To Haruto's surprise, the seemingly frail Demon Princess was actually a close-combat fighter.
She was incredibly fast, reaching him almost instantly and slashing at him with claws like ten sickles.
"Shhk!"
Haruto raised his blade to catch her claws and swept downward, producing a metallic clang.
Sparks flew as claws scraped against steel. The Demon Princess twisted and lashed out with another claw.
"Shhk!" Haruto calmly flicked his wrist, guiding his Nichirin Blade in a swift circle around the incoming claws.
By the time the Demon Princess realized something was wrong and pulled back, her clawed hand had fallen to the ground, severed at the wrist. Dark red demon blood poured from the stump.
The Demon Princess shook her arm, and a new hand immediately grew back.
"Your mother... doesn't seem to want her daughter to look like this."
As his blade clashed with her claws, Haruto glanced at the lone head.
The Fisherwoman lay on the ground, her eyes brimming with tears as she murmured, "Demon Princess... Demon Princess..."
"My mother is a softhearted demon. She feels guilty for ages even after eating some construction worker she's never met-but that's exactly why she can't grow stronger or earn that lord's favor."
"Muzan must be tearing his hair out lately. If even a newly turned demon like you can earn his favor, the Demon Slayer Corps must be nearly finished with its demon extermination campaign."
The Demon Princess moved like a gust of foul-smelling wind, but Haruto remained unruffled, fighting her with ease.
"How could the likes of us dare presume to understand that lord's thoughts!"
The Demon Princess leaped into the air and flicked dozens of shrieking, razor-sharp wind blades from her hands, sending them spinning toward Haruto.
Blood Demon Art: Bone-Shattering Gale!
"Star Breathing, Fourth Form: Star Transfer!"