Chapter 217: From then on, there were no more evil spirits in the world.
Swordsmith Village, temporary headquarters.
In this room filled with tatami mats, folding screens, and bonsai, many people were gathered at the moment.
All nine current pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were present and had knelt down on both sides, swords hanging from their bodies, bowing slightly toward Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who sat in front of the screen in the main seat.
By Ubuyashiki Kagaya’s side were Ubuyashiki Amane and a pair of children. He appeared as a great lord enjoying his later years, no longer in need of assistance, no longer coughing violently, and even his previously disfigured features seemed to be gradually healing. He no longer looked as fierce and terrifying as before.
This made the pillars overwhelmingly joyful, to the point where some even wept with happiness.
"Congratulations, my lord!"
"Lord, your illness has finally healed!"
"It is... really wonderful..."
The pillars expressed their joy one after another.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, looking at the pillars with a joyful expression, had a gaze as tender as if he were looking at his own children.
"I am also very happy to see all of you appear here without any omissions," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said sentimentally, "It’s wonderful that no one has been sacrificed or is absent."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya truly felt elated about this.
In the great battle against the demons, not only were they opposed by the formidable Upper Rank demons, but also by Kibutsuji Muzan, an almost invincible monster who was relentlessly plotting to annihilate the entire Demon Slayer Corps, and with all the malicious demons emerging en masse, it would have been no surprise if all the pillars had sacrificed themselves in such a war.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya had also prepared himself mentally, persuading himself to accept the situation of having casualties. Naturally, it was even better to welcome victory without any damage.
The pillars seemed to have sustained no significant injuries, except for Rengoku Kyoujurou’s hand, which was clearly bandaged from injury. The rest were in very good condition.
And all this, was thanks to one person.
"It’s all thanks to the Grand Master that we were able to defeat the Upper Rank demons with relative ease and achieve this victory,"
Kochou Shinobu, with her eyes closed and smiling, spoke these words, drawing everyone’s attention to one spot.
Reiger was sitting there, facing Ubuyashiki Kagaya from a distance, sitting face to face, with the divinely reputed sword from the Swordsmith Village placed beside him.
His posture was casual, not as formal as the other pillars, and even not as upright as Ubuyashiki Kagaya, and he appeared very calm.
But no one forgot that it was this man who had led the Demon Slayer Corps, defeated the demons, conquered the darkness, and also defeated the progenitor of demons, Kibutsuji Muzan.
Without him, the people here wouldn’t have the power to easily defeat the Upper Rank demons.
Without him, the Demon Slayer Corps would inevitably have faced tremendous casualties in this battle.
Of course, without him, Kibutsuji Muzan would not have been defeated, and might not even have instigated the war, giving the Demon Slayer Corps the chance to triumph over the demons and eradicate them completely.
Everything, was successful because of this man.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya naturally couldn’t forget this, and his look at Reiger was different from his look at the others.
When looking at the others, Ubuyashiki Kagaya was like looking at his own children.
When looking at Reiger, Ubuyashiki Kagaya was entirely looking at his benefactor, the hero of humanity.
He wanted to thank Reiger, on his own behalf, for his family and clansmen, and for all humanity.
But there was no hurry now.
"How are the casualties among the corps members?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya first cared about this matter.
The reporter was Himejima Gyoumei.
"We have had the Hidden Ones tally the casualties," Himejima Gyoumei, with Buddha Beads in hands and palms together, reported, "While there indeed have been some casualties, due to the timely arrival of the mechanical doll squad ’Type One Legion,’ the casualties were not severe. About forty have been confirmed dead, and about ten have sustained serious injuries, becoming disabled, and might not be able to lead normal lives in the future. The rest are largely unharmed."
This level of casualties was much better than originally anticipated.
There were several hundred combatants in the Demon Slayer Corps, and if they were to confront the demons, which generally possessed the strength of the Lower Ranks, there was a great chance that these several hundred would all be annihilated.
Now, only a few dozen had died, and ten were disabled, with the rest unharmed. Such casualties, in a war that could decide the future of humanity, were negligible.
"...Is that so?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya closed his eyes, seemingly still mourning the sacrificed and praying for them.
However, he quickly made arrangements.
"Provide ample compensation to the families of the deceased, meet their demands as much as possible, and also for those who are disabled, we must ensure subsidies that secure their future,"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya instructed his wife.
"Yes, Lord Kagaya,"
Ubuyashiki Amane accepted the instruction without any objections.
Whether it was compensation or subsidies, it was definitely the Ubuyashiki family that would bear them.
Thus, this matter could only be handled by someone from the Ubuyashiki family, not the job of the pillars.
Of course, some pillars would provide help.
"Kochou House will provide diagnosis and treatment for the disabled at no cost and provide them with treatment facilities to recuperate, within the broadest possible extent, to enable them to recover,"
Kochou Shinobu said, prompting Ubuyashiki Kagaya to nod.
Everyone then reviewed the losses in various aspects based on the results of the battle, making related arrangements, with Ubuyashiki Kagaya’s children recording the meeting, documenting the entire process of the battle.
This record would become an important part of the Ubuyashiki family’s history and be permanently kept within the Ubuyashiki household.
Reiger simply listened quietly throughout, without participating in any discussions or saying any words, just quietly waiting for the meeting to end.
The meeting lasted well into the afternoon.
When all matters had been discussed, everyone simultaneously fell silent, plunging into an ineffable stillness.
A tinge of melancholy began to permeate the room.
It couldn’t be helped.
"This is the last Pillar Meeting,"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya said gently.
"As of now, Kibutsuji Muzan has been eliminated, demons have been eradicated, and no longer will monsters prey upon humans."
"The Demon Slayer Corps was established with a single purpose, to eradicate demons."
"Now, with no demons left in the world, there is no reason for the Demon Slayer Corps to continue to exist."
No one failed to understand what these words meant.
"This is a good thing,"
the voice of Ubuyashiki Kagaya remained as tender and gentle as ever.
"From now on, no one will lose their families, their loved ones, or take up swords for revenge."
"From now on, no one will need to risk being killed or eaten by monsters in battles where death could come at any moment."
"There will be no more demons, no more Ghost Hunters, the Demon Slayer Corps may no longer exist, but as long as you all live, we will always be connected, never to be severed,"
"You agree, don’t you?"
The words of Ubuyashiki Kagaya prompted a unanimous response from the Pillars.
"Yes!"
Their reply was deafening.
It wasn’t until this moment that Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned to Reiger, facing him directly.
"I must thank you,"
his tone becoming grave and solemn.
"Young hero bearing the name of Tsukiguni Yoriichi, thank you for the hope you brought us, the future, and everything else."
With that, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, along with his wives and daughters, knelt before Reiger, bowing deeply in a most solemn manner.
Given the stature of the Ubuyashiki family, the gravitas of such a bow could instill fear in anyone.
Yet, as the Pillars witnessed this, not one of them intervened; instead, they bowed just as solemnly to Reiger alongside Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Included were Rengoku Kyoujurou and Kochou Shinobu, as well as Shinazugawa Sanemi and Iguro Obanai, who had previously been at odds with Reiger.
The entire upper echelon of the Demon Slayer Corps, beloved lords and Pillars, now offered their profound respect to a mere 17-year-old youth.
In the past, such a thing would have been absolutely unthinkable.
But now, no one thought this bow was undeserved by Reiger.
Even the ordinary members present would likely have no objections but would kneel just as everyone else had.
This respect was rightfully Reiger’s, beyond any doubt.
Though Reiger did not refuse, he watched everyone kneeling and bowing and shook his head.
"You needn’t do this," Reiger said lightly, "I didn’t do it for you, but for myself, merely going with the flow."
"Even so, you ended an error that continued for a thousand years, an indisputable fact," Ubuyashiki Kagaya spoke softly, "In both emotion and reason, you are a great benefactor of the Ubuyashiki family."
"If you ever need anything in the future, please do not hesitate," Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised his head, smiling slightly at Reiger, "Whatever it is within our power to do, even if it requires the entirety of the Ubuyashiki resources, we will make it happen."
With that, Ubuyashiki Kagaya signaled to his wife, allowing Ubuyashiki Amane to hand a token to Reiger.
It was a jade stone engraved with the Ubuyashiki family crest.
With this jade stone in hand, no matter the era or place, the Ubuyashiki family would do everything in their power, sparing no expense, to fulfill Reiger’s request.
This was the greatest token of gratitude Ubuyashiki Kagaya offered Reiger.
Although, in Reiger’s view, he didn’t really need it.
After thinking it over, Reiger eventually accepted the jade stone.
Consider it a keepsake.
After all, once he left this world, he likely wouldn’t return again.
Only then did Ubuyashiki Kagaya look around at everyone, as if imprinting them deeply in his heart, and spoke,
"As of today, the Demon Slayer Corps is officially disbanded."
"Everyone, you have worked hard,"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya bowed to all those present.
The Pillars, struggling to contain their overflowing emotions, some with tears in their eyes, others desperately holding back, ultimately bowed deeply to Ubuyashiki Kagaya as one...
On this day, the Demon Slayer Corps was officially disbanded.
Henceforth, there were no more evil demons, nor a Demon Slayer Corps.