Book 12: Chapter 49: The Conspiring Yomi-no-kuni

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Several hundred miles from the Abyss of Parting Sorrow, within the territories of the Female Queendom, a colossal monk, mountainous in stature, approached with a thunderous rumble. Blood streamed from his enormous eyes, his face contorted in agony, resembling a decaying corpse.

Cloaked in tattered robes, the mountainous monk moved forward, his presence emanating Eldritch Energy. Arrayed upon his back were hundreds of formidable demons, led by the imposing Demon God dressed in opulent garments, Lord Umashi.

Lord Umashi leapt from the giant monk’s head to confront a group of beautiful women kneeling before him, among whom was the Chancellor of the Female Queendom.

"My Lord!" The Chancellor bowed deeply. "An unexpected issue has arisen that requires your decision."

"I'm well aware," Lord Umashi responded, his voice booming. "It's common knowledge that the Queen has departed the Female Queendom with her commander and a human of notable beauty, recently celebrated in Yomi. A rarity, they say, seen once in a millennium—her name is Lynne, correct?" He clutched at his vast belly, his arrogance palpable as his sleeves billowed.

"Kagami Lily, my Lord," corrected the Chancellor.

"Ah, indeed. She must be mine," Lord Umashi declared resolutely.

Suddenly, a tremulous yet thunderous voice echoed. "Now that the Queen and her commander are distant from the Female Queendom, we have a prime opportunity to invade!" This voice came from the gargantuan monk himself, a colossus who bore Lord Umashi and his retinue upon his back.

Lord Umashi consulted the Chancellor once more, "Your thoughts?"

"Lord, even in their absence, the Queen and her commander have thoroughly fortified the Female Queendom. Our knowledge of their defenses remains incomplete. Furthermore, any male demons venturing into the Abyss of Parting Sorrow face assaults from numerous vengeful spirits," the Chancellor explained. "The Queen and the commander are the bedrock of the Female Queendom. Without them, the realm might naturally succumb to chaos, eventually falling to us without any conflict. Why expend military resources unnecessarily? However, the final decision rests with you, my Lord."

Lord Umashi nodded approvingly. "Madame Chancellor, your reasoning mirrors my own. Rather than besiege the heavily fortified Female Queendom, bristling with ancient defenses, an ambush during the Queen's journey might be more strategic. Alive, the Queen could always mount a counterattack, even should we take the Queendom. Neutralized, she and Kagami Lily would be ours, simplifying our conquest of the Female Queendom considerably."

"Ahaha! I see! I am ashamed of my folly," declared the giant monk sprawled on the ground.

"Indeed, my lord. Current intelligence confirms that the Queen and her entourage have crossed the Grudgeless Bridge. From their current trajectory, it appears they are headed towards the ancient battlefield," the Chancellor informed.

"Excellent!" he continued. "I've positioned my army here for this reason. The ancient battlefield, rife with Vengeful Spirits and labyrinthine in design, poses extreme dangers, particularly to us apparitions. Its desolate nature deters even the most formidable Yomi powerhouses from venturing there. However, I suspect it will teem with activity soon enough. Hehehehe!"

"My Lord, we must traverse the Hell of Torment to access the ancient battlefield," the Chancellor advised.

"Indeed, the Hell of Torment!" Lord Umashi declared, his four eyes flickering with scorn. "The Queen of the Female Queendom is ranked tenth most wanted in the heavens, the commander thirty-sixth, along with that human woman. Their movements are now known to all major factions in Yomi. They're likely to face ambushes upon entering the Hell of Torment. It will be challenging for them to pass. If we depart now, we might intercept them in the Hell of Hunger! Should that fail, we can confront them on the ancient battlefield!"

"A wise decision, my Lord!"

"We must not provoke the entity that dwells within the Hell of Torment," replied the Queen solemnly.

Understanding dawned on Lily; a foreboding presence lurked within, confirming her suspicions about the perils of the Hell of Torment.

Lily was determined to visit the ancient battlefield where Tsukuyomi had once fought. Undaunted by the dangers, her confidence was bolstered by the presence of Queen Kaguya and her companions, whose capabilities she trusted completely.

Together, they cautiously made their way toward the ominous entrance of the Hell of Torment. As they neared the entrance, navigating past scorching boulders and billowing black smoke, a sudden loud bang echoed through the air.

From the shattered rocks, a divine bull emerged—its body robust and entirely gray, emanating a foul stench. This creature was a muscular humanoid with the head of a bull, complete with the dull eyes of an ordinary ox, which only added to his menacing appearance.

Towering over ten meters tall, the divine bull brandished a fearsome double-headed fork.

"Where did you w̲h̲o̲r̲e̲s̲ come from? How dare you trespass into the Hell of Torment?" Without further ado, the divine bull lunged, thrusting his weapon at Lily and her companions.

With a resounding bang, Chiya drew her weapon, conjuring a semi-transparent barrier that intercepted the attack. However, the divine bull's strength was immense; he shattered the barrier with brute force.

From behind, Queen Kaguya wielded her Golden Jade Branch, unleashing a wave of golden light that ensnared his fork like a rope.

"Each hell has its guardians—a bull and a horse. Though this bull lacks divinity, he remains a formidable Infernal Stage demon," the Queen explained.

"You know too much!" the bull exclaimed. Before he could finish, a loud bang resonated as another formidable figure, similar in stature but with the head of a horse, appeared wielding a trident and aimed it towards the Queen.

Queen Kaguya's weapon sparkled with golden light, and a silver rope materialized, binding the trident.

"Such formidable power!" the bull roared in astonishment. "She halted our combined assault with ease!"

"We have journeyed here humbly on foot without causing any disturbance. Why do you obstruct our path?" Queen Kaguya inquired.

"Bother us?" laughed the horse, eyeing the Queen lustfully and baring his large teeth. "Queen Kaguya, Commander Chiya Kasumi, and Mirror Girl Kagami Lily, you are wanted fugitives of Takamagahara. By daring to enter our domain, you've invited capture! Neigh!"

"Moo! Now that you're here, don't even think about escaping. Surrender peacefully, you wanted criminals!" the bull bellowed.

Suddenly, the ground trembled, and the air filled with the screeches of countless demons.

Instantly, an endless horde of monsters surged from the wasteland, their bizarre forms sporting exposed fangs and drooling mouths. Brandishing heavy weapons and faction banners, they encircled Lily and her companions with terrifying clamor.Finnd new chapters on nove/lbin(.)com