[center][h1]TENKO MARIA THOMPSON[/h1][/center]
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"Tsugikuni-san...Are these demons whose authority we recognise?" Tenko asked Himari as her eyes remained fixed on the demon that had intercepted her attack and the rest who had come along shortly after.

It was said that an experienced Demon Slayer of old could even tell how many humans a demon had killed at a glance, thus gauging how dangerous their adversary was. Tenko was certainly not at that level, but nevertheless, she could sense that these demons were powerful.

A far cry from the 'average' demon drunk on their power, they gave no sign of reckless overconfidence that would lead to an opening.

Dangerous group of demons to be sure.

The one who had introduced himself as Gekido mentioned Tsugikuni Hikari making connections with demons, but...surely that was done behind the corps' back?

Surely the Demon Slayer Corps was not aware of her? Because if they were, then it raised the question of why they were not targeted for elimination, or if they had proven to be cooperative and were an asset, why they were not briefed before being brought to this area, which would seem to be more and more likely to be demon territory.

Well...if they fought here, Tenko had no illusion that she would surely die. Himari, too, actually.

She wasn't afraid of death. It was something she had accepted the moment she took up her nichirin blade, after all. 

If she died as a demon slayer as a vanguard against the demons, so that innocent people would be protected, she had no qualms about that.

If she had to die to protect her comrade, then so be it.

If she died to enact some sort of miracle to give a demon their humanity back, she would do so gladly.

But dying foolishly here would not accomplish anything.

Thus, Tenko sheathed her blade, accepting the offer of a ceasefire.

"If you have some sort of arrangement with our Oyakata-sama or the higher-ups of our corps for this place or area to be a neutral zone, then I regret to inform you that I, at the very least, have not been informed of such things. Thus, when confronted with an unknown demon, considering our duty and the mutual historic hostility between demons and slayers, I acted," she started.

She looked around. They were outnumbered and possibly overpowered. Nichirin armaments or no. Soryu, Karate or no. They were, after all, humans. And demons were exactly demons because they possess preternatural ability.

Even if all the Hashira were to fight together, it would still result in heavy casualties. Casualties that they cannot afford at this time.

She continued, "But regardless, I understand that some of you may not be satisfied with that information. I was still the instigator in the case with Mamushi, after all. Therefore..."

She briefly glanced at Himari. From her expression, it was clear that she did not approve of what Tenko had done. Tenko had her own thoughts on that, but it did not matter at this point.

Tenko stepped forward, her face resolute, no doubt or hesitation as she uttered her next words, "Guen-san aside, if my compliance is enough to allow the rest of the slayers' safe passage out of this area tonight, then I will lay down my arms and come with whoever you think has authority here. And if that is not enough, you can have my head as recompense."

Dying foolishly would not accomplish anything.

But dying as a 'sacrificial piece' would have value.

The people around this area tonight were Hashiras, Tsugukos, and the heiress to Soryu Karate, which was pivotal for the fact it allowed slayers to emulate a red Nichirin blade, and finally, herself.

Just like in chess, where the Queen is valued at 9 points, Rooks at 4, Bishops and Knights at 3—Well, Fischer and Kasparov had Bishops be valued higher at around 3.5, but that was beside the point—and Pawns at 1...It was clear she was the piece with the lowest value here.

At worst, the demons would go back on their words and attack the rest after killing her, but even then, at least there would be clarity for the demon slayers that a demon's words could not be trusted. If she had to be martyred for that, then so be it.

But those were merely the thoughts of Tenko the Demon Slayer.

Tenko, without being in the current 'demon slayer state', would still say the same.

But not because of cold utilitarian calculus.

The Demon Slayers Corps were her comrades, and if her life could save theirs, then that was enough reason.

After all...

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.