Demon Sword Maiden-Chapter 128Book 12: : Spreading All Across Yomi-no-kuni
The seventy-two demons carried a carriage that resembled a mobile palace, finally bringing it to a halt just beyond the outskirts of Carefree City.
A wide ceremonial platform extended from the carriage’s first floor, its surface decorated with lanterns in a myriad of colors that glowed softly in the twilight. The Madam, Asura-Onna, and Rakshasa-Onna descended gracefully, landing upon the ceremonial platform.
The silk veil draping the carriage entrance was gently lifted. Lily emerged, dressed in flowing scarlet robes with wide sleeves. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders, enhancing her ethereal beauty.
With hands gently clasped before her, the long sleeves of her gown swept the ground, while the voluminous skirt trailed behind her. Her robes were embroidered with vivid Higanbana blossoms—each petal, each leaf meticulously stitched, woven with the sorrow and longing of a young woman.
Every delicate step Lily took was like a flash of mournful crimson moving through a world cloaked in darkness.
"Mother." Because of her elaborate wedding attire, Lily could only offer a small, graceful bow to the Madam.
In that moment, an unexpected reluctance stirred within the Madam. Could anyone in the Three Realms truly be worthy of claiming this radiant treasure?
To see Lily—cloaked in such an exquisite gown—bowing before her in solemn reverence, made the Madam feel like the ruler of all creation. Without someone like Lily beside her, even omnipotence would feel hollow—lonely and meaningless.
“You’re… so beautiful,” the Madam murmured, awestruck, before letting slip a surprisingly candid comment. “If I weren’t your mother… I’d want to marry you myself.”
"Huh?" Lily blinked in confusion. Perhaps it was meant as the highest praise—but she wasn’t sure how to respond. And yet, as Lily stood firm and unshaken before her fate, the Madam’s heart began to stir with regret.
There was no tradition, no law, that allowed a mother to marry her daughter. But should such a precious soul be handed away so easily? Shouldn’t she remain close…1?
The Madam averted her gaze from Lily’s face, afraid that if she stared any longer, she would waver—might even change her mind. And that, she knew, could bring catastrophe to all of Yomi.
Instead, she let her eyes rest on Lily’s gown, where the tragic, blooming Higanbana defied the desolation of hell. Even in suffering, they bloomed with defiant beauty—just as Lily did.
This wedding dress had been hand-stitched by Lily herself, piece by piece, after arriving at Rakshasa Dojo. She had poured all her emotions—her fears, her hopes, her silent grief—into every Higanbana she embroidered.
The Madam could not help but recall the image of that young girl sitting in the dim corridor of the courtyard, day after day. She endured abuse from fellow maidens, harsh punishment from Rakshasa-Onna and the captains—yet never lost her composure. She remained gentle, resolute, carefully stitching her wedding gown by lamplight.
What had that girl been thinking back then? Could she have known… this was the fate that awaited her?
The Madam found herself at a loss for words. Deep in her heart, a pang of guilt surfaced. She had wronged this girl. Without another thought, she stepped forward… and embraced Lily—holding her tightly, for a long, silent moment.
"Godmother…"
“Lily, you’ll be traveling to the Boundless Abyss—an unimaginably distant place. But remember, you are the Princess of Yomi-no-Kuni. You are my daughter. Your wedding is not just a personal affair—it is a monumental event for all of Yomi. That’s why I won’t simply send you straight to the Boundless Abyss. You must pass through the skies of every major territory, so the entire realm may witness this historic moment.”
“I understand.”
“The Boundless Empress is a true sovereign—well-known and respected. But her temperament is said to be… unpredictable. Once you’re married, you must never tarnish your name as Yomi-no-Kuni’s Princess. At the same time, you must obey her. As her wife, you now belong to her.”
“No matter how noble your status, no matter how beautiful you are—your duty as a woman, and as my daughter, is to serve her, follow her commands, and fulfill her desires. Do you understand?” The Madam’s voice was steady, but there was reluctance in her eyes.
Lily felt a subtle bitterness rise within her. They were both women—so why must she be the one to submit? But then again, she never truly planned to go through with this marriage. It was still too early to worry about that.
“I understand,” Lily replied with a nod.
The Madam felt slightly reassured by Lily’s composed reaction. “After the ceremony,” she added, “you must share her bed as often as possible. If you can bear her child2 sooner rather than later, peace will truly settle across Yomi.”
Lily’s cheeks turned red. Even though she had no intention of ever marrying the Boundless Empress, hearing such intimate words still made her flustered.
“I got it,” she replied quietly. Now wasn’t the time to argue. No matter what happened, Lily had resolved never to share a bed with the Boundless Empress. That was her bottom line.
And yet, she still didn’t know how she would protect it.
‘I have to keep training…’ Lily thought. ‘There’s still a long journey ahead. I might still have a chance…’
“I can’t accompany you — my status prevents it. This journey will be long, and you must be cautious… But don’t be afraid. No one in Yomi-no-Kuni would dare to interfere with my daughter’s marriage,” the Madam said firmly.
“Yes, I understand,” Lily said with a nod.
“Then… go.”
Though they hadn’t been together long, the Madam felt a sudden emptiness—as if her own flesh and blood was now grown, and being sent off to another world. “Why… Why must such a precious daughter be married off…”
Despite all her power and influence, the Madam had no answer. This marriage was something she had orchestrated—part of a larger plan. Yet Lily would have been married off eventually, no matter what. She couldn’t have stopped it. Perhaps… this was fate.
Lily took a few quiet steps back, gazed at the Madam… and dropped into a deep, respectful kneel.
“Thank you, Mother, for everything you’ve done for me. Please accept my gratitude,” Lily said, pressing her forehead to the ground in a formal kowtow.
But the Madam felt no sense of accomplishment—only a quiet, aching sorrow and a deep sense of loss.
Lily lowered her head with grace and respect, retreating slowly into the carriage as she bowed to the Madam. Once she was inside, Ayaka gently drew the curtains shut. The Madam turned her gaze to Ayaka but said nothing. With a faint nod, she turned away and began to leave the platform.
Ayaka bowed deeply, respectfully seeing the Madam off.
Just as the Madam, Rakshasa-Onna, and Asura-Onna were about to step off the platform, the Madam suddenly paused and turned around. “Fujiwara no Ayaka,” she said firmly, “once you arrive at the Boundless Abyss, you must care for and protect Lily well. Do you understand?”
“I’ll give it everything I have,” Ayaka replied with conviction. “Sister Lily is the very purpose of my existence.”
The Madam was quietly moved by Ayaka’s unwavering devotion. After a moment of silence, she left her with a final message. “There will be an opportunity for you once you arrive in the Boundless Abyss3. Whether or not you can seize it… will be up to you.”
With those parting words, the Madam didn’t wait for a reply. She ascended into the sky, flanked by Asura-Onna and Rakshasa-Onna.
“An opportunity…?” Ayaka murmured, glancing up at the darkening skies with a puzzled expression.
Naturally, a procession of this magnitude couldn’t travel along the roads. The sheer scale of the convoy made it impossible for the paths of Yomi-no-Kuni to accommodate them.
Eventually, the entire procession lifted into the air, continuing its journey through the skies as if walking upon the wind.
Of course, such grand arrangements had been prepared in advance by none other than the Madam herself.
High above the smoky, azure skies of Yomi, a long, dark cloud took shape beneath their feet. Upon this cloud, the wedding procession drifted forward—lanterns glowing like stars, ancient music echoing through the air—as they crossed the vast skies of the underworld.
Along the way, countless beings raised their heads to the heavens, their eyes filled with awe and wonder at the sight. After all, the great Madam of Yomi was sending her daughter to be wed. A sight like this had never been seen before.
At that moment, in the tower of Carefree City’s castle, the Lord of Carefree City was furiously berating his maidservant. “She’s far too arrogant! Hmph! Marrying that so-called Boundless Empress? A shameless vixen tying the knot with another woman… What a disgrace!”
“If I ruled all of Yomi, I’d claim you for myself! Let’s see if you’d still look down on me then! I’d make you beg to kneel before me!” He raged, indulging in his fantasies—but deep down, he knew they would never come true.
“My Lord!” A hunched, goblin-like demon in ninja garb suddenly appeared beneath his feet, voice hushed but urgent.
“What is it?” the Lord snapped, still seething.
“My Lord, please… look at this.” The small demon handed over a worn scroll.
“This is… a bounty notice from Takamagahara?! You’ve got some nerve bringing this into my city! If Rakshasa Dojo finds out, we’ll both be in trouble!”
“My Lord, calm yourself. Just read it…”
Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at ƒrēenovelkiss.com Only.
The Lord scanned the poster—then froze. “What…? Kagami Lily? The Mirror Girl? She’s ranked ninety-ninth on Takamagahara’s most-wanted list… She’s actually her?!”
The Princess of Yomi-no-Kuni… was Kagami Lily.
The castle tower quaked as the Lord slammed his fist into the wall, shattering stone in a surge of rage. “Kagami Lily… Mirror Girl! The woman who humiliated me like no one has in millennia—is the very one who killed my son in the mortal realm4?! It was her! Her!” He let out a furious scream.
Trembling with fury, he slowly calmed. But reason followed rage—and he knew he was powerless. What could the death of his son, a lesser lord’s son, possibly mean when the murderer now stood as Yomi’s Princess? Besides, it happened in the mortal realm. There would be political nuance, excuses, justifications… Bringing it up could backfire. He’d only invite trouble.
“Kagami Lily… I may not be able to touch you. But someone out there can. During that long journey before your wedding, yes… someone will strike.” He turned to his subordinates. “Come here!”
“To all agents, spread this in secret: Yomi-no-Kuni’s Princess is none other than Kagami Lily, the Mirror Girl and a fugitive wanted by Takamagahara. Include her travel route and timing. Leak it far and wide. Let all of Yomi know!”
“Kagami Lily… you took my only son. Now, the flames of all Yomi-no-Kuni will burn for you! I’ll make sure of it!” He howled with wrath.
In truth, Rakshasa Dojo and Asura Dojo had already begun spreading word of the Madam’s daughter’s grand wedding. But no one had disclosed her true identity. The name Lyn-hime remained cloaked in mystery.
No one would ever suspect that she was a fugitive from Takamagahara—the very woman who descended into Yomi and ignited chaos, with countless demons battling over her fate.
Far away on the storm-lashed highlands, bolts of lightning danced across a towering stone pillar. At its peak stood Wakarai, lightning reflected in his eyes. His striking features twisted in anger as he gazed into the distant sky.
“Madam… you dare make a fool of me? That woman was meant for me. And you gave her away to the Boundless Abyss? Very well. Don’t blame me, Wakarai, when I repay you with no mercy!”
