<h4>Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 16 – The Turning Point</h4>


    Minamoto no Yoritomo’s abrupt escape was a significant departure from the honor-bound principles typically upheld by warriors in the Kanto Region. While retreat in the face of a stronger adversary might be eptable, fleeing from an initially underestimated opponent was regarded as a disgrace worse than death. Even Hojo Dijon, known for his viinous nature, had chosen to face Lily with full force.


    Yoritomo’s decision to flee, however, wasn’t entirely unexpected. In his hasty retreat, he went so far as to exploit Lily’s vulnerability by targeting her sisters, an act reflecting his ruthless prioritization of survival over honor.


    The demonmanders from Yomi, who didn’t hold any such codes in high regard, naturally followed Yoritomo’s lead and withdrew. In their wake, Lily swiftly took down several of the fleeingmanders. Ayaka managed to eliminate one as well.


    Interestingly, many of the undead samurai, bound by their past as honorable warriors, continued to fight even after theirmander’s departure. The non-samurai undead, however, quickly lost their resolve and scattered.


    Lily, Ayaka, Shimizu, and Rei methodically swept through the battlefield, dedicating over a day topletely eliminate all the resisting undead soldiers. The de Maidens’ fierce onught ensured that those they vanquished were obliterated, both body and soul. Ayaka, however, employed her spells to allow a minority of these undead soldiers to shed their Resentment Energy and transition peacefully to the afterlife.


    The undead, summoned forcefully by Yoritomo, met diverse fates —utter destruction or purification— based purely on the whims of chance, underscoring the inherent cruelty of war.


    As the fog gradually lifted, it became evident that no adversaries remained outside Cherry Blossom Valley. Yet, the battlefield, now home to the souls of nearly a hundred thousand fallen, was saturated with intense Resentment Energy. This energy mingled with the maze formation, augmenting its already overbearing presence.


    Here and there, among the foggy forest, injured undead soldiers could still be seen, their red eyes burning with undiminished malice. The task of clearing the remaining undead forces, dispersed across hundreds of miles, loomedrge—a daunting endeavor in a world already strained by tension. For now, these matters were set aside, as more pressing concerns demanded attention.


    Surveying the mountain forest, now andscape of ashes and charred trees, Lily stood in stark contrast. Her pale skin, visible beneath slightly torn clothing, added to her grace and allure, making her seem like a beacon of hope in a world turned to ash.


    “We won…” she muttered, her voice heavy with fatigue and sweat glistening on her brow. Yet, she knew all too well this was merely the onset of a muchrger, catastrophic war


    ¹. She had triumphed over Yoritomo’s clone, but greater challenges loomed ahead—the original form of Lord Kamakura, Daitengu, and the vast armies of demons Yoritomo had summoned from Yomi, all waiting for her in the Kansai Region.


    Lily and her sisters might be able to hold their ground for now, but what if the entire world crumbled into ruin? Could Cherry Blossom Valley retain its purity and beauty in a world transformed into a hellishndscape? The answer was a resounding no. Lily never prioritized saving the world, but she was acutely aware that survival in a world engulfed by destruction was imusible.


    Life, emotions, the world, and memories were intertwined with existence itself. How could one im to be alive if everything was submerged in darkness and stillness? Lily’s heart ached at the thought of those who had aided her and the innocent lives across the world sumbing to a painful demise—the elderly swordsmith who sold her her first sword, the woman in Takeshita who offered beautiful clothes, the unnamed senior sister from the Genji n’s dojo…


    And her earliest benefactors—Hojo Ujizane, the Brothers in Tenba, the roons—they wouldn’t survive in a world plunged into darkness. Lily had always considered herself indifferent, yet these thoughts stirred emotions she struggled to contain. Kindness welled up from within, not out of a sense of duty, but as a balm to her soul.


    How could she find sce if the entire world was steeped in sorrow? This wasn’t about morality; it was about following her heart. Regardless of the world’s fate, she was determined to confront Yoritomo to herst breath, for her senior sister and her destiny as a Mirror Girl. Unwavering, she resolved to forge ahead.


    News of the battle’s oue rapidly spread among the nobility. First, it reached the Kanto Region’s territories—Tokugawa, Takeda, Imagawa, Ashikaga. Then, it radiated across the entire Heian Dynasty, eventually reaching the surrounding three inds. Kagami Lily’s name resonated globally, elevating her from a legendary female warrior to a symbol of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Her victory over Minamoto no Yoritomo’s invading army near Cherry Blossom Valley became a beacon for those who had lost all hope.


    The previous battle, despite resulting in the decimation of half a million troops, didn’t gain widespread attention until Tamamo-no-Mae’s grievous injury. Yoritomo managed to portray the conflict as a battle between humanity and an Archdemon, leading to widespread fury over the defeat.


    Lily’s actions in raiding the execution tform, viewed as an act of treason due to her alliance with demons, furtherplicated her public image. While her ability to create miracles impressed many nobles, ack of clear information led them to perceive her as a newly emerged viiness.


    Lily’s triumph over Shuten Doji was a turning point. Word of her defeating the demon, a feat that eluded even half a million soldiers, spread rapidly. This reshaped her image in the eyes of the nobility. Doubts began to surface about the validity of the usations against her by the imperial court.


    Rumors about her being merely lucky were overshadowed by her undeniable victory. Lower-ss samurai, in particr, began to view Lily as a heroic figure, challenging the prevailing narrative. Taira no Shizuru and Ijuin used their influence among the nobles to further reveal the imperial court’s machinations: holding the Emperor hostage, the Shogun and Cloistered Emperor’s power grab, and the nder against Ayaka and Lily. Such revtions caused a wave of skepticism and distrust among various ns and nobles.


    The Heian Dynasty was in a state of upheaval. Martial ns that once maintained a semnce of autonomy were now facing existential threats as the world descended into chaos. The new policies and ideologies pushed by Yoritomo and the Cloistered Emperor only heightened the sense of fear and uncertainty.


    Many reluctantly submitted to the imperial court’s draconian demands, despite the grim prospect of transforming their loved ones into bizarre demons. The threat of death hung heavily, coercing even the most reluctant intopliance.


    In this climate of despair and coercion, Lily’s open victory against Lord Kamakura outside Cherry Blossom Valley sparked a glimmer of hope. Unaware of Yoritomo’s ability to create clones, the nobles and ns widely believed that Lily had defeated Yoritomo himself and that he had subsequently fled. This assumption, coupled with the widespread fear of the imperial court’s harsh policies, significantly bolstered morale across thend.


    Additionally, during the battle, conversations were overheard that reignited discussions about the mysterious death of the legendary hero, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. These rumors spread rapidly, beyond the control of the imperial court.


    In a world where affluent ns had long refrained from opposing Yoritomo, Lily’s defiance stood out starkly. She not only dared to challenge him but also emerged victorious. Yoritomo, known for his dominance over the Emperor and his control of the imperial court, was rumored to be responsible for Yoshitsune’s demise. This man, who had led the world into darkness, had been bested by Lily.


    The implications were monumental. If Lily were to raise a banner of rebellion against Yoritomo, what would be the world’s response?


    Retreating to Cherry Blossom Valley, Lily and herpanions took a well-deserved rest. During this time, a flurry of secret letters from various ns began to arrive. These messages, borne through connections with Taira no Shizuru’s informationwork and the families of the Tsunaga Sisters, revealed a growing dissent against the imperial court. The Tsunaga Sisters’ families, having previously resisted the court in secrecy, were central to thismunicationwork.


    Inside the grand hall of the expanded Yamagami Temple, Ijuin directed Lily’s attention to a box filled with correspondence. “Sister Lily, take a look at this,” she indicated, as a female ninja presented the box of documents. “These letters reveal much. Various ns have acknowledged the deteriorating state of the world, their discontent with the imperial court’stest policies, and the growing dread for humanity’s future. They’re ready to back us if we choose to confront Minamoto no Yoritomo. Some are even prepared to pledge their allegiance, offering resources and treasures for our protection.”


    Lily, reflecting on the battle’s aftermath, hadn’t anticipated such a strong reaction from the wider world. Her victory seemed to have catalyzed a shift in the globalndscape, akin to a snowke triggering an avnche.


    Among those offering assistance were many ns Lily had never encountered, some possibly even having opposed her or her sisters in the past. Yet, now they all sought her aid.


    In the heart of the lobby, Shiina Airi, donning her distinctive purple armor, expressed her scorn. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? These ns and officials, once so passive, are now wringing their hands in fear as the world teeters on the brink. The imperial court’s drastic policies have finally hit their own interests. And now, upon hearing of Lady Lily’s triumph over Minamoto no Yoritomo, they flock to us, seeking aid. But where were their loyalties when Lady Ayaka faced execution, and when Lady Lily bravely ventured alone to Heian-kyo?”


    Ayaka, reflecting thoughtfully on Airi’s words, responded, “You have a point, Airi. Yet, we must consider the bigger picture. To erect the thirty-six prayer altars across the world, we’ll need every bit of help we can get, even from those who previously remained on the sidelines.” <h4>Footnotes:</h4>


    Robinxen: Having momentum this early is a significant advantage though.