"Have we arrived in a remote area..."
Captain Wokeng gathered the veterans together and they conferred for a while.
Finally, after saying a few words of farewell and caution to Youmei, the veterans headed off in a certain direction.
The historical setting of Demon Slayer is Japan's Taisho period. During this time, apart from a few major cities, most areas were relatively undeveloped towns and villages.
Therefore, the group was completely clueless as to their current location.
The veterans had no intention of acting together with the newcomers, so they planned to ask for information about large cities and head in that direction.
After all, compared to backward towns, a large city would have a better flow of information. They reasoned that an organization like the Demon Slayer Corps was more likely to be found in a major city.
As for why they were looking for the Demon Slayer Corps, it was because the veterans' goal was to join it.
The possibility of triggering side quests was clearly greater within an organization dedicated to fighting demons.
"Let's go..."
Youmei said to the newcomers.
"First, let's find a place like an inn, then we'll ask about any news of man-eating demons."
As time passed, the Reincarnators gradually integrated into the world of Demon Slayer.
Perhaps due to the Main God's influence, their sudden appearance didn't cause any panic among the locals. However, as they lingered, the group's style of dress, which was completely different from the current era, began to attract strange glances from the passersby.
The newcomers answered in affirmation and followed behind Youmei.
The process of finding an inn was not difficult. After walking for a few dozen meters, the group saw an inn called "Traveler's Respite," saving them the trouble of even asking for directions.
It was a small inn self-operated by a married couple, intended for passing travelers. It was neither luxurious nor shabby.
Normally, one would need some form of identification to stay, but... in a remote village like this, as long as you had money, identity was not an issue.
Did the Reincarnators have money? Of course not.
The mission worlds were weird and varied; the currency of one world was not necessarily usable in another. Who would bother carrying currency?
However, they did carry some hard currency like gold.
The group's strange attire naturally aroused the innkeeper's suspicion.
When the innkeeper asked about their identities, Youmei directly threw two gold bars at him, dispelling all of his doubts. She then took the room keys from the beaming innkeeper.
"Let's put down our unnecessary things first. This mission will take a relatively long time. We'll act after we get some information."
Hu Yan and the others had been ordinary people before this, and even among ordinary people, they were on the weaker side. After all, the three of them spent most of their days sitting in chairs in air-conditioned rooms.
Making them move around with such large packs was a huge burden. Furthermore, being newcomers, they had inevitably brought some unnecessary items, completely unlike Lexon, who was as unburdened as a feather.
If they had to move around with their large packs, they would probably collapse from exhaustion before a demon even got to them.
Thus, the group divided the room keys and went to find their respective rooms.
The night passed without incident.
The time limit given for the main quest was very long, and this abundance of time meant the Reincarnators were not in a hurry.
They would stay one night first to calm their minds.
This could be considered Youmei's "gentleness" toward the newcomers.
From the real world to a mission world, from a peaceful and advanced era to a backward and dangerous place, it was inevitable for the newcomers to feel "lost" and "panicked."
No matter how you put it, they were just ordinary people, without so-called big hearts or great courage.
...
A fresh scent was hidden in the clear air; the morning rooster had already crowed.
Although the rooster had crowed, Lexon still lazed in bed for a while before getting up.
He had to admit, the environment in the countryside during this era was truly wonderful.
The air was fresh, and the birds were singing amidst fragrant flowers.
However, the temperature seemed to have dropped a lot compared to yesterday, making Lexon shiver with cold.
He stretched his back and looked out the window.
"Did it snow last night?"
He had gone to bed very early last night and slept like a log, completely unaware of the scene outside.
Only now did he see that the world outside was a blanket of white.
White snow was piled up on the roads and houses, and some homeowners were clearing the snow in front of their doors.
Tranquility and harmony were perfectly embodied in this rural snowscape.
"Buying charcoal?"
An energetic young boy's voice came from the street.
Hmm?
Lexon rubbed his sleepy eyes and focused his gaze.
A red-haired boy with a large bamboo basket full of black charcoal on his back, wearing a green and black checkered haori, was smiling as he promoted his charcoal to a homeowner who was sweeping snow.
"My charcoal just ran out. Give me some, Tanjiro."
The homeowner had known the boy for a long time, and his words were full of affection.
'Tanjiro...'
Lexon rested his elbow on the windowsill, propping his chin with his palm, and thought.
Memories of the anime Demon Slayer continuously surfaced in his mind.
'This is the plot of the first episode, the scene where the protagonist Tanjiro comes down the mountain to sell charcoal.'
'In other words, what happens next is the plot where his family meets an unfortunate end at the hands of Muzan, with only his sister, Nezuko, surviving after being turned into a demon out of Muzan's wicked fancy.'
Looking at Tanjiro, who was currently helping the people in the village, Lexon's eyes couldn't help but carry a trace of sympathy.
Tanjiro was a gentle child.
However, in the world of Demon Slayer, heaven would not grant him a good outcome just because of his gentleness.
His personality was gentle; he would sympathize with demons who had tragic pasts, yet he was not a bleeding heart who would let go of demons that had already killed many people. He was gentle, yet rational and understanding of the bigger picture.
He was also very strong. Even after his family was murdered, he could bravely bear everything, fighting with all his might for the life of his last remaining relative, his sister.
"This kid is quite likable."
A sentence slowly escaped Lexon's lips.
'But I can't save him.'
In his heart, Lexon added another sentence.
Yes, there was nothing Lexon could do. As of now, his abilities and strength could only be considered at the peak level of an ordinary person. Fighting a common demon was still feasible.
But facing Muzan? That would be seeking death.
The most Lexon could do right now was to have Tanjiro go back up the mountain and flee with his family.
But when would Muzan appear? Where was he?
Lexon knew none of this; the anime never said.
So, he had no idea if telling Tanjiro to go back now would be saving him or harming him.
Not to mention, he was a complete stranger to him. Tanjiro wouldn't necessarily listen to him, and he couldn't explain how he knew so much.
'It's better to let the plot proceed as planned.'
His slightly turbulent heart seemed to calm down with this decision.
Once a decision is made, there is no room for regret.
Lexon went downstairs to find the owner and asked him to help buy a set of warmer clothes.
For the sake of the gold bars, the owner immediately and eagerly bought several sets of warm clothes for his benefactor and delivered them.
After changing into the warm clothes, Lexon brewed a cup of coffee he had brought from the Main God Space. He watched the beautiful scenery outside the window and the active figure of Tanjiro. Although the scene felt wonderful, a touch of heaviness still surfaced in his heart.
"I won't die."
Lexon did not fear death; he viewed it very lightly.
Even in the Main God Space, in a strange world, Lexon had never panicked.
Because he felt that it was impossible for him to die.
He had the "Sign-in System" and, compared to other Reincarnators, a "prescient knowledge" of the mission worlds. Both of these were incomparable advantages.
"To stand above all other Reincarnators."
This was something Lexon felt would be realized sooner or later.
As long as he didn't court death, gaining power was a very simple matter.
Therefore, he did not crave power.
But the more he looked at the boy outside the window, the more a sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.
It wasn't that Lexon felt he absolutely had to save Tanjiro's family; he wasn't that noble or kind-hearted.
He would feel regret for the future deaths of Tanjiro's family, but he would not feel grief.
It was just that... not having a choice in a matter where the "will to act" was present—this point made Lexon feel quite unhappy.
Therefore, he began to desire power again.
"Then I'll just have to try a little harder."
Lexon straightened up slightly.
"I was originally planning to be a bit of a slacker, but I really hate this feeling."
He took a small sip of coffee and muttered lazily to himself:
"So that this won't happen again..."