Demon Sword Maiden

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Shimizu opened her eyes and bathed in the warm glow of morning light. It had been countless years since she had felt anything like this. She had never noticed how vibrant the bamboo grove looked at dawn.

A gentle blush colored her cheeks, replacing the pallor she once carried. The lingering gloom in her eyes had faded. It felt as though something that had weighed on her soul for ages had finally been lifted.

"Lily… She's mine now. My woman. No one can hurt her again, and no one will ever take her from me." A soft smile spread across Shimizu's lips. "Lily? Where did she go? She's mine… How could she leave without telling me?"

Shimizu sat up with a jolt and hastily began dressing, though her hands trembled. She looked around but saw no sign of Lily. Even her clothes had vanished.

"Lily! Where are you?" Shimizu hurried through the grove in a panic, so flustered she forgot to use her divine perception.

Perhaps this was the difference between men and women. For many men, affection waned with time, even after love was won. There were rare exceptions—men who loved steadfastly—but that fading nature seemed unavoidable.

Women, however, often grew more attached with time. Once they had someone in their hearts, that love only deepened, sometimes to the point of obsession.

Shimizu rushed barefoot through the forest toward the stone bridge. But what she saw made her stop in awe.

"So thoughtful, Lil' Lily… Even after everything, you still care about staying clean. Is it for me?" Shimizu waded into the pond without even removing her clothes.

The sound of splashing startled Lily. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest as she turned, a flush spreading across her face. When she saw it was Shimizu, she let out a quiet sigh of relief, though her embarrassment remained. No one liked being watched while bathing.

Shimizu didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms around Lily from behind and held her close.

"Sister Shimizu…" Lily murmured, still trying to cover herself, her arms pressed tightly against her body.

"I'm glad you're still here, Lily. I thought you left… because you were angry with me." Shimizu held her tighter, and Lily felt something silently form between them. A bond that felt unshakable.

As time passed, Lily's body and heart settled. Still, a tangle of emotions churned quietly within her. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had betrayed her senior sister. She had thought herself strong enough to handle things with honesty, yet the guilt only deepened afterward.

'I can't let this happen again… I only allowed it to save Sister Shimizu. I'm so shameless. I let her do all that last night… and then made excuses to justify it. No matter the reason, it's still humiliating.' Lily blushed deeply and scolded herself in silence.

'But… am I really that weak? Did I give in so easily because of Lord Shikikai's Spirit Crystal? No… stop it. Why am I making excuses? Am I really so promiscuous? No, that's not it. I… I just don't know anymore. It's already happened. Trying to explain it now will only make me feel worse…'

Even if her senior sister approved and allowed things to happen, Lily didn't know how to face her now. Her heart was torn. What frightened her most was the possibility that Rinne might fully accept it when they met again. That, to Lily, was even worse than being punished.

Shimizu, unaware of Lily's inner turmoil, simply hugged her tightly, afraid she might disappear again.

"Who is she?" Shimizu's bright gaze suddenly flickered with unease.

"Huh?" Lily blinked, not quite understanding what she meant.

"Tell me. Who is she?"

Now, Lily understood. Yesterday, Shimizu had seen her memories. She had witnessed everything, including that. She hadn't tried to hide it, but having someone else uncover the truth on their own felt completely different.

"She… she's my senior sister." Lily knew there was no point dodging the question. After what they had shared last night, keeping secrets felt wrong.

"Senior sister?" Shimizu repeated, still confused despite having heard the title before. "What's her name? Where is she now?"

"I… I don't know," Lily replied honestly.

But Shimizu didn't believe her. "Lily, are you lying to me?" Shimizu suddenly turned her around and pulled her arms apart, holding her in a vulnerable position.

"Sister, please don't… I'm not lying to you. I truly don't know. It's a long story, but I'll tell you everything once we're back in Hekiraku City. Shouldn't we return soon? I'm worried the situation with the others is only getting worse."

Her senior sister had said they could hold out a bit longer, but war was unpredictable. Still, she couldn't ignore Shimizu's fragile emotions. Truthfully, Lily herself wasn't in the best state either.

Even now, Lily had never intended to use her body to calm Shimizu. If she had, it would have made Shimizu pitiful and herself pathetic.

Lily admitted to herself that last night might have been a mistake, but she never doubted her feelings. After all, even true love could lead people astray.

"You're not allowed to see her again," Shimizu said, holding Lily tightly.

"Huh? Sister Shimizu… I'm afraid I can't promise that."

"Promise me you won't see her again," Shimizu insisted.

"Sister Shimizu, Hekiraku City is under siege by abyssal demon gods and Yomi demons! You asked for that duel yesterday, and I agreed because I thought you had a reason. But we can't afford to delay anymore. Do you actually know a way back?"

Shimizu was fixated on Lily's senior sister, forgetting the danger the others were in. But Lily hadn't forgotten. She couldn't afford to waste another moment arguing.

"You're right. The other sisters are still in danger…" Shimizu finally nodded. "Let's go back."

"Yes!" Lily's eyes lit up. So Shimizu really did know the way back.

"Let's go to the bamboo garden. We should be able to return to Hekiraku City from where we arrived."

Shimizu grabbed Lily and prepared to take off. Lily floated awkwardly, one hand reaching out while the other desperately tried to cover herself. This situation was simply unbearable.

Embarrassed, Lily summoned her clothes and ancient mirror from the pond using her Soul World. "Sister, give me a moment. Let me get dressed!"

Shimizu cared for Lily deeply and respected her request. They landed near the pond, got dressed, and prepared to depart together.

Shimizu soared swiftly through the skies of Hekiraku Realm.

In truth, if Shimizu fully tapped into her power as a Supreme God and exerted deeper control over Hekiraku Realm, she could likely teleport across it instantly. As the realm's master, such feats were possible—though she hadn't realized it yet.

They soon neared the bamboo forest where they had first entered this dimension. In no time, they arrived at the small wooden hut. They touched down on the large boulder that stood at the forest's entrance.

Lily glanced at the inscription carved into the stone and read it silently: "Those with love may ascend from Hekiraku. Those without shall fall forever into Yomi." Its meaning now resonated with her in a completely different way.

"Lily, this Hekiraku Realm also hides a path to Takamagahara," Shimizu said. "The words on that stone aren't just poetic. They hold a deeper secret. To ascend Hekiraku is to reach Yomi. In a way, this realm is a bridge between Yomi-no-kuni and Takamagahara."

Shimizu took Lily's hand gently. "We can deal with that later. First, let's get back to Hekiraku City." They stepped into the hut. Shimizu sat at the center and began channeling the energy of Hekiraku Realm.

"Lily, I remember the general process and understand most of it, but I'm not entirely sure. If we fail, please don't blame me."

"Sister Shimizu, I trust your instincts. If you can sense the path, then I believe you can do it." Lily had no doubt in her heart.

As Shimizu drew upon the realm's power, it felt as if the entire world was turning and the constellations themselves were shifting in the sky. When the spinning ceased and everything calmed, Shimizu stood and guided Lily to the doorway. Their hands hovered near the door, hesitant but ready.

Just before opening it, they heard voices coming from outside.

"Commander Yanagihada, your wounds haven't healed yet. You can't go in!"

"The sisters are fighting at the front lines while I hide behind walls? I won't allow it."

"But Commander, your injuries…"

"They're nothing."

"Why won't you accept treatment from that human woman, Ayaka?"

"She's no ordinary human. She has the bloodline of a Dance Celestial Maiden. I'd accept regular treatment, but she wants me to expose… that area, and stab it with needles! I'm a Dark Celestial Maiden. How could I disgrace myself in front of her?"

"Commander, it's just acupuncture. Your health is more important right now!"

Hearing the conversation, Lily and Shimizu both breathed a sigh of relief. They had made it back.

Lily pushed the door open without hesitation. Outside, Yanagihada approached, resisting the attempts of two fellow Dark Celestial Maidens trying to hold her back.

"Your Highness…" Yanagihada froze in shock upon seeing Shimizu. Her expression quickly shifted, suspicion lighting in her eyes. "Are you truly the Imperial Princess, or just a woman named Minamoto no Shimizu?"

"Does it matter?" Shimizu replied in a calm, even voice.

Yanagihada's hair was tied up but disheveled. Her black armor was scuffed and damaged, and though her skin looked uninjured, that was only due to her natural regeneration as a Kunitsukami. Her aura was unsteady, and the damage to her Spirit Palace was apparent.

Yanagihada pushed aside the other Celestial Maidens and drew her katana, pointing the blade straight at Shimizu. "Of course it matters! Who are you really? The leader of the Dark Celestial Maidens, Her Highness the Imperial Princess, or just a mortal woman living a lie?"