"Sorry, Lady Keqing."
Makomo returned to Keqing's side and answered softly. She understood that her performance had not satisfied Keqing, but upon hearing Hand Demon's words, she had been unable to restrain her emotions.
"Forget it! Learn from this. Next time, don't lose focus in battle. No matter how outrageous something is, letting an enemy's words affect you during a fight can be fatal."
Keqing stroked Makomo's hair and did not reprimand her harshly. As she had said before, Makomo had experienced too little. After all, she was only a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl.
Even many of the Demon Slayer Corps' Pillars could not control their emotions, and that was why most of the Corps' Pillars had died—often horribly.
"Now then, Mr. Demon... how about we play a game? If you can endure it, perhaps you won't have to die. You might even evolve... beyond your current form."
After saying a few words to Makomo, Keqing turned her gaze back to Hand Demon before her. She had an idea... or rather, an experiment she had tried in many worlds, though it had rarely succeeded.
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?!"
For some reason, Hand Demon felt a chill rise from the depths of his heart. Without another thought, he immediately attacked Keqing...
"Lady Keqing, watch out!" Seeing Hand Demon strike, Makomo immediately drew her sword and stood in front of Keqing. Though she knew Hand Demon was no match for Keqing, she still had to do this.
However... after Makomo cut off one of Hand Demon's arms, she realized the attack had merely been a feint. The moment he attacked... Hand Demon turned and fled.
"Think you can escape?"
Keqing removed the hairpin from her hair, imbued it with Electro, and fired it at Hand Demon like a hidden