NOVEL NEXT “Yes, you can start meditating now; I’ll come back to see you later.” The Queen said, causing Lily to breathe a sigh of relief. However, as she looked at the Queen, instead of seeing an unwillingness to part, she saw a kind of mature charm glimmering in her eyes, coupled with a cunning smile that seemed reminiscent of a veteran’s, making Lily feel uneasy.
In any case, the Queen wouldn't really harm her. Even if she did, it would be some ‘mischief’ at most. Saying goodbye to the Queen, Lily thought she might as well take this opportunity to practice quickly while she was gone.
Kimiko was not in the mirror space right now, so Lily couldn't gain her permission to share the painting with the Queen. However, she had already memorized the painting by heart. For her, visualizing these seven paintings was almost the same as visualizing the complete set.
As Lily immersed herself in practicing and gaining enlightenment, she became so absent-minded and focused that she lost track of time.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
“Lynne, you're really focused. I came to see you several times, but you turned a blind eye. How do you think I should punish you?” The Queen stood in the doorway.
“Your Majesty!” Lily hurriedly knelt down to apologize. Of course, the Queen wouldn't really punish her.
Having not seen her for three days, Lily wondered why the Queen was looking for her.
“Lynne, did this enlightenment yield any harvest?”
“Your Majesty, I had a great harvest.”
“Hm, not bad. I specially had some people make several sets of clothes for you according to your measurements, using precious materials from Yomi and Takamagahara. If you wear them while observing the Himemiya Sen-no-hana Painting, you will receive a good auxiliary boost.”
“Eh? Really…”
Lily was naturally pleased that it could aid her training, but she also felt a little apprehensive.
As expected, the clothes the Queen gave Lily were a bit more seductive than normal…
“Your Majesty, this…”
“What's wrong, Lynne? Don't you like them?”
“Uh, they’re fine. Lily is very grateful.”
“Then why don't you try them on?”
“Eh? Then, then I'll go change.”
“We're all women here; there's nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, the women in this palace, whether it's their bodies or chastities, are all mine. Go ahead and change here. I won't look.”
The Queen turned around, and indeed, she abided by her promise that she wouldn't peek.
Thus, Lily had no choice but to turn her back and change into a set of black stockings, a black revealing blouse, and an outrageously short skirt that was two inches shorter than what was usually acceptable.
However, this was already the most conservative set among them.
“Hehehe… Lynne’s body really doesn’t have a single flaw. It's perfect.” The Queen chuckled upon turning around.
“Eh?” Lily panicked and subconsciously covered her body, “Your Majesty, didn't you say you wouldn't peek?”
The Queen smiled mysteriously, “Everything in this secret room is under my control. Do you think I still need to peek?”
Lily blushed, feeling that the Queen had inadvertently taken advantage of her again.
Why did all these women have to try every possible method to take advantage of her?!
Casting that issue aside, the Queen did not deceive Lily. After changing into the clothes given by the Queen, her perception of the path of charm became even more acute. These clothes were really treasures for practicing charm intent.
In the next few days, the Queen seemed busy with state affairs and did not come to look for Lily. Meanwhile, Lily either meditated or went back to bathe and rest, living a simple and fulfilling life.
After not entering the mirror space for a long time, Lily decided to pay a visit.
But she noticed that the sisters inside were very anxious.
“Lily, over at Tsukushi Island, the forces of the Cloistered Emperor have resurfaced and gathered many demons and ghosts. The Shimadzu family and the Otomo family are in distress!” Kotoka said.
“The Cloistered Emperor… that old fox Daitengu!” Lily knew how cunning the Cloistered Emperor was. In the end, he did not defend Izumo Mountain with Minamoto no Yoritomo, but instead fled to Tsukushi Island.
Lily inquired about the whereabouts of the other sisters who weren’t here, then thought for a moment and said:
“Dear sisters, Tsukushi Island is located in a remote location, and without Sister Ayaka and the others around, you are by no means a match for the Cloistered Emperor. You must not act rashly. Miss Shizuru, please use my name to request the Taira clan to send troops to assist Tsukushi Island. Kagura, please try to contact Princess Asuka and ask her to station the Asuka Army around Heian-kyō and Nara. I have a feeling that the Cloistered Emperor is well aware of the disparity in strength between both sides, and he won’t rear his head easily without a good opportunity. Maybe this hidden enemy has other plans. They can’t raise much of a storm on Tsukushi Island, but we have to watch the area around Heian-kyō carefully.”
After hearing this, the sisters all thought that it made sense.
“Is there any information on the whereabouts of Madam Shizuka Gozen?” Lily asked again.
The sisters shook their heads.
“So still no news about Madam Shizuka Gozen, huh…? Everyone, you shouldn’t go anywhere apart from Heian-kyō and Cherry Blossom Valley. The situation outside is becoming unpredictable.”
Lily started to wonder how Madam Shizuka Gozen, Ayaka, and Uesugi Rei were doing.
“Has Sister Shimizu come back yet?”
“Sometimes she enters the mirror space to practice, but most of the time, she's around the abyssal rift valley near the Nara Sinless Domain. She seems to be making steady progress in her strength.” Kagura said.
In any case, Kimiko was still on the mainland, and with Shimizu around, Lily felt more at ease.
She repeatedly told her sisters to be careful before returning her consciousness to the outside world, intending to continue observing the Himemiya Sen-no-hana Painting. After all, she didn't know how long she could stay in the Female Kingdom’s palace, so it was better to seize the opportunity while it was available.
On the way, someone called out to Lily.
It turned out to be Takiri Rie.
“Lynne, how is the situation?” Takiri Rie asked while vigilantly scanning the surroundings to prevent their conversation from being overheard.
“…Nothing was found.”
“Lynne, I apologize. We haven't had much interaction, and I shouldn't be prying into your personal matters, but I’m under the instructions of Captain Renka. These days, you've been in frequent contact with the Queen. What exactly have you been up to?” Takiri Rie asked, her usually indifferent expression tinged with a bit of apology.
“Her Majesty is instructing me on my training.”
“Hm, in that case, Lynne, how is your relationship with Her Majesty progressing? Have you two done it yet?”
“Eh? No, of course not!” Lily blushed, “How is that possible?!”
“Ah, sorry.”
“I’ll take my leave now. Take care of yourself, Lil’ Rie.”
“Hm.” Takiri Rie nodded with a slightly red face.
Lily made her way to the back of the palace as usual. She had the Queen's permission to freely enter and leave the cave without being impeded by the formations. When she entered the cave, voices could be heard coming from inside.
Wasn’t it said that only the Queen and her could enter here? Who was talking?
“Your Majesty, the preparations are complete. It seems that it’s almost time to take action.” Chiya Kasumi’s voice said.
“Hm, now that the Female Kingdom is strong enough to defend itself and has the aid of powerful experts from the Council faction, as well as mercenary support from the two major female forces, the Rakshasa Dojo and Tempering Dojo, the Female Kingdom should be safe even if we leave temporarily. As long as the news isn’t leaked…”
This was the Queen's voice, but before she could finish speaking, Chiya suddenly shouted, “Who is eavesdropping outside?”
Two ribbons suddenly flew over from the cave’s passage, entangling Lily and pulling her inside.
“Lynne?” Chiya breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty; Commander Chiya. Lynne didn't mean to eavesdrop on purpose. I originally came here to seek enlightenment, but I heard voices inside the cave where no one else apart from me and Her Highness could supposedly enter. I was worried that something was wrong, so I carefully investigated…” Lily hurriedly said as she was suspended in the air.
“Hmph, you eavesdropped on the conversation between the Queen and the commander, and you still want to weasel your way out of the situation? You deserve a beating; stick out your butt!” The Queen suddenly snapped.
“Huh?” Lily’s face turned beet red.
“Your Majesty, this…” Chiya felt a little sorry for Lily.
“Hehehe.” The Queen covered her face and chuckled, “It was just a joke.”
With a wave of her hand, Lily was placed back on the ground.
“Lynne, what you heard just now must not be divulged to anyone else! This is a big secret of the Female Kingdom.” Chiya warned.
“Yes, Lynne absolutely won’t.”
But the Queen smiled and said, “Well it doesn't matter. I was originally hesitant to bring you along with me, but since you heard us, it can only be heaven’s will. I’ll take you with me. I don’t feel at ease leaving you alone in the palace, anyway.”
“Your Majesty? Where are you taking Lynne?”
“Lynne, listen carefully, this is a big secret we’ve been investigating.” The Queen said, “Commander Chiya and I plan to select some of our elites and leave the Female Kingdom to visit an ancient battlefield from a thousand years ago.”
“Ancient battlefield?” Lily was shocked, “Could it be the ancient battlefield of that great battle that shook the three realms a thousand years ago?”
“In that great battle, the fight stretched across Takamagahara and Yomi, as well as many other places along the way. However, in the ancient battlefield in particular, many celestial maidens fell, and so did Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, who was besieged and never heard from since.” The Queen explained.
Lily’s heart fluctuated, “Tsukuyomi no Mikoto last appeared in the ancient battlefield…?”
“You already know some of these things. Chiya and I, as well as the other celestial maidens in the Female Kingdom, all went to support Tsukuyomi no Mikoto and her army at the frontline. We were ambushed halfway between Takamagahara and Yomi, and fell into the latter. We have explored the approximate location of the ancient battlefield a long time ago, but haven’t really been to the actual place. As celestial maidens who previously followed Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, regardless of the final outcome of that battle, we must go to the ancient battlefield to mourn our fallen sisters, search for clues about potential survivors, and investigate the life or death of Tsukuyomi no Mikoto.” The Queen said with utmost solemnity.
“Lynne,” The Queen held Lily’s hand and said, “Although I want to take you there, it is up to you to decide. Chiya and I will be there to protect you on this journey, but that was once the place where ancient gods of old fought, after all. Whether it’s during the journey or when we arrive, unexpected situations might happen! If you are unwilling to go, I won’t force you.”
After hearing this, Lily fell to her knees with a ‘thud’. She gripped the Queen's hand tightly, “Your Majesty, please take me there! No matter what kind of danger we face, I won’t be afraid!”
Since Lily came to this world, she had received a lot of teachings and kindness from Tsukuyomi no Mikoto. Without the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle, Lunar Blossom, and the lunar heavenly path, how could she possess the strength she had today? She would have died long ago in the many treacherous plots she experienced.
Going to the place where Tsukuyomi no Mikoto had last fought, whether to pay homage or find clues about her life or death, was a must for her. She had no choice but to do so1!