Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 24 – Exactly what is Lily’s condition?

Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 24 – Exactly what is Lily’s condition?

Rei swiftly restrained Momiji, forcing her onto her knees. Momiji, noticeably weaker than the rest, submitted without protest or embarrassment. In her eyes, being physically subdued was inconsequential compared to the shame of showing discomfort or fear.

“Lily, how are you feeling?” Shizuka approached with concern. “That formation’s force was immense, strong enough to grievously injure a quintuple-soul big dipper expert. Yet, you seem unharmed...”

Shizuka reached to check Lily’s pulse, finding it robust but otherwise normal. As she moved to sense Lily’s heartbeat, Ayaka interjected, stopping her. “Madam Shizuka, there’s no need. Neither of us can discern anything unusual. The only oddity is the increasing intensity of seductive fluctuations...”

“Sisters, I’m fine. The formation is destroyed, and I... I need to rest for a while,” Lily insisted. Her radiant appearance contrasted with her desire for solitude, a departure from her usual demeanor.

Yoritomo, unaware of the formation’s specific effects, only knew it would target Lily. But what was its true impact? It seemed only Momiji and Lily herself held that knowledge. With Lily reticent, they were left in the dark.

Without further discussion, Lily ascended into the shimmering night sky, heading for the great sedan. Rei’s puppet soldiers escorted Momiji, who showed no intention of fleeing, to a temporary holding room in the sedan’s lower levels.

As they settled, heavy footsteps resounded. The vengeful spirit of Fujiwara no Hidehira returned. “I’ve slain most of Minamoto no Yoritomo’s minions! The rest have fled. I regret being manipulated by that traitor!”

Noticing Lily’s absence, Hidehira inquired, “Has Miss Lily retired to the sedan? I sensed a powerful fluctuation in the city but saw no change in your auras, so I didn’t hurry back. Is she alright?”

Ayaka reassured him, “Lily was a bit weary and has gone to rest. We appreciate your concern and assistance.”

“What are you saying? It was I who caused you trouble,” Hidehira responded humbly.

Ayaka thought to herself that he indeed had, but refrained from saying it aloud.

The message from Momiji, inclusive of any gender as a potential partner, only added to her turmoil. Overwhelmed, Lily lay on the floor, weakened, her body barely responding. Reaching her limit, she doused her face with water, trying to regain some semblance of control. “Momiji’s words are not groundless,” she mused, “but they might not be the entire truth. For now, I can control myself, whether I have to fight or train. I must get accustomed to this feeling.”

With renewed determination, she focused on her willpower, vowing not to succumb to the curse. “I have defeated invincible enemies; I will not lose to this,” Lily whispered to herself. “I must endure.” Her resolve strengthened, but the struggle within continued, a battle of endurance against an unseen foe.

Lily lay weakly against the wall, her eyes closed. In her mind’s eye, crimson clouds and rain mingled with the images of Rei, Shimizu, and Ayaka, who appeared to be gazing down at her from an unusual perspective, as though she was lying down and watching them approach. The perspective was indescribable and somewhat disorienting.

Shaking her head, Lily tried to dispel these thoughts. “Senior sister...” she murmured. “If sister Rinne awakens now...then everything would not be a problem...” But then she chastised herself, “No, no, no! What are these shameless thoughts? Even if it’s sister Rinne, I can’t take it for granted!” Overwhelmed, Lily’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I cannot, definitely cannot!” she resolved. “Oh... Senior sister, when will you awaken?” But then she questioned her own weakness, “No! How can I be so weak and push everything onto sister Rinne? Shouldn’t I resist and search out another method? Momiji may not know of other solutions, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist!”

At night, Lily tossed and turned, finally falling asleep in the early morning. Despite the difficulty, she managed to sleep for two days. When she awoke, she appeared coquettish and lazy. “Lily, we’ve almost arrived at Takadachi,” Ayaka informed her from outside the room.

Takadachi, after so many years, no longer bore the scars of war. Deep mountain roads, abundant with bushes and weeds, were drenched by a gentle drizzle, the raindrops clinging to the green leaves. The rare glow of daylight illuminated the skies, deepening their experience as they climbed the moss-covered stone steps. This was the place where Yoshitsune fell, yet it looked so ordinary, as if time had forgotten and buried it.

Lily, clad in a white kimono that covered her entire body, stood silently to the side, reserving the day’s red clothes for Shizuka Gozen, the one who deserved to be the most beautiful today. Her hair was tied back into a simple ponytail with a green hairband, and she tried to maintain a dignified posture despite the inner turmoil she felt.

As the group ascended the stairs, putting away the sedan to show respect to Yoshitsune, they asked Lily, “Are you really fine?” Her face flushed pink, Lily replied, “Mm, I’m fine.”

Reaching the depths of the mountain, they encountered a foggy area radiating an evil and ferocious aura. Lily bit her lower lip, struggling to keep her body from reacting to the internal fluctuations. As they moved through the mist, they were confronted not by Takadachi, but by a tall, eighteen-meter warrior monk statue, standing in the middle of the path with a naginata. His eyes, hidden in shadows, seemed to radiate a fierce gaze.

Their hearts raced at the sight, nearly compelling them to request permission to enter. Yet, as extraordinary adepts, they quickly regained their composure. They realized that this warrior monk, Musashibo Benkei, had been dead for many years. His undecayed corpse, surrounded by the bones of those he had slain, formed an eerie circle around him.

In Ise, Lily had encountered Benkei’s vengeful spirit; now, she stood before his physical remains, motionless in eternal vigil before his master’s grave. The group, in solemn respect, clasped their hands in salute, preparing to bypass the monk to enter Takadachi. However, a commanding voice suddenly echoed through the forest, halting them in their tracks: “Who dares invade such a pure place! You will not take another step!”