Demon Sword Maiden

Book 3: Chapter 13: Traveling to Izu

Nighttime, in the dark premises of the biggest palace in Kamakura City.

The 10 m tall Minamoto no Yoritomo towered 6-7 m high even when sitting down, just like the sculpture of a seated deity.

“Lord Kamakura!” A resolute middle-aged man dressed in white knelt down in front of the darkness.

“Oh, it’s you, Lord Taira no Kagemori,” Although Minamoto no Yoritomo looked like a giant, his expression and tone were just like an ordinary man’s. His features were just simpler and enigmatic than usual and carried an unbiased gentleness.

“Lord Kamakura. Why did you side with that Kagami Lily? Although Hojo Dijon is to blame for the extermination of the Hojo clan which is under the administration of the Taira, it was also because of that woman. Could it be that she’s completely guiltless? This woman indulges in wealth and is a source of calamity! In this time’s excursion, all the disciples ended up dead and even the most talented girl of the Genji had gone missing, yet she was able to return safely. How could she not take responsibility for this? Even if we set this aside, she has shown no regard for the laws and kicked Lord Nagasaki blatantly in public. She had no respect for the Taira clan at all! Yet, you ordered the Ashikaga clan to punish Lily. The madam and son of the Ashikaga have a good relationship with Lily, so there’s no way they would punish her severely! The nobles and samurai of the Taira cannot accept this decision of yours, Lord Kamakura!”

Minamoto no Yoritomo’s aged yet vibrant middle-aged face with narrow eyes donned a calm expression in response and said, “Kagemori, did you hear that Hojo Dijon has already become a demon and obtained transcendent strength?”

“Yes. The information brought back by the female Genji disciple other than Lily who managed to escape back alone has reached my ears as well. However, in my opinion, this alone shouldn’t be enough to absolve Lily of her guilt.”

“Indeed, it shouldn’t matter. But you might not have yet heard about happened later.”

“What happened exactly, Lord Kamakura?”

“It seems like Lily has slain Hojo Dijon,” Minamoto no Yoritomo nodded with the same calm expression as always.

“What?!” Kagemori was stunned.

“It was stated by Lily herself, and although I haven’t confirmed it yet, I’ve seen her once before. From the impression she left on me, she didn’t seem like a liar.”

“That’s…”

“Kagemori. Have you heard of the strange happenings over at Takeda’s territory?”

“Yes. I have heard about some of them.”

“This Kagami Lily already isn’t on a level where we can handle her with ease,” A fierce glint flashed through Minamoto no Yoritomo’s narrow eyes.

“If this woman really slew Dijon, won’t that mean she had already obtained transcendent strength and is only second to the Furinkazan?”

“Indeed. The situation in Takeda’s territory isn’t clear yet while the west and north are overflowing with even more eldritch energy. Do we need to provoke such a young and talented powerhouse in such a situation? Kagemori, you and I are most clear about the unrest in the East right now. It has already reached the level of damaging our foundations, so it really isn’t proper to provoke such a formidable woman at this moment.”

“So it was like that…” Taira no Kagemori’s hatred for Lily dissipated from his face just like that. A member of an ancient samurai clan like the Taira clan possessed a proper sense of priority. Thus, he looked up at Minamoto no Yoritomo and said, “I finally understand the reasons behind your decision, Lord Kamakura. I shall calm down Nagasaki. Sigh! If this Lily really possesses transcendent strength, Lord Nagasaki can only lament his misfortune. You have my gratitude for the reminder, Lord Kamakura. I know what to do next.”

Taira no Kagemori bowed and then asked to be excused.

Minamoto no Yoritomo was left alone in the spacious palace after that. He gazed at the faraway starry skies and soliloquized, “Kagami Lily. It’s been a long time since a woman who is able to elude even me has appeared. Mirror Girl… Is it truly that enigmatic clan? I’m really looking forward to the changes your presence will bring to the Heian Empire.”

…

Lily’s face was wholly flushed on the way back from the Ashikaga Hall and she also had a ragged breath.

Lily wasn’t afraid of getting fatter as it was impossible for someone as active as her to get fat but getting forced to eat that candy stick made her feel even more embarrassed than getting punished for real.