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In the land of Yamatai, jagged mountains rose layer upon layer, and a dark forest stretched endlessly, dim and oppressive. This place had once been the cradle of civilization, yet now it had become a land scarcely touched by it.

Before Kiyoshi’s army retreated here, there were barely any large human tribes in the region, only a few scattered ancient villages clinging to survival.

At this moment, within a crumbling ancient burial mound, a light unseen for thousands of years flickered back to life.

Three great demons had arrived.

At their head was the Three-Eyed Bull Demon, Mauro. Accompanying him were a spider-demoness, and a human powerhouse from Yomi, the Three-Eyed Azure Monk.

These ancient tombs dated back to the Yayoi and Kofun eras. The people of that time had lived in complete darkness, yet their reverence for the dead had been unparalleled. Though they themselves dwelled in crude thatched huts, they built massive stone tombs for the deceased, leaving behind the most enduring relics of Yamatai to this day.

From within this tomb, the cries of women echoed out again and again.

Mauro and his companions had captured many women from outside and dragged them here. After all, many retired emperors, court nobles, and samurai clans had fled to Tsukushi Island, only to fall into the hands of these great demons from the Celestial Demon Path, reduced to mere playthings.

“Heh heh heh, come, you two, drink this cup with me!” Mauro lounged upon a throne, several scantily dressed women attending to him as his mood soared.

The Spider Demoness had likewise seized several handsome Onmyoji men to serve her, while the Three-Eyed Azure Monk, uninterested in beauty, indulged instead in human flesh and fine wine.

“The human world truly is wonderful! With my strength, I was nothing more than a minor leader in Yomi-no-kuni, always living in fear. I felt my destiny had run its course, my advancement hopeless. But here, I can finally enjoy life!” The monk lifted a massive jar and gulped down the liquor in one breath.

“Exactly! Even I, Mauro, was considered a regional overlord in Yomi, yet I couldn’t even get a single beauty. But here in the human world, women are everywhere! And the men protecting them are so weak, either slaughtered by us or fleeing in terror, hah—too easy, far too easy!” Mauro roared with laughter.

“Mauro, big brother, why not go to the Celestial Demon Path and seize some Oborozuki Souls? I heard even the Great Imperial Gods covet them. Just one would equal the wealth of dozens of our lifetimes!” the Spider Demoness said.

“Heh… dear sister, you said it yourself, even the Great Imperial Gods covet them. If we go, wouldn’t we just be courting death? Better to stay here, rule this land, enjoy women, feast on meat and wine, and live freely, hahahaha!”

“Big brother is right! Cheers!”

***

Lily’s domain covered the entirety of Tsukushi Island. Demons like these, descending from Takamagahara and Yomi to wreak havoc, were not uncommon, though most were not particularly powerful.

By now, news had already spread for some time. The truly powerful beings were likely all on the Celestial Demon Path, scrambling to seize Oborozuki Souls.

Herikaku City had already begun slowly drifting into the land of Yamatai.

“In such a short time, so many demons and evil gods have already invaded the human world…” Lily wanted to eradicate them, but she knew there were more pressing matters at hand.

“Lily, you and Nanako, come to me,” Rinne’s voice echoed through a spiritual transmission.

“Yes.” Why had she specifically mentioned Nanako? Lily did not understand. Still, she did not ask. Together with Nanako, her spirit body entered the Mirror Dimension.

“Lily, Nanako.” Rinne looked pale, dressed in white robes, her long hair cascading down as a faint air of illness clung to her.

“Greetings, Lady Rinne.” Nanako knelt respectfully.

“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?” Lily asked, concern rising within her.

“Ah… it’s hard to explain.” Rinne rested her head in her hand, shaking it weakly. “Lily, you must immediately enter the Celestial Demon Path, seize the initiative, and compete for the Oborozuki Souls. But the affairs of the human world cannot be ignored either.”

“Yes, I’ve been troubled by this very matter.”

“You can command Herikaku City to move to the entrance between the human world and the Celestial Demon Path. Have the Dark Celestial Maidens establish a grand formation with the city as its core, fortify the area, and guard the entrance, preventing more demons and evil gods from entering the human world.”

“Understood. But… can we really hold it?”

“The truly powerful ones are all on the Celestial Demon Path, fighting for Oborozuki Souls. Treasures coveted even by the Great Imperial Gods hold far greater appeal than indulging in the human world. Pleasure here is long-term, but once the Oborozuki Souls are gone, they’re gone for good.”

Lily nodded.

“You can send Shimizu to lead the Dark Celestial Maidens, have Kaguya-hime bring the Celestial Maiden army of the Female Queendom, and let Ayaka and the others assist in guarding the entrance. Meanwhile, dispatch Bishamonten and her daughter, along with Chiya and the others, each leading a squad of Celestial Maidens to purge the demons and evil gods already wreaking havoc on Tsukushi Island. However… this world belongs to all beings of the three realms, not to humans alone. If they are not utterly vicious, or if they are willing to return, inform Uesugi Rei and the others not to slaughter them indiscriminately.”

“Yes, I will carry this out at once. But, Senior Sister, you…” Lily noticed that even speaking seemed to bring Rinne pain, her expression strained with each word.

Leaning weakly against her couch, Rinne shook her head. “That is precisely what I must tell you next. Within this Mirror Dimension, I exist only as a soul. After being immersed in darkness for so long, my spirit body has deteriorated recently, and I lack the energy to sustain it.”

“Senior Sister, I have treasures, and I also possess divine power. If you need anything, take it freely.” Lily’s complexion was radiant, brimming with vitality.

Rinne shook her head. “Those treasures of yours are of no use to me. Your power is of the lunar attribute, it cannot cure my condition either. Don’t be anxious, just listen carefully. On the Celestial Demon Path, a thousand years ago, there once fell in battle an extraordinary young woman. She was not a deity, yet her status and strength surpassed that of most gods. After her death, her divine power transformed into twelve streams of solar corona energy. These twelve currents, appearing as golden light, flowed and drifted throughout the Celestial Demon Path. Previously, due to Tsukuyomi no Mikoto’s sword aura, no one could enter that path, so no one knew of this. Even now, if others encounter that golden light, though it poses them no harm, they have no means to claim it. Only a handful of special methods in this world can capture it, and these twelve streams of golden light are precisely an exceptional source of energy capable of curing my illness.”

“There’s such a golden light?” Lily’s eyes brightened with joy. “Then I’ll go gather it for you, Senior Sister. But… how exactly can it be collected?”

“Lily, you cannot obtain that golden light either.”

“Even I can’t…?” Lily fell silent, bewildered. Her gaze drifted toward Nanako, who was kneeling beside her. “Could it be…”

Rinne nodded. “Exactly. Among all of you, only Nanako, by opening the Sakura Parasol, can gather those twelve streams of golden light. That is why I have entrusted the defense of the Celestial Demon Path to the other sisters, and arranged for Nanako to accompany you. Seize the Oborozuki Souls, and if you encounter the golden light, collect it as well.”

“Rest assured, Senior Sister. We will definitely gather that golden light for you.”

Rinne looked at Nanako, as if wanting to say more, yet ultimately held back. “Bring me the Sakura Parasol.”

Lily stepped forward and placed the Sakura Parasol into Rinne’s hands. With a light tap of her finger, a strand of golden runes flared into existence and fused into the parasol.

“When you draw near the golden light, the Sakura Parasol will naturally respond.”

Lily then passed the parasol into Nanako’s hands.

“Nanako… there are other secrets surrounding this golden light… but never mind, there is no need to explain now. When the time comes, you will understand. Your strength is still quite weak. After all, your opponents may be at the very peak of the Celestial Stage, perhaps even at the level of a Supreme God. If you feel you cannot face the dangers of the Celestial Demon Path, I will not force you,” Rinne said softly.

“Lady Rinne, I have never once considered my own life or death. My life exists for Sister Lily alone. However she chooses to use it, I will not hesitate in the slightest,” Nanako replied calmly, without a trace of doubt.

“Nanako…” A wave of emotion welled up within Lily. She recalled that day long ago, when she had fallen from a cliff, and who it was that had unfalteringly opened the Sakura Parasol and leapt after her without hesitation.

Her eyes grew moist with emotion.

“Go, Lily. This will be a brutal battle. Though your life has already been filled with countless dangers and desperate fights, you must still be extremely careful. Seizing the Oborozuki Souls is the priority. As for the golden light… if it cannot be obtained, then there is no need to… force it…” As she spoke, Rinne’s eyes slowly closed, exhaustion washing over her.

“Senior Sister!”

“Go… I’m fine… I only need to rest for a while…”

Lily and Nanako supported Rinne back to her room, helped her lie down, and attended to her until she was settled, before finally taking their leave together.

Afterward, Lily refined Rinne’s arrangements in greater detail and relayed them to the other sisters.

Herikaku City surged forward like a vast tide, advancing toward the colossal mountain at the heart of Yamatai. On the northern side of that towering mountain lay a vast, ancient tomb entrance, surrounded on all four sides by dim, quietly flowing rivers.

This tomb had not been built by humans, but by celestial beings of the distant past. It was likely that the people of the Kofun era had merely imitated this structure in their own burial practices. And here… lay the entrance to the Celestial Demon Path.

On the southern side of the mountain stood a fortress established by the forces of Ashikaga Kiyoshi. Some fortifications were only half-completed, but by the time Herikaku City arrived, the elite troops had long since withdrawn, leaving behind only scattered stragglers and minor demons offering weak resistance.

They were utterly incapable of stopping Herikaku City. With a thunderous advance, the defenses collapsed, and the remaining forces scattered in panic like startled birds and fleeing beasts.

Herikaku City passed over the great mountain and arrived before the largest ancient tomb in the world.

“We will use Herikaku City to guard the tomb entrance. Then, around the entrance, we will construct towering walls and watchtowers, and set up layers upon layers of grand formations. Celestial Battle Maiden archers and spellcasters will station themselves atop the towers. The moment any demon or evil god emerges, they will be cut down instantly from both the city and the surrounding defenses. If a Supreme God-level enemy appears, we will request Tsukikage-hime and Kaguya-hime to take action, while our Dark Celestial Maiden army supports them. Lady Tsukikage, does this defensive arrangement meet your approval?” Yanagihada spoke with clarity and precision as she sought confirmation.

“Good.” Shimizu gave a slight nod.

“Understood. I will make the necessary arrangements at once.” Yanagihada withdrew alongside the other Dark Celestial Maiden commanders.

Yet Shimizu’s gaze lingered on Lily.

At this moment, Lily was about to venture deep into the ancient tomb with Nanako, entering the Celestial Demon Path alone to face unknown dangers and compete for the Oborozuki Souls. A trace of unease stirred within Shimizu’s heart.

She wanted to go with Lily. But the human world still needed protection. If all the sisters entered the Celestial Demon Path and some mad fiend emerged to slaughter the world, what then?

Shimizu cared little for others, yet this had been Rinne’s command. She had no choice but to carry it out.¹