Demon Sword Maiden

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“An ultimate trial?” Rakshasa-Onna exclaimed, taking a few steps back in shock. “Does that mean The Madam has accepted Lily’s actions? But don’t those actions completely contradict The Madam’s original intentions for the Night Parade?!”

As the main host, the Rakshasa-Dojo had invested heavily in this year’s Night Parade of Hundred Maidens. Beyond managing the event, they used it as an opportunity to recruit skilled female members and secure laborers, gaining numerous advantages.

Even more crucial was the matter of reputation. In the long history of the Night Parade, such an event was unprecedented, and breaking with tradition posed significant risks.

“Sister, you’re not alone. I, too, struggled to accept The Madam’s decision when I first heard it. I have always adhered strictly to the rules, so how could I condone this woman’s reckless actions? But, sister, remember—above all rules is one supreme command: The Madam’s will. Though I may not understand her reasoning, I choose to obey her instructions absolutely,” Asura-Onna declared firmly, though a hint of conflict flickered in her eyes.

“We need only to follow The Madam’s wishes, sister. It’s not our place to speculate on matters beyond our understanding.”

“But…”

At that moment, the grand hall seemed to shudder as a formidable will pressed down upon Rakshasa-Onna’s mind, bringing a sharp, fleeting pain.

“I understand,” Rakshasa-Onna murmured, her eyes momentarily distant before her vigor returned. “Then we’ll act in accordance with The Madam’s wishes. But did she leave any further instructions? What exactly is this ‘ultimate trial’?”

Asura-Onna answered, “The Madam instructed that Lily must complete her unfinished business. The outcome will be decided after that.”

“Unfinished business?” Both Rakshasa-Onna and Lily looked confused.

“What unfinished business?” Rakshasa-Onna pressed, looking to Asura-Onna for clarity.

“Don’t look at me—I’m simply delivering The Madam’s message. You don’t need to concern yourself with the details. Just keep her words in mind and follow her instructions.”

Asura-Onna turned, stepping past the Queen and approaching Lily. “Did you hear all that was said? If you still don’t grasp The Madam’s intentions, then perhaps you’re not qualified to undertake the trial she has set for you.”

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“What, then, shall we do with the rest of the Hundred Maidens?” Rakshasa-Onna inquired.

“The Madam left no specific instructions regarding them,” Asura-Onna replied. “I assume she trusts us to handle it as we see fit.”

“Hmph, is that so? I say we should round up these shameless girls and sell them to brothels!” Rakshasa-Onna spat angrily.

“We can’t,” Asura-Onna countered calmly. “By giving Lily the chance to face an ultimate trial, The Madam has implicitly recognized her actions. To punish the others would go against The Madam’s intent—even if she left it unspoken.”

“Tsk, fine.” Rakshasa-Onna turned sharply and began to stride toward the door. “For now, let’s confine Lily and give her time to reflect.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Lily said, kneeling down. “I already understand what needs to be done.”

“Oh?” Rakshasa-Onna paused and glanced back at Lily.

“I am deeply grateful to Your Highness Rakshasa-Onna for granting me free access to your courtyard and teaching me the art of pleasure,” Lily began, her tone reverent. “In that time, I came to understand that the small embroidery sample I worked on holds profound and intricate meaning. It is my heartfelt wish to complete it.” Though humble in her words, an intense determination shone in Lily’s eyes.

As her strength grew, Lily became increasingly aware of the embroidery’s significance, sensing layers of insight within its design. Even without The Madam’s guidance, she had no intention of leaving it unfinished.

“Hmph, so that’s what The Madam intended. Sharp of you to catch on,” Rakshasa-Onna remarked with a hint of mockery.

Queen Kaguya, watching from the side, couldn’t help but frown. She sensed that Rakshasa-Onna had likely understood The Madam’s intention all along but had opted not to mention it.

Turning to the assembled Hundred Maidens, Asura-Onna addressed them, “You have all heard what was discussed. I understand that some of you are resigned to the situation, while others refuse to acknowledge Kagami Lily’s victory. But regardless of Lily’s fate, each of you has been defeated and has thus lost your eligibility to continue in the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens.”

“If Lily fails this ultimate trial, by tradition, you will be treated as the slaves of a defeated competitor and either sent to hard labor or sold to brothels. However, if she succeeds, your fate will be no longer within our jurisdiction. Until then, you are to return to your original quarters. You may move freely within the courtyard but are strictly prohibited from leaving. Do I make myself clear?” Asura-Onna’s gaze swept over the Hundred Maidens as she delivered her instructions.

The crowd of Hundred Maidens wore mixed expressions. Some looked to Lily with hopeful eyes, others harbored resentment, while a few remained silent and unreadable.

At that moment, Lily stood and addressed them. “I apologize for involving all of you in this. But I promise to do my utmost to secure the best outcome for everyone. My intent was never to enslave you—I only wanted to end this competition as swiftly as possible. If I pass this ultimate trial, I will release you all.”

Lily’s words brought a sense of relief to the gathered Hundred Maidens.

Queen Kaguya then spoke up, “Should you all regain your freedom, the Female Queendom would welcome you.”

For noblewomen like Tamai Tomoko and Takiri Rie, who hailed from prestigious clans, the idea of joining the Female Queendom might have once held little appeal. But now, after their defeat, it was uncertain if their original clans would even take them back.

In any case, having an alternative was not unwelcome.

“Very well. Isshiki, Renka, escort them back as my sister instructed. As for Kagami Lily, since she wishes to complete the embroidery, bring her to my residence,” Rakshasa-Onna ordered.

“Lynne…” Queen Kaguya took Lily’s hand, her expression tinged with concern. She wasn’t worried about Lily being mistreated again, but the notion of an ‘ultimate trial’ arranged by The Madam left her uneasy. If The Madam saw no difficulty in the trial for Lily, she would likely have simply declared Lily the victor. So why set such a trial? It must be something truly extraordinary.

“Your Majesty, in all my time in Yomi, it has felt as though I were walking on thin ice—except when I was in your palace,” Lily said softly, a trace of resignation in her tone as she held the Queen’s hand. “Perhaps this is simply my fate.”

“Lynne, whatever trial awaits you, no matter how dangerous, I believe you’ll overcome it. I’ll be here, waiting for you.”

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry.” Though she spoke with conviction, Lily couldn’t quite shake an odd, lingering unease.

What kind of being was The Madam, that even Supreme Gods like Asura-Onna and Rakshasa-Onna obeyed her from such a vast distance? Did she truly endorse Lily’s actions?

Lily sensed that ever since she had fallen into Yomi, The Madam had been orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Perhaps there was a larger mystery woven into her path.

“No matter what secret lies ahead, I can only take one step at a time. Even if I am just a piece on someone else’s vast chessboard, no one can understand the depth of my resolve!”

To revive Rinne, avenge Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and uncover the source of the chaos that had disrupted the heavens, Lily was prepared to walk this dark and perilous path. Her resolve surpassed that of anyone else. As long as she could breathe, she would press forward—crawling, if necessary—until she reached the truth at the end of the journey.

After bidding farewell to the Queen, Lily did not delay. She knew that completing the intricate embroidery of the Painting of Flowers Beyond the Shore would require both focus and care. First, she went to bathe, with Hyozuhi—granted permission to attend her—assisting in her preparations.

Once she had bathed, Lily dressed in a graceful long-sleeved kimono and made her way respectfully to Rakshasa-Onna’s courtyard, ready to resume her embroidery work.

By now, Lily’s seductive intent, comprehension, and strength had far surpassed what they once were. Her embroidery skills had grown significantly as well, allowing her to work at a faster pace. With full dedication, she estimated it would take only two or three months to complete the entire piece.

Deep within the vast recesses of Yomi, nearly ten thousand kilometers beneath its surface…

Here, the darkness that clung between the rocks seemed capable of swallowing the faintest glimmers of hope from even the bravest hearts.

A frigid stone path, winding unevenly between steep and flat stretches, led downward into an endless, dark abyss. The wind rising from below carried a sinister chill—one that could extinguish the spirit of any ordinary soul daring to descend.

Nestled between the craggy mountain walls stood an ancient, crumbling temple. Stone lamps, each lit with flickering ghostly flames, lined the temple entrance, casting faint light over the area yet seeming to draw any who approached into deeper darkness.

A narrow, precarious cliff path, thin as paper, wound toward the temple, with an unfathomable abyss yawning below.

Upon closer look, a lone female figure could be seen, crawling inch by inch along the narrow path.

Her white garments were torn and frayed, exposing numerous wounds. Her knees, scraped and bruised from countless rocky paths, bore the signs of her relentless struggle, a testament to her resilience. Her hands, raw and bleeding, fared no better.

Unable to walk, she continued on her hands and knees. No one knew how long it took, but eventually, she reached the temple entrance.

Spent and trembling, she collapsed upon the stone steps of the temple. Her disheveled hair framed a face marked by both determination and unwavering resolve, which, even through dirt and scars, retained an undeniable beauty.

“If the heavens cannot heed my lifelong wish, then, Empress of Yomi, I beg you to hear my plea! I defy heaven, earth, and humankind itself. I defy all for one wish alone—to revive the man I love with all my heart!”

The wounded woman’s trembling hands clutched at the doorway of the temple.

From within the temple, a presence emerged—dark, profound, and unmistakably demonic.

“For a mere woman at the Big Dipper Stage to reach this place alive, I wonder—what kind of man could inspire such sacrifice? What sort of man has compelled you to crawl through this abyss just to see him revived? Speak his name.”

“Your Majesty, Empress of Yomi,” she whispered, “his name is Minamoto no Yoshitsune1.”