https://re-library.com/translations/demon-sword-maiden/Book 13: Chapter 73: Lily’s Reprimand |
Haihime felt deeply humiliated, though not because Lily had scolded her. Rather, it was the fact that the reprimand had been delivered in front of so many of their sisters. Even among close companions, Haihime still had her pride, and being criticized like this left her feeling wronged. Compared with Rei and the others, Haihime had already fallen far behind. When she had first met Lily, she had actually been stronger than many of them. Now, however, the gap between them had grown almost impossible to describe.
Although Haihime possessed great talent and had once been one of the most gifted among the Mirror Girls, sharing insights through the Mirror Dimension and benefiting from various resources had only brought her as far as the Double-soul Big Dipper Stage. Among the sisters who had remained behind, she was the strongest. Yet compared to Rei and Shimizu, the distance between them had only widened further.
Under such circumstances, being scolded by Lily face to face made the humiliation even harder to bear.
Kotoka’s reaction, however, was completely different.
She knelt deeply before Lily and bowed her head. “As long as Lyn-hime is safe and unharmed, I am willing to bear any responsibility and accept any punishment, no matter how severe. Falling into the hands of demons would be the true disaster. Being punished by one’s own sisters, even if it means suffering a little, what does it matter?”
Although Kotoka spoke those words firmly, her cheeks still flushed faintly red. After all, in terms of seniority she could almost be considered an elder among them. For such a mature and capable woman to accept punishment so openly, and even willingly acknowledge it herself, inevitably left her feeling a bit embarrassed inside.
Yukiko also knelt deeply. “I am willing to accept punishment as well.”
Lily looked at Haihime, Kotoka, and the others. She understood their sincerity, yet she truly did not want them to take such risks again in the future. They had to remember this lesson.
“Kotoka, by seniority you are practically my aunt’s generation, and your words are always wise and principled. I do not wish to punish Madam Kotoka either. But I want all of you to understand something. What I care about most is not my authority, but the safety of every one of my sisters. I will never allow anyone to harm you. Even if that person is yourselves, you are not allowed to gamble with your own safety and chastity!”
“Lily, Madam Kotoka holds very high seniority among the sisters. Besides, everyone only made such a foolish decision because they were worried about you.” Ayaka looked at the embarrassed sisters and spoke gently. “Could you forgive them this time, and let it not happen again?”
Given Ayaka’s status among the sisters, as well as her character, she had to step forward and plead on their behalf. As for Shimizu, she did not involve herself in such matters at all. Rei, on the other hand, was far less soft-hearted.
Kaguya and the others were newcomers. Since they did not fully understand the situation, it was difficult for them to speak out casually.
Lily herself hesitated for a moment, but in the end she felt she had to make this decision.
Her full chest rose and fell as she steadied herself before speaking. “If the person you hurt had been me, I could forgive you. But I can never forgive you for hurting yourselves. Because that pains me even more than if you had hurt me.”
“……” As soon as Lily said this, the sisters’ faces flushed faintly. Somehow, hearing those words made them feel that even if they were punished, they would accept it willingly.
“Shiu, there is no need to look at me like that. I know you tried to persuade them all along. Although we are sisters, when I handle matters I must reward and punish fairly.” Lily continued, “Shiu, you were right to try to stop them. But I will still punish you.”
“Eh?” Shiu’s delicate body trembled.
“You did try to dissuade them, but when they refused to listen, you did not take the proper action. What are you to me? If something like this happens, why did you not inform me and let me make the judgment? Because of that, you will be punished together with them this time as well. However, your punishment may be slightly lighter.”
“Yes…” Shiu could not argue. At the thought that she too would soon be punished by Lily, a strange tremor stirred in her heart.
“Do any of the sisters have anything else to say?”
Although Haihime still felt somewhat aggrieved, she lowered her head and remained silent. The other sisters said nothing more either.
“Lyn-hime, Mr. Kimura has finished touring Herikaku City. How shall we arrange his lodging?” a Dark Celestial Maiden came forward to report.
The sisters’ expressions turned slightly complicated. Although Kimura was Lily’s old acquaintance and a very upright and trustworthy man, he was still a man after all. Housing him within Herikaku City seemed somewhat inconvenient. The Celestial Maidens had long grown accustomed to a fortress inhabited only by women.
“Then send Mr. Kimura back,” Lily said. “Have the Dark Celestial Maidens stationed at Cherry Blossom Valley assist him in rebuilding his territory. Also allocate some magatama and talismans as supplies for him.”
“Understood.”
Only after hearing this did the sisters feel relieved. They felt that Lily had handled these matters quite appropriately.
“Then…” Lily stood up. “Kotoka, Haihime, Yukiko, Mayumi, Shiu. The five of you, come with me. I will personally administer your punishment.” As she spoke, a trace of delicate yet sharp authority flashed in Lily’s eyes, sending a shiver through the sisters’ hearts.
They were to be punished personally by Lily, and together at that. Just thinking about it made them tremble. How embarrassing it would be. Yet there was no helping it.
They simply did not know how severe Lily’s punishment would be. If it was still something they could endure… then perhaps, deep within their hearts, there might even be a faint expectation they dared not voice.
The five sisters followed Lily into the palace where she lived. Inside were several chambers, yet during the punishment no one else was allowed to enter.
This left Shimizu, Ayaka, and the others somewhat puzzled. What was Lily thinking today? She was personally carrying out the punishment. In the past, she had never been particularly eager to punish others herself. Perhaps she was simply too angry this time.
“I wonder… how Lily will punish them. If I were the one who made a mistake, would Lily punish me alone like that as well?” Ayaka found that just thinking about the question made her mind feel dizzy, as though some strange expectation had taken hold of her thoughts and left them drifting.
“Being punished by Lily? It actually sounds rather interesting. Still, I would prefer to be the one doing the punishing,” Shimizu murmured with a soft laugh. “But after we sisters spend more time together, switching roles for a bit might not be so bad either. I, Shimizu, can be quite a coquettish woman too… hehe…”
“Punishment? Since I am also a woman, being punished should be acceptable, right? Isn’t that so?” Rei appeared completely composed. Even if Lily were to bind her up, she would probably still toss her long hair back with that same carefree ease and tease Lily with a playful smile. Defeating her in terms of strength was not impossible, but turning the spirited side of Rei into a shy little woman was likely impossible.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward, especially for Kaguya and Bishamonten. As newcomers, they felt rather embarrassed at such a moment and refrained from discussing the matter any further.
At last, near the hour before dawn, the sisters who had gathered in the great hall had already departed, and the doors to Lily’s residence finally opened.
Several Celestial Maidens entered. They were not the Dark Celestial Maidens but attendants from Kaguya-hime’s side, responsible for guarding Lily and handling small errands at her command.
Two Celestial Maidens on each side supported Kotoka and Haihime as they emerged. Shiu was being assisted by a young Celestial Maiden, while the two sisters Yukiko and Mayumi supported each other as they walked.
Kotoka’s hair bun had loosened somewhat, a few strands clinging to her flushed, rosy face. Tiny beads of crystalline sweat rolled down from her slender neck. Although her clothing remained intact, it was rumpled and creased, especially her skirt, which bore many unnatural folds. As she walked, drops of sweat fell onto the floor, leaving damp footprints beneath her steps.
It was clear that Kotoka had not been lightly punished this time. Otherwise, she would not have needed others to support her, nor would she appear so unsteady on her feet.
For that reason, one might have expected the Celestial Maidens to feel sympathy for her. Yet when they looked at Kotoka’s expression, they could not help but feel puzzled. Though her face showed embarrassment, there was neither pain nor resentment. Instead, her curved brows and radiant complexion carried a faint sweetness, as if ripened with warmth, an expression that hardly resembled someone who had been punished.
Perhaps Kotoka had blamed herself from the start. Having received punishment, she now felt that the matter between herself and Lily was settled, which left her feeling relieved and satisfied.
Surely no one would actually enjoy being punished or treat punishment from Lily as some kind of reward to look forward to… would they? The Celestial Maidens supporting them were not entirely certain, yet that was the thought that crossed their minds.
It was not only Kotoka. Haihime behind her was much the same. Although she looked weak, there was an unusual glow about her at this early hour after an entire night of punishment. She panted softly, her tall and graceful body limp with exhaustion, yet her eyes shone with renewed vitality. It was as if she had suddenly found new hope and joy in life. This was completely unlike the Haihime of before, who had often worn a troubled expression or seemed restless with worry. The young Celestial Maidens could not help but feel a growing sense of awe toward Lily.
“As expected of Lady Lyn-hime… the most beautiful woman in the Three Realms. Not only is she beautiful and powerful, but she even possesses such methods? She punished them, yet they look almost grateful. She truly is someone who can stand above even Queen Kaguya… Just how capable is this young girl?” The Celestial Maidens’ hearts stirred with wonder and confusion.
Only Shiu looked different. Her face showed grievance and deep embarrassment. Perhaps it was because she was still young, though in truth Shiu was already close to twenty, only a year younger than Lily.
As for Yukiko and Mayumi, their condition was much the same as Kotoka’s.
Altogether, it somehow felt like a punishment that ended in everyone’s satisfaction.
As for how exactly Lily had punished them throughout the night, the Celestial Maidens naturally could not shamelessly ask. Lily did not seem like the sort of woman who would reveal such matters casually, and since the punished sisters had all witnessed each other’s humiliation, they would likely never speak of it openly either.
Thus, the details of this punishment became a secret known only within Herikaku City.
What methods had Lily used? What kind of ability did the most beautiful woman in the Three Realms possess that could make punished sisters become so obedient, their faces even glowing with something resembling happiness? These details would remain nothing more than speculation whispered among the Celestial Maidens as they lay in their barracks at night, exchanging quiet guesses in the stillness.
The punished sisters all returned to their rooms and rested for an entire day.
The next morning, Haihime rose early. Beneath the morning glow of dawn, she practiced swordsmanship with renewed vigor. She seemed filled with vitality, as though she had regained confidence in her path of training.
Kotoka soon approached and greeted her. “Lady Haihime, why are you up so early today? You seem to be in quite a good mood.”
Haihime’s face flushed slightly. She lowered her gaze to the side and smiled with shy amusement. “Madam Kotoka, we are both the same. If anything, your skin seems to have grown even more radiant. Why tease only me? Hehe.”
“Hehehe…”
Their laughter echoed across the heights of Herikaku City.