Aoki studied the system panel.
He hadn't been idle on his way to Asakusa; rumors of demons or unusual disappearances had prompted his investigation. Yet, he had gained little.
"In this era, exchanging information is extremely difficult. News may not even travel beyond a single village," Aoki muttered to himself.
"A prosperous city like Asakusa shouldn't be devoid of demons," he reasoned. "In the original series, after encountering Tanjiro, Muzan Kibutsuji quickly found two new subordinates. Could those two demons be here in Asakusa now?"
However, even if demons lurked in Asakusa, finding them wouldn't be easy. Hunting demons in a city posed different challenges compared to the countryside. Unlike Tanjiro, Aoki lacked the ability to detect demons from afar using his sense of smell.
As Aoki wandered through Asakusa, time passed quietly. The night deepened, and the number of pedestrians dwindled.
Turning a corner, he came face-to-face with two individuals.
A young woman with a striking appearance, long black hair styled into a large, low bun, wore a dark purple kimono. Next to her stood a young man with short light green hair, also clad in a kimono.
"What a coincidence!" Aoki remarked, coming to a stop.
Tamayo and Yushiro
In the original series, both had made significant contributions in combating demons, particularly Muzan.
Tamayo, in particular, played a crucial role—her medicinal knowledge proved essential in defeating Muzan Kibutsuji.
Aoki hadn't sought them out specifically, but their unexpected encounter intrigued him.
Unlike Aoki's apparent delight, Tamayo and Yushiro's expressions darkened upon seeing him, especially Yushiro, whose visage turned notably grim.
"Lady Tamayo, please leave first!"
He hurriedly took out a charm.
"Wait a minute, Yushiro!" Tamayo said.
Yushiro couldn't calm down at all.
Encountering a demon was their worst-case scenario, especially so close to the New Year.
Suddenly, Yushiro found his hand empty—the charm had vanished into thin air.
Aoki's figure appeared next to him. "Don't be alarmed; I mean you no harm!"
Yushiro's expression changed drastically. He hadn't sensed the enemy's approach at all.
"Lady Tamayo, leave quickly!"
With a look of determination on his face, he rushed towards Aoki.
Tamayo grabbed his arm and spoke up, her voice raised slightly. "Stop it, Yushiro!"
Yushiro hesitated briefly before Yushiro shook his head, his attitude firm.
Yushiro could only give up.
Tamayo looked at Aoki and leaned slightly. "I'm sorry, sir, I apologize to you on behalf of yushiro."
Aoki smiled. "You're welcome, Miss Tamayo, you have a great name that I have admired for a long time."
Yushirou also realized the problem at this time, but he was still vigilant and guarded Tamayo's side closely.
Tamayo looked at Aoki with a slightly strange look in his eyes. "Sir, if I guess correctly, you…"
She paused, and Aoki gave the answer directly.
"That's right, I have gotten rid of the control of Kibutsuji Muzan! In fact, you may not have been in contact with other demons. I am quite famous among demons recently!"
Tamayo's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard Aoki say that name.
Her greatest wish is to kill Muzan Kibutsuji.
However, she is not good at fighting, and the same goes for Yushiro. As a demon, it is not convenient for her to come into contact with the Demon Slayer Squad.
Although she always firmly believes that as long as the power of people with the same ambition is gathered together, Muzan will be able to be completely killed.
However, for hundreds of years, she has not found even a companion except Yushiro.
Until now.
Although they spoke less than ten sentences in total, and although she didn't even know the gentleman's name, she was convinced that she had finally met an ally.
And this seems to be an ally who is very good at fighting.
Taking a deep breath, Tamayo regained her composure. "This is not the place to talk, please come with me!"
Aoki took it easy and walked forward, walking side by side with her.
Yushiro's face was full of reluctance, but he didn't say anything else.
Passing through a wall, a beautiful two-story building suddenly appeared in a place that was originally empty.
Entering the room, the three of them sat opposite each other.
Aoki was the first to speak. "Before we get down to business, I'll give you a gift first."
After saying that, he looked at Yushiro and ordered. "Go and bring three cups."
Yushirou looked at him in disbelief.
"Yushiro!" Tamayo said.
"Yes! Lady Tamayo!"
Yushiro glared at Aoki and went to get the cup honestly.
Tamayo looked at Aoki and said apologetically. "Actually, that child didn't mean any harm."
"I know." Aoki smiled.
In fact, he was just teasing Yushirou.
Soon, Yushiro returned with three cups.
Aoki opened the demon wine gourd, filled three cups, and made a "please" gesture. "Try it!"
Tamayo picked up the cup and took a sip, her delicate body stiffening slightly.
Yushiro looked even more incredulous.
Aoki had been paying attention to their expressions, and when he saw this scene, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
To humans, demon wine is no different from ordinary wine. Other demons are enemies, and he can't share it with them.
The magic of demon wine has always been unknown.
He is like a fisherman who caught a big fish but has no one to share it with. He has always felt a little regretful.
Until today, he finally got what he wanted.
"It's been a long time since I tasted the taste of wine." Tamayo sighed softly.
She didn't like drinking when she was alive, but now she tasted all kinds of flavors.
This is indeed a very precious gift.
Aoki smiled and raised his glass.
This time, even Yushiro didn't make a fuss, and raised his glass with Miss Tamayo in response.
Next, the three of them didn't speak, and tasted the demon wine silently until the glass was empty.
The relationship between the three of them suddenly became much closer.
Aoki said, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Aoki. About two months ago, I met Muzan Kibutsuji and was turned into a demon by him."
"My name is Tamayo, and this child is Yushiro, a demon created by me."
Tamayo paused here, looked at Aoki's calm expression, and asked curiously. "Mr. Aoki doesn't seem surprised at all."
Aoki smiled. "I said before that I had heard of Miss Tamayo for a long time, but it was not a compliment."
Yushiro was once seriously ill and dying, and he accepted Tamayo's experiment and became a demon and survived.
You know, making demons is the patent of Muzan Kibutsuji.
However, Miss Tamayo broke this law.
Unfortunately, she tried many times for more than two hundred years, and only Yushiro succeeded in the end.
But does this also mean that the secret of demons is not that clever?
Tamayo can't crack it now, but technology will continue to advance, and medicine will develop accordingly.
If it can't be done now, will there be a chance in the future?
Aoki doesn't want to be a demon.
Demons lack human desires and have lost this part of enjoyment. As time goes by, the lack of desires may also cause personality distortion and cognitive changes.
But he doesn't want to give up the power of demons.
If the secret of demons can be completely cracked, can the "double method" be found?
Of course, he also understands that this is just an unrealistic dream at present.
Demons are the product of accidental birth.
Whether the secret can be cracked is completely unknown.
Even if it can be cracked, it may take an extremely long time.
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T/N: There is a patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 15 chapters.
Patreon link:- patreon.com/ANelite
And also give me some power stones!!