Demon Slayer: Starting with the Kingdom

Mitsuha Tsugikuni, this usurper, this evil spirit who stole the authority of the gods, is undoubtedly the most terrifying enemy of all demon hunters in this world!

Tamayo racked her brains but couldn't fathom how those human-born demon slayers could possibly defeat her...

"Does your ability really have absolutely no limitations for those humans?"

She couldn't help but ask again.

“If you are not referring to cause and effect in reality, but simply to the influence on the spiritual world of human thought, then there is indeed a limitation.”

As she spoke, Mitsuha casually picked up a small twig from the ground and pointed it at Tamayo's throat as if she were holding a sword.

"Suppose there is a demon hunter who wants to kill me and is determined to do so. His next strike is to cut down on my neck from the left side."

With the purpose and process so clear, it's difficult for his thinking to be influenced by my Blood Demon Art.

Even if I were to successfully intervene and force him to subconsciously change the direction of his sword swing, he would likely realize it in the next instant and correct his swing direction as well.

Human thought is complex and changeable, and is easily influenced by oneself or the environment.

The reason why Mitsuha was able to influence and manipulate the Owl Swordsman's thoughts so easily, and control him like a puppet, was entirely because the child's mind was empty at the time!

He hadn't thought about how he was going to attack or what his plan was; he just went in purely out of enthusiasm.

In situations where their minds are blank, Mitsuha can easily interfere with their thoughts through causal connections, thereby influencing their actions and achieving the "result" she desires.

However, for those with a strong will and a clear plan and purpose for every step they take, inducing the Three-Leaf Blood Demon Art becomes very difficult, and the consumption will increase accordingly.

There are even instances where he might have induced the "fruit" she wanted one second, only to change it back the next second with his unwavering will.

Of course, the above questions only concern causal changes in human thought.

If it were a real-world alteration of cause and effect, such as using a fatal hidden wound you planted years ago to prematurely induce your death, these problems wouldn't exist at all. Mitsuha could change things instantly, and if she wanted you to die, you would die immediately.

Chapter 39 Mitsuha Doesn't Care

"Alright, Ms. Tamayo, stop asking me about my Blood Demon Art. Aren't you curious about the future fate of that owl swordsman?"

Mitsuha asked with a smile.

"As I just said, he was supposed to die here tonight, but with our help, he escaped this calamity."

Do you think his fate will be what happens to him afterward?

Tamayo was indeed drawn to Mitsuha's question and tentatively asked:

"Are the causal threads still attached to him?"

"Of course it's still there! Every living creature in this world, except for us demons, has this thing on it, without exception."

"So, he'll live to be a hundred?"

Tamayo recalled some of the vernacular novels she had read before.

In these novels, after the protagonist avoids their destined death, they often enter a state of "my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens," and from then on, they control their own destiny, living to a ripe old age, and so on...

However, Mitsuha couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

How could our gods be so generous and forgiving?

Her pupils instantly transformed into the shape of a datura flower. Mitsuha didn't let Tamayo continue guessing; she suddenly stopped smiling, her face expressionless, and said in a deep voice:

"The child did indeed escape death tonight, but the gods immediately arranged a second death for him."

That was a mission he would undertake three days later. Overwhelmed with confidence from tonight's battle, he blindly challenged a demon far stronger than himself, ultimately dying at the demon's hands... Doesn't that seem ironic?

What was clearly the result of our helping him escape death turned into the cause of the gods arranging a second death for him.

It's such a pity. He was such a good-natured child. I thought he would live a good life from then on..."

Mitsuha shook her head slightly and sighed softly.

The supreme deity will never allow its authority to be desecrated.

Mitsuha had no doubt that even if she helped the owl swordsman avoid his next death calamity, the gods would arrange a third and a fourth death calamity for him, until he died completely according to the fate originally set for him by the gods.

What is destined cannot be changed, unless the child is willing to remain within her domain indefinitely, but that is clearly impossible...

Upon hearing this, Tamayo also fell silent.

Suddenly, she remembered the last words Mitsuha said when she bid farewell to the owl swordsman—

"Be happy from now on."

Wait, is she... blessing that demon hunter?

Mitsuha Tsugikuni, who had just killed three demon slayers without hesitation, suddenly offered her blessing to a demon slayer she hadn't even exchanged a few words with.

Incredible...

Having spent so many days with Mitsuha, this was the first time Tamayo had heard words of blessing from Mitsuha.

Shocked, Tamayo hesitated briefly before deciding to ask.

Why didn't you kill him just now?

Upon hearing this, Mitsuha blinked, then grinned and said:

"Ms. Tamayo, are you teaching me how to do things?"

"I……!"

Caught off guard, Tamayo almost choked.

"It was just a joke, please don't take it to heart."

Satisfied with the reaction she wanted from Tamayo's face, Mitsuha then began to explain:

"I just think that killing is something that can fill your stomach, after all, I'm not a psychopath, and I can't get any pleasure from such a boring act."

Moreover, every life is precious.

Miss Tamayo, just think about it, how long does it take for a person to grow up and finally become an adult!

As a result, we killed them in one fell swoop. Don't you think that's actually a very regrettable thing to do?

Mitsuha drew a large circle in the air with both hands, looked at Tamayo, and said very seriously:

"They clearly had so much life ahead of them, so many more lives to live. They shouldn't have had their lives ended so hastily..."

"What about the demon hunters? Are they the same?"

Tamayo subconsciously pressed for an answer.

Mitsuha looked at her strangely when she heard this.

"Of course, demon hunters are different. Why are you asking such a self-evident question?"

As enemies with completely different stances, I regarded them as enemies before I regarded them as human beings!

As for enemies, shouldn't we kill them as soon as we see them? Doesn't Miss Tamayo think the same way?

With a strange glint in her eyes and a mischievous smile on her face, Mitsuha slowly walked behind Tamayo, leaned against her back once more, and whispered in her ear:

"Or is it that Miss Tamayo actually harbors pity for our enemies, and even longs... to be able to join their arms as soon as possible?"

"I didn't think so."

Ignoring Mitsuha's actions, Tamayo closed her eyes and spoke calmly.

She did consider relying on the power of those demon slayers to eliminate Muzan, but she herself never considered joining the demon slayers.

She wasn't naive enough to believe that demon hunters, who were almost all filled with hatred for demons, would tolerate a demon like her who had killed many people and was still eating people.

Even though she and they actually share the same goal.

"Well, I believe you."

Upon hearing Tamayo's affirmative answer, Mitsuha first nodded slightly to indicate her belief, and then whispered in her ear:

"Of course, it's okay if you really think that way."

"Don't worry~ Considering my fairly good relationship with you, Ms. Tamayo, unless Lord Muzan asks me directly, I absolutely will not tell him your little secret... I promise."

She simply didn't believe it.

After spending so many days together, Tamayo had gotten to know Mitsuha's speaking habits to some extent.

Although Mitsuha verbally expressed her belief, she seemed certain in her heart that she would eventually find a way to betray Muzan and join the demon slayers.

But Mitsuha didn't care.

Tamayo knew that apart from possessing some extraordinary medical skills, her strength was pitifully weak. In Mitsuha's eyes, who possessed bizarre and powerful Blood Demon Arts, she wasn't even a threat.

Mitsuha could even tell her about the limitations of his Blood Demon Art without caring whether she would reveal it.

Because she was absolutely confident in her own power, and because her Blood Demon Art was unbeatable.

Chapter 40 The Truth Behind the Death of the Marked Swordsman

"But didn't you just let that... owl swordsman go?"

Tamayo awkwardly called out the nickname that Mitsuha had given to the young swordsman earlier.

To be honest, it's quite a vivid depiction.

"I don't understand. If you consider the Demon Slayer an enemy, why did you let him go?"

"Because he's a good person."

Mitsuha looked at her with a "why would you ask such a question?" expression, and replied matter-of-factly:

"Miss Tamayo, didn't you see how desperately he protected us just now? How can you be so heartless as to kill someone who risked their life to protect you?"

It's truly heartbreaking... Could it be that you're inherently the kind of person who doesn't repay kindness, or even repays kindness with enmity?

As Mitsuha pressed for answers, she narrowed her eyes and a meaningful smile appeared on her face.

Tamayo could easily hear the hidden meaning in Mitsuha's words, and she almost choked with anger again.

Mitsuha Tsugikuni, this person really won't let go of any opportunity to attack her heart.

Given the chance, she would definitely use these harsh words to stab her heart.

Tamayo knew perfectly well that this was all Mitsuha's revenge for letting the demon hunters attack her that night when she was unconscious.

Therefore, Tamayo never refuted Mitsuha's taunts, but silently endured them.

"I'm just curious about why you did that, that's all."

"My reason is the same as what I just said. That owl swordsman is a kind and helpful person who also kindly protected me, so I'm willing to slightly change my standards for him and spare his life. It's that simple."

"Your standards are indeed quite complex and varied."

As if she had finally found an opportunity, Tamayo, mimicking Mitsuha's tone, mocked her without any politeness.

Seemingly intrigued by her cat-like little resistance, Mitsuha immediately put on a smiling expression and moved closer again.

"Ms. Tamayo, are you so eager to put shackles on me?"

Rules are meant to restrict others, not yourself. Don't you understand such a simple principle?

My rule is that I can say whatever I want and do whatever I want.

If you feel uncomfortable, you are perfectly free to make your own rules, aren't you?

Enjoying the delightful, defeated expression on Tamayo's face, Mitsuha chuckled and changed the subject again.

"Alright, just kidding. As the former head of the Heir Apparent family, I naturally know the price of breaking the rules I set at will."

I assure you, I only decided to let the child go this time because he was cute.

"If I encounter any other demon hunters again, I will definitely eliminate them completely and not let you down. Is that alright?"

"What you do is your business, it has nothing to do with me."

Once again rendered speechless by Mitsuha's retort, Tamayo, having lost another verbal exchange, took a deep breath to calm herself and walked forward on her own.

"Alright, didn't you want to go to Nagasaki? Let's go."

Meanwhile, Yan Sheng returned to the Demon Slayer Corps' base from the country.

Upon his return, before he could even explain Mitsuha's situation to Yoriichi, he heard shocking news.

The reason for the sudden deaths of those patterned swordsmen has been found.