Book 4: Chapter 20: The Mino Triumvirate

Is that a laugh of desperation, eh, mirror girl? If youre willing to surrender and give me the ancient mirror you possess, I could let you live. After all, you can be called the prettiest woman of the Heian Empire in this generation, and it would be too much of a pity for me to kill you as a man whos sampled countless women, Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ grinned as he looked at Lily with a salacious gaze.

It seems like you think everything revolves on the palm of your hand, Viper. But this world still has things that you can never fathom!

You neednt act so stubborn now. You mightve been a threat to me if you hadnt drunk the spring sake, but a woman is rendered feeble for sure once she drinks that sake, let alone have the power to fight with powerhouses in close combat. I had actually planned to let Momiji make you choose between three poisonous sake and a truly harmless and delicious sake so that you would discover the poisons with the powers you possess and choose to drink the harmless one. Yet, all of it was just a smokescreen for our a.s.sa.s.sin to a.s.sa.s.sinate you. A normal person is actually deceived by their so-called insight once they are a.s.sured that theyve solved the mystery. You too ended up believing that you will be able to rescue the mirror girl successfully with the abilities you possess, which became the perfect chance for the disguised a.s.sa.s.sin to a.s.sa.s.sinate you! However, I never thought that Momiji would take it upon herself to mix in a powerful grade 7 aphrodisiac into the harmless spring sake and nearly mess up the whole plan! Fortunately, you were unable to discover it because of your inexperience and ended up drinking it, which ultimately turned out to my advantage albeit accidentally, Viper stated coldly1.

Youve really schemed pretty deep, Viper! I did discover the poisons in the other three sakes2 as you said, but that doesnt mean I readily believed that the harmless spring sake you prepared for me wouldnt have any problem with it.

Oh? Why did you still drink it in that case? Viper asked puzzledly.

Lily straightened her back and raised her blade to the front while giving off a mesmerizing yet fanatical glow, It was just a gamble.

Lily held absolute trust in Kagura in comparison to the doubts she possessed.

Since Kagura had stated that it wasnt harmful to her and might even provide Lily with benefit, she trusted that was truly the case! Even if there were dangers that Kagura might have failed to detect, Lily possessed the resolution and courage to bear responsibility and deal with it!

A risk-taker had to accept the risk of losing. Lily had made the choice to drink the sake that Kagura believed was beneficial to her body because she trusted her sisters. Therefore, she had no regrets even if she were to fall into an inescapable quagmire as a result of that.

Let alone Lily held a certain throbbing and longing for this spring sake deep in her heart at this moment. Although she was unable to explain this sensation, she decided to comply with her bodys reaction and intuition.

While it seemed like she had lost the gamble on this occasion by consuming the powerful aphrodisiac, it had actually brought along a silver lining too and allowed her to realize the ingenious use of Suzuhiko-himes amorous dance. It was possible that the Suzuhiko-himes legacy that had been seared to Lilys memory deeply, which she had never faced squarely until now because of the shame, had subtly induced her to drink the spring sake despite knowing it was problematic even though she hadnt been coaxed to do so. The spring sake seemed quite enticing for Lilys body.

Lily even had a feeling that the benefits of the amorous dance of Suzuhiko-hime that she had begun comprehending provided to her advancement and body wasnt just the phantasmal footwork she had obtained right away.

Lily had still shown a bold demeanor to Momiji in order to rescue the mirror girl even so as refusing to drink the sake despite knowing that it was harmless wouldve implied that she was actually afraid of her.

Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ was taken aback after hearing Lilys words and laughed out loudly, Hahahahahahaha! Fine. I admit I wasnt able to foresee that you possessed such a mindset. Its practically impossible to manipulate you completely no matter what scheme I use if youre really someone who leaves fate in the hands of luck! Unfortunately though, it seems like youve run out of luck this time.

That might not be the case. I actually think Ive lucked out quite well this time.

Interesting! I really wouldnt have wanted to kill you if it werent for that eminences orders since there are no grudges between us. Actually, I hold quite the admiration for you even now! Viper slapped his thigh.

That eminence, you say? Just who is it that has set up obstructions for me everywhere with the intentions to kill me in order to prevent me from journeying west? I might let you live if you answer me.

Hahahaha! I expressed my admiration for you just moments ago, so dont you expose such naiveness this quickly now. Youre affected by the aphrodisiac currently and have no chances of winning, so lets end this senseless charade now. Kill the mirror girl for me, Mino Triumvirate! Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ ordered.

Lily gazed at the trio with her proud and charming set of eyes, Inaba s.h.i.+gekado of the Mino Triumvirate. You seem like a righteous man to me. Dont you find it disgraceful to besiege a drugged woman like me with thrice the numbers as a samurai?

Enough with the tricks after youve killed so many of our men, you witch!

The red-armored Ujiie Huzen thundered while pointing his blade at Lily.

Inaba s.h.i.+gekado, however, showed some struggle, Its impossible for loyalty and righteousness to coexist, mirror girl. I wont say that you are wrong, but my absolute loyalty lies with my lord!

I never imagined that the majestic Mino Triumvirate would actually choose to pledge their loyalty to a viper that colludes with monsters! You keep speaking of loyalty and righteousness, but have you actually forgotten your loyalty to the Heian Empire along with the righteousness in the world?! Whats the point in mentioning loyalty when youve betrayed the people? Although Lilys breathing had quickened, she still oozed charm every now and then as she uttered these words out. Her determination, however, was as firm as ever and made her look imposing.

Although these words sounded commonplace, they struck at the core of the contradiction and rendered Inaba speechless momentarily.

It was really as Lily had said. Loyalty wasnt an excuse for colluding with the monsters and betraying both the Emperor and humankind.

Theres no need to exchange any further words with this witch! Kill her and avenge all the brothers and clansmen that fell under her hands! Viper bellowed.

Vipers words roused Lilys desire to win intensely! He had exploited her kindness and compa.s.sion to nearly murder her and almost harmed her senior sister as well!

Although it wasnt possible for her to defeat the Mino Triumvirate using Suzuhiko-himes phantasmal footwork in the state she was in right now, it was still possible for her to find an opportunity to elude them and kill the 4th-stage Awakened level Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+.

However, Lily didnt intend to do that.

As she had become a victim of Ouchis scheme, she intended to overturn the situation with her wit! A crazy idea formulated inside her mind

Die! Ujiie Huzen slashed his golden, dragon-marked tachi at Lily yet she fended it off by spinning her Sakura Parasol against it, resulting in sparks going off and taking Huzen aback!

The people need to carry demon charms on them whenever they go out, which is equivalent to bowing their heads to the monsters. How could you even call yourself a samurai when this has become the norm? You have no reason to wield a blade since your wife and children are safe from harm under the agreement with the monsters, or could it be that the blade you wield is meant to deal with samurai women like me who refuse to bow down to monsters?! Lily dodged the attack from the blue-armored Ando Morimasas naginata with a spin of her body, perspiring beads of translucent sweet-scented sweat with a quickened breath as she questioned the trio staunchly.

Unlike the other two from the triumvirate, Huzen had a lovely wife and cute daughter.

However, his wife and daughter had gone missing while traveling to Gifu from their territory for the first time despite possessing demon charms on them, and never appeared again.

Shut up! Minos far more peaceful and prosperous than the times samurai warred with each other now! Huzen slashed at Lily with his tachi consecutively.

A false peace built under the loom of monsters paints a much darker future for humankind even if temporary peace is achieved now. Isnt that so?

Clang! Lilys legs were pushed down when her Evil Slayer clashed against Huzens tachi and she was pushed back after being forced down to her knees. However, a huge nick opened up on Huzens tachi as well.

Enough of the empty words now! Inaba s.h.i.+gekado was against this scheme that exploited the conscience of others, yet he had no choice but to obey his lords orders as his samurai despite losing his father and sword instructor to the monsters.

You mentioned loyalty, Inaba s.h.i.+gekado, but where does your loyalty actually lie? Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ had long joined the Hundred Demons side, so does your loyalty lie with the Hundred Demons as well?

Enough of the nonsense! Ouchi roared, Im just using the Hundred Demons!

You were the one who told me there are no grudges between us. Yet here you are trying to kill me under the orders of your master from the Hundred Demons, Lily emphasized.

Thats just preposterous! That eminence isnt from the Hundred Demons3 Ouchi paused midway in his words.

Isnt from the Hundred Demons?! Lily was quite shocked by these words, Who is it, then?

Someone whos close to death has no need to know it! Ouchi declared.

Milord! Inaba s.h.i.+gekado turned back to ask, Just under whose orders are we killing this mirror girl? The three of us would like to know it as well if possible!

Inaba, what do you mean by that? Are you calling my orders into question?

Milord, the three of us decided to a.s.sist you for your ambition and dominion! You are the wisest man in Mino, and we hope to see you become the overlord of these lands, not some hidden plotters minion, let alone a p.a.w.n of the power that brings disaster to the world! Although the short-bearded Inaba possessed unswerving loyalty, he still had his stubbornness as a samurai of the East.

Indeed, milord! We hope to see you become the overlord of Kanto and lead the world instead of obeying Momiji, that slutty witch readily! Ando Morimasa also turned back to say his piece.

A mesmerizing womanly scent had permeated the air along with Lilys dance movements and though this scent couldnt suppress the enemy like a domain, it possessed the ability to influence the enemys mind unnoticeably.

However, even Lily wasnt aware of this effect, and two of the Mino Triumvirate had actually begun wavering because of it, prompting them to question their lord.

Shut it now! What would meatheads like you know?! It takes pragmatism and flexibility to become an overlord. Do you think its possible to become an overlord with just recklessness alone?! Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ screamed hoa.r.s.ely with his timeworn voice and a glare in his eyes. The Viper of Mino obviously had his ambitions, but he knew well that it wasnt the right time to make a move now. He was still far from having the power to resist against that eminence and the fact that these foolish meatheads refused to understand this filled him with even greater rage.

Serve the East by pledging yourselves to Lord Kamakura, Mino Triumvirate, and you will be able to see an overlord without bowing your heads to monsters! Lord Kamakura is the true overlord wholl lead the world and the sole ruler who stands against the monsters! It was as if Lilys voice imbued extreme longing for Lord Kamakura, which formed an intense contrast between her curvaceous profile and unshakable resolve as a samurai woman, searing this look of hers into the observers memories eternally.

I have no need to hide it now that things have come to this Lily spun the parasol by resting it against her shoulder and stated with a composed pair of eyes, I, Kagami Lily, am the special envoy sent to Mino by Lord Kamakura.

Her mesmerizing gaze caused the three samurais hearts to palpitate. They were clearly captivated by Lilys charm.

Lily put the red parasol away suddenly and waved Yasutsuna like a lightning blitz, causing the oil lamps in the premises to waver and change the surroundings.

Her voice became resolute, imposing and stern, I suspect that Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ has strayed from the chivalric code of samurai by colluding with the monsters! Theres undeniable evidence towards this since you admitted it personally! What else is there to argue about now? Mino Triumvirate, I order you in the name of Lord Kamakura to detain Ouchi Koreyos.h.i.+ at once!

The air was now suffused with an invisible yet rousing4 scent emitted by the dazed yet witty Lily from her dance movements.

Silva: Wow, do people actually talk this much in the middle of a fight? Robinxen: You learn to deal with it.

Silva: Other three? Were there actually four sakes in total? My memory is muddled Robinxen: I thought there were three in totalmaybe somewhere a mistake was made.

Robinxen: Is it Lord Loserface for real then.

Robinxen: Rousing or arousing. That is the question.