Chương 46: Toward Takamagahara

"What is going on? Explain clearly, Kyojuro. A demon can survive after its head is cut off? That is taking the joke too far." Sanemi spoke with a fierce face, his bloodshot eyes full of agitation.

"Indeed. An Upper Rank demon surviving beheading is a deeply unsettling discovery. Ah, how sorrowful." Gyomei pressed his palms together as if praying. Tears continued flowing from his pupil-less eyes.

"If an Upper Rank can survive after its head is cut off, can we even kill them?" Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho forced herself to stay calm, suppressing the shock and anger that nearly surfaced in her voice. If beheading could not kill an Upper Rank, then did that mean they could not kill Upper Rank demons at all? For hundreds of years, the Demon Slayer Corps had been at a disadvantage against the Upper Ranks. In two centuries, there had been no record of an Upper Rank being slain.

Every encounter had ended with a Hashira's death. If they could not kill Upper Ranks, the hatred in her heart would never be settled.

"What happened? Mr. Rengoku, please explain in detail." Giyu spoke calmly.

"I am not joking. Forgive me for speaking too hastily. After Mr. Cael and I joined forces to cut off the demon's head, the demon truly did not die.

"Mr. Cael said this was because the demon had broken through its limit due to an extremely strong obsession. Such a demon no longer fears beheading. Aside from the sun, it has no weakness." Rengoku explained.

"Unbelievable. If beheading is no longer a weakness, how are we supposed to defeat Upper Rank demons? Send more Hashira, and we may simply be wiped out together." Obanai's voice turned heavy. They were already at a disadvantage fighting at night, and Upper Ranks were already far stronger than Hashira. If their only remaining weakness disappeared, what could they use against them?

"Then did the Upper Rank from this mission escape?" Sanemi asked violently, punching the floor.

"Damn it."

"The atmosphere suddenly became so gloomy. Everyone's mood has gotten awful," Mitsuri thought.

"What happened again? I feel like something was just said, but I forgot." Muichiro Tokito stared blankly.

"No. Upper Rank Three was destroyed." Rengoku spoke with bright confidence.

"Mr. Cael, the boar-headed boy, the Kamado boy, and I pinned the demon's remains to the ground with our blades after Mr. Cael and I cut him into several pieces. Dawn arrived at exactly the right time, and when sunlight touched the demon, he was destroyed." Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Everyone froze.

"You dragged that out on purpose? Were you trying to keep us in suspense? Kyojuro, I do not remember you having such an unpleasant hobby." Obanai spoke with a venomous tongue.

"Rengoku can keep people in suspense too?" Shinobu said in surprise.

"My apologies. There was too much to explain, so I could only separate the details." Rengoku spoke with his usual full-throated energy, showing no discomfort at all.

"It is about time you flamboyantly explained this person named Cael. The matter Master said may change the Demon Slayer Corps' future is related to him, isn't it?" Tengen folded his arms, his verbal tic on full display.

"Yes. Mr. Cael comes from Takamagahara, the dwelling place of the gods. He is a member of Goddess Hestia's Familia. Incidentally, I have also become a member of Hestia Familia and received Lady Hestia's Falna." As Rengoku spoke, he removed his haori and exposed his back. Sacred characters representing Hestia Familia appeared there like a tattoo.

"Hm? What is that? What do you mean, Takamagahara? Goddess Hestia? Familia? Falna? What nonsense are you talking about?" Sanemi glared irritably at Rengoku.

"Rengoku, do you still believe fairy tales meant for children? And now you have strange symbols drawn on your back? There is a limit to acting mysterious." Obanai's tongue was sharp.

"I think we should let the Flame Hashira finish before giving our opinions," Giyu said.

"I agree. Interrupting others is not a good habit," Gyomei added.

"I will explain everything clearly. Please listen patiently." Rengoku began with the first point.

"First, nothing I have said contains even half a lie. Let me begin with Mr. Cael."

"Mr. Cael truly appeared when I was in the greatest danger and saved my life. After that, he invited me to become a member of Hestia Familia."

"Receiving a god's Falna unlocks all of a person's potential and breaks the limits of humanity. Every ability becomes visible, and those who receive Falna become part of that god's Familia. Familia means family."

"This is the parchment copy of my abilities after receiving Falna and unlocking my potential. Once you see it, you will understand."

"What is this supposed to be? A person's abilities? Are you joking? Abilities can be seen like this? Rengoku, stop pretending to deal with spirits. What are you trying to do? You troubled Master and called us here over something this absurd?" Sanemi could no longer bear listening. Thinking Rengoku had tricked their chronically ill master with some incomprehensible prank, he became angry.

"Is this flamboyant Skill supposed to be caused by this Falna? I find it hard to believe. But I believe the Flame Hashira would not speak without reason, so I will flamboyantly choose silence for now." Tengen did not believe Rengoku was the kind of person who would do something absurd for no reason. After all, the Flame Hashira was an excellent man.

"Please be quiet, my swordsman children. Let Kyojuro finish before you share your thoughts." Kagaya spoke. Everyone fell silent.

"It is certainly difficult to believe. I will continue, and in the end, I will prove the truth of my words." Rengoku continued with his usual bright smile.

"Those who first receive Falna begin at Lv. 1. Levels climb upward, and reaching a realm like Lv. 10 would be close to godlike. Level represents both strength and great feats. Upper Rank demons are around Lv. 2 in strength. I am only Lv. 1, so I was not the Upper Rank demon's match."

"A Level Up requires a great feat. A great feat means doing something that makes the gods marvel, such as we Demon Slayers slaying demons to protect people, a general defeating a thousand soldiers on the battlefield, or a person overcoming an opponent far stronger than themselves. Once a person has achieved enough great feats, they can level up. The higher the level, the greater the strength. Reaching Lv. 10 would make someone godlike. That is why Familia members address their patron deity as Lady or Lord."

"I am restating what Mr. Cael told me."

"Also, the Kamado boy, the boar boy, and I passed through the divine gate and arrived at Takamagahara. There, we met the goddess."

"At that time, my injuries were already dangerous. Even if I survived, I could no longer continue as a demon hunter. But the goddess gave me a potion. My internal organs, bones, and even my blinded eye fully recovered in the blink of an eye, almost like a demon's regeneration."

"Therefore, I respect that approachable goddess as I respect Master, and I am deeply honored to have become part of her Familia." After saying this, Rengoku took out a sacred golden key.

"This is the key Mr. Cael gave me to open the divine gate. Using it allows us to go to Takamagahara."

"I know mere words are hard to believe. Only seeing it with your own eyes will make it true."