuku or expulsion.
Should I let him die here, or let him escape and live? Even if I forcibly kept Rei in the Demon Slayer Corps, there was a possibility he would be harmed by disgruntled members. Then, there was no choice but to let him escape.
I wished for him to be alive in any form.
I wished for his personality and his talent as a demon hunter to remain.
I wished for him to be alive.
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Demons eat humans.
Especially injured demons crave blood and flesh to recover their wounds. If a bloodied human is before such a demon, they cannot help but eat.
So, when the injured Rui carried Rei and ran away, that member widened his eyes.
He planned to feed Rei to Rui here, and then behead Rui. But as Rui ran away, all his plans came to nothing, and he clicked his tongue.
He slashed the rushing couple haphazardly and chased after Rui. From behind, the couple made groaning sounds as if they would die any moment, but with only a few minutes left to live at most, there was no need to finish them off.
Now, dealing with Rei and Rui, who ran away carrying him, was the priority. Since he spoke with the intention of killing from the start, he had to handle it by any means necessary. If this secret leaked, it wouldn't end with just losing his position as a Hashira.
Chasing a young demon running while holding a human was easy for him. But at that moment, with only one step left, an unexpected thing happened.
Rui disappeared. As if sucked into a door crack that suddenly appeared on the ground, falling down.
That mysterious phenomenon was clearly demon art, and judging by Rui's surprised scream, it wasn't Rui's demon art either. It was the intervention of a third party, another demon.
The member, anxious about not being able to deal with Rei, soon changed his thoughts.
Since a demon wouldn't help a demon, the owner of that door must be aiming for the delicacy of white hair and red eyes. Then, there was no need to be anxious. They would be caught and eaten over there, and that would be the end.
Just as he was inwardly chuckling at his own good luck, urgent footsteps approached. Turning around, he saw familiar black attire. It was a Kakushi.
The member tilted his head. He had killed his own Kasugai Crow to kill Rei without anyone knowing, so there should have been no messenger. The Kakushi should have come much later for cleanup.
Perhaps they noticed the commotion and came before receiving a message. Worried that they might have heard the earlier conversation, he hesitated to kill the Kakushi, but judging by the Kakushi's expression, he decided that possibility was unlikely.
Nevertheless, the member asked just in case.
"Did you check the mansion?"
"Yes."
"Survivors?"
"……None. Not a single one."
Hearing that answer, the member sheathed his sword. He was relieved to avoid the trouble of hiding the Kakushi's body, but honestly, he wanted to call the Kakushi after finishing disguising the scene and deal with them.
The member recalled the things he left behind at that mansion. The corpse of the Kasugai Crow. Rei's severed arm. The corpses of the couple with sword marks.
All of them were suspicious for neatly wrapping up as a demon's doing. To cover the unfavorable circumstances and make the story consistent, what kind of lie should he fabricate?
……Ah, right. Let's do it like this.
"I have something to report to the higher-ups, so I'll go. I leave the cleanup to you."
If he blames it on humans, not demons.
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A garden under a clear sky with blinding white gravel.
An urgently convened Hashira meeting was filled with a heavy atmosphere.
"──Upon learning that his brother had become a demon, Urokodaki Rei went berserk. He attempted a double suicide and killed his parents, and when I arrived at the scene, he attacked me, telling me not to interfere. He even killed the crow that was trying to call for support…… but I also fought desperately and, fortunately, succeeded in cutting off one of his arms. Taking that opportunity, I beheaded the demon, but Urokodaki Rei fled. I chased after him, but ultimately couldn't find him."
Listening to the surrounding murmurs, the member was convinced that his lie had perfectly taken hold.
"We should have executed him."
"Ending it with expulsion caused harm to civilians……"
"Why wasn't his sword confiscated?"
"That demon brat finally showed his true nature."
"We must immediately form a subjugation squad!"
Whispers seeping from all directions of the Hashiras.
With the atmosphere flowing as desired, the heart of the member prostrating before the young leader was elated. He was desperately suppressing his expression, afraid that his serious face might break into a smile.
However──
"That's a lie."
A cold voice poured cold water on the member's joy.
"I can only smell falsehood from you."
Suuju, wearing a fierce tengu mask, declared.
"Ha, what a coincidence, Urokodaki."
A sharp tone echoed from another direction.
"I was thinking it stinks too!"
Myouju snorted displeasedly and shouted.
"……As the two of you said."
A quiet, incredibly calm voice followed.
"Don't degrade Rei with such petty lies."
The voice of the newly appointed Flame Hashira was trembling slightly, suppressing anger.
It was already widely known that Suuju had a highly developed sense of smell. At Urokodaki's statement, the other Hashiras stirred all at once.
The member also knew that fact well. Since he was giving a false report at the Hashira meeting, he had anticipated the possibility of being exposed. Therefore, he had already prepared a counterattack for this.
"Excuse me, Lord."
"……What is it?"
When the member, who had been bowing deeply, opened his mouth, the young leader sitting on the veranda slightly tilted his head.
"As a mere member, I know it's presumptuous, but I request punishment for Suuju and Myouju."
"……Punishment? Why do you think so?"
"The two Hashiras opposed the execution of Urokodaki Rei, and not content with that, they broke the opinions of other Hashiras to settle for expulsion. This incident is also the responsibility of the two Hashiras who neglected Urokodaki Rei. Moreover, since they say I lied to Lord…… it's not even childish tantrums. I think they, including the Flame Hashira, are not qualified to be Hashiras."
The member wanted to drag Suuju and Myouju from their Hashira positions here. Because he thought that then he might sit in that empty seat.
Suuju, who was responsible for accepting Rei into the Demon Slayer Corps despite his association with demons, was already not viewed favorably by other Hashiras. The same went for Myouju and the Flame Hashira, who were close to Rei.
Adding to that, if he pursued the responsibility for this incident, he could easily dismiss the two from their Hashira positions. The member inwardly raised the corners of his mouth.
"After all, smell is something only the person themselves know, subjective. Without proper evidence, to be suspected……"
"That's the same for your report!"
Myouju retorted. If it weren't before the leader, he would have thrown a punch immediately.
As Myouju said, the member's report, having lost his Kasugai Crow, couldn't be called objective either. Because stories can be fabricated as long as they are consistent.
Therefore, this was simply a battle of trust.
The key was who would get more votes between Urokodaki, who defended Rei associated with demons, and the member who argued the opposite.
The Flame Hashira and Myouju would side with Suuju. But which way the other six Hashiras, blinded by hatred for demons, would lean was all too clear.
There were no easier people to manipulate than by using their hatred for demons. After all, Rei, who had sufficient achievements as a swordsman, was expelled just for being associated with demons.
The only concern was the vote of 'Lord', but the words of a child who had just become leader couldn't change the situation. A child under ten years old couldn't lead the meeting against the flow and change the result.
"……Lift your face."
Urged by a thin voice that hadn't even gone through voice change, the member slowly raised his head. And upon seeing the boy's expression, he unknowingly widened his eyes.
"If you're going to apologize for lying, now is the last chance."
The smile spread on the young face was far from the innocent childlikeness appropriate for his age. An adult's smile, distant from that of a child.
The child's eyes should be shining more, but in that clear, transparent spring-like gaze, an abyss of unfathomable depth was reflected.
"I swear, I would never lie to Lord……"
"……I see."
The boy's smile deepened like a flower swaying in the wind.
"Hanachiyo."
With a flutter─ a crow landed beside the boy.
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At the testimony of the Kasugai Crow Hanachiyo, the meeting hall became silent as if holding its breath.
Raising aberrant demons on Mt. Fujikasane,
deliberately responding late to members' rescue requests,
sometimes putting comrades in danger,
and finally laying hands on humans.
No one could keep their mouth shut at acts more evil than evil spirits.
"……I had entrusted Hanachiyo with watching over Rei."
The young leader still with a smile, gently stroked Hanachiyo's beak.
That smile made him shudder. A smile that should be benevolent seemed eerily chilling to the member, enough to give goosebumps.
"Th, that's a lie."
Cold sweat wouldn't stop. The member barely squeezed out a voice from his parched throat.
"Don't be fooled, Lord! That's his crow! Out of affection, surely it's lying to protect him……"
"You, who killed a crow, are discussing a crow's affection?"
"It was him who killed it! Not me!"
"Come to think of it, your crow has changed about twice, right?"
"Isn't it rare for crows to die!!"
"That's right. It's not rare. I exploited that weakness. ……I should have noticed sooner. I did a sorry thing to the crows."
"……!"
The member trembled with a pale face. Killing crows to silence them was before the leader changed. But he never imagined that even the number of times the crow changed would be known.
"Lord, please believe me! That crow is lying to protect him, for his sake!! It's the crow of the traitor of the Demon Slayer Corps, Urokodaki Rei!! Resembling its master, shameless and ugly like a demon……"
"My master is Lord Ubuyashikiiiiii!!!"
What tore the ears of the member, who continued to make excuses, was the scream of the crow spreading its wings wide.
"Saying Rei is my master is stupid talk!!"
Vibrating the eardrums of everyone present, Hanachiyo continued to shout.
"If he were my master, I would have helped him! I would have helped Rei escape even by pecking your eyes out! I am a crow of the Demon Slayer Corps. Because I am a crow of the Demon Slayer Corps, I…… so I……."
Speaking up to there, Hanachiyo choked and cawed. As if returning to an ordinary crow, unable to continue speaking, just cawing loudly.
"Thank you, Hanachiyo. It must have been hard, but you performed your duty splendidly."
When she was gently embraced in the child's arms, Hanachiyo cried out even louder.
Hanachiyo, who couldn't even help the swordsman she had been with for long years, and since Rei disappeared into the ground with the demon, she could no longer chase after him.
The young leader knew better than anyone how painful a heart she carried as she flew to the Ubuyashiki family.
"You believe that crow?! It's only natural that I, a human, am right over the words of such a beast!!"
Sharp gazes from the Hashiras pierced the member from all sides. Realizing that no ally remained for him in this meeting, the member still didn't give up and struggled.
Forgetting to prostrate, throwing away respect, he shouted with saliva flying─
At that moment, an elegant flapping sound, out of place for the location, was heard.
"Then, shall I prepare a human witness for you?"
With a low, calm voice, what fluttered down onto the veranda was a male crow with glossy feathers, a pure white pouch tied to its leg.
"I have returned, Lord Ubuyashiki."
"Welcome back, Takenoshin."
"I brought new medicine."
The crow called Takenoshin bowed its wings respectfully.
Its voice was so smooth that it could be believed to be human. A voice that could never be produced without considerable training. It was clear to anyone's eyes that this calm crow was a special existence different from other crows.
Could this be the direct subordinate crow of the Ubuyashiki family, only heard of in rumors?
"……So, Takenoshin, about that witness?"
"Yes. But first, there's something to report."
The crow's legs tapped the tatami and spun around, then turned towards the member. Staring at the member's face as if piercing through with black eyes, it lightly opened its mouth as if talking about worldly affairs.
"That couple, they survived."
At that statement thrust from the front, the member lost his words as if ambushed from behind.
"As soon as they regain consciousness, the Kakushi will hear the circumstances directly. At that time, they will testify the same content as that crow lady over there."
Before the member, frozen dumbfounded, could understand, the crow continued calmly.
The more he pondered the crow's words, cold sweat poured like rain on the member's face. Even while sitting, he felt as if his body was staggering, the ground beneath him swaying.
His plans crumbled to pieces, his schemes collapsing from the foundation.
"……Li, lie…… the Kakushi said there were no survivors……"
"You are the one lying. It was a lie to deceive you. Since it's clear from the sword marks that the culprit is a member."
"They were on the verge of death……!"
"I was surprised too. Who would have thought they could really be saved in that state. My, my."
The crow's voice was laughing.
Cheerfully, joyfully, and proudly.
"Lord Ubuyashiki's neighbor is quite the skilled doctor."
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"Hey, bro. Something's noisy, isn't it?"
"Ah~…… I smell blood too. Alright, let's go."
"Wait a moment, both of you. The mindset to immediately rush when you see an injured person is admirable, but jumping right into commotion like this is a bit…… Since this is also the Demon Slayer Corps' mission area, please be more cautious……."
"Shut up. You're the most nagging crow in history!"
"Our family motto is 'treasure life'. Shut up and follow me."
"Understood. Then I'll check first and come back, after that…… ah, wait! You're acting too fast! Calm down! First, assess the situation, wait, ah~! I can see the hardships of the predecessors clearly!"
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