Demon Slayer: I am a Demon.

Su Mu hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up, even though he knew that his words of persuasion might not have any effect.

"Isn't Miho Aragaki in danger?"

Kanae Butterfly raised her head, revealing a bright smile.

“She is only a ‘Class A’ swordsman, while you are a ‘Pillar’. If something happens to her, it will be a huge blow to the Demon Slayer Corps.”

Actually, it wasn't because of any 'pillars' or any attack from the Demon Slayer Corps; it was simply because I didn't want anything to happen to Kanae Kocho.

“If you run away because of danger, you don’t deserve to be a ‘pillar’.”

Kanae Butterfly whispered:

"As a senior, it is only right that I should take on some responsibility."

Su Mu had heard such words before; they must have been something similar to what Future Rengoku Kyojuro said when he died at Akaza's hands while protecting Tanjiro and the others on the Mugen Train.

It was a somber, tragic grandeur.

Today, the same words came from Kanae Butterfly's mouth.

But it didn't have any somber feel; instead, it made her seem even gentler.

This is probably the difference between Kanae Kocho and Kyojuro Rengoku.

But they are the same

As a senior, it is only natural to take on responsibilities.

Hearing Kanae Butterfly say these things, Su Mu actually felt a little ashamed. Ever since he overcame his lack of sunlight and became a perfect demon, he had actually been running away and had lost some of his responsibilities.

After all, in his view, there was no need for him to face Muzan Kibutsuji. As an immortal demon, there was no need to risk being devoured by him. He could simply sit back and watch the Demon Slayer Corps pay the price of countless deaths to fight Muzan Kibutsuji.

But as his connection with the Demon Slayer Corps grew closer, he gradually seemed to begin to actively confront it.

Because he could no longer continue to view things this way.

Su Mu only realized the changes in his own heart belatedly.

Or rather, after consuming the spider lily that day, completely overcoming the demon's desire for flesh and blood, and being able to bask in the sunlight, his heart had already tended to believe that he was the most perfect life.

even……

To compare oneself to gods and Buddhas.

Deep down, she was no longer so insistent on being a human while enduring the flaws of being a demon. She began to feel that she, as a perfect being, was incomparable to those humans who only had a lifespan of a hundred years.

Ultimately, this is a rejection of one's former human identity.

In fact, after consuming the spider lily, he only had Kanao as his anchor.

This is probably the anchor of humanity that she has maintained ever since consuming the spider lily.

Or rather, it's a final insistence on one's former human identity.

Afterwards, through his interactions with the Kamado family and some Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, and witnessing their deaths, his initial indifference gradually gave way to a different feeling.

It seems that I'm gradually starting to care...

Although these people seem to be people I have little to do with, and people who may die soon.

Just like now, when Kanae Kocho is about to infiltrate the Eternal Paradise Cult with Miho Aragaki, thinking about the original future where Kanae Kocho would die at the hands of that demon Doma, he is not very willing for Kanae Kocho to go.

If he were truly a god, a so-called deity, he could easily change Kanao's mind with a single thought. But he is not a god.

He is a perfect life form, an immortal demon.

But in the end, he is still just a person.

A ghost whose heart is human.

He seems to be slowly rediscovering the persistence that belongs to humanity.

"Sir, you don't need to worry about these things. Actually, it's not a big deal. Kanae has faced much more dangerous situations before, and nothing happened to her. You should have more faith in Kanae."

At this point, Kanae Kocho slightly raised her head, her gentleness seemingly fading somewhat, replaced by a radiant confidence:

“I… am a powerful ‘Pillar’.”

At this moment, Kanae Kocho seems to exude a unique charm.

Please be careful; safety is the top priority.

Su Mu gave earnest instructions.

"I will."

Kanae Kocho smiled and handed over the clothes she had sewn: "These are clothes I've sewn for Shinobu. Please help me deliver them when they arrive."

"I think it would be better if Ms. Kanae personally delivered it to my sister."

Su Mu shook his head and did not accept it.

Kanae Butterfly didn't insist. She simply put away the sewn clothes and brewed a cup of tea for Su Mu herself.

The young woman possessed many tea skills, and her tea-brewing technique displayed a beautiful demeanor.

While drinking tea, they chatted casually. Kanae Kocho did not seem nervous about facing Doma, the Upper Moon Two; on the contrary, she seemed quite relaxed.

The conversation naturally revolved around his younger sister, Shinobu Kocho. It was through Kanae that he learned that Su Mu had been discovered calling his sister a Hobbit.

This made Kanae Butterfly realize why her sister harbored such resentment towards Su Mu in their letters and conversations during that period.

After all, height has always been a major weakness for the younger sister, and it's almost always the thing she cares about the most.

However, if my sister were to live with Mr. Su Mu in the future, the children she had would probably grow very tall, just as my sister hoped.

This can be considered a way to make up for the younger sister's short stature.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of anticipation, and my heart was pounding.

…………

Drinking tea and chatting at the same time is naturally very pleasant.

Time flies by without us even realizing it.

As the sun was about to set, casting its glow in the evening light, Miho Aragaki appeared at the door without anyone noticing.

"Time is up."

Kanae Butterfly stood up, gave Su Mu a slight bow, and then followed Miho Aragaki to the Eternal Bliss Sect.

There was no sorrowful farewell, nor was it like carrying out any dangerous task; it was just like doing an ordinary thing on a regular day.

But that's a dangerous thing.

They could even lose their lives.

But Kanae Kocho still went ahead and did it.

Do they really not care about life?

How could that be?

But I still made this choice.

Not only would Kanae Chodosa make this choice, but the other 'pillars' would also make this choice.

At the very least, Sanemi Shinazugawa would do that, Kyojuro Rengoku would do that, and Gyomei Himejima would make the same choice.

The reason they didn't go with Miho Aragaki was simply because they were both men, and they weren't a good fit for the Eternal Bliss Cult, which primarily recruited female followers.

Everyone does that.

But he is the only one who won't do that.

Perhaps this is the difference between Su Mu and these Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen.

Su Mu also realized this.

At the very least, he wouldn't have the awareness to sacrifice for others.

Because he never considered himself a hero, had no obligation to protect or save humanity, and lacked any sense of nobility.

Su Mu didn't think there was anything wrong with his thoughts. He hadn't received any favors from this world, so he naturally didn't feel obligated to save it.

What do the lives and deaths of everyone else have to do with him?

He only needs to care about himself, protect himself, or... care about the people he still cares about.

And the people he cares about right now are only a few.

He was never a true swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps.

He was never a hero, never was.

He's just a ghost.

A ghost who insists on being human.

Chapter 257 Falling in Love

太阳落下

As darkness descended, the earth was plunged into complete darkness, with only the crescent moon gradually peeking out from the dark clouds, bringing a faint, soft light to the land.

The night, which should have been quiet, was unusually lively tonight.

At this moment, many people from the Eternal Bliss Sect arrived, and almost all of them had eyes filled with longing and fervor as they waited for the mysterious sect leader.

In the eyes of believers, the leader was almost like a god.

Kanae Kocho and Miho Aragaki, as new members of the faith, mingled among the group and awaited the arrival of their leader. Both of them had their hands clasped together, displaying a fervent anticipation of the impending arrival of the deity.

The waiting time was exceptionally long and agonizing.

At this moment, Kanae Butterfly's behavior was no different from that of the other believers; she was filled with anticipation for the upcoming patriarch, just like the other believers.

"Ta Tata..."

Amidst the anticipation of a crowd of fervent believers, a man dressed in a red shirt, a black cloak, and a hat symbolizing the pope walked out into the hazy night.

The believers immediately began to shout fervently, their eyes burning with zeal.

The man wore a gentle smile and calmly looked at the group of believers.