I smiled faintly. "Ah… so you are as cute as I imagined."
Hearing that, Nezuko made a soft noise, almost like a whimper, before ducking back inside. But her curiosity got the better of her; she peeked out again, this time hiding behind Tanjiro's shoulder as though he were her shield. Her tiny hands gripped the edge of his haori, and the sight was so oddly wholesome that even Albedo's usual stoic expression softened slightly.
Tanjiro scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Aren't you surprised?" he asked. "I'm traveling with a demon… while being a Demon Slayer."
I shrugged with a small smirk. "Surprised? Not really. She didn't attack me, and she's cute. I have no reason to worry about her being a demon."
That answer made Tanjiro blink in surprise. His eyes widened further when I added, "She's your sister, isn't she?"
He nodded silently, his expression softening as he looked back at Nezuko.
"I see," I continued, crossing my arms. "You're looking for a cure to turn her back into a human, right?"
Again, Tanjiro nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. His voice was firm but hopeful. "Yes. I'll find a way. No matter how long it takes."
Just as I was about to offer a few words of encouragement, my vision flickered—and the familiar blue text of my system appeared before me.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
If the host cures Nezuko Kamado, there will be a penalty as well as an immediate removal from this universe.
Reason: Nezuko plays an integral role in developing the universal cure for demon transformation. If the host interferes, this world's fate will collapse.
I stared at the message in silence for a moment, suppressing a sigh. So even helping too much could destroy this world, huh? Figures.
Closing the notification window, I looked back at Tanjiro and smiled. "If you continue like that, you'll definitely cure her one day. Don't give up."
Tanjiro's eyes softened. "Thank you, Alastor-san."
I handed him his broken Nichirin blade, its jagged edge glinting faintly under the moonlight. "Sorry about the sword. I might've been a little rough with it."
He shook his head quickly. "It's okay! You killed a Lower Moon. That's more than enough reason for a sword to break."
Behind me, Albedo and Yuri exchanged confused glances. Their gazes silently asked the same question—why was I being so casual with a human? I could almost feel their unspoken disapproval, but I ignored it.
Just then, a rush of wind brushed past us. A blur of movement landed opposite me—Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira. His expression was cold and unreadable, his blade already half-drawn. His sharp gaze fell instantly on Albedo.
Her black wings shimmered faintly in the moonlight, and that was all it took for Giyu's instincts to flare. Without hesitation, he unsheathed his Nichirin sword completely and lunged forward.
"Wait—" I began, but it was too late.
The next instant, his blade was stopped—by Albedo's bare hand. The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed sharply through the forest, but instead of blood, there was only a faint shimmer of golden light as she tightened her grip on the blade.
Her eyes glowed with fury. "You dare raise your sword against my lord?"
Before anyone could react, she swung her arm and flung Giyu like a ragdoll into a nearby tree. The impact split the trunk with a loud crack, sending leaves scattering everywhere.
Yuri sighed softly beside me. "He's lucky Lady Albedo held back."
Albedo summoned her black battle axe, the weapon humming with dark energy as she took a step forward, her expression cold and merciless. "I shall erase this insolence—"
"Enough," I ordered firmly. My voice carried a weight that made even the night air still.
She froze, the axe inches from activation. "But my lord," she protested, "he attacked—"
"That's enough," I said again, this time more softly but with absolute authority. Albedo hesitated for a second before lowering her weapon, bowing her head reluctantly.
I walked toward Giyu, who was struggling to push himself off the ground. Extending a hand, I offered him a smile. "Apologies for that. It was just self-defense. Please don't take it to heart."
Giyu looked at my hand, then at Albedo, his eyes narrowing slightly before he accepted the gesture. "She's not… a demon?"
As demon hands would, they would be cut off if they tried to catch a Nichirin blade.
I shook my head. "No. She may look the part, but she's not one of Muzan's creations."
Giyu's expression softened ever so slightly, though the caution in his stance remained. Then his eyes flickered toward Tanjiro and Nezuko, who were now approaching us.
Recognition dawned in his gaze. He stiffened, the memories of that snowy mountain night flashing behind his eyes—the day he spared a demon girl and gave a broken boy a chance.
His voice dropped to a quiet murmur. "You two..."
Tanjiro smiled faintly. "It's been a long time. Giyu-san."
~~~
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