Book 12: Chapter 73: The Queenâs Determination
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While Queen Kaguya admitted she was aware of Lilyâs true identity, she subtly implied that her knowledge came from the Female Queendomâs intelligence network, not from Lily directly, making it clear she was trying to protect her.
"Hehe, your intelligence network may be renowned, but how did it fail to detect your own queen nearly being captured by demons and subjected to⦠unimaginable things?" Rakshasa-Onna teased.
âThatâs because only a handful of us knew about this mission,â the Queen replied, slightly embarrassed. âI did almost fall into Wakarai and Umashiâs hands, and I owe my life to your timely rescue. If you wish to mock me for it, I canât argue. Still, Iâm deeply grateful to you. Whatever past actions youâve taken against the Female Queendom, I will not hold them against you. As for Lynne, I have never blamed her, and I certainly wonât now. Let her be a testament to the friendship and harmony between our forces. After all, in Yomi, there are few places where women can stand with dignity and independence.â
âWitness? Your Majesty, what exactly do you mean by that?â Rakshasa-Onna asked, her curiosity piqued.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âLet Lynne return with me. She can remain in contact with you, and if thereâs anything you need from the Female Queendom, you can reach out to me through her. Wouldnât that be beneficial for both sides? It would also allow me to properly repay your kindness,â the Queen suggested.
âMy, my, Your Majesty, youâve thought this through, havenât you? But we saved you, and now you want to take such a lovely woman away from us?â Rakshasa-Onna laughed lightly.
âLetâs not hide anything. Kagami Lily is one of the Hundred Maidens of the Night Parade. She must return with us, and there are still many matters that need to be clarified,â Asura-Onna added sternly.
âYour Majesty, surely youâre aware of the Hundred Maidensâ Night Parade, a significant event handpicked by the madam herself from all across Yomi. Are you really planning to interfere with the madamâs business?â Rakshasa-Onna asked, her voice serious.
âWhatâ¦â At the mention of the madam, Queen Kaguya hesitated. She knew she couldnât oppose the madamâs plans, especially suspecting that Asura-Onna and Rakshasa-Onnaâs rescue had likely been on the madamâs orders, making it even more inappropriate for her to interfere.
âNo matter what Lynneâs past identity may have been, I spent five thousand Blood Spirit Magatamas to purchase her from a slave trader. By the rules of Yomi, even though you are our benefactors, I ask that you respect this,â Chiya stated firmly.
âFive thousand? Thatâs quite an investment, General,â Rakshasa-Onna remarked, surprised. âDoes Lily possess such charm that youâd wager your entire fortune?â
âChiya, stop discussing this,â the Queen interrupted, preventing Chiya from saying more about purchasing Lily.
Unexpectedly, Renka chimed in, âYour Majesty, Lily is wanted by Takamagahara for ten thousand Blood Spirit Magatamas. Spending five thousand isnât such a loss, is it?â
âWhat are you implying? That we would betray Lynne?â the Queen retorted angrily.
Asura-Onna walked over, her long sleeve sweeping across as she struck Renka to the ground. âControl your subordinate, sister! Since when does she have the right to speak here?â Asura-Onna snapped.
âOh dear, Renkaâs always like that. Sister, if she displeases you, next time you visit, we can punish her together,â Rakshasa-Onna said with a playful smirk.
âRenka admits her mistake! Please spare me! I wonât do it again!â Renka pleaded, fearing the potential punishment from the sisters, which could leave her bedridden for weeks.
âStep back! We donât have time to deal with you right now,â Asura-Onna ordered curtly.
âLily, why are you silent? Have you forgotten your oath?â Rakshasa-Onna reminded, her tone urging Lily to respond.
Lily longed to stay with the Queen and the others, especially after witnessing the memories of Tsukuyomi no Mikoto on the ancient battlefield, which deepened her sense of connection to the Goddess and the Celestial Maidens. However, she had sworn to return with Rakshasa-Onna and Asura-Onna, and breaking that promise now would be dishonorable.
Driven by her determination to save the Queen, Lily had sworn to return with them. To go back on her word now, in their presence, would tarnish her integrity. While she would use any tactic against an enemy, here, among those who were neither true allies nor foes but had shown her kindness, Lily felt bound to honor her vow.
Lily bowed apologetically and said, "Iâm sorry, Your Majesty. I made a promise that after this battle, I would return with Her Highness Rakshasa to fulfill the mission of the Hundred Maidens."
âWhy?â the Queen asked in surprise, clutching Lilyâs hand, clearly reluctant to let her leave. She whispered, "Is this the condition they set for saving me?"
âYour Majestyâ¦â
Caught in a difficult situation, the Queen, despite her strength and current predicament, couldnât force Lily to stay without risking Lilyâs honor or appearing ungrateful.
The Queen sighed deeply, still holding Lilyâs hand. "Lynne, do you realize the danger of the Hundred Maidens? Out of one hundred, only one survives. Though your strength has grown, the competition is about more than just power. Even the smallest risk worries me."
Lily gently reassured her, "Your Majesty, please donât worry. Beyond strength, there are other aspects where Iâm confident I wonât fall short."
Lilyâs confidence wasnât baseless. Her strength surpassed many of the other contestants, and when it came to other qualitiesâwhether beauty, grace, or eleganceâshe wasnât one to boast, but she was determined not to falter in her mission.
The Queen, feeling a bit more at ease, turned to Rakshasa-Onna and Asura-Onna. "Though I have faith in Lynneâs abilities, should she face defeat in the Night Parade, my queendom will spare no expense to ensure her freedom. I doubt any other place could offer a better bargain."
Her resolve was unmistakable.
"Rest assured, arrangements will be made for that," Rakshasa-Onna replied with a smile.
Moved, Lily responded, "I canât thank you enough, Your Majesty1."
âWhat do you mean, Lynne? You risked your life fighting Supreme Gods to save us!â the Queen added, echoing Lilyâs emotions.
âAlright, must we really have these discussions here in the Female Prison Hell?â Asura-Onna interrupted. âItâs time to leave. Lily, come with us.â
Helpless, Lily reluctantly released the Queenâs hand and moved toward Asura-Onna and Rakshasa-Onna.
âWait!â the Queen suddenly called out. âEven though Wakarai and Umashi have retreated, thereâs no guarantee they wonât try to ambush us again. It would be safer to travel together. Either of our groups could be at risk if we run into those two powerful foes alone.â
After a brief pause, the Queen added, âAllow me to accompany Lynne.â
The sisters exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
âWhat you say makes sense. Letâs return together,â Asura-Onna agreed.
âYour Majesty, what about the ancient battlefield? Weâve traveled this farâ¦â Yoshiya asked.
"If we split up now and Wakarai or Umashi return, what then? Additionally, if word of our trip to the ancient battlefield has spread, other powerful enemies may be on their way. Weâll have to set aside our mission for nowâ¦" The Queen spoke with reluctance. Though she longed to honor Tsukuyomi and the fallen sisters, she knew that if she were captured, who would carry out their final wishes?
Reluctantly, as they neared the edge of the ancient battlefield, they had no choice but to abandon their mission.
"Your Majesty, during the earlier chaos, I accidentally entered the ancient battlefield and managed to pay tribute on your behalf," Lily said gently.
"Is that so?" The Queenâs eyes glimmered with relief. "Lynne, Iâm ashamed it fell upon you to offer our respects."
"It was my duty, Your Majesty."
"As you mentioned, together we donât need to fear Wakarai and Umashi. However, if more powerful forces join them, the danger will be far greater. Letâs hurry back," Asura-Onna urged.
With that, the Queenâs group, along with Lily and the forces from the Asura and Rakshasa dojos, set off together. Their united front ensured that none of the abyssal demons dared to block their path, and those who tried were swiftly dealt with.
They quickly exited the Hell of Torment.
Once outside, the Queen summoned her Hachiwan chariot. Asura-Onna called forth a crimson cat demon, and Rakshasa-Onna summoned a phantom blue owl. Both mounts expanded in size, allowing everyone to ride comfortably.
At the Queenâs sincere request, Rakshasa-Onna permitted Lily to ride with her in the chariot for the journey home.
With their powerful flying mounts, the women began their journey back home.
Several miles away, in the mountains near the entrance to the Hell of Torment, Wakarai, Umashi, and their minions lay in ambush.
"Damn it! Theyâre coming back together!" Umashi growled, slamming his fist into a nearby boulder.
Wakarai, hovering in the air, shook his head in resignation. "Looks like weâve wasted our time here."
With no hope of capturing Lily, Wakarai summoned his thunderbird, still nursing its injuries. He instructed his underlings to wait for others before heading back. "Iâll go on ahead," he said, transforming into a bolt of lightning and vanishing.
Far from the Hell of Torment, there lay a vast, scorching mountain range that stretched for thousands of miles. Sulfurous fumes and molten metal continuously flowed over its highest peaks.
Interestingly, this mountain range grew atop the rocky firmament of Yomiâs domain, making it seem inverted when viewed from Yomiâs ground below.
Uesugi Rei, her long katana strapped to her back and silver hair flowing in the wind, emerged from a deep fissure in the mountains. Standing at the edge, she gazed upward at the vast, hellish expanse stretching beneath the sky.
âSo, this is Yomi-no-kuni2â¦â