Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 109 – The Fate Of The Maidens

The Madam gently ran her fingers through her long, flowing hair, her eyes sparkling with amusement at Lily’s flustered expression. “Hehe, look at you. Fine, just call me godmother.”

“Yes, thank you, godmother,” Lily replied softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.

“Oh, Lily, none of the previous winners of the Night Parade were as exceptional as you,” the Madam mused, her heterochromatic eyes drifting over Lily’s form. “If it’s you, this might just work…” Her voice trailed off, as though deep in thought.

“Godmother, I have successfully crossed Hyakki Street, but I still don’t fully understand the true meaning of the Night Parade of One Hundred Maidens. Please, I ask for your guidance,” Lily said, bowing her head humbly.

The Madam gazed at Lily thoughtfully, taking a deliberate puff from her smoking pipe. After a moment, she spoke. “Lily, every previous winner of the Night Parade has been granted a title—just like the Murasaki-hime you rescued. Tell me, what title would you like for yourself?”

“I’ll leave the decision to you, godmother,” Lily responded, her voice respectful.

“There’s no need to be so formal,” the Madam replied with a faint smile. “I asked you for a reason. It’s just a title, after all—it won’t hold much meaning for now.”

“Well… may I be called Lyn-hime?” Lily asked, recalling her title as Taishogun from her days in Heian-kyo. It felt fitting.

“Very well. From this moment on, you shall bear the title of Lyn-hime,” the Madam declared. “As my goddaughter, you are now the true princess of Yomi. From this day forward, your nobility and status will be unparalleled in this realm.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim such nobility,” Lily replied, her voice laced with humility.

“Don’t be so modest,” the Madam said, her tone both commanding and affectionate. “With your strength, beauty, and your place as my goddaughter, you are more than deserving of this status.”

“Thank you, godmother,” Lily said, bowing deeply as she knelt, her gaze still fixed on the ground.

“What is it?” the Madam asked, tilting her head slightly. “Is something troubling you?”

“Godmother, I have one more request to make,” Lily said softly, her voice hesitant.

The Madam smiled warmly, exhaling a plume of smoke. “As my goddaughter, I am no different from your mother. Whatever you need, whatever you wish to do, or if anyone dares to trouble you—don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Here is the matter, godmother,” Lily began, her voice earnest. “Back in Hyakki Street, I encountered my mentor and dearest friend from the mortal realm, Fayumi no Yoruko—Madam Yoruko. She refused to harm me, even though it meant violating the rules of Hyakki Street. Because of this, she was captured by the black and white demonic spirits. I don’t know what has become of her. I beg you, godmother, please save Madam Yoruko.” Lily knelt deeply, her plea filled with sincerity.

“Ah, her…” the Madam mused, her tone indifferent. “Yomi is vast, and countless events occur at any moment—murders, schemes, conspiracies, thefts, assaults… Naturally, I cannot oversee everything. However, I do recall the woman you mention. She was the first to defy Hyakki Street’s rules in centuries. She is currently confined in my abyssal prison.” The Madam leaned back lazily, her gaze drifting toward the cave ceiling. Her flowing hair and poised figure exuded an effortless allure, though Lily was far too focused to notice.

“Godmother, were you the one who captured her? Madam Yoruko only acted as she did to protect me. If blame is to be placed, let it fall on me instead. You may punish me however you see fit, but please spare Madam Yoruko.”

At Lily’s words, the Madam turned sharply, her expression darkening as her heterochromatic eyes flashed with irritation. “What a foolish child,” she scolded. “You were so well-mannered earlier, and now you dare to make such an outrageous request? Lily, do you not think you deserve some discipline?”

“Huh? Godmother, but Madam Yoruko…” Lily stammered, her voice trembling.

“Lily, it’s not that I don’t understand your feelings,” the Madam said, her tone softening slightly. “Let me think on this matter for now.” She exhaled a gentle plume of smoke in Lily’s direction. As it enveloped her, Lily was surprised by the soothing warmth it brought, leaving her momentarily light-headed.

Realizing the smoke’s subtle effect, Lily immediately restrained herself, knowing she couldn’t afford to inhale too much. Already struggling to suppress the heat stirring within her, she lowered her head and held her breath, unwilling to lose control.

The Madam cast a fleeting glance at Lily’s reaction but appeared indifferent, her expression unreadable.

Lily yearned to plead further for Yoruko, but a strong intuition warned her against it. She feared that pressing the issue might anger the Madam and worsen Yoruko’s situation. Despite being the Madam’s goddaughter, Lily understood that the strict rules of Hyakki Street likely made it difficult for the Madam to offer clemency. For now, she reasoned, Yoruko was likely safe from further harm. Lily resolved to revisit the matter when a better opportunity arose.

“Lily,” the Madam began, her voice calm but probing. “You asked me about the meaning behind the Night Parade of One Hundred Maidens. Tell me, what is your understanding of it?”

“Well…” Lily hesitated. “I’m not sure. But I assume the maidens must bear some significant duty, considering the rigorous and difficult selection process. However, godmother, you are incredibly powerful and are served by both Rakshasa Dojo and Asura Dojo. I can’t imagine what issues could require the involvement of someone new, like a Maiden. If the Night Parade is meant to cultivate new talent, it feels almost excessively harsh…” Lily admitted, her lack of understanding clear in her tone.

The Madam folded her arms across her chest, her sharp gaze fixed on Lily. Her smoking pipe rested forgotten, releasing faint trails of smoke that drifted lazily around the platform.

“Among the three realms, Yomi is the most unstable, plagued by corruption and overrun with demons,” the Madam said, her voice steady but tinged with unease. “The maidens—young, beautiful, bold, and gifted with strength and talent—are not meant to pacify this chaos directly. That is not their role.”

“Godmother, this is exactly what confuses me,” Lily replied earnestly. “I’ve endured so much to make it through Hyakki Street. Please, guide me—what am I meant to do next?”

“Oh, Lily…” the Madam murmured, her voice soft yet heavy with meaning. “Though the maidens may not be the strongest in Yomi, their strength is unique—something no one else can replace.”

“The true destiny of the maidens,” the Madam continued, her voice reverberating with solemnity, “is to sacrifice themselves

¹—to bring solace to the world and restore its peace.”

Turning away, the Madam gazed through the large circular stone window at the darkened night sky. Her voice, rich with meaning, seemed to echo not only across the room but deep within Lily’s body and soul.

‘Sacrifice myself to bring peace to the world?’ Lily thought, her heart sinking as a faint understanding began to take root. ‘Could it be… that the winner of the Night Parade is destined to become Yomi’s ultimate sacrificial offering?’

Lily’s body trembled as she looked at the Madam, her eyes wide with shock and worry.

Lily wasn’t afraid of sacrifice, but she had unfulfilled duties—objectives she needed to accomplish and sisters she vowed to protect. She couldn’t offer herself recklessly, even for the sake of world peace.

Yet, Lily sensed no malice from the Madam, only a deep, enigmatic purpose. Her confusion grew, leaving her momentarily adrift.

If she were destined to die, why had she been subjected to so many grueling trials? If she were trapped in Hyakki Street for eternity, how could she ensure her survival? And what of world peace? Surely, Lily sacrificing her life wouldn’t resolve such monumental issues. Furthermore, the Madam had guided her on multiple occasions and even taken her in as a goddaughter. It seemed contradictory to nurture her only to demand her death.

Reassured by this reasoning, Lily exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

If her role involved completing dangerous and arduous missions, they would likely still pale in comparison to the challenge of crossing Hyakki Street. Referring to it as “sacrifice” seemed misplaced. After all, if she were to perish during a mission, wouldn’t that result in failure? How could such an outcome restore peace to the world?

What, then, did “sacrifice” truly mean? What exactly was Lily expected to give up?

The Madam continued gazing at the night sky, lost in thought, offering no further explanation.

Turning to face Lily, the Madam said softly, “Lily, you have endured much to reach this point. Rest here for now. At this moment, it’s just you and me in this cave.”

“Godmother…” Lily murmured, her voice tinged with hesitation.

“We will discuss everything else later,” the Madam said, her tone calm yet firm as she crossed her legs and released a thin plume of smoke. “For now, take a bath and rest. Come see me tomorrow.”

“Yes, godmother,” Lily replied. Though obedient, her heart remained restless with unanswered questions—about the destiny of the Night Parade’s winner, Yoruko’s fate, and the possibility of leaving Yomi.

Yet, with the Madam’s words spoken, Lily understood that pressing further would be futile. Bowing respectfully, she took her leave.

Even so, Lily had an inkling that asking about leaving Yomi would be unwise. After all the trials and effort, the Madam had finally found a winner of the Night Parade who had passed its ultimate test. Surely, the Madam had plans for her. Until those intentions were unveiled, Lily was certain they would not permit her departure.

To ask recklessly about leaving Yomi might only anger the Madam, and Lily knew it would be dishonorable to make such a request so soon. After all, the Madam had aided her repeatedly, offering guidance at every turn. Lily resolved to fulfill the maiden’s destiny to repay this debt, then plead for Yoruko’s release before seeking her own path out of Yomi.

‘I can only hope to fulfill the maiden’s destiny quickly,’ Lily thought, a quiet sigh escaping her heart.

As she retreated and wandered aimlessly, it dawned on her that she had no idea where to go. Should she return the way she came?

Just then, a shimmering purple butterfly emerged from the pond, flitting gracefully in front of Lily as if beckoning her to follow. Guided by the ethereal butterfly, Lily followed its path to a side passage. Emerging from the other end, she found herself on the mountainside.

Perched atop the mountain cliff was an elegant courtyard. At its center lay a tranquil hot spring, bordered by a small, unassuming hut. Beyond the cliffs, specks of light twinkled faintly in the distance—the unmistakable nightscape of Hyakki Street.

“I never imagined that from this distance, Hyakki Street could resemble a bustling night market in the mortal realm. It’s… surprisingly beautiful,” Lily murmured with a soft sigh.

The butterfly projection dissolved into tiny sparks of light before vanishing completely. By now, Lily understood the purpose of the butterfly’s guidance. She had been directed here to bathe and rest for the time being.

Trusting her godmother’s arrangement, Lily quietly removed her clothes and folded them neatly before stepping into the hot spring. It had been far too long since she had enjoyed such a luxury. Despite being in Yomi, the spring’s soothing warmth exceeded anything she had experienced in the mortal realm. The water was almost magical, quickly melting away her fatigue. Even her physical strength seemed to improve slightly. For someone of Lily’s level, the fact that this hot spring could still enhance her abilities spoke volumes about its extraordinary nature.

After her bath, Lily slipped into a white robe, the soft fabric comforting against her skin. The cool night breeze was refreshingly crisp, a stark contrast to the polluted air of Yomi. This place felt like a hidden oasis—almost divine in its tranquility.

“Sacrifice myself to bring peace to the world… but what am I truly meant to sacrifice?” Lily wondered aloud, her gaze fixed on the distant, twinkling lights of Hyakki Street.

Footnotes:

1. Robinxen: Woah! So noble! I am starting to wonder if existence has it in for maidens.