Taming The Villainesses Chapter 836 - 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 breathing?"

"Does the Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act still hold sway in the outer world?"

The black-haired nymph uttered words completely beyond my comprehension.

Emperor...?

A Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? That phrase, unfamiliar as it was, sparked a flicker of recognition, prompting me to swiftly consult the documents Stella had provided.

Flipping, flipping.

These papers detailed ancient kingdoms and empires that had once dominated this continent before the Angmar Kingdom even existed—a time when Angmar was merely a nascent city-state.

What I sought was contained within:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It appeared that in the very region where Angmar's Monarch City now stands, an empire founded by Nymphs once flourished. The continent's very first emperor, the records stated, originated from this very empire.

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

Thus, the passage read.

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

"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, seemed inexplicably ecstatic. Before I could even voice my confusion, he elaborated.

"There could be invaluable ancient relics nearby, remnants from the time the Nymphs held great power...! Perhaps even the legendary height-growth mushroom might be here...!"

Oh.

Could such a thing truly be possible?

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

Could a Nymph genuinely live for a thousand years?

The thought left me in a state of bewildered contemplation.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

At that precise moment, the black-haired Nymph murmured an inaudible phrase and darted away.

She wasn't merely running; her speed was so extraordinary 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 spoke.

"It seems she desires us to follow! Let's move!"

"Understood."

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

Moreover... if I were to introduce her to Stella, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed.

With that thought, I bolted after the disappearing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, her speed far surpassed my expectations. She vanished completely into the cavern's obscurity.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to maintain a semblance of pace with her—and that was a struggle.

"Tch—! I've lost her! Her footwork was phenomenal...! With such refined martial prowess, she might even possess knowledge of how to defeat Yujinoi...!"

Even {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi, despite his efforts, couldn't keep up and was forced to concede.

But the challenges did not end there.

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

"Where have we ended up...?"

We had blindly navigated past numerous diverging paths in the tunnel. Now, we had no clue of our current location. Which passage led further inward, and which one offered an escape?

More importantly—the cave hadn't appeared nearly this expansive from the exterior. Yet, within, it now felt like an intricate labyrinth, as though deliberately designed to disorient any intruders.

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

Imps and Nymphs began to falter, one by one, succumbing to exhaustion from the relentless pursuit. Thus, we collectively decided to pause, settling onto nearby rocks and boulders.

It was, after all, lunchtime. A propitious moment for sustenance.

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

"Ah...!?"

A Nymph or an Imp—someone—let out an unexpected cry.

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of startled exclamations erupted from all directions.

And I was no exception to this shared bewilderment.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...had vanished!

The very lunch I had meticulously double-checked in my bag earlier that day—gone without the slightest trace!

In a state of panic, I frantically rummaged through every pouch and compartment of my pack. Nothing!

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming surge of Nymph-hating fury, potent enough to unleash a destructive beam!

Yet, my distress was not solitary.

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

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

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

"Even my sugar stars have disappeared, every single one! This—this Nymph-hating act of stealing our provisions is simply intolerable! Punchnoi is ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is enraged! I have never before witnessed Gargar resort to such abominable profanity!"

The cave resonated with a cacophony of unrest. The enraged shouts echoed back from every corner, amplifying the surrounding chaos.

But their anger was entirely justified.

Lunchtime represents the very essence of any picnic or outing. It's the cherished moment for communal sitting, sharing delectable side dishes, exchanging fruits, and engaging in warm, convivial conversation.

That very joy had been cruelly snatched away from us.

Naturally, wrath was our sole recourse!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

Yes, I ought to gather my composure.

Simply getting agitated will accomplish nothing.

"Hmm..."

A simultaneous, coordinated mass disappearance of lunches.

There was only one plausible culprit.

The suspicious intruder.

Just as I reached this conclusion, Punchnoi clenched his fist and roared,

"It must have been that black-haired Nymph who pilfered our sustenance! What a wicked little food snatcher! Let us hunt her down and administer a thorough thrashing!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party resonated through the subterranean cavern.

***

Our arduous trek in pursuit of the black-haired nymph commenced—and indeed, the cave presented a labyrinthine challenge. Had monsters or brigands emerged, deeming it a dungeon would have been effortless.

After nearly an hour navigating the maze, I began contemplating the wisdom of prioritizing an escape from the cave over apprehending her.

Nevertheless, easier said than done.

Deep in thought, I noticed a faint glimmer on the cavern floor.

It was a soft, downy—

"...Feather?"

No, it was down. White, fluffy down. Quite substantial in size, too. Initially, I suspected it was rabbit fur, but the texture and softness felt more akin to duck or goose down.

Actually, no—the quantity was far too great to have originated from ducks or geese.

Rustle, rustle.

The down clutched in my hand trembled.

"...!"

It was then that a realization struck me.

Swipe.

Without hesitation, I moistened my finger and extended it into the air.

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle breeze caressed my fingertip.

The presence of wind signified that an exit to the outside had to be nearby!

"Everyone, this way!"

I guided the irate contingent of Nymphs and Imps in the direction from which the breeze emanated.

And at last—we found it. An aperture resembling an entrance or exit, illuminated by a welcoming glow.

As we stepped into the open, brilliant sunlight washed over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively narrow my eyes.

"Ugh..."

It was intensely bright. The sunlight felt like sharp needles piercing through my closed eyelids. Yet, as my eyes gradually adapted to the luminescence, I couldn't help but vocalize my astonishment.

"...Wow."

Spreading out below the hill was a village. A river meandered through its center under the radiant sun, and wisps of smoke ascended gracefully from chimneys adorning each dwelling.

It appeared... serene.

However, a single peculiarity stood out. Even from this distance, I could discern—the houses were resplendent. Their rooftops gleamed with an emerald hue.

Emeralds? Jade? Or perhaps some other form of precious stone? I couldn't be certain.

Closer inspection would be necessary to ascertain the truth.

Rustle.

I retrieved my map as we advanced toward the village.

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

Where could this place possibly be?

It gave the distinct impression of... an entirely different realm.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As we approached the village, the children and adults frolicking in the streets turned in unison to regard us.

They had clearly recognized us as strangers.

The disparity between us was quite evident. They all possessed black hair and were attired in garments of silk or coarse linen.

In contrast, our peculiar attire and vibrantly colored hair must have made us stand out conspicuously.

Would soldiers suddenly materialize and surround us?

I felt a surge of tension.

Yet, the Imps and Nymphs seemed utterly 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 present here as well, without question...!"

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

She was clad in black and white silk robes, her neat bobbed red hair framing a slim, elegant physique. Her features were composed and graceful—undeniably beautiful.

She spoke,

"It has been a considerable while since outsiders have emerged from the cave. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She speaks our language?

The fact that someone here could converse with us after my previous attempts to communicate with only unintelligible sounds was more than a little reassuring.

As the leader of our group, I stepped forward.

"No, we are not emissaries 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 held any recognition for her.

"Well, if you are not imperial envoys, that is acceptable. We shall arrange accommodations for you within the village. Please rest for now. The passage back to your world will be accessible tomorrow."

"...Hold on. You are suggesting we cannot depart today?"

My vision began to blur.

I had assured Elga of my return by today.

Should I remain absent without sending word, the noble ladies would surely be furious with me.

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

If I failed to return this evening, Narmee would be left waiting, entirely alone.

I could not possibly permit such a situation to arise.

Narmee transforms into a rather formidable individual when she is displeased.

"Is there truly no means of returning today?"

"There is not," she replied curtly.

"If this barrier is lowered, soldiers eager for our mushrooms will rush in. The peace we have painstakingly preserved will surely crumble."

Her words didn't quite register with me initially.

However, a single word stood out starkly:

"...Mushrooms?"

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

Upon closer inspection, numerous vibrant and peculiar mushrooms were visible, growing in containers and trays spread across the area.

Unsurprisingly, Marmar was the most animated.

"So many mushrooms! I bet they'd taste incredible grilled, or perhaps in a hearty stew!"

The mere thought of it made my stomach rumble.

We'd skipped lunch, and my bento was long gone, so discussing food had made me ravenously hungry.

Clearing my throat, I inquired of the woman,

"Do you happen to have the kind of mushroom that increases one's height?"

"...If you're referring to the legendary Max Mushroom, then yes."

Following this affirmation, she became quiet.

The surrounding villagers started whispering in a tongue unfamiliar to us.

"━─The Max of Antiquity..."

"Godai Max..."

Their complexions turned pale, and their bodies quivered as if gripped by fear.

The woman let out a sigh.

Then, she spoke,

"It does exist. However, obtaining it will be beyond your reach. The fields where Max Mushrooms sprout are located downstream... beyond the realm of the Little Fairy River. And that particular area..."