LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 25: Chapter 25
"Don't beg the gods for everything. The gods will only give you opportunities. When you show your wishes and will, the gods will give you blessings."
...
Everyone walked out of Yuken Mingjin Shrine in a daze, with Lord Fox Immortal's words still echoing in their minds. No matter how calmly the members of the Demon Slayer Squad had faced and killed many demons, they couldn't suppress their inner excitement.
Lord Fox Immortal had said that even in the Age of Gods, people like them could be blessed by the gods and receive the "Eye of God."
Through Lord Fox Immortal's words, they also understood many things besides the "Eye of God." Takamagahara was simply what mortals called the world of the gods. The gods called the place where they lived "Teyvat." The reason why the heroes in myths and legends were so powerful and god-like was because they were qualified to become gods.
"My lord, why didn't you ask the Fox Immortal to lift the curse on you?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who maintained his gentle demeanor.
"Sanemi, my good boy, Lord Yuken Narukami saw the sins caused by the man-eating demons in this land and sent Lord Fox Immortal and the two divine envoys to come to earth. I am already satisfied," Ubuyashiki Kagaya replied gently, looking at his companions with the one eye he could still see from.
"Kibutsuji Muzan will surely be eliminated by the children soon," he continued, his tone filled with relief and blessings.
"You are good children, blessed by the gods. The curse will disappear after Kibutsuji Muzan is defeated, ending the original sin of our family. The pain of my curse is nothing compared to losing my family to demons."
"Only by having good wishes for the world will the gods cast their gaze..." Shinjuro Rengoku murmured. Even if he prayed to the gods to cure his wife, the gods might not heed his plea. However, when he remembered the Fox Immortal at the shrine, hope reignited in his heart.
"If I could ask Lord Fox Immortal... no matter the price, I will not give up."
"The Eye of God—what a beautiful concept. Hahaha, if I could actually receive it, that would be amazing," chuckled Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, patting his chest. "But you can't force it. What's meant to be yours will come to you, and what's not yours won't come no matter how much you ask for it."
"Instead of dwelling on all this, it's better to kill more demons. Every day we rest, there's a chance that another innocent life could be lost to a demon. Demons won't stop eating people just because we take a break."
"Well said. Let's focus on our tasks," Obanai Iguro, the Snake Hashira, nodded in agreement.
"It's enough for Iguro and me to take the master back to the mansion. The rest of you should continue with your missions," Sanemi Shinazugawa said calmly.
"Amitabha, evil man-eating demons... the Eyes of God are watching this land. It is truly sad that the demon born from sorrow will perish in such a magnificent time." Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, shed tears as he rubbed the prayer beads in his hands. He then bowed deeply and departed alone.
"I will take my leave as well," Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, said expressionlessly before turning away.
"Let us accompany the master back to the Demon Slayer Headquarters," Shinjuro Rengoku said.
"And I have my own training to do, not to mention helping the young girl who recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps with her swordsmanship. Rest assured, I'll train her thoroughly," said Kyojuro Rengoku, his voice ringing with enthusiasm like a blazing flame.
"Hey! I will work hard to train, Rengoku-senpai!" Mitsuri Kanroji, the future Love Hashira, responded, flustered.
Ah! Mr. Rengoku is just a year older than me, yet he works so hard. If I hadn't been strong since I was young, I wouldn't be able to endure his intense training.
On her first day in the Demon Slayer Corps, she had been asked to swing her sword five thousand times. After finishing, she was so hungry that she barely had the strength to eat.
"With three Hashira escorting the master, we sisters will go investigate the rumored haunted area. Until next time." Shinobu Kocho waved gently at everyone and then pulled her sister, Kanae Kocho, along with her.
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps who left Big Thunder Mountain resumed their usual missions. But this time, their hearts felt lighter, as if absolute confidence had settled within them. There were gods in the sky watching over them.
"Sister, do you think there's really a Thunder God watching over us?" Shinobu raised her head and asked, a hint of rebellion in her tone.
"Shinobu, you can't be disrespectful to the gods," Kanae said gently, tapping her sister's head.
"Lord Fox Immortal wasn't angry earlier because of his generosity. You haven't learned your lesson, have you?"
"I'm not being disrespectful to the gods," Shinobu pouted. "By the way, sister, do you think you could get the Eye of God?"
"Probably not. I don't have such noble and beautiful wishes. Perhaps someone like Gyomei or Tengen could receive it," Kanae said thoughtfully. She doubted she would ever be deemed worthy by the gods—she wasn't that remarkable.
"If you don't think you deserve it, then I certainly won't either. I don't have a great wish like yours," Shinobu replied indifferently. She knew she could never measure up to her sister.
As they chatted, the sisters made their way down the mountain. Soon, night fell. There was no moon, and the crows' cries added an eerie touch to the surroundings.
"Okay, Shinobu, we're heading to investigate the Eternal Bliss Cult. According to the letter from the crow, women have been disappearing from that place..."
Before Kanae could finish, her expression changed, and she scanned the surroundings cautiously. There was rustling in the nearby woods.
Her Nichirin sword was immediately drawn, and she assumed a combat stance.
"Shinobu, be careful. There are demons here—more than one."
"What?" Shinobu gasped as she unsheathed her Nichirin sword. With her other hand, she grabbed a packet of wisteria poison from her pocket. The sisters stood back-to-back, their violet eyes searching the darkness.
A man's voice, calm and unsettling, echoed from somewhere.
"Oh~ Such vigilant and perceptive girls. I was originally planning to wait until we were farther from the mountain before making my move."
Kanae felt an overwhelming pressure unlike anything she'd faced before. Cold sweat formed on her forehead, and her lavender eyes trembled.
She had never felt this kind of presence before—not even from an Upper Rank demon.
Could it be... an Upper Rank?
"But... when I heard you mention the Eternal Bliss Cult, I just couldn't wait. Because I am the demon you've been looking for, hehehe."
"You don't need to search for me. I've come to find you. But first, can you fulfill my small request?"
"What?" Kanae's grip tightened on her sword.
"I have nothing to say to demons. Get lost now!" Shinobu shouted angrily.
"It's simple. You just came from that shrine on the mountain. Tell me everything you know. As a reward, I'll lead you to an eternal bliss with me~"