Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 63 – Before Dawn

Lily made her way back to Cherry Blossom Valley, finding the world to be in a state of relative peace. However, demons emerging from deep underground fissures continued to disrupt this tranquility frequently.

Interestingly, these demons exhibited a significant degree of intelligence. Several Archdemons launched slaughters upon their emergence, making their way to populous areas such as Heian-kyo and Kamakura, only to be repelled or eradicated by Lily’s sisters and formidable forces like the Taira Clan’s soldiers. Others chose to claim remote areas as their domains, sporadically tormenting the human populace.

Furthermore, the abyssal demons shared no camaraderie with Ashihara’s indigenous demons, leading to occasional conflicts among them. Infighting was common among the abyssal demons themselves, with their aggressions not solely aimed at humans. As such, chaos prevailed across many regions.

Merely a handful of her sisters possessed the prowess to confront the abyssal Archdemons, predominantly stationed in the Kanto Region or in the vicinity of Heian-kyo, safeguarding the altars’ construction.

The defense of these altars virtually depleted the martial clans and n.o.bles’ resources. In the absence of formidable defenders, preemptive formation strategies were essential.

The altars, under heavy guard, held little appeal to the demons. An a.s.sault implied direct confrontation with humanity’s elite forces, with inevitable swift reprisal even upon a successful attack, rendering such endeavors futile. Months of conflict led most territorially established demons to desist from unwarranted altar attacks.

Despite being numerically inferior, human forces were largely united. However, the persistent demonic incursions primarily hindered the altars’ construction, resulting in slower progress than antic.i.p.ated.

Concurrently, the Heian Dynasty found its resources utterly drained. Cherry Blossom Valley was compelled to significantly invest its own finances to sustain construction efforts across various locales, navigating through the fiscal crisis.

Time swiftly pa.s.sed, with five months elapsing almost instantaneously. Across the realms, twenty-eight altars were erected, albeit occasionally falling victim to demonic sabotage, necessitating reinforcement and restoration efforts upon damage.

The prayer altar situated in the plains of Owari Province was under the vigilant guard of Haihime and soldiers of the Oda Clan.

“Quickly! Lord Oda, demons have a.s.saulted the Western cannon formations, risking their breach. Immediate cavalry reinforcement is imperative!” Despite her constant presence, Haihime had enlisted numerous shikigami over recent months, including rabbits, birds, and spirits, to surveil the vicinity and relay intelligence.

Haihime had undergone a transformation. Amidst her travels safeguarding various altars, she utilized her downtime to project her consciousness to the Mirror Dimension’s training locale, dubbed the Cloud Sanctum by the sisters. The efficacy of training there dwarfed external efforts, enabling Haihime to ascend to the Throned Stage within mere months.

Furthermore, extended training within the Cloud Sanctum unveiled an astonishing revelation: sisters training concurrently could, to a degree, share their understanding of skills!

For instance, Uesugi Rei’s mastery of Glacial True Intent meant that all sisters present in the Cloud Sanctum could grasp this concept to varying extents, enhancing their proficiency in this area, provided they had foundational Glacial skill training. Absent this prerequisite, their abilities remained unchanged.

This remarkable capability appeared exclusive to various Paths, yet its impact was profoundly significant.

Lily’s prowess in Lunar power positioned her at the nascent phase of the Heavenly Path, specifically the Hazy Moon Stage, signifying considerable advancement. Influenced by her, her sisters embarked on Lunar force training, which, once initiated, saw marked enhancement.

Intriguingly, the Cloud Sanctum experienced a day-night cycle, albeit at a significantly decelerated pace, with a real-world equivalent of twelve days for a single day to elapse therein. The presence of a full moon in the nocturnal sky facilitated their comprehension of lunar force.

Haihime concentrated on lunar power but had yet to reach sufficient mastery. Despite her training in the Cloud Sanctum, she had grasped merely thirty percent of Lunar Intent, far from the pinnacle of Lunar True Intent. Nevertheless, the c.u.mulative enhancements from sisters, particularly Lily, training in Lunar Force empowered her to exhibit the prowess akin to a sixth stage Lunar True Intent, a formidable capability.

Conversely, Lily’s proficiency in Lunar Force incrementally grew alongside her sisters’ advancements. However, given her already formidable baseline, these enhancements were minor and barely perceptible.

Consequently, despite Haihime’s recent ascent to the Throned Stage, positioning her strength on par with that of a nascent Throned Sovereign, the c.u.mulative external enhancements to her capabilities had elevated her to the prowess of a seasoned Throned Saint—a significant leap in power!

For formidable sisters such as Lily, Kimiko, Ayaka, Rei, and Shimizu, this enhancement offered marginal benefit. Conversely, for the less powerful sisters, this a.s.sistance could exponentially amplify their foundational strength.

“Shibata! Take your thousand-strong cavalry squad and bolster the Western formation!” commanded Oda.

“At once, my Lord!” exclaimed a bearded samurai, departing immediately.

They stood beneath Kasugayama Castle, where the altar had been constructed adjacent to the mountain.

Winter had enveloped the land. Previously, the altar fell victim to sabotage by a cohort of snow demons during Rei’s absence. Upon her return, she stood solitary amidst the snowfall, wielding a silver sword that emanated an aura so formidable it spanned kilometers, instilling dread in any demon that dared near. In her vigilant stance, she mirrored an avatar of Bishamonten, safeguarding the altar.

Heian-kyo, too, was cloaked in snow, with icicles adorning the rooftops throughout the city.

“Sisters! Despite tonight being New Year’s Eve, we cannot afford to loosen our vigilance. While the city’s demons may respect our traditions, those from the abyss are indifferent to the significance of this night and may strike at any moment,” Ijuin, clad in a leather jacket and mounted on horseback, proclaimed alongside the city walls, her katana held aloft.

Dozens of Tsunaga Sisters and a contingent of soldiers trailed in her wake.

Their mission was to patrol the vicinity of the altar.

With the fortification of defenses around each altar, their a.s.sault became increasingly futile. Archdemon attacks on the altars dwindled, while minor demons posed negligible danger. The world’s combat forces and onmyojis had been rallied to safeguard these sanctuaries and the Ship Of Ascension.

As spring succeeded winter, the ice thawed, rejuvenating the world with the resurgence of blooming flowers.

Ultimately, the construction of all thirty-six altars was completed, with Shizuka Gozen’s formation installed by numerous onmyojis, rendering them fully operational.

In light of this news and the completion of the Ship Of Ascension, Lily convened an overnight meeting.

Naturally, the meeting took place in the Mirror Dimension, accommodating her sisters dispersed globally to defend the altars, particularly in locales besieged by Archdemon activity.

Lily herself was beyond Heian-kyo’s bounds, braving the chill of early spring nights.

Despite Shizuka Gozen’s inability to enter, she was present beside Lily.

The colossal Ship Of Ascension, completed two months prior, was subsequently relocated to Heian-kyo for enhanced protection.

Lily stood opposite the mountainous vessel, beside a parked carriage that, in comparison, appeared no more significant than a tiny hut at the mountain’s base.

Spanning 1,365 meters in length and reaching a height of 530 meters at its tallest point, the Ship Of Ascension’s stature would extend to a kilometer tall with its sails unfurled!

Crafted through the exhaustive allocation of national resources, this monumental ship stood as a testament to the Heian Dynasty’s resilience, despite its recent tribulations with war and Archdemon raids. Symbolizing humanity’s aspirations, it was destined to navigate the Heian Dynasty into the future.

Observing the ship from a distance, Lily was filled with awe. Laden with intricate formations, ingenious mechanisms, and numerous Spirit Treasures, the vessel was deemed an indomitable treasure in its own right. Its most crucial function was its ability to ascend. Lily was to accompany Shizuka Gozen aboard, venturing to the mythical Takamagahara to beseech Amaterasu-Ōmikami for the restoration of sunlight and the Heavenly Path to the mortal realm.

Concurrently, all sisters convened within the Mirror Dimension’s octagonal stone chamber for discussion.

“Lily, our collective endeavors have culminated in the completion of the thirty-six altars. Yet, safeguarding each simultaneously proves exceedingly challenging. Our current strategy hinges on mere fortune to deter powerful Archdemons from exploiting vulnerabilities. To forestall potential issues, initiating the ascension ceremony forthwith is advisable,” Ayaka proposed.

“Indeed,” Kotoka concurred. “Over the last half-year, nearly three of every five constructed altars have been razed, severely impeding our progress. The nation’s military capabilities and resources are nearing depletion. Expedited action and immediate ascension are imperative to circ.u.mvent ensuing dilemmas.”

The consensus among her sisters was in alignment with Ayaka and Kotoka’s viewpoints.

Lily nodded in affirmation. “My sentiments exactly. Let’s commence tonight.”

Upon learning of Lily’s decision, Shizuka Gozen concurred, advocating for immediate preparatory actions, albeit noting the ship’s ascension was constrained to morning hours.

The sisters intuitively grasped Shizuka Gozen’s rationale, acknowledging the inappropriateness of nocturnal prayers to Amaterasu.

Consequently, preparations commenced overnight, culminating in readiness two days thereafter, as they awaited dawn.

Presently, they endured protracted nights, extending from a minimum of eight days to a maximum of a month, leaving Lily agitated by the prolonged antic.i.p.ation.

Their paramount concern was the potential for an attack at this juncture, with the destruction of an altar posing significant complications.

Lily remained vigilant, poised to personally address any emergent threats in any locality.

Fortuitously, despite two subsequent Archdemon raids, outcomes were favorable. An Archdemon’s a.s.sault on Kamakura’s altar was thwarted by Ayaka, resulting in its demise. Another instance saw a Throned Sovereign Archdemon targeting Tsukushi Island’s altar, with the Shimadzu Clan successfully repelling the attack, averting any harm.

At last, daylight broke on the seventh day following the completion of all preparations!