Wherever the troops arrived, the local civilians warmly welcomed them.
Many people also sent gifts and publicized their deeds.
"You are doing the people a favor by eliminating a scourge."
Taking this opportunity, Ayu personally spoke up to recruit civilians into his team once again.
Perhaps it was Ah Yu's sincerity that moved them, or perhaps it was their sense of justice that was burning within them.
Surprisingly, quite a few people actually joined the army midway through the process.
As time went on, the number of people continued to increase.
If things continue like this, by the time they reach the mountain where the Demon Slayer Corps Base, their numbers will exceed 20,000.
With a large population, food naturally becomes a major problem.
One evening, a foreigner found Ayu.
"Your Crown Prince, how much longer until we reach that mountain?"
"Oh, Mr. Ral, I know what you're worried about."
As he stood up, Ayu wanted to hug the other person, but Ral dodged him.
"I'm not in the mood for etiquette right now, I just want to fill my stomach."
Ral touched his stomach, then pointed to the sky and shouted.
"The Demon Slayer Corps are demons from hell, devils who harm the world."
"I, Ral, have received God's will to lead my soldiers to help you."
"But I cannot accept that the soldiers are going hungry. This is an atrocity. We have the right to eat freely!"
Upon seeing this, Ayu quickly said that he would arrange manpower to increase the food supply for Ral and his soldiers.
"Only such a small improvement? My warriors are on their way, and once they arrive, they'll be fighting demons!"
Ral shook his head vigorously, clearly dissatisfied with Ayu's actions.
"I'll increase the payment I promised you by 30%."
Upon hearing this, Ral paused and narrowed his eyes.
"I once heard that moderate hunger can keep people working at a high level."
With a slight smile, Ayu continued.
"I can provide you with another copy of the scripture you desire."
"God bless you, dear Prince Ayu."
Taking two steps forward, Ral gave Ayu a tight hug and said affectionately.
"I think the soldiers will be very grateful for your generosity and kindness."
"Hehe, I thought so too."
Nodding in satisfaction, Ral then left.
As soon as his figure disappeared, the smile on Ayu's face quickly vanished.
Ral wasn't the first person to come to him with his grievances, nor would he be the last.
They had only been gone a few days, but these foreigners were already complaining about how tough it was.
Either the food was too salty today, or the water I was drinking wasn't clean enough.
Some people even demand that their lunch must consist of top-quality beef.
"What a bunch of pretentious people."
Gritting his teeth, Ayu stomped his foot hard.
The force was so great that it actually stomped a footprint into the ground.
"If these guys weren't useful, I would have..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a figure walking towards him.
"Oh, dear Crown Prince, please forgive me for disturbing you so late."
In the blink of an eye, a smile reappeared on Ayu's face.
"Don't be nervous, my friend, Ayu will always welcome your visit."
With her arms outstretched, Ayu walked over.
While the main force was launching its attack, the Demon Slayer Corps was in an uproar.
They are clearly heroes who secretly protect people, but not long ago they were falsely accused of being the masterminds behind the scenes.
And now, an even larger force is heading this way.
Not for anything else, but to destroy himself.
"How could this happen? Aren't we partners in justice?!"
"I don't know, I don't know anything, I want to go home."
"Where is our Master? Where are the pillars? Go find them, they will surely have a solution!"
Inside the mansion, Amane Ubuyashiki summoned the Pillar-level members to discuss their next move.
As for the position of Tengen Uzui, it was replaced by Makio.
Apart from them, only the Scribe were qualified to participate.
But the Scribe refused and left the Demon Slayer Corps.
As he was leaving, Shinobu Butterfly asked him where he was going.
"I'm going to save the world."
After leaving behind this message, he disappeared.
No one knows where the Scribe went.
"Gentlemen, do you have any good ideas about how to deal with Ayu's troops who are about to arrive?"
Amane Ubuyashiki's question did not receive an answer from the crowd.
Even when someone occasionally speaks up, the proposed solutions are insufficient to resolve the current problems.
Finally, Amane Ubuyashiki sighed and said.
"In that case, we'll have no choice but to ask that person to come out."
"That one? Which one?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present looked puzzled.
Amane Ubuyashiki didn't say anything, but simply stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Mr. Ito, please come in."
"Um."
An aged male voice rang out, followed by a hunched figure entering the room.
This is a man in his seventies or eighties, with weathered eyes and a face full of wrinkles.
Even with a cane in his hand, he walked unsteadily.
It makes one wonder if they might die at any moment.
"Are these the pillars?"
"Yes, they are the current Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Hmm, it's much better than the previous generation."
Thank you for your compliment.
She helped Ito sit down, and then Amane Ubuyashiki knelt down beside him, saying nothing more.
After taking his seat, Ito simply observed the pillars silently.
Faced with the gaze of this stranger, the Pillar-level team members all perked up and took it seriously.
After an unknown amount of time, Ito finally spoke.
"I, an old man, can save the Demon Slayer Corps."
Chapter 576 Ito
"Save the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Upon hearing this, the pillars immediately looked at Ito.
The old man before them had an extremely weak life force, clearly indicating that he was not a reclusive master.
He looked like an ordinary old man.
But he actually said he could save the Demon Slayer Corps.
The pillars' first reaction was disbelief.
They all looked at Amane Ubuyashiki, hoping she could give a reasonable explanation.
"You need not doubt it, Lord Ito, you do indeed have this ability."
With a slight smile, Amane Ubuyashiki then spoke.
"When you hear the name Ito, what comes to mind first?"
"Ito?"
Frowning, Sanemi shook his head in confusion; he had never heard of this name before.
"Iguro, the Kocho, have you heard of it?"
"No."
Obanai and the Kocho Sisters both shook their heads; they had never heard of the name either.
Tokito Muichiro and the others had similar reactions, looking bewildered.
Seeing that no one had given him the answer he wanted, Ito started to get anxious.
"You don't even know this name? What did you do before joining the Demon Slayer Corps?!"
"Ninja".
"Woodcutter."
"Doctor."
"The dungeon."
"Civilian."
Ito's lips twitched violently. He felt that asking this question was like asking for trouble.
Finally, Rengoku KyoJuro spoke.
"Is it the Ito Family?"
"I'm glad that people still know this name."
His expression gradually relaxed, and after observing Kyojuro's appearance, Ito asked.
"Are you from the Rengoku Family?"
"Yes, I am Kyojuro."
"I see, you are Shinjuro's son."
With a smile, Ito praised.
"As expected of his son, he has surpassed his father."
"Thank you for your compliment."
After thanking Ito, Kyojuro noticed the questioning look on his companion's face.