"Lower Rank?" Rokuya's eyes instantly lit up.
To him, the words "Lower Rank" meant not danger, but a massive haul of extremely high-quality Gratitude Points! If he wanted to keep unlocking Kai's exclusive skill tree in the Just Magistrate System, or exchange points for more god-tier equipment like the Shadow Battle Axe, ordinary small-fry demons had long since ceased to satisfy him.
"That Hinoto-ranked swordswoman is currently standing by in a town outside Akagi Village, monitoring the situation," Kagaya Ubuyashiki added with a smile. "If it really is a Lower Rank, a Hinoto-ranked swordswoman alone has absolutely no chance of surviving. That is why I hope our newly appointed Kai Hashira will go there personally. Kanae, accompany him and assist Rokuya with medical care and intelligence analysis."
"Understood." Kanae nodded gently. "We'll bring that swordswoman back safely and eliminate the demon."
"So much chatter. You could've just said it was a Lower Rank!" Rokuya grinned, his expression utterly arrogant. With one hand, he hefted the Shura Greatblade resting on his shoulder, dark blue light faintly flowing over its sheath. "Whatever rank the bug is, if it dares get in my way, I'll cut it down in one stroke. Kanae, let's go."
Watching the two leave side by side, Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed softly twice, but a pleased smile curved his lips.
After leaving headquarters, they followed a winding mountain road northwest.
Rokuya's appetite remained a bottomless pit. Along the way, after passing through just three way stations, he had already eaten a full fifty skewers of three-colored dango, ten bowls of tonkotsu ramen, and three large steamer baskets of beef buns.
"Eat slowly, Rokuya. No one's going to steal your food." Walking beside him, Kanae took a handkerchief embroidered with wisteria from her sleeve and rose onto her toes with