Demon Sword Maiden Chapter 75 (Patreon)

Chapter 5 - Female samurai

Early in the morning, the murmuring of the river was accompanied by a layer of mist that drifted toward the damp bluestone road. 

The white fence of Genji Dojo stood imposingly. The lush and rugged trees could be seen from the outside, their tips of branches protruding beyond the wall. 

Lily, Nanako, and Shiu were walking along this tranquil road, heading toward the big gate of the dojo. 

Imakawa Yusuke brought around a dozen powerful samurais with long and short swords at their waists, standing guard at the dojo’s entrance. No matter what, after the incident last night, they must strictly watch the place today. 

Upon seeing Lily, they greeted her very politely. They didn’t even inspect the proof of examination but let Lily and the others enter immediately. However, Shiu was asked to wait outside. 

Lily and Nanako walked in. It was the first time they visited the main hall of the dojo, which was also the biggest room in the dojo with at least seven or eight big pillars in the middle of the room. 

The two took off their shoes before entering the big hall. At this moment, there were seven or eight official samurais sitting on their knees in the hall.

And, there were no less than fifty elite, powerful samurais sitting on the two sides of the room. They were wearing a white uniform with navy blue trousers. They all looked serious in this heavy atmosphere.

So many samurais! It truly deserved to be called Genji Dojo. Lily inwardly complimented.

There were ten new recruits in total. They were gathering and waiting here. 

At this moment, unusual footsteps came from the other end of the dojo.

Several samurais with extraordinary auras came into the hall and separated as they sat directly on the front rows of the two sides. 

Lily didn’t dare to use her spirit power to check. However, those people weren’t afraid to emit their intimidating auras of which Lily had sensed. 

The weakest of them was at Middle-class Kengo! So fierce! Any of those seven or eight samurais sitting in the front rows could easily defeat Lily! 

And, right when Lily was still frightened, three more came from the other side. 

All the samurai there kneeled and bowed to greet them. Lily’s group followed them to bow. 

The three then walked to the front and sat on the wooden floor. A screen with drawings of pine trees, bamboos, and apricot blossoms stood behind them. 

One of them was Genji Sakiko, the mistress of the dojo. However, she was sitting to the right.

At the left was an old man with long, gray hair. His aura was also formidable and unfathomable. This man was one of the masters with virtue and prestige sent by Genji Dojo from Kamakura City. 

Sitting in the middle was a young, slender, and handsome man. He had a smooth face with double eyelids and eyes as sharp the phoenix’s.

The young man’s eyes had glimpses of being gentle but serious and cold. His natural solemn made Lily not dare to look at him straight in the face. She instinctively respected him. 

At this moment, Sakiko opened her mouth. “This is Master Ashikaga Kiyoshi, the young master of Ashikaga Clan from Genji’s Kiyokawa branch. He’s one of the excellent young samurais of our nation. Today, he’s here to chair the ceremony of conferring the Pass Certificate!” 

After she finished, people turned to that young and handsome samurai sitting in the middle to bow one more time. Sakiko didn’t introduce the old man. It could be seen who held the highest position here.

“Ashikaga Kiyoshi?!” While kneeling with her head near the floor, Nanako whispered to Lily. “Is he really Master Ashikaga Kiyoshi, one of the Six Swords of East Nation? This is just a small Pass Certificate conferring ceremony. Why did someone of such high calibre like him comes here?”

For the time being, Lily didn’t know what the Six Swords of East Nation signified, but she could feel the energy released by this so-called Master Ashikaga Kiyoshi. It was so strong that she couldn’t see through him at all or even have the courage to resist.

Lily remembered the young master of a certain samurai clan she met previously, such as Ujizane of the Hojo Clan. If they were compared, it would be like comparing a worn out old horse with a Qilin!

Kiyoshi hadn’t opened his mouth but his eyes had already fixed on Lily’s body. His brows arched as if he was astounded by her glamor, which was like a fairy in this mortal world. However, he didn’t say a word.

“And now, we would be honored to invite Master Ashikaga to announce and start the Pass Certificate conferring ceremony,” said Sakiko respectfully. 

Ashikaga Kiyoshi was still looking at Lily. Hearing Sakiko, he was a little hesitant. However, he said frankly and generously, “The Pass Certificate conferring ceremony – begins!”

Two disciples of the dojo walked forward, bringing with them two small black wooden tables. They placed one in front of Sakiko, which had pea-sized green Magatama atop the table, and the other, which had ten rolls of paper stacked in a triangle shape, in front of the old man.

The old man said, “When you hear your name called, walk forward to receive the certificate.”

He picked up a roll. Reading the name on the ribbon tying the roll, he announced, “Kagami Lily.”

Lily shivered. She hadn’t expected to hear her name being called the first. 

She respectfully got up. Although she was filled with emotions, she still walked gracefully as if she was taking a walk by the lake. With her two hands held in front of her, she confidently took small steps without letting her thighs touch her skirt. If she walked a bit faster, it would be too fast. But if she walked a bit slower, it would be too slow. Appropriately, she advanced toward the three masters. When Sakiko signaled her, Lily sat down on her knees right in front of Ashikaga Kiyoshi.

The old man handed the roll decorated with silk to Ashikaga Kiyoshi, then he said to Lily, “This is the samurai appointment scroll signed by Kanto’s Governor Fujiwara Tatsuya. From now on, you’re no longer a civilian but a samurai.”

Ashikaga Kiyoshi received the roll then solemnly handed it to Lily with both hands, his eyes gazing at her fascinatingly.

Lily acted with great respect. However, she was neither proud nor servile. She greeted and received the roll with the right manner. 

Although the other was powerful with high position, being a woman, especially a maiden, when she gave a young man a curtsy, she had to mind her action. She wouldn’t do anything excessive. 

Lily’s coy manner made Ashikaga Kiyoshi looked at her with different point of view. ‘Is this girl actually from a poor family? Although she doesn’t have a noble title, compared to the noble ladies from Heian capital I’ve met, she has fairy-like manners that even the daughters of the royals and officials couldn’t be compared to her.’

“Miss Kagami, may Hachiman’s blessings be with you,” Kiyoshi’s voice had an innate elegant and classic characteristics.  

Lily said nothing. It was better to say nothing in moments like this. 

She quietly carried the etiquette, mumbling in her head, “Hachiman, if you can hear me, please bless me so as my senior sister would wake up soon.”

Instantly, a gleam of sadness appeared between Lily’s brows, which startled Kiyoshi. ‘This girl is as beautiful as a divinity, yet why does it look as if she is bearing with some heavy burden?’

For the time being, Kiyoshi was infatuated with Lily and he forgot to let go off the roll. He still held the other end of the roll.

It was really awkward to Lily now. If she reminded the other, it would be very rude.

“Master Ashikaga… Thank you,” Lily said quietly and pulled the roll a little bit. Ashikaga got a hold of himself and realized that he had lost his manner. Discreetly, he loosened his grip. 

He felt thankful as Lily had helped him keep his face. Actually, it wasn’t a big deal, but the favor from a beautiful woman was often easier to keep in mind. 

Lily moved to Sakiko on her knees. 

This time, she lowered her upper body very low to greet the other. Of course, between women, she didn’t need to worry about her attitude towards Sakiko.

Sakiko picked up the green Magatama with red strings attached and gave it to Lily. 

“Miss Kagami, congratulations. Also congratulate our Genji Dojo for having another female samurai with great potentials,” Sakiko said, “Later on, if you have any requests, just let me know. Don’t need to be too polite.” 

“Thank you, Lady Sakiko!” Lily was touched. Sakiko did care about her. She was one of the great nobility Lily had met since coming to this otherworld. 

While holding the green Magatama in one hand and the roll on the other hand, Lily had so many emotions surging in her heart. 

She remembered the time she first arrived in this otherworld. A paper parasol, a thin cloth, the night parade, sheltered by the samurai clan, the dangers she experienced in Mount Ise, the bloody fight in Chrysanthemum’s front courtyard. And finally, today, Lily had accomplished the first step on the path she pledged to herself that night: 

Female samurai.