Demon Sword Maiden

Shimizu had no chance of dodging the attack—she couldn’t even react. Yet deep within her soul, she felt a strange resonance with the powerful force before her. That sensation, instead of fear, transformed into a magnetic pull

¹.

It was a feeling difficult to describe, as if her instinct for survival had turned into some inexplicable form of attraction. She couldn’t understand it—this sensation, this power—it defied all logic.

But none of that mattered. Her mind was consumed by a single thought: saving Lily. She kept charging toward the Imperial Princess without hesitation.

Unbeknownst to Shimizu, the Imperial Princess was starting to panic. She had never felt fear—not even when facing multiple Supreme Gods. Yet now, in front of a mere Big Dipper, unease gripped her.

“What is this? Why… can’t I control my own body?” she muttered to herself. Her limbs resisted her commands, as if some instinctual force within her refused to harm Shimizu.

“Yachujo!” she commanded. Dark tentacles burst forth in response, each one imbued with power equal to a Supreme God’s strike. Just a single hit would be fatal.

“Sister Shimizu, move! Get out of the way!” Lily screamed in confusion. She had believed it was her senior sister who had interfered earlier. But Yachujo was no ordinary attack—it was part of the Imperial Princess’ Soul World, infused with its own will. It should have been immune to outside interference.

Waves of lethal energy closed in, but Shimizu kept running. She finally glanced up, recognizing the threat. One touch from those dark tendrils would mean instant death.

She wasn’t afraid to die—her only concern was Lily. But she couldn’t die yet. Not until Lily was safe.

Then, in an instant, something unbelievable happened. She felt a strange connection, as if the deadly tentacles bearing down on her were somehow under her control. A realization flickered in her mind.

With a thunderous rush, the two tentacles veered off their path and lashed out at distant Dark Celestial Maidens and abyssal demon gods instead. Panic erupted among the demons as they scattered in every direction, trying to avoid the unexpected onslaught.

The tentacles tore through the sky like monstrous whips, flinging Dark Celestial Maidens and demon gods into the air. The weaker ones disintegrated on impact, while the rest suffered grievous injuries.

“Your Highness?” one of the Dark Celestial Maidens cried out in shock. “Why are you attacking us?!”

“Boundless Imperial Princess! What are you doing? Why would you strike down your own?” the abyssal demon god leaders shouted in disbelief.

“No… this isn’t right… What’s happening? What is going on?” the Imperial Princess muttered, visibly shaken. She surged her divine energy, trying to regain command over Yachujo’s chaotic power.

Despite nearly losing herself in worry for Lily, Shimizu’s sharp instincts kicked in. Something clicked in her mind. She didn’t fully understand how, but she was certain—she could control this power. And its source was none other than the Imperial Princess standing before her.

How was this even possible? She didn’t know. But instead of questioning it, Shimizu focused on seizing more control.

Shimizu stopped trying to control the two tentacles still lashing out alongside the Boundless Imperial Princess. Instead, she turned her attention to the ones restraining Ayaka and the four Supreme God sisters. After assessing the situation, she realized that—aside from Ayaka—these women were clearly Lily’s allies.

Although the Imperial Princess halted the tentacles attacking her own forces, the bindings around the Supreme God sisters began to loosen. Kaguya immediately seized the opportunity, unleashing divine spells and treasures to support the others.

The surrounding onlookers could only stare in bewilderment, unable to make sense of what was happening.

“Boundless Imperial Princess… what in the world is she doing?” Wakarai muttered, too confused to take any decisive action.

“Could it be… a clone?” Lord Umashi asked aloud, frowning. Clone techniques were rare across all three realms. Not only were they difficult to master, but they also hindered one’s advancement. Most powerhouses avoided them for that very reason. However, someone like the Imperial Princess could likely access a high-level version if she wished.

And yet, the scene before them looked exactly like the Imperial Princess was battling her own duplicate.

Wakarai and the others felt even less inclined to get involved. If the two versions suddenly turned on them together, any intervention could end in disaster.

“Two Boundless Imperial Princesses?” Kaguya, Asura-Onna, and the others were stunned as they recovered from their bindings.

“What in the world is happening?” someone muttered, echoing the crowd’s confusion.

Only Lily, Ayaka, and Rei understood the truth—that the woman standing there wasn’t a clone at all, but Shimizu herself.

“Let her go!” Ayaka cried out as she began to dance. The Heavenly Charm Bell rang with ethereal clarity, releasing intricate golden runes into the air. The bell slowly transformed into a radiant lotus flower, glowing with prismatic gold. From its heart, thousands of petals unfurled, each tethered by shimmering threads to the flower’s luminous core.

The petals spun into motion, slicing through the air like glimmering blades. Though beautiful, each one carried lethal force. They spiraled in unpredictable patterns but struck with precision, forcing the Dark Celestial Maidens restraining Rei to retreat. Overwhelmed, they had no choice but to abandon her.

With the Imperial Princess appearing unhinged, even her own subordinates hesitated to approach. Ayaka no longer needed to continue her dance. Though the Heavenly Charm Bell was designed to enhance her art, it was proving just as effective as a weapon.

“Sister Uesugi! Sister Ayaka!” Lily cried, her voice full of relief.

Though they’d been separated only briefly, it felt like an eternity. After enduring the onslaught of Yomi’s most powerful factions, the three sisters were finally reunited. Overwhelmed with emotion, they embraced tightly, holding one another as if they would never let go again.

As their arms slowly loosened, all three turned to look at Shimizu.

“What’s happening with Sister Shimizu? What is she to the Imperial Princess?”

Watching Shimizu release the captured Supreme Gods, the Boundless Imperial Princess seethed with fury. Still, she forced herself to remain composed.

“You’re Minamoto no Shimizu?” she asked coldly.

The two women faced each other from across the stage, a hundred meters apart. All of Yomi was watching, yet none of the distant powerhouses dared to make a move.

“And who are you?” Shimizu asked. She already knew this was the Boundless Imperial Princess, but the question wasn’t for clarity—it was to uncover the mystery behind their strange connection, and why this woman could manipulate the same power as her.

“Hmph. I underestimated you… and placed too much faith in that sentimental fool, Shizuka Gozen,” the Princess replied.

“So you’re the one who lured me into Yomi,” Shimizu said. “Still, I ought to thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t have met Lily again. And if not for your power, I’d never have gained the strength to help her on my own.”

“So, Minamoto no Shimizu… you’re in love with Kagami Lily too. How fitting. Is this fate?” the Imperial Princess sneered.

“I’m sorry,” Shimizu said firmly. “Even if you wear my face, I can’t let you have her.”

“Hah! Let me have her? I don’t want her anymore. I feel nothing but hatred for that impure wretch!” the Imperial Princess spat. “Because of her, you’ve thrown yourself into the pit of Yomi, knowing full well it could mean your death. And for what? Her heart—and her body—already belong to someone else. And it’s clearly not you

².”

Though capable of killing a Supreme God with ease, the Boundless Imperial Princess found herself at a loss when facing Shimizu. Some part of her power resisted the idea of harming her. Perhaps, if she could stir envy or hatred in Shimizu’s heart, she might find a way to break this stalemate.

‘Once you’re consumed by envy and resentment, Minamoto no Shimizu… then I’ll have a way to destroy you,’ she thought silently.

Shimizu’s expression darkened slightly as she looked toward Lily. “So it’s true… I can feel it without you saying a word. She’s changed. She’s no longer a girl, but a woman now. I once thought she betrayed me, but I was the one who wronged her. Even after everything I did, she still believed in me. That’s why—no matter who she claims to love—I’ll believe it’s only to protect me from harm.”

A fierce fire lit within Shimizu’s heart. Her love ran deeper than any abyss, unwavering and unshaken.

“Sister Shimizu…” Lily lowered her gaze. Though she had done what she believed was right, guilt toward her sisters still lingered. But hearing Shimizu’s words filled her heart with quiet relief.

“What?” the Imperial Princess snapped. “You’re just a mortal with a few decades of memories. Do you even understand what I’m saying? You came here to die for her, but she’s no longer pure! And still, you don’t hate her?”

“That’s shallow

³.”

“What did you just say?” the Imperial Princess roared, trembling with fury. “I stand at the peak of Supreme Gods, and you’re just a lowly Big Dipper! How dare you call me shallow?!”

“I have no intention of debating with you,” Shimizu said. “But since all of Yomi is watching, I’ll say this—someone like you will never understand Lily’s kindness or her love. You don’t deserve it. Tell me, if Lily truly loved you, and you betrayed her, would she seek revenge like this? Would she drown in hatred?”

“What are you talking about?” the Princess muttered, stunned. “She doesn’t love me… That’s why none of this matters… right?”

“That’s exactly why you’ll never understand her!” Shimizu’s soul flared with power. Yachujo’s eight tentacles whipped through the air above, glowing with dark, surging energy. To those unfamiliar, she now appeared to possess the might of a true Supreme God.

At that moment, not only the Imperial Princess, but the other sisters began to reflect. If they had betrayed Lily—even just emotionally—how would she respond?

No matter what, she would never lash out in hatred or seek revenge. She would endure the pain in silence. That was the kind of woman she was. One who would never harm her sisters, no matter how deeply she suffered.

Footnotes:

1. 
   
   

   Robinxen: This is completely unrelated to the chapter but I just realised that the template post for this doesn’t list the number of words anymore, when did that change, did I only just notice this? Adding it was close to muscle memory that I just sometimes forgot about so… that’s so weird. Am I going insane?

2. 
   

   Robinxen: This isn’t exactly news to her, Lily hasn’t been subtle about it.

3. 
   

   Robinxen: You tell her!!!!