Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 53 – Oborozuki

Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 53 – Oborozuki

This scabbard, entirely black with silver inscriptions, seemed to glow with a golden halo under the light, creating an aura of mystique and power. The sheathed blade, extending over four feet in length, glided through the sky as if the very air itself was parting to avoid the cold sword intent emanating from within.

Lily leaped up, reaching for the blade in a fluid motion. However, a massive tail swung towards her with daunting speed. With no time to spare, Lily dodged sideways as swiftly as she could, abandoning her attempt to catch the blade. Remarkably, despite never having touched this blade before, it seemed to resonate with her, altering its flight path to land in Lily’s hand.

The moment Lily’s hand clasped the scabbard, she felt an overwhelming sense of compatibility. The blade’s energy fluctuations penetrated deep into her being, intertwining with her spirit energy in a seamless fusion, as if she and the blade were one entity.

Lily’s heart raced with excitement. Without even unsheathing the long sword, she knew this weapon was extraordinary. “What is this feeling? This sense of unity feels as if it originates from the depths of my very soul, from a distant past...”

The blade was drawn with a swift movement, releasing a hazy pulse that spread through the heavens and earth. This subtle yet pervasive power, unstoppable like moisture in the air, parted the large dark clouds, unveiling a luminous full moon in the night sky.

Holding the beautiful blade, Lily marveled at its weightlessness, akin to an extension of her own arm. The blade moved effortlessly through the air, its passage marked by a soft sound, slicing through the very atmosphere. Despite its apparent lightness, the long sword was significantly heavy, its form slightly longer and thinner than Dojigiri Yasutsuna, with a thicker back edge, gleaming under the moonlight.

Lily trembled with excitement. “Is this the legendary blade used by celestial battle maidens to vanquish demons? The strongest blade under the heavens?” she wondered aloud. “Oborozuki Muramasa!”

As Lily became momentarily captivated by the beauty of Oborozuki, she missed the terrifying flame Yamata no Orochi spat towards her. “Lily, be careful!” a voice called out in warning. Without a moment’s hesitation, she swung the blade. The blade beam, a hazy streak of light, effortlessly split the flames, leaving trails of scorching air on either side as it continued its trajectory

1 towards one of Yamata no Orochi’s heads. The casual swing inflicted a deeper wound than her previous full-powered attacks, eliciting a scream of pain from the serpent as black blood gushed forth.

Surprised by the effectiveness of her casual swing, Lily felt a surge in her speed with Oborozuki Muramasa in hand. She appeared instantaneously beneath one of the serpent’s necks, delivering a powerful horizontal slash. Black blood sprayed into the air, marking the sky, as she inflicted a colossal gash across Yamata no Orochi’s neck, the depth of which was unfathomable. The movement of Yamata no Orochi’s heads abruptly stopped.

The others were astounded by the power of the blade, recognizing an unprecedented threat to Yamata no Orochi. Only Princess Asuka, who had landed on a nearby mountain, remained unsurprised. As a prodigious sword forger of the Asuka clan, she had invested her utmost skill and rare materials into creating Oborozuki. Her confidence in the sword was unwavering; it was a masterpiece transcending the Heian era, verging on the realm of spirit treasures, perhaps mirroring the ancient blades forged for celestial battle maidens over a thousand years ago.

For Lily, the most profound aspect wasn’t just its unmatched power or sharpness but the unique energy fluctuations it emitted with each swing. It felt as if the blade had been connected to her for eons, offering new insights into the way of the sword. The silver-white lunar inscriptions along Oborozuki’s blade shimmered under the moonlight, reflecting both the lunar light and the shadows of Lily’s soul world. Oborozuki Muramasa, inherently imbued with lunar energy, was a perfect match for Lily’s celestial maiden physique, merging sword and wielder.

With a forceful surge, three massive heads lunged at Lily with increased velocity. Her descent from the sky was serene and majestic, akin to a deity coming forth to vanquish demons. Bathed in hazy white moonlight, her presence was as surreal as a mirage.

Standing at the cusp of understanding the true lunar intent, Lily was nearly in touch with the celestial lunar path. This path, vast yet indistinct, promised supremacy in the mortal realm even with the most basic grasp of its essence.

Amidst this celestial confrontation, a new beam of moonlight

2, emanating from Lily’s blade, sliced through the night. One of Yamata no Orochi’s heads was severed by a sweeping silver arc, momentarily bringing tranquility to the chaotic scene.

The onlookers, including Yoritomo, the Heavenly Kings, and various demon generals, along with allies like Kimiko, Ayaka, Shizuka Gozen, Tokiwa, and Michizane, were left in disbelief. The severed head plummeted from the sky, creating a massive tidal wave upon impact with the sea.

Lily, passing by with Oborozuki Muramasa in hand, looked on with a mix of disbelief and newfound hope at the remaining seven heads of Yamata no Orochi.

From afar, Rei observed Lily with a blend of relief and admiration. At that moment, the ancient blade she held vibrated ominously.

“Lily! Careful!” Rei’s warning echoed as she sensed imminent danger.

Caught off guard, Lily was struck by a powerful tail, propelling her into distant mountains with a devastating impact.

Yamata no Orochi, now ablaze with a dark, ancient power, seemed to reignite the embers of purgatory itself. As the severed neck was enveloped in a black mist, a new head emerged, signaling the continuation of the battle.

Footnotes:

Robinxen: She’s becoming a saber class!

Robinxen: Saber class achieved!