Demon Slayer: Starting with the Kingdom

Why is it that at times like these, he always recalls that disgusting figure?

What does he really want?

"Brother, it's time for you to set off."

His younger sister's voice once again brought Yan Sheng back to his senses.

The thoughts in his mind quickly faded, and Yan Sheng nodded slightly in response.

In recent years, as the authority of the shogunate has declined, the power of the daimyo in various regions has gradually increased, and there is a strong trend that the world is about to descend into chaos.

In preparation for the impending chaos, the local daimyo, after exchanging brief correspondence, unanimously decided to meet in person to discuss how to form an alliance.

Yan Sheng, as the successor to the head of the state, was naturally also invited.

He was fully armed and accompanied by his personal guards on his journey to meet with those powerful figures.

"Mitsuha, I'll leave the things at home to you for now. I should be back in three days."

"Yes, I understand. I wish you a safe journey, brother."

After a brief farewell, neither the brother nor sister said anything more.

In the courtyard beneath the castle tower, a personal guard of nearly a hundred men was ready to depart.

Yan Sheng walked out, but after taking only a few steps, he suddenly stopped and asked with his back to him:

"Mitsuha, do you... have someone you want to marry?"

His question seemed too sudden, and Mitsuha looked slightly puzzled. She didn't answer immediately, but instead asked in return:

"Why did you suddenly ask that, elder brother?"

Yes, why would he suddenly ask that...?

Is it because his younger sister is already eighteen years old and will become an "old maid" if she doesn't get married soon?

Or is it because the country has finally reached a point where it needs to establish marriage alliances with other daimyo?

Or perhaps, seeing that his younger sister has always been alone and quite lonely at home over the years, he wanted to find someone to accompany her.

Yan Sheng's mind was once again filled with a myriad of thoughts.

But when the words were about to come out, he simply said one sentence calmly.

"It just suddenly occurred to me..."

Mitsuha was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and then her delicate face once again revealed that equally delicate yet fake smile.

“This is something you can decide, brother. As the daughter of the successor of the country, Mitsuha will accept whatever arrangements you make. There is no need for you to ask for my opinion.”

A perfect answer that leaves no room for criticism.

But for some reason, Yan Sheng felt quite disgusted to hear these words coming from his own sister.

No, this shouldn't be the case...

This is not something Mitsuha should say...

"Yeah……"

However, after a thousand thoughts, Yan Sheng only responded with a soft "yes".

Standing atop the castle tower, Mitsuha watched as Kokusatsu led his personal guards away into the distance.

This was not the first time Yan Sheng had led his troops out of the city, nor was it the first time San Ye had seen him off.

Everything is the same as before, without any change.

Therefore, when the figure that Mitsuha had never imagined appeared in Tsugikuni Country again after twelve years, she never thought that this would be the last time she would see Mitsuha leave the city.

"Mitsuba, it's been a long time."

The night after Yan Sheng left, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, wearing a fiery red haori, suddenly appeared in Mitsuha's room.

The moonlight outside the window was as white as snow, shining on him as if he were coated with a layer of silver.

Chapter 8 Mitsuha, I entrust my elder brother's wife and children to you.

After twelve years apart, Yoriichi's image remained largely unchanged from Mitsuha's memory.

It's just that he's grown taller, his features have matured a bit, and his hair has grown longer.

His eyes were still as clear and empty as they had been in his childhood.

If there's any change to speak of, it's probably in Yoriichi's demeanor.

Twelve years later, Yoriichi no longer felt the confusion he had when he was young, not knowing where he should go.

His eyes remained empty, yet they appeared resolute, with a hint of sadness lingering within them.

Over the past twelve years, Yoriichi must have experienced many sad things.

"It's been a long time, Yoriichi-nii-san..."

Staring blankly at Yoriichi who had suddenly climbed in through the window, Mitsuha was overwhelmed with a thousand thoughts.

She never imagined that her brother Yoriichi would come back, and therefore never made any contingency plans for the current situation.

So when Yoriichi, who had been missing for twelve years, actually reappeared before her, she couldn't think of any suitable words to express her feelings at that moment. She could only ask, somewhat inappropriately, in a cold tone:

"Is there something you need that brought you back so suddenly?"

Fortunately, Yoriichi didn't care about these things.

Or perhaps, he simply cannot perceive these complex emotions between people.

In short, he showed no displeasure at Mitsuha's subconsciously cold question, and simply replied in a deep voice:

"I have come for my elder brother."

"Brother Yan Sheng?"

Could it be that Yoriichi had already met with Mikubo beforehand?

Seeing Mitsuha's confusion, Yoriichi nodded slightly, and after a brief hesitation, he asked:

"Mitsuba, have you ever heard of a creature called 'Oni'?"

A demon is an evil creature that is transformed from a human, can only appear at night, and feeds on human flesh.

They possess near-infinite life, and can recover quickly even when injured. A small number of them even acquire a supernatural power called "Blood Demon Art".

"Last night, my elder brother and his men were attacked by a demon while they were camping outside."

Ordinary swords and blades are ineffective against demons; only a Nichirin Blade crafted from wisteria flowers and special materials can truly harm them.

This evil spirit was quite ferocious, and without suitable weapons, all of the elder brother's men fought to the death.

Fortunately, I arrived at the last moment and killed him, barely saving my elder brother's life.

Yoriichi calmly recounted what had happened to him and Yan Sheng the previous night.

He also introduced Mitsuha to the demon-slaying organization he had joined over the years, which was not recognized by the shogunate and was called the Demon Slayer Corps.

According to Yoriichi, the organization was led by a family called Ubuyashiki, and consisted of several hundred people.

Among these people, some had their families harmed by evil spirits, some were attracted by the charisma of the Ubuyashiki clan, some were after the high salaries of the Demon Slayer Corps, and others were simply desperate...

They gathered together under the leadership of Ubuyashiki, practiced martial arts together, did not participate in any worldly disputes, and were single-mindedly dedicated to eradicating evil spirits from this world.

In the end, Yoriichi hesitated once again.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before looking up at Mitsuha again and saying:

"After hearing my explanation, my older brother couldn't wait to join the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Joining the Demon Slayer Corps... what does that mean?"

Her pupils contracted slightly, and Mitsuha subconsciously pressed for an answer.

"It means that my elder brother has given up his position as the successor to the head of the family and is determined to live as an ordinary demon hunter from now on."

Yoriichi explained earnestly.

A buzzing sound filled her mind, and Mitsuha instinctively took two steps back, staggering as she leaned against the dressing table behind her.

Yan Sheng's elder brother... gave up his position as the successor to the head of the family?

He just left the country like that, leaving her here all alone?

Mitsuha stared wide-eyed at Yoriichi, who remained calm in front of her. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word.

After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a question in her somewhat hoarse voice.

"What is your opinion on this, Brother Yoriichi?"

"I am happy for my brother's decision."

Yoriichi's expression remained calm as he continued, under Mitsuha's incredulous gaze:

"The Demon Slayer Corps is a special organization. To join the Demon Slayer Corps, one must abandon all past identities and statuses."

Evil spirits are a persistent scourge of the world that must be eradicated.

For this purpose, my elder brother has been willing to relinquish his samurai status and honor, and embark on this arduous journey of demon slaying with me. I am deeply honored by this.

"Ha, is that so..."

Hearing Yoriichi's heartfelt words and seeing the slight happiness and relief on his face, Mitsuha suddenly smiled.

"So that's what you were thinking, Yoriichi-nii-san..."

At this moment, she desperately wanted to ask the person in front of her this question.

You've all left, each with your own goals to pursue. Am I to be left all alone here?

Are you just going to leave me all alone... in this empty castle tower?!

However, she didn't say a word until the very end.

Mitsuha, you are the daughter of the nation.

Because she was the daughter of the nation, that was what her mother told her before she passed away.

Because she was born to enjoy the wealth and privilege of the successor state, it is only natural that she should dedicate herself to the successor state.

All of this was destined long ago.

Yes, it was destined long ago...

"Mitsuba, I entrust my elder brother's wife and children to you."

And so, in Mitsuha's silent presence, Yoriichi finally uttered his last words of advice, then slowly rose to leave.

Even when he left completely, Mitsuha did not try to stop him.

Time never stops because of anyone's prayers.

It always forges ahead without ever looking back.

With the "sudden death" of the head of the family, Tsugikuni Mikatsu, the only heir to the family was Mikatsu's young son, who was not yet two years old.

Because the child was too young, he was completely incapable of fulfilling the duties of the head of the household.

Thus, after discussion among the retainers, Mitsuha Tsugikuni, who was already eighteen years old and still unmarried, was brought to the forefront to temporarily assume the position of head of the Tsugikuni family.

She will return the position of head of the family to Yan Sheng after his youngest son comes of age.

For Mitsuha, becoming the head of the family was not a particularly special thing.

When Yan Sheng was still alive, she would often handle some city affairs on his behalf when he led his troops on expeditions.

Now, it's just become more legitimate.

Chapter 9 is titled "Yoriichi's Curse"

After that night, neither Yoriichi nor Michikatsu returned to take over the country.

They seemed to have vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace.

After becoming the head of the family, Mitsuha also tried to send people to gather information about the Demon Slayer Corps, but unfortunately, all her efforts came to nothing.

Just as Yoriichi said, this organization is really mysterious. Ordinary people like her, who have never come into contact with demons, have no way of knowing about its existence.