Chapter 442 - My OC Stash #42 - And so the current flows by notTowfu (DemonSlayer) (2/2)
Your head digs deeper into the dirt. ”This lowly one will gratefully accept your blessings.”
Ubayashiki smiles. ”Your dedication towards your duty is admirable and according to our laws, you are to be paid for your services rendered. However, it has recently come to my attention you have yet to collect compensation for the past two years. According to my daughters, it has acc_u_mulated into quite a sum. This case is the first of its kind, and I cannot help but assume that you think your remuneration unsatisfactory?”
What he says soothes some of your fears. You hadn't broken a rule. Before the silence can stretch too long, you raise your head to speak. ”This humble one can offer an explanation.”
Oyakata-sama nods, his kindly expression never receding. You ignore the gazes full of killing intent drilling into your back and tell him, ”I was born from a family of merchants and schooled in the ways of trade. By combining their teachings with the generous remuneration from my first two years of service, I turned enough profit from my businesses to sustain me up till this point.”
Demon Slayers are constantly travelling. It makes sense for anyone to be suspicious given how long you've operated without a constant source of funds. Just from what he mentioned, you could have been accused of consorting with demons or bribed by outside forces. You are lucky Oyakata-sama is a man of good character, or you might find yourself gutted and hung out to dry.
You continue, ”Seeing as I already had a constant source of income, I deemed it greedy to hoard more money and thus left the remaining renumeration untouched. I believed the organization would benefit to have more capital to provide for any incoming Demon Slayers. Forgive me for being presumptuous and not communicating my intentions earlier.”
The tenuous atmosphere created from Ubuyashiki's suspicions has dispersed by the time you finish speaking. You are glad none here are mind-readers. That means only you are privy to your internal wailing for failing to foresee this outcome. You have made a grave miscalculation for things to have escalated like this.
”Ah, so that is what it was!” Ubuyashiki answers, delighted. ”I am touched by your personal effort to support the Demon Slayers Corps. And also… seeing as you mentioned you are well-versed in the art of trade, perhaps you might be able to offer advice on how my existing family trades can better earn profits.”
Your eyes nearly bulge out of your head. You think he is joking until you see his wife nodding away beside him, apparently agreeing with his words. Ubuyashiki continues speaking, oblivious to the subtle shaking of your head. ”Given that the bulk of the organization is reliant on my existing family trades to keep fed, it would be prudent of me to make sure they will continue to flourish. Our war with the demons is far from over and it will pay to be prepared, seeing how government funding is woefully absent.”
”Pardon me for speaking, Oyakata-sama.” A gentle, feminine voice draws your attention, sounding neither overbearing nor boastful. ”Perhaps it might be wise to consult this Tsuchinoto about our plans regarding the logistics of our medical supplies as well. Meticulous planning is no match for actual experience. Drawing on already tested trade knowledge will be an excellent way to identify pitfalls we did not account for.”
There is only one female among the Pillars. The Insect Pillar, famed for her beauty and poisons. A bulk of the rumours comes from how she wears a perpetual smile on her face and how it never wavers in the face of danger. According to hearsay, it softens her delicate features and accentuates her already striking beauty to an almost alarming degree.
”That is a wonderful idea,” Ubuyashiki says. ”The organization will greatly benefit from his assistance in both matters, that is… if he agrees to lend us his power.”
That is your cue to express your unbending sincerity. You do that by giving Ubuyashiki another deep bow, nearly nailing your forehead to the ground.
”It will be my utmost p_l_e_a_s_u_r_e.”
When Oyakata-sama finally ends the meeting and gives everyone present the permission to rise, you find yourself on the receiving ends on a number of envying and pitying gazes. You ignore them and turn to the Insect Pillar, Shinobu Kocho, giving her an equally deep bow of respect.
”Pleased to meet you, Kocho-sama,” you greet. ”I am sorry, but I shall entrust myself to your care.”
When you raise your head, you take this opportunity to observe her. This is your first time seeing her in person. She and her deceased sister are legendary for their deadly combat prowess and earth-shattering natural beauty, and previously, you assumed rumours were greatly exaggerated.
Looking upon her now, you come to a conclusion the rumours had forgotten to include a number of things.
Shinobu Kocho certainly looks accurate to her moniker, the goddess of healing, but not once have you heard about this intense air surrounding her. The distilled lethality of her presence is enough to make your body go taut with tension. Her smile might be gentle and inviting, but her brilliant intellect is alluded to by the penetrating sharpness in her gaze.
You wonder if your brothers-in-arms have cotton for brains.
How is this woman a damsel in need of protection?
”My, you are a polite one, aren't you?” Shinobu seems pleased by your manners and greets you with a short bow. ”Oyakata-sama has spoken and I hope our collaboration will be a fruitful one. Now, follow me. The material we need is stored in the Butterfly Mansion. It will be good to get you acquainted with the place with before we can discuss anything.”
You're relieved by her professionalism. ”Of course, Kocho-sama.”
”Shinobu-san is fine. I might be a Pillar on the field, but while working on this matter, it would be better for us to treat each other as equals.”
You aren't one to argue, and you respond with a succinct, ”Understood, Shinobu-san.”
Shinobu's eyes crinkle as she laughs. ”Good. I look forward to working with you.”