Volume 12 - Yomi-no-kuni: Chapter 80 – Ancient Female Mythical Beast Clan
“What?” Tomoko, a cunning and perceptive woman, had previously seized opportunities to strike against other Hundred Maidens, even managing to enslave two of them. It didn’t take long for her to discern Lily’s true intentions.
“How can Lily be this strong? If she intends to attack us, how are we supposed to respond?”
Anxiety gripped Tomoko. Lily had effortlessly wiped out the group of powerful Yomi prisoners that had driven them into a fierce struggle. Whatever technique Lily had employed, the result was undeniable—she was far stronger than any of them.
What could she do?
Tomoko’s eyes gleamed with a savage determination. If they launched an attack first, they might still have a chance to win. But if they waited for Lily to make the first move, they were certain to be doomed.
“Kagami Lily, don’t be so arrogant!” Despite being outmatched, Tomoko was still a formidable warrior at the peak of the septuple-soul realm. She unleashed her full power, leaping into the air with her blade, slashing fiercely at Lily. Two ma.s.sive pink phantoms materialized: an ancient phoenix with wings outstretched and a translucent female leopard, gleaming like crystal.
The two phantoms fused into her strike. This was Tomoko’s ultimate technique, powered by burning her stellar souls. The sheer force of the attack made the surrounding Hundred Maidens members tremble in awe.
Since arriving at the Rakshasa-Dojo, Tomoko had never unleashed her full strength. Now, with this desperate strike, her true form was revealed.
From the sides of her pink hair, two pink-furred beast ears emerged! They resembled the ears of a cat or fox, but radiated a far more regal aura. This was likely the mark of a divine beast bloodline, on par with the legendary nine-tailed fox clan!
Tomoko knew she was no match for Lily, but despite her reluctance, she ignited her stellar souls and unleashed her full power. Even if it meant exposing her bloodline, she was willing to risk everything for a chance to strike and seize the upper hand.
The blade, enveloped in a pink aura, sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, echoing in the dark underground as it raced toward Lily.
This strike had the power of a warrior at the pinnacle of the Big Dipper realm—a rare and potent force. Yet for Lily, who could withstand attacks from a Supreme G.o.d, it was insignificant.
Lily calmly opened her Sakura Parasol, effortlessly dispersing the blade’s energy. Instead of reflecting it, the force was dissolved by the overwhelming lunar energy, transforming into a gentle pink rain that fell around them.
“What…” The Hundred Maidens could only stare in disbelief as the ethereal rain soaked them, while Lily hovered gracefully in midair.
“What are you waiting for? Everyone, attack! Destroy her!” Tomoko bellowed, her voice filled with desperation.
Before they could react, streaks of silver moonlight surrounded them, while countless cherry blossom blades whirled through the air.
The blades didn’t harm their bodies but sliced cleanly through their clothing.
Several of the Hundred Maidens members shrieked in embarra.s.sment, hastily covering themselves as their garments disintegrated into shreds, fluttering away.
The silver moonlight transformed into delicate threads, binding them in various humiliating positions.
Their faces flushed with embarra.s.sment, each wearing an expression of shock and helplessness.
“What…?” Tomoko stared at her bound subordinates, fury building. “Kagami Lily, how dare you mock me like this!”
Tomoko unleashed her spiritual pressure once more, thrusting her blade at Lily in a rage. But Lily, with graceful ease, twirled around the attack, closing her parasol without ever drawing her own weapon.
With a swift motion, the parasol struck Tomoko hard in the stomach.
“Gah!” Tomoko gasped, doubled over in midair from the impact. Before she could recover, Lily swung the parasol again, landing a solid blow to her back.
The force of the strike sent Tomoko crashing toward the ground with a thud.
A net of countless cherry blossoms appeared, gently catching Tomoko before she hit the ground. Though it softened her fall, Lily showed little mercy toward the woman who had caused her so much trouble.
Once the cherry blossom net caught Tomoko, it transformed into countless sharp petals, shredding her clothes to tatters.
Tomoko was left in nothing but tattered undergarments, as strands of silver moonlight coiled around her wrists and ankles, pulling them behind her and binding her in place.
Who was Tomoko? Whether in her ill.u.s.trious household or among the ranks of the Hundred Maidens, she had always been a force to be reckoned with.
Tomoko was the most talented young woman of the renowned Tamai clan, far surpa.s.sing even her two elder brothers. Unlike other women captured by the Hundred Maidens, she had joined willingly. On the day of her initiation, she had shattered her jade token with confidence, never once entertaining the thought of defeat. She had come for the top rank, to seize a rare opportunity and bring glory to her family.
Yet, even after activating her bloodline and unleashing every ounce of her power, Lily had captured her with ease. Now, stripped down to ragged underwear and bound in this degrading position by the one she loathed most, Tomoko’s spirit was on the verge of breaking.
Her face flushed with humiliation, Tomoko’s ample chest pressed against the cold ground as she wriggled and twisted in a futile effort to free herself.
In Yomi, women held little status, yet Tomoko had always lived like a n.o.blewoman, carrying herself with arrogance wherever she went. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that she would one day be tied up like the very women she had once scorned, her fate now entirely out of her control.
“Release me! Let go!” Tomoko shouted, thrashing against her restraints. “Kagami Lily, what demonic trick did you use? You’re only at the peak of the Big Dipper realm! How did you manage this? You vile woman! Face me in a fair fight without your cursed arts!”
Lily descended gracefully beside Tomoko, her eyes drawn to the beastly ears atop her head. “Those ears… they seem familiar. No, they’re somewhat similar to something I’ve seen before.”
“Shut up! You—you have no right to look at my ears!” Tomoko snapped, her pride flaring. “Do you know who my mother is? She’s someone who makes all of Yomi tremble! The leader of the Tamai clan—Tamai Shoko!”
“Oh, so Tamai is your clan name? I had a.s.sumed it was your given name.”
“How dare you! You wretched woman, who do you think you are? You dare to mock the Tamai clan? My name is Tamai Tomoko—remember it! Now let me go!” Tomoko snarled.
“Let you go? I’m afraid I can’t do that. Miss Tomoko, you may be a n.o.blewoman, but you’re not very bright. Have you forgotten your current predicament?”
“What?” Tomoko’s ears twitched involuntarily as she froze in realization.
“You’ve already lost to me, which means you’ve forfeited your place in the Hundred Maidens,” Lily reminded her calmly. “And let’s not forget, on the first day, you shattered your own jade token. That means, now that you’ve been defeated, you don’t get the option of choosing hard labor. The only alternative… is being sold to a demon brothel.”
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