Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 150 – Lies And Laughs

Four days remained until the day of the wedding.

Rei’s Death Carriage finally arrived at the summit of the Boundless Abyss.

“Hmph, I’m surprised you made it this far. The Boundless Abyss is just ahead. This Death Carriage now heads to the treasury, so you’ll have to disembark,” said a Dark Celestial Maiden as she clutched the door handle, her legs trembling faintly, her breath uneven.

“Thank you.” Rei’s cheeks were slightly flushed, though not from gratitude. She felt no attachment to the carriage. Despite her torn and disheveled clothing, she stepped into the vast expanse of the abyss without so much as a glance behind.

The Death Carriage soon rolled away, veering off toward the distant treasury.

Rei made no attempt to follow—it was clear they didn’t want her near the treasury, and she wasn’t interested anyway.

Spotting a group of demons in the distance, Rei glanced down at her tattered clothes, the fabric torn near her chest. Slipping behind a nearby boulder, she stripped and wiped her body clean with a towel. After some thought, she changed all her undergarments and sealed the soiled ones into a storage jade. Her new outfit kept to the same blue palette but featured a different design: a sleeveless vest and a short skirt composed of two panels—front and back—that barely covered her rear when standing. Thin straps along her hips left the sides of her waist and thighs exposed, revealing her pale skin.

Once dressed, she tossed her long hair over her shoulder and stepped back into view.

Without a word, Rei merged into the center of the demon group. A few Blade Maidens and female warriors also walked among them. It was a rare moment of uneasy peace.

Several demons cast menacing glances at Rei, but none approached. Their attention seemed fixed on something more enticing that lay ahead.

As Rei continued walking and eavesdropped on scattered conversations, she realized this group was headed to Lily’s wedding. Once they reached the Boundless Abyss, they would, in a sense, represent the realm of Yomi itself. Though each harbored their own secret ambitions—hoping to seize opportunity amid the chaos—they kept the peace for now.

Rei stayed with the group, enduring the occasional hostile stares. Eventually, they arrived at the very edge of the Boundless Abyss.

She gazed into the yawning darkness below. The abyss swallowed half the sky before her—it was vast, silent, and infinite.

“Where… How do we proceed?” a green-skinned, blue-eyed demon muttered, clearly puzzled.

A few winged demons leapt from the ledge and soared downward without hesitation.

“Seems like we’ll have to climb down the cliffs,” said a female ninja at the single-soul Big Dipper stage.

With no better alternative, most demons began their careful descent. Some ledges allowed walking, but others forced them to scale vertical rock walls.

A sharp cry rang out as a Throned Stage demon lost its footing and plunged into the void. No one knew what became of it. Rei quietly continued her descent with the others.

“Lily… how are you now?” Rei whispered. She hadn’t been able to enter the Mirror Dimension during her time in the Death Carriage. Now, tucked into a crevice, she projected her consciousness inward while the others passed by, unaware.

But Lily wasn’t there.

“Lily… It’s been days since she last appeared,” Rei murmured. She turned—and spotted someone. “Shimizu?”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Shimizu said, her tone calm and collected.

It became clear that Shimizu, too, was heading to the Boundless Abyss. Since Lily hadn’t spoken about her wedding, Rei and Shimizu had come to a quiet, mutual understanding. Neither had gone to the Cloud Sanctum, nor had they told the other sisters in the Heian Dynasty.

In the shadowed valley deep within the Boundless Abyss, Ayaka had been dancing without pause for six consecutive days.

Though her strength and physical potential rivaled those of Lily and Rei, performing this extraordinary dance for six days had pushed Ayaka to her absolute limits—testing not just her stamina and will, but the endurance of her womanly body.

Even Kagura, who didn’t share a deep connection with Ayaka beyond their bond to Lily, began watching her with visible concern. Though she didn’t fully grasp the nuances of a woman’s physical strain, it was obvious Ayaka was nearing her limit.

Though six days had passed, Ayaka couldn’t afford a single moment of rest. She had to keep the demons enthralled, lulling them into trance while preserving her grace and dignity—lest she lose herself completely.

Drenched in sweat, Ayaka danced on. Her proud gaze shimmered with subtle allure. She embodied the full charm of a seasoned Celestial Maiden—an irresistible presence that could mesmerize beings across all three realms.

The horde of demons watching her was like a taut string—ready to snap. One misstep, one pause, and the scene could descend into uncontrollable chaos.

“Lily…” Ayaka’s face burned with heat. Her body danced now on instinct alone—beyond fatigue, beyond pain—but she feared the mounting exhilaration might consume her reason.

In her mind, she danced only for Lily. Her Charm Heavenly Path energy surged to its peak, enhancing her movements with sacred beauty and emotional intensity.

“Lily… I don’t think I can last much longer. Please… lend me your strength…”

The seventh day dawned.

“Sister Ayaka?” Lily suddenly felt a connection, as if Ayaka was reaching out to her. Her cheeks were flushed, her aura scattered. But all around her was a cold, lonely room filled with silence.

“Sister Ayaka, where are you? Are you alright?” That anxious feeling compelled Lily to try reaching her through the Mirror Dimension.

Lily entered the Mirror Dimension. The space was dim. Most of her sisters were immersed in meditation at the Cloud Sanctum. Silence blanketed the vast main hall.

As Lily turned to head toward the Cloud Sanctum, a familiar voice called her name. “Lily.” She turned—and there stood Uesugi Rei, leaning quietly against the stone archway in the shadows.

“Sister Uesugi?” Lily’s heart ached. In that instant, she wanted nothing more than to fall into Rei’s arms and pour out every sorrow and shame. But she held back. She restrained herself.

Her eyes softened with deep affection. She leaned forward as if to rush into Rei’s embrace, but stopped mid-step and lowered her gaze instead.

“Lily?” Rei’s concern only deepened at her silence. She stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. Though only their spiritual forms existed here, Lily could feel the warmth—and with it, the urge to break down again.

“Sister Uesugi… It’s been a long time. I’ve missed you deeply.”

The formal tone only confirmed Rei’s growing suspicion—something was wrong.

“What happened to you, Lily? Where are you? Are you alright?” Rei asked gently, yet intently.

Lily longed to weep in her arms, to tell her everything. But she knew now was not the time. If Rei discovered the truth, she would throw herself into danger without hesitation.

At the same time, her opponent’s power was overwhelming—utterly beyond reach. Lily endured every moment of humiliation, refusing even the release of death, all for the sake of protecting her sisters.

How could she bear to let her sisters place themselves in even greater danger because of her?

“Sister Uesugi… I’m fine.” Lily’s eyes were hollow, her voice calm but forced, masking the storm of urges she was barely holding back.

Rei’s body trembled. Beneath that restrained tone, she could hear the strength of a woman clinging to her last shred of willpower.

She wrapped her arms around Lily from behind. Had they been together in the flesh, she would’ve taken her into her arms without hesitation—to show her love, even if Lily resisted, even if words failed.

“I see… I’m glad you’re safe.” Though Rei was crouched in the shadows of the abyss, nearing the deepest point to crash Lily’s wedding, she said nothing of it.

“Sister Uesugi, where are you? You’ve made it to Yomi-no-kuni… It’s such a dangerous place. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I’ve been training near the outskirts of Yomi-no-kuni—it’s relatively calm there. What about you?”

“I… I’m deeper inside Yomi, at the core. I’m under the protection of a powerful Madam. It’s harsh, and she’s strict, but I’m safe.” Lily forced a smile—one that even she could tell was unconvincing.

“Really? Then I’m relieved you’re safe.” Rei smiled softly and reached out, gently brushing her fingers through Lily’s hair.

Neither of them had expected how intoxicating a simple touch could feel, even within the Mirror Dimension’s illusion of reality.

“I’m heading out to hunt some demons. Stay safe… We’ll see each other again, I promise.” Rei whispered gently near her ear.

“Yes… someday.”

As Rei’s consciousness faded, Lily’s spiritual form trembled, her eyes quietly welling with tears. But Ayaka was not in the Mirror Dimension. She was still dancing—passionately, tirelessly—before a horde of demons. It was now the seventh day, with half of it already gone.

Even Kagura, watching from the sidelines, was mentally drained. Yet Ayaka continued, her gaze turning more seductive by the hour. The elegance of her spirit was beginning to blur, replaced by something rawer—something deeply rooted in her body, her scent, her presence.

She was teetering on the edge of losing herself completely.

“No… No, not yet…” She couldn’t even remember how long she’d been dancing anymore.

‘Hasn’t it been seven days already?’

“Lily…” In the thick darkness of her mind, Ayaka reached out to Lily’s image—hoping to borrow her strength just to keep going. But soon, Ayaka drifted into a trance. Just as Lily once fell into her nightmares, Ayaka now slipped into Lily’s dreams.

In that shadowed dream, Lily appeared—her hair tousled, her robes loosened. Her gaze was sultry, but not meant for Ayaka. She seemed to be looking past her, to someone else. Blushing, Lily slowly parted her legs in an inviting gesture—yet filled with fragility.

“Lily! No!” Ayaka snapped back to consciousness, her vision spinning wildly. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the stage. The seventh day was nearing its end—yet her dance was suddenly broken.

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd. The male demons, already losing control, surged toward the stage like beasts unleashed.

But then, once more, the ancient bell rang out. The chime cut through the chaos like a thread of fate, echoing deep into Ayaka’s soul as the darkness closed in. Its tone carried overwhelming affection—profound sadness, and aching sorrow. It stirred something ancient and sacred within her.

Ayaka lifted her gaze and stared directly at the stampede of demons. With a serene hand, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes held no fear—only calm detachment, as though she was gazing beyond them, toward something unseen.

And then, softly—she laughed.