Volume 9 - Dojigiri: Chapter 22 – Musashibo Benkei

Volume 9 - Dojigiri: Chapter 22 – Musashibo Benkei

“Lord Yoshitsune, you’ve been silently guarding us all this time...” Lily expressed her gratitude sincerely.

Observing the transformation in Lily, Yoshitsune nodded in satisfaction. “Lily, it appears you have learned a great deal during these two months.”

Lily modestly replied, “There is still much for me to learn...”

“Such modesty and grace.” Yoshitsune nodded again. Lily was truly a captivating individual, reminiscent of the charm possessed by Shizuka Gozen in her time. However, Lily had a unique ability to captivate others subtly. Being a person of immense strength, Yoshitsune could only feel a mix of melancholy and joy upon witnessing such a remarkable protégé. He harbored no ill intentions whatsoever.

“However, Lily, Shuten Doji was already an ancient Archdemon who occupied Mount Ooe in my time. While he may not be as audacious as he is now, he remains treacherous and cunning. You must exercise caution. Your current strength and experience are insufficient to confront him directly,” Yoshitsune cautioned.

Lily nodded, taking his advice to heart. “I understand.”

“And above all, be wary of falling into his traps,” Yoshitsune emphasized.

Lily solemnly nodded once more, fully grasping the gravity of the situation.

“Lord Yoshitsune, is there anything else you wish to impart to me?” Lily inquired respectfully.

“Lily, I have imparted all the knowledge you require. What lies ahead is now in your hands. If you have any further questions, you may always seek me out at the Heavenly Gate. As long as I remain here...” Yoshitsune paused briefly. “By the way, remember what I advised you about avoiding Benkei.”

“Yes, I understand,” Lily replied, assuring him of her comprehension.

Yoshitsune’s voice softened. “And... should you encounter Shizuka.”

“Lord Yoshitsune?” Lily murmured quietly. Gẹtt the latest novels at n.o/(v)/e/l/bin(.)com

Yoshitsune hesitated for a moment before continuing, “...forget it. Do not say anything to her.”

“I understand,” Lily bowed in silence.

“Very well, you may go,” Yoshitsune acknowledged her understanding with a nod of satisfaction before dissipating into golden light.

He had once been a hero of his generation, now reduced to a heroic spirit bound by his unwavering sense of justice. Despite his inability to depart from this realm, he continued to safeguard the world. Yoshitsune was a figure deserving of utmost respect.

Regrettably, this heroic spirit could no longer reunite with his beloved

1.

After bidding their farewells, Lily and Ayaka retraced their steps on the Ascending Road, their minds filled with thoughts and uncertainties. Lily couldn’t help but steal glances at Ayaka, contemplating whether her sister held any knowledge about the Mirror Girl’s destiny, as hinted in her dreams. The questions lingered, but with their pressing mission at hand, Lily had no time to dwell on them further.

As they journeyed back, they encountered no guardians to impede their progress. Following Yoshitsune’s advice, they covered their heads with scarves, an attempt to mimic his previous crossing. With each step, trepidation coursed through Lily’s veins. Ahead, within the ruins of the temple, the imposing figure of Musashibo Benkei basked in the moonlight, casting an ominous presence.

As they approached Benkei, Lily couldn’t shake off the sense of trepidation that enveloped her. Both she and Ayaka instinctively lowered their heads and proceeded cautiously, adhering to the method Yoshitsune had advised them.

“Lily, I just recalled a myth from long ago,” Ayaka whispered, breaking the silence. “We must walk across one by one. Yoshitsune crossed the bridge alone, wearing the scarf. If we were to walk together, it wouldn’t recreate the scene. He might try to stop us.”

Ayaka’s observation resonated with Lily. “You’re right, sister.”

Determined to forge ahead, Ayaka made her intentions clear. “Let’s proceed, Lily. I’ll go first.”

Lily, equally resolved, refused to let Ayaka shoulder the risk alone. “No, I’ll take the first step.”

Lily cast a sorrowful and helpless glance at Benkei but could only turn away and continue her journey. After passing him, Ayaka and Lily emerged from the ancient mountain path and reached the shores of Ise.

As Lily gazed back at the Ise Heavenly Gate, a premonition stirred within her. She had a feeling that she would return to this place sooner than she expected.

Summoning the demon bird, Lily and Ayaka mounted the creature and took to the skies, heading towards Suno.

In the dark and desolate Shogun’s residence in Heian-kyo, Minamoto no Yoritomo entered through a side entrance and settled in the main hall.

“Lord Shogun!”

A bleeding head of an Onmyoji floated inside, its appearance utterly wretched.

“Lord Abe no Taisei?” Yoritomo was taken aback by the sight of the severed head. “What has happened to you? How did you end up like this?”

“Lord Shogun... You... You’ve finally returned! It’s terrible! Those two women... they did this to me!” Abe no Taisei’s disheveled head, covered in dirt, blood, and fallen leaves, conveyed his distress.

“Lord Taisei, please calm down. What exactly happened? Take your time and explain. Weren’t you with Hakure?” Yoritomo inquired. After the conflict on the ritual site, he had been absent from Heian-kyo for a while, attending to other matters.

Abe no Taisei’s head, mistaken for a demon, had been relentlessly pursued when attempting to enter Heian-kyo. Only a select few knew of his true identity. With no choice, he sought refuge in the Shogun’s residence, but Yoritomo was absent. Fearing for his life if he revealed himself, he had no choice but to hide.

“Lord Shogun, Young Master Hakure... he... he was killed by two women!”

“What?” Yoritomo’s eyes grew sharp, though his expression remained impassive. Nevertheless, the entire residence quaked with tension.

Taisei proceeded to recount the events that had unfolded.

“I see...” Yoritomo’s countenance remained inscrutable, yet a tinge of sadness seemed to flicker across his stoic face. “So, it was Kagami Lily once again? Lord Taisei, I can almost confirm that it was Kagami Lily and Fujiwara no Ayaka who took the life of my son, Hakure. He was the most talented among all my children.”

Based on Taisei’s description, the culprits consisted of a towering female Onmyoji and a dazzling female samurai clad in red. Considering their abilities, it could only be them among the countless individuals in the Heian Dynasty. However, Taisei did not recognize Kagami Lily.

“Lord Shogun, you must avenge Young Master’s death! Those women entered the Ascending Road in Ise. I don’t know their intentions, but they even seized the Lunar Crystal!”

Yoritomo appeared indifferent upon hearing that the Lunar Crystal had been stolen. However, an undercurrent of anguish surpassed the loss of his son.

“Kagami Lily and Fujiwara no Ayaka are now the Empire’s most wanted fugitives. I will spare no effort in capturing them. However, it has been two months, and I am uncertain if they are still within the confines of the Ise Heavenly Gate.”

Yoritomo promptly ordered an investigation, yet he refrained from taking immediate action. Due to various circumstances, he had not personally approached the Ise Heavenly Gate unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, significant time had already passed, making his intervention too late.

Engulfed in numerous responsibilities, he found himself unable to venture far. Meanwhile, his clone, Kamakura, was occupied with other matters and unavailable. Lily and Ayaka had managed to defeat Taisei and four single-soul Big Dippers. At present, Yoritomo likely lacked capable individuals to confront them.

“The heavenly order is collapsing. These two demonesses are wreaking havoc upon the world

2. Even Heian-kyo itself suffers from the Empire’s weakness,” Yoritomo realized, his tone tinged with resignation.

“Lord Shogun, are we to let Young Master’s death go unanswered?”

“Lord Taisei, I will arrange for medical attention for you. Please, calm yourself. For the sake of stability in the world and to completely eradicate these demonesses, I have been toiling relentlessly, as you are well aware.”

References

Robinxen: Could they not just like... send letters?

Robinxen: That’s what you see them as huh?