This generation's Shrine Priest was already a decrepit old man. Gray-white beard hung down to his chest. Face covered in bark-like wrinkles.
He looked at Kagaya with dignity. "Do you understand what this means?"
Already seven years old, Kagaya answered unhurriedly. "Yes. You didn't deny it. Which means this matter is feasible."
"You should know what acting thus means." The Shrine Priest said. "Removing your brothers from the clan—only you remain in the Ubuyashiki Clan. Means you will bear their curses together on your body."
Kagaya was about to speak. I covered his mouth.
I looked at the Shrine Priest's old face. Calmly said, "Is there no other way? Since Kiyohiro, each generation worked hard to complete the mission. Continued for a thousand years without slacking. Could heaven truly not give even a trace of mercy?"
Ultimately, if deities were really that powerful—why not suddenly send down a celestial god to directly strike Muzan dead?
Joking, right? Such a big child—cost me enormous effort to raise him to seven years old... What if he lived even shorter than his father? I'd have nowhere to cry.
Don't know if my silent complaints were detected by the Shrine Priest. He glared at me very dissatisfied. After a while, said:
"The Ubuyashiki curse's origin is ancient. Cannot be reversed. But if someone with deep blessings shields him from disaster, can delay calamity."
Those eyes kept staring at me. I couldn't help asking, "Ah? Me?"
Kagaya broke free from my hand. Urgently shouted, "No!"
"Fine." I said. "What must I do?"
The Shrine Priest brought an empty basin. Had me cut my finger to bleed. Then brought red cord to soak in blood. Put it under the sun to dry for seven days.
Seven days later, he brought the blood-soaked red cord to me. I recalled handicrafts Ohagi did before. Simply braided the cord into a bracelet.
The Shrine Priest instructed Kagaya to wear it at all times. Could block additional disasters for him.
But the red cord needed monthly replacement. Must wear it until he turned twenty.
Kagaya's wish was also fulfilled. Ema and his brothers returned together. Already arranged by the Shrine Priest to settle down. Also recorded them in the family registry. Changed surnames anew.
As long as three people's names were removed from the Ubuyashiki Clan registry—they'd have no relation to the Ubuyashiki.
Ema silently accepted Kagaya's arrangement. She came to see Kagaya one last time. Placed a personally sewn outer coat in his hands. Gently rubbed his hair.
From this point on, mother and son absolutely could not contact again. Kagaya and his mother, brothers—must be like strangers. Never meet again.
On the return journey, only me and Kagaya.
When I held his hand, walking through the corridor—glimpsed a girl walking on the other side. Had snow-white hair. Face beautiful as a doll.
"That child is probably your future wife."
From my observations, in the Shrine Priest's family—only this girl's age most matched Kagaya.
Kagaya looked up following my words. Just collided with the girl's glancing gaze.
She didn't recognize us. Just lightly swept past, turned her head. Walked elegantly into the deep residence.
"I don't need a wife." Kagaya said. "This curse ending with me is already enough."
What treasonous words. If any elder heard, definitely would fly into rage. Severely rebuke his thoughts.
But now, only he bore the Ubuyashiki name. Also no one would run over to point fingers. Even though he'd already decided to end the curse here.
I asked, "If you don't plan to marry and have children—what about the responsibility of leading the Demon Slayer Corps?"
He nonchalantly raised his face to smile at me. "Lord Chihaya, remember the scenery we saw during past night outings?"
Of course I remembered. To make him happy, I often took him sneaking out to play.
However, as he grew older, became more mature—no longer requested secretly going out to see the outside world.
Going, we had many people. Returning, only I held his hand. Slowly walked down the mountain path.
After the moon silently hid into clouds, the lantern in hand couldn't illuminate the road clearly. Worried he'd accidentally step into air—I picked him up again.
Kagaya's voice sounded beside my ear. "Then, you told me—the capital a thousand years ago didn't have such brilliant lights. People could only huddle indoors waiting for night to pass. At that time, night was such a terrifying existence."
"But now, people no longer fear night. Even if the bright moon no longer looks down—everyone can rely on their own power to create illuminating electric lights."
He rested his head on my shoulder. Voice carried laughter as he continued. "The Ubuyashiki Clan is the same principle. Perhaps a thousand years ago, the Ubuyashiki was necessary for the Demon Slayer Corps. But today, a thousand years later—even without the Ubuyashiki, without something like a Demon Slayer Corps Master—still, someone will stand up to lead everyone."
Kagaya spoke extremely smoothly. Could see this thought had lingered in his heart for a long time.
His tone so relaxed and natural—also made me believe he truly planned to completely end the bloodline passed down from the Tachibana Clan.
Honestly, nothing bad about it. No bloodline could continue forever without ending.
Even Ohagi's descendants—if I remembered correctly, already died out three hundred years ago.
Her last descendant was a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman. Before I knew, already sacrificed on the battlefield between humans and demons.
As for my own relatives' bloodline—needless to say. Long ago disappeared silently, who knows when.
However, right now, his most important task was growing up well. The era changed so fast. Who could say what would happen in the future?
Maybe Muzan could really be ended in his hands!
Hearing me say this, Kagaya didn't refute. He just sighed worriedly. "The only thing I feel sorry about is dragging you in. I'm sorry. Clearly, every month you must have large amounts of blood taken. Now, also for me..."
I curled my finger to lightly tap his forehead. "I'm a thousand-year-old granny, you know. You know what this means?"
Kagaya somewhat curiously touched his tapped forehead. Still went along with me. "What does it mean?"
"Means—no matter how remarkable the Demon Slayer Corps' Father is, above him is still Grandmother!"
I said. "Even Father must listen to old Grandmother. So you just obediently listen to me."
Kagaya laughed aloud. Those hands also tightly hugged me. Softly said, "Yes."
He hugged very tightly. As if crying hard against me... But I knew he didn't shed a single tear. Just kept gazing in the darkness toward that invisible great house in the mountains.
Until I brought him down the mountain. He finally bid farewell to the mother and brothers he could never see again: "Goodbye."
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