Demon Sword Maiden-Novel

Volume 10 - Dream Eater: Chapter 1 – Cherry Blossom Valley and Suno

After the cataclysmic battle, Suno was no longer a land of peace, instead it had turned into a wasteland. Amid the rubble and the residual smoke that rose from the ground, a tengu hid, half his body decimated, and a terrible blade wound marking his back. His eyes glowed with hatred as he stared at the women in the distance.

“B?i?t?c?h?e?s?…one day, I’ll make you suffer ten times, no, a hundred times the pain you’ve given me today! Kagami Lily, Fujiwara no Ayaka!” Hagewashi Tengu muttered, teeth gritted. Despite his resentment, he fled, disappearing into the misty ruins.

……

The village was now a shadow of its former self. Its former residents – both villagers and demons – returned, but many who had lived here peacefully were now lost forever. Amid the wreckage, Ijuin looked around, then turned to the others, “What should we do now?”

Kimiko’s gaze turned distant. “With this battle, we have eliminated the danger of Shuten Doji, but our side has suffered severe losses. Lily might have won against Shuten, but it was pure luck and Shuten’s own sins punishing him. We stand no chance against Minamoto no Yoritomo and the Daitengu as we are now.”

“Lady Kimiko, what can we do…” Lily asked. Despite her victory, the situation had become even more precarious. Previously, Yoritomo hadn’t taken her seriously. Now, he’d see her as a significant threat. A countermeasure was needed before he received the news of the battle and took action.

Lily remembered the Cherry Blossom Valley. “We have a hidden base in the vast wilderness of Kanto, where many of my sisters live. Lady Ayaka has set up a maze formation to guard it. Yoritomo knows about the valley, but with the maze, they won’t find it. The valley has never been his focus. Unless he or Daitengu personally search the mountains between the Kai and Shinano provinces, they won’t find it. We could find shelter there for a while…”

“Cherry Blossom Valley…” Shiuu said, nostalgia in her eyes.

“The Cherry Blossom Valley is in Kanto, and the Divine Sun Formation within my manor has been destroyed. Even if I could repair it, we would need to go to Heian-kyo,” Ayaka countered, sounding discouraged.

“Divine Sun Formation?” Kimiko’s eyes sparkled with realization. “Ayaka, there’s a Divine Sun Formation here in the Suno Shrine. Though the Divine Sun and Moon formations typically form pairs, the counterpart in the mountains of the Imperial Palace has been destroyed. Since the pairs are no longer intact, it presents an opportunity. The Divine Sun Formation here can now be paired with the Divine Moon Formation in the valley.”

“Eh?” Everyone looked at her in surprise.

Kimiko explained further, “These ancient formations are divided between the sun and the moon, and linked through specific spatial artes. Establishing a connection between two formations requires high attainments in arte, and special treasures and talismans. Luckily, we have these special treasures and talismans here in Suno!”

“Is that true?” Ayaka was overjoyed, “If the treasures and talismans are here, then I can set it up.”

“Can we return to the Cherry Blossom Valley?” asked Lily, hope rising Noᴠelꜰire

¹. She worried not only for her sisters accompanying her but also for those in the valley.

Kimiko nodded, “Miss Ijuin, please help the villagers and demons settle down and reestablish the defenses of Suno. We must at least attempt to prevent news from getting out. The rest of you should first return to the annex to treat your wounds and rest. I will provide the specific methods later.”

Ijuin retorted angrily, “Lady Kimiko’s instructions are logical, however, we, the Tsunaga Sisters, don’t take orders from demons.”

“Huh?” Everyone looked taken aback.

“Obeying instructions and orders in an emergency is one thing, but we are human forces. Even if you, Madam Kimiko, are the world’s foremost arch-demon, you cannot command us. Of course, if Miss Lily gives the order, then we will obey.”

“……”

Lily was too tired to argue. She responded wearily, “Then I’ll entrust Miss Ijuin with the task of settling the Suno village and sealing the area.”

“I obey!” Ijuin kneeled, accepting the task. Ayaka wanted to reprimand Ijuin but saw no point. As long as the problem was solved, it was fine.

The Tsunaga Sisters prioritized getting the wounded, and Lily, back to Kimiko’s annex to rest.

Kimiko and Ayaka prioritized treating the demon cat, Nariaki, who was the most gravely injured. After that, they sought out Uesugi Rei’s antidote. Despite the severity of Nariaki’s injuries, there was truth to the saying, “cats have nine lives.” Given Nariaki’s lower realm status, Kimiko’s treasures were extremely effective in healing her.

Interestingly, the efficacy of the treasures was inversely proportional to the realm level. In other words, they worked better on those from lower realms. This meant that for someone like Kimiko, hailing from a much higher realm, and with her own significant injuries, the treasures offered little to no help.

“This antidote was specifically formulated by Shuten to combat the Dreaming Fragrance, Miss Uesugi,” said Ayaka. She stood in Uesugi Rei’s room, presenting a small bottle of pills to Rei, each emitting strange aura fluctuations. “Once you ingest it, the antidote should start working immediately.”

“Tha…thank you, Lady Ayaka.” Rei’s cheeks flushed a shade of pink. Her weakened condition prevented her from standing on her own. With Airi’s assistance, she managed to swallow the first pill.

The effect of the pill was nothing short of miraculous. After taking it, Rei could sit upright, and her thoughts became much clearer. The relentless exhaustion and insatiable lust that had been plaguing her finally came under control.

Taking a more serious tone, Ayaka warned, “The poison has deeply infiltrated your system, Miss Uesugi. For complete detoxification, you must take one pill every twelve days for a duration of three months. Keep the antidote within your reach always. And during this period, refrain from any sexual activity

² and avoid overexerting yourself.”

“Ah…I, I understand.” Despite her usually defiant nature, Uesugi Rei’s face was aflame with embarrassment. She had finally reunited with Lily and now she was faced with a three-month period of abstinence. The prospect was disheartening, Rei mused.

However, the most unexpected occurrence was yet to unfold. Upon falling asleep, Lily did not wake for a full three days and nights

³.

……

In the silent and deep darkness, a voice cooed, “Lily…” A warm yet enticing breath brushed against Lily’s ear.

“Mmmm…” Lily’s consciousness wavered on the edge of reality. She felt the pressure of a lithe body atop her, not too soft, yet assertive, bearing down on her tender breasts.

“Mmm, no, don’t do that…” Her words came out as a moan.

A slender, agile hand slid between her legs, exploiting her inability to resist. An alluring sensation welled up from within her, like a drop of crystalline dew transforming into a line of exhilaration that taunted her.

“Eheheh… Lil’ Lily, you’re so cute…”

“Don’t, no, I don’t want…” Lily’s protests were weak.

Opening her eyes revealed nothing but darkness. A sliver of light shamelessly highlighted her chest, thighs, and the silhouette of the dark-haired maiden pressing down on her.

“Sister Shimizu, no, don’t… stop, what are you doing…” Lily wanted to push back, but found her strength and resolve slipping away. The world around her was a blur, soft, mesmerizing, and powerless.

“Ehehe, it’s alright. Aren’t we all sisters? Could it be that you don’t like me? Tell me, do you like me?” Shimizu’s whisper brushed against Lily’s lips.

“That, that isn’t the problem, the walls… the neighbors will hear… we can’t, we can’t do this, no! I, I…”

“What are you afraid of? No one will see. The world is dark, and joyful times are fleeting, shouldn’t we seize the moment of happiness we can find? In this vast world, you and I are so insignificant. Yet, only at this moment can we truly feel alive. Isn’t it so?” As Shimizu spoke, she twisted her body and rubbed against Lily.

“You… what are you saying? I don’t understand.” Lily’s resistance was weak, and she turned her head away in shame.

Suddenly, amidst the darkness, Lily spotted Fujiwara no Ayaka. Bathed under a gentle white light, dressed in a white robe, Ayaka stood there, silently observing her. Her eyes gleamed with magnificence.

“Ahh——!!!” Lily woke up with a start.

Her gaze swept across a small room, and a soft light was filtering in through the paper window… Was it a dream?

Lily’s robe was open at the chest, her body was slick with sweat, and her breathing rapid. She couldn’t resist the urge to look under the quilt, her cheeks turned crimson.

“What… what’s going on? Why would I have that kind of dream?”

“Lily?” The room door creaked open, and there stood Ayaka, garbed in a white robe, her stance poised, resembling the Ayaka from her dream.

“Ah!” Caught off guard, Lily clutched the quilt and concealed her body underneath. She turned to Ayaka, panic in her eyes. “No, I didn’t… nothing… Sister Ayaka, you misunderstood…”

“Hm?” Ayaka had awoken refreshed that day, her complexion bright. “Misunderstood? What did I misunderstand?”

“Huh? What is…” Lily’s gaze darted around the room, it was empty. Could Shimizu be hiding in the closet? Or maybe outside the window? Impossible.

Slowly regaining her composure, Lily managed a lopsided smile. “Nothing… nothing…”

“Hm…?” Ayaka glanced at the state of Lily’s clothes and complexion before offering her a knowing smile.

References

Robinxen: I wonder how this will progress…

Robinxen: Uh-oh.

Robinxen: That’s not too surprising to be honest, she not only got a massive power up but also fought beyond her means.