Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 149 – Prismatic

Only five days remained until the wedding.

In the dim, eerie depths of the Boundless Abyss, flickers of strange light shimmered through the darkness. Artisans from all corners of Yomi worked under crushing pressure, racing against time.

If the grand preparations weren’t completed to perfection, they would face the wrath of the Boundless Imperial Princess—a wrath only Lily had endured so far.

Lily lay slumped on the windowsill, drained and helpless.

Her head spun, and her body no longer obeyed her will. Once, she had moved with grace, confidence, and mastery—every step a display of balance and strength. Now, even standing was a challenge. That effortless control she once took pride in had completely vanished.

“I’ve considered myself a real woman for a long time… but maybe only now do I understand what it truly means—to feel helpless.” Lily had always been strong, resilient even in the face of despair. But the Fragrance-Breaker Pill, capable of breaking even a Supreme God’s resolve, was too much. She couldn’t withstand it.

She possessed an unmatched Celestial Maiden physique, extraordinary physical talent, and remarkable comprehension. Yet now, she finally grasped what it meant to be truly powerless. It felt like she had been born anew—fragile, exposed. And no comparison could ease the weight of that realization.

“Is this what it really means to be a woman? To be at the mercy of the strong, to be powerless to resist, waiting silently for others to determine your fate

¹… In the end, it seems the Boundless Imperial Princess will be the one to win.”

There was a time Lily had softened toward the Imperial Princess—her resemblance to Shimizu, and her past assistance to both Ayaka and herself, had made Lily believe she wasn’t truly cruel. But now, that same woman had dealt the final, devastating blow to her already fragile self.

Lily knew—five days from now, she would be made into a “real woman.” And perhaps… even worse things might follow. But death? That wasn’t an option.

“I have to train… Even if I’m dizzy… Even if I burn up inside, I must keep going. Five days left. If I can break through… maybe I can undo the effects of the Fragrance-Breaker Pill.”

Lily pushed herself up and staggered back inside. She tried to sit and meditate—but collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

In the darkness, the dream returned.

Powerless and motionless, Lily found herself pinned beneath her senior sister. With one hand, her sister effortlessly held both of Lily’s arms, then leaned down and kissed her shoulder.

The sensation disoriented her. It felt like a gentle, warm presence pressed against a vast snowy field. In the darker shadows of that snow, the ice began to thaw. Too much had melted… It turned into a flowing stream… One that soaked into the dark, ancient earth below.

Lily awoke with a start. The crushing pressure had faded—but what remained was a vast, hollow ache deep within her. No ordinary woman could ever fathom this kind of torment. Even Lily’s unshakable body and indomitable spirit were beginning to crack.

“Senior Sister… please, wake up… I only want it to be you…” Lily struggled to her feet, unsteady and trembling. She made her way to the door, only to collapse again before reaching it. Gathering her strength, she reached out and knocked softly.

“What is it?” came the impatient voice of a Dark Celestial Maiden as the door, sealed by a one-sided spell, opened from the outside.

To her surprise, Lily sat upright like a noble lady, her posture composed despite the circumstances. Her hair had clearly been brushed in haste—slightly tousled, with a loose strand clinging to her lips.

“I… I need to go…” Lily said, her voice soft with embarrassment, unable to state it more plainly.

“Got it. Come on, I’ll take you. Get up, let’s go,” the Celestial Maiden replied, her tone a mix of annoyance and duty.

The two Dark Celestial Maidens walked ahead and behind her, escorting Lily down the corridor in silent formation.

Lily’s steps were shaky, but she forced herself to remain composed. Still, every few paces she would stop, subtly bending at the waist, her body trembling with effort for reasons she dared not reveal.

“Hurry up!” One of the Dark Celestial Maidens gave Lily a push from behind, her hand pressing against her lower back.

Lily blushed deeply, her legs tightening as she stumbled forward. She barely caught herself before collapsing. Despite it all, she straightened her posture, tossed her long hair with grace, and released an enchanting feminine fragrance into the air.

“Um… Sister Ruasayan, something’s wrong. I suddenly feel dizzy…” one of the Celestial Maidens murmured, her steps faltering as Lily’s scent reached her.

“Me too… Quickly, cast the suppression spell Her Highness taught us!” the second maiden urged, her voice slightly panicked.

Lily briefly considered running. But even holding her posture had pushed her to her limit—there was no chance of escape, only the certainty of collapse and humiliation.

The two Celestial Maidens, dazed and overwhelmed, hastily cast their spell. They failed to notice the prismatic fluids that trickled down on Lily’s leg with each trembling step.

After returning from the washroom, Lily collapsed to her knees. Oddly, the position eased her dizziness, though she felt deeply ashamed. Fortunately, no one was there to witness it.

“Senior Sister… please… help me…” she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. Lily had always been the one rescuing others, always able to navigate through even the most desperate situations. But this time, she could feel it—her willpower was no longer enough. She had no strength left to fight.

Her body’s deepest vulnerabilities were being mercilessly exposed. For the first time, Lily truly longed to lean on someone. Deep within, she cried out—not as a warrior, but as a woman who yearned to be saved.

“No! I can’t give in like this! Even if I’ve accepted who I am… even if I embrace being a woman, I must rely on myself. I can’t let it end like this!” Lily drew Oborozuki Muramasa and braced herself against the floor, using the scabbard for support.

“I must…” she whispered, preparing to meditate—but the surging pulses within her body shattered all focus. Her sword slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor as she collapsed beside it. The embroidered white flowers on her red kimono looked unbearably tragic. Her long black hair fanned out in silent despair.

At this moment, Shimizu was leading her force toward the Boundless Abyss. The number of demons she had gathered—each with their own hidden agenda—had swelled to over a thousand. Among them were even a few formidable female warriors.

For now, their shared goal bound them together, and none dared show lust toward the female adepts among them. Shimizu was merely the one who brought them together—the true draw was the endless rumors of what could be gained by claiming Lyn-hime. With a chance this grand, they were prepared to gamble their very lives.

Life in Yomi-no-kuni was far crueler than the mortal realm. Without power, survival was a fleeting hope. Nearly all demons lived in constant peril, always one step away from being devoured by their own kind. Many would live their entire existence without once laying a hand on a woman.

Such was the grim reality of Yomi. And now, with an opportunity deemed once-in-an-eternity—unrivaled even across the three realms—madness had taken hold. It was enough to send demons of every kind into a fevered frenzy.

Footnotes:

1. Robinxen: Author can you perhaps tone down the misogyny a bit? Actually isn’t the author rumoured to be a woman, so wouldn’t this be some kind of internalised thing?