Demon Sword Maiden

Leave a comment ⇐ PreviousNext ⇒

Hekiraku City, towering tens of kilometers high, continued its slow descent into the abyss. Along the steep mountain cliffs of Yomi, countless demons followed its path. From time to time, they used the jagged terrain to leap across the chasms and launch assaults on the city.

At this point, Hekiraku City could do nothing but fall. Its capacity to maneuver or shift direction had completely vanished.

Dozens of flying treasures manned by demons circled the city like vultures. Among them were black airships, massive centipede-like mechanical puppets, and enormous black crows with Tengu masks and wingspans stretching kilometers wide.

Multicolored demonic flames lit up the city as spirit energy exploded across its surface. Shards of rock and debris rained down from above, filling the air with chaos.

Far from the main battle, Wakarai stood with other Supreme God-level demons at the edge of a dark cliff, joined by Kuroyodai and his cadre of powerful demon subordinates.

"Hekiraku City's defenses seem more organized than before, don't they?" Fushirai asked with a frown.

"You're right. Even its regenerative abilities have improved," Wakarai muttered with concern. "Could the Boundless Imperial Princess still be alive?"

Kunhiza, the abyssal demon god with serpent-like purplish-green hair and three glowing eyes, gave a chilling chuckle. "Thunder gods, the Hekiraku City from a thousand years ago was far more terrifying. Back then, even when it was severely damaged, it fought with unmatched ferocity. What you see now is merely a fifth of its former strength. And even if that woman is still alive, she must be too wounded to fight. If not, she would've come out swinging already."

"Still, if she does act, a few of us could fall even if we join forces," Kuroyodai rumbled, his mountainous face casting a shadow over the cliffs. "Caution is necessary."

"We've already sent several abyssal demon guards to infiltrate the city and gather intel," Kunhiza added. "Let's see if any of them manage to return."

"These Dark Celestial Maidens may have been twisted by Yomi's corrupting influence, but they remain fiercely loyal," Kuroyodai said with a trace of respect. "Not one we've captured has betrayed her sisters. That's what makes them such a fearsome force." Even now, memories of the ancient war filled him with unease.

"Indeed. Their unity is impressive," Kunhiza admitted. "That's part of what makes them so alluring. Imagine breaking one of their commanders—now that would be a true delight."

"Heh, Kunhiza," Kuroyodai sneered, "Haven't you been eyeing that commander Yanagihada? Once the city falls, she's yours."

What none of them realized was that the Celestial Maidens from Takamagahara were already conspiring with these very demons.

The ox-drawn carriage, bearing the Shizutake girls who believed they were on their way to the heavens, had now left the idyllic landscapes of their homeland. It entered a strange and ominous region filled with jagged, fang-like peaks, swirling black clouds, and a forest pulsing with oppressive Eldritch energy.

The Celestial Maidens hovered around the carriage as it moved. Each of them had been blessed by Takamagahara, granting them the ability to fly freely despite being only at the Big Dipper level. They no longer relied on flying treasures or energy-intensive Domains to remain airborne.

Like birds born to the wind, they soared effortlessly through the skies.

However, this ability only worked in Takamagahara, the mortal realm, or smaller spiritual dimensions. In places like Yomi-no-kuni, an underground realm heavy with spiritual suppression, only those at the Celestial level or higher could defy gravity and take flight.

At that moment, even the once-eager Shizutake girls, filled with dreams and ambition, began to feel unease creeping into their hearts.

"Sister Ryuen, why does the land below make me so uneasy?" one of the Shizutake girls asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Ryuen's brow furrowed with concern. "These woods are drenched in Eldritch Energy. Isn't this the Toraochi Domain? I came here once during an expedition and barely escaped from the demons. Why would a path to heaven lead us through such a cursed land?"

But when the girls questioned the Celestial Maidens escorting them, they were simply told that this route was a necessary part of the path to reach heaven. None of the girls had ever been to Takamagahara, so perhaps this strange detour was expected. They didn't dare voice their doubts further.

Yet, as the Eldritch Energy thickened and the distant, deranged screams from below grew louder, anxiety gripped them more tightly with each passing moment. Only Lily remained still, her eyes closed as she sat in quiet meditation, focused inward.

Lily had already met the basic requirements to step into the Celestial Stage. Two of her Heavenly Paths had reached the fourth level. The final piece was her Sword Heavenly Path, which still lingered at the third stage. Once all three reached alignment, she would only need the right opportunity to advance.

But opportunities like that could not be forced. They came when least expected. For now, even Lily couldn't sense how or when it might arise.

Still, with her sisters in danger, Lily knew she might have no choice but to break through even under imperfect conditions. All she needed was a spark.

"Sister Shimizu, I've entered the Toraochi Domain. Please be careful," Lily whispered through a voice transmission.

The ox carriage was well within Shimizu's detection range, and she heard Lily's voice clearly.

"Yes, I've already come across quite a few lust-driven demons," Shimizu replied. "But I've avoided any conflict. Drawing attention now could alert the Celestial Maidens."

In truth, Shimizu possessed enough power as a Supreme God to annihilate every living creature in the Hekiraku Realm. Lily had no reason to worry about her safety. No demon could rival her. No matter how dangerous their abilities were—especially against women—they stood no chance against such overwhelming might.

Moreover, Shimizu was no ordinary woman. None of their twisted methods could affect her.

The ox-drawn carriage pressed onward. But instead of ascending to heaven as the girls had hoped, it began to descend deeper into the heart of the Toraochi Domain, where the Eldritch Energy grew denser by the mile.

Ryuen could no longer contain her anxiety. As the carriage approached the forest drenched in Eldritch Energy, she leaned toward the window and called out to the Celestial Maiden in purple-pink robes. "Your Excellency, aren't we supposed to be ascending to heaven? Why are we descending instead?"

"Silence! If you doubt us, feel free to leave now," the Celestial Maiden snapped in irritation. "Do you know how much a quota is worth? There are countless gifted and beautiful women in Takamagahara. You're not special."

"That's right. One quota could fetch a superior spirit artifact. If you're not satisfied, go back! There are plenty of other girls desperate to ascend," another Celestial Maiden added mockingly.

After hearing their harsh responses, none of the girls dared speak again, even though doubt lingered in their hearts. They had endured centuries of training and hardship to reach this opportunity. How could they turn back now?

The ox-drawn carriage drifted into the shadowy forest. Towering trees loomed like twisted demons, their trunks entwined with glowing vines that slithered like great serpents. The scenery was both menacing and eerily beautiful.

Exotic demonic blossoms emitted an intoxicating fragrance, spreading a thin violet mist through the air. One by one, the girls began to blush and fall into a dreamy daze as they unknowingly inhaled it.

"Don't breathe it in," Ryuen warned sharply. She pulled out a silk scarf and wrapped it around her face. Determined not to lose this opportunity, she pressed forward with caution. But the mist could still seep through their thin clothes and into their skin.

Lily also breathed in the mist, her body far more sensitive than most. Still, her willpower, tempered by the Fragrance-Breaker Pill, kept her steady. The haze reddened her cheeks and stirred a faint heat within her, but it had no effect on her strength.

Soft, mocking laughter echoed from the shadows. Wicked giggles rippled through the dark forest, sending chills through the girls' spines.

The girls looked around in fear, panic rising as the laughter grew louder. Their breathing quickened, heavy and uneven, as the haze took further hold.

"We've arrived. Get off," one of the Celestial Maidens commanded flatly.

"What? Here?" the girls murmured in disbelief. One by one, they stepped down from the carriage, dazed and confused, standing in the eerie forest saturated with Eldritch Energy.

Several Celestial Maidens hovered above the carriage, while others perched atop enormous trees, scanning the area with practiced vigilance.

Lily stepped down with the rest, pretending to be affected. Her cheeks were flushed, and she feigned panic laced with subtle longing. Though her veil concealed most of her face, her glistening eyes alone made the act convincing.

The mist had a slight effect on Lily, but she chose not to resist it entirely to maintain her disguise. The mild discomfort didn't hinder her strength in the slightest.

From atop a massive tree, the mature Celestial Maiden, Riyuki, observed Lily's graceful figure—her elegant silhouette, slender waist, and perfectly curved hips. Even without seeing her face, she could tell Lily was an extraordinary beauty.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Riyuki's mind. Perhaps it would be wiser to take this woman to Takamagahara herself, train her, and claim her as a personal attendant. Would that not serve her better?

But the ambition to inherit Bishamonten's Divinity quickly drowned out her impulse. Riyuki buried the thought and remained focused on her goal.

From within the dense fog, dark silhouettes began creeping toward them from every direction.

"What?" Ryuen gasped. "Lust Demons?"

The Shizutake girls, familiar with these fiends, tensed up. They knew how dangerous Lust Demons could be and immediately went on guard.

"What is happening?" one of the girls cried out.

"Hehehehe, poor little girls. Don't you realize you've already been sold?" A bloated demon stepped from the underbrush, standing nearly four meters tall. His walrus-like face leered at them with beady eyes brimming with lust.

'Infernal Stage?' Lily's brows rose slightly. 'So Toraochi Domain had individuals this powerful? Could this be Lord Shikikai himself?'

Lily steadied herself, preparing to strike. If this was indeed Lord Shikikai, she wouldn't hesitate to end him on the spot. And Shimizu, waiting for her signal, would join the fight the moment Lily made her move. Together, they would leave nothing to chance.

Even though Shimizu trailed behind by nearly a hundred miles, that distance meant little. She could close it in a heartbeat.