Demon Sword Maiden

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Far above Yomi-no-kuni, there existed a place so high that one could gaze over all of Ashihara and even glimpse the endless ocean beyond.

This was the realm where the gods who governed the world resided. It was known as Takamagahara.

But the ocean was not visible from just anywhere. In an obscure corner of Takamagahara, thick layers of clouds rolled like mountains, hiding all that lay beneath.

Amid this sea of clouds stood an ancient palace, dark as night. The palace resembled those from the Heian era, but its craftsmanship was far more exquisite, and it radiated a powerful aura.

A series of harsh coughs echoed within the palace.

A strikingly beautiful woman lay on the floor, clad in revealing black garments. Her figure was slim yet voluptuous, exuding an aura of overwhelming sensuality. Though she held the bearing of a goddess, she resembled a temptress from Yomi-no-kuni more than a divine maiden of Takamagahara.

Drenched in sweat, she lay weakly across the polished floor, her strength clearly drained.

One arm braced her against the platform as she stared down at the vast world beneath the clouds.

"Kagami Lily…" Tennin-Mikoto's gaze quivered with fury. "How dare you. You and all your sisters are disgraceful. I don't hate Minamoto no Shimizu. That body belonged to her anyway, so I can't fault her for reclaiming it. But you, Kagami Lily—someday I will bind you with unbreakable chains and hang you above Takamagahara. I'll strip you bare and humiliate you before the eyes of every god. I will grant you the most shameful fate a woman can suffer!"

She coughed again, her tied hair disheveled and her flushed face pale with weakness. "That vile woman… This is all your fault! I'm the most beautiful woman in Takamagahara. I refuse to accept that you're called the most beautiful across all three realms. Because of you, my soul was wounded. I've become as frail as a Dark Celestial Maiden, and even Her Highness has lost interest in me because of it. It's unforgivable!"

"Kagami Lily, I hate you! I hate you!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the sea of clouds.

Far below, deep within Yomi-no-kuni, just above the lower platform of Hekiraku City—

"We demand an audience with Her Highness!" growled a group of abyssal demon gods in guttural tones.

The Dark Celestial Maidens blocked their way as a commander stepped forward. "Her Highness is not receiving visitors. More importantly, why have you detained our sisters?"

Several green-haired demons held down kneeling Dark Celestial Maidens, their wrists bound in chains. Their lustful gazes gleamed. "These maidens were disrespectful to us!"

"That's right! These women dared to throw us out and even used force. Do they really believe they're untouchable in the Boundless Abyss? We're just teaching them a lesson!" said another demon—black-skinned, obese, with a flat head and a short golden horn.

"Outrageous! How dare you detain our sisters? If there's a conflict, it should be settled through proper channels!" the commander snapped.

"We came to speak with Her Highness directly! Yet it's you lot who are blocking our path!" the green-haired demon growled, baring its bloodstained teeth.

"There is no need to involve Her Highness in this matter. I will handle it myself," the Dark Celestial Maiden commander said firmly. "Release them. Now."

"You? Who do you think you are?" the green-haired demon barked. "We want to see Her Highness! Or… has something happened to her?"

The commander immediately sensed their motive. The abyssal demons had long endured harsh treatment, yet rarely rebelled. Now, it was clear that someone powerful was inciting them—using this unrest to uncover the truth about Her Highness.

But even the commander had no idea what had truly happened to Her Highness. If she was simply on a honeymoon with Lily, that would be one thing. Yet the drastic change in her behavior after the battle left even the commander uneasy. Deep down, she feared something had indeed gone wrong.

"We were so focused on determining whether Her Highness was genuine or if she was being controlled by someone else. In the process, we made a grave mistake. I never imagined this would lead to such a massive danger for Hekiraku City and the Dark Celestial Maidens. If the Yomi powerhouses and abyssal demon clans believe something has happened to Her Highness, then we… we are on the verge of a catastrophic crisis!" The Dark Celestial Maiden commander suddenly realized the magnitude of the danger approaching.

The Dark Celestial Maidens followed the Imperial Princess because of her immense strength. They had always been harsh toward the abyssal demon clans and the surrounding Yomi demons. Most of the Supreme Gods and demon gods could only tolerate it, unable to resist her authority.

However, if something had truly happened to the Imperial Princess, wouldn't the abyss and all the powerful Yomi demons in the surrounding regions—who had suffered under the oppression of these women for thousands of years—rise up in retaliation?

The Dark Celestial Maidens and other women would either be tortured and killed by the demons, or face an even worse fate, being taken as slaves to the abyssal forces.

This was a crisis, a true crisis!

What she had not anticipated was that the Imperial Princess' authenticity would be irrelevant in light of the immediate threat they now faced.

"As I've said before, Her Highness cannot meet any visitors right now! You are aware of the situation, aren't you? If you continue causing trouble, you might provoke Her Highness. Not even all of you would survive a single attack from Her!" The Dark Celestial Maiden commander warned.

"Humph, but I doubt Her Highness will show up to intimidate us, will she?" The green-haired demon sneered.

"Hmph! The Yomi powerhouses claim something has happened to Her Highness! The current Imperial Princess is nothing but an imposter, a human woman named Shimizu who came to this wedding with a group of Yomi demons!" The obese demon declared.

It was evident that they were testing their response.

"Hehehe, what a ridiculous claim. How could anyone pretend to be the strongest Supreme God? There are so many Supreme Gods and powerhouses present, how could they not see through it?" The commander shot back.

"That might not be the case! A Supreme God observed that her aura had greatly weakened. Even if she isn't an imposter, I fear she's been severely diminished in strength!"

"Let us meet the Imperial Princess! If she has truly lost her strength, she no longer has the right to rule over the Boundless Abyss!" Many abyssal demons sneered arrogantly.

"Exactly! Let us meet the Imperial Princess! These Dark Celestial Maidens dared to disrespect us. We demand justice!" The abyssal demons began lashing the dozen or so captured Dark Celestial Maidens, inciting a riot as they crashed against the gates of Hekiraku City.