Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "The new Upper Rank Two Demon is dead. Another Upper Moon came with him and died in the same battle. Kibutsuji Muzan has recruited quite a few replacements for the Twelve Demon Moons lately, but I can't shake the feeling that they're nowhere near as strong as the old ones."
"He hasn't had much time, after all," Kanae said. "That may make this our chance."
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. He knew exactly what Kanae meant.
But given the situation, they still needed to move carefully. They could not afford to squander an opportunity they had fought so hard to gain.
They had to stay hidden when necessary, so that when the time came, they could strike with overwhelming force.
"Getting hurt on this trip was an accident," Tetsu no Sosuke said. "Once I've recovered, I'll have to head out again."
Kanae nodded and smiled. "I know."
Because she understood, she had not been angry about Ubuyashiki Kagaya's arrangements.
If Tetsu no Sosuke could defeat one or two powerful enemies while under protection, he would be much less likely to face such enemies alone in the future.
No matter how excessive Ubuyashiki Kagaya's arrangements seemed, they would never put Tetsu no Sosuke's life at risk. Once Kanae realized that, she had calmly accepted everything.
After they ate, Tetsu no Sosuke took Kanae out for a walk.
The weather was just right, neither too hot nor too cold. They strolled hand in hand, passing both familiar faces and people he had never met.
Kanae told him which families they belonged to, and Tetsu no Sosuke greeted each of them.
They were all warm toward the Hammer Pillar, though some inevitably asked after loved ones who were important to them. Tetsu no Sosuke answered when he could and offered