Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 53 – Fierce h.e.l.lish Battle

“Everyone, what an intense fight!” boomed a G.o.dly voice.

From the shrouding darkness, a bolt of lightning surged forth, materializing into a figure. This man, characterized by his completely gray skin, white hair, and slender form, shimmered with a metallic glow. He stood atop a giant boulder, his presence emanating lightning sparks.

“Lightning G.o.d, Wakarai?” echoed the surprised voices of the Queen, Chiya, and even Lord Umashi.

Upon recognizing Wakarai, whom Lily had deemed unbeatable until now, anxiety clouded her thoughts. “Oh no… If Wakarai and Umashi join forces, can Her Majesty and Commander Chiya hold their own?”

Wakarai’s eyes flickered with electric currents. “Kaguya-hime, we met once in Takamagahara. You were just a young lady, always behind the Lunar Palace’s shadows. And now, you contend for supremacy in this dark corner of Yomi?”

Observing that Lord Umashi had halted, Queen Kaguya fixed a stern gaze on Wakarai. “Weren’t you the visitor to the Lunar Palace who hara.s.sed the heavenly maidens, only to flee around Takamagahara, pursued by Sister Bishamonten? That’s you, isn’t it, Wakarai?”

“Enough! You Heavenly Maidens, parading around Takamagahara more provocatively than any demon, clearly seek to ensnare men! How could the men be at fault? Discussing the past is pointless! And now, you prudishly clad yourselves upon entering Yomi?” Wakarai’s tone was disrespectful and familiar, launching into insults without hesitation.

“Is that your concern? What is your true purpose here?”

“Kaguya-hime, you’ve gathered so many attractive followers. Does that not unsettle the other beauties of Yomi? Such a waste. I’ve come to enjoy myself on behalf of Yomi-no-kuni today!” He gazed at Lily as he spoke.

Lily, her garments already tattered from earlier conflict, trembled and wrapped her arms around herself. While she feared no one ordinarily, Wakarai’s formidable power instilled a genuine dread within her.

“You shameless cur! And to think you were once a G.o.d in the heavens,” Queen Kaguya spat, teeth clenched.

“Hey, hey, Wakarai, the G.o.d of Eight Thunders. Your fame surely rings throughout Yomi-no-kuni, but don’t overlook me, alright?” Lord Umashi eyed Wakarai suspiciously, pondering if he had come to usurp his claim.

“Supreme Lord Umashi, your renown precedes you,” Wakarai responded without hostility. “Should we wage war over these women, might we not play into their hands? We would both emerge weaker, gaining nothing. Why not join forces to capture them, then divide the spoils? What do you say?”

Umashi’s eyes brightened. While he was reluctant to share the women with Wakarai, he recognized the challenge Queen Kaguya presented. He might manage to overcome either Chiya or Kaguya alone, but together, they posed a formidable threat. Thus, an alliance with Wakarai might prove advantageous.

“Good! That’s a deal!” Lord Umashi agreed.

“Wonderful!” Wakarai laughed heartily. “Though this is our first meeting, we seem to get along famously! We can settle our other matters later. For now, let’s join forces and capture these defiant women!”

“Yes!” Umashi and Wakarai commenced their partnership, instantly boosting the morale of the demonic army.

Had Wakarai arrived with his eight Infernal Stage subordinates, they might not have reached in time. Because he arrived ahead, his formidable lieutenants were yet to join him.

The ease of their agreement deeply unnerved the Queen and her companions. Yet, faced with no other choice, they prepared to confront them directly.

“Lynne, listen carefully. This battle will be perilous, and even Kasumi and I may not be able to shield you. We will do our utmost to delay them, but you must flee at the first opportunity.”

“What? No, I can’t just abandon you and the sisters! If it comes to it, we’ll fight to the end!” Lily’s resolve was firm. Despite her relative weakness, her courage never wavered.

“Silence! What would your presence change in this battle? It’s not only about you. If an opportunity arises, we too will flee! This battle is a daunting one; we must seize any chance to escape. Understood?” The Queen’s expression hardened. “And if I fall… avenge me!”

“Your Majesty!” Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes. She grasped the gravity of their situation; the Queen’s words painted a dire picture of the battle ahead. Escaping was preferable to a certain defeat here. As long as one of them could flee, there remained a slender hope of rescuing the others later.

“Perhaps I must swallow my pride and plead with Rakshasa-Onna for a.s.sistance,” Lily resolved internally. She would sacrifice her own safety to aid the Queen’s escape if the opportunity arose. For now, she would do what she could under the circ.u.mstances.

“Queen Kaguya! Rumor has it you were once among the six divine commanders under G.o.ddess Tsukuyomi in Takamagahara! Let’s see the true extent of your strength, as a former member of Tsukuyomi’s elite and the so-called mightiest army. Or are you merely a temptress clad in revealing attire?”

Umashi’s strength surged dramatically. Bright red Eldritch Energy engulfed the area! Lord Umashi’s prowess didn’t rely on special abilities or mystical skills; his raw physical strength was formidable!

With a resonant boom, an ancient golden punching glove materialized on his ma.s.sive hand. He unleashed a punch that sent a potent burst of fist energy hurtling towards the Queen!

The Queen swung her Jade Branch, unleashing waves of golden pulses ahead of the incoming attack. The forceful energy shattered several barriers before weakening significantly. It ultimately dissipated into a mere gust of wind that knocked her off balance, disheveling her hair and attire.

Simultaneously, Wakarai sprang into action, transforming into a streak of lightning before materializing in front of Chiya, who was poised to protect the Queen. He brandished a spear of lightning, thrusting it toward her. In response, Chiya countered with her longsword, igniting the battle.

The clash escalated swiftly as four Supreme G.o.ds engaged in fierce combat, unleashing chaos in h.e.l.l. Random lightning strikes and seismic waves wreaked havoc, instantly annihilating many Throned Stage demons or hurling them into the air. Only those who took refuge behind the st.u.r.diest boulders survived, though many boulders shattered under the relentless a.s.sault, crushing their occupants. Big Dipper Archdemons steered clear of the fray, wary that even stray attacks from the G.o.ds could prove fatal.

Lily engaged two Big Dipper demons in combat when suddenly, a violent aftershock laden with sparks erupted. The force pulverized the nearby mountain walls into dust, flinging Lily and her adversaries through the air.

Lily, disoriented, felt as though an unseen force had seized her ankle and swung her through the air. She glimpsed a black stalagmite looming ahead and, mustering her strength, she altered her path to avoid it. Moments later, another quintuple-soul Big Dipper demon collided with the stalagmite, shattering it.

In an instant, the blast hurled Lily over ten kilometers away. Even from such a distance, flashes of light punctuated the depths of h.e.l.l, and powerful energy waves rippled through the surroundings. The ferocity of the battle between Supreme G.o.ds was truly terrifying.

As the nearby demons fled the battle’s epicenter, Lily saw a potential opportunity to escape. Yet, fleeing would mean abandoning the Queen and Chiya to their formidable adversaries. Unable to contemplate such a betrayal, she resolved, “I must do something!”

Lily readied her Himiko Longbow and took aim at the battlefield. However, Wakarai’s movements were blindingly fast, darting about like a bolt of lightning. Even Chiya, renowned for her speed, found herself outmatched.

Given Lily’s current capabilities, it seemed impossible to accurately target a Supreme G.o.d moving at full speed.

“However…” A spark of inspiration ignited in Lily’s eyes.

Though tracking Wakarai’s rapid movements proved challenging, Lily realized she could antic.i.p.ate his next move. At that moment, Wakarai was a.s.saulting Chiya with his spear, forcefully propelling her backward as she spat blood. Without intervention, Chiya would swiftly fall in battle.

“Now, Wakarai is likely to reposition behind her!” A voice inside Lily’s mind suggested. Acting on instinct alone, she positioned her bow behind Chiya and released an arrow.

As predicted, Wakarai materialized behind Chiya in a blink, his spear poised to strike. The arrow flew, narrowly missing his face as he materialized, catching him off-guard.

Lily had enhanced a Spirit Treasure arrow with her potent Hazy Lunar Force. The impact caused Wakarai’s face to tremble, buying Chiya crucial time to react.

Supreme G.o.ds operate at unfathomable velocities, making the battle’s outcomes inherently unpredictable. Reacting swiftly, Chiya spun around and counterattacked, compelling Wakarai to retreat.

After retreating, Wakarai felt a warmth on his face. Touching it, he discovered blood, sparkling with traces of lightning, trickling down alongside a faint scar.

“What…” Wakarai seethed with rage. As a Supreme G.o.d, the minor injury was inconsequential, but his vanity could not stand even the smallest blemish. He channeled divine energy, attempting to rapidly mend the wound.

“Huh?” Surprise widened Wakarai’s eyes, lightning crackling around him. The insignificant wound caused unexpected, searing pain, exacerbated by a strange pulsating energy that impeded the healing process. Even after the wound closed, the profound shock lingered.

“Who could predict that?” Lily’s arrow had been loosed toward an antic.i.p.ated position. Supreme G.o.ds moved with blistering speed, and Wakarai hadn’t even considered being at that spot when the arrow was released. Initially too weak to concern him, the arrow surprisingly pierced his skin and proved troublesome to heal.

“This is… The power of the Lunar Heavenly Path…” Wakarai’s handsome features contorted in realization.

The Lunar Heavenly Path, known as the dominion of the night, was a formidable force wielded by Tsukuyomi no Mikoto’s followers. Renowned for its offensive capabilities, it was considered Takamagahara’s most lethal weapon, deadly to G.o.ds of all ranks, including Amatsukami, Kunitsukami, and even Supreme G.o.ds. While potent against lower beings like Big Dippers, its true power was reserved for divine adversaries.

Historically, even the vaunted Amatsukami and Kunitsukami were mere trifles before Tsukuyomi no Mikoto—no Supreme G.o.d could withstand a direct a.s.sault.