Reiko gasped for breath, her eyes even reddening slightly with "excitement." She stared fixedly at Rokuya and declared in an utterly resolute, utterly admiring voice, "Lord Rokuya! You were absolutely right not to save that piece of trash back then! Someone like that deserved to die!"
Seeing Reiko so filled with righteous indignation, even angrier than he was, the chill faded from Rokuya's eyes, and he could not help letting out a low chuckle.
"Heh, you little girl. I rather like that temper of yours." Rokuya stood and reached for the Shura Greatblade standing beside him. "Unlike that trash, at least you have the courage to face a Lower Rank. For what you just said, you can hide behind me if we run into a demon later. I'll keep you alive."
"Really?! Thank you so much, Lord Rokuya!" Tremendous delight instantly burst into Reiko's eyes. She bowed deeply, her voice cloyingly sweet. "I'll stay right behind you, Lord Rokuya. I won't hold you back!"
Kanae also stood and gently patted Reiko's shoulder. "You really have a strong sense of justice, Reiko. Still, let bygones be bygones. The Demon Slayer Corps' rules are fair. Our first priority now is to uncover the truth about Akagi Village."
"Lady Kanae is right!" Reiko nodded vigorously, that signature bright, energetic smile blooming on her face again. She hurried ahead to the door and solicitously opened it for them. "My lord, my lady, please! Let me lead the way!"
"Lord Rokuya, Lady Kanae, we need to hurry! It's almost dark, and it gets very cold deep in the mountains at night!" Reiko turned and waved to them from the stairs like a happy little bird.
"I know. Stop rushing me." Rokuya answered impatiently, the three-hundred-jin greatblade producing heavy thuds on the wooden stairs.
The last