Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 60 – Chief Advisor, Acting Taishogun

“Kiyoshi? You… you are…” The Cloistered Emperor peered at the man before him. Despite the days spent apart, Ashikaga Kiyoshi, though outwardly unchanged, emanated an aura of profound difference.

“Per the master’s directive, Lord Kiyoshi shall oversee all affairs in Ashihara henceforth,” declared the masked Hannya woman standing beside him.

The woman radiated an extraordinary aura, so potent that even the Cloistered Emperor, in his prime, knew he would be no match for her—a realization made all the more poignant by his current critical injuries.

Acknowledging the mandate as the master’s, he offered no resistance, albeit with a heart burdened by doubt and reluctance.

The Cloistered Emperor’s reign transcended many dynasties and generations. Through the pa.s.sage of time, as countless heroes rose and fell, he endured as the Cloistered Emperor.

“As you command, Your Highness,” the Cloistered Emperor responded with due respect.

“In the world beyond, you shall continue as the Cloistered Emperor of my dynasty.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I am at your service, yet… Minamoto no Yoritomo currently occupies Izumo Mountain. His intentions are unclear, and I fear he may not readily cede his dominion over the world to you.”

“Minamoto no Yoritomo has already met his end,” stated Kiyoshi, his voice calm.

“What?” The news genuinely shook the Cloistered Emperor, a man known for his calculating and cunning nature. “He’s… dead?”

His voice trailed off, disbelief evident. “Is… Lord Kamakura… truly dead?”

“He fell at the hands of Kagami Lily,” revealed the masked Hannya woman.

Kiyoshi found a seat within the room. “Your Majesty, the world has undergone drastic changes. Lady Kagami, Ayaka, and their allies now control the majority of it. A direct confrontation is unfeasible at this juncture. We must strategize further. Lady Kagami…”

As he spoke of her, a spark ignited in his eyes. His black sleeve hung loosely, empty. Though he could easily have another arm regrown with the woman’s help beside him, he chose not to.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the Cloistered Emperor affirmed, kneeling in a gesture of obedience.

“Oh, Lily, if only you could understand… No matter who I’ve become or what I’ve done, it’s all been for you…” His gaze turned reminiscent as he pondered.

Concurrently, thousands of miles away,

Lily and her companions had returned to Heian-kyo, finding much of the area still submerged under floodwaters. Despite the cessation of rain, it was antic.i.p.ated that at least half a month would pa.s.s before the waters receded.

The situation was dire, with the spread of plagues, bandit raids, demonic presences, and numerous other catastrophes.

Ayaka and her group stood on a bridge, their hearts aching as they surveyed the mostly flooded city, united in their disgust at Yoritomo’s madness.

“Lily’s health has been faltering lately. It’s not fitting for her to remain in this chaotic place, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with negative energies and murky waters. She should retreat to Cherry Blossom Valley to recuperate,” Ayaka suggested.

“Exactly. With our enemy defeated and the world at peace, Lily’s expertise does not lie in governance. We can manage things here,” Kotoka affirmed.

“I must then impose upon you, Madam Kotoka,” Ayaka responded, “My worry for Lily persists. I wish to return to Cherry Blossom Valley and care for her.”

“Yes, proceed without concern. The royal family, officials, and martial clans have all united. Your absence will not hinder our reconstruction efforts,” Kotoka a.s.sured.

Ayaka turned to Shizuka Gozen, saying, “We shall temporarily reside in Cherry Blossom Valley’s Taishogun Palace, directing the martial clans from there. Once the floodwaters recede, we will commence mobilizing efforts to construct the thirty-six altars

¹.”

Shizuka Gozen nodded in agreement. “The absence of Yoritomo does not simplify our monumental task. Among the thirty-six sites, most are still infested with demons.”

“Indeed. The apparent peace belies the long journey ahead of us. The unrestored Heavenly Path continues to pose the greatest threat to humanity,” Ayaka sighed, conveying a deep sense of concern.

Subsequently, the group utilized the teleportation formation to return to Cherry Blossom Valley.

That night, a meeting was convened in Cherry Blossom Valley. The damage to the Heavenly Path meant that any delay would allow Eldritch Energy to pervade further, significantly reducing food harvests.

However, Lily was absent from the meeting.

Ayaka took the lead, with Rei by her side.

“As agreed with the Taishogun, Lyn-hime will concentrate on recovery following the great battle. I will resume my role as Chief Advisor to oversee all matters. Miss Uesugi, the governor of the Kanto Region, will serve as the acting Taishogun, leading all martial clans,” Ayaka declared.

“Yes!” came the unified response as the sisters and clan representatives knelt. Many of these envoys resided within Cherry Blossom Valley, attending on behalf of their masters or to relay information in their absence. This a.s.sembly represented a coalition of formidable clans worldwide, officials, and even clan leaders from Heian-kyo.

With the elimination of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the Cloistered Emperor, and the apocalyptic Archdemon Yamata no Orochi by their hands, no force in the world dared challenge Cherry Blossom Valley’s authority

², unless they considered themselves mightier than Yamata no Orochi.

Several days later, nestled within Cherry Valley, Lily, Ayaka, Shimizu, and Rei found solace in the hot springs.

Typically shrouded in bath towels, on this day, they chose to immerse themselves in the waters without any coverings. The trials they had endured together forged their bonds as sisters, unbreakable in their strength.

Their shared womanhood made such openness natural, though Lily had always been hesitant. Today, however, she acquiesced, for reasons unknown even to her.

Yet, this occasion felt distinctly different. As they relaxed in the spring, their eyes occasionally lingered on Lily, focusing on certain aspects of her form, eliciting a deep embarra.s.sment in her, which she strove to conceal.

After all, it appeared her sisters were simply unwinding.

Thankfully, the water’s opacity provided some modesty. With cautious movements, she could avoid complete exposure.

“Lily,” Ayaka announced, rising abruptly and moving toward Lily, her form unveiled.

Ayaka’s height, accentuated by her stance and proximity to the pool’s edge, left much of her form exposed above the knee. The light, reflecting off water droplets, cast a glow on her skin, rendering her appearance both innocent and alluring.

Observers might find themselves at a crossroads of admiration and desire.

Overcome with embarra.s.sment, Lily averted her gaze. Ayaka, seemingly unfazed by her own vulnerability yet blushing, rejoined Lily. “Lily, let’s use this moment to discuss the state of affairs. Presently, we have dominion over all martial clans and cities. Even the lingering loyalists of Minamoto no Yoritomo have capitulated. As expected, Madam Makoto has ascended as the new head of the Genji Clan.”

“Ugh… What’s the progress on the Ship of Ascension and the thirty-six altars?” This matter was of utmost concern to Lily.

“Five locations have commenced the construction of the altars. These are situated within regions fully under our control: Heian-kyo, Kamakura, Suruga Province under the Taira Clan’s domain, and territories governed by the Ijuin clan. However, other areas require full recuperation and robust defense before proceeding. Moreover, we’re still gaining expertise in construction techniques. Madam Shizuka Gozen is overseeing the quickest altar construction in Kamakura. The Ship of Ascension’s construction has been designated to Izumo Mountain. Both the Ogasawara and Kagami Clans are conducting land surveys and preparing the groundwork,” Ayaka explained.

“Thank you for your diligence, Sister Ayaka. Admittedly, I find myself out of my depth with these matters. I’ll be leaning on you and the others, sisters,” Lily confessed, her voice tinged with embarra.s.sment.

“Why worry about that? Your primary task is to rest and recuperate here, ensuring you’re in peak condition. After all, you’re to escort Shizuka Gozen in her ascension,” Ayaka said, pressing herself against Lily in what would normally be considered a common gesture, yet under the circ.u.mstances, it was anything but. Her state of undress made every contact intensely clear to Lily, who couldn’t help but feel a surge of nervousness. “Sister Ayaka…”

“Chief Advisor, isn’t it time for your report? Must you stand so close?” Shimizu teased, slipping behind Lily to wrap her arms around her. Lily instinctively covered her chest, though her hands managed only to shield the center.

“Tell me, Lord Rokuhara Tandai, shouldn’t you be safeguarding the capital? What brings you to Cherry Blossom Valley?” Ayaka questioned, a note of displeasure in her voice.

“What? Have you decided to move the Chief Advisor’s mansion here as well?” Shimizu countered, her tone incredulous.

Without warning, Rei leaned into Lily’s other side. “Is it really fitting to tease the Taishogun in such a manner?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips. “As the acting Taishogun, it’s my duty to protect our Lord Taishogun.”

“Protect? And how do you propose to do that? With your chest?” Shimizu quipped, a smile breaking across her face.

“Focus, please. We’re here to discuss military strategies, not to deviate into such unseemly banter,” Ayaka chided, her irritation evident.

Shimizu’s gaze hardened as she observed them crowding around Lily. “Ayaka, are you implying I lack the right to protect Lil’ Lily?” she inquired, her tone turning serious.

“When have I ever suggested such a thing?”

Lily found herself engulfed in a maelstrom of scents and gentle touches, her cheeks aflame with a blush so deep she felt on the verge of swooning. Yet, her hands steadfastly guarded her most private areas, a task she found exceedingly difficult.

Deep within Mount Fuji, hundreds of miles from this point, lies a realm far deeper than the darkest abyss, beneath layers of boiling lava.

This chasm extends thousands of miles downward!

The air is scorching, and the pressure extraordinary. Any ordinary creature would be instantly crushed upon entry, their flesh incinerated to ashes in moments.

The sky here is a vast expanse of endless stone caverns, with a ceiling hundreds of miles above, typically veiled by layers of sulfur clouds.

Ma.s.sive stone pillars descend from the sky, connecting with the pitch-black ground below. Each pillar is ten times taller than Ashihara’s highest mountain peak, cloaked in streams of incredibly hot lava flowing from above.

Occasionally, cracks in the pitch-black ground emit sparks powerful enough to incinerate nearly anything in this world.

Inside the pitch-black cave stood two ancient stone lamps adorned with beast carvings, suspended by ropes. Nearby, a pitch-black pine tree, its trunk marred by cracks that seemed to burn, bore pine needles of a dark green color, touched with a hint of gold, reminiscent of jade.

Illuminated by the lamp’s glow, a dark, thick hand adorned with red glowing runes carefully unfolded a long scroll.

A gust of fiery air erupted from enormous nostrils with a swish.

“Number ninety-nine. A new face? Hehehe, it’s been years since a new face appeared on the bounty list. What’s this? A human? Can it be that a mere human warrior from Ashihara has caught the heavenly realm’s attention? And a woman, no less?”

“This Kagami Lily is truly so beautiful? Even more so than the Celestial Battle Maiden who’s higher up on the list? How can that be? Huhuhu, perhaps they’ve depicted her with such beauty to expedite her capture? Trusting those in heaven has never been wise! Hahahaha, hahahahahahahaha!”

Footnotes:

1. 
   

   Robinxen: I kind of forgot that the final boss was just part of this side quest…

2. 
   

   Robinxen: Sorry but we still have…. several volumes to go… so spoilers but I think there are more threats.