Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 87 – Rakshasa-Onna’s Judgment

“What!?” Rakshasa-Onna’s eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the words of the Hundred Maidens and Captain Isshiki.

“Kagami Lily, is this true? Did you really defeat all seventy-some Hundred Maidens during your trial in Okai Prison, thus disqualifying them from the competition?” Rakshasa-Onna demanded, her intense gaze fixed on Lily.

“Yes. I believed this approach adhered to the rules of the Hundred Maidens competition,” Lily responded, offering a respectful bow. “Since fighting among competitors was permitted within Okai Prison, those who lost naturally forfeited their qualifications.”

Rakshasa-Onna strode over, her petite form brimming with curiosity and an exaggerated glint of admiration. “Well done, Kagami Lily. In the countless years since the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens began, no one has ever achieved what you have. You’ve truly surprised me.”

“So, tell me, Kagami Lily—why did you choose this path?” Rakshasa-Onna stepped closer, her head tilting up to meet Lily’s gaze, her petite form barely reaching Lily’s chin yet emanating a formidable presence.

“I thought the answer was clear, Your Highness,” Lily replied steadily. “Since all other competitors have been disqualified, may I be recognized as the winner of the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens?”

“Is that so? Well, it seems… Hehehe,” Rakshasa-Onna nodded eagerly, “You’ve defeated all your opponents, turning them into your slaves. In this Night Parade, you’re the last one standing, so you are, by all appearances, the rightful winner. Isn’t that correct?”

“If Your Highness agrees, may I then understand what it truly means to be the victor of the Night Parade?”

“How dare you!”

Rakshasa-Onna’s voice thundered as she struck Lily in the chest, sending her stumbling back with a force that seemed to vacuum all sound from the hall. The Hundred Maidens and Rakshasa Dojo members stood paralyzed, momentarily stunned.

A fierce explosion of energy burst from Rakshasa-Onna, shaking the hall as furnishings and decorations were flung in every direction. Weaker members of the Hundred Maidens were thrown back by the force.

Two spectral blade maidens, formed from pure killing intent, materialized beside the fallen Lily. They seized her, pinning her against the wall, leaving her feet suspended above the ground.

“Your Highness Rakshasa-Onna, what does this mean? My actions fully adhered to the rules!” Lily protested loudly.

“Silence!” Rakshasa-Onna commanded, summoning a whip of dark purple resentment from thin air, lashing it through the dim hall toward Lily.

Rakshasa-Onna’s whip lashed across Lily’s body, shredding her clothing. Beneath the torn fabric, Lily’s skin remained unscathed, her strong form defying the brutal blows.

“Insolent woman! Do you think you can manipulate ancient traditions by relying on that power you gained from the ancient battlefield? Do you understand the gravity of your offense?” Rakshasa-Onna’s long hair whipped about her like flames as she vented her fury at Lily.

“Your Highness, may I ask what crime I have committed?” Lily’s voice remained steady.

“You still don’t see the crime you’ve committed?! Foolish woman! Did you truly believe the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens was just a contest of combat and victory? You’ve disrupted an ancient ritual—a sacred inheritance of the heavenly way! I’ll see to it that you pay for this!” Rakshasa-Onna’s fury intensified, her voice resounding through the hall.

“Your Highness, Rakshasa-Onna!” Queen Kaguya interjected, raising her Golden Jade Branch and releasing a beam of golden light that deflected the whip just before it struck Lily again.

Queen Kaguya stepped between Lily and Rakshasa-Onna. “While I have no wish to intrude upon Rakshasa Dojo’s affairs, and though I’ve never personally participated in the Night Parade, I am familiar with its rules. Lynne’s actions may be unconventional, but they did not violate any rule. Why, then, is Your Highness reprimanding her so harshly?”

“Your Majesty, you speak only from hearsay. As a guest, I ask that you refrain from drawing shallow conclusions about the Night Parade’s deeper meanings! You are the Queen of the Female Queendom—not a reckless, impetuous girl like Kagami Lily!” Rakshasa-Onna snapped. “Please, step aside!”

“Lynne is a court dancer of the Female Queendom and a sister dear to me. She saved my life when I was in grave danger. How can I stand by while she is treated with such injustice?” Queen Kaguya replied firmly, showing no sign of retreat.

“So, you wish to interfere in the matters of my Rakshasa Dojo? Do you even comprehend the implications of the Night Parade?” Rakshasa-Onna challenged.

“No matter the implications, the fact remains that with Lynne’s strength, she would have emerged victorious regardless. There isn’t a single Hundred Maiden who can rival her, nor could they close such a gap in just a few years. She acted within the rules by ending the trial early, even showing consideration by allowing the others to leave. Her intentions were fair. And even if she did err, this can be discussed rationally. Otherwise, isn’t the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens merely an excuse for you to capture powerful women and bend them to your will?” Queen Kaguya held her ground, unwavering.

“You don’t understand! You have no idea!” Rakshasa-Onna snapped. “Queen, if you continue meddling in the affairs of my Rakshasa Dojo, I’ll have no choice but to ask you to leave!”

“I have no desire to interfere with the Rakshasa Dojo’s workings, but Lynne is different. She is also a member of my Female Queendom, and as my subject, I will protect her!” Queen Kaguya retorted.

“Hmph, your ‘subject’? You mean your little lover, don’t you?”

Queen Kaguya flushed slightly. “I am the Queen of the Female Queendom; having palaces and harems is hardly unusual! Lynne is my court dancer, so this concerns the honor of my Female Queendom! I acknowledge her as one of your Hundred Maidens, but you must be reasonable. If not, I’ll leave with Lynne by my side, and I won’t go quietly!”

As they faced off, their divine powers surged, causing the entire hall to tremble, as if it might collapse under the wrath of these two supreme beings.

The tension in the hall was palpable.

“What? Do you truly wish to challenge me here, in the Rakshasa Dojo?” Rakshasa-Onna’s gaze blazed with murderous intent.

“My Female Queendom and the Rakshasa Dojo have long been allies; I don’t wish for a fight! But Lynne’s actions were sensible and within reason. If you truly intend to punish her, you owe us a legitimate explanation. Otherwise, this treatment is nothing short of bullying!” Queen Kaguya, holding back to preserve the alliance, showed no sign of relenting.

“This is an internal affair of the Rakshasa Dojo! I am not obligated to explain myself to you—simply understand that I have my reasons!” Rakshasa-Onna replied sharply.

“It seems to me you’re simply bullying her unjustly!” the Queen retorted, her anger evident.

“Your Majesty…” Lily began.

“Lynne, say nothing!” Queen Kaguya interrupted. “I know you’d rather endure this injustice than see me clash with the Rakshasa Dojo, but that is exactly why I cannot stand idly by! To me, protecting you is worth far more than maintaining any alliance with the Rakshasa Dojo!”

At that moment, the Hundred Maidens, Rakshasa Dojo members, and even the captains retreated to the edges of the grand hall, silent and tense in the face of this looming clash between Supreme Gods that could erupt at any instant.

The thick, oppressive divine energy forced Renka to brace herself against a pillar, trembling slightly. Memories of the humiliation Lily had inflicted were still fresh, yet Lily had also saved her life. Conflicted, Renka didn’t know whether to feel satisfaction at Lily’s chastisement or indignation on her behalf.

Though Renka disagreed with Lily’s methods, she couldn’t deny that Lily’s logic was sound. She hoped Rakshasa-Onna would provide some justification, but no explanation came. Naturally, Renka wouldn’t dare ask for one herself.

“Fine! If you insist on defying me, I will set aside any alliance with the Female Queendom and remove you by force!” Rakshasa-Onna summoned a ghostly purple scimitar, its blade radiating concentrated, palpable killing intent.

“Your Majesty! Your Highness Rakshasa-Onna! Please stop! Weren’t you allies on the ancient battlefield? Release me, please—” Lily’s plea was abruptly silenced as the female phantoms of killing intent clamped down over her mouth.

Though Rakshasa-Onna’s strength was formidable, Lily knew that if she unleashed her full power, she could likely break free from the two phantoms holding her. But doing so would make her an outright enemy of the Rakshasa Dojo, deepening the conflict and worsening the situation.

“Remove those cursed hands from Lynne’s face!” The Queen commanded, sweeping her Golden Jade Branch to release a wave of protective energy toward Lily.

“How dare you attack within my Rakshasa Dojo!” Rakshasa-Onna growled, a fierce whirlwind of killing intent spiraling around her as she raised her scimitar and charged at the Queen.

In a swift motion, the Queen turned, her hand flicking forward as she summoned a golden flying sword, which streaked through the air toward Rakshasa-Onna.

“Enough!” A crimson scimitar spun through the air, intercepting both the Queen’s flying sword and Rakshasa-Onna’s scimitar, stopping them mid-flight.

Asura-Onna, clad in a flowing red and white kimono, stepped into the hall, her presence instantly commanding attention.

“Sister?” Rakshasa-Onna immediately pulled back, lowering her scimitar and withdrawing her divine power.

The Queen, too, lowered her Golden Jade Branch, her flying sword vanishing with a wave of her hand.

Asura-Onna stepped between them, her voice calm yet resolute. “We are allies with the Female Queendom. Why jeopardize that bond by fighting here?”

“Sister, I didn’t seek this fight! But this Queen has shown no respect for my Rakshasa Dojo!” Rakshasa-Onna protested.

“The Female Queendom has always honored the Asura and Rakshasa Dojos. But on this matter…” the Queen replied firmly.

“Enough,” Asura-Onna interjected, stepping fully between them, her long sleeves outstretched. “I used my rarest talismans to travel millions of kilometers to reach here quickly—precisely because of this situation.”

At Asura-Onna’s words, both the Queen and Rakshasa-Onna looked on in stunned silence. How had she known what was happening from such a distance? And where had she acquired talismans capable of instant travel over millions of kilometers? Asura-Onna stood before them, matching Rakshasa-Onna’s height but emanating an aura of calm strength and unwavering composure.

Asura-Onna’s eyes glinted with an emerald brilliance as she spoke, “The Madam is already aware of everything that has transpired here.”

“What? The Madam?”

“Could it be… that Madam?”

“The Madam has already reached a decision on this matter, so there’s no need for further argument,” Asura-Onna continued calmly.

“Sister, what exactly did The Madam decide?” Rakshasa-Onna asked, her tone softening slightly.

At the mention of The Madam’s authority, even Queen Kaguya felt a twinge of helplessness. She worried what recourse would remain if The Madam’s decision turned out to be unfavorable to Lily.

After a pause, Asura-Onna turned to Rakshasa-Onna. “Sister, release her.”

“Hmm?” Rakshasa-Onna hesitated, but refrained from questioning. With a single thought, she dispelled the phantoms of killing intent, allowing Lily to drop gracefully to her feet.

Queen Kaguya felt a slight relief as she watched, though she remained wary. The Madam was known for her unpredictability, and her intentions were often unreadable, so the Queen couldn’t fully relax.

“The Madam has decreed that Kagami Lily shall face one final, ultimate trial for the Hundred Maidens,” Asura-Onna declared gravely, her eyes flashing with an intense gleam.