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While Lily and Nanako were venturing through the Celestial Demon Path, turmoil surged across the Heian Dynasty, Yomi-no-kuni, and even Takamagahara.

Over the course of roughly a month, the mother-daughter pair Bishamonten and Rei, together with the Celestial Maidens of the Female Queendom led by Chiya, had largely eradicated the major demon overlords that had invaded Tsukushi Island. However, it was also possible that Archdemons from Yomi and powerful beings from Takamagahara had already landed upon the mainland of the Heian Dynasty, merely choosing not to reveal themselves openly for the time being.

At this moment, Bishamonten and Rei stood together atop a cliff overlooking the sea.

Below the cliff, a massive black demonic hand, several meters in length, remained submerged in the seawater.

“At last… we’ve slain this man-eating Blackgold One-Eyed Demon.” Bishamonten breathed softly, her towering chest rising and falling. Her thin, translucent divine raiment was slightly damp, accentuating the mature allure that radiated from her.

“A peak Empyrean Stage monster. It was probably the strongest demon to enter the mortal world through the Celestial Demon Path so far, and it was incredibly cunning as well,” Rei said.

“Fortunately, there have been no reports of any Supreme Gods entering the mortal world yet. Thank heavens Lily isn’t here. If Supreme God-level beings had already descended earlier, it would have been a catastrophe for all mankind. Even if Kaguya-hime and I joined forces, we could still deal with them, but once Supreme God-level battles erupted in the mortal world, the devastation would be apocalyptic. The loss of life could very well exceed the harm caused by a Supreme God simply ruling over a region of the mortal world.” Bishamonten let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, no Supreme God had entered the mortal world prematurely.

“Chaos reigns across the land now. Demons are causing havoc everywhere, and there’s no way we can exterminate them all. If powerful beings and Archdemons choose to remain hidden, it’s difficult to distinguish them as well. Unless some vicious fiend suddenly appears and begins slaughtering indiscriminately, we would have no reason to launch an expedition to Akitsu Shima specifically to hunt them down,” Bishamonten said.

“Although Ashihara is called the mortal world, humans, demons, and countless other living beings coexist there. Each has its own reason for existing. As long as they aren’t cruel monsters committing evil, we cannot simply eradicate them all. Besides, from the perspective of the Three Realms, the true threat to all living beings isn’t these demons that have come to cause trouble in the mortal world, but this incomparably dark Heavenly Path.”

“What Mother says is true. Humanity must learn to protect itself. As for demons below the Empyrean Stage, we needn’t concern ourselves with them. Humans and Demons have coexisted for countless years. If we’re being honest, even among our own sisters, we have companions like Lady Kimiko and Yuki-Onna,” Rei said.

“I wonder how Lily is doing right now,” Bishamonten asked.

Over the past month, Bishamonten and Rei had been relentlessly pursuing enemies across the land, constantly rushing from one battlefield to another. Yet whenever Bishamonten thought of Lily, she felt that compared to what Lily was likely facing now, her own hardships were far easier.

“Mother, since things here are more or less under control, I want to go to the Celestial Demon Path and help Lily,” Rei said after some thought.

Bishamonten shook her head.

“No. We must guard the entrance to the mortal world. If even a single Supreme God arrives, I simply don’t trust that woman Shimizu. As for Kaguya-hime and Chiya Kasumi, they may not be able to stop such an opponent either. That could bring about the destruction of the mortal world. How would we explain ourselves to Lily and… to Lily’s senior sister?”

“But what if something happens to Lily?” Rei’s chest rose and fell as anxiety welled up within her. “I can’t shake this sense of unease. Every recent crisis she’s faced… whenever she’s been away from me… it never ends well.”

“My daughter, I think you simply miss her, don’t you?” A trace of teasing passed through Bishamonten’s cold, elegant expression.

“She is the only love of my life. How could I not miss her?” Unlike an ordinary young woman, Rei displayed no shyness whatsoever. She admitted it immediately, her expression unwavering and filled with conviction.

“In this lifetime, Uesugi Rei will marry Kagami Lily.” Gazing out at the vast sea, she declared her vow.

Bishamonten looked at her daughter’s resolute posture, her feelings somewhat complicated. “Will you marry Lily, or will Lily marry you?”

“Mother, what difference does it make?”

“Heh. Even though you’re both women, the difference is enormous. If you marry Lily, it means you could still marry other women and have multiple wives.”

“Mother, you know I would never do that.”

“Rei-Rei, of course I know you. But if you still hope to monopolize Lily, I’m afraid you’ll suffer greatly. There are plenty of women who want to marry her. Take Shimizu, for example. That woman is exceptionally capable. Her ability to deal with Lily may not be inferior to yours.”

“…Who would’ve thought that Minamoto no Shimizu would truly become the lifelong rival fate assigned to me? Every time I surpass her, she eventually rises above me again. For now, I have the upper hand, but in the future… that’s hard to say,” Rei said.

“Exactly. If both of you want to marry Lily, what then? And what if other women want her as well? How will you deal with that? Challenge them all to sword duels one by one?”

Rei shook her head. “Wouldn’t that only make Lily sad?”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“Let things take their natural course.”
“Hah? Daughter, what did you just say?”

“If other women pursue Lily, then if I can accept it, I will accept it. If I cannot, then I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Isn’t the point of living to pursue a life that’s bold and fulfilling? To grieve for her, to rejoice for her, to draw my blade in anger for her, and to drink myself senseless for her sake.”

The sea roared endlessly, wave after wave crashing against the shore.

Turning around, Rei said to Bishamonten, “Since I can’t go to her, there’s no point thinking too much about these things right now. When Lily returns to my side, I’ll simply do what needs to be done.”

Although she worried deeply about Lily, she also knew that Lily had survived countless dangers before. With Lily’s current strength, her many methods, and the protection of the Fivefold Tower, even if she fought her way through the Celestial Demon Path, her life should not be in danger.

Since she could not go and assist Lily herself, worrying endlessly would accomplish nothing. Only by placing unwavering trust in Lily could she prevent her own mission from being compromised by a wavering heart.

***

“F̲u̲c̲k̲!”

At that very moment, within a seductive celestial palace somewhere in Takamagahara, the furious curse of a goddess who sounded more like a courtesan echoed through the halls.

“Kagami Lily! I’ve been busy these past few days refining a secret treasure and didn’t have time to hunt you down, and you actually dared to run into the Celestial Demon Path yourself?”

Tennin-Mikoto stood in the grand hall, seething with anger. She wore a revealing black kimono that exposed one long, pale leg, while the neckline dipped low enough to leave much of her ample chest visible. One hand rested on her hip as she fumed.

“Lady Tennin-Mikoto, now that Tsukuyomi’s lingering resentment has finally dissipated and the Celestial Demon Path has reopened, why haven’t we entered it and invaded the mortal world to capture Kagami Lily and the fugitive Bishamonten?” asked Takeo Yanagi, Tennin-Mikoto’s trusted subordinate, a Celestial Maid with dark emerald hair.

“Takeo, are you f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g blind?” Tennin-Mikoto snapped. “Didn’t you see that I just came out of refining that treasure? These past few days have drained me dry, and I’m still recovering. The secret treasure His Highness ordered me to create was unbelievably difficult to refine. I exhausted myself completing it! If I don’t properly regulate my divine power and meridians afterward, I could end up with permanent internal injuries!”

“What an unperceptive woman! Can’t you even understand something this obvious?” Tennin-Mikoto was clearly in a terrible mood.

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Takeo immediately dropped to her knees. “It was my stupidity, my lady. Please forgive me.”

“Ah, forget it. You’re just dense. What can I do about that?” Tennin-Mikoto stretched lazily and said, “My feet are sore. I want to sit down for a while.”

“Yes, Lady Tennin-Mikoto!” Instead of fetching a cushion, Takeo remained kneeling as she moved forward on her knees, then lowered herself to the ground, supporting herself with both hands.

Tennin-Mikoto paid it no mind and casually sat down atop Takeo’s slender waist. “Do you know why I insist on bringing you everywhere with me despite how slow-witted you are?”

“Lady Tennin-Mikoto… p-please don’t say it. Leave me at least a little dignity.”

“Dignity my a̲s̲s̲. You’re just an ignorant little fool! Learn something from Yuko, will you?” Tennin-Mikoto scolded.

“Y-Yes…” Takeo answered, her face burning red as her breathing grew heavier.

Before the conversation could continue, Yuko arrived.

“Lady Tennin-Mikoto.”

“The item His Highness ordered has been completed. Inform everyone below. Prepare for departure.”

“Lady Tennin-Mikoto, everything has already been prepared. We were only awaiting your command. We can depart for the Celestial Demon Path immediately.” Yuko’s gaze drifted toward Takeo, who was currently serving as a seat beneath Tennin-Mikoto, and she could not help but chuckle.

“See that? See that?” Tennin-Mikoto pointed. “That’s what I call being sharp! I didn’t even say where we were going, and she already knew. She even finished all the preparations beforehand. Learn from your Sister Yuko, understand?”

“Y-Yes… Lady…” Takeo replied, overwhelmed with embarrassment, her breathing becoming even more uneven.

***

At the entrance to the Celestial Demon Path in Yomi-no-kuni.

The area had become an ocean of demons.

Yomi-no-kuni was unimaginably vast. After news spread, those who had learned of it early or happened to be nearby arrived first. Since then, demons from every corner of Yomi had flocked here. By now, their numbers had grown immense.

Yet they all knew that the Celestial Demon Path was fraught with danger. Still, the allure of the mortal world was enough to tempt many demons into risking their lives, rushing toward it like moths to a flame.

However, what attracted countless demons was not merely the mortal world itself.

A group of Blue Demons gathered nearby. Their skin was dark blue-black, their crimson manes strikingly vivid. Each possessed a powerful physique and formidable strength.

At their head stood a Blue Demon with blood-red eyes. Within those pupils bloomed strange black demonic flowers. Among the countless Blue Demons found throughout Yomi, he was the most renowned of them all.

The Blue Demon Supreme God, Hanatomi Oni.

“Boss! This time we finally get to follow you into the mortal world! We’ll eat well, drink well, and catch ourselves some women!” a large but somewhat dim-witted Blue Demon eagerly said as he bounded over to Hanatomi’s side.

“Fool!” Hanatomi barked. “What’s so special about the mortal world? All those idiots shouting about invading it, claiming territory, and living carefree lives are speaking like weaklings! A bunch of shortsighted fools!”

Squatting atop a giant boulder, Hanatomi’s steel-like muscles bulged beneath skin marked with strange tattoos.

“Boss, with such a rare opportunity, aren’t we going to the mortal world?” asked a smaller, younger Blue Demon whose eyes gleamed with intelligence. “Or are we going to compete for that soul everyone’s talking about?”

“Utori, you’re young, but at least you have some insight.” Hanatomi nodded approvingly toward the young demon. He then glanced disdainfully toward the endless hordes of demons streaming into the Scar of Heaven in the distance.

“If I were alone, I might have joined the scramble for the Oborozuki Soul. Treasure is important, after all. But treasure isn’t worth more than enjoying life together with my brothers!”

Hanatomi grinned. “Since I am your leader, I won’t ignore all of you when such a once-in-eternity opportunity has appeared before us.”

“Boss!” More and more Blue Demons gathered around their encampment, gazing at the young leader of their race.

Opening his mouth full of savage fangs, Hanatomi sneered. “Most of Yomi’s demons are still trapped in the same outdated thinking they’ve clung to since ancient times. The opportunity before us isn’t merely that the gateway to the mortal world has opened.

“The final obsession of the Goddess of War has dissipated. Most of the Celestial Battle Maidens are already dead.” He slowly rose, his blood-red eyes gleaming. “Tell me then… In all Three Realms, who is left to defend Takamagahara?”

Within Hanatomi’s eyes, the black flowers shifted and bloomed like mysterious blossoms reflected in a mirror. Yet his physique remained fierce, rugged, and overwhelmingly masculine, creating a striking contrast.