Taming The Villainesses Chapter 835 - 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 living?"

"Is the Nymph-oppressing Forced Labor Act still enforced in the outside world?"

The words spoken by the black-haired Nymph were utterly incomprehensible to me.

Emperor...?

The phrase Nymph-oppressing Forced Labor Act somehow triggered a memory, and I swiftly opened the documents that Stella had provided.

Flip, flip.

These papers detailed the history of ancient kingdoms and empires that once held dominion over this continent, predating the establishment of the Angmar Kingdom—a time when Angmar was merely a fledgling city-state.

What I sought was within these pages:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It turned out that the very location where Angmar's Monarch City now stood was once home to an empire founded by Nymphs. According to the records, the first emperor of the entire continent originated from this very empire.

"However, the Fairy Empire, rife with lawlessness and idolatry, was eventually brought down by the valiant martyrs and crusaders of the Church of Radiance."

This was precisely how it was recorded.

As I recited the passage aloud, Tartar, who had been listening attentively beside me, let out a shiver.

"But... Jinshinoi! That is the name of the ancient Nymph emperor! If that's the case—then this black-haired Nymph must be a remnant from that ancient empire!"

Tartar, the imp adorned with an orange armband, appeared inexplicably overjoyed. Before I could even voice my confusion, he elaborated.

"There could be invaluable ancient treasures in this vicinity, remnants from the time when the Nymphs wielded great power...! Perhaps even the legendary height-growth mushroom might be here...!"

Oh.

Could such a possibility truly exist?

A survivor from an empire that existed a millennium ago? I had heard tales of Nymphs being an exceptionally long-lived race. Yet, the oldest Nymphs I had encountered were only around a century old.

Could a Nymph truly endure for an entire thousand years?

The thought left me in a state of bewildered astonishment.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

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

She wasn't merely running; her velocity was such that pursuit seemed utterly futile. In the blink of an eye, the distance between us expanded dramatically, and she vanished into the depths of the tunnel.

Marmar spoke up.

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

"Understood."

Was it truly wise to follow her? The situation felt incredibly dubious, yet our options were rather limited.

Furthermore... if I were to introduce her to Stella, I was certain she would be absolutely delighted.

Thus, I immediately began sprinting after the disappearing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, her speed far surpassed my expectations. She completely vanished into the subterranean darkness of the cave.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to maintain a semblance of pursuit, staying barely within sight of her.

"Tsk—! I lost her! Her footwork was phenomenal...! With such refined martial arts, she might even possess the knowledge to defeat Yujinoi...!"

Even the formidable {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi was unable to keep pace and was forced to concede the chase.

Yet, that was not the entirety of our predicament.

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

"Where exactly are we...?"

We had blindly navigated through countless forks in the tunnel. Now, we had no clue as to our current location. Which passageway led deeper, and which offered an exit?

More than that—the cave had not appeared nearly this expansive from the exterior. Yet now, it felt akin to a complex labyrinth. It was as if we were traversing a maze deliberately designed to disorient any intruders.

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

The imps and Nymphs began to falter, succumbing one by one to exhaustion from the strenuous and hasty pursuit. Consequently, we resolved to take a respite, settling ourselves upon the nearby rocks and boulders.

It was, after all, the designated time for lunch. Perhaps it was prudent to partake in a meal.

Just as I reached into the bag secured at my waist, preparing to retrieve the lunchbox Mirna had thoughtfully packed for me that morning—

"Ah...!?"

A Nymph, or an Imp—someone—let out an unusual cry.

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of exclamations of shock erupted from all directions.

And I was no exception to this widespread dismay.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...had completely vanished!

The very lunch that I had meticulously verified within my bag earlier that morning—gone without the slightest hint or trace!

In a state of frantic panic, I began tearing open every pouch and compartment of my pack. To no avail!

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming urge, a surge of Nymph-hating fury so intense that I believed I could unleash a destructive beam!

However, I was not the sole victim of this peculiar circumstance.

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

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

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

"Even my sugar stars have disappeared, every single one! This—this Nymph-hating act of food theft is utterly unacceptable! Punchnoi is absolutely FURIOUS!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is incensed! I have never witnessed Gargar resort to such coarse language before!"

The cavern was consumed by a cacophony of commotion. The outcries reverberated back at us from every conceivable direction, amplifying the prevailing chaos.

But their reactions were entirely justified.

Lunchtime represents the very essence of any picnic or excursion. It is the cherished moment when everyone convenes, shares delectable side dishes, exchanges fruits, and engages in pleasant conversation.

That shared joy had been cruelly snatched away from us.

Naturally, we were incensed!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

Yes, I should calm myself.

Indignation alone will not bring about a resolution.

"Hmm..."

A mass disappearance of lunches. A simultaneous, coordinated event.

There was only one logical suspect.

That suspicious outsider.

Just as this conclusion solidified, Punchnoi raised a fist, bellowing,

"It must have been that black-haired Nymph who absconded with our sustenance! What a wretched little pilferer! Let us pursue her and administer a fitting retribution!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party reverberated through the cavern.

***

We journeyed diligently in pursuit of the black-haired nymph, yet the cave proved to be an intricate labyrinth. Had monsters or bandits emerged, labeling it a dungeon would have been simple.

After nearly an hour of being lost, I began to consider that focusing on exiting the cave might be more prudent than continuing the chase.

Nevertheless, this intention was far easier stated than achieved.

As I was lost in contemplation, a glint on the cave floor caught my eye.

It was a soft, downy—

"...Feather?"

No, it was down. White, fluffy down. Quite substantial in size, too. Initially, I surmised it might be from a rabbit, but the texture and softness suggested it was more akin to duck or goose down.

Actually, no—there was considerably more of it than could originate from ducks or geese.

Rustle, rustle.

The down clutched in my hand fluttered.

"...!?"

At that moment, a realization struck me.

Swipe.

I promptly moistened my fingertip and extended it into the ambient air.

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle breeze caressed my fingertip.

If the wind was moving, it implied a passage to the outside must be situated nearby!

"Everyone, this direction!"

I guided the incensed assembly of Nymphs and Imps toward the source of the breeze.

And at last—we discovered it. An area resembling an entrance or exit, bathed in a radiant luminescence.

Upon stepping into the light, brilliant sunlight cascaded over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively narrow my eyes.

"Ugh..."

It was blinding. The sunlight penetrated my closed eyelids as if with needles. However, once my eyes adapted to the intensity, I could not suppress a gasp.

"...Wow."

Below the hill, a village lay spread out. A river gracefully wound its way through the settlement under the shining sun, and tendrils of smoke drifted lazily from the chimneys of numerous dwellings.

It presented an idyllic scene.

Yet, a single peculiarity was apparent. Even from this vantage point, I could discern—the houses were resplendent. Their roofs shimmered with an emerald green hue.

Emeralds? Jade? Or perhaps some other precious gemstone? I remained uncertain.

Closer inspection would be necessary to ascertain the truth.

Rustle.

I retrieved my map as we advanced toward the village.

Could such a sizable settlement exist near the ancient forest where we had been exploring? To the best of my recollection... there wasn't even a river in this vicinity.

Where was this place?

It felt... akin to an entirely different realm.

"━━──."

"━─?"

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

They had likely perceived us as outsiders.

The distinction between us was evident. All of them possessed black hair and were clad in garments of silk or coarse linen.

In contrast, our unconventional attire and multicolored hair must have stood out starkly.

Would soldiers suddenly emerge and surround us?

I felt a surge of tension.

However, the Imps and Nymphs appeared to be in a state of unbridled delight.

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

"That despicable Nymph who pilfered Tartar's lunch is undoubtedly present here as well, without question...!"

As we stood there somewhat awkwardly, a figure emerged from the assembling crowd.

She was attired in black and white silk robes, sported neatly cropped red bobbed hair, and possessed a slender, elegant physique. Her features were composed and graceful—undeniably beautiful.

She inquired,

"It has been a considerable duration since outsiders traversed the cave. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She speaks our tongue?

The fact that someone here could communicate with us, after hearing nothing but unintelligible utterances until this point, was more than reassuring.

As the leader of our party, I advanced.

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

"A Queen?"

"Indeed. The Queen of Angmar."

"Angmar?"

The woman tilted her head as if unfamiliar with either name.

"Very well, if you are not imperial envoys, that is acceptable. We shall arrange accommodations for your stay within the village. Please rest for the time being. The passage back to your world will become accessible tomorrow."

"...Hold. You mean to say we cannot depart today?"

My vision wavered.

I had informed Elga of my intended return today.

Should I remain absent without sending word, the noble ladies would surely exact their vengeance.

This was particularly true as today was Thursday—Narmee's designated day.

If I failed to return this evening, Narmee would be left to wait, utterly alone.

I could not permit such a circumstance.

Narmee becomes quite formidable when provoked.

"Is there truly no means of returning today?"

"There is not," she stated plainly.

"If the gate is opened now, eager soldiers who desire our mushrooms will surely breach our defenses. The hard-won peace we have established would then be irrevocably shattered."

Her explanation was somewhat unclear to me.

However, one particular word resonated deeply:

"...Mushrooms?"

In response to my inquiry, the woman gestured towards nearby structures that resembled cultivation beds.

Upon closer inspection, it became evident that numerous vibrant and unusual mushrooms were flourishing in various containers and trays scattered throughout the area.

Unsurprisingly, Marmar was the most enthusiastic among us.

"So many mushrooms! Imagine how delicious they'd be grilled or perhaps in a hearty stew!"

The mere thought made my stomach rumble in protest.

We had skipped lunch, and my bento box was long gone, leaving me famished at the mere mention of food.

I gulped and posed my next question to the woman,

"Do you happen to have the kind of mushroom that enhances height?"

"...If by that you mean the legendary Ancient Max Mushroom, then yes, we do."

She then fell into a thoughtful silence.

The surrounding villagers began to whisper amongst themselves in an unfamiliar tongue.

"━─The Ancients' Max..."

"Godai Max..."

Their countenances turned ashen, their bodies quivering with what seemed like dread.

A sigh escaped the woman's lips.

She then declared,

"It does exist. However, acquiring it will be beyond your reach. The very place where the Max Mushrooms flourish lies downstream... beyond the flowing waters of the Little Fairy River. And that particular location..."