Chapter 276 - Orphaned Unknowingly (1/2)

Walking up the familiar path filled with Wisteria blossoms glowing enchantingly with the support of the surrounding lanterns, Nik, Elizabeth, and Nezuko had finally reached their destination and unlike the infrastructure of the swordsmith village, the camps established above the wisteria belt covering the mountain was barely sustainable. The leather surface of each of the tents was slightly wet and the situation of this outpost was far more different than the swordsmith village.

After all, even though the noble lineages of the state handpicked by Ubayashiki were honest, the fact couldn't be refuted that each of these daimyos and samurais had long gotten comfortable with their luxurious life and they all were more than unhappy with the current situation.

”Welcome, Master.”

A burly blonde youth with a bandana covering his forehead stepped forward, with measured steps, he made his way towards the three newcomers and casually welcomed Elizabeth with a sincere bow. Who else could it be aside from the Bubble Pillar— Caesar?

Unlike others, Caesar sported a yellow jacket with a purple undershirt and an equally bright pair of yellow pants. His face chiseled and his muscles pressed against his clothes.

”It has been a long time since we met last time.”

Caesar gazed intently into Elizabeth's eyes, attracting Nik's attention to bring Caesar's handsome self to Ray's notice for the Pillar of Bubble needs Ray's extraterrestrial enlightenment.

”We just met a little over a week ago. Anyway,” Elizabeth looked around, ”Where is that brat, Jojo?”

Oblivious to Elizabeth's tone, Caesar pointed out the direction where she could find Jojo and Elizabeth took off instantly, leaving Nezuko and Nik looking at each other.

”Is there a problem?”

Caesar looked towards Nik with a weird expression on his face. Surely, Jojo hadn't offended master once again, right?

”I don't think there should be any,” Nik smiled and shook his head, ”So? Do you have a stay for us?”

Nik inquired and looked past Caesar, instantly observing the disheartened face of the supposed nobles of the state alongside a group of children huddled together with sour expressions as they all gazed at the large bonfire while the cooks of the nobles and the demon slayers continued cooking meal out of anything they could find from the forest surrounding the camp region.

”It's not much,” Caesar admitted while signaling the other demon slayers to carry out their patrol and gestured Nik to follow him while glancing towards nezuko with a cautious expression, ”While the stay and the food is already good enough to keep us going, the daimyos and their relatives simply cannot get used to the such a hard life.

With the wooden fence surrounding the circular perimeter, Caesar led Nik into the camping region that was constructed upon a wide clearing. The bonfire had already attracted Nezuko's attention, but she was hardpressed with the choice of staying with Nik to accompany him or sit by the bonfire as she observed the crackling of the flames. In the end, she held Nik's hand continued following Nik until Caesar led Nik towards a slightly larger tent.

”Usually, the pillars aren't entitled to such a luxury,” Caesar sighed and then gazed at Nezuko, ”But we cannot have Nezuko staying in another tent... it isn't a problem to ask you to keep an eye on her, right?”

”Don't worry,” Nik waved his hand and looked around with interest. Nezuko liked sleeping on him while he could sleep anywhere, so his stay wasn't a problem. And when it came to food, he wasn't that picky and Nezuko's source of nutrition, once again, came from Nik. So the duo was set.

”Elizabeth told me that Sakonji would be here... is master busy?”

To Nik, Sakonji's position was what Elizabeth's was in Caesar's heart. So, of course, Caesar did not like it when Nik, as the acknowledged successor of his master, called her by name. But Caesar couldn't control everyone and to argue with Nik based on his belief was something Caesar wasn't willing to do.

”The Cultivator of Water will be here shortly. He usually scouts the entire mountain every dusk before returning. I should also explain to you the situation of the other pillars.”

Caesar pulled the opening of Nik's tent and welcomed them inside before introducing them with each of the items. After he completed the basic introduction, Caesar made sure to explain the political importance of this outpost.

While the Cultivator of War was issued to protect the swordsmith village, the cultivator of water was issued to protect the political interest of the state alongside the remaining pillar except for the Pillar of Stone— Gyomei. Meanwhile, the remaining cultivators and Gyomei were asked by the demon slayers as a whole to protect Ubuyashiki and his family, since he had been extremely reluctant to utilize the effort of more than 30% of the strength of the force to protect his blood family.

The noble lineages here, too, were picked out of necessity. Each of the families selected was extremely brilliant in what they did and they all were suppressed by the old lineages with high reputations. Of course, most of these families were later massacred by Nik, leaving their kids alive in this particular outpost.

”Excuse me? Am I interrupting something?”