After deliberation, Lily eventually decided to put on formal attire since she was about to make a report. Hence, she wore a white silk innerwear, and a red dress outside. Naturally, one wouldn’t put on any underwear after dressing up this way. Otherwise, it would seem unorthodox.
She decided to let her long hair hang on her shoulders naturally, since she rarely tied it up anyway.
By the time she was fully dressed up, it was already night. With small strides, she walked across the quiet courtyard and met Lady Ayaka.
The exterior of her residence was completely devoid of people. Naturally, Lily could enter this place as she pleased. After all, most servants in the residence had already assumed Lily to be the ‘Madam Advisor’ by now.
Reaching the entrance, Lily knew Ayaka was probably angry right now. Hence, she simply knelt on the entrance and said, “Lady Ayaka, Lily’s here to make a report.”
After a long time, an indifferent voice came from within. “Come in.”
Lily gently opened the door and entered obediently.
Ayaka was sitting and reading a book while directly facing the room’s entrance, with a decorative screen behind her. This was the main hall of Ayaka’s residence. Considered to be the most formal meeting place inside her residence.
“Lady Ayaka…” Lily entered the room and bowed respectfully.
Ayaka didn’t answer. Lily couldn’t help but raise her head and snuck a glance at her. Indeed, she missed her deeply after not having met for a long time. Ayaka’s eyes seemingly wavered. She glanced at Lily momentarily, as if she had a million words to express but still forced herself to remain distant.
“Lily, you’ve completely disappeared some time ago. What actually happened?” Ayaka asked, unable to suppress her worry.
Hence, Lily explained everything that happened to her after reaching Izumo Shrine in detail. However, she chose to omit everything related to senior Rinne. Also, she described the divine punishment she experienced as an unexpected natural disaster. Lily definitely trusted Ayaka, but she feared that letting her know about these things would only cause her more worry and troubles. Of course, she chose not to mention anything about foreseeing Ayaka being unable to ascend to the peak.
“I see… Lily, you said when you ascended to the peak of the floating mountain, a natural disaster suddenly happened and the land shattered?” Ayaka was deeply worried after hearing about it as her chest heaved noticeably. Although she was angry at Lily, she was still worried since this was a life or death matter.
“Yes. I managed to survive because Sakura Parasol risked her life to save me.” Lily didn’t mention any details about the heavenly lightning since she wasn’t sure if that was actually an attack that came from a Celestial God. If that was the case, then letting Ayaka know would only bring her more woes and danger—it wouldn’t help anyway.
Then, Lily briefly talked about her meeting Raccoon Mita and her repairing the parasol. Of course, she didn’t mention anything about fighting that horrifying battle.
“Lily, do you know how worried I was? After all that chaos at the Northwest, I instantly did a divination and realized a catastrophe happened in Izumo Mountain. And after that, I no longer heard anything from you. I could never imagine… The peak of that mountain actually fell… You’re so unlucky, Lily. You didn’t receive any divine blessings despite painstakingly ascending to the peak, but was caught up in such a catastrophe instead. The heavenly path… Has it been reduced to such a mess already? But Lily, you’re already lucky enough since you returned safely. Are you… Injured?”
“No. I’m fine. Although I was in mortal danger, I suppose I escaped unscathed.”
Ayaka heaved a sigh of relief and nodded.
“Lady Ayaka, what about Miss Kiyoko. What did you find?”
“She made it out before the natural disaster thanks to your Shikigami, Kagura. I’ve left her in a safe place for now.”
“What about Kagura?”
“After the disaster, she stubbornly wanted to make me follow her and find you. After learning of your whereabouts, this child refused to stay in my Shikigami Record. She, Murasaki, and the others are currently returning to Izumi Shrine from the mountain’s outskirts. I think they’ll reach Heian-kyo Within a few days.”
Hearing those words, Lily eventually nodded in relief.
“Lady Ayaka, Miss Kiyoko told you about what happened, right? Inside the Fujiwara Clan, those people are targeting you,” Lily said.
“You don’t need to tell me, I already know who they are. I understand if they ostracize me and target me for the sake of their personal benefit. Yet, I’d never expect them to cooperate with the demons!” Ayaka spoke with visible rage.
“Lady Ayaka, what should we do about it?”
“These people are the pillars of the Fujiwara Clan and top officials in the Imperial court. Testimonies from Kiyoko and you alone won’t be enough to convict them of their crimes, unless we can find concrete evidence of them colluding with the demons and them trying to kill me. However, this isn’t easy as well.” Ayaka frowned.
“But are we going to let them off scot free?”
“Don’t worry, Lily. Back then, they were hiding in the shadows while I’m the one being exposed. Perhaps these scum will succeed in their schemes against me. After all, they’re colluding with Shuten Doji,” Ayaka said, “However, now, I already know of their schemes. They’re a long way away before they could match my level. Even if they’re colluding with Shuten Doji, that alone won’t pose a threat to me. As long as I’m not stupid enough to charge into Shuten’s lair all by myself! You don’t have to worry, Lily. Political feuds are very complicated and won’t be settled quickly. We can’t get ahead of ourselves in this field. So, let me keep working on it. But this time, I owe you my gratitude, Lily. If you didn’t uncover their schemes and prevent Shuten Doji from claiming the Scroll of Izumi Shrine, I’ll be in real trouble for sure. The Scroll, Lily, you have it, right?”
“Yes.” Lily had always protected this Scroll as her most important belonging.
She took out the ancient Scroll and handed it over to Ayaka without a second thought.
Ayaka checked and realized its seal was perfectly intact. “Lily, don’t you want to… Take a look at it?”
Lily instantly knelt down. “This secret is closely related to Lady Ayaka’s safety. I wouldn’t dare to take a peek at it.”
However, Lily couldn’t help but feast her eyes on Ayaka’s other secret.
“Thank you, Lily.” Ayaka spoke in a heartfelt manner.
“Lady Ayaka, I’m simply doing my job.”
Ayaka glanced at Lily and shook her head. “No. Although these series of events that happened in the Izumi Mountain are meant to harm me, you’re the one who experienced its dangers, Lily. Within a few short months, you’ve experienced so many dangerous events there. Since this Scroll is now with me, I won’t be afraid of their schemes anymore. But still, I’m more worried about you, Lily!”
“Lady Ayaka…”
Ayaka glanced at Lily with moistened eyes. “Although you’re quite strong yourself, it’s still lacking when compared to my abilities. Moreover, you’re about to join the army and invade Tanba Province. Based on my strength, who can do anything to me while I remain in the capital? However, you’re about to march into Tanba, and that’s Shuten Doji’s turf… Oh, Lily, you silly girl. Why are you so kind? Are you only concerned about my safety and nothing else? My ability to protect myself and influence are much greater than yours. But you… you risk yourself time and time again… Why can’t you be worried about your own safety?”
Lily spoke with determination, “Lady Ayaka, I’m afraid this is my fate. I also understand the dangers laid in front of me, but I still have a reason to keep on marching forward!”
“Then at least you shouldn’t join the invasion of Tanba this time. I’ll convince the officials. After all, you only came back after going through the catastrophe on Izumo Mountain. I’ll say that you suffered internal injuries and can’t go. It’s perfectly reasonable. His Majesty will allow it.”
Yet, Lily shook her head with stubbornness in her eyes. She glanced at Ayaka’s worry-filled eyes. “No, Lady Ayaka. I must go to Tanba.”
“Huh? Why? To be honest, the Empire’s invasion this time will be very difficult. Shuten Doji won’t be defeated easily. The purpose of this invasion is to mainly focus on suppressing Shuten and reducing his influence in Tanba. They won’t go straight into his lair and eliminate him. At the very least, that will only happen if Minamoto no Yoritomo or I are a part of the invasion. But both of us aren’t taking part. Lily, even if you go, you won’t be able to change the outcome of the war. This is a monumental war that will change the world itself, not those adventures that you experienced back then. So why do you persist? If it’s about the Emperor’s order, I already told you that I’ll handle it.” Ayaka pleaded.
“I’m very touched to know that you’re so concerned about me, Lady Ayaka. However, I’m not going to Tanba for official reasons. But because of personal reasons.”
“What reason?”
“To find a sister of mine.” Lily replied honestly.
“What?” Ayaka, who was initially worried about Lily, became visibly displeased. “What sister? A sister here, and a sister there. Where did all these sisters of yours come from?”
Lily knew that she would displease Ayaka with what she was about to say, but she couldn’t lie about it.
“Her… Name is Uesugi Rei. She’s a good sister that I came to know in Kanto. Sister Rei once saved my life. Now, she’s stuck in Tanba because she tried to defeat Shuten Doji, Nowhere to be found. So, both official and personal reasons compel me to go.”
“Uesugi Rei? The young girl who’s one of the East’s Six Swords? I think I’ve heard of her. I can’t believe that you’ve done it with her as well? Ayaka’s chest heaved reasonably as her eyes became grim. “Kagami Lily, I heard you breached an Imperial Trial in front of the Heian Palace, injured soldiers, and vandalized the courtroom in order to save one of your so-called sisters?”
“Yes. She’s my sister, Haihime. She’s innocent. Those people from the Fujiwara Clan…”
Ayaka’s eyes became grim. “I trust you the most. Of course, I believe that so-called sister of yours is innocent. If you want to save someone, I’ll support you unconditionally even if you cause trouble. I’ll even clean up the mess for you. But, Kagami Lily, I ask you, do you save people by sending them to your bed1?”
“Huh?”
“What ‘huh’?” Ayaka examined Lily from head to toe. “It’s getting late. Since we’re talking about official matters, then let’s talk about something else. Tell me, in your room today, behind my back, what have you done with that woman?”
Ayaka words carried an obvious hint of anger and nervousness. It was very different from the warmth and worry that she expressed back then. She was now in a heated state.
