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“What!?” Rakshasa-Onna’s eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the words of the Hundred Maidens and Captain Isshiki.
“Kagami Lily, is this true? Did you really defeat all seventy-some Hundred Maidens during your trial in Okai Prison, thus disqualifying them from the competition?” Rakshasa-Onna demanded, her intense gaze fixed on Lily.
“Yes. I believed this approach adhered to the rules of the Hundred Maidens competition,” Lily responded, offering a respectful bow. “Since fighting among competitors was permitted within Okai Prison, those who lost naturally forfeited their qualifications.”
Rakshasa-Onna strode over, her petite form brimming with curiosity and an exaggerated glint of admiration. “Well done, Kagami Lily. In the countless years since the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens began, no one has ever achieved what you have. You’ve truly surprised me.”
“So, tell me, Kagami Lily—why did you choose this path?” Rakshasa-Onna stepped closer, her head tilting up to meet Lily’s gaze, her petite form barely reaching Lily’s chin yet emanating a formidable presence.
“I thought the answer was clear, Your Highness,” Lily replied steadily. “Since all other competitors have been disqualified, may I be recognized as the winner of the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens?”
“Is that so? Well, it seems... Hehehe,” Rakshasa-Onna nodded eagerly, “You’ve defeated all your opponents, turning them into your slaves. In this Night Parade, you’re the last one standing, so you are, by all appearances, the rightful winner. Isn’t that correct?”
“If Your Highness agrees, may I then understand what it truly means to be the victor of the Night Parade?”
“How dare you!”
Rakshasa-Onna’s voice thundered as she struck Lily in the chest, sending her stumbling back with a force that seemed to vacuum all sound from the hall. The Hundred Maidens and Rakshasa Dojo members stood paralyzed, momentarily stunned.
A fierce explosion of energy burst from Rakshasa-Onna, shaking the hall as furnishings and decorations were flung in every direction. Weaker members of the Hundred Maidens were thrown back by the force.
Two spectral blade maidens, formed from pure killing intent, materialized beside the fallen Lily. They seized her, pinning her against the wall, leaving her feet suspended above the ground.
“Your Highness Rakshasa-Onna, what does this mean? My actions fully adhered to the rules!” Lily protested loudly.
“Silence!” Rakshasa-Onna commanded, summoning a whip of dark purple resentment from thin air, lashing it through the dim hall toward Lily.
Rakshasa-Onna’s whip lashed across Lily’s body, shredding her clothing. Beneath the torn fabric, Lily’s skin remained unscathed, her strong form defying the brutal blows.
“Insolent woman! Do you think you can manipulate ancient traditions by relying on that power you gained from the ancient battlefield? Do you understand the gravity of your offense?” Rakshasa-Onna’s long hair whipped about her like flames as she vented her fury at Lily.
“Your Highness, may I ask what crime I have committed?” Lily’s voice remained steady.
“You still don’t see the crime you’ve committed?! Foolish woman! Did you truly believe the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens was just a contest of combat and victory? You’ve disrupted an ancient ritual—a sacred inheritance of the heavenly way! I’ll see to it that you pay for this!” Rakshasa-Onna’s fury intensified, her voice resounding through the hall.
“Your Highness, Rakshasa-Onna!” Queen Kaguya interjected, raising her Golden Jade Branch and releasing a beam of golden light that deflected the whip just before it struck Lily again.
Queen Kaguya stepped between Lily and Rakshasa-Onna. “While I have no wish to intrude upon Rakshasa Dojo’s affairs, and though I’ve never personally participated in the Night Parade, I am familiar with its rules. Lynne’s actions may be unconventional, but they did not violate any rule. Why, then, is Your Highness reprimanding her so harshly?”
“Your Majesty, you speak only from hearsay. As a guest, I ask that you refrain from drawing shallow conclusions about the Night Parade’s deeper meanings! You are the Queen of the Female Queendom—not a reckless, impetuous girl like Kagami Lily!” Rakshasa-Onna snapped. “Please, step aside!”
“How dare you attack within my Rakshasa Dojo!” Rakshasa-Onna growled, a fierce whirlwind of killing intent spiraling around her as she raised her scimitar and charged at the Queen.
In a swift motion, the Queen turned, her hand flicking forward as she summoned a golden flying sword, which streaked through the air toward Rakshasa-Onna.
“Enough!” A crimson scimitar spun through the air, intercepting both the Queen’s flying sword and Rakshasa-Onna’s scimitar, stopping them mid-flight.
Asura-Onna, clad in a flowing red and white kimono, stepped into the hall, her presence instantly commanding attention.
“Sister?” Rakshasa-Onna immediately pulled back, lowering her scimitar and withdrawing her divine power.
The Queen, too, lowered her Golden Jade Branch, her flying sword vanishing with a wave of her hand.
Asura-Onna stepped between them, her voice calm yet resolute. “We are allies with the Female Queendom. Why jeopardize that bond by fighting here?”
“Sister, I didn’t seek this fight! But this Queen has shown no respect for my Rakshasa Dojo!” Rakshasa-Onna protested.
“The Female Queendom has always honored the Asura and Rakshasa Dojos. But on this matter...” the Queen replied firmly.
“Enough,” Asura-Onna interjected, stepping fully between them, her long sleeves outstretched. “I used my rarest talismans to travel millions of kilometers to reach here quickly—precisely because of this situation.”
At Asura-Onna’s words, both the Queen and Rakshasa-Onna looked on in stunned silence. How had she known what was happening from such a distance? And where had she acquired talismans capable of instant travel over millions of kilometers? Asura-Onna stood before them, matching Rakshasa-Onna’s height but emanating an aura of calm strength and unwavering composure.
Asura-Onna’s eyes glinted with an emerald brilliance as she spoke, “The Madam is already aware of everything that has transpired here.”
“What? The Madam?”
“Could it be... that Madam?”
“The Madam has already reached a decision on this matter, so there’s no need for further argument,” Asura-Onna continued calmly.
“Sister, what exactly did The Madam decide?” Rakshasa-Onna asked, her tone softening slightly.
At the mention of The Madam’s authority, even Queen Kaguya felt a twinge of helplessness. She worried what recourse would remain if The Madam’s decision turned out to be unfavorable to Lily.
After a pause, Asura-Onna turned to Rakshasa-Onna. “Sister, release her.”
“Hmm?” Rakshasa-Onna hesitated, but refrained from questioning. With a single thought, she dispelled the phantoms of killing intent, allowing Lily to drop gracefully to her feet.
Queen Kaguya felt a slight relief as she watched, though she remained wary. The Madam was known for her unpredictability, and her intentions were often unreadable, so the Queen couldn’t fully relax.
“The Madam has decreed that Kagami Lily shall face one final, ultimate trial for the Hundred Maidens,” Asura-Onna declared gravely, her eyes flashing with an intense gleam.