Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 38 The Dark Izumo

Yoritomos whereabouts remained a mystery, leaving Lily uneasy. She pondered why he had left Heian-kyo, especially considering his ability to summon a powerful s.e.xtuple-soul big dipper Yomi demon through just one of his clones. If his main body had been present in the battle, the outcome could have been drastically different. What was his strategy?

Lily suddenly remembered Momiji, who she had inadvertently forgotten about. Momiji was still detained in the sedan parked beside the Heian palace. Entering the sedan, Lily found Momiji imprisoned but surprisingly untroubled.

Where is Minamoto no Yoritomo? Lily asked directly.

Despite her restrained hands, Momiji responded with a teasing smile, Hows your body? Better? Do you need my help? After all, Im more skilled at the method I taught them.

Answer my question! Lily demanded, pressing the edge of her cursed blade against Momijis throat.

Ahhh, why so ferocious? You know I like you. If you want to kill me, then do it. Dying by your hands would be satisfying for me.

Lily knew Momijis words were a mix of truth and manipulation. Despite Momijis cunning nature, her crimes didnt warrant death. Unable to extract useful information, Lily withdrew her blade, preparing to leave.

Momiji then posed a question, Miss Lily, if you were Minamoto no Yoritomos subordinate, would you know where he went if he disappeared?

This made Lily pause, considering the logic in Momijis query.

So, you really dont know anything? Lily pressed further.

I dont know, but I can offer you other a.s.sistance, Momiji suggested.

What kind of a.s.sistance?

Without me, there are many things you wont be able to accomplish in the current situation.

Momiji, what are you plotting? Do you think I would trust you? Lily responded skeptically.

Why dont you first listen to what I have to say? You wont lose anything, will you?

Go on

Do you think simply occupying Heian-kyo will grant you control over the world? You have the support of martial families, but what about the demons? Lady Tamamo has high status but is injured. Its not suitable for her to handle such matters, but I can. The world has changed, and the demons have grown stronger. You wont achieve much relying solely on humans. However, I can help stabilize your position in both the human and demon worlds.

Lily pondered deeply. She no longer viewed the worlds demons as enemies, considering archdemons like Tamamo-no-Mae, Sugawara no Michizane, Taira no Masakado, and Has.h.i.+hime as allies. Without their support, or if they had opposed her, her success at Heian-kyo might not have been possible. In the current world, the demons, born from the worlds laws, were tolerable as long as they didnt harm the world.

You would help me so easily? Lily questioned Momiji.

Why wouldnt I?

Whats your motive? What are you planning?

Momiji responded with a hint of frustration, Why are you so heartless? Dont you understand why Im doing this?

Lily felt inclined to leave, yet if the demons began causing chaos, building the thirty-six altars would become an impossible task. Trusting Momiji was a gamble she was unsure about.

Yes, Momiji, what you said is true, but you may not be the best person for this task. I dont question your abilities, but I do question your motives, Lily expressed her skepticism.

You dont believe me? I can take a poison pill and give you the only antidote, Momiji offered.

You you would do such a thing? Lily asked, taken aback.

Little Lily is really too kind. I hear you draw. How about you untie me, and Ill pose for some erotic paintings? If I betray you, you can publish them and shame me worldwide, Momiji suggested, feigning embarra.s.sment.

You, you! Take the poison! Lily exclaimed in anger before storming out.

Tsk really cant take a joke. As expected of a virgin, so inexperienced, Momiji laughed charmingly.

Whos a virgin! Lily retorted, returning to confront Momiji.

Ehh, you came back? Could it be that little Lily isnt one? Momiji teased.

Yes but dont say it like that! Lily protested, her face turning crimson.

Lily stared at Momiji, feeling a mix of embarra.s.sment and anger. Suddenly, she drew her sword and swiftly slashed, cutting the ropes that bound Momiji.

Youre letting me go? Momiji asked in surprise.

Since Im not killing you, keeping you here serves no purpose. Go, Lily said.

Despite being freed, Momiji didnt leave immediately. For some reason, I dont feel like leaving. Wont you let me help you? Youve freed me, you wont lose much if you believe me.

Its up to you, but dont expect me to trust you, Lily responded coldly

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More than two thousand miles west of Heian-kyo, in Izumo, the land was shrouded in black miasma and fog, with no trace of its former sanct.i.ty. Deep within, eerie lights and phenomena flickered intermittently. A crusade army of twenty thousand, led by Kansais Sasaki Marioka and Kusunoki Jioka, was approaching.

Lord Kusunoki, weve faced little resistance from Minamoto no Yoritomos forces, but demon encounters are increasing. Many casualties are due to them, a soldier reported.

Yes, our casualties would be even higher without the inner formation, Kusunoki acknowledged.

I feel theres something strange about the phenomenon in Izumo, Sasaki remarked, gazing at the distant mountains.

As generals serving the Imperial Court and the Taishogun, we should divert to Izumo Mountain instead of continuing the attack, Kusunoki proposed.

Mm, I agree. Send some ninjas to inform the Taishogun in Heian-kyo of our change in plans, Sasaki ordered.

The army changed course, heading towards Izumo mountains, unaware of what lay beneath the dark, eldritch clouds.

In Heian-kyo, at Kiyoszawas hot springs, the area had remained intact during Yoritomos rule. Following the recapture of the capital, Kimiko had returned here. After enduring numerous battles, Lilys group, having been unable to relax fully, decided to visit the Kiyoszawa hot springs for some much-needed rest.

Lily, not particularly inclined or skilled in governing the capital and unifying the world, had lent only her name to the government. She left the intricate details of administration to Ayaka, Kotoka, Ijuin, and s.h.i.+zuru.

Ahhh its so comfortable! Lily exclaimed, wrapped in a thin white cloth, stretching her arms out in the water. Her body glowed beneath the water, revealing her beautiful shape.

Ahaha, its rare to have so many sisters gather, Ayaka noted, enjoying the hot springs. Fortunately, this place has multiple pools with different sceneries, yet theyre interconnected. Despite the exquisite setup, it can accommodate many people. Ayaka was dressed in a purple undergarment, in the style of Iyo Island.

Wouldnt it be great if Yoritomo remained missing? Then unifying the world could be left to the martial families, and we could return to the Fuyutsuki to play, Nanako mused. She was wrapped in a thick bath towel, feeling somewhat self-conscious amidst the voluptuous sisters around her.

s.h.i.+u, wearing a green chest wrap, leaned next to Nanako, finding some comfort in her presence.

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Lady Ayaka, even with the capital being so busy, you seem to be in a good mood, s.h.i.+mizu, clad in a black suspender chest wrap, commented.

Miss s.h.i.+mizu, as the new Rokuhara Tandai, arent you quite at ease with all the new cases and demons in Heian-kyo? Ayaka retorted playfully.

Thats not true. Today, I will be treating sister Lily, s.h.i.+mizu replied.

Hm? Am I not doing the same? Ayaka asked, surprised.

Eh? Isnt it Miss Reis turn? s.h.i.+mizu queried.

Dont try to fool me. I might be busy, but I remember everything clearly, Ayaka said, puffing out her chest proudly in front of s.h.i.+mizu, as if to display her advantage.

However, s.h.i.+mizu didnt see femininity as an advantage in their friendly rivalry. Meanwhile, Uesugi Rei, with her hair coiffed up, meditated on a rock.

Miss Uesugi s.h.i.+na watched Rei from a distance in the hot springs, her face flushed.

After enjoying the hot springs, the sisters donned beautiful yukatas and spent the night at Kiyoszawa, sleeping under the moonlight.

Sister Lily, can we sleep together? Nanako asked quietly.

Mm, Lily nodded, gently hugging Nanako from behind, causing Nanako to blush.

Sister Lily, will I disappear one day? Nanako asked with concern.

Hm? Lily was taken aback. No, definitely not.

Nanako had been less present as Kaguras personality recently, making it harder for her to see Lily.

One day, if Kagura fully recovers, will there be a reason for me to exist? Nanako questioned, her voice tinged with sadness.

Why not? Lily replied, turning Nanako over and embracing her. Nanako was momentarily distracted from her sadness by the intoxicating feminine fragrance.

Nanako is Nanako

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Footnotes:

Robinxen: I am not sure what to make of all this honestly, but author has plans.

Silva: I wonder if this picture belongs in this chapter

Robinxen: I cant remember if discord blocked hotlinks or not now, so this may vanish, Im too lazy to find a decent place to post it though.

Robinxen: The legal loli is the legal loli!