Taming The Villainesses Chapter 834 - 833 - 832 - 831 - 830 - 829 - 828 - 827 - 826 - 825 - 824 - 823 - 822 - 821 - 820 - 819 - 818 - 817 - 816 - 815 - 814 - 813 - 455: Side Story – Everyday Life Is Always Honey-Colored (4)

"Outsider. Is Emperor Jinshinoi still alive?"

"Is the Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act still in effect in the outer world?"

The black-haired nymph uttered words beyond my comprehension.

Emperor...?

A Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? That unfamiliar phrase sparked a flicker of recognition, and I promptly retrieved the documents Stella had provided.

Flipping through the pages.

These records detailed the ancient kingdoms and empires that had once governed this continent, predating the establishment of the Angmar Kingdom—back when Angmar was merely a fledgling city-state.

My search led me here:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It was recorded that in the vicinity where Angmar's Monarch City now stood, an empire founded by Nymphs had once thrived. The very first emperor of the continent, the text claimed, originated from this very empire.

"However, the Fairy Empire, mired in illegality and idol worship, was ultimately brought down by the martyrs and crusaders of the Church of Radiance."

That was the account presented.

As I read the passage aloud, Tartar, who had been listening intently beside me, shivered involuntarily.

"But... Jinshinoi! That's the name of the ancient Nymph emperor! Then surely—this black-haired Nymph must be a survivor from that ancient empire!"

Tartar, the imp sporting an orange armband, displayed an uncharacteristic surge of excitement. Before I could even voice my inquiry, he elaborated.

"There might be precious ancient relics scattered nearby, remnants from when the Nymphs were at the height of their power...! Perhaps there's even the height-growth mushroom to be found here...!"

Oh.

Could such a possibility truly exist?

A survivor from an empire that existed a millennium ago? I had heard tales of Nymphs possessing long lifespans. Yet, even the most ancient Nymphs I had encountered were merely around a century old.

Could a Nymph genuinely endure for a thousand years?

The thought left me in a state of bewildered awe.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

At that precise moment, the black-haired Nymph murmured an unintelligible phrase—and then darted away with astonishing speed.

She wasn't merely running; her velocity was so extreme that pursuit seemed futile. In the blink of an eye, the distance between us grew immense, and she vanished into the depths of the tunnel.

Marmar's voice cut through the silence.

"It appears she wishes for us to follow! Let's go!"

"Right."

Was it truly prudent to follow her? The situation felt exceptionally dubious, yet our options were decidedly limited.

Moreover... if I were to introduce her to Stella, I knew Stella would absolutely be delighted.

Thus, I gave chase, sprinting after the disappearing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, she proved to be far swifter than I had anticipated. She disappeared completely into the cavern's recesses.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to maintain a semblance of pace with her—and even then, barely.

"Tch—! I lost her! Her footwork was absolutely incredible...! With martial arts that refined, she might even possess the knowledge to defeat Yujinoi...!"

Even {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi himself was unable to keep up and had to concede defeat.

But that wasn't the sole predicament we faced.

Upon finally catching our breath, we made a startling realization—we were utterly lost.

"Where are we...?"

We had blindly navigated past numerous forks in the tunnel. Now, we had no clue of our current location. Which path led deeper into the earth, and which offered an escape?

More than that—the cave hadn't appeared nearly as expansive from the exterior. Yet now, it felt akin to a labyrinth. It was as if we were traversing a maze deliberately engineered to disorient any intruders.

"My poor legs can't endure any longer...!"

Imps and Nymphs began to succumb to exhaustion, collapsing one after another, depleted from the hasty pursuit. We consequently resolved to take a respite, settling ourselves upon the nearby rocks and boulders.

It was lunchtime, after all. Perhaps it would be wise to partake in a meal.

Just as I reached into the bag secured at my waist, intending to retrieve the lunch Mirna had so thoughtfully prepared for me that morning—

"Ah...!?"

A Nymph or an Imp—someone—let out a peculiar cry.

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of astonished exclamations erupted from all directions.

And I was no exception to the general surprise.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...was gone!

The very lunch I had meticulously double-checked in my bag earlier that day—vanished without a trace!

In a state of panic, I frantically searched every pouch and compartment within my pack. To no avail!

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming surge of Nymph-hating fury, as if I were about to unleash a destructive beam!

However, I was not the only one experiencing this distress.

Other Imps and Nymphs, upon discovering their own lunches had also disappeared, began to tremble and voice their indignant outrage.

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

"My lunch has vanished as well...! Tartar's entire meal disappeared without a trace!"

"Even my sugar stars are gone, every last one! This—this Nymph-hating act of food theft is utterly intolerable! Punchnoi is ENRAGED!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is furious! I've never witnessed Gargar employing such vile language before!"

The cave became a scene of complete pandemonium. The shouts reverberated, echoing back from every corner, amplifying the existing chaos.

But it was a perfectly natural reaction.

Lunchtime represents the heart of any picnic or outdoor excursion. It is the cherished moment when companions gather, share delectable side dishes, exchange fruits, and engage in warm, convivial conversation.

That very joy had been cruelly snatched away from us.

Naturally, anger was an appropriate response!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

Yes, I need to regain my composure. Getting agitated won't accomplish anything.

"Hmm..."

Lunches vanishing en masse, all at the same time. It was a coordinated event.

There was only one individual who could be the culprit.

That peculiar outsider.

As soon as this realization dawned on me, Punchnoi raised his fist and bellowed,

"It must have been that Nymph with black hair who pilfered our food! Such a devious little thief! Let's go hunt her down and give her a stern lesson!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party reverberated through the cavern.

***

We trekked onward, diligently seeking the black-haired nymph, but the cave proved to be a veritable labyrinth. Had monsters or bandits ambushed us, it would have been fitting to call this place a dungeon.

After almost an hour of being lost, I began to consider that perhaps it would be wiser to prioritize finding a way out of the cave rather than continuing our pursuit.

However, that was easier said than done.

While I was lost in thought, I noticed a faint sparkle on the cave floor.

It was a soft, downy—

"...Feather?"

No, it was down. Small, white, fluffy down. Quite substantial in size, too. Initially, I suspected it might be rabbit fur, but the texture and the softness felt more akin to feathers from a duck or a goose.

Actually, scratch that—there was far too much of it to have come from ordinary waterfowl.

Rustle, rustle.

The down I held fluttered.

"...!”

Suddenly, something clicked into place in my mind.

Swipe.

I promptly moistened my finger and extended it into the air.

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle breeze caressed my fingertip.

If there was wind, it logically meant a passage leading to the outside must be nearby!

"Everyone, follow me this way!"

I guided the indignant horde of Nymphs and Imps in the direction from which the wind originated.

And at last—we discovered it. An area resembling an entrance or exit, illuminated by a soft, glowing light.

As we stepped out into it, brilliant sunlight cascaded over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively narrow my eyes.

"Ugh..."

It was intensely bright. The sunlight felt like needles piercing through my tightly shut eyelids. But once my eyes gradually adapted to the luminescence, I couldn't help but gasp.

"...Wow."

Spreading out below the hill was a village. A river gracefully snaked through it under the radiant sun, and wisps of smoke ascended languidly from chimneys scattered across each dwelling.

It presented a picturesque, idyllic scene.

Yet, there was a peculiar detail. Even from this distance, I could discern that the houses were gleaming. Their rooftops possessed a shimmering emerald green hue.

Were they emeralds? Jade? Or some form of precious gemstone? I was uncertain.

I would need to get closer to ascertain the reality.

Rustle.

I retrieved my map as we neared the village.

Was there a settlement of this magnitude situated near the ancient forest we had been exploring? Based on my recollection... there wasn't even a river in this vicinity.

What was this place?

It felt as though... it belonged to an entirely different realm.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As we approached the village, the children and adults engaged in activities on the streets all turned to observe us.

They had undoubtedly recognized us as outsiders.

The distinction between us was apparent. They all possessed black hair and were clad in garments fashioned from silk or coarse linen.

In contrast, our peculiar attire and vibrantly colored hair must have made us conspicuous.

Would soldiers suddenly emerge and surround us?

I felt a sense of tension.

However, the Imps and Nymphs seemed overwhelmingly delighted.

"So many black-haired Nymphs everywhere! There must be someone here possessing a secret martial arts scroll, I am absolutely certain...!"

"That dreadful Nymph who absconded with Tartar's lunch is undoubtedly here too, without question...!"

While we stood there rather awkwardly, a figure emerged from the gathering crowd.

She was adorned in black and white silk robes, her neatly cut bobbed red hair framing a slender, graceful physique. Her features were composed and elegant—undeniably beautiful.

She announced,

"It has been a considerable time since outsiders have ventured through the cave. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She speaks our language?

The fact that someone here could communicate with us, after we had only encountered incomprehensible speech until this moment, was incredibly reassuring.

As the designated leader of our group, I stepped forward.

"No, we are not representatives of the Emperor. We are subjects of a Queen."

"A Queen?"

"Indeed. The Queen of Angmar."

"Angmar?"

The woman tilted her head, as if neither name registered in her memory.

"Well, if you are not imperial envoys, that is perfectly acceptable. We shall arrange suitable lodging for you within the village. Please rest for the time being. The route back to your world will become accessible tomorrow."

"...Wait. Are you suggesting we cannot return today?"

My vision began to blur.

I had assured Elga of my return by today.

If I failed to check in without making contact, the noble ladies would likely be furious.

This was especially true since today was Thursday—Narmee's designated day.

If I did not return tonight, Narmee would be left waiting, entirely alone.

I absolutely could not allow that situation to arise.

Narmee becomes truly formidable when angered.

"Is there genuinely no possible way to depart today?"

"There is not," she responded with blunt finality.