Demon Sword Maiden-Chapter 142Book 12: : Persuasion

"What did you say? Don't think I'll spare you just because you're talking smooth!" the demon threatened.

"Understand the situation," Shimizu said coldly. "I’m speaking because my time is more valuable than yours. If we drag this out for days, you’ll be the one to die in the end. Still, I know you're unwilling to let go, so I offer you a plan—one that saves your dignity as a powerhouse, and even gives you a shot at claiming the greatest beauty. Interested?"

"I see… Fine. Speak," the demon said, his curiosity piqued.

"You must have heard," Shimizu continued, "the Boundless Abyss will soon host a grand wedding. Powerhouses from across Yomi will gather. The main star? None other than Kagami Lily, the greatest beauty across all three realms. Your opportunity lies there."

"Hah! I thought you had a good idea," the demon barked with laughter. "Turns out you’re even more reckless than I am! Do you think I’m a fool? You know who Lyn-hime's marrying, right? The Boundless Imperial Princess! Even the Madam of Yomi shows her respect. She sent three Supreme Gods fleeing with a single blow! That’s her turf, crawling with her underlings. You want me to walk into that death trap alone?"

"Feh, that's exactly why I said your thinking is too crude," Shimizu said mockingly, covering her mouth as she laughed. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" the demon growled.

"Wakarai and Umashi are both major figures in Yomi. Do you think they'd give up so easily? Wakarai has seven other Thunder God siblings. Two might not beat her, but all eight? Even the Madam would be cautious. Besides, you didn’t see how she defeated those Supreme Gods—rumors always exaggerate. With so many powerhouses gathering for the wedding, do you really think others won’t also be plotting to snatch Lily? And do you believe the Madam of Yomi is truly that simple?"

"Wait… wait…" the demon interrupted, trying to keep up. "Slow down."

"If even I can foresee this, the Madam surely has too. If something unexpected happens, she might seize the chance to eliminate her greatest threat. Chaos would erupt. We might not claim Lily, but treasures, beauties, opportunities—we could grab plenty. And even if the chances are slim… what if we actually succeed?" Shimizu’s eyes gleamed darkly, her voice tinged with passion.

The demon’s blood began to stir. "But even together, we're too weak," he said hesitantly.

"That's why we gather allies," Shimizu said coolly. "If Wakarai and the others don’t show, we treat it as a sightseeing trip. If chaos breaks out, we band together. After that, it's every man—or demon—for himself."

"Oho! Now that sounds interesting!" the demon laughed uproariously. "I’ve trained for tens of thousands of years. I’m no coward clinging to life. If I can loot, stir chaos, and snatch a few beauties, that would be glorious! You've got me intrigued!"

"Exactly," Shimizu nodded. "Do you know the way to the Boundless Abyss? There will be others with the same idea. We gather them, and our chances grow1."

"You make a lot of sense! Hahaha! Come with me!" the demon roared, charging ahead.

Yomi-no-kuni was vast beyond imagination, with countless roads leading toward the Boundless Abyss. Yet, the deeper one ventured, the more the paths converged. Demons of all shapes and sizes surged toward the Abyss, gathering into ever-growing numbers as they advanced.

Surprisingly, this created a rare and wondrous scene—demons that would normally clash stayed together in uneasy peace as they journeyed onward.

As they neared the Boundless Abyss, Shimizu gradually became the leader of a growing band of misfits. Demons plotting to seize the bride, her servants, or any treasure they could find gathered under her banner. Word of her spread quickly, and soon, hundreds were trailing behind her.

As they drew closer to the Abyss, new faces continued to swell their ranks.

Meanwhile, Hekiraku City had nearly descended to the deepest part of the Boundless Abyss. The faint tolling of distant bells once again echoed—bells that made Ayaka’s very soul tremble.

"The bell… it's ringing again," Ayaka whispered, rising and rushing to Lily’s room. Finding Lily meditating in the Mirror Dimension, Ayaka sent her consciousness inside to meet her.

"Did you hear it, Lily? The bell," Ayaka asked urgently, meeting Lily in the cavern where the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle was inscribed.

"Bell chimes?" Lily blinked in confusion. She shook her head; perhaps her senses were dulled while training inside the Mirror Dimension.

At that moment, Kagura materialized before them.

"Master! I can hear it—it’s Master's bell!" Kagura cried, excitement shining in her eyes.

"Huh?" Lily looked even more bewildered.

"Let's return to the real world and talk," Ayaka urged.

Ayaka and Lily swiftly withdrew from the Mirror Dimension, their consciousnesses snapping back to their bodies. Kagura soon reappeared in a wisp of smoke before them.

The haunting chimes continued to reverberate faintly through the darkness.

"Master, it’s truly Master’s bell!" Kagura exclaimed, grabbing Lily’s hand tightly.

"My bell?" Lily repeated in confusion.

"Ah—no, not exactly," Kagura said, blushing slightly. "Forgive me, Master. What I heard closely resembles the bell of my former master, Suzuhiko-hime."

"Really?" Lily said, surprised.

Ayaka furrowed her brow. "But why can Kagura and I hear it, and not you, Lily?"

"Master… My former master fell in battle long ago. This is Yomi-no-kuni—we might find her soul here," Kagura said. "I cannot leave her to suffer! Please, Master, let me go investigate the bell chimes!"

Lily took Kagura’s hand gently. "If not for Suzuhiko-hime, I would never have gained the Mirror Dimension. The techniques she left behind have aided me countless times. She is a benefactor to me as well. If there are truly clues, I will accompany you without question."

"But Lily…" Ayaka hesitated. "In your situation now, can you really move freely?"

"Well…" Lily’s expression darkened. "This concerns someone who saved me. I’ll explain everything to the Boundless Imperial Princess. I’m sure she’ll understand."

Although Lily knew her ultimate benefactor was Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, it was Suzuhiko-hime who allowed her to inherit that blessing. She was a benefactor to both Lily and Kagura. Lily knew she had no choice but to see this through personally.

Yet when Lily sought an audience with the Boundless Imperial Princess, the Dark Celestial Maidens refused her. They said the Princess had taken her medicine and was resting.

‘Resting?’ Lily frowned inwardly. Lily left the corridor deep in thought, an idea forming in her mind. ‘What if I escape now?'

Now that she had already arrived near the Boundless Abyss, ferried personally by Hekiraku City, even the Madam of Yomi would find it difficult to blame her disappearance.

Normally, Lily wouldn’t have dared to entertain such thoughts, given her lack of strength. Yet now, the Imperial Princess hadn’t even responded to her request for an audience. Perhaps her condition was so dire at times that she became completely helpless?

‘Ayaka and I could slip away from Hekiraku City to investigate the bell chimes. Once we find the truth, we won’t return. Even if we’re caught, we can claim we tried to report it but were ignored. How could they blame us for that?'

Fearing the Imperial Princess might awaken at any moment, Lily returned to her room and asked Kagura to hide back within the mirror. The fewer companions she had, the safer the plan.

She and Ayaka then stepped onto the balcony, staring out into the boundless darkness that stretched beyond Hekiraku City.

"Are you really coming with me, Lily?" Ayaka asked, worried. "It won't be easy to slip from the grasp of the Boundless Imperial Princess. Maybe you should stay and wait for me to return?"

"I fear I might not come back…" Lily whispered softly.

If the Imperial Princess were at full strength, Lily wouldn't have even considered fleeing. But with her now weakened by medicine and sleep, shouldn’t she seize this chance? Should she really wait until her wedding night—and lose everything?

Lily and Ayaka hurried across the massive, bone-chilling metal chains, sprinting toward the jagged cliffs where the ancient demon gods clung. The farther they moved from Hekiraku City and closer to the cliffs, the more certain they became—they could leap across.

With a soft bang and a puff of smoke, Kagura materialized beside them. Since this journey involved the possible trace of her former master, Kagura naturally insisted on coming along.

Lily handed Kagura the Sakura Parasol for safekeeping—better that she held it.

The three stood at the very edge of the chain, scanning the dark cliffs below. Spotting a suitable rocky outcropping, they exchanged nods. But just as they were about to leap—

"Kagami Lily." A voice called from behind, sending chills down their spines.

"Cough… cough… Where do you think you're going?" The Boundless Imperial Princess, pale and bleeding from her waist, slid shakily across the chains, weapon in hand, and landed behind them.

For a moment, Lily froze in terror.

‘Oh no! Did she wake already? Or maybe… she had never been asleep at all? Was this all a test?'

Flustered, Lily bowed and spoke, "Your Highness, my sisters believe the soul of a dear friend might be near the Boundless Abyss. I intended to report it to you, but you were resting. I feared missing the chance… so I acted on my own."

Ayaka quickly followed, bowing deeply. "It concerns an old friend of mine and little Kagura’s."

Though Ayaka had only heard the bell and didn’t truly know the friend, she wisely simplified the explanation to avoid suspicion.

"Really… cough… cough…" The fierce winds buffeted them, and the Imperial Princess’ frail body swayed dangerously. She truly seemed in poor condition.

‘Lily must never leave me. I love her too much…' the Princess thought desperately. She forced a smile. "Since it’s your friend's soul, you may go. But Lily… you are a bride-to-be. It is not fitting for you to roam freely. You must stay."

"But… the Boundless Abyss is dangerous…" Lily protested.

"Understood, Your Highness," Ayaka interrupted swiftly, bowing to cut Lily off.

At this point, it was a miracle the Imperial Princess hadn’t accused Lily of fleeing. Best to wrap things up quickly.

Suddenly, the Imperial Princess flicked her arm and threw a small black object toward them. "Cough… cough… Take this," she rasped. "It’s a Dark Celestial Maiden medallion. With it, no demon or demon god in the Abyss will dare harm you. Go."

"Huh?" Ayaka blinked, stunned. She hadn’t expected the Imperial Princess to offer real help2.

"The wind… it’s too strong. Lily, help me back," she murmured, her face deathly pale.