Yoriichi slowly closed his eyes.
On the streets around them, crowds were still scattering, panic spreading continuously through the city.
Mitsuba remained standing in place, gazing at him with that smiling expression, waiting for him.
Yoriichi understood that she was waiting for him to speak.
Because she also understood that beneath this unexpected reunion of siblings after decades, he must have much he wanted to say to her, and many questions he wanted to ask her.
And she was willing to wait, until both had said all they wished to say, before making that final conclusion.
Yes, Yoriichi could feel that his younger sister was already prepared.
From the moment she saw him, she was already prepared.
Yoriichi could sense this determination bursting forth from deep within Mitsuba's heart—her fighting spirit was surging.
She was longing, longing to defy the gods, longing for a true resolution with him, this elder brother praised as the Child of God.
She desperately longed to personally sever this fate decreed by the gods.
Therefore, she would not flee.
Then, where should he begin?
Let it begin with himself.
These years, besides constantly searching for traces of Muzan, I have also traveled to many places.
Villages in the countryside, bustling towns, deep within mountain forests, and the edges of the sea...
Opening his eyes again and looking at Mitsuba before him, Yoriichi finally spoke.
His voice was somewhat aged, yet still steady and powerful.
Mitsuba, do you know? In this pursuit lasting decades, I unexpectedly came to know many, many people.
I mean not Demon Hunters like myself, but ordinary people even more common and more plain than them.
Among these, especially that small mountain village over twenty years ago left a deep impression on me.
It was a mountain village isolated from the world, deep in the mountains. In the village were old grandfathers who loved to sit at the village entrance chatting, warm-hearted aunties busy with housework all day, young people farming in the fields, little girls learning to weave from their mothers, and children always thinking of stealing my money pouch.
It was a peaceful and beautiful place. During the days I stayed with that family, as my contact with them gradually deepened, I awoke one morning and suddenly realized how vast this world truly is.
A trace of happiness appeared in his eyes, and Yoriichi's tone involuntarily softened considerably.
So, besides Demon Hunters and demons, there were actually so many living beings and stories in this world.
They had no magnificent tales, no thrilling lives, yet every person was full of vitality.
Those days were, besides my life with Uta, the happiest period in my past life.
I even seriously thought more than once in my heart—perhaps I should put down everything from the past, settle down in that small mountain village, and spend the rest of my days there.
Only, the story did not end this way.
His face full of wrinkles gradually darkened, and in Yoriichi's already somewhat cloudy eyes, deep sorrow flowed forth once again.
On that evening, while I was gathering firewood for the villagers in the mountains, a demon suddenly appeared under cover of darkness and carried out a massacre of the people in that small mountain village.
When I returned, there were no living people left in the village.
But Mitsuba, do you know? Near this small mountain village, there were originally no demons.
This suddenly appearing demon had not originally known of this village's existence. It had chased the trail of a fleeing human and accidentally discovered the place.
His tone paused here. Yoriichi closed his eyes again, sighing deeply, his voice full of exhaustion.
As if seeking some kind of answer, he asked Mitsuba, who was listening quietly before him:
Mitsuba, I don't understand. Why do I always encounter such things?
Can you tell me, why can I never protect the people around me?
Because you are the genuine Child of God, Elder Brother Yoriichi.
Facing Yoriichi's question, Mitsuba smiled and gave her answer.
Your mission was long ago decreed. Your entire life must be spent ceaselessly working to slay Lord Muzan.
Therefore, any obstacles that would hinder you from achieving this mission will ultimately, through chance coincidence, be completely eliminated.
So, it is not that you cannot protect them, but your desire to stop that harmed them.
The gods will not allow Their blade to grow dull. This is your destiny, Elder Brother Yoriichi.
Yes, Mitsuba, you are right. I am the Child of God.
Yoriichi nodded lightly.
Regarding his younger sister's words, he showed no doubt whatsoever, accepting them with extreme ease.
As if this was also an answer he had long ago acknowledged.
These years, I have become increasingly certain of this—my different birth, my different talent, and that different, extraordinary power.
No matter how I deny it, no matter how I wish to make people believe in my plainness, these are all undeniable facts that exist upon my body.
There is no second person like me in this world.
I truly am the Child of God.
Slaying Muzan is my mission for being born into this world. Any existence that hinders me from achieving this mission—whether Uta, the villagers of that small mountain village, or whoever else—they will all die from misfortune.
Because the Child of God cannot have burdens. He must remain sharp until the day he completely slays Muzan.
Therefore, Mitsuba, I will certainly kill you and Muzan, and I must kill you and Muzan. This is my destined destiny.
His withered right hand slowly rested upon the Nichirin Blade at his waist.
His momentum rose steadily. Yoriichi opened his eyes once again, gazing at Mitsuba before him. Those cloudy eyes suddenly became incomparably bright, like a crouching tiger ready to spring.
Only before this, Mitsuba, I have two more questions I wish to ask you.
Maintaining this posture about to draw his blade, Yoriichi asked in a deep voice:
Can you tell me, why did you choose to become a demon back then? I wish to hear the answer from your own mouth.
Yes, why indeed.
Her attitude remained as casual and carefree as ever. Mitsuba put her hands behind her back and looked up at the night sky.
Those hazy memories from her childhood decades ago continuously surfaced in her mind. Maintaining the smile on her face, she slowly said:
Elder Brother Yoriichi, from childhood to adulthood, you all wanted me to do this, to do that—wanted me to become an obedient daughter, wanted me to become a sensible younger sister, wanted me to become a responsible family head.
But Elder Brother Yoriichi, at that time, did any of you ever ask once what I thought?
Asked me whether I was willing to just stay in that small town, rotting and stinking?
No, never.
Whether it was you, Elder Brother Michikatsu, or mother and father, none of you did.