Chapter 217: No More Demons, No More Demon Slayer Corps
Swordsmith Village, Temporary Headquarters.
In this room filled with tatami mats, screens, and bonsai, a meeting was taking place.
At this moment, all the Hashira were assembled and kneeling on both sides, their swords hanging from their waists, bowing slightly toward Kagaya, who was seated in the main seat.
By Kagaya's side was Amane and their two children, like a feudal lord enjoying their later years.
Now, Kagaya no longer needed assistance and was no longer coughing violently, even his once-disfigured face seemed to be gradually recovering and no longer appeared as terrifying and monstrous as before.
Needless to say, this brought great joy to the Hashira, some even moved to tears.
"Congratulations, Master!"
"Master! Your illness has finally been cured!"
"This is truly... wonderful..."
One after another, the Hashira expressed their joy.
Kagaya looked at the Hashira who had their faces filled with joy, his gaze as gentle as if he were looking at his own children.
"I am also very glad to see all of you here, with no one missing." Kagaya said sentimentally. "It's truly wonderful that no one has been sacrificed or is absent."
He was indeed delighted about this.
In the final battle against the demons, they not only faced the once-unbeatable Upper Ranks but also contended with the Demon King, an almost invincible monster eager to annihilate the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
With all the demons swarming out, even if every Hashira were to sacrifice themselves, it would not have been surprising.
Kagaya had already mentally prepared himself, accepting the possibility of the Hashira's deaths, so knowing that they achieved victory without any was naturally the best possible outcome.
Moreover, the Hashira didn't seem to have suffered any serious injuries, except for Kyoujurou, whose hand was visibly injured and wrapped in bandages.
Naturally, all of this was thanks to a certain someone.
"It's all thanks to Lord Head Instructor that we were able to defeat the Upper Ranks with relative ease and achieve this victory."
Shinobu spoke with a smile, her eyes closed, drawing everyone's attention to a single person.
They looked at Riezel, who sat facing Kagaya from a distance, the divine sword renowned in the Swordsmith Village lying beside him.
His sitting posture was casual, unlike the other Hashira, who kneeled, or Kagaya, who sat very straight, appearing calm.
However, no one forgot that it was this person who led the Demon Slayer Corps to victory against the demons, including Kibutsuji Muzan, the progenitor of them all.
Without him, they would not have had the strength to defeat the Upper Ranks.
Without him, the Demon Slayer Corps would inevitably have suffered heavy casualties.
Naturally, without him, Muzan might not have even been defeated, nor would he have initiated the battle, allowing the Demon Slayer Corps to have the opportunity to defeat the demons.
Everything was because of this person, allowing them to achieve this success.
Kagaya naturally couldn't forget this point, his gaze toward Riezel was truly different from how he looked at everyone else.
When Kagaya looked at the others, he seemed like he was looking at his own children, but when he looked at Riezel, he looked completely at his benefactor, at humanity's hero.
Kagaya really wanted to thank Riezel for himself, his family, his people, and all of humanity, but unfortunately, now was not the time.
"How are the casualties?"
Kagaya inquired about the most important issue.
Reporting was done by Gyoumei.
"We've already had the Kakushi gather casualty statistics."
Gyoumei, with prayer beads in hand and palms together, reported.
"Although there have been some casualties, the timely appearance of the mechanical dolls has kept the numbers low. Approximately forty members have been confirmed dead, and around ten have sustained severe injuries that may leave them disabled and unable to live normal lives in the future, while the rest are unharmed."
Such casualty figures were actually much better than originally anticipated.
Since the Demon Slayer Corps had only hundreds of combatants, if they confronted demons whose strength generally reached Lower Ranks, there was a significant chance that all of them would be annihilated.
However, now only dozens were actually dead, ten left disabled, and the rest unharmed.
Such casualties, in a war that could determine humanity's future, were practically insignificant.
"...I see."
Kagaya closed his eyes, seemingly grieving for the fallen and offering prayers for them, but quickly, he calmed himself and immediately made arrangements.
"Provide ample compensation to the families of the deceased and fulfill any requests they have to the extent possible. As for the disabled, they must be given sufficient support to secure their future lives."
Kagaya instructed Amane beside him.
"Yes, Master."
Amane accepted the order without any objection.
Whether it was compensation or support, it was certainly the responsibility of the Ubuyashiki family, not the Hashira.
Of course, some of the Hashira would also offer assistance.
"Master, the Butterfly Mansion will provide medical treatment for the disabled at no cost and offer facilities for their recuperation, ensuring they recover as much as possible."
Shinobu stated firmly, prompting Kagaya to nod.
According to the results of this battle, everyone then assessed the losses in various aspects, made necessary arrangements, and Kagaya's children documented the entire proceedings of the meeting that would become an important part of the Ubuyashiki family's history, forever preserved within the family.
Meanwhile, Riezel silently listened throughout, neither participating in discussions nor uttering a word, simply waiting quietly for the meeting to conclude.
Eventually, the meeting continued until the afternoon.
Once everything had been discussed, everyone fell silent, enveloped in an indescribable sense of solemnity.
Gradually, a slight atmosphere of melancholy began to pervade the room.
It couldn't be helped.
"With this, this meeting will be the last..."
Kagaya spoke softly, gazing outside.
"Now that Kibutsuji Muzan has been eliminated, demons are no more, and there are no longer any monsters that prey on humans in this world."
"Since its establishment, the Demon Slayer Corps has always had one goal, which is to exterminate demons."
"Now that demons no longer exist, there is no reason for the Demon Slayer Corps to continue."
Kagaya's words were understood by everyone and no one objected.
"Truly... this is a good thing..."
Kagaya's voice remained gentle and mild.
"From now on, no one will lose their family or loved ones and then take up a sword for revenge."
"From now on, no one will need to risk being killed or eaten by demons, thrown into battles where death could come at any moment."
"In the future, there will be no demons, no Demon Slayers. Although the Demon Slayer Corps may cease to exist, as long as you all live, we will always be connected, never to be severed."
"Do you agree?"
""YES!""
Kagaya's words prompted a unanimous response from all the Hashira that echoed thunderously.
It wasn't until this moment that Kagaya turned to Riezel, looking directly at him.
"I want to thank you, Your Excellency."
Kagaya's tone became solemn and dignified.
"Young hero who bears the name of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, thank you for bringing us hope, bringing us a future, bringing us everything..."
In the next moment, Kagaya, accompanied by his wives and children, knelt before Riezel, performing an extremely solemn bow.
Such a bow, given the Ubuyashiki family's status, would make anyone feel awe and shock. Yet, not only did none of the Hashira intervene, but they all, like Kagaya, bowed deeply to Riezel.
Including Kyoujurou, Shinobu, and even Sanemi and Obanai, who had previously clashed and had a conflict with Riezel.
All the higher-ups of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Master and the Hashira whom everyone respected and loved, were here, solemnly bowing to a seventeen-year-old youth.
In the past, this would have been unthinkable, but now, not a single person in the room felt that Riezel did not deserve this bow. Even if the ordinary members were present, they would likely have no objections and would also kneel before Riezel, just like everyone else.
Needless to say, this bow was rightfully deserved by Riezel.
In response, although Riezel did not refuse their bows, he shook his head as he looked at them.
"You don't have to do this..." Riezel said lightly. "I'm not doing it for you all, just for myself, going with the flow."
"Even so, by ending this thousand-year-old mistake and tragedy, it remains an undisputed fact..."
Kagaya spoke softly, his gaze firm and determined.
"All in all, you're a great benefactor to me and the Ubuyashiki family. In the future, if there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to tell me or my family."
Kagaya lifted his head, giving Riezel a slight smile.
"As long as it's within our power, even if it means using all the resources we have, we will make it happen."
With that, Kagaya gestured to Amane, who handed something to Riezel.
It was a jade stone engraved with the crest of the Ubuyashiki family.
With this jade stone, the Ubuyashiki family would spare no effort, sacrificing everything to fulfill Riezel's request, regardless of time or place.
Clearly, this was Kagaya's greatest gratitude to Riezel.
Although he didn't really need it, after a moment of thought, Riezel finally accepted the jade stone. He considered it just a gesture since, after all, once he left this world, he probably wouldn't return.
Afterward, Kagaya looked around at everyone in the room, as if wanting to etch them all deeply into his heart, before speaking up in a firm tone.
"As of today, the Demon Slayer Corps will officially disband."
"Thank you all for your hard work."
Kagaya bowed to everyone present.
Seeing this, all the Hashira suppressed their overflowing emotions—some with tears in their eyes, while others endured with all their might—before finally bowing back respectfully to Kagaya.
On this day, the Demon Slayer Corps officially disbanded.
Henceforth, in this world, there were no more demons or the Demon Slayer Corps.
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