"As the living it is our responsibility to carry out the wishes of the ones who are gone."
— Akame, Akame Ga Kill
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Feeling the warmth of Roy's hand on her head, Makomo couldn't help but turn and bury her face in his chest, sobbing softly.
After a while, comforted by Roy and the others, Makomo finally calmed down.
Looking at her tear-stained clothes, Makomo blushed and lowered her head, embarrassed to meet Roy's eyes.
Roy chuckled softly at her adorable display.
With the Hand Demon dealt with, they prepared to leave.
When they returned to the starting point of the Final Selection, an unexpected figure awaited them.
"Greetings, Roy-sama!"
A young girl with a butterfly-patterned haori knelt before Roy.
She had black hair with purple tips, purple eyes, and a bob haircut. She usually styled her hair in a bun, but unfortunately, she was only 1.5 meters tall.
This was none other than the popular character from Demon Slayer, Shinobu Kocho.
"And you are...?" Roy inquired.
"I am the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho," she replied with a gentle smile. "I would like to invite Roy-sama to the Butterfly Mansion for a discussion."
Roy had already planned to visit the Butterfly Mansion. Since Shinobu had personally come to invite him, there was no reason to refuse.
"Thank you for the invitation, Shinobu-san. We would be honored to visit," Roy accepted.
"Please follow me."
Shinobu led the way, and they arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
It was already late at night, and everyone rested under Shinobu's arrangements.
The next morning, after breakfast, Roy sipped his tea leisurely.
His gaze, however, drifted towards Shinobu sitting opposite him.
"Shinobu-san," he began, "I've heard that Demons fear wisteria flowers."
"Indeed," Shinobu confirmed with a smile. "Wisteria flowers are poisonous to Demons. Even the slightest touch can be fatal."
"So, Shinobu-san, are you curious about the difference between Devils and Demons?" Roy asked pointedly, glancing at the wisteria tea in his cup.
"Of course not," Shinobu replied, her smile unwavering. "This is simply how we welcome guests at the Butterfly Mansion."
'I don't believe you' Roy thought, rolling his eyes.
Looking at Shinobu's sweet smile, he couldn't resist teasing her.
He suddenly appeared before Shinobu, gently lifting her chin with a finger.
"Let me tell you a secret," he whispered. "It's not just Demons who can consume humans. Devils can too."
"Especially lovely young girls like yourself, Shinobu-san."
Roy's eyes swept over Shinobu from head to toe, a playful glint in his eyes.
Shinobu, startled by Roy's sudden action, instinctively crossed her arms defensively.
Roy chuckled and returned to his seat, taking another sip of his tea.
Shinobu realized she had been teased.
Her face flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"Shinobu-san, you didn't invite us here just for tea, did you?" Roy asked, amused by her reaction.
Shinobu remembered the important matter at hand and pushed aside her embarrassment.
She suddenly knelt before Roy.
"Roy-sama, please save my sister!" she pleaded. "I'm willing to do anything, even... even be devoured by you!"
Her face flushed crimson as she spoke the last part, clearly understanding the implication of Roy's earlier words.
"Oh? Is that so?" Roy wasn't surprised by her request.
He knew that Shinobu's older sister, Kanae Kocho, had been killed by a Demon.
Shinobu must have heard about his ability to resurrect the dead and invited him specifically for this reason.
"Yes, it's true!" Shinobu affirmed, her gaze unwavering.
Roy wouldn't refuse such a readily offered opportunity.
"Very well. However, I must first ask your sister personally."
Shinobu's eyes lit up with excitement. Ask her sister? That meant she could see her again!
Roy smiled at her eagerness.
With a wave of his hand, he channeled his magic towards Shinobu.
A beautiful figure materialized beside Shinobu.
It was the spirit of Kanae Kocho.
Kanae, unable to let go of her sister, had been following Shinobu as a spirit.
Roy's magic revealed her form.
Shinobu, overwhelmed with joy, rushed to embrace her sister.
However, she stumbled and fell, her arms passing through Kanae's ethereal form.
"You're still as clumsy as ever, Shinobu," Kanae's gentle voice echoed in Shinobu's ears.
"Nee-san!" Shinobu cried, tears streaming down her face.
The reunited sisters had much to discuss. Roy waited patiently until their emotions subsided before speaking.
"Kanae-san, would you be willing to become my servant?" he asked. "If you agree, I can resurrect you. Then, you and Shinobu can be together again."
Roy observed the two sisters, a devilish smile playing on his lips.
"Shinobu already agreed, didn't she?" Kanae teased, glancing at her sister.
"Y-Yes," Shinobu mumbled, blushing and avoiding her sister's gaze.
"In that case, I accept. But please, let me take Shinobu's place," Kanae offered.
She was referring to Shinobu's earlier offer to be "devoured."
Roy wouldn't allow that, of course. He wasn't about to let such a tempting offer slip away.
"That's not possible, Kanae-san. Shinobu already made the agreement. One cannot go back on a deal with a Devil," Roy declared, wagging his finger.
Kanae sighed, realizing she had no choice but to comply if she wanted to be with her sister again.
"You're quite the greedy Devil, aren't you?" she remarked.
Roy simply smiled in response, not denying her observation.
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If you're interested. you can read 18 advanced chapters, Up to Ch 65+ :
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