Was This Still Home? Was This Still the New World?

"This place..."

The Sapphire Star muttered, turning an inquisitive gaze toward Tanjiro.

"Tanjiro, this place is called Mount Fujikasane? It's your selection grounds? Specifically for fighting these talking monsters you call 'demons'?"

The questions made Tanjiro a little nervous, and he tried hard to recall his master Urokodaki's teachings.

"Y-yes, this is Mount Fujikasane, the Demon Slayer Corps' selection grounds."

"Oh, all right."

The Sapphire Star watched the Kakushi who had suddenly appeared a short while earlier. They silently cleared away the demons' remains, working deftly despite their limited strength, and swiftly removed the Hand Demon's remaining half, frozen solid in black ice. She abandoned the idea of asking them for information. They clearly had no intention of engaging with her.

We're screwed, folks. I've flown off to some place I've never even heard of.

Well, this is a fine mess. All I can do now is hope the squad leader survives Dire Miralis.

Otherwise, by the time I get back, the squad leader will probably be premium fertilizer.

The Sapphire Star shook her head.

Just then, two petite figures appeared soundlessly at the entrance to the wisteria grove, as light as butterflies.

They wore kimonos bearing wisteria family crests and had neatly cut bobs. Their faces looked like exquisite dolls cast from the same mold. They were the children of Oyakata-sama, Kagaya Ubuyashiki-

Hinaki and Hika, acting on behalf of Kiriya Ubuyashiki.

Their arrival seemed to carry a strange, soothing power, quieting the chaotic scene a little.

All the surviving candidates, including Tanjiro, instinctively turned toward them.

Hinaki and Hika calmly surveyed the devastated battlefield. Their gazes lingered briefly on the Hand Demon's bizarre half-body of black ice before finally settling on the Sapphire Star, whose presence was both the most powerful and the most out of place.

A barely perceptible trace of surprise flickered in their clear eyes, but they quickly regained their composure.

"The Final Selection has ended ahead of schedule."

Hinaki made the announcement in a young voice utterly devoid of inflection.

"Congratulations to all the survivors."

Hika's voice was equally calm and level.

"Please follow the members of the Kakushi off Mount Fujikasane to rest at the temporary residence at the foot of the mountain. Someone will inform you of the subsequent arrangements."

The Sapphire Star immediately fixed her gaze on the twins.

Though they were very young, their composure far beyond their years and the respectful way everyone around them treated them led her to an instant conclusion-these two children were no ordinary kids!

Ignoring the other candidates, the Sapphire Star appeared before Hinaki and Hika in a flash, moving so fast that only an icy-blue afterimage remained where she had stood.

Her tall figure radiated an imposing presence, and she crouched down, trying her best to look a little friendlier.

"Hello there, girls! I'm a hunter from the Fifth Fleet dispatched to the New World. Just call me the Sapphire Star. I ended up stranded here by accident..."

"Could you help me contact the hunters' organization? I have experience dealing with all kinds of monsters, so if there's anything you need me for, I'd be happy to help!"

Hinaki and Hika exchanged a glance, a trace of understanding flickering through their calm eyes.

They neither questioned the Sapphire Star's origins nor shrank from her imposing presence. They simply nodded slightly.

"Lady Sapphire Star."

Hinaki's voice remained utterly level, yet carried a peculiar penetrating quality.

"We will relay your request to the Master immediately."

"Please accompany the other candidates to the Wisteria Family residence as well."

Hika added.

"The Master will arrange to meet with you as soon as possible."

That answer meant the highest leadership of the Demon Slayer Corps had already taken notice of this mysterious "Sapphire Star," who had appeared out of nowhere wielding terrifying power.

Her presence was like a huge boulder hurled into a tranquil lake, about to stir up enormous waves.

As for the woman herself, she was still standing there scratching her head...