News of the Upper Rank Demon's death spread throughout the Demon Slayer Corps, carried by Kasugai Crows.
"Caw! Caw!"
"The Star, Water, and Flame Hashira, together with several Demon Slayer swordsmen, have slain Upper Rank Five, Gyokko!"
Amane was watching the Kasugai Crow circling overhead when she suddenly heard something fall inside the house.
"Kagaya!"
She hurriedly turned around. Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood there, a drinking cup shattered on the floor. Fortunately, it had not hurt his feet.
Kagaya stared blankly at the Kasugai Crow. "An... Upper Rank? Did I hear that right? The demon that appeared in the Imperial Capital was an Upper Rank Demon?"
"Yes, Kagaya! You heard right!"
Amane smiled at him joyfully. "Mr. Haruto, Mr. Urokodaki, and Mr. Rengoku did it. They slew an Upper Rank Demon!"
The joy on Kagaya's face vanished almost as soon as it appeared. His face went deathly pale. "Without first assessing the situation, I rashly sent the Hashira to hunt down an Upper Rank... I made a mistake I should never have made, Amane...
At such a crucial time, if anything had happened to even one of those three, it would have been a devastating blow to the Demon Slayer Corps..."
"But unless we venture into the tiger's den, how can we know whether a tiger or a cub lies within?"
Amane knew what he was thinking. "Kagaya, calm down. You must trust your own judgment."
Kagaya crouched down and felt around for the fallen cup. At last, a little color returned to his pale face.
Yes. That was right.
There were many things he needed to do now, but dwelling on fear and regret was certainly not among them.
Since Haruto and the others had gloriously slain an Upper Rank, he ought to reward them as the heroes they were!