Demon Sword Maiden-Chapter 130Book 12: : Darkness

Countless floating landmasses drifted above the depths of Yomi Hirazaka, each hosting strange and mysterious terrains—fields of golden wheat, tranquil lakes, and otherworldly scenery, much like what Lily had once seen.

Atop one of the larger floating isles, two women in flowing robes with wide sleeves stood side by side. Before them was a desolate, dried-up well.

One was dressed in a white gown adorned with red floral patterns, holding a lantern that radiated a mystical, almost blinding light. She was none other than Shizuka Gozen.

Beside her stood a woman in black garments embroidered with golden butterflies. Her long, dark-blue hair fluttered in the wind.

The two stood silently, shoulder to shoulder, their gazes fixed on the barren well before them.

“So this is the gateway to Yomi-no-Kuni?” Shimizu asked.

“Yes. Each person is granted a unique path into Yomi,” Shizuka Gozen replied. “Miss Shimizu, for us, we must follow the light of this lantern.”

Suddenly, a surge of Resentment Energy erupted from the depths of the well. A ghastly female demon, her skin entirely blue and her hair in wild disarray, emerged. Her massive maw opened wide, revealing a jagged row of fangs and a writhing tongue as she lunged toward them.

Shizuka Gozen began to raise her hand to cast a spell, but Shimizu stepped forward first.

“Allow me, Lady Shizuka. A minor threat like this isn’t worth your effort.”

In a blur of motion, Shimizu vanished from view, reappearing mid-charge toward the demon. The creature lashed out with claws imbued with the power of a single-soul Big Dipper.

Shimizu evaded effortlessly, leapt onto the demon’s back, and drove her cursed blade, Yakumo, deep into its spine. The demon shrieked as black Eldritch Energy burst forth, drawn into Shimizu’s ancient jade through the blade.

In moments, the demon’s energy was completely drained. Her limbs twitched briefly before falling limp—lifeless.

“My, Miss Shimizu—what a remarkable technique,” Shizuka Gozen praised with genuine surprise.

Though she hadn’t understood why Shimizu needed guidance into Yomi through the Soul-Beckoning Lantern, once they reached Yomi Hirazaka, Shimizu became a scourge to all demons. Dozens of battles—great and small—had followed, yet every demon and phantom they encountered was slain and absorbed, feeding Shimizu’s power.

Most demons in Yomi were infused with dark energy. A mere scratch from Shimizu’s blade was enough to begin siphoning their strength. Against stronger foes, she relied on speed, agility, and unyielding tenacity—whittling them down as their power steadily drained away.

Shimizu grew stronger with every battle. Apart from occasional rests to reflect on her techniques, she never truly needed to train. Her strength, swordsmanship, and control over dark energy evolved naturally through combat and absorption.

Stored within her ancient jade was a swordsmanship and cultivation manual, comparable to the likes of Lunar Blossom or the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle. Though slightly inferior to Lily’s technique, it remained a fearsome and prestigious art in all of Yomi-no-Kuni.

By now, Shimizu had ascended to the level of a sextuple-soul Big Dipper—surpassing even Shizuka Gozen herself.

“Miss Shimizu, this way, please.”

Shizuka Gozen descended the dry well slowly, gripping a rope as Shimizu followed. Below, the path was parched and bleak. Faint lamentations of women echoed through the shadows—a chorus of grief that seemed to haunt every inch of Yomi Hirazaka.

But Shimizu paid them no mind.

Sentimentality? Emotion? Such things were irrelevant. They had no place in her heart.

Beyond the tunnel, a massive crater opened before them—its edges carved into steep, perilous steps that clung to the face of the mountain like scars etched by time.

Standing before the narrow staircase, they felt the icy winds rising from the abyss below. A deep, instinctive fear stirred within their hearts.

“As long as we follow this staircase down, we’ll arrive in Yomi-no-Kuni,” Shizuka Gozen said calmly.

“Lady Shizuka, may I ask—Ayaka and Rei entered Yomi-no-Kuni before me. Why is it that I alone must follow the lantern’s guidance?”

“That’s true. Each person is granted a unique path into Yomi. Perhaps they had their own fated opportunities… but your way lies with the Soul-Beckoning Lantern,” Shizuka Gozen explained.

“I see. Then I must thank you for your guidance.” Shimizu stepped closer, smiling softly.

“Miss Shimizu, Lily is in grave danger within Yomi-no-Kuni. Working together to save her is the best path forward—no thanks are necessary,” Shizuka Gozen replied with a light laugh. “Come, let us go.”

“Wait… This lantern, I feel as though my very soul is drawn to it. May I take a closer look?” Shimizu asked.

“Hm?” Shizuka Gozen smiled gently. “Of course.”

Shimizu stepped forward, and Shizuka Gozen handed her the Soul-Beckoning Lantern. Its radiant glow lit both their faces in a pale, ethereal light.

“What a remarkable lantern… Lady Shizuka, you came all this way to guide me through Yomi, despite the danger—and despite us barely knowing each other. I’m truly grateful.”

“Miss Shimizu, we are both loyal to Lily. We are sisters—and pillars of the Heian Dynasty. There’s no need for such formal gratitude.”

“You may see Lily as a sister… but are you sure she feels the same?” Shimizu lowered the lantern, its glow casting eerie shadows across her face.

“Miss Shimizu, what are you implying?” Shizuka Gozen asked, visibly startled.

“I’ll tell you a secret Lily’s kept hidden all this time. Since you’ve helped me, I’d feel ashamed to keep it from you. Lily… has met Lord Yoshitsune.”

“What?!” Shizuka Gozen trembled and seized Shimizu’s arm. “You… What did you say? Say that again!”

“Ah…” Shimizu blushed faintly. “Such powerful Resentment Energy… I can feel it resonating through my entire body. Tell me, Lady Shizuka—how deeply do you love Lord Yoshitsune? Aside from Lily, I’ve never felt such intense emotion from anyone.”

Shizuka Gozen ignored Shimizu’s strange remarks, her grip tightening. “Tell me the truth. Where is Yoshitsune? What happened to him?!”

“You must be so lonely…” As Shizuka Gozen wavered in emotional turmoil, Shimizu suddenly pulled her close and pressed her lips forcefully against hers.

“Mmm…” Shizuka Gozen hadn’t expected the kiss. She struggled to push Shimizu away, but her strength rapidly faded. Disoriented and hesitant, she found herself utterly powerless.

As Shizuka weakened, Shimizu’s strength surged. She pinned her against the cliff wall, pressing her lips to hers again—not with affection, but with cruel mockery and dominance.

After a long, oppressive moment, Shizuka Gozen’s strength completely gave out. Tendrils of dark energy emerged, forming ropes that bound her to a thick stone pillar embedded in the cliffside.

Breathing heavily, Shizuka Gozen shouted, “Minamoto no Shimizu! What is this? What are you trying to do? Are you a spy from Yomi?! That would explain your dark energy…”

Shimizu let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Lady Shizuka… did you not realize? I’ve never been a good person. I once pushed the one I loved most off a cliff. What do you think I’m still capable of?”

“What do you want from me?! Why use Yoshitsune to deceive me? Do you enjoy manipulating others? Isn’t rescuing Lily your goal?” Shizuka Gozen shouted, her voice filled with helpless rage.

“Enough, Lady Shizuka. The only reason I’ve spared you is because you’re Yoshitsune’s woman and Lily’s senior. Otherwise, I’d have already driven my blade through your soul.”

With one hand, Shimizu drew her sword and slowly slid it beneath her corset, lifting the edge of her skirt with the blade. The cold steel pressed lightly against Shizuka Gozen’s abdomen.

“Still want to keep pretending, Lady Shizuka? Do you really think only you can deceive the world? That everyone’s as pure and naïve as Lily?” Shimizu’s eyes were unwavering, her grin sharp and cold.

Shizuka Gozen gradually regained her composure, lowering her head with a quiet laugh. “So I was mistaken… One of Lily’s women, and more dangerous than I thought. How did you figure it out?”

“Heh… Such a simple thing. Haven’t you realized it yourself, Shizuka Gozen? The intoxicating scent of dark energy clinging to you—I nearly lost patience the moment I started following you.”

“What…?” Shizuka Gozen was caught off guard. With the ancient jade in her possession, Shimizu’s sensitivity to dark energy far exceeded normal limits. Not only could she absorb it in battle—she could detect even the most deeply concealed traces buried within one’s soul.

“Also—ever since I began traveling with you, I haven’t been able to enter the Mirror Dimension. And yet, I’ve heard that Uesugi Rei and the others who entered Yomi-no-Kuni before me can still access it, even though I haven’t met them yet.”

Shimizu’s gaze sharpened with sarcasm. “I don’t know the exact reason, but I’m guessing it has something to do with that lantern. Right?”

Shizuka Gozen recalled the time she, too, had failed to enter Lily’s ancient mirror—though she hadn’t understood the reason.

“So, all I need is this lantern to enter Yomi-no-Kuni? I couldn’t even reach Yomi Hirazaka before… but with this, it seems possible.” She turned to face Shizuka Gozen, her voice laced with warning. “If by chance I’ve misjudged you, and you’re actually innocent—don’t hold it against me. Besides Lily, I don’t trust anyone in this world.”

With the Soul-Beckoning Lantern in hand, Shimizu turned away and began descending the spiral stone steps—alone—into the black abyss below.

“Wait! Minamoto no Shimizu! What are you planning to do to me?!”

“You? Honestly, the safest thing would be to kill you. But I doubt Lily would ever forgive me for that. So I’ll leave you here.” She smirked. “You’re not the only woman strung up like this in Yomi. Anyone who passes will probably think you’re just part of the scenery at the edge of Hirazaka.”

“What did you just say…?”

Shimizu paused mid-step and glanced back. “By the way, what I told you about your man earlier—it’s true. His heroic spirit is sealed at Ise Heavenly Gate.”

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She savored the stunned look on Shizuka Gozen’s face for a moment longer. Then, without another word, she turned and vanished into the endless darkness below.