Chapter 42: He's Looking for You

Chapter 42: He's Looking for You

Kintaro wandered through the village, his eyes scanning the wooden houses on either side, deep in thought.

'According to the description that waiter gave me, Lady Tama's house should be around here.'

As he focused on the houses, a young woman opened a window and placed a vase on the sill, muttering to herself,

"The only downside of this snowy weather is that we rarely get any sunlight."

She then looked up and noticed Kintaro staring at her. In the silence that followed, Kintaro decided to initiate the conversation.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for a woman named Tama. I was told she's a seamstress and that her designs for women's clothing are famous across various villages."

It was clear that the woman was slightly nervous, as if she recognized Kintaro from his attire. She replied,

"And who are you that I should tell you about Tama?"

Kintaro smiled after hearing this question and said,

"I'm someone who was raised by Lady Ayaka for three years. I've come from the Butterfly Mansion, wishing to offer help against the demon that's been abducting women from this village."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his words. She glanced inside the house, then called out loudly,

"Tama-san! You have a visitor!"

After a few minutes, Kintaro found himself kneeling in front of a small table with a cup of tea set before him. Across from him sat Lady Tama, a woman in her late forties.

The room was quiet, with the gentle warmth from the stove filling the space, providing a stark contrast to the cold outside. The wooden walls, though simple, were well-kept, and the soft crackling of the fire added a comforting atmosphere. Kintaro could feel the warmth slowly seeping into his body, relieving the chill that had settled in his bones during his walk through the snow.

Kintaro placed his hand on the tea cup, and Lady Tama noticed how frozen his fingers were, a clear indication of how long he had been out in the cold. He took a sip of the tea, smiling as the warmth spread through his body. Lady Tama couldn't help but smile back, saying,

"Judging by your clothes, I can believe you're part of the Demon Slayer Corps. But since when did Shinobu have a student other than Kanao? And what's your connection to Ayaka-san?"

Kintaro replied with a faint smile,

"I'm not anyone's student, but I did train under the Mist Hashira. I was spending some quiet days at the Butterfly Mansion after my last mission, but I ended up being sent on another mission to this village."

"And about Ayaka?" Lady Tama asked.

Kintaro responded calmly,

"Lady Ayaka is the most respected woman in my life. When I lost both my father and mother, she appeared out of nowhere and offered me her support. She was insistent on making me her son, but I made sure to stay with her as a servant at that mansion. I wish to visit her soon..."

Lady Tama smiled at this and whispered,

"And I hope nothing happens to you before you can do that..."

Kintaro felt a bit uneasy at those words, but Lady Tama suddenly turned serious, her expression stern as she asked,

"You said your name is Kintaro, correct?"

"Yes..."

"Kintaro, I'll be honest with you. The demon that came to this village only moves at night. He has white, creamy hair and glowing eyes with four different colors. He's a true monster, walking around with the blood of women covering his mouth and body. But his main target wasn't the women. He's been wandering around the village, asking everyone, young and old, about a boy with blackish-purple hair, purple eyes, dressed in the same color, and carrying a sword at his side."

Kintaro's eyes trembled slightly, feeling guilty as he realized that the demon was likely here because they were searching for him. Lady Tama continued,

"You might face hostility from the villagers who've heard about your description from that demon or from rumors. But I don't want you to feel guilty. I just want you to stay alive; I don't want a nice boy like you to encounter such a monster."

Kintaro clenched his fist and, after placing his cup of tea back on the table, said in a calm tone,

"Tama-san, where can I find him?"

Lady Tama was surprised by this question and responded,

"I'm afraid I can't tell you. Since Lady Ayaka is dear to me, I must protect you for her sake, even if it means hiding you."

Kintaro's eyes glowed with a faint purple light as he said,

"Lady Ayaka herself sent me to you so that you could help make me a student of the Butterfly Hashira. But fate had it that I trained under another Hashira. Tama-san, I will not die, I will win."

Lady Tama looked into Kintaro's eyes for a few seconds before sighing and saying,

"You're safe as long as you're in this village because that demon left two days ago for the village where the Butterfly Mansion is located. It seems he got information about you from someone and headed straight there."

Kintaro's eyes widened, and he quickly stood up, exclaiming,

"The Butterfly Mansion? Two days ago? This is really bad..."

He immediately looked out the window, noticing the snowy weather was growing darker, signaling that it was almost sunset. He spoke urgently,

"At a normal walking pace, he'll reach the Butterfly Mansion tonight. The girls, Aoi-san, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Kanao, and... Shinobu-san! They're all in danger!"

Lady Tama, puzzled, said,

"What are you talking about? Shinobu Hashira won't lose to a demon."

Kintaro couldn't do anything but feel a rising sense of dread. He hurried out of the house, saying,

"Thank you for everything, Tama-san! I'm sorry, but I don't have time."

Lady Tama quietly watched him leave, her gaze falling on Kintaro's cup of tea as she murmured,

"What a sweet boy, the steam is still rising from his cup. I hope this ends peacefully..."

Meanwhile, in the forest where Kintaro had fallen from the castle, the demon with the white, creamy hair began walking again. His glowing eyes bore the words "Upper Rank Two." It was Douma, who smiled as he advanced toward a mansion an hour's walk away, saying,

"Finally, the sun has set, and I can get some women. I'll bring that boy's head as a keepsake; it'll make him very happy."

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