Chapter 101: The Return of Empress Zero

One month later…

Zero’s mansion.

“Hey hey hey! Kanae, Miku, calm down! This has to be mutual—I won’t accept any coercion!”

Zero was slowly backed toward the bed by Kanae and Miku inside the room.

With no escape left, he collapsed backward onto the bed.

Miku and Kanae both extended their “evil” hands, pouncing on Zero and clinging to him on either side.

“Oh my~ I’ve long wished to meet the legendary Empress Zero—could you please grant me this one favor? My~ dear~ husband~”

Kanae cooed like a doting woman, her voice soft and intoxicating, impossible to resist.

“Zero, I really want to see too—please, just this once, okay?”

Miku gazed at Zero with innocent, pure eyes, looking so pitiful he wanted to bite her.

“No… no way! I’m a man of principle!” Zero firmly resisted—he would never agree to either of them.

If it happened once, it would happen again!

If it happened twice, it would happen a third, fourth, even fifth time!

What if they both became addicted? Then he’d be the one suffering!

So he absolutely refused.

Helpless, Miku made a bold move.

She rose and sat beside Zero.

She undid the ribbon holding her braided ponytail at the back of her head.

Her long pink hair cascaded down like a wavy waterfall.

Making her appear even more adorable and enchanting.

Then she unbuttoned her blouse…

That deep abyss stared unblinkingly at Zero, and Miku said: “Zero, if you don’t agree, I… I… I’ll eat you!”

No sooner had the words left her lips than her face flushed crimson with blush—she was shy, yet her gaze remained resolute.

After all, this could be done anytime—she wouldn’t regret doing it now.

Besides, giving herself to the man she loved most—Miku felt nothing wrong with it.

“Again… again…?”

Once more pinned by that primordial abyss, he felt as if his very soul might burst forth.

Zero nearly lost control—a warm red stream gushed from his nose, and he fainted.

“Ara~ Zero fainted again…” Kanae pinched his cheek, sighing helplessly: “We’ve seen it before—why does he faint so easily? It’s just too…”

Miku, blushing furiously, covered her face with both hands, unable to look.

She hadn’t expected herself to make such a bold move just now.

She peeked through her fingers at Kanae, afraid she’d be mocked.

But Kanae didn’t mock Miku.

Instead, she leaned close and whispered something in her ear, making Miku blush even deeper.

“Huh? Really do that? But Zero-kun’s unconscious—is that really okay?”

“Ara, it’s fine—we’ll both become his eventually anyway.”

Kanae didn’t finish, but Miku understood perfectly.

Kanae pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Zero’s nose.

Then she placed a set of clothes she’d prepared earlier beside him.

Miku, meanwhile, steamed like a locomotive, white vapor rising from her head.

Her brain short-circuited, and she collapsed unconscious beside Zero.

Kanae sighed helplessly—there was no choice now; she’d have to change Zero’s clothes.

This outfit had been custom-made for him a month ago by a tailor she’d commissioned—she felt it suited him perfectly.

She and Miku had visited several kimono shops in Asakusa but found nothing satisfactory.

Just as she was about to give up, she happened upon a Western-style clothing store filled with novel designs.

She approached the shop owner and commissioned him to craft one specific garment.

Hence the scene before them now, one month later.

“Hss~ Why do I feel dizzy?”

Zero awoke from his unconscious sleep.

“Come to think of it… why did I faint?”

His memory before fainting felt fragmented—he couldn’t recall clearly.

He racked his brain but still couldn’t understand why he’d passed out.

“Forget it—I’ll just go for a walk…”

Tap… tap… tap…

The more he walked, the stranger it felt—he looked down and realized his metal knee-high boots had been replaced with women’s black high heels.

His clothes had been swapped for a red dress… a dress?!

He also wore black lace gloves.

Terrified, he rushed to the first-floor bathroom and stared into the mirror.

He nearly turned pale from shock.

In the mirror stood himself, wearing a red Lottie lace-trimmed hat adorned with hand-sewn roses.

His body was clad in a red wide-sleeved kimono, its fabric patterned with red roses and styled like a Western dress.

Black lace edged the neckline as a delicate accent.

Combined with Zero’s natural aura and features, the outfit amplified his regal elegance.

“H-how did this happen… while I was unconscious… what exactly happened?!”

Suddenly, several heads popped out from both sides of the bathroom door, curiously watching him.

Nezuko, Kyojuro’s mother, Takeo, Kanae, Miku, and the three wives of Uzui Tengen.

“Ara~ Zero, you look absolutely beautiful like this~”

“Mm-hmm! Zero, I love you like this too!”

Undeniably, everyone agreed Zero looked more captivating than any woman.

If not for his gender, no one would guess this person was male…

Zero finally realized—no doubt, it was those two who did this.

He then recalled the time in Yoshiwara, when he’d dressed as a woman before.

A “disgraceful” memory resurfaced—and within him, the same trait from his cross-dressing days stirred again.

“Hehe~ Looks like my two lovers need proper disciplining~ Hehehe~”

The former Empress Zero seemed to have returned.

“Kanae, Miku, come here for a moment?” Zero smiled coldly, forcing a deceptively gentle expression.

“No~”

“Dame~”

Women’s intuition told them they’d accidentally flipped some strange switch on Zero.

They knew he wouldn’t hit or yell—he couldn’t bring himself to hurt them.

But the imperial aura radiating from Zero made them feel like kneeling in worship.

Sensing trouble, they immediately turned and fled.

Zero, seeing this, chased after them.

“You two mischievous little girlfriends—I’m catching you today and giving you proper discipline!”

Kanae and Miku moved with the grace of butterflies and nightingales darting through the forest, their laughter echoing joyfully.

But no matter how fast they ran, Zero caught them.

He leapt upward, wrapping both arms around them.

Holding one in each arm, he landed firmly on the ground.

Mwah! Mwah!

Kanae and Miku didn’t fear him—they each planted a kiss squarely on Zero’s face.

At that, Zero’s anger vanished completely.

He could only sigh faintly: “I can’t do anything about you two… but just this once. Next time, if you do this again, I… I… I won’t be gentle…”

It had already happened—what could he do?

His girlfriends? He’d spoil them.

As the three turned to head back, they found themselves facing Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife, Ubuyashiki Amane.

The couple smiled warmly at the trio.

They’d been wandering the Demon Slayer Corps grounds recently, with no urgent matters to attend to, savoring this brief peace—when they happened upon this tender scene.

Zero sighed, rubbing his forehead.

This scene… felt familiar…

This scene feels familiar...

"Sorry to make you two laugh," Zero said, slightly embarrassed.

"It’s fine, Zero. I can tell you truly love them both, and I’m happy for Kanae and Mitsuha."

Ubuyashiki Amane’s body trembled slightly—she was clearly holding back laughter.

After chatting with Ubuyashiki for a while, Kanae and Mitsuha took our Zero Empress for a stroll around the Butterfly House.

The Ubuyashiki couple held hands, watching the three figures walk away, and once again recalled how they had met.

"Tan—ji—ro—nii—san~"

Zenitsu let out a saccharine voice, poking his fingers together, smiling warmly at Tanjiro.

Tanjiro broke out in goosebumps under his gaze.

He replied shyly:

"Zenitsu, don’t look at me like that. If you really want to see Nezuko, just go to Zero’s mansion."

Since Nezuko returned to human form, she had come to the Butterfly House to thank everyone for their care and to visit Inosuke and Zenitsu.

During that time, she also went with Tanjiro to the Rengoku family home to visit Rengoku Makio and his family.

Afterward, she visited Uzui Tengen’s residence to see him and express her gratitude.

Zenitsu was delighted to see Nezuko restored to human form—she was so adorable.

He kept pursuing her, but Nezuko spent most of her time at Zero’s mansion, helping her mother with housework and caring for her younger siblings.

So he rarely saw her.

Since Tanjiro’s sword hadn’t arrived yet, everything was delayed, so Zenitsu decided to approach Tanjiro directly.

Tanjiro was either completing Zero’s training tasks or chatting with Kanao.

Zenitsu could only try to catch him when he had free time.

Now, with a moment to spare, Zenitsu found Tanjiro and begged him to let Nezuko come play with him.

"Sorry, Zenitsu. Nezuko is my sister, but I can’t force her."

Tanjiro answered firmly.

"No! My Nezuko! Aaaahhh!"

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze passed by.

Zenitsu saw three beautiful girls laughing and chatting as they walked past him.

He looked closer—two were Zero’s girlfriends; the one in the center looked familiar, and her heartbeat sounded familiar too.

Only Tanjiro recognized it: that was Zero.

"So...so beautiful~" Zenitsu felt his soul being pulled away.

He dashed straight toward the girl in the center.

As for the other two, he dared not entertain any thoughts—he feared getting beaten.

He then asked politely: "Beautiful lady, do you have a lover? If not, would you consider dating me?"

Zero: (ー`?′(ー)?

What is this urge to punch someone?!

Kanae and Mitsuha couldn’t help laughing—they hadn’t realized Zero’s feminine charm was so potent.

This wasn’t even the first boy to confess to Zero.

On the way here, several boys had already rushed over to confess to Zero.

But all had been rejected.

Each looked as if abandoned by first love, their faces filled with disappointment.

Only after learning that Zero was male did they reluctantly accept it.

A few, however, seemed even more devastated.

Zero stared at Zenitsu with a sly smile.

She extended her index finger, gently tilting Zenitsu’s chin upward, leaning closer.

Zenitsu, gazing at Zero so near, felt his heartbeat quicken—he thought she was about to kiss him, his mind brimming with anticipation.

Huh~

Zero blew a soft breath onto Zenitsu’s face—he was instantly enchanted.

But what Zero said next shattered his hopes.

"You? Dare to court the Empress?!"

"Huh?" Zenitsu felt he’d heard those words before.

He thought hard—and suddenly remembered: wasn’t that exactly what Zero’s brother had said?!

"Zero’s brother?"

"Hehe~ Little Zenitsu, you’re still too young~ The Empress has no interest in you~"

Bam…

Splash!

Zenitsu turned to stone—his inner world shattered like glass, scattering into a thousand pieces.

"W-why...why...?! Aaaahhh!! Why?! I don’t want this!"

Then, Zero strode forward with regal poise.

Leaving Zenitsu alone, screaming at the heavens: "It’s not fair!"

Tanjiro stepped forward, patted Zenitsu’s shoulder, and comforted him: "Zenitsu, keep going. Don’t give up."

Zenitsu ignored Tanjiro’s words, crouched on the ground, drawing circles with his fingers.

"Zero-nee-san, I want a hug!" The three little ones from the Butterfly House surrounded Zero, reaching out for hugs.

"Alright, alright~" Zero didn’t mind; she picked up Kiyoshi, lifted her high, and spun around a few times.

"Waaah! So nice~ I feel like I’m floating on the wind!"

Kiyoshi, lifted high, beamed with joy.

Koko and Saeho were no different—each was lifted and spun by Zero in turn.

Kanae and Mitsuha watched, thinking this was quite delightful.

Shinazugawa Aoi gazed at the three little ones, her eyes filled with envy.

"What’s wrong, Aoi? Do you want a hug too?" Zero smiled.

"N-no... I... I have things to do... I’m leaving..." She ran off.

Inosuke, eating his lunch, stared after Aoi in confusion, not understanding what had happened.

But Zero noticed the bento box in Inosuke’s hand—it looked familiar.

That was Shinazugawa Aoi’s bento box.

"Could it be..." Zero thought for a moment, then seemed to understand.

"So that’s how it is... This might be quite nice too~ Inosuke and Shinazugawa Aoi... hmm, a good match, hehe~"

It seemed Inosuke’s spring was finally arriving.

After playing a while longer with the three little ones, Zero bid them farewell—she had promised Kanae and Mitsuha she’d spend the entire day with them.

【The Swordsmith Village Arc, Departure】