Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 29 – Lily Enters The Palace

“Lord General, so you’re saying that you want me to seduce Her Majesty and gain her affection. That way, the demoness wouldn’t have an opportunity to do so, right?” Lily asked.

“Lynne, not only do you care about the greater good, but you are also smart. You are the perfect candidate for this task.”

“However, the Female Queendom is a place where many female experts in Yomi compete with one another, and there are beautiful women everywhere. Although I am willing, I’m afraid I don’t stand much of a chance,” Lily said, turning her head away shyly.

“If Her Majesty doesn’t like you, then it only means that Her Majesty isn’t interested in women,” Chiya said, reluctantly holding Lily’s waist.

“Huh?” Lily blushed.

“Lynne, I won’t force you in this matter; forcing you wouldn’t work anyway. Although your task is merely to seduce the Queen, the palace is filled with danger. I don’t want to deceive you about how dangerous this is. The decision is still up to you,” Chiya said, holding Lily’s hands tightly.

“I… understand. General Chiya, I am willing. Once I go, I will definitely try my best and do everything I can to seduce Her Majesty,” Lily replied earnestly.

“Lynne!” Chiya’s eyes filled with joy, but soon disappointment followed. Perhaps part of her hoped that Lily wouldn’t go.

“It’s getting late. You should rest. Be prepared to enter the palace in the next few days. I’ll inform you about what you need to know beforehand. It will also take some time to make the necessary arrangements before you can enter the palace.”

“Yes.” Lily nodded.

In the vast darkness, a ghostly sedan was slowly moving forward.

Fujiwara no Ayaka and another female expert sat opposite each other inside. Ayaka opened the curtain of the window and looked out, seeing only absolute darkness.

They had been in this sedan chair for many days, and even Ayaka couldn’t tell exactly how long.

The female expert opposite her was named Nara Ryoko, originally a princess of the Nara Dynasty. She was supposed to become the Empress, but a political conflict arose before she could take the throne. Consequently, she was deceived and fell into Yomi Hirazaka’s spiral maze, remaining trapped for hundreds of years.

However, she was incredibly capable, surviving alone in a maze for hundreds of years and even achieving the rank of Quintuple-soul Big Dipper before breaking out.

As she was destined to become the Empress, Ryoko had no surname of her own. Coming from Nara, she adopted it as her surname.

Although Yomi was dangerous, she liked it here. Having suffered from deceit in her youth, she preferred facing direct aggression and desire over enduring trickery and lies.

“Miss Ayaka, are you going to Yomi to find someone?” Ryoko asked. She had interacted with Ayaka along the way and learned a bit about her, though their conversations were brief.

“Yes, I’m looking for my lover,” Ayaka said.

“Really? h.e.l.l-bent on seeking your lover and even traveling into Yomi. You are truly a dedicated lover. I wonder what kind of man he is, to make such a beauty like you do this without hesitation,” Ryoko mused.

“No, she’s a woman.”

“Huh? A woman? But you said your lover?”

“Why? Can’t a woman fall in love with another woman?”

“Ugh… That was a ma.s.sive taboo in the Nara Dynasty. But I suppose the current dynasty has changed its mindset.”

“Then why do you wish to get into Yomi, Miss Ryoko?”

“I just want to become stronger and learn more about this world. In truth, I already know that my Nara Dynasty has been destroyed, and I can’t go back anymore. Sometimes, I don’t even know what else I should do… Perhaps I can only find my answer by continuing to train,” Ryoko said, her gaze distant.

Ayaka ended the conversation. This woman was undoubtedly powerful yet still ended up in Yomi. Both had suffered tragic fates.

“Lily… where are you?”

Several days later, Chiya had everything arranged and finally sent Lily into the palace. She provided numerous reminders along the way, including the rules of the palace and the induction process.

Since she had other military affairs and was unwilling to reveal her presence, she parted ways with Lily shortly thereafter.

At this moment, Lily, adorned in red flowing robes, was transported by a luxurious spectral ox carriage. She traversed the streets of the Female Queendom and entered a secluded garden path leading to the rear of the palace.

There was a female guard at the entrance who granted her entry after checking her doc.u.ments. Lily entered the outer courtyard of the rear palace, which seemed quaint yet secluded. After all, being in Yomi-no-kuni, the place visibly lacked warmth and harmony.

Lily alighted from the carriage but was stopped by several guards.

“Blindfold her,” a maid instructed as she approached.

“Huh?”

The young woman, no taller than 170 centimeters, had an average but gentle appearance and tastefully braided hair. Yet, she stared at Lily grimly as if viewing a disposable object.

“What is that noise? You must be blindfolded on the way to the palace; that’s the rule! Don’t think you’re an exception because you’re pretty and recommended by the General.”

Upon saying this, two maids blindfolded Lily, who could only submit to their actions. She let them guide her as she walked across the winding cobblestone path in the palace. After walking for a long time, they led Lily up to a ceremonial dais.

“Take off your shoes!”

“Take off her shoes!”

The two maids leaned down, rudely lifted Lily’s skirt, grabbed her ankles, and removed her Celestial Maiden clogs before taking her up the dais.

They walked along the corridor for a long time before entering a room. Two guards removed her blindfold and then stood guard by the entrance as they walked out. Inside, there were two mature-looking women and two young maids.

Soon, the door opened and a young woman with braided hair emerged. She had purple-red hair and wore a luxurious dress, adorned with elaborate head accessories, resembling some sort of manager.

“Chief Stewardess Kanbayashi,” everyone bowed toward her.

The young woman nodded slightly, glancing briefly at Lily.

She approached and examined Lily from top to bottom, walking in circles around her. “Surprisingly, she’s a rare beauty. Her posture also looks nice. As expected of someone brought in by General Chiya, she’s definitely extraordinary.”

“What is your name?” asked Kanbayashi.

“Lynne.”

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“I’m a dancer. I am naturally here to dance.”

“You will answer exactly what I ask of you. Don’t speak nonsense! The rules in the palace are very strict. If you cross the line, no matter who brought you in, you will face harsh punishment. Understand?” Kanbayashi reprimanded harshly.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good,” Kanbayashi nodded. “You seem quite obedient, unlike some who enter the palace thinking they can behave as they did outside. They only listen after being punished.”

Lily was at a loss for words.

“Take off her clothes for inspection,” Kanbayashi ordered.

“Huh?” Lily exclaimed, shocked.

“What are you doing? What are you shocked about? Where do you think this is? This is the Female Queendom’s Royal Palace, particularly Her Majesty’s rear palace. Although Her Majesty is still single, there are hundreds of maidservants, singers, and dancers serving her. If we don’t check each thoroughly, what if a spy comes in? Take it off!” Kanbayashi commanded.

“But… But…” Lily blushed and covered her chest. “I have never stripped naked in front of anyone. Please understand, Chief Kanbayashi…”

Kanbayashi grabbed her hand. “Understand what? Every woman who serves Her Majesty must be thoroughly inspected by us. There are no exceptions! Take it off!”

“Huh? Well…” Lily was reluctant to strip naked in front of these strangers, especially since her mirror was still in her belt.

“Are you going to strip or not? Do you dare to disobey me?”

“Uh…” Just as the situation became awkward, the young woman at the entrance whispered a few words into Kanbayashi’s ear and slipped a small pouch carrying five Blood Spirit Magatama into her hand.

Kanbayashi’s att.i.tude instantly changed. “Oh, ah… I see. It seems you’re an unfortunate soul who was traumatized young. You’ll seize up and vomit blood if exposed in front of others. That’s understandable. Don’t worry, little sister, you may keep your underwear. However, we must ensure you’re not hiding any weapons.”

“Thank you, Chief Kanbayashi,” Lily bowed.

A few maids approached and quickly stripped her clothing, leaving her in her white underwear. Her figure was indeed superb, and even the maids nearly lost their composure. However, this was the rear palace, and regardless of whether Her Majesty slept with them, all women here still belonged to her. n.o.body dared to overstep, as it would be considered a grave offense.

The maids here were all Big Dipper Stage experts. While they wouldn’t be executed for such crimes, they would still face severe punishments.

“What is this?” Lily’s belt had been removed earlier and set aside.

Her bunch of storage jade on the string and the ancient mirror were revealed. Her storage jade was naturally registered and temporarily confiscated.

Kanbayashi inquired, holding the ancient mirror.

“This… I’ve held onto this mirror since I was young. I’d be uncomfortable sleeping without it by my side, and I won’t even dance well without it,” Lily explained.

Kanbayashi inspected the mirror and, despite its unique and old appearance, concluded it was an ordinary mirror with no special powers or storage capabilities.

“You really have lots of issues, girl. You’re merely a slave. Do you think you’re a consort? Are you that delicate?”

She scolded her. Despite receiving a bribe, Kanbayashi knew it would be problematic if she neglected her duties. She placed the mirror on a wooden table, saying, “I’ll make an exception and allow you to keep this. We’ll hold on to your other storage treasures for now. The palace will provide you with a dedicated storage jade for your daily use.”

“Yes.” Lily thought indifferently, as there was nothing of value in that storage item. She wouldn’t mind even if they confiscated it permanently.

“Come on, lift your arm,” Kanbayashi instructed as she walked beside Lily.

“Huh?”

“I told you to lift it. Didn’t you hear me?”

Feeling helpless, Lily could only lift one arm.

Kanbayashi, appearing reckless and accustomed to toying with women, forcefully reached out and fondled Lily’s armpit, even sniffing it

¹.

“Chief Kanbayashi…” Lily, having never experienced such an examination, felt so sensitive that her body trembled.

“Hmm, there’s no unusual odor. You seem to be in perfect health. I need to examine your other armpit,” Kanbayashi remarked as she made Lily lift her other arm and personally inspected it again…

Nevertheless, this was the standard procedure for entering the palace

Footnotes:

1. 
   

   Robinxen: AUTHORRRRRRR!!!!!

2. 
   

   Robinxen: AUTHORRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!