Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 145 – Emergence Of Dream

“I’ll be… taken by those male demons…” Ayaka could already envision the horrific outcome. Her body trembled uncontrollably as the words left her mouth.

“Seems like the version of the legend you heard was sugarcoated,” the old demon sneered. “Some fools love spreading lies to make it sound easier. But with your body—so perfect, so alluring—I’m eager to see the moment you break.”

“Old Senior…” Ayaka muttered politely, though in her heart she grimaced. I thought you were a wise elder… You’re just a filthy old pervert!

“You can’t just perform any casual dance here,” the old demon continued. “These demons have refined tastes. Every dancer—no matter how stunning—has failed in the past thousand years. As soon as you begin, demons from surrounding villages will gather. If your dance is lacking, they’ll rush the stage. But if you perform the legendary Celestial Maiden dance… they’ll be even more crazed—drawn in and driven mad, desperate to possess you.”

“What… That’s…”

“Only by perfecting the Celestial Maiden dance can you truly captivate the demons—so thoroughly that they lose all control. That’s your only safety. But beware… the dance will begin to enchant you too. Not one woman has ever stayed conscious through seven days and nights of that torment. You may have the body and the talent, but that won’t be enough. It’s a shame. Even someone like you will be reduced to a plaything. But you adepts always think you’re special, destined. That’s why you came here for the Divine Artifact, isn’t it?”

“I’m not here for the Divine Artifact, Old Senior… I only seek answers to something that’s been troubling me.” Ayaka’s face remained calm, her elegance like a solitary blossom blooming atop a mountain. She bowed politely, then stepped confidently onto the stage.

“Kagura, thank you. Lend me your support.” Ayaka tossed back her flowing black hair, radiating dignity and maturity with every movement.

Kagura stood at the foot of the stage and drew out a small hand drum. She began to tap it gently, its rhythm like the steady pulse of an ancient heart.

Tall, shadowy demons gathered around, their breath thick with anticipation. But Ayaka paid them no mind. She shut them out entirely—imagining that her performance was meant for Lily alone.

A soft chime echoed from the distant bell. Ayaka began her dance, each motion fluid and precise.

She wore a translucent Celestial Maiden coat, with two trailing ribbons that fluttered like wisps of cloud as she moved. Her dance was none other than the one carved into the ancient stele within the Mirror Dimension—the sacred dance of Suzuhiko-hime.

Its elegance, structure, and spiritual charm were perfectly aligned with Ayaka’s graceful yet commanding presence.

As she danced, the crowd swelled. Every demon watched in utter fascination, entranced beyond comprehension. Ayaka quickly realized: if she faltered for even a moment, they would descend on her without mercy.

Gradually, a new group emerged—gaunt figures clad in tattered, archaic robes, appearing as if conjured from the very shadows. They moved in strange, ritualistic steps—part march, part dance—approaching the stage. The gathered demons parted for them instinctively, as if obeying an ancient, unspoken rule.

The strange demons seated themselves and brought out ancient-looking instruments, joining Kagura’s rhythm with a haunting, winding melody. Their music conjured the sensation of plummeting from Takamagahara into Yomi—a sorrowful, nostalgic melody that carried undertones of helpless descent.

Ayaka’s flushed face from exertion, combined with the faint trace of shame on her graceful, mature body, completed the scene like a timeless painting—an ethereal vision that held every spectator in silent awe.

Ayaka’s stamina was impressive, and as the dance progressed, her focus deepened. Gradually, a sheen of sweat formed over her fair skin, releasing a delicate yet maddening scent—one that only intensified her allure.

The gathered demons were utterly spellbound. Even the demon musicians, caught in the atmosphere, played with rising fervor and abandon. Only Kagura remained composed, her drumming maintaining a pure, otherworldly rhythm—guiding the melody away from being wholly overtaken by desire.

Ayaka moved with unwavering grace, her translucent coat flowing like moonlight. In that moment, she truly embodied the image of a Celestial Maiden—perhaps the most beautiful dancer the world had ever seen.

“Ah…” Dawn approached, yet the Boundless Abyss remained engulfed in pitch-black silence. Lily stirred from her sleep, her heart strangely fluttering—as if reacting to something far away.

“Sister Ayaka… Why are you always dancing in my dreams…” she murmured, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. The memory of Ayaka’s dreamlike performance lingered, deepening Lily’s flush as she sat up.

After a bath, Lily returned to her chamber wrapped in a silken robe. She brushed her long hair and applied a light touch of makeup. Though already breathtaking without cosmetics, she wore makeup today not for vanity—but to hide the unease she felt. Ironically, the effort only made her beauty more striking.

“Lyn-hime, Her Highness the Boundless Imperial Princess requests your presence,” announced a Dark Celestial Maiden at the door.

Lily dressed herself in a kimono embroidered with purple-blue blossoms—an exact replica of the one she had worn upon her arrival in the Heian Dynasty.

The original had long since been destroyed, but Lily had this one remade in its likeness. This replica was crafted from rare, durable fabrics—anything less would have disintegrated in the harsh, corrupted environment of Yomi.

Dressed with care and composure, Lily stepped out of her chamber. Today’s ceremony was, in essence, a rehearsal for the upcoming grand wedding. It served as a public proclamation of their union. The audience consisted of ancient Archdemons from the Boundless Abyss and overlords from neighboring clans.

Nearly all were formidable figures aligned with the Boundless Imperial Princess’ faction.

The grand hall of Hekiraku City was a colossus—ten kilometers high and stretching hundreds of kilometers wide, its vastness shrouded in an eerie darkness.

Even so, many of the demon gods standing in the rear of the hall nearly touched the ceiling. The truly colossal ones could only observe from the cliffs outside Hekiraku City or float atop layers of black clouds. Some were so massive, their heads rivaled the size of the city itself.

Lily’s heart skipped a beat at the overwhelming sight. The demon gods of the Boundless Abyss were terrifying beyond measure. With such overwhelming power gathered here, could she ever hope to escape?

Meanwhile, the Boundless Imperial Princess appeared in her usual robes, worn carelessly off one shoulder, revealing a strange demonic tattoo etched into her skin.

“Why are you staring? Even if this is a grand ceremony, what I wear doesn’t matter,” she said with a sly grin. “Isn’t it enough that my wife is beautiful and enviable to all who look upon her?”

Without restraint, she placed her hand at Lily’s lower back, boldly fondling her as they ascended the tiled platform at the front of the hall—an unmistakable declaration of possession.

Dark Celestial Maidens, demons, and ancient godlike beings looked on with simmering envy. But none dared act—Lily belonged to the Boundless Imperial Princess, and none would challenge that claim.

A booming laugh echoed through the hall, shaking Hekiraku City itself.

The largest demon god, so immense that only half his face could be seen from within the hall, opened his maw and rumbled, “I, Kuroyodai-Okutsukokami, offer my congratulations on your impending marriage, Boundless Imperial Princess! She is indeed radiant—a gleam of light in this abyss of darkness.”

“I, Kuralan-Chiyu, congratulate you on winning the most beautiful woman across the three realms, Boundless Imperial Princess!” declared a towering blue demon god, adorned in bizarre black-and-gold armor. He sat cross-legged with eight arms and three heads—one smiling serenely while the others snarled in primal delight.

“I, Kyupigaki, offer blessings to the Boundless Imperial Princess—and may you soon bear a strong heir!” hissed an immense black serpent coiled around the abyss, its tail vanishing into the shadows. Its head, a pale, emotionless human mask, stared at Lily with an unsettling gaze as it spoke.

Soon, countless ancient, grotesque, and corrupted demons burst into chaotic cheers, their voices rising like a storm of madness. Their shrieks and howls echoed through the vast hall, causing the very foundations of Hekiraku City to tremble.

With a single wave of her hand, the Boundless Imperial Princess brought the entire hall to sudden silence.

“Do join us for the wedding day,” she said with a teasing smile.

The demons erupted in a frenzy of excitement.

Once the noise died down, she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, “But none of you are invited to the after-party. Lyn-hime and I will be… busy with matters only lovers can share.”

“Hahahahaha!”

“Something only the two of you can do? Lyn-hime, better give Her Highness a strong, healthy heir!”

Laughter and roars erupted from the demon gods, shaking even the walls of the abyss. Lily flushed with embarrassment, her discomfort only adding to the demons’ amusement. The more she blushed, the more entertained they became.

Lily instinctively lowered her head, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

“Hm? You don’t look pleased,” the Imperial Princess remarked. “Countless ancient beings just offered us their blessings. Isn’t that enough to make you happy?”

“No… That’s not it…”

At that moment, a rotund demon god waddled forward, drooling as he ogled Lily. “No… no afterparty? What a damned shame! Heheheh! How about this, Your Highness—give your bride a kiss, right here and now! Let us at least feast our eyes!”

The crowd of demons erupted in wild cheers and laughter, egging her on.

The Imperial Princess flicked her wrist and smirked. “But of course—I can kiss her anytime I want. She’s mine, after all. But as for the rest of you… you can only watch. If anyone tries more than that…”

Her eyes turned cold and dangerous, and a wave of killing intent swept through the hall, silencing the demons in an instant. Then, with a casual smile, she slipped an arm around Lily’s waist and pressed a firm hand on her shoulder, gently forcing her to lean down. Ignoring Lily’s soft protest, she captured her lips in a public kiss.

The entire hall roared with excitement, the abyss itself echoing with raucous cheers.

But with so many eyes on them, she kept the kiss brief, only letting it linger long enough to stir the crowd. Afterward, she pulled Lily into her arms and gazed into her eyes—eyes as still and deep as the night sky.

“I love you,” she said softly, her tone sincere and without a trace of doubt.

Lily’s face flushed, her breathing uneven. Shame and discomfort welled in her chest as she turned her eyes away, her brows tightening in silent resistance.

The Imperial Princess faltered, stunned. It was the first time she had confessed her feelings so earnestly—yet all she saw reflected in Lily’s expression was shame, not happiness.

A hush fell over the entire hall. Even the Boundless Imperial Princess said nothing more. It felt as if the whole abyss was holding its breath—waiting for Lily’s reply.

Lily felt the weight of that silence, the pressure of so many eyes waiting on her. But what could she possibly say?