Demon Sword Maiden

Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 20 – Sudden Attack

Oda Nobutora, leader of a small samurai clan, had risen to power with Lily’s assistance and his own capabilities, overthrowing the Shiba clan to take control of Owari. Upon hearing of Lily’s approach, he personally came out to greet her and deliver supplies.

Guided by Oda, Lily’s group was accommodated in Kiyosu Castle. They strolled through the city streets at night, illuminated by numerous lanterns, a rare sight in the current world. Since the large sedan couldn’t enter the city, they switched to an ox cart. Lily, peering out, addressed Oda Nobutora, “Lord Oda, the city has transformed since my last visit.”

“Without General Lyn-hime’s support, my Oda clan wouldn’t have achieved this much,” Oda replied courteously. “We might not compare to the Punitive Army, but we can contribute five thousand troops, including a two-thousand-strong regiment of elite gunmen.”

Most of the seventy thousand-strong army camped outside the city, while Lily’s group occupied the top floors of Oda’s castle. During a night meeting about the march route, a kunoichi burst in, visibly panicked.

“General Lyn-hime, Lady Ayaka, it’s urgent!”

“What happened?” Lily asked, perplexed about what could disrupt their powerful army at rest.

“Calm down, explain clearly,” Ayaka instructed.

“Mi- Minamoto no Yoritomo, he’s appeared…”

“Where? In Heian-kyo?” Lily asked, deeply concerned about Yoritomo’s activities.

“No, in Suruga Castle!”

“Suruga Castle? How?”

The kunoichi reported, “Last night, a black-armored army stormed Suruga Castle and killed Imagawa. Minamoto no Yoritomo’s banner was seen among them.”

“Was Yoritomo personally spotted?” Ayaka inquired.

“Reports mention a large sedan, but no confirmed sighting of Yoritomo. Suruga is now engulfed in flames and chaos.”

The group was stunned by this sudden development.

“How did Yoritomo get behind us? Why send troops to Mutsu?” Shimizu questioned.

Before their campaign, Lily’s group had considered the possibility of encountering remnants of Yoritomo’s forces in Mutsu and Dewa. However, they did not view these forces as a significant threat to their large army, nor did they have any crucial defensive positions in those areas. Cherry Blossom Valley was safeguarded by its maze formation and puppet soldiers, and in cooperation with the Takeda and Murai families, they should be able to hold off any of Yoritomo’s forces from Mutsu and Dewa. Moreover, Cherry Blossom Valley wasn’t a critical point that required strict defense, so they hadn’t paid much attention to it.

If mere remnants from Mutsu and Dewa were attacking, they could be disregarded, but Minamoto no Yoritomo’s direct involvement signified a grave threat. Their march towards Heian-kyo would be futile if Yoritomo was orchestrating maneuvers from behind with an elite force.

The giant moray eel’s head reemerged from the waterspouts, its expression fierce. Thunder rumbled around it, its voice booming over the crackle of lightning, “Are you Genji?”

“Huh?”

“Are you from Genji’s clan!?” the eel demanded, its voice overwhelming even the storm’s fury.

Lily hesitated. While she was aligned with Yoshitsune, a member of the Genji clan, she stood in opposition to the current head, Minamoto no Yoritomo. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t part of the Genji clan by lineage.

“No,” Lily replied simply.

“No? Then who are you?” the eel inquired.

“I am Kagami Lily,” she stated.

“Kagami, Lily?” The moray eel, with its human-like head, seemed puzzled. “An unfamiliar name, yet your strength is noteworthy.”

Lily, unwilling to engage in battle with the sea monster but also not ready to retreat, subtly exhibited her strength as a caution.

“How peculiar. A mere girl possesses such formidable power?”

“Random? Ahahaha, this person was ordained as the Taishogun and tasked by the emperor to subdue Minamoto no Yoritomo. How can she be random? Senior moray eel, who are you?” Shimizu interjected from behind, her voice steady amidst the roaring wind and rain.

The moray eel, unfazed by Shimizu’s casual tone, asked with curiosity, “To suppress Minamoto no Yoritomo? Is that true?”

“Yes, senior,” Lily confirmed, sensing the eel’s hostility wane. She gave a respectful bow, recognizing the moray eel as an ancient arch-demon.

“Ahahahahaha! So it is! For years, I’ve devoured countless Genjis who dared traverse these waters, sinking many of their ships. Yet, this is the first time I’ve met an enemy of Minamoto no Yoritomo!” the eel exclaimed.

“It seems there’s a deep-seated history between you and Minamoto no Yoritomo?” Lily queried.

“Hah, not just history, but deep-seated hatred and enmity! I am Taira no Shigemori! Slain in battle against Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune years ago! Both Yoritomo and Yoshitsune are my enemies! I’m unaware of the world’s current state, but since you oppose Yoritomo, I won’t hinder your journey

¹. Tell me, how fares my father, Taira no Kiyomori?”

Footnotes:

Robinxen: Well… that’s one of things happening…

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