Demon Sword Maiden Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Episode 111 – Scheme

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Episode 111 – Scheme

Lily knelt silently, listening to the conversation, though she could only grasp parts of it. From what she understood, the Boundless Empress was extraordinarily powerful, rivaling the ancient demon G.o.ds. Yet, even they had required immense effort for the Madam to subdue. This left Lily wondering—just how unfathomable was the Madam’s true strength?

“Madam, the Boundless Empress has gone too far lately,” Rakshasa-Onna said, her tone laced with frustration. “There are even rumors that she no longer respects your authority. Perhaps it’s time to teach her a lesson and remind her who the true ruler of Yomi-no-kuni is!”

The Madam exhaled a slow plume of smoke, her expression thoughtful. “If the Boundless Empress truly dares to challenge me, I have no doubt I can defeat her. However, as long as she remains within the Boundless Abyss, even I cannot enter easily. She has allied herself with the ancient demon G.o.ds and is deeply entrenched in the depths of Yomi. Should they rise and wreak havoc while my hands are tied, the consequences would be dire.”

“What a cunning woman!” Asura-Onna exclaimed, her anger barely contained.

“Moreover,” the Madam continued, her tone grave, “the factions in Yomi are inherently ruthless. If I were to initiate an all-out war with the Boundless Abyss, it could destabilize the entirety of Yomi. The onlookers from Takamagahara would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to interfere, setting us on an irreversible path of chaos.”

“What?” Rakshasa-Onna gasped, her eyes widening in shock. “Madam, are you suggesting that the Boundless Empress has ties to Takamagahara?”

The Madam shook her head slowly. “I cannot say for certain what transpires in the depths of Yomi. While the Boundless Empress is reputed to be the strongest Supreme G.o.d in Yomi, could she truly have subdued all the ancient beings of the Abyss through strength alone? I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye.”

The potential involvement of Takamagahara added a dangerous dimension to the situation. If the Boundless Abyss truly had ties to the heavens, an all-out war could provoke an invasion from above, spiraling the situation completely out of control. Asura-Onna understood the Madam’s hesitation—this wasn’t a problem that brute force could solve without immense sacrifice. Such a conflict could ignite a catastrophe that would ripple across all realms: heaven, h.e.l.l, and the mortal world alike.

“I have no desire to unleash slaughter upon Yomi, throwing it into chaos needlessly,” the Madam said firmly. “Such turmoil could spill into the mortal realm, resulting in countless innocent deaths. A violent confrontation must be avoided at all costs. Pacification is the highest priority.” As she spoke, her gaze flicked to Lily, her expression softening with a hint of charm.

Before this conversation, Lily hadn’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation. Now, she couldn’t help but worry. If someone as powerful as the Madam were to take drastic measures, the repercussions could devastate the mortal realm. Fragile humans would stand no chance. And her sisters… Trapped in Yomi, she wouldn’t be able to protect them.

“G.o.dmother,” Lily began, her voice steady despite her nerves. “I may not be strong enough, but I am willing to share your burdens. Is there anything I can do to help with the threat from the Boundless Abyss? Please, just tell me.” To protect the mortal realm from afar, and with a deep sense of grat.i.tude toward the Madam, Lily felt compelled to offer her aid in pacifying the danger.

The Madam’s expression softened with relief at Lily’s words. “Oh, Lily,” she said warmly, “I didn’t expect such determination from someone so young. You are truly remarkable—a child with a heart that sees the bigger picture.”

“G.o.dmother, whatever you need me to do, I will do it,” Lily said, her voice filled with unwavering determination.

Though Lily longed to leave Yomi, she couldn’t abandon the Madam in her time of need. How could she leave without first repaying the immense kindness she’d been shown? Lily was neither heartless nor dishonorable. Rather than idly awaiting the revelation of the maiden’s destiny, she would take action, a.s.sisting the Madam in whatever way she could. Only then could she leave Yomi with a clear conscience.

The Boundless Empress’ overwhelming power was clear from the Madam’s reluctance to confront her directly. Lily felt rea.s.sured that she wouldn’t be expected to face such a formidable foe head-on. Confident in her intelligence and bravery, Lily believed she could handle any other task, provided it didn’t involve battling a Supreme G.o.d. She was certain she could perform as capably as the women of Rakshasa Dojo and Asura Dojo.

“Oh, Lily,” the Madam said, her eyes softening with appreciation as a fond smile graced her lips. “I’ve been contemplating this matter for some time, though I hadn’t spoken of it. To see your willingness aligns so perfectly with my thoughts—it’s a fortunate coincidence. It seems I was right not to misjudge you.”

“Madam, please instruct me. Tell me exactly what you need of me,” Lily said, her tone earnest and solemn.

The Madam took a slow draw from her pipe, her gaze heavy with meaning as she s.h.i.+fted her eyes between Lily, Asura-Onna, and Rakshasa-Onna, before letting her gaze drift to the night sky. “Oh, Lily, my daughter. If it were possible, I would never ask this of you. But… perhaps this is the fate of a maiden, the destiny of a daughter tied to someone like me.”

“Huh?” Lily blinked in confusion. She had steeled herself for the prospect of a rescue mission, but something in the Madam’s tone unsettled her, making her hesitate.

“As they say, keep distant allies and closer enemies,” the Madam began, her voice measured. “The Boundless Empress commands the Dark Celestial Maidens and has rallied countless ancient demon G.o.ds to her side, all entrenched in the deepest parts of the abyss. With the additional looming threat of Takamagahara above, confronting her with force would be disastrous. The better path is to placate her, forging a bond that is closer—more intimate. This way, we can avoid a conflict that risks destabilizing all three realms. Bringing the Boundless Empress’ influence to our side could secure lasting peace for Yomi.”

Of course, the “peace” the Madam referred to applied only to her echelon. The lower cla.s.ses of Yomi continued their endless cycles of slaughter and consumption. Yet, among the upper cla.s.s—figures like Wakarai, Asura-Onna, Rakshasa-Onna, Queen Kaguya, and the Madam herself—a delicate balance of power had been maintained. If those at their level ever waged war, Yomi would be plunged into unimaginable chaos.

Though Lily understood the Madam’s words, they left her feeling more confused than before. Gazing at the Madam’s enigmatic yet strikingly beautiful expression, she hesitated before speaking. “G.o.dmother, your insight is profound, and I believe what you say is true. But I lack experience in political matters. Is there truly anything I can contribute to this?”

The Madam turned her gaze to Lily, a playful laugh escaping her lips. “Hehehe, everyone praises your sharp intuition and intelligence. Yet here you are, utterly clueless when the matter involves you.”

“Huh? Clueless about what?” Lily asked, her confusion growing as she knelt respectfully. “Please, G.o.dmother, offer me your guidance.”

Rakshasa-Onna glanced at Lily, unable to suppress a smirk as she covered her mouth with her hand. “For someone who blushes so easily, you seem entirely unbothered by this. In fact, you look downright curious.”

“Well…” Lily murmured, her puzzlement deepening.

The Madam gazed at Lily with a mix of pity and satisfaction, her lips curling into a mysterious smile. “Oh, Lily, there is no need for you to trouble yourself with politics. You are the princess of vast Yomi and my daughter. Your status surpa.s.ses that of all mortals in Yomi. Across countless years and amidst infinite power struggles, a woman of high status can achieve more with her influence than tens of thousands of demon G.o.ds combined. Do you still not grasp my meaning, my dear daughter?”

“I…” Lily hesitated, her confusion deepening with each word. A faint sense of foreboding began to stir in her heart.

“Asura-Onna, perhaps you can explain,” the Madam said, reclining against the platform’s cus.h.i.+on and crossing her slender, pale legs in a mesmerizingly casual manner.

“Madam, as we’ve previously discussed, the Boundless Empress wields immense power. She controls the Boundless Abyss, with countless ancient demon G.o.ds at her command. She is virtually untouchable. However,” Asura-Onna continued, “despite being the most powerful Dark Celestial Maiden, she shares a common trait with others of her kind: a natural disdain for men and an attraction to beautiful, pure women. It’s said that although the Boundless Empress has ruled the abyss for millennia, she remains unwed.”

“The Boundless Abyss stands as the strongest faction in Yomi, apart from our own,” Asura-Onna added. “It’s unthinkable for a leader of her stature to remain single forever. Therefore, I believe we can forge an eternal alliance with her through marriage. If successful, it would be the most peaceful and effective way to achieve our goals without resorting to violence.”

“Marriage?” Lily’s body trembled as the word echoed in her mind. Regardless of her intelligence, the implications were all too clear.

“Indeed, marriage,” Asura-Onna confirmed, her gaze locking onto Lily with an almost curious intensity. Beside her, Rakshasa-Onna looked at Lily with a mix of intrigue and thinly veiled envy.

Lily remained frozen in place, kneeling on the cold ground. A chilling realization washed over her—this dark and beautiful dimension was not her true home. Everything around her suddenly felt unreal, as though she had been unwittingly entangled in a grand scheme. And at its center, she was not just the key piece but also its most tragic p.a.w.n.

“Madam, perhaps you mean…” Lily’s voice wavered as she desperately clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe the marriage involved someone else, and her role was merely to serve as an amba.s.sador for the negotiations as the Madam’s G.o.ddaughter. But deep down, she knew how improbable that hope was.

“Hehehe,” the Madam chuckled softly, her tone bittersweet. “My dear daughter, though I am reluctant, you are the only daughter I have. As the sole princess of vast Yomi, your beauty and intelligence are unparalleled. For the sake of Yomi, you must sacrifice your happiness.”

“Huh?” Lily felt her world begin to spin, the Madam’s gaze cutting into her like a piercing ray of light, reaching into the depths of her soul.

“Lily, my daughter,” the Madam said, her tone unwavering, “I will marry you to the Boundless Empress.” Her enchanting gaze was resolute, carrying an undeniable sense of determination.

For a moment, Lily sat in stunned silence. Her thoughts scattered, and no words came to her lips.

She had fallen into Yomi, only to be saved by the Madam. Enduring countless trials, Lily survived the Night Parade of One Hundred Maidens and emerged as its victor. She braved the terrors of Hyakki Street, narrowly escaping a grim fate time and time again, before finally arriving here. The Madam, who had been her unseen benefactor all along, took her in as a G.o.ddaughter, elevating her status from that of a hunted girl with a bounty on her head to the Princess of vast Yomi, revered by demons and mortals alike.

Lily had been overwhelmed with grat.i.tude and a fierce determination to repay the Madam’s kindness, no matter the cost or difficulty.

But now, she realized the bitter truth—it had all been a scheme from the very beginning! The Night Parade of One Hundred Maidens had been nothing more than a grand pretext—a scheme to select a bride for the Boundless Empress!