Volume 2, Chapter 36 – The Identity of Onigumo’s Faction

Volume 2, Chapter 36 - The Identity of Onigumo’s Faction

Translator: Immortal Dreamer

Lily and Shimizu stopped embracing since they estimated that the Ashikaga’s men who were patrolling out on the street would arrive soon.

Lily looked at the dead body before her, “These men have straight swords on them and also use evil techniques like controlling spiders. They don’t seem like normal samurai.”

“They are ninjas, so all of them are carrying ninja swords. That spider-control skill is also an evil ninja art,” Shimizu stated, “Let’s go. We should return.”

“Eh? But our mission... is it really related to these people?”

“It’s almost certain that these guys were behind the disappearances of the girls recently and also the brutal murders. Their accomplices must still be out there.” Shimizu commented softly.

“Why are you so certain? Although, even I feel the same...”

“Their actual target was me,” Shimizu stated after a moment of silence.

“Eh?”

“It’s more accurate to say that they are hunting the mirror girls. They received information from somewhere that a mirror girl has appeared in Kamakura. Hence, they targeted all the women they suspected and murdered them after realizing they weren’t the mirror girl. Those spiders controlled by the ninja skill fed on the women’s heart.”

“What?! Did these ninjas use such a cruel method to rear spiders?” Lily covered her mouth in shock, disgust bubbled up from the depths of her heart.

“No, it’s unnecessary to use a woman’s heart for raising low-leveled monsters like these spiders. But they must have done it to strengthen the spider’s demonic powers substantially. Perhaps it’s related to how they found out the mirror girl’s location.”

“Sister Shimizu, why must they desire the demise of the mirror girls?”

Shimizu shook her head, “Since ancient times, the monsters and some powers have always been hunting the mirror girls, wishing they could eradicate them all. The rumors say that the mirror girl is the harbinger of misfortune and doom. However, the truth behind it is that the monsters and those powers inevitably implicate the surroundings while hunting the mirror girls. It’s really too malicious to push all the blame onto the mirror girls for this!”

“Getting murdered because they cannot change their fate even though they have done no wrong, this is something I don’t agree with!” Lily stated with a resolute gaze.

“Lily, you really feel that way?”

Lily nodded firmly. Just like her inevitable arrival in this Heian world, if the world considered these things as sins, then it was undoubtedly an unjust one! Lily wouldn’t adopt a hypercritical show of goodness, but she would hold on to the justice in her heart!

“Then, Lily. Are you willing to accompany me in protecting the mirror girls of the world, to fight those monsters and the evil powers acting behind the scene?” A resolute gleam flashed through Shimizu’s eyes.

“Eh? Fight?” Lily blanked out, “I don’t dare to even think about taking up such a distant righteous cause. However, if Sister Shimizu were to fall under any harm or danger, I would fight alongside you even if my strength is lacking!”

“I feel happy that you think that way, Lily, but do you believe I should hide in Kamakura forever? And defend my life while just assuming the identity of the dojo’s genius?”

“...”

A commotion sounded out from downstairs at this moment.

“Lord Ashikaga, it’s right ahead.”

“You all, go defend the exit!”

It seemed that the geishas had sought out the Ashikaga’s samurai.

Shimizu enunciated, “Lily, I won’t hide it from you. Before long, I will do what I just told you, until the day...”

The footsteps neared.

“Oh my, don’t keep calling me ‘Lady’ like an outsider. Right! I heard Lil’ Lyn is an orphan? It seems like you have no home to return to, so why don’t you consider this place as your home? Mhm... I might as well take you in as my adopted daughter, how about it?” Ashikaga Makoto looked at Lily with her limpid eyes.

“T-That’s...” This subject had popped up so suddenly and entirely out of context, so Lily felt baffled about it.

“Ahem! Mama, let’s discuss the proper matters first, okay? Although this matter of adoption is also critical, let’s talk about it at a later date. You proposed it so suddenly, so even Miss Kagami must have felt astonished, right?” Kiyoshi interrupted his mother.

“Ah... Yes, proper matters... right... What was it again?”

“...” Shimizu, who literally had no presence here, felt like just getting up and leaving.

But Ashikaga Makoto’s gaze turned somewhat intellectual soon. She said, “The dead bodies and spiders’ carcasses have already reached the Bureau of Onmyō, which is situated close to this hall and beside the Kamakura Imperial Palace. I believe we will be receiving a report soon, so all we need to do is wait here.”

“So it was like that,” Lily realized that although this Ashikaga Makoto had an unusual personality, she was actually highly intelligent, which might be the reason it appeared as stupidity to others.

The room turned silent for a moment.

Ashikaga Makoto picked up the snacks and said, “Since we have to wait anyway, why don’t we talk about the matter of adoption?”

“Eh?”

“Lil’ Lyn, are you willing to become my adopted daughter?”

“Ehhh?!” Lily peeked towards Shimizu a little embarrassedly.

Shimizu replied icily, “Lily, why are you looking at me? It’s a huge honor to become the adopted daughter of Lady Ashikaga, who is one of the Furinkazan. Are you telling me you’re unable to decide it on your own?”

Lily pondered over it. Indeed. If I were to refuse such an exalted woman’s proposal, it would be disrespecting her. I can’t overlook her genuine identity just because she appears so amicable and a little weird!

Lily straightened her back and stated solemnly, “Lady Ashikaga, Lily has lost her memories and is akin to an orphan living alone in this world. If you don’t mind that, Lily is willing to become your adopted daughter.”

“Really? Lil’ Lyn, I feel so happy that you are willing to do so! Alright, let me listen to you say it then~ Call me mama,” Ashikaga Makoto narrowed her eyes while beaming with happiness. Her face lit up with sublime joy as she firmly grabbed Lily’s shoulders.

“Eh? That’s...” Although she had agreed, it felt too sudden for her to call this girl-like pretty woman ‘mama’ in front of everyone.

“Mother! Don’t embarrass Miss Kagami again,” Ashikaga Kiyoshi also felt ashamed and thought it might have been better if he weren’t present here.

Ashikaga Naoto rushed inside at this moment.

“Mother! Brother! Huff-huff...”

“Naoto, calm down and speak slowly,” Kiyoshi hinted Naoto to take a seat.

The tall, handsome man sat down then said, “The Bureau of Onmyō has already reached a preliminary evaluation. These people might be from the Fuma clan!”

“Fuma clan?!” Lily was very familiar with the Fuma clan. Her personal ninja girl, Shiu, belonged to this Fuma clan before, and it seemed that this Fuma clan also worked with the Hojo clan. Although they engaged in a lot of evil, shady businesses, Lily had never thought the Fuma clan would also get involved in the hunt for the mirror girl.

Ashikaga Makoto’s gaze turned severe, “Fuma clan? This ninja clan has committed sins too many times already. If we can ascertain it’s their doing, we can request the Kamakura Imperial Palace to pass down a decree.”

“A decree?” Even Shimizu felt stunned after hearing this.

Ashikaga Kiyoshi stated with a grim expression, “A decree is no small matter. The Ashikaga family will get reprimanded if we don’t present hard evidence. Is the Bureau of Onmyō certain about it?”

“That’s... they are almost certain, but when it comes to hard evidence...” Naoto faltered.

Lily interjected at this moment, “If we need to ascertain whether they are really from the Fuma clan, I might have a method to prove it!”