Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 138 – Floating City Hekiraku

“It seems you have quite the intimate history with those women, hmm? Lily, I didn’t take you for someone so… promiscuous.” The Imperial Princess pulled Lily into a possessive embrace. “But I’ll overlook that. It’s all in the past. From now on, your eyes will be only for me. Understood?”

Lily didn’t reply. She feared that if she spoke, she’d reflexively reject her—and the consequences of that were far too dangerous.

The Princess traced Lily’s lips with her finger, then turned her gaze to Ayaka. “You, too. Come up here.”

Without sparing another glance at Queen Kaguya or Chiya, she leapt into the sky, Lily held firmly in her arms, soaring toward the towering black fortress.

Cradling Lily, the Imperial Princess landed at the peak of the floating city. With a glance over the endless lands of Yomi, a flicker of pride crossed her face—only to be interrupted by a violent coughing fit. She stumbled to her knees, lowering Lily gently and burying her face into the girl’s waist.

Meanwhile, Ayaka climbed the massive chains to reach the tower. The urge to strike the Princess surged within her—but reason held her back. It would be futile.

The Princess soon regained her breath and rose to her feet, wrapping one arm possessively around Lily. Strangely, embracing a woman taller than herself only made the sensation more thrilling.

She licked her lips suggestively, casting a taunting glance toward Queen Kaguya and the others in the distance. “I’ll be hosting a grand feast in the Boundless Abyss—a wedding celebration fit for the entire realm. Since you’re Lily’s… companions, you’re welcome to attend.”

As she spoke, her hand slid subtly down Lily’s waist, making a suggestive motion that caused Lily to tense—and her cheeks to flush a deep crimson. Queen Kaguya and Chiya saw everything. But they could only grit their teeth, helpless to intervene.

“Have the procession follow Hekiraku City.” As the Princess commanded, a Dark Celestial Maiden materialized from black mist, kneeling to receive the order.

Under the control of the chained eight demon gods, the enormous floating fortress—Hekiraku City—shifted course and soared toward the Boundless Abyss.

Renka and the others didn’t dare voice a word of protest. They simply regrouped the convoy and followed behind. Now, only a few reckless demons—or those compelled by their factions—continued trailing from a distance.

Queen Kaguya stood silently, watching as the floating city faded into the distance. Chiya began circulating her divine energy to mend her injuries, though her body continued to tremble from the lingering effects.

“Urgh… That attack,” Chiya muttered through gritted teeth, “It contained a power that suppresses Takamagahara’s divine energy…”

Queen Kaguya immediately moved to support Chiya, channeling healing energy into her.

“Dark Lunar Force?” the Queen gasped upon sensing the wound. Though the Princess’ main power was dark energy, a trace of Dark Lunar Force had been embedded in the strike.

Few across the realms knew of Dark Lunar Force, but Queen Kaguya recognized it instantly—an obscure and deadly aspect of the Lunar Heavenly Path, particularly dangerous to Celestial Maidens and divine beings.

“How can she wield something like this…?” the Queen murmured, her expression darkening. Watching Hekiraku City vanish into the distance, Queen Kaguya’s unease deepened.

“No… I can’t let her gain the upper hand like this!” She turned to Chiya. “Commander, are you still able to move?”

“I’ll live,” Chiya replied, shaking her head. “Your Majesty… what now?”

Queen Kaguya’s gaze hardened. “She invited all of Yomi’s powerhouses to the wedding, didn’t she? Then we’ll attend.”

Chiya felt a sense of relief upon witnessing the Queen’s resolve—she, too, wished to save Lily. Though she had buried her feelings out of respect for Queen Kaguya and relinquished any hope of pursuing Lily, she still couldn’t bear the thought of Lily falling into the Boundless Abyss and enduring its horrors.

Thus, they kept a cautious distance, trailing behind Hekiraku City as it drifted westward, guiding the wedding procession through the skies of Yomi.

As Hekiraku City departed, it left behind a devastated wasteland—the silent grave of thousands of demons who had followed in blind lust or ambition.

Meanwhile, word spread like wildfire throughout Yomi-no-kuni: a grand wedding was to be held in the Boundless Abyss, and the Boundless Imperial Princess herself had extended invitations to all major powers.

At present, Lily had been given a room on the second-highest floor of Hekiraku City.

She was originally meant to reside on the same floor as the Imperial Princess, but Lily had persistently refused. Furthermore, the Dark Celestial Maidens had informed her of the sacred customs surrounding Celestial Maiden marriages—traditions that deemed it improper for a betrothed pair to cohabit before the ceremony. Surprisingly, the Imperial Princess relented this time. She wasn’t inherently unreasonable—only prone to unpredictable moods.

Lily’s chamber opened onto a vast balcony, from which she could gaze out across the ever-churning smoke and shadows of Yomi. Though she’d already arrived at the Imperial Princess’ domain, Lily’s heart remained resolute.

“Despite everything that’s happened, my plans haven’t strayed too far. I can still train. The greatest uncertainty is the connection between the Imperial Princess and Shimizu… and her terrifying strength.”

“In that case, I have no choice—I must grow even stronger.”

Just as Lily was preparing to begin her training, the Boundless Imperial Princess entered without knocking. Naturally, no doors were barred to her here.

“Your Grace,” Lily greeted, kneeling respectfully.

“Rise,” the Princess commanded.

“Yes…” Lily replied softly.

The Imperial Princess hadn’t yet had the chance to truly observe her—she had been preoccupied with fighting off Supreme Gods earlier. She stepped forward, sometimes closing her eyes as if to better sense the faint Hazy Lunar Force surrounding Lily. Silently, she circled her, studying her body with an intense, unblinking gaze.

“Remove your clothes,” she said plainly.

“W-What?” Lily flinched, her whole body tense. She instinctively clutched the fabric at her chest. “Your Grace, I…”

“What’s the matter? Is there something to be embarrassed about?” she asked, drawing closer. “Let me see everything. Aren’t we engaged? What’s the harm in this?” Her eyes lowered to Lily’s chest, and a gleam of mischief lit up her expression—it seemed they were even more alluring than she’d expected.

“Your Grace… We’re not officially married yet,” Lily murmured, blushing, her gaze lowered in embarrassment.

“Hmph. What nonsense. You should be saying we’ll do everything once we’re wed,” she teased.

She grasped Lily’s resisting hand and gently pushed it aside, her gaze falling unabashedly into the exposed curve of Lily’s chest. “You let others see it all the time—why hide it from me? Do you really love me, Lily?”

“What…?”

The Princess tilted her head, peering at Lily with smoldering, piercing eyes. Her question left Lily speechless. ‘Isn’t that way too direct?!’ she thought, flustered.

According to tradition, the couple was not meant to meet before the wedding ceremony. As such, Lily had never considered what she might say in this situation.

“Your eyes… Are full of hesitation,” she said coldly, before breaking into a coy, playful laugh. “It’s alright. I’ll make you love me—because from now on, your world will revolve around me alone.”

As she spoke, she suddenly slid her slender hand inside Lily’s robe, against her chest. Lily pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stifle her quickening breath. But the Imperial Princess grew bolder, carelessly caressing her without restraint.

“Nn… Please… don’t…” Lily whispered, her voice quivering.

“Oh? Already struggling to hold back?” she teased with amusement. “You really are a fine woman.” She withdrew her hand and brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. “Your scent… it’s my favorite,” she murmured.

Without warning, she yanked at Lily’s collar, baring one smooth shoulder and the upper curve of her chest.

Circling behind her, the Imperial Princess rose on tiptoe and traced her fingers down Lily’s exposed shoulder, her breath warm against Lily’s ear. “All good women secretly crave the bad ones… don’t they?”

Lily trembled, suppressing her shame and anxiety in silence.

“Oh? Silent? I’ll take that as agreement.” Her voice dropped seductively. “Look forward to our wedding night… Don’t think I haven’t noticed—you’re still untouched, aren’t you… my precious bride?”

Lily’s face turned crimson. There was no way she could answer that.

“More silence? How seductive. It’s like you’re resisting without words—it makes me want to conquer you even more.” She leaned in closer, her voice a husky whisper. “But I’ll wait. On our wedding night… I’ll take everything, and give you more pleasure than you’ve ever dreamed of.”

Lily lowered her gaze, desperately trying to block out the implications of her words.

“Enough for now. What were you doing before I arrived?”

“Training…” Lily replied softly.

“Then carry on. I need to take my medicine too… it’s bitter beyond belief.” She turned, but paused—her eyes catching a faint glimmer in Lily’s expression. Without warning, she took Lily’s hand and placed it over her modest chest.

“Do you know what it feels like? This kind of pain… it cuts through the soul.” Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “I may be strong… but how could someone like you—so young, so radiant—possibly understand?”

Lily’s guard remained raised, but seeing such pain on the face of the strongest Supreme God stirred sympathy in her heart. For someone so mighty to show such sorrow… the suffering must be unimaginable.

Her expression gentled without her realizing it. That quiet look seemed to stir something in the Imperial Princess.

“Khff—” A violent cough racked her body once more, cutting the moment short.

Lily instinctively moved to support her, but the Princess pushed her back. She didn’t want Lily to see her like this—weak, vulnerable.

“Go on. Continue your training,” she muttered, forcing herself upright. Leaning against the wall, she staggered toward the door and disappeared into the hall.

As she watched her go, Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that beneath all the strength and unpredictability… there was sorrow in her eyes.

A few days prior, they had arrived at a relatively obscure minor hell nestled within the vast expanse of Yomi-no-kuni. This realm was populated by ordinary spirits condemned to toil after death. Though grueling, their suffering was arguably no worse than the lives of commoners during the mortal world’s chaotic era.

Endless wheat fields stretched across the land in this minor realm. The spirits endlessly planted seeds—yet no harvest would ever come. That was their eternal punishment.

Amidst the fields stood a desolate village, long abandoned. But today, a gathering had formed—punished souls and wandering Yomi experts had come to watch something posted nearby.

At the center of the village stood a signboard. A fresh poster had been nailed to it, bearing recent news from across Yomi-no-kuni.

“The Boundless Imperial Princess and the Princess of Yomi-no-kuni, Kagami Lily, shall be wed in the Boundless Abyss when the red spider lilies bloom. All powerhouses are invited. Any who can reach the ceremony are welcome to witness this historic wedding—the grandest since the founding of Yomi-no-kuni…” A red-headed vagrant read aloud, resting his hand on the weapon at his waist.

Nearby, several vagrants and demons murmured in surprise, quickly breaking into excited discussion.

They speculated on the Boundless Imperial Princess’ true strength, and marveled at rumors that Kagami Lily had hailed from the mortal realm—yet now stood as the most beautiful woman across the three realms. Though none of them had the power or standing to attend the wedding, it didn’t stop their fascination.

But among them, the laboring spirits—condemned farmers—stood blank-faced and silent.

“The most beautiful woman in the three realms, huh?” one muttered dully. “Can she make it rain so our crops might grow?”

“Tch. Nothing worth seeing here. Time to get back to work…” another sighed.

One by one, the dazed farmers shuffled back toward the endless fields, resuming their futile labor without another word.

The crowd gradually dispersed, but one figure remained. A tall woman with long silver hair stood motionless before the sign, a long blade strapped across her back. She said nothing—but her eyes had not left the name “Kagami Lily.”