Isekai Adventure in the Dimensional Cube

Daybreak gradually brightened the sky.

As the sun rose from the horizon, the night that had been like a nightmare for the residents of the small town finally passed.

Members of the Corps were running back and forth through the town, some cleaning up the aftermath, some rescuing the injured, filling the town with extraordinary bustle.

However, at this time, the town had truly become a post-disaster scene, with collapsed houses everywhere and a complete mess of ruins, even patches of bloodstains smeared everywhere, glaring under the sun.

Amidst such circumstances, crows were still flying back and forth in the sky, now and then heading out of the town and then back again, seemingly connecting with relevant personnel, sending out information.

Following such a major incident, members of the Demon Slayer Corps who were on missions outside hastened back, especially the Pillars, every single one of them returned without delay.

"My lord!"

"Lord Ubuyashiki!"

"It is a great relief that you are unharmed!"

The Pillars gathered one after another in a clean house that had been temporarily tidied up, kneeling on one knee to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who sat at the head of the tatami-matted room.

Every Pillar, upon entering, wore a face full of deep concerns, including the previously reticent Tomioka Giyuu and the expressionless Tokitou Muichirou, only relaxing when they saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya safe and sound.

"It's good that you all are back."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya, supported by his wife and children, sat there, looking at the row of kneeling Pillars, his face wearing its usual gentle expression.

However, at this time, the Pillars, having relaxed a bit, also began to express their grievances.

"Rengoku, what's the meaning of this?" Shinazugawa Sanemi was the first to challenge Rengoku Kyoujurou, who was kneeling beside Ubuyashiki Kagaya, saying, "Why was my lord still threatened when you were here?"

"This is a dereliction of duty." Iguro Obanai also coldly addressed Rengoku Kyoujurou, "You were right by our lord's side and yet it came to this, even causing unnecessary fright to our lord, it's disgraceful."

At this moment, Rengoku Kyoujurou indeed looked utterly disheveled; his body wrapped in bandages, with blood seeping from beneath his uniform, making this once heroic and carefree man appear very pitiable.

"I have no excuses."

Rengoku Kyoujurou hung his head, eyes closed, looking as if he had no intention of offering any rebuttal.

In this era, Swordsmen still took the way of the Samurai very seriously. Having sworn loyalty to Ubuyashiki Kagaya and calling him my lord, a failure in protection was seen as dereliction of duty, a sin.

It was not unusual for Rengoku Kyoujurou to be held accountable by the other Pillars in these times.

Even Uzui Tengen went so far as to say,

"If this were a ninja, he'd have to commit seppuku by now." Uzui Tengen, arms crossed, said, "Do you need me to guide you through it? Though it won't be glamorous!"

Facing Uzui Tengen's remarks, which held not a shred of kindness, the other Pillars responded in kind.

"...I have no objections."

Tokitou Muichirou said so coldly, seeming to value Ubuyashiki Kagaya's safety greatly and feeling angry about his plight.

"...I have nothing to say."

Tomioka Giyuu closed his eyes, behaving as if the matter was none of his concern.

"Although losing the Flame Pillar is a huge blow to the Demon Slayer Corps, such misbehavior is inevitable. Someone must come forward to take responsibility for the error."

Himejima Gyoumei intoned a prayer and looked very sad, tears streaming down his face.

"No, surely not? Mr. Rengoku did nothing wrong, right? And my lord is unharmed!"

Only Kanroji Mitsuri, very agitated, spoke up for Rengoku Kyoujurou, looking very flustered and anxious.

Among the Pillars present, if anyone had the closest relationship with Rengoku Kyoujurou, it was definitely Kanroji Mitsuri.

Because even before she became a Pillar, even before she developed the Love Breathing, Kanroji Mitsuri was Rengoku Kyoujurou's stepchild.

In other words, Kanroji Mitsuri was Rengoku Kyoujurou's student.

That's how Kanroji Mitsuri was able to use Flame Breathing as the foundation and develop her own Love Breathing, a derivative of Flame Breathing, to become one of the nine Pillars.

Seeing her master being questioned, even to the point of being pressured to commit seppuku as penance, Kanroji Mitsuri was naturally panicked.

Fortunately, Ubuyashiki Kagaya spoke up.

"Everyone, do not blame Kyoujurou too harshly. No one would have expected our location to be exposed. Kyoujurou has done very well."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya defended Rengoku Kyoujurou.

"My lord," Shinazugawa Sanemi then said, "I've always felt that the guard at lord's side is far too thin. If anything happened, your situation would become very dangerous. Going forward, please do consider it carefully and assign several Pillars to protect you closely."

"Exactly," Iguro Obanai nodded, patting the head of the white snake wrapped around his neck, and spoke with a sinister tone, "This incident is a lesson. We cannot afford to repeat it."

"The one who came this time was only an Upper Rank. What if Kibutsuji Muzan himself took action? Uzui Tengen took the matter very seriously, saying, "Although I'd love to have a magnificent fight with Kibutsuji Muzan, we must ensure the lord's safety before that."

"I agree."

Tokitou Muichirou nodded in agreement.

"I have no objections."

Reiger spoke in a subdued voice.

"I ask you to reconsider, my lord."

Himejima Gyoumei pressed his hands together in prayer, his plea accompanied by tears.

"I, I agree too!"

Kanroji Mitsuri, seeing the topic shift away from pursuing Rengoku Kyoujurou's responsibility, quickly seconded the motion.

Only Ubuyashiki Kagaya shook his head, rejecting the pillars' suggestion.

"I have said before that precious combat forces like the pillars should not be wasted on someone like me who is about to die." Ubuyashiki Kagaya said gently, "If I die, there are plenty of people in the Ubuyashiki family who can replace me. My children are all very talented. But if you die, that would be a significant loss to the Demon Slayer Corps."

The pillars raised their voices in protest.

"Please do not speak like this."

"Your life is the most precious thing to the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Losing you would be the greatest loss for the Demon Slayer Corps."

"You should value your own life more."

The pillars spoke one after another in this manner, Rengoku Kyoujurou being no exception, showing Ubuyashiki Kagaya's high status in everyone's hearts.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya was well aware of this and looked at the pillars with an increasingly tender gaze, yet he had no intention of changing his mind.

"Let's not speak further of the escort matter, but this location has indeed been exposed, and we must move to a safer place," he said.

With that, Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned to Rengoku Kyoujurou.

"Have the people in the town been taken care of?"

Hearing this, Rengoku Kyoujurou bowed his head and made his report.

"Kanamitsu just reported up, saying that all the wounded have been rescued, and the unfortunate casualties have all been accounted for. Fortunately, the losses were not severe."

As the upper-rank demons each attacked their respective targets, the aquatic creatures, neither human nor ghost nor fish, that Tamaki had summoned from her urn also attacked the town.

These aquatic creatures were quite powerful, and the average Demon Slayer Corps Swordsmen could not handle them, resulting in some casualties.

Fortunately, since this was the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, with many swordsmen stationed here, including some of higher rank, dealing with a group of summoned aquatic creatures used as lower-level combatants was not a problem.

Therefore, while there were casualties, they were not considered heavy. Moreover, Tamaki was later beheaded by Reiger, dying on the spot, which caused these aquatic creatures to vanish as well, not leading to any further series of troubles.

"The civilians who are safe have been arranged to evacuate along designated routes. Kanamitsu will assist throughout the process. Only Kochou, due to severe injuries, has not only caused the Butterfly Mansion to lose some of its operational capabilities but might also be unable to get out of bed and walk for a short time."

Rengoku Kyoujurou reported all matters clearly.

Among the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, only Kochou Shinobu was absent.

Her injuries were too severe. Following the battle, she immediately lost consciousness and is still laying in bed, unconscious.

"Even Miss Shinobu has fallen?"

Kanroji Mitsuri's expression was one of pain.

The other pillars fell silent, some clenching their fists.

The details of last night's attack had been conveyed to all the pillars by crows.

Therefore, the pillars were already aware of the tragic defeats Rengoku Kyoujurou and Kochou Shinobu faced against the upper-rank demons of the Twelve Kizuki.

Rengoku Kyoujurou, fighting alone against Upper Rank Four, was completely overwhelmed and was blown away. Had he not fallen into the Ubuyashiki estate, he might have been killed by Upper Rank Four.

Kochou Shinobu was severely injured by Upper Rank Six and nearly died. Had Daki not had a penchant for eating beautiful girls and the habit of storing them as food reserves, Shinobu might have been devoured the moment she fell, rather than being brought to the Ubuyashiki estate by Daki.

Although there were three upper-rank demons who launched the attack, whether it was Rengoku Kyoujurou or Kochou Shinobu, each faced an upper rank alone, without being ganged up on.

Yet, both pillars were utterly defeated.

"Are the upper-rank demons really that strong?"

The words that slipped out of Uzui Tengen's mouth unconsciously were exactly what all the pillars were thinking at that moment.

And to that question, Rengoku Kyoujurou replied.

"Very strong," said Rengoku Kyoujurou, his face uncharacteristically solemn. "Even the weakest among the upper ranks have the power to single-handedly overpower a pillar. Most of us would probably stand no chance in a one-on-one fight against an upper rank."

This harsh reality indeed tore through much of the pillars' pride.

"What about him?" Shinazugawa Sanemi asked, his fierce eyes fixed on Rengoku Kyoujurou. "Where did the guy who could decapitate three upper ranks in one swing go?"

The pillars suddenly snapped back to attention, looking at Rengoku Kyoujurou.

Upon mentioning that person, Rengoku Kyoujurou's somber expression eased somewhat as he said,

"He's with Kochou, claiming he has a way to help her recover quickly."