[Love Estate]
Three days had passed.
Lucien Graves sat on the veranda in the courtyard, eyes fixed on the long Nichirin Blade Mitsuri had placed before him.
For three days, Lucien had maintained the appearance of a patient recovering from injuries, diligently applying medicine and tending to himself.
Every night Mitsuri went out on patrol, but tonight she returned with something special.
"Is this for me?" Lucien asked, eyeing the unassuming blade. He knew instantly it was a Nichirin Blade, the only weapon capable of killing a demon by severing its neck.
"Yes, the swordsmith finished it yesterday," Mitsuri said brightly, smiling. "This blade was forged from Masira Scarlet Sand Iron and Masira Scarlet Ore, rare iron ores that absorb sunlight. Like all Nichirin Blades, it changes color depending on its wielder, reflecting the Breathing Style. Water Breathing turns it blue, Flame Breathing red, Wind Breathing green, and Stone Breathing gray. You use Thunder Breathing, so it should turn golden."
Lucien picked up the blade, and as Mitsuri had said, it shimmered gold from the hilt, its surface crackling like lightning.
"Thank you, Mitsuri."
He swung it casually. The weight and balance were different from his kukri, but he was confident he could adapt quickly.
"As long as you like it," Mitsuri said softly, hands trembling slightly as she looked at him.
Hanazawa had mentioned his injuries were healed. Mitsuri exhaled in relief.
"Then I'll go rest," she said, weary from worry and duty.
Lucien reached out, patting her head gently.
Mitsuri lowered her gaze, stepped back quickly, and murmured, "I'll go rest," before leaving, her heart racing.
Lucien watched her flustered retreat, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he admired the golden Nichirin Blade in his hand.
After giving Hanazawa a quick instruction, he headed toward the waterfall behind the mountain.
Training in the fading light, the sky darkened swiftly.
Returning to Love Estate for dinner, Lucien and Mitsuri set off together to patrol her assigned territory.
"Sit behind," Lucien said, conjuring a bicycle from thin air at the gate.
"Is this magic?" Mitsuri asked.
Over the past few days, she, Hanazawa, and Sakura had grown accustomed to Lucien's ability to conjure objects out of thin air.
It was amusing, enchanting, and a little baffling.
Mitsuri hesitated before sitting on the back of the bicycle and wrapped an arm around Lucien's waist.
"Then we're off."
Lucien waved to Hanazawa and Sakura.
"Be careful."
The bicycle sped along the rural path, the only sound that of spinning wheels mingling with the chirping of insects and rustling of wildlife.
"The starry sky tonight is beautiful," Mitsuri murmured, gazing upward.
One arm remained around Lucien, the other brushing her hair behind her ear.
The night breeze carried the peaceful sounds of nature, and for the first time, she felt truly at ease.
"Indeed. And with a sky like this, snacks can't be missing," Lucien said, conjuring a bucket of potato chips in his right hand.
Mitsuri's eyes widened, sparkling.
She eagerly tore the package open and savored the chips.
"I thought you finished these," she teased.
"I saved them just for you," he replied casually.
Mitsuri's cheeks flushed at the gesture, heart fluttering.
They continued patrolling, Mitsuri's usual solitary routine now brightened by Lucien's presence.
Each corner of her territory felt safer, her heart lighter.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the night.
"Something's wrong!" Mitsuri shouted.
The bicycle surged forward like an arrow, Mitsuri's hair streaming as she clutched him tightly.
Inside a nearby house, a family of five lay dead in a pool of blood, and a three-meter demon gnawed in the shadows.
The stench of blood filled the room.
The bicycle screeched to a halt.
Mitsuri's face twisted in anger as she drew her pink whip-like Nichirin Blade.
"Demon Slayer!" she shouted.
The demon leapt back, wary of the approaching Hashira.
"Love Breathing, First Form: First Love Tremor!"
Her blade lashed out, tearing through the air with deadly precision.
The demon disintegrated into ash before it could react.
Even an ordinary demon had little chance against a Hashira's skill.
Minutes later, Lucien and Mitsuri departed, leaving Mitsuri to bury the family with Lucien's aid.
"Are you alright?" Lucien asked, sensing her somber mood.
"Mm," she murmured, then after a pause, whispered, "If only there were no demons in this world."
A sudden screech drew their attention.
Mitsuri had bumped into Lucien as the bicycle braked sharply.
"The main villain has appeared," Lucien murmured calmly, one foot on the ground as he lit a cigarette, smoke curling into the night sky.
Perched on a power line ahead was a tall figure with black hair and plum-red eyes, pale as moonlight, dressed in a suit.
"Kibutsuji Muzan," Mitsuri whispered, leaping from the bicycle's back seat.
"Quickly notify the Master," she instructed her Kasugai Crow, sending it flying into the darkness.
"Lucien," she said, tugging at his sleeve.
"I'll hold him off. You need to leave first."
Mitsuri had fought an Upper Rank once, barely holding out ten minutes before Hashira rescue.
Kibutsuji Muzan was far beyond that.
She intended only to stall him until backup arrived.
"Actually, I'm very strong," Lucien said, sensing her anxiety.
He didn't wait for her reaction, eyes flashing purple diamond-patterned light with a predatory gleam.
The man before him could grant immortality if devoured.
"You are the one who killed…" Muzan hissed, narrowing his eyes, disdain etched across his face.
"Boom! Crack!"
The ground erupted as Lucien transformed into a golden lightning bolt, appearing before Muzan.
He anticipated Muzan's next move; he knew Muzan could read demon memories, but he had his own plans.
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