Demon Sword Maiden

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"What?" Ayaka’s grip tightened around Lily’s arm, her voice trembling with disbelief. "What are you saying? Lily, who is this Madam? What’s really going on?"

Now that she had reunited with Ayaka, Lily knew there was no hiding the truth. And so, she told her everything—everything that had happened since she entered Yomi, everything that bound her fate.

Ayaka’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, sorrow and worry mingling in their depths.

She shook her head, unable to contain her grief. "Lily… You’ve suffered so much since falling into Yomi. Why didn’t you tell us?"

Lily lowered her head in silence. What was the point of telling them? It would only bring them needless worry. If her sisters had known, they might have recklessly descended into Yomi to find her—and that would have only led them to their doom.

Ayaka took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve. She grabbed Lily’s hand. "Lily, are you still thinking of going back to her? Let’s run away together! Let’s find a way to return to the mortal realm!"

Lily gazed at Ayaka, her heart stirring with emotion. She had told her everything—about the immense power of the Madam and the Boundless Empress—yet Ayaka didn’t care. None of that mattered to her. The only thing she cared about was Lily’s safety, her happiness.

"Come with me, Lily," Ayaka insisted, her voice firm and unwavering. "I won’t let you marry that so-called Boundless Empress!"

"Lily, this isn’t like you," Ayaka argued. "Haven’t you always faced impossible battles with unwavering confidence? When have you ever let an opponent’s strength deter you?"

"It’s not that, Sister Ayaka…" Lily hesitated. "The Madam… she isn’t my enemy."

"Your godmother, then? Do you truly believe you’re the princess of Yomi-no-Kuni? That title means nothing—it’s just a ploy to justify this marriage. These things happen all the time among the noble clans and royal houses of the Heian Dynasty!"

"Sister, I will never agree to marry the Boundless Empress. But if we plan to escape… now is not the time."

"What do you mean?" Ayaka pressed.

"First, the Boundless Empress has yet to accept this marriage. If she refuses, then the problem resolves itself. But if she agrees… then I can use this time to train, to push myself beyond my limits and reach the Celestial Stage. Once I do, I’ll have the power to escape—even if I’m sent to the Boundless Abyss."

Lily felt the warmth of Ayaka’s hand and turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside.

"Sister Ayaka, no matter what happens, the Madam has saved my life many times. She has taught me so much—she is my benefactor. Even if it means fighting to protect my chastity, I could never bring myself to fight her. If it comes to that… I’d rather wait until I reach the Boundless Abyss. Of course, I will try to reason with the Boundless Empress first. If she can understand the bigger picture, then perhaps…"

Ayaka gazed at Lily, her eyes filled with helplessness and pity. "Oh, Lily… you're far too kind and honorable. This concerns the most precious thing a woman possesses. If you insist on clinging to honor even now, isn't that foolish? No woman in this world would sacrifice her freedom and happiness just to uphold her honor. That isn’t what a woman should do. Even if you defy the Madam for this, the entire world would stand behind you."

"But, Sister… the opinions of common people hold no weight in the world we live in. Without strength, a woman's so-called chastity and happiness are nothing more than bargaining chips for the powerful. Isn't that the truth? They are treasures that, in the end, will always be claimed by those strong enough to take them." Though Lily’s voice remained gentle, her conviction ran deep.

Faced with overwhelming power that sought to claim her against her will, what choices did she have? Other than death, was there any way to resist?

But if she died simply to preserve her chastity, then what? Could she awaken her senior sister? And what of her other sisters? Who would be there to protect their dignity, their happiness?

If she placed her own desires above all else, then who would bear the weight of the responsibilities she carried?

Lily understood that her life was no longer just her own. It carried far greater weight than her own desires. She had to awaken her senior sister, protect her sisters, and avenge Tsukuyomi!

No matter how much pain, no matter how much humiliation she endured—she had to bear it all and press forward!

Yet even so, Lily refused to resign herself to fate.

Time was still on her side. With her talent, she could reach the Celestial Stage—she just had to train hard enough!

If she became strong enough to challenge the Boundless Abyss on her own, would the Madam still dare to force her into marriage? And if, even then, the Madam remained resolute, at least Lily would have the power to resist—with far more confidence than she had now.

"Sister, we have to endure. No matter what, we must endure—until I reach the Celestial Stage." The sorrow in Lily’s eyes hardened into unwavering determination.

The look in her eyes was different from when she faced powerful foes in battle—but the determination behind it was just as fierce!

Ayaka nodded firmly. "I understand. In that case, I’ll stay by your side, no matter what. No matter how strong or weak I am, I’ll give you everything I have and do whatever it takes to help you. If they try to marry you off—then I’ll be part of your dowry! Let’s see if that Boundless Empress dares to lay a hand on you!"

"Sister…" Lily had already steeled herself, but she was still just one person. Facing the entirety of Yomi alone had felt unbearably lonely. But with Ayaka beside her, that burden felt just a little lighter.

"But Sister… if you stay with me, I’m afraid I’ll drag you into this as well." Worry crept back into Lily’s voice.

"Say no more. If I turned my back on you while knowing how much you’re suffering, then what meaning would my life even have? I will stay by your side, no matter what."

"Sister…" Lily murmured, overcome with emotion as she embraced Ayaka. The warmth of her sister’s touch spread through her, stirring something deep within—an unfamiliar heat that made her dizzy. But she knew… she couldn’t allow herself to succumb to it.

Ayaka, too, was resolute. No matter what happened, she would protect Lily’s chastity—she would never allow anyone to take her. Though her deepest desire was for Lily to return her feelings, to be bound to her in both heart and body, she could not be certain of Lily’s thoughts.

But now was not the time for such thoughts.

"Anyway, Lily, I will protect you—no matter what," Ayaka said firmly, tightening her embrace. ‘I’ll never let that so-called Boundless Empress take you. You belong to me!’

They did not attempt to flee. Instead, they continued toward the site of baptism, following the Madam’s initial orders. Yet, they traveled at an unhurried pace. Lily reasoned that they were already two days late—what difference would a few more days make? After all, she wasn’t running away.

And so, the slower pace granted her and Ayaka more time to train along the way.

Deep within the Boundless Abyss, in a palace shrouded in darkness…

A mirror of flawless jade stood before a woman with dark blue hair, her waist wrapped in bandages.

She repeatedly activated the spell, watching Lily’s image flicker in the jade mirror—again and again, from every angle. Her eyes traced the delicate curves of those black-stockinged feet, the long, slender legs, the soft swell of her hips beneath that short skirt, the trim waist, the full, youthful chest. That graceful neck, those flowing locks as dark as the night sky… and that breathtakingly beautiful face.

Her fingers trembled as they traced the surface of the mirror, an almost delirious obsession in her movements—if only she could reach through and touch the woman within.

"It’s her… It’s her!" The woman’s voice trembled with obsession. "Even through the mirror, I can feel the warmth of her skin… so unlike mine, always so cold… She’s radiant, beautiful, full of life… I like her. I want her. She is the one—the one I have waited for, alone in this darkness, for a thousand years!"

A violent fit of coughing wracked her body, yet her feverish longing did not subside. "How can someone so full of vitality exist in this world? She’s nothing like me… and yet I want her so much! Cough… cough!"

Overwhelmed, she doubled over in another fit of coughing.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

Two women clad in sheer black jacket, embroidered with ominous patterns of the underworld, rushed into the chamber. These were no ordinary attendants—they were the Boundless Empress’ own Dark Celestial Maidens, her most devoted followers.

"Stay away!" With a flick of her long sleeves, the Boundless Empress unleashed a surge of power that sent the Dark Celestial Maidens hurtling backward, crashing into the stone walls with a resounding thud. Yet, despite the impact, their faces flushed, and breathless moans escaped their lips, as if the force of her power had ignited something deep within them.

Even in her weakened state, the Boundless Empress possessed an aura so intoxicating, so inescapably compelling, that no woman could resist her allure.

"She is mine1! Do not go near her!" The Boundless Empress’ voice rang out with fervent possessiveness.

"Kagami Lily… that is her name, isn’t it? Inform the Madam of Yomi—I want her sent to the Boundless Abyss immediately! What are her terms? Land? Power? Treasures? Whatever dowry she demands, give it to her! Do you understand? Cough… cough…!"

Her breath hitched as she erupted into another violent coughing fit, but the feverish gleam in her eyes never wavered.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness…" The two Dark Celestial Maidens stammered, their faces tinged with both envy and yearning. Yet, no matter how they felt, they would never dare to question her command—the fear of displeasing the Empress far outweighed their jealousy.

"Your Highness, will you truly accept any condition they set?" one of the Dark Celestial Maidens asked cautiously.

"Isn’t it obvious?" The Boundless Empress snapped, flicking her sleeve. A dark whip materialized from the shadows and lashed across the maiden’s backside with a sharp crack.

Rather than recoil from the pain, the Dark Celestial Maiden let out a soft, trembling moan.

"Ahh… Your Highness, it feels… Ah, no! We—we’ll handle it immediately, Your Highness!"

The two Dark Celestial Maidens stumbled backward, their cheeks flushed, their breaths uneven. The searing lash had brought them no pain—only a pleasure they could not explain, could not resist.

No one knew how the Boundless Empress had subdued these fiercely arrogant women, how she had bound them to her will so utterly2. And yet, her rule over them was absolute.

As the Dark Celestial Maidens hurried from the chamber, the Boundless Empress turned her attention back to the jade mirror.

Slowly, she reached out, her fingers ghosting over the glass with reverence, with longing. Her breath was warm against its surface, as though she wished to press her lips to the image before her.

"Finally… we’re alone," she murmured, her voice dripping with possessive adoration. "It won’t be long now, my wife. Very soon… I will have you." A slow, almost delirious smile spread across her lips. "For you… I would give up everything."