The demon stood bathed in sunlight and stretched out his hands, as though embracing the sun. Then he turned to Tanjiro and asked in a grave voice, "What makes you think I'm a demon?"
Tanjiro was tongue-tied. He truly knew that the person before him was a demon.
"Have you ever seen a demon basking in sunlight? Have you ever seen a demon who could control his craving to devour human flesh and blood?"
He stared at Tanjiro, seemingly demanding an answer. "What makes you think I'm a demon?"
The boy fell somewhat silent, seemingly unable to refute him. Yet a stubborn conviction remained in his heart. Even if he could bask in sunlight, even if he could control his craving to devour human flesh and blood, could that... could that change his essential nature as a demon?
Su Mu walked up to Tanjiro and fixed his eyes on him. "Don't you think there's something wrong with your understanding? That the problem lies with you?"
Tanjiro: "..."
"Demons were human at first, too!
Su Mu spoke softly. "Even the First Demon, Kibutsuji Muzan, was human in the beginning! He became a demon from a human. Why don't you think I've taken that crucial step, surpassed the First Demon, and turned from a demon back into a human, becoming the most perfect human?"
He looked at Tanjiro and continued softly, "Or you could think of me as..."
His voice gradually deepened, carrying a faint hint of mystery. "God and Buddha Walking Among Men."
At that moment, the flames in the hearth between the windows seemed to leap all at once.
Sunlight fell upon the demon, and the flames in the hearth rose.
An air of mystery and sanctity filled the entire room.
Beside him, Kanao raised her head and gazed at