AUTHORS NOTE - I apologize for the huge delay in the chapter, my best friend had passed away recently, and it's been devastating dealing with that, but now I am back and going to start writing again! I will be uploading the chapter for Overlord Plus Ultra soon and the beta for it will be out on discord soon so join if your interested!

Just copy paste these letters into the discord app on the plus button in the bottom left and the invite should work! AUmD8Apvrb

If that doesn't work use the link https / / discord . gg / AUmD8Apvrb just remove the spaces!

{Location change, POV, Time, etc.}

"Normal Speech"

'Thoughts'

[Spells/Items/techniques]

Chapter 3: The Meeting

{POV: Tanjiro Kamado}

{Location: Mount Sagiri, Training Grounds}

{Time: Early Morning}

The morning sun crept over the horizon, its light spilling across the dense forest and bathing the training grounds in a warm, golden hue. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Tanjiro stood before the massive boulder, his chest rising and falling steadily as he gripped the hilt of his training blade. His long hair, tied back loosely, brushed against his shoulders as a soft breeze stirred the air.

He stared at the boulder, its unyielding surface a testament to his struggles over the past several months. This was it. He could feel it. The culmination of countless hours of sweat, exhaustion, and quiet determination had led him to this moment.

Tanjiro inhaled deeply, his lungs filling with the mountain air, and exhaled steadily. [Total Concentration Breathing] coursed through his body, amplifying his strength and focus. His grip tightened on the blade's hilt, the familiar texture grounding him.

He stepped forward.

With a smooth motion, Tanjiro raised the blade and swung with all his might, his movements precise and fluid. The blade cut through the air and met the boulder with a resounding crack. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a deep, echoing groan, the massive rock split cleanly in two.

Tanjiro froze, staring in disbelief as the boulder's halves shifted slightly before settling into the dirt. His blade remained steady in his hands, the vibrations of the strike still humming through his arms.

"I… I did it," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe. Then, as the realization sank in, his face broke into a wide grin. "I did it!"

He dropped to his knees, his blade slipping from his hands as he leaned forward, his forehead nearly touching the ground. Relief and pride washed over him in equal measure, and for the first time in months, the weight of failure lifted from his shoulders.

"I finally did it," he said again, this time more to himself.

But as he sat there, catching his breath, his thoughts began to wander. He glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Sabito and Makomo standing behind him, their usual mix of sternness and quiet encouragement written on their faces.

They weren't there, of course. Sabito and Makomo always seemed to vanish at the most unexpected times, and their absences over the past few months had grown more frequent, and more troubling.

Sabito, who had always been strict but fair, had become noticeably sharper in his words and demeanor. He was tense, always scanning the forest with a wary gaze as though anticipating some unseen threat. His critiques had grown harsher, his patience thinner, though Tanjiro knew it wasn't out of malice.

Makomo, on the other hand, had grown distant in a different way. Her usually gentle and supportive presence felt muted, as if she were preoccupied with something she couldn't, or wouldn't, share. She often stood at the edge of the clearing, her gaze distant and unfocused, her soft encouragements carrying an undercurrent of unease.

Tanjiro couldn't ignore the change in them. He had tried asking, but both Sabito and Makomo had deflected his questions with practiced ease, offering only vague reassurances. Still, their tension weighed on him, especially now, as he sat alone before the broken boulder.

And then there was Ainz Ooal Gown.

Tanjiro's brow furrowed as he thought of the strange man he had encountered months ago in the forest. A towering figure draped in dark robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery, his face obscured by an unnerving crimson mask. Ainz had exuded a silent aura of power, but it wasn't the wild, frenzied energy of a demon. It was controlled, deliberate, and deeply unsettling.

Tanjiro reached into his haori and pulled out the medallion Ainz had given him. The small, circular piece glinted faintly in the morning light, its design intricate and elegant. A rising sun framed by delicate wings, the medallion felt warm against his skin, a stark contrast to the man who had given it to him.

He turned it over in his hands, his fingers tracing the patterns etched into the metal. Ainz's words echoed in his mind: "This will protect you. Use it wisely."

Tanjiro had thanked him at the time, though he hadn't fully understood the gesture. Even now, he wasn't sure what to make of it. The medallion didn't feel evil or cursed. If anything, it radiated a quiet strength, a reassurance that felt genuine.

And yet…

Tanjiro couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him during their encounter. The man hadn't harmed him or shown any malice. If anything, he had been curious, almost scholarly, in his questions about demons and the Demon Slayer Corps. And yet, Tanjiro's instincts, honed by months of training and experience, had screamed at him to be wary. Ainz wasn't a demon, Tanjiro was sure of that, but he was something else entirely different.

"Who are you, Ainz Ooal Gown?" Tanjiro murmured, his voice barely audible over the rustling of the trees.

He tucked the medallion back into his haori, its weight a constant reminder of their strange meeting. Ainz hadn't given him any reason not to trust him, but the encounter had left Tanjiro with more questions than answers.

Sabito and Makomo's recent behavior, the lingering tension in the air, and the memory of Ainz's piercing gaze all seemed connected somehow, though Tanjiro couldn't piece it together.

For now, though, he had other things to focus on. The boulder was split, the first major hurdle in his training overcome. He stood, brushing dirt from his knees and sheathing his blade.

"I'll figure it out," he said softly. "One step at a time."

Tanjiro froze mid-thought as a voice behind him broke the stillness.

"Tanjiro…"

He spun around, his eyes widening. Standing there, framed by the morning light filtering through the trees, was Urokodaki. His mentor's tengu mask was as unreadable as ever, but his presence exuded a quiet gravity. Tanjiro's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't even heard him approach.

"Mr. Urokodaki!" Tanjiro exclaimed, his voice a mixture of surprise and relief.

Urokodaki said nothing at first. He walked forward slowly, his gaze fixed on the split boulder. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the rustle of leaves. Reaching the boulder, Urokodaki placed a hand on its surface, his fingers tracing the clean cut.

After a long moment, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "I had no intention of sending you to the Final Selection."

Tanjiro blinked, his breath catching in his throat. "What?"

Urokodaki's hand lingered on the stone as he continued, his tone tinged with sorrow. "I don't want to see children die anymore."

The words hit Tanjiro like a gust of cold wind. He stared at his mentor, trying to process the unexpected confession.

"But," Urokodaki went on, his voice softening, "I was sure you wouldn't be able to slice this boulder." He turned, his hand dropping to his side as he faced Tanjiro. "And yet…"

He reached out, placing a firm hand on Tanjiro's head. "Well done, my boy," Urokodaki said, his voice warm with pride. "Tanjiro, you're… a remarkable kid!"

Tanjiro felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. His chest tightened as his mentor's words sank in, years of effort and perseverance finally recognized.

"Mr. Urokodaki…" Tanjiro whispered, his voice breaking.

Before he could say more, Urokodaki pulled him into a firm hug. The gesture was unexpected, but it carried a weight of unspoken emotion.

"Make sure you come back alive from the Final Selection," Urokodaki said quietly, his arms still around Tanjiro. "Both your sister and I will be waiting for you here."

Tanjiro nodded, his tears flowing freely now. "I will," he managed to say, his voice filled with determination.

{POV: Tanjiro Kamado}

{Location: Urokodaki's Hut}

{Time: Late Night}

The scent of food filled the air, warm and inviting. Tanjiro sat on the floor of the small hut, his eyes lingering on the simmering pots and carefully arranged dishes. Nezuko lay nearby, still asleep in the futon, her presence a quiet reminder of the responsibility that drove him forward.

But despite the comfort of the scene, Tanjiro's mind was elsewhere.

Urokodaki, seated across from him, watched in silence for a moment before speaking. "You've been unusually quiet, Tanjiro."

Tanjiro flinched, startled by the sudden comment. He looked up quickly, his wide eyes meeting the inscrutable gaze of his mentor's mask.

"I… I'm sorry," Tanjiro stammered.

Urokodaki leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but probing. "I've noticed you have something to say. What is it?"

Tanjiro hesitated, his hands fidgeting in his lap. Finally, he took a deep breath. "I… I met someone in the forest."

The room seemed to grow quieter, the air heavier. Urokodaki tilted his head slightly, his mask giving nothing away, but the weight of his silence demanded more.

Tanjiro hesitated again before continuing. "He wasn't a demon. But he wasn't human, either? He was… strange."

Urokodaki straightened, the faintest shift in his posture signaling his growing interest. "Strange how?"

Tanjiro fumbled for the right words. "He was tall and wore a mask, like yours, but it was… unnerving. His voice was calm, but there was something about him that made my instincts scream. Yet, he didn't try to harm me. He even gave me something… to protect me."

Urokodaki's silence was almost oppressive now. Though his face was hidden, Tanjiro could feel the intensity of his mentor's gaze.

"Who was this man?" Urokodaki asked finally, his voice measured but laced with curiosity.

"I…" Tanjiro hesitated again, gripping the medallion through his haori. "He called himself… Ainz Ooal Gown."

The name hung in the air, heavy and unfamiliar. Urokodaki said nothing at first, but the tension in the room was unmistakable. Though his mask concealed his expression, there was no mistaking the flicker of unease in his voice when he spoke again.

"And what do you think of him?"

Tanjiro glanced down, his thoughts a swirling mix of doubt and curiosity. "I don't know. He didn't feel evil. But he didn't feel safe, either. I… I don't know what to think."

Urokodaki sat back slightly, his arms resting on his knees. "This man… he may be neither ally nor enemy. But you must tread carefully, Tanjiro. The unknown can be as dangerous as any demon."

Tanjiro nodded slowly, his resolve hardening. "I will, Mr. Urokodaki. I'll be careful."

For a moment, the two sat in silence, the distant crackle of the cooking fire the only sound in the small hut. The questions still lingered in Tanjiro's mind, but for now, he focused on the meal before him and the journey that lay ahead.

Tanjiro shifted uneasily, his fingers tightening around the medallion beneath his haori. The weight of Urokodaki's question lingered in the air, pressing down on him like an invisible force.

"I… I don't know," Tanjiro admitted at last. "He didn't seem evil, but…" His voice trailed off as memories of their encounter resurfaced, the unnatural chill that followed Ainz, the way his crimson eyes seemed to pierce through him. "Something about him… felt wrong. Like he didn't belong here."

Urokodaki's hand rose to his mask, fingers resting against its surface as if lost in thought. "Ainz Ooal Gown…" he repeated the name slowly, almost cautiously. "That's not a name I recognize."

"But you think he's dangerous," Tanjiro pressed.

"I think…" Urokodaki paused, then shook his head. "I think you should be careful. Trust your instincts, Tanjiro. If they warned you about this man, there's a reason for it." His gaze lowered slightly. "Power like what you described… it's never simple."

Tanjiro nodded, feeling both comforted and unsettled. He wanted to believe that Ainz meant no harm, but something inside him refused to let that thought sit peacefully.

"Get some rest," Urokodaki said at last, his tone softer now. "You've come far, but you'll need your strength for what's ahead."

Tanjiro bowed his head. "Thank you, Mr. Urokodaki."

{Location Change: Forest Overlooking Urokodaki's Hut}

{POV: Ainz Ooal Gown}

{Time: Night}

The cold mountain breeze drifted through the trees, rustling the branches above. Ainz stood motionless beneath a twisted pine, his skeletal form concealed beneath his dark robe. The crimson glow of his eyes flickered faintly behind the mask that obscured his face. Beside him, Kyogai knelt low, clad in similar attire, dark robes embroidered with gold, and a crimson mask of his own. However, Kyogai's mask bore a distinct feature: a sharp, vertical silver line cutting down the left eye, like a scar carved into the crimson surface.

But there was another detail, a silver ring now encircled Kyogai's finger. Its surface was etched with intricate golden chains, spiraling along its circumference, their ends snapping off abruptly as though violently severed. Faint pulses of crimson light flickered from the ring's surface, like a heartbeat struggling to break free.

The [Ring of Severed Chains].

Ainz's gaze lingered on the ring for a moment longer.

'It actually worked... I wasn't expecting that.'

In Yggdrasil, the [Ring of Severed Chains] was little more than a high-tier mental protection item, a utility tool, really. Its supposed "severing" properties had been exaggerated in the in-game lore. The description claimed that it could sever "any magical or spiritual control," but in truth, it was just a high-end resistance item, one that prevented mind control, charm effects, and other mental manipulations.

The "soulbound" mechanic was originally intended as a downside, a curse that prevented the ring from being unequipped once worn. Players called it a 'trap item' since once equipped, it couldn't be removed without a specific counter-item. Even death wouldn't force it off; it would persist through respawns. As a result, the ring had been considered more trouble than it was worth, a niche tool for very specific circumstances.

Yet, due to Ainz's infamous hoarding habits, he had collected dozens of them back in Yggdrasil. Items with strange effects, discarded loot, or "flavor text" gear often piled up in Nazarick's treasury because Ainz couldn't resist stockpiling anything that looked remotely useful.

'Hoarding habits for the win... again,' Ainz thought.

But here in this world, this unfamiliar realm where the mechanics of Yggdrasil had twisted into something closer to reality, the ring's exaggerated lore had somehow become truth. The ring had severed Muzan's influence completely and, as far as Ainz could tell, had made Kyogai immune to further attempts at control. It had transformed from a simple anti-mind control trinket into a powerful ward that cut away spiritual and magical bonds alike.

'I knew this world had odd quirks, but this is on another level,' Ainz mused. 'Items actually doing what their flavor text described? I might need to revisit my stockpile... who knows what other "useless junk" turned into something absurdly powerful.'

He glanced at Kyogai again. The demon's hand hovered near the ring more often than not, as though he couldn't quite believe the warmth he now felt from it. Kyogai had been anxious when Ainz first gave it to him, worried that it might be some form of twisted control. But after a moment's silence, and the unsettling realization that Muzan's oppressive presence had vanished, the demon had bowed so deeply that his forehead scraped the dirt.

'He's still nervous,' Ainz thought, watching Kyogai's fingers twitch. 'Can't really blame him. Poor guy's probably spent his whole life waiting for that monster to reach into his mind again... and now that silence feels unnatural.'

"Lord Ainz… what do you think of this Tanjiro Kamado?" Kyogai's low voice broke the silence, quiet but firm.

Ainz sighed mentally.

'Again with the 'Lord Ainz' thing...'

Ever since Kyogai had received the ring, he'd been stubbornly addressing Ainz with reverence, as though Ainz were some divine figure who had delivered him from the jaws of Muzan himself. No matter how many times Ainz had told him to stop using that title, Kyogai refused.

'It's not even a bad thing... but still...'

The title made him uncomfortable. Back in Yggdrasil, Ainz had technically been the guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, but that wasn't exactly the same as being some omnipotent ruler. Sure, his guildmates would sometimes jokingly call him "Lord Ainz" to tease him, especially Herohero or Peroroncino, but he'd never taken it seriously.

In fact, those moments had always been embarrassing. He remembered squirming in his seat as they exaggeratedly praised his "supreme leadership," all while secretly enjoying the camaraderie behind the teasing. Back then, it had all been part of the fun.

But here? In this world, with Nazarick gone and only Kyogai as his subordinate, the title felt... wrong. It wasn't part of some elaborate in-game roleplay anymore, it felt like an expectation. Like he was supposed to be something greater.

'I'm not a ruler... I'm just some guy who got stuck like this...'

Yet no matter how often he tried to explain that to Kyogai, the demon wouldn't budge. The moment Ainz severed Muzan's influence, Kyogai had practically sworn his soul to him.

'Still... it's not like I can force him to stop.' Ainz sighed again. 'At least he's loyal... even if he's a bit dramatic about it.'

Ainz turned his head slightly, though his mask obscured the movement. "Hmm…"

In truth, Ainz hadn't given the matter much thought. Tanjiro had seemed determined, hardworking, certainly, but there was nothing about the boy that screamed "threat." At most, Tanjiro was another piece on the board, someone who might provide useful information about this strange world.

Yet there was one detail his Hanzos had reported that continued to linger in Ainz's mind.

"The boy is... odd," Ainz muttered at last. "During their reports, my Hanzos often witnessed him talking to… nothing."

Kyogai shifted slightly. "Nothing?"

"That's what it looked like," Ainz said, recalling the reports. "He would pause during his training and speak aloud, as though someone were standing beside him. My Hanzos initially believed he was simply muttering to himself, some form of focus or self-encouragement."

Kyogai's mask tilted slightly. "But you believe there's more to it?"

Ainz's fingers flexed slightly beneath his robe. "It wasn't just muttering. He was having conversations, full dialogues, asking questions, nodding, even pausing as if waiting for replies."

"And yet no one was there?" Kyogai asked with growing interest.

"No one visible," Ainz confirmed. "But the way he responded... it was too natural, too precise to be imaginary rambling. My Hanzos suspected he was speaking to spirits."

Kyogai's gaze sharpened. "Ghosts?"

"Perhaps," Ainz muttered. "My subordinates overheard him mentioning two names repeatedly: Sabito and Makomo. Figures that never appeared, yet seemed to guide him during his training. If they are spirits... then what kind? Allies? Guardians?"

Kyogai's voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you think they're dangerous?"

Ainz's crimson eyes dimmed slightly as he considered it. "If they were dangerous, the boy would be dead by now. No...," Ainz murmured. "These spirits, if that's what they are, seem more like... mentors. Teachers. Perhaps they were former warriors. If so, they may possess valuable knowledge."

He turned back toward the hut. "But that's only speculation. Tonight, I intend to ask Tanjiro's master directly. He may know more."

Kyogai let out a low grunt. "And if they refuse to cooperate?"

Ainz remained silent for a moment, mulling over the question.

'Refuse, huh? Well... what exactly am I supposed to say?' he thought. 'Do I just ask him about demons and the Demon Slayer Corps? Or should I start with something simple... maybe ask what's for dinner?'

His fingers twitched slightly beneath his robe.

'Yeah... dinner might be too casual...'

"Lord Ainz?" Kyogai asked again, his voice quieter this time.

Ainz blinked and glanced down at his new subordinate. The demon's posture was stiff, tension clear in his clenched fists. Kyogai's breathing had grown slower, forced and controlled.

'Wait… why does he look so anxious?'

Realizing Kyogai was still waiting for an answer, Ainz sighed inwardly. He didn't have a solid plan, so there was no use pretending otherwise. Best to keep things vague and figure it out as he went along.

"...We shall see," Ainz muttered.

Kyogai's breath hitched. He froze in place, his hands tightening under his robe.

'We shall see?' Kyogai's mind spiraled. 'That... that sounds ominous! Lord Ainz isn't uncertain, he's calculating. He's already predicting the worst! He must expect violence... or worse, he's already decided to eliminate them if they fail to impress him!'

Kyogai swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. 'No doubt he's weighing how best to dismantle this Urokodaki. Perhaps by suffocating him with his unknown power he calls magic... or - or maybe freezing his entire hut solid! Or incinerating it to ash with a simple wave of his hand!'

Sweat trickled down Kyogai's temple beneath his mask. 'He's terrifying... so composed, yet so ruthless…'

Meanwhile, Ainz stood quietly, lost in thought.

'Hmm… should I start by mentioning the medallion I gave Tanjiro? Yeah... that sounds like a good way to break the ice... wait, would that sound too aggressive? Maybe I should compliment their cooking first... or maybe-'

"I-I understand, my lord..." Kyogai stammered, voice tight with tension. "Your... your judgment is absolute."

'Huh?' Ainz blinked. 'What's he talking about now?'

He turned to face Kyogai more directly and noticed the demon's shoulders trembling slightly beneath his robe.

Ainz frowned slightly beneath his mask as he observed Kyogai's posture. The demon's tension was obvious, his shoulders were stiff, his breathing slow and measured, and his hands clenched tightly beneath his robe.

'Why does he look so nervous?' Ainz wondered. 'Did I say something weird again? Wait... was I too vague? Oh no... I bet he's worried I expect him to take the lead or something.'

Ainz grimaced internally. 'Yeah... that's probably it. He's probably stressed because he thinks I'll make him handle the talking. Poor guy must be freaking out.'

'Alright,' Ainz resolved. 'I should reassure him. Just say something confident... yeah, that'll fix this.'

In what he believed was a calm and reassuring gesture, Ainz placed a firm hand on Kyogai's shoulder.

Kyogai's entire body locked up instantly, like he was bracing for a death blow.

"Relax," Ainz said, his tone low and deliberate. "I've got everything planned."

He gave Kyogai's shoulder a slight squeeze for added comfort, though it likely felt more like the icy grip of death to the panicking demon.

Kyogai's mind spiraled into chaos.

'Everything... planned?' His heart pounded in his chest. 'He's already accounted for everything, the boy, the master, and those rumored spirits. No doubt Lord Ainz has already prepared countless contingencies…'

Kyogai's thoughts turned darker.

'He's already considered how to break the old man's body should he resist... how to silence the boy before he can cry for help... and how to scatter those spirits with some unspeakable magic. If things turn violent...'

Kyogai swallowed hard, beads of sweat trailing down his temple. 'If things turn violent... this mountain will be reduced to ash in seconds.'

Realizing Ainz was still waiting for an answer, Kyogai forced his voice to remain steady. "I understand now..." he muttered with shaky conviction. "Forgive my doubt, Lord Ainz. Your wisdom is... flawless."

Ainz, still under the impression that he'd successfully calmed his subordinate, felt a surge of pride.

'Ha... that actually worked?' He released Kyogai's shoulder, giving a small, confident nod. "Good. Glad I could put you at ease."

'Looks like I'm finally starting to get the hang of this whole leadership thing!' he thought with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Kyogai knelt lower, his mind steeled with newfound resolve.

'Yes... Lord Ainz has everything under control. There's no need for me to worry.'

His gaze drifted back toward the hut.

'And if things go wrong...' Kyogai's fingers flexed tightly around the hilt of his drum.

'Well... there won't be anything left of this mountain to worry about.'

{POV: Tanjiro Kamado}

{Location: Urokodaki's Hut}

{Time: Late Night}

Tanjiro's eyes snapped open, his breath catching in his throat. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared up at the wooden ceiling of the hut, sweat clinging to his skin. Something was wrong.

The air felt heavier, colder. And beneath the faint scent of pine and dew that always lingered around the mountain, there was something else.

A strange scent, sharp, cold, and unnatural.

'This smell… it's him.'

Tanjiro sat up slowly, careful not to wake Nezuko, who lay sound asleep in the futon beside him. His gaze drifted toward the door, where the unfamiliar scent lingered strongest. The memory of his meeting with Ainz Ooal Gown resurfaced, that oppressive aura, the way his crimson eyes seemed to burn through him even behind the mask. Ainz hadn't harmed him that day, but Tanjiro couldn't forget the unnatural chill that seemed to cling to the man.

'He said he'd find me when the time came… Is that what this is?'

Tanjiro crept to his feet, carefully sliding the door open. The cold air bit at his skin as he stepped outside.

The scent was stronger now, unmistakable. It was Ainz.

But Tanjiro's sharp senses picked up something else, someone else. His gaze shifted toward the treeline, and there, standing beneath the faint moonlight, was Urokodaki. His master's familiar tengu mask was barely visible in the dim light, but his posture was unmistakable, rigid, tense, prepared.

'He knows,' Tanjiro realized. 'He knows someone's out there.'

Tanjiro hurried across the yard, his bare feet crunching softly against the frost-kissed grass. His breath misted in the cold night air, but the icy chill felt secondary to the oppressive tension that hung over the clearing.

"Mr. Urokodaki?" Tanjiro called softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

His master said nothing, his gaze fixed on the treeline. His stance was firm, feet planted solidly, one hand resting lightly against the hilt of his blade. Though his face was hidden behind the tengu mask, Tanjiro could feel the weight of his wariness, the quiet tension of someone prepared for a confrontation.

Tanjiro stepped closer. "It's alright," he said, his voice low but steady. "I think… I think it's just Ainz."

Still, Urokodaki said nothing. He didn't turn to acknowledge Tanjiro's words, his focus remained unshaken, his mask pointed directly at the shadowed trees.

Tanjiro's eyes narrowed. He knew his master well enough to recognize that silence wasn't from stubbornness, it was caution. Urokodaki wasn't ignoring him. He was watching. Waiting.

The cold breeze stirred again, and suddenly, a shape emerged from the treeline.

Ainz Ooal Gown stepped forward, his dark robe sweeping silently along the ground. The intricate gold embroidery traced his sleeves and collar, faintly catching the moonlight. His crimson mask, still obscuring his face, gave no hint of expression, yet the aura that clung to him seemed heavier than Tanjiro remembered, colder.

But what caught Tanjiro's attention wasn't Ainz himself, it was the figure walking a few paces behind him.

The new arrival wore a dark robe much like Ainz's, but the patterns were sharper, bolder, gold embroidery curling like jagged fangs across the fabric. A crimson mask concealed his face as well, but this one bore a silver line slashing vertically over one eye, like a deep scar carved into the mask's surface.

Then Tanjiro saw his hands.

Jagged fingers, their edges cracked and uneven, stretched just slightly too long to be human. The nails were thickened and blackened, curved like claws. His skin looked rough and dry, marred with faint, sickly discoloration, as though the flesh had been twisted and corrupted into something unnatural.

'Those hands… they're like…'

The scent hit him next, faint, but unmistakable.

The scent of a demon.

Tanjiro's heart leapt into his throat. His fingers twitched toward the hilt of his blade, but before he could speak, his master's voice cut through the night air.

"Why," Urokodaki's voice cut through the silence like a blade, "are you traveling with a demon?"

His tone carried no room for doubt or misunderstanding, it was an accusation, cold and sharp.

Tanjiro swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to the jagged-handed figure behind Ainz. The faint scent of demon still lingered, sharp yet muted. The demon hadn't moved, hadn't acted out, yet his presence gnawed at Tanjiro's nerves.

"He's not your enemy," Ainz said, his tone even and calm.

"Then what is he?" Urokodaki snapped. His fingers flexed against the hilt of his sword. "What sort of fool drags a demon along with him? Are you too arrogant, or just blind, to see what you've brought here?"

The tension spiked.

Kyogai's aura surged.

A crushing wave of pressure rolled over the clearing, cold, suffocating, and violent. The faint scent of demon grew stronger, sharper. Tanjiro's breath caught in his throat as the air itself seemed to press against his chest.

Kyogai's hands twitched at his sides, jagged fingers curling tightly into fists.

"How dare you insult Lord Ainz!" Kyogai snarled, his voice low and filled with restrained fury. His aura flared dangerously, fierce and focused, not the mindless bloodlust Tanjiro had experienced from other demons.

"Enough."

Ainz's hand rose, calm and deliberate.

The effect was instant.

Kyogai's aura vanished like a snuffed flame. His body, once tensed for violence, stilled. Without hesitation, Kyogai stepped back, bowing his head slightly. "Apologies," Kyogai muttered, his voice tight but controlled.

Tanjiro stared in disbelief.

'He… stopped. Just like that?'

He had never seen a demon respond like that, with complete obedience. Not once. Demons were supposed to be unpredictable, violent, and consumed by their own hunger. Yet this one, had halted the moment Ainz raised his hand. There was no resistance, no hesitation, just unquestioning loyalty.

'He's controlling him… but how? I didn't think anyone could command a demon like that.'

Then again, Tanjiro reminded himself, his knowledge of demons was still limited, aside from his own encounter with one. His training had barely scratched the surface of what he might face. Still, this felt different, like something that didn't fit the rules he'd been taught.

Urokodaki's hand remained on his sword, his knuckles whitening beneath the pressure of his grip. "What did you do to him?" His voice was quieter now, but no less firm. "What kind of power controls a demon like that?"

Ainz's gaze shifted briefly to Kyogai before returning to Urokodaki. "I didn't control him," Ainz said simply. "I freed him."

"Freed him?" Urokodaki scoffed. "That's not freedom. That's obedience. Whatever leash you've put on him-"

"-is one he chose to wear," Ainz interrupted, his voice carrying a faint edge now. "If you don't believe me… ask him yourself."

Kyogai stepped forward, raising his head slightly. "My name is Kyogai," he said firmly. "I serve Lord Ainz by my own choice. He freed me, and I chose to follow him."

His voice held no hesitation, no forced obedience, only conviction.

Tanjiro's fingers twitched near his blade as uncertainty twisted in his chest.

'This… this isn't what I was taught. This isn't what demons are supposed to be like…'

But the way Kyogai spoke, it didn't feel like a lie.

Tanjiro took a steady breath, trying to clear his thoughts. His gaze shifted from Kyogai to Ainz once more. The air still felt tense, heavy with unspoken threats. Yet, somehow, there had been no violence, not yet.

"All you want... is information?" Tanjiro asked cautiously.

"Yes," Ainz replied, his tone firm but calm. "That's all."

Tanjiro hesitated. He remembered their conversation from before, how Ainz had spoken with curiosity rather than malice. He remembered Ainz's strange medallion, the one that felt warm and reassuring instead of cursed. And most of all, he remembered how Ainz hadn't attacked him when they first met, even when he could have easily done so.

"As long as the demon stays outside…" Tanjiro said carefully, "...then you're welcome to come in."

Urokodaki's head turned sharply. Though his face was hidden behind the mask, Tanjiro could feel his master's confusion, and suspicion, through the silence.

"Tanjiro…" Urokodaki's voice was low, wary. "Are you certain?"

Tanjiro leaned closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "He hasn't done anything harmful. If he just wants to talk, wouldn't it be better to hear him out? We'll know more if we listen… and if things go wrong…" His hand drifted toward the hilt of his blade. "We'll be ready."

Urokodaki said nothing for a moment. Then, after a slow exhale, he gave a small nod.

"Alright," Urokodaki said gruffly. "But if he steps out of line…"

"He won't," Tanjiro promised, though his fingers still hovered near his sword.

Urokodaki turned back to Ainz. "Fine. Come inside," he said curtly. His gaze flicked to Kyogai. "The demon stays out here."

Ainz turned to Kyogai. "Wait outside," he ordered firmly.

Kyogai bowed his head without hesitation. "Understood, Lord Ainz."

Again, Tanjiro felt that uneasy twist in his chest. The way Kyogai followed that command so easily… it was unlike anything he'd ever seen. He couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just loyalty, it was respect, something far deeper than fear or control.

As Urokodaki turned back toward the hut, Tanjiro followed closely behind. He couldn't help but glance over his shoulder one last time.

Kyogai stood motionless in the moonlit clearing, hands folded neatly in front of him, watching silently as Ainz disappeared into the hut.