Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 34 – Trump Card

Spectators from both factions watched in stunned silence, unable to believe the scene unfolding before their eyes.

Meanwhile, within the depths of the palace, Emperor Masayoshi and his ministers, gathered in the Purple Serenity Hall, were also witnesses to the battle. The Emperor’s face, delicate and feminine, flushed with a mix of awe and surprise.

“Sister Lily… So strong…” the Emperor murmured, a whisper of admiration escaping his lips.

Once, Daitengu and Yoritomo, regarded as the supreme evils of their time, wielded unparalleled influence. Now, they lay defeated by Lily, once perceived as merely a promising young prodigy.

The Cloistered Emperor’s cunning had led him to create the ancient formation, trapping Lily with the intention to ensnare and harm her. His elaborate setup, which included Lord Kamakura and numerous traps, was an underestimation of Lily’s prowess. His plan not only failed but also made him the subject of universal ridicule, inadvertently contributing to Lily’s growing legend.

Most people were unaware that Lord Kamakura was merely a clone and not the actual Minamoto no Yoritomo. Consequently, they were under the impression that Lily had single-handedly vanquished both Daitengu and Yoritomo.

“She actually defeated a Supreme Archdemon and the strongest human in existence, Minamoto no Yoritomo, all by herself? This Kagami Lily… She’s truly formidable!”

As Lily’s formidable strength became evident, a murmur of awe spread among the onlookers. One exclaimed, “Miss Lily… She’s transcended to become the strongest being in this world!” Another, swept up in the fervor, chimed in with excitement, “What Miss Lily? Didn’t you hear? The Emperor has decreed her the new Taishogun! She’s destined to meet the ruler in the capital!” Around them, voices rose in unison, affirming, “She truly deserves the title!”

Once overlooked as merely a rising prodigy on the square before the palace, Lily had now emerged as an unparalleled force among humans. The echoes of her past deeds, where she led a horde of demons to raid the execution platform, still lingered in the minds of the onlookers.

Today, on the historic square before the palace, a defining moment was taking shape. Here, Lily was poised to establish herself as the preeminent warrior among humans, her presence resonating with the echoes of past legends. The significance of her potential achievement was undeniable.

The fact that one of her formidable opponents was a clone was a detail lost in the grandeur of the moment. Speculation abounded: if Lily were to confront Minamoto no Yoritomo in a one-on-one battle, could the outcome be so readily assumed in his favor

¹? Her display of formidable strength on this day hinted that Yoritomo himself might harbor reservations.

Observers, unaware of the finer details, were left in awe. “This Kagami Lily is now the strongest human! Her prowess might parallel that of the legendary Yoshitsune!” they remarked, comparing her to the storied warrior of yesteryears.

The air buzzed with excitement and respect. Observers who had previously only heard tales of the legendary Yoshitsune now saw Lily as his equal, perhaps even surpassing him. The impact of this day’s events was destined to resonate throughout Heian-kyo and far beyond.

Yoritomo’s cunning was on full display, as he expected to defeat Lily with his trap. He believed capturing her was feasible even if she proved indestructible. The Cloistered Emperor, too, was confident in escaping, considering it worth sacrificing the clone in the process.

Facing an unpredictable opponent like Lily, Yoritomo knew extra preparations were essential. Thus, the original body provided the clone with an incredible item, recently discarded by Lord Kamakura.

“Yomi Gate!” commanded Lord Kamakura, summoning an ancient, sinister gate similar to Rashōmon but smaller. As it manifested in the formation’s corner, an evil aura began to emanate from it.

“What?” Lily, having just dealt with Lord Kamakura, was startled as she recognized the fully formed gate releasing a tainted, ancient aura reminiscent of Yomi.

“Kagami Lily! The woman who killed my master’s only son, where are you?” A towering, 30-meter demon, red and hunchbacked yet strong, emerged from the gate amidst dark fog.

With three small curved golden horns, stark white eyes, and protruding fangs, his presence was as formidable as Minamoto no Yoritomo’s, if not more so in terms of raw strength. This was Sextuple-soul Big Dipper, Yomi demon, Ikusa Mariyo, a mighty servant from Carefree City and Yoritomo’s strongest recruit from Yomi.

The gate crumbled after Ikusa’s emergence, overwhelmed by his power. Yoritomo, who would normally never allow the Yomi Gate’s destruction, was unconcerned, his sole focus being Lily’s demise.

“Lily!” The sisters, alarmed by Ikusa’s arrival, launched an attack on the formation. Despite its destabilization, it remained robust, requiring several hours to breach. Lily, facing Ikusa, commanded, “Stand back for now! I might be able to handle this Yomi demon.”

Her confidence shocked the sisters, Michizane, and the others, as she prepared to fight Ikusa, Lord Kamakura, and Daitengu simultaneously

Even Michizane couldn’t face the Yomi demon, especially with Lord Kamakura and Daitengu still in combat. In this dire situation, Lily faced the daunting task of battling all three simultaneously, a nearly impossible feat.

“Kagami Lily! You’re on the brink of death, yet you still pretend to be strong? You killed the heir of Carefree City. I’d never find someone as formidable as him! I doubt even my true form could match Master Ikusa!” Lord Kamakura exclaimed.

Calmly, Lily replied, “Minamoto no Yoritomo, by willingly entering the Cloistered Emperor’s trap, I’ve prepared to confront your true self.” Her composed demeanor amidst the crisis, coupled with her status as the new Taishogun, left the spectators in awe.

“Incredible… Miss Lily… truly embodies the spirit of a warrior!”

“She knew it was a trap, yet she walked in anyway?”

“How strong is the Taishogun?”

“Be as arrogant as you like, woman! Master Ikusa, the one in red is Kagami Lily, the woman who killed the heir!” Kamakura pointed at Lily.

The crimson red demon laughed lecherously, “Really? It’s you? A woman of such power and beauty is rare in the mortal realm. In Yomi, you’d be a prized treasure. Killing you seems a waste. I’ll capture and play with you before deciding your fate in Yomi.”

“Master Ikusa, don’t be deceived by her beauty! Kill her!” Lord Kamakura screamed, aware that while a sextuple-soul Yomi demon could be summoned, it was difficult to control.

“Hehehe! How could I immediately kill such a beautiful woman? Before I do, I will…” Ikusa mused. Unperturbed by Lily’s kick, he remained motionless, underestimating her due to her beauty and size.

“Master Ikusa! Be careful!” shouted Lord Kamakura, but it was too late. Lily’s kick sent the towering demon flying backward, his mouth spewing lava-like liquid as his face dented.

With a single kick, Lily sent the inattentive Ikusa crashing into the remnants of the Yomi Gate, causing it to scatter. At that moment, a certain energy pulse within her, potentially disruptive in her daily life, enhanced and continuously replenished her Purple Lunar Force. Though not limitless, this energy significantly bolstered her stamina in combat.

If Yoritomo were aware of the unexpected effects Shuten’s cursed formation had on Lily’s physique, he would undoubtedly be astonished. Typically, being overwhelmed by lust had long-term consequences, but in the heat of battle, it was inconsequential. Instead, it served to amplify her Purple Lunar Force.

Ikusa unleashed a ferocious roar that resonated through Heian-kyo. Despite his massive form and lack of proficiency in Domain abilities, his physical prowess was undeniable. He leapt towards Lily with incredible speed, his giant claws aimed directly at her. Unable to gauge his true strength at that moment, Lily instinctively retreated, using the formation wall to propel herself away from the looming claw. The force of Ikusa’s strike left the wall cracked and trembling.

Quickly maneuvering beneath Ikusa, Lily unleashed Yasutsuna, creating a slender blade of energy. However, Ikusa, with his immense size, displayed surprisingly swift reflexes, deflecting her attack.

The impact of Lily’s Yasutsuna against Ikusa’s towering claws sent her reeling backward. Moments before impact, she executed a somersault, landing on one knee and creating a deep crater in the reinforced ground, showcasing the formidable strength behind her attack.

“As expected, this demon is incredibly strong, far surpassing my own strength,” Lily realized, propelled away by a mere gesture from Ikusa. Her disadvantage in strength was now painfully clear.

Footnotes:

Robinxen: I think he’d steamroll her currently, which is why her plot armour will prevent a confrontation until she’s got a new gimmick.