Chương 48: The Hashira Arrive in Orario

"Welcome to the center of the world, the stage where gods and heroes gather. Welcome to the Labyrinth City, Orario." Rengoku stepped out of the sacred gate and greeted Cael cheerfully. He carried a cloth bundle in one hand, apparently a local gift.

"Mr. Cael. No, Captain. We meet again. I am sorry we left in such a hurry last time and could not properly thank you and Lady Hestia."

"We are members of the same Familia. You do not need to be that polite. And you brought a gift?" Cael accepted the bundle from Rengoku. Hearing Rengoku call him Captain surprised him a little.

"I did not expect you to call me Captain already. I am a little moved."

"It is only a local specialty and nothing precious. Also, Mr. Cael, you are the first member of Hestia Familia. I greatly admire your character, and you saved my life. Calling you Captain is only natural. Please guide me from now on." Rengoku extended his hand with his usual energy.

"If anything, I am still inexperienced in some areas. I will need you to guide me too. Honestly, it has not even been ten days since I gained this power." Cael shook Rengoku's hand and smiled. Speaking with this man really felt comfortable. There was nothing unpleasant about him.

"Yes, I understand. During our last battle, I could see it. I will do my utmost to guide you in combat technique and swordsmanship, Captain." Rengoku spoke with tremendous force.

"Then I really will be counting on you." Cael's mouth twitched, but he answered with equal force. Behind him, Lili was startled by the sudden shouting. She nearly broke into a sweat, her eyelids drooping in disbelief. This person has so much energy. Too much energy. No wonder Mr. Cael said their personalities were distinct. He looked like an incredibly strong adventurer. Was he as strong as Mr. Cael? And that sacred gate... the World Gate? Was it related to Goddess Hestia?

But gods should not be able to use divine power in the lower world.

"There is no need to thank me. Also, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps wishes to meet Lady Hestia. May he? Can Master receive Lady Hestia's Falna?" Rengoku asked directly, without any hesitation.

"Of course. Lady Hestia would never refuse anyone who wants to become part of Hestia Familia. She has only recently descended to the lower world and is in desperate need of people." Cael was a little surprised. Even Kagaya was coming? The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. That was wonderful. If Kagaya became a Familia member, would the entire Demon Slayer Corps end up joining Hestia Familia?

"Then I will invite everyone over." Rengoku finished speaking and turned back through the sacred gate. Within two breaths, he returned. The next to step out was Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, then Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima. Before long, every Hashira had come through. At the end, two girls in kimono supported a refined young man whose upper face was covered in purple, orange-peel-like skin and whose eyes were already blind.

Everyone looked around before their gazes finally settled on a black-eyed boy in strange clothing, smiling with unusually clear eyes. Their first impression was that he did not seem threatening. He even seemed gentle. Yet instinct told them that great strength was hidden inside him, greater than their own.

"Allow me to introduce him. This is Mr. Cael, the first member of Hestia Familia, and also our Captain." Rengoku stepped forward and spoke.

"This is the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. The rest are my friends, so I will leave the introductions brief."

"Hello, Mr. Cael. I apologize for disturbing you so suddenly." Kagaya spoke gently.

"I am Tengen Uzui. Is this Takamagahara, the dwelling of the gods? Why does it look like a ruin?" With his hair down, gemstones around his head, and radiant markings painted on his face, the extremely flamboyant Tengen looked around and said something painfully honest.

"This is a ruin. Lady Hestia only came down from Heaven a few days ago. Also, when gods descend, their divine power is sealed. Aside from granting Falna to their children, they have no other power. Right now, Lady Hestia is rather poor and does not even have a proper home." Cael spoke helplessly.

"At times like this, gods are not that different from ordinary people."

"I am Giyu Tomioka. It is nice to meet you." Giyu spoke seriously, his expression unreadable.

"I am Gyomei Himejima. The thought that I will soon meet a god fills me with awe, Mr. Cael." The young man in a brown haori bearing the words "Namu Amida Butsu," blank white eyes, and the bearing of a monk spoke through tears.

"I am Muichiro Tokito. I will probably forget anyway." The misty-eyed boy said this expressionlessly, as if he cared about nothing.

"I am Shinobu Kocho. It is nice to meet you, Mr. Cael." The petite girl with pale skin, clear purple compound-like eyes, a large purple butterfly hairpin, and a haori resembling butterfly wings spoke while looking curiously at the boy praised by the Flame Hashira. He seemed about her age.

"I am Mitsuri Kanroji." The girl with bean-green eyes, pink hair, a white haori over an open-chested uniform, and cute beauty marks under both eyes introduced herself. She looked at Cael and thought dreamily, Wow. So this is Mr. Cael. He is so handsome. His eyes are so clear. I want to marry him.

"I am Obanai Iguro." The medium-haired man with bandages over his mouth, mismatched eyes, and a white snake coiled around his neck spoke. He looks strong, Obanai thought. But his hands and feet look inexperienced. The man covered in scars, with bloodshot eyes and three especially obvious scars across his face, spoke irritably.

"I am Sanemi Shinazugawa."

"I-I am Zenitsu Agatsuma. N-nice to meet you." Zenitsu spoke timidly. This was the mysterious man who had defeated an Upper Rank alongside a Hashira. A member of a god's Familia. He looked strong.

"I have remembered everyone's names. I would like to serve tea, but our Familia is currently poor enough that even something simple like that is difficult. I am ashamed." Cael gathered his courage and smiled.

"Lady Hestia is away on business for now. But everyone must have many questions about this place, so I will show you around Orario and answer what I can." Then he looked toward Kagaya.

"Mr. Ubuyashiki's curse has reached a dangerous stage. How about we visit a god of medicine first?"

"Troubling you so soon after our first meeting makes me deeply ashamed." Kagaya thanked him gently, but excitement filled his heart. This was one of his reasons for coming here. Was the curse of the last thousand years finally going to be cured?

"I do not know how to thank you."

"Everyone is going to join Hestia Familia anyway. From now on, we will be family. There is no need for too much thanks. Too much gratitude makes things stiff, doesn't it?" Cael smiled. Once he changed the way he looked at it, everything felt easier.

"Captain Cael has a very generous heart. I am glad to serve under him, and I admire him. I am sure everyone feels the same." Rengoku folded his arms and spoke loudly.