Chapter 205: Open Your Mouth
"How are they?"
"We’ve already taken X-rays," Tamayo replied, approaching with resignation. "What can be confirmed for now is that the damage caused by the ice crystals is permanent and irreversible. At least... humans can’t repair it. During the battle they could still hold it together, but once they relax, even breathing is difficult for them."
Marcus’s brow furrowed as well. "Can it be cured?"
"It can..." Tamayo nodded, then shook her head. "But even if their condition is conditioned to the best possible level in the future, I’m afraid they’ll hardly be able to do intense exercise."
Marcus stayed silent for a moment.
"And about the transformation? What did Shinobu say?"
"She didn’t say anything."
Marcus looked at her. "...She’s hesitating."
Tamayo sighed, puzzled. "I don’t understand. Someone as tenacious as Shinobu—why would she hesitate in this condition?"
Marcus turned toward the window, the moonlight bathing his face.
"It’s normal that you don’t understand. Shinobu isn’t thinking about herself, but about the relationship between the Demon Slayer Corps and us."
Tamayo was perplexed for a moment. "She’s thinking about her own side?"
"Not entirely," Marcus murmured, gazing at the moon. "Kagaya wouldn’t mind; according to Shinobu, he wanted to leave his children a way out. But right after convincing the Hashira to ally with us, how would it look if the very next day he turned Shinobu and Kanao into Vampires?"
"Like betrayal... or corrosion."
"That’s right... they’d rather Shinobu withdraw wounded than turn into a demon."
"If Ubuyashiki can accept it, the others..."
"They’re different," Marcus interrupted. "Kagaya’s driving force is his family and the future. The Hashira, on the other hand, are driven by hatred for the demons who killed their loved ones... That’s their faith and their sole purpose. Kagaya accepting me as an ally is already the limit of what they’ll tolerate."
"If Shinobu becomes a demon and Kagaya allows it, their faith will crumble. And without faith, the team dissolves. Even if Kagaya feels no aversion, he wouldn’t risk suppressing the Hashira’s resistance."
Tamayo looked at him without saying a word for a long while.
Only silence remained in the room.
Until Marcus sighed.
"In the end, it all comes down to my lack of strength. If I could storm into the Infinity Castle and eliminate Muzan, none of this would be a problem."
Seeing him so disheartened, Tamayo walked over to him and gently embraced him from behind.
"You’ve done too much. It took Yoriichi Tsugikuni years to reach where you are today. We still have plenty of time."
Marcus held her hands softly.
"Yes, we still have time... But I promised you a free life, not being locked up here unable to leave."
Tamayo was surprised. "Didn’t you say before...?"
"Before, I wasn’t in a hurry because the people I care about hadn’t suffered." Marcus shook his head. "But what happened to Shinobu and Kanao served as a warning. If I don’t eliminate certain threats, they’ll always be a danger. Today it was them; tomorrow it could... be you or Nezuko."
He gently squeezed Tamayo’s hand. "I don’t want to watch this repeat itself."
Marcus turned around, gave her a kiss on the lips, and walked toward the exit. "I’ll go talk to them."
"Marcus," Tamayo stopped him. "How do you plan to convince them?"
"I don’t intend to convince them. I just want to increase my strength as much as possible before our rear guard is finished, so I can go after Muzan without any worries."
With that, he left.
In the hallway, Hakuji, who was guarding the room, lowered his head. "My Lord."
"I’m leaving the watch to you." Marcus nodded. "The estate’s equipment isn’t as complete as the hospital’s, so you’ll stay a while longer."
"Rest easy, My Lord!"
"Rest easy, My Lord!"
As he entered, the caretaker Ivy immediately stood up.
"Master."
"Step out for a moment, my dear Ivy."
"Understood."
Shinobu, her face pale, propped herself up with great difficulty and forced a smile. "You’ve come to persuade me too, haven’t you?"
Her voice had completely lost that playful tone.
Seeing her suffer from overthinking everything, Marcus felt a certain ache in his chest. "Talk less—I didn’t come for you today."
He walked over to Kanao, whose face looked even worse.
On the way back, she had collapsed before Shinobu did, which let Marcus notice just how serious both of their conditions were.
Fortunately, their lives weren’t in danger.
"Marcus-kun... I-I’m sorry..."
"Don’t apologize. You respect your sister and don’t want to transform on your own—I understand," Marcus said, stroking her head. "However, I need your help with something different."
"All right," Kanao agreed without hesitation.
Marcus took a deep breath and, with a peculiar expression... extended a finger. "Open your mouth."
Without asking, Kanao obeyed.
Shinobu, on the other hand, couldn’t hold back. "Marcus... what are you trying to do?"
Marcus shot her a sidelong glance. "Don’t get impatient—today isn’t your turn. Kanao is young, so I’ll use a more subtle method, but with you... when you get out of the hospital, I’ll put something different in your mouth!"
Under both of their stunned gazes, he inserted his finger into Kanao’s mouth.
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