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In the end, Tanjiro could only respect his parents' decision.
After returning to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Alex finalized the list of people who would leave with him.
Thirty-one in total.
First, the six from the main group: Kamado Tanjiro, Kamado Nezuko, Hashibira Inosuke, Agatsuma Zenitsu, Tsuyuri Kanao, and Shinazugawa Genya.
Then the eleven Hashira: Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Shinobu Kocho, Kanae Kocho, Mitsuri Kanroji, Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, Tengen Uzui, Muichiro Tokito, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima.
From the Butterfly Mansion came the four young nurses: Aoi Kanzaki, Kiyo Terauchi, Sumi Nakahara, and Naho Takada.
From the Swordsmith Village, three craftsmen: Hotaru Haganezuka, Kotetsu, and Tecchin Tecchikawahara.
There were also Sabito and Makomo, whom Alex had brought back from the dead.
Uzui Tengen's three wives—Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru—were coming as well.
And finally, Kagaya Ubuyashiki and his wife, Amane.
The couple had already passed the position of family head to their eldest son, Kiriya Ubuyashiki. They planned to retire in Orario and enjoy some peace at last.
Alex warmly welcomed the idea.
Just as he was preparing to depart with everyone, two unexpected guests arrived at the Demon Slayer headquarters: Tamayo and Yushiro.
They had come to express their gratitude for Muzan Kibutsuji's defeat.
But the moment Tamayo laid eyes on Yoriichi Tsugikuni, she froze.
Back then, it was Yoriichi who had spared her life. Because of that act, he had been misunderstood and ultimately expelled by the Corps.
And now, centuries later, she was seeing her benefactor again.
Tamayo stepped forward—and fell to her knees.
Yoriichi quickly helped her up. "You were the demon who stayed by Muzan's side back then?"
"Yes," Tamayo replied softly. "I owe you my life. But… how are you still alive?"
Yoriichi smiled faintly. "The Yoriichi of your era has long since died. I was brought here from the Sengoku period by Alex."
Tamayo's eyes widened in shock.
Yoriichi then calmly explained Alex's origins—how he came from another world.
After listening, Tamayo turned to Alex and bowed deeply. "Lord Alex… may I accompany you to that other world? I have some knowledge of medicine. If you'll have me, I wish to serve you."
Alex agreed without hesitation. "You're welcome to come. But you won't be serving me—you'll be serving Goddess Hestia."
He knew exactly how capable Tamayo was.
In the original story, Nezuko had jokingly been called the "Leg Hashira," and her eventual resistance to sunlight owed much to Tamayo's research.
With talent like that, bringing her to Orario was a no-brainer. She could team up with Shinobu and Shizuka Marikawa to open an apothecary, researching and producing all kinds of potions.
From the beginning, Alex had planned to build the Hestia Familia into a versatile powerhouse.
They'd already opened a restaurant as their first side business.
Now it was time to plan the second and third.
The apothecary would be the second.
The third? A weapon shop.
Conveniently, he was bringing three master swordsmiths with him. Once in Orario, they could easily establish a high-end weapon store.
Tamayo bowed again. "Thank you, Lord Alex!"
Alex waved her off. "No need for the 'Lord.' We're all in the same familia now. Just call me Captain."
"Yes, Captain!"
With that, the group grew from thirty-one to thirty-three, now including Tamayo and Yushiro.
Alex paid the chat group 3,300 points. A flash of light enveloped them, and they vanished from the Demon Slayer world.
As for Yue, she didn't need any points spent on her. She had a system mission tied to Alex—wherever he went, she could follow.
The moment they left, a special notification appeared in the chat group.
[Group Announcement: Member Alex has completed the ultimate mission of the Demon Slayer world—eliminate all demons. Reward: 10,000 points!]
[Group Announcement: The Demon Slayer world's ultimate mission has been completed. The world is now unlocked. All group members may freely travel there!]
Yotsuya Miko: "Oh my god. Ten thousand points?!"
Misaka Mikoto: "If I'd known there was an ultimate quest like that, I would've rushed in and taken out Muzan myself!"
Saeko Busujima: "Who could've guessed? But this proves something—every one of our worlds probably has an ultimate mission. Complete it, and that world unlocks for free travel."
Roxy: "Then mine must be defeating Hitogami…"
Kurumi Tokisaki: "Mine's probably resolving the conflict between humans and ghouls."
Esdeath: "Then mine should be overthrowing the Empire. But Alex already did that—why didn't the chat group announce anything?"
Erza: "Maybe it's not completely finished yet."
While the chat buzzed with speculation about their own ultimate missions, Alex and the others had already returned to the world of DanMachi.
…
Orario. The Hestia Familia's first base.
A flash of light, and Alex appeared with everyone from the Demon Slayer world.
Aside from Shinobu—who had visited several times before—the rest were overwhelmed, staring in stunned silence at their surroundings.
Their eyes were immediately drawn to the towering Babel at the heart of Orario. The sheer scale of it left them speechless.
And the various demi-human races wandering the streets only added to their astonishment.
Hestia had been waiting with all the familia members.
The moment she saw Alex, she ran straight into his arms.
He'd gone to great lengths this time to recruit new members for her familia. It had cost him quite a few points.
Thankfully, he'd also received an unexpected windfall: completing the Demon Slayer world's ultimate mission had earned him 10,000 points.
After buying divine authority last time, he had 5,980 points left.
He'd signed in for thirty-six days, gaining another 360.
Transporting everyone to Orario had cost 3,300.
Then the ultimate mission reward added 10,000.
All told, Alex now had 13,040 points remaining.
In short, he hadn't just broken even.
He'd made a killing.
Next came the introductions—letting everyone get acquainted.
After that, Hestia would personally grant each of them her divine blessing, one by one.
"..."
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