Kanae had no idea what kind of misunderstanding her actions had caused for her younger sister.
Of course, if one were to delve deep into her heart, whether it was truly a "misunderstanding" was another question entirely.
After all, as an unranked mob character, there weren't many ways she could express her gratitude.
And while Shinobu was dragging Kanao to the bath, contemplating what kind of perfume would be the most fresh and natural, Kanae had already arrived at the residence of the Demon Slayer Corps' master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"...Master!"
Without waiting for a servant to announce her, Kanae, sensing his presence in the living room, rushed straight in.
"The Flower Hashira?"
Without a hint of reproach for her breach of etiquette, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was sitting on the veranda sipping tea, looked up and turned his ear toward the sound. "It's rare to see you in such a hurry. What's wrong? Has something happened? Or... does it have to do with that esteemed person?"
Though his face was ravaged by a hereditary curse and he was blind, he was internally gentle, astute, and decisive in important matters. For the members of the Demon Slayer Corps, he was a competent guardian.
While he couldn't comprehend the existence of Su Mo or the Chat Group, he had gleaned some information from Kanae.
Limited by his perspective, he saw it as a ritual where Kanae had formed a bond with a deity, believing she possessed the talent of a shrine maiden who could communicate with the divine realm.
In a sense, his understanding wasn't entirely wrong, and even Kanae would have found it difficult to refute. Thus, in his eyes, Kanae was treated as a divine priestess.
If that was the case, he naturally wasn't qualified to be her master. The girl's master could only be that divine being himself.
Therefore, within the Demon Slayer Corps, only the three Kocho sisters addressed Kagaya Ubuyashiki differently, using the respectful title of "Clan Head."
No one else understood Kanae's special treatment, assuming it was a reward for slaying an Upper Moon. Only a very few knew that this respect was reserved for a certain god who did not exist in the human world.
To maintain secrecy, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had forbidden Kanae from revealing anything about the Chat Group to anyone. He himself even deliberately avoided asking, to eliminate any possibility of Kibutsuji Muzan finding out.
Therefore, he could only guess at Kanae's situation. As long as his guesses weren't too far off the mark, Kanae wouldn't correct him.
All this time, although Kanae held the privilege of a divine priestess, she had never made any special requests or shown any impoliteness. Even when she had slain the Upper Moon, she had remained calm and composed.
Aside from that god who resided in Takamagahara, Kagaya Ubuyashiki could think of no other reason that could make this child so agitated.
"That's right, Clan Head!" Kanae immediately nodded.
Evidently, his premonition was correct.
Although the Chat Group she had joined wasn't Takamagahara, and Lord Su Mo's nobility far surpassed that of the Japanese gods, and his entire reasoning was almost completely wrong... the conclusion Kagaya Ubuyashiki had reached was surprisingly accurate.
"What is it? Has that esteemed person sent down a divine oracle? Or have you received another revelation and gained new power?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki's hands tightened, his voice growing excited.
As he understood it, Kanae had completed the great feat of slaying an Upper Moon because she had received a god's blessing.
And stories involving gods most often featured divine enlightenment or protection. For Kanae to be this excited, if not a divine blessing, it must at least be a divine oracle, right?
Facing his expectation, Kanae shook her head. "Neither."
"Hm? Then what is it?" Kagaya suppressed his disappointment, his voice laced with a slight trepidation. "Is it because we have not been making offerings, and have displeased that esteemed person?"
He had wanted to build a shrine for that mysterious being for some time, but Kanae had not agreed. He didn't know why, but he hadn't asked.
Seeing his worried expression, Kanae took a deep breath and told him the truth. "There is no need to worry, Clan Head. It is good news."
"That esteemed person... is about to descend!"
"...Huh?"
After a long silence, an expression of utter bewilderment appeared on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face.
What did Kanae just say?
Who was about to descend?
A god?
"You heard me right. It's exactly as it sounds."
Kanae could understand his shock. After all, even though the Ubuyashiki family had intermarried with families of Shinto priests for generations and knew of curses and special bloodlines in the world, they had never truly seen a god.
To them, the descent of a god was something out of the myths and legends recorded in the Kojiki.
But now, myth was about to become reality before their very eyes. A true god, an existence far more venerable and great than the so-called gods, was about to descend upon this world.
"The descent of a god... A divine advent ceremony! We must prepare a ceremony! We absolutely cannot let the esteemed god think we are not respectful and pious enough!"
Almost instinctively, this was the first thing that came to Kagaya Ubuyashiki's mind. For people of this era, this level of religious knowledge was common sense.
"That is precisely why I have come," Kanae said with a nod.
After confirming that this was real, Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't even have time to be joyful before he was overcome with nervous muttering.
Even someone as gentle as him couldn't maintain the most basic composure in the face of news about a god.
Seeing how nervous he was, Kanae shook her head gently. "There is no need to rush, Clan Head! Lord Su Mo is not a deity of this land. A more ancient welcoming ceremony is not necessarily better. However, even though Lord Su Mo is mild-tempered, we must still do our utmost to show our sincerity. Therefore, please leave the duties of the shrine maidens to my sisters and me!"
As the person in this world who knew Su Mo best, she felt it was safest for her to handle the reception personally.
"Yes, yes! I almost forgot, you, the Flower Hashira, are a divine priestess yourself!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki finally realized this and breathed a sigh of relief. "It would be best if you and your sisters can undertake this duty. If you need more people, all personnel within the Demon Slayer Corps are at your disposal."
"Welcoming a god is of the utmost importance. You will have the final say on all resources and matters involved. I will make sure everyone follows your instructions."
At critical moments, he never lacked courage. Whether it was putting himself in danger or entrusting someone with his full confidence, he had his own judgment.
Hearing him say this, even Kanae finally felt at ease. With Kagaya Ubuyashiki's guarantee, she wouldn't have to worry about the other Hashira being disobedient.
"As for the shrine maidens, the Love Hashira might be able to fill in, but the style of her clothes will need to be changed... Other than that, the most suitable place for the welcoming ceremony would probably be that holy mountain."
Kanae pondered for a few seconds, then turned her head to look at the snow-capped mountain in the distance. It was the most famous place in all of Japan, and the one closest to the heavens.
"Mount Fuji, the head shrine of Sengen Taisha?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki quickly understood Kanae's idea. The place was indeed very prestigious; even with his noble status, it would be difficult to requisition. However, in the face of a true divine advent, such problems were trivial.
"My apologies to the great deity Asama, but Lord Su Mo is far more venerable!"
After a silent apology in his heart, he immediately began preparations.
The preparation time Kanae had given was very short, so that very afternoon, Kagaya Ubuyashiki did the most important thing.
He gathered all the Hashira, and through painstaking persuasion, stern warnings, and finally, threatening his own life, he managed to eliminate the biggest potential problem.
It had to be said, as a leader, this "mother hen" was truly reliable.
---||---
Three days later in the Demon Slayer world, which was just a few minutes in the Chat Group, Kanae sent an invitation, inviting Su Mo to descend.
In that instant, a live broadcast began.
All the members, old and new, and even the lurking newcomer, watched with curiosity.
And Su Mo, upon receiving the invitation, accepted without hesitation.
In the next moment, he arrived in the Demon Slayer world.
Sengen Taisha, at dusk, the twilight hour.
A thousand lanterns, split into two paths on the mountainside, swayed gently in the direction of worship.
Numerous members of the Demon Slayer Corps kowtowed piously. The Hashira, whether willing or not, all knelt with meticulous care.
The three Kocho sisters, dressed in red and white shrine maiden attire, their bodies cleansed to the point of exuding a fragrant aroma, offered a sacred Kagura dance and mouth-chewed sake, prostrating themselves in welcome.
At the boundary between the human and divine realms, the figure of a man with black hair and black eyes appeared silently.
The moment he descended, the breathing of everyone present hitched. Only Kanae's purple eyes continued to shine brightly.
"Lord Su Mo, thank you for your advent. I finally get to see you in person!"