Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 131 – Who Dares To Stop Her?

The grand marriage procession drifted steadily across the endless skies of Yomi.

The sky above was yellow and dim—apocalyptic by Heian standards, yet considered morning in Yomi. In most regions, the skies never changed. Only occasional flashes of demonic light or drifting auroras marked any variation, often originating from far-off corners of the underworld.

Some regions remained cloaked in a dim, flickering glow, like a permanent twilight reminiscent of dusk in the mortal realm.

The source of these lights remained a mystery. Most assumed they were demonic glows or refractions from the burning infernos deep within the abyss.

There was no sun, moon, or starlight in Yomi. Yet, in certain areas, tall cavernous ceilings shimmered with embedded gemstones—glimmering faintly like artificial stars when seen from below.

But in truth, Yomi had no real sky—only illusionary ceilings veiled in gloom.

According to the map, one-third of the journey to the Boundless Abyss had been completed. Below them, a vast swarm of demons trailed the procession like a living tide of shadows.

Initially, Renka led her squad to drive them back, but the crowd kept returning—larger each time. Since they posed no direct threat, the escorts eventually chose to ignore them.

A few reckless flying demons had dared to strike at the procession or steal from the dowry wagons, but they were swiftly and mercilessly dealt with by the warriors of Rakshasa and Asura Dojo.

At that moment, within the top level of the grand ceremonial carriage…

“Mm… Ah…” Lily exhaled softly as she sat in a spacious room lined with a formation specifically designed to enhance spiritual cultivation.

Positioned at the center of the array, Lily leaned back with her hands behind her head, her bare back exposed. Behind her, Ayaka moved her hands gently across Lily’s back, sides, and underarms, guiding the flow of charm energy through her meridians. It was a method of Pair Training—one passed down by the Madam—used not only to cultivate Lily’s Charm Heavenly Path but also to share understanding between the two.

At present, Lily’s Charm Heavenly Path had advanced to the third stage, her Sword Heavenly Path to the second, while her Lunar Heavenly Path remained at the third. Her recent progress in charm cultivation was largely due to Ayaka’s insight. Yet, beyond this point, the path forward was shrouded in uncertainty for both of them.

Suddenly, a powerful aura surged ahead of them, halting the entire procession in alarmed disarray.

“What’s happening?” Lily asked breathlessly, slipping her robes back on. No one had dared block the procession until now—nor possessed the power to even try.

In the skies ahead, a towering warrior god blocked the path. Clad in dark violet armor and a tall conical helmet, he wielded a massive hammer. His enormous frame loomed like a mountain, with purple skin, wild hair, and eyes the size of temple bells.

It was impossible to tell whether this figure was a god, a demon, or something in between. Renka and Isshiki tensed, their expressions grave.

“Who dares block the wedding procession of Yomi-no-Kuni’s Princess? Identify yourself!” Renka rode forward atop her demon steed, standing atop a swirl of black clouds. Her voice rang with sharp authority as she pointed at the bearded giant before them.

The towering figure’s enormous eyes locked onto the ornate bridal carriage in the distance, his thunderous voice shaking the heavens.

“I am Murasaki-Okami. I know this is the famed marriage procession. And yet, Yomi-no-Kuni, sovereign of the underworld, has stooped so low as to sell off its own daughter to appease the Boundless Abyss. How shameful! You dishonor the legacy of the ancient demon gods! Hand Lyn-hime over to me instead—I’ll bear the wrath of the Boundless Abyss in your place. Isn’t that a far better deal?”

“Absurd! Step down at once! Do you dare defy the Madam herself?” Renka shouted, fury in her voice—but anxiety twisted in her heart.

This was Murasaki-Okami, one of the most feared Infernals in Yomi. He stood just beneath the Deadly Five—those ancient titans on the cusp of godhood. None but they could even entertain the idea of challenging him. Murasaki-Okami had existed since time immemorial, a monstrous relic of Yomi’s darkest eras.

“Hahaha! In Yomi, strength reigns supreme! If I offer to shield the Madam from the Boundless Abyss, she should be thanking me.” Murasaki-Okami’s voice rumbled like thunder.

“I’ve heard Lyn-hime comes from the mortal realm—said to be the most beautiful woman across the three worlds. Why else would I bother with this farce? I could live freely in Yomi. But I’ve been alone for countless millennia—my beloved died long ago.”

“It would be a blessing for Lyn-hime to wed me! Fate must have led me here. Bring her out now, or I’ll go fetch her myself. Trust me—no one wants to see what happens if I lose patience.” He sneered and jabbed a hairy, calloused finger toward the bridal carriage.

“Outrageous! You dare threaten the Princess? It seems you’re begging for death!” Renka snapped, fury igniting in her eyes.

“I’ve no interest in wasting time on crude, savage women like you,” he spat dismissively. “My tastes run toward refined and fair-skinned beauties. If you won’t bring her to me… I’ll just go introduce myself.”

As he finished speaking, Murasaki-Okami rose into the air, flying directly toward the Princess’ carriage with terrifying momentum.

“Stop right there! How dare you!” Renka launched herself upward, her body flaring with Eldritch Energy. A pair of gleaming purple crystal claw-gauntlets materialized in her hands as she moved to intercept him.

“Heh… You dare stand against me, pathetic woman?” Murasaki-Okami growled.

He reached behind his back and drew a massive warhammer, its presence alone emanating crushing force. Even before the weapon fell, Renka felt the overwhelming pressure suffocating her.

“This is bad…!” she gasped inwardly. She had heard the tales of his might, but facing it now—she understood just how vast the gulf between them truly was.

The sky above trembled as Murasaki-Okami’s hammer swung down with earth-shattering force. High above, the cavern ceiling—miles across—cracked open, raining down shards of shattered stone.

The sheer impact left Renka limp. Her gauntlets slipped from her fingers as her body was hurled through the dark clouds and crashed violently into the ground below.

She struck the earth with enough force to leave a massive crater. Her garments were torn, exposing much of her bronzed skin. The nearby horde of demons—greedy and starved—circled in with lecherous eyes. If they confirmed she was unconscious, they’d descend on her like beasts.

“Ah…” Renka let out a strained gasp. The blow had drained over half of her divine energy. Blood spilled from her lips as her palms tore open from the force. She struggled to channel her remaining energy to heal, her face twisted in pain. Breathless, she could no longer speak.

“Hahaha! So this is the Madam’s elite escort? No wonder Yomi had to bow its head to the Boundless Abyss and sell off her daughter like some trinket! Now then… let me feast my eyes on this so-called most beautiful woman in all three realms.” Murasaki-Okami surged forward, heading straight for the bridal carriage.

A pulse of light flashed as Captain Isshiki charged toward Murasaki-Okami, her blade slicing through the air like lightning. Streams of cold, razor-thin sword energy shot forward, striking his armor in a direct assault.

Murasaki-Okami’s aura flared as he refocused. Rather than dodge, he accepted the assault head-on. The sword energies clashed against his thick armor, sending out blinding sparks—but not even a scratch appeared.

“Your skin’s fairer than the last one. Why don’t I make you my concubine too? Hahaha!” Murasaki-Okami laughed as he raised his hammer and obliterated the incoming wave of sword energy with a single swing.

The air trembled from the impact as Isshiki was launched dozens of kilometers into the distance, crashing violently below. “Was that all? Pathetic! Hahaha!” Murasaki-Okami jeered.

“Protect Lyn-hime!” cried the Asura Dojo captain, clad in ornate crimson armor with a tall helmet and a gleaming blade in hand. She and her warriors leapt onto the carriage’s front platform. Though they knew they couldn’t match Murasaki-Okami, they still chose to stand their ground.

“You feeble women think you can stop me? Move aside!” Murasaki-Okami roared as he surged forward, black demonic clouds swirling around him like a storm.

“Damn brute…” the Asura captain muttered, gritting her teeth. Though her strength rivaled Renka’s, her hands shook as she gripped her blade. Still, she stood her ground, refusing to move, even knowing it could mean death.

“Who dares demand to see me?” came the prideful, enchanting voice of a young woman from within the carriage.

The curtains fluttered open, and Lily stepped out—draped in flowing crimson robes, sleeves billowing. In her hand was a cursed blade shimmering with multicolored light, as cherry blossom petals danced beneath her feet.

“Lyn-hime?!” the Asura captain and her guards gasped in unison.

Even Murasaki-Okami was struck speechless, his massive form stilled as he beheld Lily.

Lily stood poised in the abyssal night, her crimson robes and long black hair swaying like silk in the wind. She was radiant and distant, a vision too perfect to touch. Her beauty demanded desire—but only the strongest dared dream of claiming her, for the cost would be beyond measure.

“You’ve fought so hard for a glimpse, haven’t you? Then allow me to grant you your wish,” Lily said coolly. Her gaze, imperious and detached, swept across Yomi like a goddess surveying ants crawling beneath the stars.

“So… beautiful. Too beautiful…” Murasaki-Okami murmured, entranced. “Only a fool would approach such beauty without the power to survive it. Which is why—only someone like me is worthy! You must be Lyn-hime—the fairest in all three realms!” His speech slurred into infatuated gibberish.

At last, Lily’s soft lips parted again. “That’s enough. You’ve seen what you came for—now leave.” She hadn’t spared him a single direct glance. With elegant indifference, she turned to walk away.

Still dazed, Murasaki-Okami erupted with overwhelming desire and a surge of Eldritch Energy. “Beauty—wait! I only meant to play around before, but now that I’ve seen you, I must have you! Even if I defy the Madam herself, I’ll take you home with me. Come with me, my beautiful bride!”

Without warning, Murasaki-Okami surged forward. The force of his movement created a shockwave that sent dozens of guards tumbling. His speed and power were overwhelming—even the captain of Asura Dojo couldn’t intercept him in time.

He reached out with both arms, aiming to seize Lily from behind in a crude and possessive embrace.

But the moment his fingers neared her shoulders, Lily vanished in a blur of motion. She twisted gracefully through the air, somersaulting to his flank. As her flowing skirt lifted mid-spin, her pale, flawless legs extended—imbued with the full might of the Charm Heavenly Path.

Her legs descended with divine force—more potent than the weapons of many gods. Like judgment from the heavens, they crashed down on Murasaki-Okami’s skull with devastating impact.

Murasaki-Okami had seen the attack coming—but instead of defending, he welcomed it with sick delight. He imagined savoring the touch of a beauty’s leg, his grin wide with depravity.

But the instant her strike landed, it was as though a meteor had struck the earth. The entire world seemed to quake. His eyes rolled back in shock as the immense impact hurled him downward, slamming him into the ground with cataclysmic force.