Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 52 – Lord Umashi

“Why are you here, Lord Umashi? What is it that you want?” The Queen’s demeanor turned grave as she faced him. The stories of Lord Umashi’s deeds, known even near the Abyss of Parting Sorrow, were troubling to her. His presence here was unsettling and filled her with disgust.

Chiya’s expression hardened upon recognizing Lord Umashi. Known as a Kunitsukami and a Supreme G.o.d, his reputation preceded him. Chiya doubted her ability to confront him directly in combat. Even though the Queen might match him in power, she was not known for her prowess in battle.

Chiya pondered, visibly disturbed, “Is Aohana the Punisher merely buying time?” The notion that the h.e.l.l of Torment might be collaborating with Lord Umashi troubled her deeply. “If this is the case, what number of formidable forces are conspiring against Her Majesty?”

Lord Umashi fixed his gaze on Queen Kaguya, his voice low and steady, “Despite Takamagahara’s bounty on you, exceeding all my riches, I have no intention of aligning with them. Instead, I extend an invitation to you, Your Majesty, and your exquisite attendants to visit my Rindo City for some revelry and drinks.”

“I’m sorry, I do not partake in drinks with men. Should there be nothing more, Supreme Lord, I must ask you to excuse us.” As she spoke, the Queen was already strategizing a potential confrontation with Lord Umashi in her mind.

“No, this simply won’t do. Are you disrespecting me, Your Majesty? Do you think I’ve traveled over ten thousand miles to leave empty-handed? Please reconsider. Why not have that woman there join me for a drink while you deliberate?” Lord Umashi, pointing at Lily, pressed the Queen for a response.

Lily was taken aback. It became clear that Lord Umashi, the old four-eyed man, was not just gazing at the Queen but also fixating on Lily with three of his eyes. It was apparent he recognized her ident.i.ty.

At that moment, thousands of demons cl.u.s.tered atop the giant monk. One leaped down, his appearance ambiguous—somewhere between demon and human expert of Yomi. Clad as a wandering samurai, bare-chested with a lean physique, his odd charm was unmistakable despite the bizarre situation.

Most women might be captivated by just one look at him, yet Lily felt nothing but disgust as she encountered his leering gaze.

The tall, handsome vagrant advanced towards Lily, completely disregarding Seki next to her. Standing over 180 centimeters, he flirted openly, his gestures overtly suggestive, which only increased Lily’s discomfort.

“Miss, the Supreme Lord has extended an invitation. Won’t you join me?” coaxed the handsome vagrant, his voice dripping with charm.

“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible,” Lily responded bluntly.

“Ah, that’s a shame. Though I’ve been with many, none compare to your beauty. Surely, you’ve never met a man as striking as myself, right? Why not join me for some merriment and drinks, despite the ominous surroundings of the h.e.l.l of Torment?” The vagrant continued to flirt, extending his hand towards Lily’s chin.

“Don’t touch me!” Lily reacted swiftly, batting his hand away before he could make contact.

“Lord Umashi!” The Queen exclaimed, her tone tinged with indignation. “Lynne is not merely my dancer; she is as dear to me as a sister. What is the meaning of this? If you permit your subordinate to continue this humiliation, I will be forced to intervene!”

“Hahaha! They’re just having a bit of fun. Why the interference, Your Majesty? Surely, that’s beneath your dignity,” Umashi laughed dismissively.

“Lord Umashi! This is at your behest, isn’t it?” Chiya accused, raising her voice.

“And what of it? Who would dare to oppose me?” Umashi threatened, his oppressive aura stifling Lily’s movements.

Seizing the moment, the handsome vagrant attempted to embrace Lily. “Don’t resist, let’s enjoy the moment. I promise you pleasure,” he murmured enticingly.

The Queen countered with a formidable aura that neutralized Lord Umashi’s oppressive force. Though no physical blows were exchanged, the confrontation was palpable. Despite not being a warrior, Queen Kaguya’s mastery over her aura rivaled that of Lord Umashi.

“Back off!” Lily retorted, sidestepping swiftly and drawing Oborozuki Muramasa. With a deft movement, she struck him in the stomach with the hilt of her sword, pushing him away.

“Ouch, that hurts! How dare you strike me, wretch!” he exclaimed in pain.

Suddenly, the handsome vagrant radiated a burst of spirit energy. “Behold my sword technique, for I am Otomo Kinmaku!”

Originating from the once wealthy Otomo Clan during the ancient Asuka Dynasty, Kinmaku was a descendant of a renowned sword prodigy. His lineage’s fall from grace began when an ancestor failed to cross the Heavenly Gate while the Asuka Dynasty reigned over the Akitsu Continent.

Kinmaku demonstrated the formidable power of a septuple-soul Big Dipper, drawing his longsword and unleashing lethal sword energy that fragmented the nearby boulders. “I’ll strip you bare!” he declared, charging towards Lily.

Kinmaku’s a.s.sault was swift and lethal, his blade slicing through the air towards Lily. Though his intent was not to kill—for such an act would incur the wrath of the supreme lord—he directed his sword’s energy to slice through her garments instead.

As he aimed for the belt at Lily’s chest, she could have retreated to evade the strikes. Instead, she adeptly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade meant to sever her belt. Facing the oncoming sword energies, her gaze hardened as she focused on his chest, drawing Oborozuki Muramasa in a fluid motion.

With a swift motion, Lily’s clothes were torn in several places. Simultaneously, Oborozuki Muramasa pierced Kinmaku’s body, striking his heart and devastating his Spirit Sea!

Blood spurted from Kinmaku’s chest as he gazed at Lily, disbelief etching his features. “You… You…” he stammered, attempting to lift his blade with trembling hands, but it slipped from his grasp. He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

“What?” exclaimed the Supreme Lord and his followers, taken aback. Lily, also a Septuple-soul like Kinmaku, had felled him with a single, decisive blow.

Kinmaku’s overconfidence was his undoing, but the sheer prowess of Lily’s attack was undeniable—surpa.s.sing any known Big Dipper in strength.

The Lord watched Lily closely, noting how her stunning beauty veiled a lethal edge. It was clear why she was a marked woman in Takamagahara, not just for her strength as a Big Dipper but for her unparalleled swordsmanship. Risking her garments in tatters, she opted to attack rather than evade, her intent to kill evident from the outset. Such potential posed a significant future threat.

“B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲! How dare you kill Kinmaku!” roared Lord Umashi. “Queen, you permitted your attendant to slay my man! Therefore, hold no grudge when I retaliate! Seize Kagami Lily at once!”

At that instant, thousands of demons perched atop the giant monk leaped down. Predictably, the anteater-like creatures guarding the entrance to the h.e.l.l of Torment were unable to halt the advance of his formidable army.

Additionally, the demon horde included a few members from various factions who had congregated at the entrance. They charged toward Lily and her companions with aggressive intent.

“Even if I hadn’t killed him, would you have spared me?” Lily understood the vile intentions of these lecherous beasts. While his immediate desire was to shred her clothing, it was evident more grievous a.s.saults would follow. Showing restraint offered no benefits; defeat would mean a fate far worse than death. Thus, the only viable strategy was to eliminate as many foes as possible.

“Insolent girl! Do you believe you have the right to address me?” Umashi bellowed furiously.

Thousands of demons swarmed around them, hundreds of which were elite troops personally recruited by Lord Umashi, identified as Big Dippers due to their formidable strength. Notably, eight of these demons were of the Infernal Stage. Each Archdemon exuded a terrifying aura as they led the charge, foretelling the inevitability of a fierce battle.

Queen Kaguya brandished her golden jade branch, casting waves of gold, blue, and silver light around them. This action instantly enhanced the capabilities of Lily and her allies, augmenting their strength and speed while encasing them in a protective barrier of divine energy.

The divine energy barrier, forged by a Supreme G.o.d, proved invaluable to Lily. While its effects were not as potent on her as on Chiya, it nonetheless amplified her defensive capabilities significantly.

“Demons, heed my command! You must capture the Queen and Kagami Lily alive!” roared Lord Umashi, his voice thundering through the cavernous s.p.a.ce.

Simultaneously, a formidable projection of his Soul World materialized beside him, its visage more daunting than the h.e.l.lish landscape that surrounded them.

Queen Kaguya waved her branch, and the sound of clear bell chimes resonated, transforming into golden bell projections. The cavernous, dark s.p.a.ce was filled with sudden brightness, revealing a scene reminiscent of ancient times—a small hut nestled within a bamboo forest.

This serene vision was none other than Queen Kaguya’s Soul World.

The green bamboos flickered with golden light, harmonizing with the glowing bells. This created a unique realm that gradually repelled the oppressive Soul World of Lord Umashi.

In this clash of Soul Worlds, Queen Kaguya maintained the upper hand. Lily and her companions remained defensive, shielded by the protective embrace of Queen Kaguya’s Soul World.

Compelled, the demons surged into her Soul World. The weaker ones, mere Throned Stage beings, were purified by the golden light, their powers drained by the bamboos, causing them to collapse instantaneously.

Even the formidable Big Dipper demons felt their strength diminishing, growing weaker than they had ever been.

Meanwhile, Lily and her allies found themselves empowered by Kaguya’s spells. As the conflict endured, they began to gain an advantage.

Lily ascended swiftly, her weapon cleaving through the air with unprecedented force. In mere moments, accompanied by a duo of luminous flashes, she vanquished several Big Dipper demons.

Simultaneously, Chiya, bolstered by the Queen’s magic, wielded strength within the Soul World that mirrored that of a full-fledged Supreme G.o.d. Resembling a bolt of lightning, Chiya reduced any demon unfortunate enough to cross her path to dust.

Just then, eight demons of the Infernal Stage penetrated the Soul World; six of them converged on Chiya, while the remaining two encircled Seki.

“Queen Kaguya, how dare you overpower these fledglings with your Celestial might!” roared the Supreme Lord, unleashing his divine force and barreling towards the Queen.

“This is bad!” exclaimed Chiya, as she repelled several Infernal Archdemons with one sweeping move and hurried to shield the Queen.

Suddenly, a dazzling bolt of lightning tore through the darkness, striking at Chiya.

“Kasumi!” Queen Kaguya shouted, channeling all her Soul World’s power to redirect the lightning bolt while simultaneously issuing a warning.

Though the lightning bolt was formidable, Chiya, fortified by the Queen’s Soul World and as powerful as a Supreme G.o.d, evaded the bolt with agility. However, the sheer power of the attack left her skirt tattered.

With a thunderous roar, the redirected lightning bolt plunged into the h.e.l.l of Torment, gouging out an abyssal crater.