But Teiichi and the others couldn't just leave directly.
Firstly, it was unclear how much time was left before the sacrifice, and secondly, the sacrifice was merely a guess, and it was unknown whether it would actually happen.
Or, how about we bring up the matter of interrogating the village chief that we left unresolved before?
Anyway, the village chief who came down from where Yuta's remains were definitely not innocent!
Just as Teiichi, a childish counting sound came from the open field.
"... three, four, five..."
Teiichi slightly raised his eyes and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw several children playing games in an open field.
The counting came from a little boy standing in the center, with his back to the crowd.
Behind him, many children scattered and ran away laughing like wild horses, only turning around to observe the child who was counting after they had run to a place where they felt a little safer.
"... Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, I'm here to arrest them!"
The count of twenty was finished quickly. The little boy turned around swiftly, his head spinning, and then he rushed toward the nearest child.
The child being chased was startled at first, then a sharp scream rang out across the field...
The three continued walking forward, watching the children playing.
After watching with great interest for Teiichi while, Nezuko beside him and said:
Nezuko, do you want to go play with them?
Nezuko paused for a moment upon hearing this, then shook her head rapidly like a rattle-drum, replying sweetly:
" Nezuko is a grown-up, she doesn't play with little kids!"
Seeing this, Teiichi couldn't help but chuckle a few times.
The sight before her eyes brought a slight smile to Kanae's lips, and the somewhat suppressed feelings she had been experiencing these past two days due to that speculation eased a little.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something, his gaze involuntarily fell on a little girl in front of him.
The little girl stood quietly at a distance, watching the group of children playing. She didn't go up to join them, and the other children didn't invite her either.
Familiar attire, a sheep's tail braid at the back of her head...
Is this the little girl who bumped into me two days ago?
After watching quietly for a while, Kanae quickened her pace and walked towards the little girl.
Suddenly, someone appeared beside her. The little girl turned her head to look at them, then took two steps to the side.
Seeing this, Kanae did not approach any further, but instead squatted down next to the little girl, her gaze fixed on the children playing not far away.
A little while later, Teiichi came over, leading Nezuko by the hand.
After glancing at Kanae was squatting on the ground, and the little girl beside her, Teiichi didn't say much. He then took Nezuko and squatted down beside them.
At some point, the little girl seemed to have caught the same urge, and she changed from standing to squatting.
The four of them squatted quietly by the edge of the field.
Time passed slowly.
The children playing in the fields soon got tired and turned to walk towards home.
Only the little girl kept turning her head, watching their figures with envy.
Kanae looked at the little girl and asked softly:
Why don't you go and play with them?
Upon hearing this, the little girl lowered her head and gently drew on the ground with her fingertips.
"They won't play with me!"
"If you're willing to try, I think they'll definitely accept you and play with you!" Kanae smiled gently at the little girl.
However, the little girl was not moved by Kanae's gentle smile. She merely glanced up at Kanae, then lowered her head again, saying somewhat dejectedly:
"They might have done that before, but they won't now!"
Kanae paused slightly upon hearing this, then asked softly:
Can you tell me why?
The little girl didn't seem to want to talk about this. She shook her head, ignored the others, and silently turned and walked towards the village.
Seeing Kanae, Kanae frowned slightly, but did not give up. Instead, she slowly followed after him.
"Could you tell me your name?"
The little girl glanced at Kanae, then lowered her head and thought for a moment before whispering:
"My Delia..."
"Hmm?"
Nezuko, who hadn't paid much attention at first, suddenly grunted in Nezuko upon hearing the little girl's name.
Then she broke free Teiichi Dingyi's hand, hobbled over to Delia, placed her hands on Delia's shoulders, and stared straight at Delia with her big, watery eyes.
"Hana... ko?" Nezuko, asking as if to confirm.
Delia seemed a little scared and couldn't help but take a step back, wanting to get a little further away from Nezuko, but she couldn't because Nezuko was holding her shoulders.
" Delia?" Nezuko asked again.
"Yes, wh... what's wrong?" Delia asked, somewhat frightened.
Upon hearing this, Nezuko immediately pulled Delia into her arms, gently stroking the back of Delia's head with one hand.
"It's okay, I'll play with you from now on!"
Teiichi, Kanae with some confusion. It was the first time he had ever seen Nezuko so emotional.
Kanae was initially a little confused, but after hearing Nezuko's words, she seemed to realize something and explained to Teiichi:
" Tanjiro seemed to have mentioned before that they had a younger sister Delia, Nezuko probably considers Delia to be her younger sister!"
Teiichi nodded knowingly upon hearing this.
He only vaguely remembered the plot, how could he possibly remember a name that had likely only appeared once!
After overhearing their conversation, Delia seemed to understand and was no longer afraid. Instead, she quietly leaned against Nezuko...
Hmm... on my head!
Teiichi covered her face. Nezuko is really something. She can't even grow bigger. She stays at six or seven years old and is even shorter than Delia.
However, it did have an effect. With Nezuko's comforting words, Delia gradually hugged Nezuko and began to sob.
Kanae gently patted Delia's head to comfort her.
Teiichi stood to the side without disturbing them.
After a long while, Delia's sobs gradually subsided.
Nezuko also let go of Delia, and after thinking for a moment, she took out a few packaged senbei from her pocket.
"Here, have some and you won't be sad anymore!" Nezuko with a smile, handing over the senbei.
Delia nodded, took the senbei, and began to take small bites.
The group walked along the village road towards the village. Kanae asked again:
" Delia, can you tell us why they don't want to play with you anymore?"
Delia hesitated for a moment, glanced at Nezuko, and then nodded gently.
They say I'm God's chosen child!