Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 218 - Meeting Demon Gods

Three days had passed.

Black fog veiled the outer reaches of Hekiraku City, thick enough to swallow light itself. The city loomed vast, with its towering castle spire, tens of kilometers tall, rising like a colossal beast bathed in light and cloaked in mist, barely visible through the haze.

Far beyond the city, a demon god darker than shadow and even taller than the castle itself stood watching. He was Kuroyodai-Okutsukokami, the former ruler of the abyss before the rise of the Boundless Imperial Princess. According to legend, he had existed in Yomi-no-kuni even longer than the Madam.

Behind him floated numerous abyssal demon gods, each grotesque in form, their bodies aglow with an eerie demonic light. They hovered like grim judges presiding over the end of the world.

From nearby, several women approached through the air. Though they appeared small and delicate compared to the hulking demon gods, their beauty shone starkly in contrast to the twisted grotesquery of their foes.

At the head flew Shimizu, clad in dark ceremonial robes, with Lily beside her in a red dress, short skirt, and white stockings. Flanking them were Yanagihada and Yinzuhi, commanders of the Dark Celestial Maidens. Behind them formed two columns of sisters, one including Queen Kaguya, Chiya, Ayaka, Kagura, and Suzuhiko-hime; the other led by Asura-Onna and Renka. Their arrangement was orderly and symbolic of their ranks and alliances.

At their approach, many of the demons stared wide-eyed, some with lecherous intent. But their gazes held restraint, for they knew just how dangerous these women truly were. Desire stayed buried behind fear.

Kuroyodai had not been born of demon or deity. He was a primordial being shaped by the world itself. He felt no natural lust, but over the ages had developed a cruel fascination with tormenting women. Now, his massive eyes fixed coldly on the approaching group.

Though still kilometers away, Kuroyodai’s enormous form blotted out the horizon. Lily and the others came to a halt.

“You are finally here!” Kuroyodai’s voice rumbled like a subterranean quake, shaking the very air of the abyss. The resulting wind stirred the women’s hair and fluttered the hems of their garments.

Shimizu narrowed her gaze, a flicker of disdain crossing her face as she looked up at the towering demon god. “Kuroyodai-Okutsukokami, for a thousand years the abyssal demons have stood beside the Dark Celestial Maidens. We agreed to govern Yomi together. So why did you betray that pact by slaughtering and maiming my sisters?”

Her voice was steady and severe. Lily felt a quiet admiration swell within her. Shimizu not only looked the part of the Imperial Princess, but carried herself with the same commanding presence. Despite the danger, she remained utterly composed. Lily blushed slightly, overcome by awe.

‘Sister Shimizu… she really is remarkable in every way…’

Of course, Lily kept her own expression composed. Her reaction was genuine, yet consciously measured for the occasion.

Kuroyodai let out a gravelly laugh that rumbled across the abyss. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding, Your Highness. We abyssal gods never took direct action. It was chaos, some lesser demons stirred trouble to seize the moment. I’ve already punished those responsible. If you wish to exact justice, I can hand over the few who remain.”

As expected, the Supreme Gods had held back, uncertain of the Imperial Princess’ true condition and wary of provoking her wrath. Clearly, this excuse had been prepared in advance. Everyone saw through the deception, but no one could call it out.

“There is no need,” Shimizu replied calmly. “Over the past millennium, the Dark Celestial Maidens have also slain and banished many denizens of the abyss. I consider that a mutual misunderstanding. I have not come to seek vengeance.”

“Oh? If not for retribution, then perhaps you’re here to entertain us?” sneered a corpulent demon god nearby. His gluttonous eyes fixated on Lily’s white stockings, drool dripping from his mouth as he leered.

With a sharp metallic ring, Shimizu slid Murasame-Anko a fraction from its sheath. A swirling black sphere appeared before the lecherous demon, rippling with energy that led to another dimension.

“Wouldn’t it be thrilling to play this way?” Shimizu’s tone turned both sultry and cold. “If you’re brave enough to enter my Dark Lunar void, I would gladly entertain you. Anything you desire… anything at all.”

Lily felt a flicker of concern. The real Imperial Princess likely would never flirt or jest so boldly in front of these demon gods.

Yet these towering brutes, each kilometers in height, lacked Lily’s perceptiveness. They failed to detect any inconsistency. Instead, their focus fell entirely on the swirling void, infused with potent Dark Lunar Force and spatial energy. It was unmistakably a power unique to the Boundless Imperial Princess, unmatched across the entirety of Yomi-no-kuni.

In the days leading up to this meeting, Lily and Shimizu had undergone another Pair Training session. Using the Maiden’s Command Technique, Lily transferred Dark Lunar Force to Shimizu, whose body had already been conditioned to wield it. Though her mastery couldn’t rival that of the Imperial Princess, it was sufficient for intimidation. After all, the display was meant as a threat, not a demonstration of full power.

The demon gods recoiled in shock, reminded of the terrible might once wielded by the Imperial Princess. It was she who had singlehandedly laid waste to countless abyssal legions, even while gravely wounded. That memory alone was enough to instill fear in the most savage among them.

The bloated demon god immediately shrank back in fear, retreating without another word.

Kuroyodai’s massive eyes gleamed with caution as he studied the woman before him. His stare, once insolent, had grown markedly more respectful.

“Your Highness,” said Kunhiza, slithering forward with his snake-like hair weaving through the air. “My brothers and I have languished in darkness for ages. It’s rare to see such beauty among us. Please forgive his disgraceful conduct.” His gaze shifted toward Lily, causing her to tremble.

“It had better not happen again,” Shimizu warned coldly.

“Yes, of course. My apologies,” Kunhiza answered at once.

“Now then, Your Highness,” rumbled Kuroyodai, “will you tell us why you summoned us all here?”

“As for my intentions,” Shimizu said with a mocking smile, “I trust the message nearly defiled by your hands was delivered clearly.”

Without warning, she wrapped her arm around Lily’s waist and traced her fingers along her hips, making the gesture brazen and public.

“Ah… no… Your Highness… they’re all watching…” Lily whispered breathlessly, cheeks flushed as she squirmed in Shimizu’s grasp. Her protest was feeble, her body yielding just enough to sell the illusion of shame. Every move had been rehearsed, but she played the role perfectly.

Shimizu paid no mind to Lily’s feigned resistance. She continued her teasing, openly declaring her claim over her beautiful bride.

“I have already solidified my alliance with the Madam through marriage. While I find comfort in the darkness of this realm, my beloved does not. Even an empire that spans millions of miles means little if it cannot make her smile.” With that, she grasped Lily’s hair and pressed a kiss to her lips in full view of the demon gods.

At first, Lily had been acting. But when Shimizu deepened the kiss unexpectedly, a genuine sound of discomfort escaped her lips. This was not in their script.

Behind them, Ayaka, Queen Kaguya, and the others wore strained expressions. But their discomfort only added to the realism of the scene, reinforcing the illusion for their audience.

Lily’s concern deepened. Shimizu seemed to be getting too bold, perhaps even reckless. The kiss had gone far beyond what they rehearsed. But resisting outright would ruin the act. Playing the part of a newly wedded wife who had surrendered to passion, Lily could only offer faint resistance while swallowing her embarrassment.

The provocative scene stirred the primal desires of the demon gods. Their auras surged restlessly through the shadows. Some could barely restrain the urge to leap forward and seize the two radiant women before them. But even their wicked instincts knew the price of such a move could be total annihilation. So they stood rooted in place, eyes wide and bodies trembling with suppressed lust.

Even Kuroyodai was losing patience. “What is this, Your Highness? Are you here to perform your marital duties before us? You should be careful, or my brothers and I might lose control and lend you a hand. Frankly, during past incidents, your Dark Celestial Maidens dressed provocatively and behaved seductively. Some blame lies with them as well.”

“Your Highness!” Asura-Onna finally spoke up, unable to contain herself. “Lyn-hime may be your wife, but she is also the Princess of Yomi-no-kuni. Her reputation reflects on the Madam. Please restrain yourself on such a formal occasion!”

Shimizu released Lily with a smirk, letting her catch her breath in her arms. Her narrowed eyes scanned the gathered demons as she spoke. “My woman is already restless, so I will be brief. The Dark Celestial Maidens have chosen to leave the Boundless Abyss. We plan to ascend to the surface of Yomi-no-kuni and find a place with beautiful scenery, where I can enjoy life with my beloved. I imagine that is good news for all of you.”

The demon gods fell into a stunned silence. Finally, Kunhiza spoke, his voice slick with disbelief. “Heheheh… such generous news, it’s hard to believe. Your Highness, after fighting and ruling over this realm for so long, do you truly mean to abandon it?”

“You wouldn’t understand, even if I explained,” Shimizu replied with a smile. “What matters to me now is giving my woman a warm, beautiful place to live. Besides, this abyss is too cold. She could never realize her full potential here. Isn’t that right, Lyn-hime?”

Lily blushed deeply and turned her face away, refusing to answer. That line had never been in their script.

“So Your Highness truly intends to depart with the Dark Celestial Maidens?” Kuroyodai asked, his voice heavy with disbelief.

“That’s correct, but I do have one condition,” Shimizu said, her eyes gleaming with quiet cunning.

Though still incredulous, the demon gods began to believe her. Demanding conditions fit her established character. If she had offered them the abyss with no strings attached, that would have been more suspicious.

Kuroyodai erupted into laughter, his voice shaking the distant mountains. “Ah, Your Highness, so this is what it’s really about. Tell me then, what is your condition?”

Shimizu cast a glance toward the distant heights of the abyss. “It seems I’ve attracted too many uninvited guests lately. The Yomi demons are not nearly as reasonable as you, Kuroyodai-Okutsukokami. I want your help in raising Hekiraku City out of the abyss. Once that is done, I will leave with my woman, and you may resume your rule over this place. We will each follow our own path. Wouldn’t that be the best outcome for everyone?”

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