Demon Sword Maiden Volume 8 - Higanbana: Chapter 45 – Minamoto no Yoritomo

Volume 8 - Higanbana: Chapter 45 – Minamoto no Yoritomo

The revitalizing spiritual liquid flowed into Ayaka’s mouth, causing her eyelids to tremble as her aura became more pronounced. Her condition was gradually improving.
Amidst the chaotic scene, Lily realized that time was of the essence, and the current progress wasn’t enough. She extended her hand, still coated with the spiritual liquid, and carefully placed it beneath Ayaka’s belt. With gentle strokes around her navel
1, where the Spirit Palace resided in women, Lily pushed aside her embarrassment and focused on the task at hand. She knew they couldn’t afford to waste any time.
As the spiritual energy seeped into Ayaka’s Spirit Palace, the effects were evident. The combination of different methods proved to be effective in rapidly restoring her vitality.
Clang! A colossal black-armored warrior, attempting to attack Lily from behind, was swiftly struck down by a powerful wave of dark stellar sword energy.
“Lil’ Lily, please hurry…”
As the giant warrior fell, Shimizu’s eyes widened in astonishment. The sight before her was that of Lily holding Ayaka’s chin, engaged in what appeared to be an intimate act, with her other hand discreetly placed under Ayaka’s skirt, attending to a specific area.
“What… What are you doing?” Shimizu asked, her voice filled with shock. Despite the urgency of the situation, she understood that Lily’s actions were not driven by impure intentions. However, witnessing such intimacy between two women right in front of her left her feeling a tinge of melancholy.
“Huh?” Lily was equally taken aback. Blushing furiously, she turned towards Shimizu. Despite knowing she hadn’t done anything wrong, a nervousness gripped her. “I… I am… Sister Shimizu, please don’t misunderstand. I am replenishing Lady Ayaka’s spirit power!”
Shimizu knew very well that there was no misunderstanding. However, a sense of sadness clouded her gaze, and she spoke with a gentle yet firm tone. “I understand, Lil’ Lily. Let me take over.”
“Huh?” Lily’s surprise was evident as Shimizu swiftly approached and gently nudged her aside. “Lady Ayaka is your sister, so she’s also my sister.”
Embracing Ayaka, Shimizu delicately used her fingers to part Ayaka’s lips. “Give it to me.”
Lily reluctantly handed Shimizu some Life-Recovery Magatama, her disbelief evident in her expression. Although Shimizu felt hesitant, she knew it was a better alternative than Lily performing the task herself.
With a sense of detachment, Shimizu placed a Magatama in her mouth and held the liquefied Magatama in her hand, mirroring Lily’s actions. She kissed Ayaka’s lips with an indifferent expression and discreetly slipped her hand under Ayaka’s skirt
2…
Lily’s eyes widened as she watched the scene unfold, momentarily dazed by the situation.
Suddenly, thunderous noises reverberated through the sky. Yoritomo appeared, adorned in dark armor and wearing a Demon mask. Alongside him was Michizane, both wielding long swords several meters in length, engaged in a fierce battle.
Their battle raged across the area, from the ground floor to the pavilion of the Imperial Palace.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The dark sky flickered and crackled with energy as the battle between these two formidable warriors intensified. The clash between Michizane and Yoritomo sent shockwaves through the air.
Michizane, a Quintuple-soul Big Dipper, had honed his skills for centuries, boasting an array of techniques. Despite exchanging hundreds of blows with Yoritomo in a matter of minutes, they remained locked in a stalemate.
However, Yoritomo’s abilities carried an air of ominous power. As they fought, dark, ethereal figures materialized and launched themselves at Michizane, tearing at his robes and emanating a palpable Resentment Energy. Some clung to his shoulders and arms, threatening to overwhelm him.
With his broom-like beard bristling and anger surging within him, Michizane unleashed a torrent of lightning bolts, vaporizing the ghostly assailants with precise strikes.
Yoritomo possessed a unique blend of blunt and indirect abilities. He skillfully deflected Michizane’s attacks, causing them to lose their impact like striking through mud. Yet, there were instances when Yoritomo unleashed devastating offensive maneuvers, distorting the surrounding space with swirling black energy and inflicting injuries upon Michizane.
Despite their intense exchange of hundreds of blows, Michizane found himself gradually falling into a disadvantageous position. The raw power and unpredictability of Yoritomo’s attacks were taking their toll.
However, both Michizane and Yoritomo, being Big Dippers with multiple souls, possessed near-infinite reserves of spiritual energy and strength. The outcome of their battle could not be determined by a mere temporary disadvantage. It was exceedingly difficult to kill another Big Dipper of equal strength unless they were truly willing to risk their lives in the process.
On the other side, Masakado, a quadruple-soul Big Dipper, harbored intense resentment towards the royalty, which fueled his ferocity in combat. With relentless determination, he momentarily overwhelmed Daitengu, a quintuple-soul Big Dipper. The extent of Daitengu’s power remained unknown, but his arsenal of ominous abilities was vast. Gradually, he relied on these abilities to suppress Masakado.
However, this suppression only served to place Masakado at a disadvantage. It wouldn’t be easy for Daitengu to secure a victory against him.
“Miss Kagami!” Michizane called out to Lily, momentarily disengaging from his battle with Yoritomo. Swinging his metal brush, he unleashed a barrage of powerful runic spells. “We can’t sustain this any longer. Quickly, rescue her!”
Indeed, Michizane realized that without risking his life or depleting his most valuable treasures, he couldn’t fend off Yoritomo for much longer.
“Sister Shimizu, let’s move swiftly and take her away!” Lily shouted, sensing the signs of fatigue in both Masakado and Michizane. Time was of the essence.
If they used everything at their disposal, Yoritomo would be in danger. However, risking their lives to save Ayaka was not their intention. They were merely extending a helping hand and did not have an antagonistic relationship with the current status quo. They wouldn’t go to extreme lengths to rescue her.
Though Ayaka remained unconscious, her spirit power had partially replenished, and her condition seemed to have improved. Her resilient physical body allowed her to regenerate quickly with a small amount of spirit power. However, the severe injuries inflicted by the Cloistered Emperor would take more time to heal.
“Let’s go!” Shimizu and Lily carefully placed Ayaka on the back of the Demon Hound. Interestingly, the Demon Hound originally belonged to the Fujiwara Clan and held great affection for Ayaka. Finally, it had the opportunity to protect its former owner.
As they prepared to protect the Demon Hound and escort Ayaka to safety, an overwhelming and dark oppressive force suddenly emerged from behind them. The source of this oppression appeared to be Yoritomo.
Lily turned around in terror, only to see Yoritomo locked in battle with Michizane near the entrance of the palace, oblivious to the presence of Lily and her companions.
“What’s happening?” Lily wondered aloud.
The oppressive force continued to intensify, causing Shimizu to collapse to her knees despite her enhanced strength. She struggled to catch her breath under the weight of the pressure.
“Stay alert!” Lily sensed the impending danger and swiftly lifted Shimizu back up, holding Ayaka with her other hand. In the spot they had just occupied, ancient black square pillars suddenly jutted out of the ground with immense force, impaling the area where they had been standing.
The impact force instantly dispersed the manifested body of the Demon Hound. Had Lily hesitated for just a moment longer, both Ayaka and Shimizu would have been in grave danger.
Stepping on the scattered sakura petals, Lily swiftly carried Ayaka, inadvertently placing her hand on her perky butt, while grasping onto Shimizu with her other hand. She turned her gaze towards the east, her heart filled with shock and anger at the source of this power.
“Who? Who could it be?”
The air quivered as powerful tremors resonated through the surroundings. A towering figure, standing at ten meters tall, emerged from the east. This middle-aged samurai wore blue attire and a black hat, striding forward on a black cloud, passing by rows of structures as he approached.
Lily could hardly believe her eyes, as she never expected to see this person in such a circumstance.
“Yoritomo?”
However, the Yoritomo she knew was currently engaged in battle with Michizane to the north, clad in black samurai armor. And now, two Yoritomos stood before her, creating a perplexing and bewildering sight.
“How… is this even possible?” Lily exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.
“Heheheheh, I’ve finally arrived. Long time no see, Miss Kagami,” the Yoritomo in blue attire floated above the eastern side of the Palace square. His voice held a genuine tone, as if addressing an old acquaintance.
The other Yoritomo remained focused on his ongoing battle, maintaining silence.
Both of them emitted an identical presence and aura, yet each evoked a distinct feeling within Lily.
“Another Yoritomo has arrived from the East…” Lily’s eyes widened as she grasped the truth.
“Lord Kamakura!”
Lily recalled her conversation with Yoritomo, where he mentioned his ability to create clones. This must be his clone that had been stationed in the East, known as Lord Kamakura.
Her deduction proved correct.
In the midst of the escalating situation, Yoritomo, realizing that matters were spiraling out of control, instructed his rarely departing clone in Kamakura to utilize the Divine Moon Formation. This would transport him to his residence in Heian-kyo, allowing him to swiftly arrive at the scene.
Lily’s heart sank as she realized that this clone possessed an aura just as potent as the original Yoritomo. Despite sharing the same soul, they did not share their spiritual energy. Now, there were two supreme powerhouses in their presence.
Although this clone’s aura was slightly weaker than the original Yoritomo, it still surpassed Lily’s own strength. It was comparable to Masakado, a formidable opponent in his own right.
With both Michizane and Masakado currently engaged and facing suppression from Yoritomo and Daitengu respectively, there seemed to be no one capable of confronting the clone.
Lily knew they had to escape swiftly. She turned around, ready to flee with Ayaka and Shimizu. However, a pang of concern struck her. What about Shiu and her other sisters?
Just as Lily hesitated, Lord Kamakura spoke, his voice calm and inviting. “Long time no see, Miss Kagami. Please stay and indulge me in a conversation.”
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of towering wooden pillars emerged from the ground, enclosing the chaotic battlefield. With the exception of the side facing the Palace, the other three directions were now completely sealed off.
A wave of astonishment rippled through everyone amidst the chaotic scene, including the Tsunaga Sisters. The appearance of these indestructible black wooden pillars left them in awe and disbelief.
Before long, a mysterious and ancient entity emerged
3, perched atop the wooden pillars, concealed by a dark mist.
“Hahahahaha! It seems you’re in quite a predicament, Yorimoto. Even in your moment of desperation, you find yourself relying on the might of our Hojo Clan. Though we have dwelled beneath the surface for countless years!” With a sinister laughter, they taunted Yorimoto.
The figure that emerged was a cunning-looking middle-aged woman with a pale face. She donned a worn yet elegant jacket and formal dress, exuding the aura of a double-soul Big Dipper. Strangely, a peculiar object resembling a desiccated toddler’s skull hung from her waist, its authenticity questionable.
Beside her, on another wooden pillar, stood an old man with a white beard, dressed in ragged purple garments. He wielded a peculiar double-headed Naginata.
“Hojo Clan?” Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed upon the dozens of powerful individuals standing on the surrounding wooden pillars. “This can’t be! Wasn’t the Hojo Clan eradicated?”
Moreover, the current strength displayed by the Hojo Clan far surpassed any previous accounts.
“Hmph, we are the ancient Hojo Clan. Do not compare us to our feeble descendants and branch families! I am Hojo Masako,” the shrewd woman declared.
Her presence exuded a barely-human, intense, and venomous aura, leaving everyone uncertain whether she was truly alive or deceased.References

Silva: navel? If this isn’t being censored, I’ll bet the author’d go for the nether region.
Robinxen: I have……. so many questions!
Robinxen: This battle is escalating quickly.