<h4>Volume 10 - Dream Eater: Chapter 54 – The Mirror Girl’s Final Mission</h4>


    “A few months ago, the earth started changing,” Kimiko’s voice carried a note of anxiety. “The entire world has been changing, and I’ve never encountered anything like this before.”


    “What’s the situation at Cherry Blossom Valley?”


    “Mount Fuji’s eruption was violent, affecting many areas around it. Thankfully, Cherry Blossom Valley was distant enough to escape unscathed. We were fortunate.”


    Relieved, Lily continued, “Has the Imperial Court made any moves?”


    “We’ve seen a few court ninjas on the outskirts of Suno. Some small groups of noble troops have harassed us, but there hasn’t been a substantial change in the imperial armies. Given the world’s upheavals, I don’t know what Yoritomo is nning. It almost seems as if he’s forgotten about us.”


    “Forgotten about us?” Lily’s eyes hardened; Minamoto no Yoritomo was not one to act without caution. “Lady Kimiko, we’re returning to Cherry Blossom Valley. Sister Ayaka will unseal the memory seal and disclose the true destiny of mirror girls. You shoulde with us.”


    A look of surprise crossed Kimiko’s face. She was, after all, an outsider in matters concerning mirror girls. “Mm,” she nodded, evidently pleased by Lily’s trust.


    “Also, Lady Kimiko, I brought back a divine beast. May I leave it here?”


    “Divine beast!? Is it…”


    Interrupting her, Lily unveiled the cloth covering the roof of the cart to reveal a whimpering, pig-like ck creature.


    “Ehh?” Kimiko gasped, her hand covering her mouth in delight


    ¹.


    After securing amodations for the Dream Eater Baku, they would proceed to Cherry Blossom Valley. Using the transport formation, they’d arrive in an instant. Once back, Lily felt an immense relief wash over her. Even Yukiko and Mayumi had returned; given the uncertain times, they didn’t dare wander. Every sister who had gone out exploring had also returned, filling Lily with both happiness and relief.


    The valley’s courtyard had been expanded to amodate everyone. Each person had their own house—though some, like Yukiko and Mayumi, opted to cohabitate. Neers like Ayaka and Kimiko had also moved into their own courtyard homes. Each dwelling was light and elegant, with further arrangements left to individual tastes. Additionally, each house had an assigned kunoichi to serve as a maid.


    Ayaka retreated to her own house to unravel the memory seal—a delicate process requiring quiet meditation, lest her memory sustain damage.


    Upon hearing of Rei’s return, Lily went in search of her. She meandered through the cherry-blossomden path that led to the mountain wall in the northwest, where Uesugi Rei’s pavilion stood. From this vantage point, Rei could oversee the entire valley—a fitting location that showcased her bold and unyielding character.


    “Sister Uesugi,” Lily greeted as she found Rei standing on the wooden terrace.


    “Lily,” Rei responded, her eyes meeting Lily’s. Rei seemed different now—moreposed and less restless.


    “Sister, have you… broken through?”


    “Yes. The process of curing my poison led to many revtions. Coupled with the anima you provided, I managed to break through a few days ago.” Rei’s voice carried a reinvigorated, dominating aura that made Lily’s heart race.


    Uesugi Rei had broken through the Throne realm. Being the daughter of Bishamonten, her physical prowess was already exceptional, promising a future where she would far surpass most others. Currently, her physique outstripped even that of standard celestial maidens.


    One couldn’t overlook the fact that Bishamonten was a goddess among celestial maidens, her physical strength exceeding both ordinary celestial maidens and celestial battle maidens. Rei, as her heiress, was on a path to extraordinary power, even if no other opportunities came her way.


    “As long as you’re well, sister,” Lily said.


    “Hmm? What about you, little sister? You’ve had a treacherous journey. Any injuries?” Rei queried, striding over to wrap an arm around Lily’s waist and ce her hands on Lily’s chest


    ².


    “Sister! What on earth are you doing?” Lily swiftly seized Rei’s hands, surprised by her audacity just after recovering.


    A cough interrupted them. “Master, Lady Ayaka has summoned you,” a flushed Shiu reported.


    “Understood,” Lily replied.


    Soon, Lily, Rei, Shimizu, and Kimiko convened at Ayaka’s residence. The home, with its blooming cherry blossoms in the backyard and its tranquil front yard featuring clear water, lush greenery, and white rocks, reminded one of the chief advisor’s mansion in Heian-kyo.


    Once seated, Ayaka, adorned in a red-and-white miko outfit and with her ck hair cascading behind her, broke the silence. “Lily, I’ve remembered everything.”


    They listened attentively; this could be celestial in nature.


    “Lily, pay close attention. The information I’m about to share could impact the fate of our world. Exercise extreme caution with it,” Ayaka warned. Lily met her gaze and nodded, thinking about her long quest to unravel the secrets behind the mirror girls—a journey that likely connected to why senior sister Rinne remained dormant.


    Taking a deep breath, Ayaka dropped the bombshell. “The true leader of the mirror girls is Shizuka Gozen.”


    “Whaat!?” They all reacted with astonishment.


    Shizuka Gozen, the wife of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and a quintuple-soul Big Dipper expert, was a mysterious figure. She had aided Lily in avenging Yoshitsune but remained enigmatic in her world view. Could she really be the leader of the mirror girls? Even Kimiko’s expression turnedplicated; this was news to her as well.


    As the room’s initial shock dissipated, Ayaka resumed her narration. “Lily, in truth, this destiny didn’t have to be yours. My ancient jade—” Her eyes flicked momentarily to Shimizu’s chest. “—endowed me with the duty to protect the mirror girls of this world and to find the most qualified among them to inherit this responsibility. Though I sealed this memoryter on, the habit of protection had already taken root. Even without a preordained duty, my conscience would never allow me to forsake the vulnerable mirror girls.”


    It was an enlightening moment; Lily realized that Ayaka’s vignt protection of mirror girls originated from a charge bestowed by the ancient jade during her leadership of the jade maidens. Ayaka had indeed wielded the true ancient jade; her downfall was only the unfortunate oue of a dark plot against her.


    Ayaka proceeded, her voice tinged with ethereal seriousness, “Not even Shizuka Gozen is aware of the mirror girls’ true mission. That knowledge rests solely with me. My duty will beplete when I pass it on to the most suitable mirror girl who can assist Shizuka Gozen.”


    “Lily, after observing the world until this very day, it’s undeniable—you are that mirror girl. Whether it’s your aspirations or your character, only you possess the strength and influence to marshal the world’s forces of justice against the looming darkness.”


    Lily felt the weight of the words and knew she would y her part. Her strength wasrgely fueled by the opportunities her ancient mirror had provided. This mission, she would see it through.


    “Then what exactly is my mission?” Lily asked, her voice tinged with resolve.


    Ayaka met Lily’s determined gaze and solemnly nodded. “Your task is to escort Shizuka Gozen to Takamagahara, to stand before this world’s sovereign deity, Amaterasu-ōmikami. Your prayers to Amaterasu will be to restore the sun and bring this world back into ord with the heavens.”


    A heavy silence enveloped the room, even Kimiko seemed to be holding her breath. The mission was monumental, its scope almost unimaginable. They were talking about Amaterasu-ōmikami, the most exalted and powerful deity, the cosmic ruler whose light illuminated the world. Could Lily, formidable as she was, really guide Shizuka Gozen to such a celestial summit?


    “Sister Ayaka, the scope of this mission is beyondprehension. How can I even begin?” Lily was at a loss.


    Ayaka reassured her, “Don’t despair, Lily. Ascending to the celestial realm through practice is but one method, and one that no one in Heian’s millennia-long history has achieved. Besides, if it were only about reaching Takamagahara through spiritual cultivation, why pass this mission onto a mirror girl? Wouldn’t it suffice for the ancient mirror to guide Shizuka Gozen’s journey directly?”


    Lily considered this. Advancement to the celestial realm might be a mere legend, or perhaps, time ran out in the sense that none have lived long enough to achieve it.


    “So what should I do?” Lily felt cornered.


    “The moment I impart this mission to you, the destiny of this world pivots


    ³,” Ayaka exined. “Shizuka Gozen will naturallye to you, guided by her own ancient mirror, now enlightened by the mission you’ve received. I believe Cherry Blossom Valley will soon have a visitor.”


    “Do you mean to say that Madam Shizuka Gozen will seek us out here?”


    “I’m not entirely certain, but as the leader of the mirror girls, it’s much easier for her to locate us through her ancient mirror than for us to seek her out.”


    Lily had no reason to doubt this. Even if Shizuka Gozen was unaware of Cherry Blossom Valley’s existence, she certainly knew about Suno.


    “So, if we remain here, Madam Shizuka Gozen will eventuallye to us?”


    “Yes. Lily, this is the critical mission that countless persecuted and hunted mirror girls have safeguarded for ages. Now it falls upon you to protect Madam Shizuka Gozen and help her ascend to Takamagahara


    ⁴.”


    (Volume 10, End)


    Frankly, this volume was difficult to write. It wasn’t exciting, yet it is a volume connecting the past to the future. In the next volume, the door of fate opens, Lily will take a crucial step forward to awakening her senior sister Rinne.


    The next volume will be exciting and intense. A soul-stirring volume! Lily will directly sh against the dark forces of Heian-kyo, Yoritomo, and the Cloistered Emperor.


    Thank you for all your support, the Demon Sword Maiden has already reached thetter half, with your support, this world will be amazing!


    Chapter 11 《Yamata no Orochi》Stay tuned! (??????)?? <h4>Footnotes:</h4>


    Robinxen: May you survive this ordeal little piglet.


    Robinxen: Wow she’s not subtle…


    Robinxen: That… that’s the big secret? I mean I’m not sure what I was expecting but… this feels rather normal for the grand conspiracy?


    Yuki: Ehh…. didn’t the gods from Takamagahara throw down lightning at her?