Demon Sword Maiden-Chapter 143Book 12: : Bell

Lily had no choice but to help the Imperial Princess back across the chains. She turned and glanced back at Ayaka and Kagura. Since Kagura was still inhabiting Nanako’s body, worry filled Lily’s heart.

Ayaka, however, simply nodded quietly in reassurance.

"Sister Ayaka, Nanako… please come back safely," Lily whispered, her eyes shimmering with tears.

Lily supported the Imperial Princess back into Hekiraku City. Perhaps regaining a bit of strength, the Princess suddenly looked up and seized Lily’s arm, her trembling hand tightening with grim fury. "Why did I help them? Why should I have helped them?"

"Huh?" Lily blinked in confusion.

Gripping Lily’s arm harshly, the Imperial Princess dragged her by the armpit into her private chambers. She shoved Lily roughly to the floor once inside.

"You… Do you really intend to just investigate the Boundless Abyss with that woman? Were you even planning to come back?" she demanded.

Lily lay sprawled across the floor, her long hair scattered messily around her.

"Look at me! Answer me!" the Princess shouted.

"I…" Lily hesitated.

The Princess glared into Lily’s eyes, screaming hysterically, "Tell me! Tell me the truth!"

"Yes, I do," Lily admitted, her cheeks flushing, her gaze faltering.

Helping Ayaka had stirred something in her heart. While she had always been honest with her friends, she realized now she could not simply view the Imperial Princess as just another enemy.

The Imperial Princess, incredibly perceptive, immediately caught the hesitation in Lily’s gaze. Though uncertain, suspicion took root in her heart. Doubt and uncertainty ignited fury, driving her into madness.

"Hehehehehe…" The Princess laughed darkly, gripping Lily’s arm tightly and digging her fingers into her soft armpit. "You’re lying. Oh, Lily, you really can’t lie, can you? But the way you lie… it only makes me want to bully you more," she cackled.

The Imperial Princess tore open the fabric below Lily’s sleeves, exposing her delicate armpit. With her smaller stature, she easily leaned in to lick it—then bit down gently.

"Uhm… ah! No, please—don't do that!" Lily gasped in protest.

The Imperial Princess, with her ever-volatile mood, bullied Lily without warning, leaving her stunned. No one had ever treated her like this before.

"Ah, so this is another one of your weak spots… How many more are there, I wonder? I’ll just have to explore every inch of you," she chuckled darkly.

"B̲i̲t̲c̲h̲!" She slammed Lily down again. "Looking for your dead friend’s soul? Lies! You just want to run away with that woman! Maidservant? Hah! She’s your lover, isn’t she? You must’ve done something shameful together! Haven’t you?"

"No—no!" Lily cried desperately.

Straddling Lily’s waist, she seized her hair, yanking her face upward. "Look at me! Do you dare deny it? What have you two done? Say it! Did that tall, big-bottomed Ayaka kiss you? Tell me!"

"Please… don't describe Sister Ayaka in such vulgar ways…" Lily pleaded, her cheeks burning.

"Sister? You call her Sister, but never me! Tell me—have you kissed her before? You’re so promiscuous, always alone with her… do you expect me to believe nothing ever happened?"

"No… really, there isn’t," Lily mumbled, blushing furiously.

"You still can't lie properly. If you don't confess, I'll send a demon god to kill her!" the Princess threatened.

"Don’t! Your Highness—she’s just my maidservant…" Lily begged.

"Hmph. Then answer me—was I the one who claimed your first kiss?" she demanded coldly.

Lily’s eyes went blank for a moment, unable to respond.

"Hmph, I can't believe it. I actually married a woman who has already lost her first kiss? You…" She leaned close to Lily’s ear, her eyes dark and grim. "Tell me… are you still a virgin?"

"Huh?" Lily’s body trembled. She knew the answer, but sheer embarrassment froze her tongue.

"What’s wrong? Too shy to answer? Or are you afraid? Could it be that I, the Boundless Imperial Princess, have married… secondhand goods?" She let out a chilling laugh. "If that’s the case… if that’s the case…"

Suddenly, she unleashed a burst of divine power that shook all of Hekiraku City. Even the eight demon gods howled in agony.

"I am! I am still pure—are you satisfied?!" Lily cried, finally losing her composure.

"Just because you say so, does it make it true? You're a woman who lies so easily. Do you think lying makes you more desirable?"

The Imperial Princess abruptly flipped Lily over and pinned her to the ground. She ripped off Lily’s skirt and forcefully spread her legs apart.

"So you're a pure lady? Then why don’t I give you a little… checkup?" she said coyly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Huh?" Lily clutched a scrap of her torn skirt and struggled. "No—please, don’t do this!" she pleaded. That was her most sacred place, untouched by anyone. How could she allow it to be defiled?

"You… you can examine my charm energy instead…" Lily said, her voice trembling with shame. It was humiliating to have her charm energy inspected like this—no proud female expert would ever willingly submit to it. But compared to the alternative…

"In that case," the Princess smirked, "you’ll have to cooperate with my inspection." She violently tore open Lily’s clothes and slipped her hand into her sash, pressing firmly against her navel.

Lily gritted her teeth and endured in silent humiliation.

"Huh… Looks like you weren’t lying this time. But now I know—someone did steal your first kiss, didn’t they? S̲l̲u̲t̲!"

She left her hand lingering against Lily’s navel, unwilling to withdraw. "I could devour you right now," she whispered hungrily.

"But… the finest delicacies should be saved for last," she chuckled darkly. "Endure it a little longer." She seized Lily’s slender ankle in her hand.

"Hmph. Even though you’re so tall, your ankles are thin… and your feet are still so small," she remarked, inspecting Lily’s foot.

Without warning, she took Lily’s toes into her mouth.

"Ugh… no, please, don't…" Lily moaned weakly.

"Does it matter? Everything you are belongs to me," the Princess declared.

The Imperial Princess rose to her feet. "Tomorrow, all the ancient powerhouses and overlords of the Boundless Abyss will come to offer their congratulations. You will stand by my side, properly dressed, and behave yourself. Understand?"

"Yes…" Lily nodded reluctantly.

"If you embarrass me… you’ll regret it." She ran her fingers possessively up and down Lily’s thigh before finally letting her go. Lily curled up, lowering her head in silent shame.

"Rest for today. Tomorrow, all of Yomi will see my beautiful wife. Make sure you look your best." With a grim smile, the Imperial Princess turned and left the room.

Lily lay alone on the floor, her hair disheveled and her spirit broken. Her sisters were calling her from the Mirror Dimension, but Lily couldn’t bring herself to answer. She couldn't bear for anyone to see her in such a miserable state.

Sister Ayaka was nowhere nearby to comfort her. Lily’s heart was in turmoil; training was the furthest thing from her mind.

"What should I do… what can I do?" she whispered brokenly. After today’s brutal humiliation, Lily understood at last: she would never escape unless she achieved a breakthrough in strength.

It was clear now that escape was nearly impossible. She had failed even when given a rare chance—next time, the Imperial Princess would be even more watchful, making it all but hopeless.

Yet, if she waited until the night of the wedding, would she truly have the strength to resist the Imperial Princess’ demands?

"I don't want this… I don't want her… She's nothing like Sister Shimizu!" Lily sobbed quietly.

Lily disliked the Imperial Princess, even though she bore the exact same face as Sister Shimizu. Of course, even if it were truly Sister Shimizu, Lily would never accept something forced upon her.

Her purity was her most precious treasure, one she wished to dedicate solely to her senior sister. If not for her senior sister and her other beloved sisters, Lily would have rather chosen death than submit. She would never willingly become the Imperial Princess’ wife!

But if she died… what would become of her senior sister? What of her other sisters?

Although her chastity and her feelings for her senior sister were priceless, their lives and futures mattered even more. Choosing death to protect her chastity would be nothing but cowardice!

She had to endure. She had to carry these burdens! But could she truly endure such humiliation? Would she really be forced to betray the love she held sacred? It was a cruel and unavoidable decision—one that tore at Lily’s soul.

"Senior sister… where are you? Where are you now…?" Tears fell as Lily wept in helpless sorrow.

The world was cloaked in utter darkness—deeper than even the void itself. Nothing could compare.

Though they could still make out the boulders, the mountain walls, and the winding trails, everything was shrouded in a suffocating, unnatural darkness.

Ayaka and Kagura walked in silence, barely exchanging a word. For reasons neither voiced, they both followed the distant bell chimes with unwavering resolve.

Kagura clutched the Sakura Parasol tightly. ‘Why do I feel… nostalgic? Walking beside this tall woman feels strangely familiar… as if long ago… But she looks nothing like Master Suzuhiko-hime… Why do I feel this way?' Kagura wondered as she walked on.

A chilling, ancient aura barred their path. Ahead stood a twisted, emaciated demon clad in tattered armor, a sharp conical hat upon his head. In his hands, he wielded a massive, pitch-black scythe that radiated eerie darkness.

"Who goes there?" the demon growled. "A human female? If you think to barter your bodies for safe passage, you are gravely mistaken. The only pleasure I know is splitting tender flesh with my scythe…" His guttural voice echoed across the abyss.

This demon was a formidable Infernal Stage being. Ayaka knew she could not defeat him. Without hesitation, Ayaka held up the Dark Celestial Maiden medallion.

"What? A Dark Celestial Maiden’s medallion?" Realizing his mistake, the demon immediately retreated into the darkness, merging with the shadows.

Ayaka and Kagura exhaled in relief, exchanged a glance, and continued forward without a word.

Seeing Kagura’s pale face and trembling frame, Ayaka gently took her small hand and led her onward.

"Huh?" Kagura blushed. ‘Why… why is she holding my hand? Only my Master and my former Master ever did that…'