Taming The Villainesses Chapter 837 - 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 alive?"

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

The words that the black-haired nymph spoke were beyond my comprehension.

Emperor...?

A Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? That strange term suddenly sparked a flicker of recognition, and I hastily unrolled the documents Stella had provided me.

Flipping through them.

These documents detailed the ancient kingdoms and empires that had once presided over this continent, predating the Angmar Kingdom's establishment—a time when Angmar was merely a small city-state.

What I needed to find was located within:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It stated that in the very region where Angmar's Monarch City now stood, an empire founded by Nymphs once existed. The very first emperor of the continent, it claimed, originated from this very empire.

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

This was precisely how it was written.

As I recited the passage aloud, Tartar, who had been attentively listening, shivered involuntarily.

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

Tartar, the imp identifiable by his orange armband, displayed an inexplicable sense of excitement. Before I could even voice my confusion, he elaborated.

"There could be precious ancient relics nearby, remnants from the era when the Nymphs held immense power...! There might even be the height-growth mushroom here...!"

Oh.

Could such a possibility truly exist?

A survivor from an empire that existed a millennium ago? I had previously heard that Nymphs were a race with exceptionally long lifespans. However, even the oldest Nymphs I had encountered were merely around a century old.

Could a Nymph conceivably live for a thousand years?

The thought left me in a state of bewildered awe.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

At that precise moment, the black-haired nymph uttered another incomprehensible phrase—and then darted away.

She wasn't merely running; her speed was so astonishing that catching her seemed impossible. In an instant, the gap between us widened dramatically, and she disappeared into the depths of the tunnel.

Marmar spoke up.

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

"Right."

Was it truly wise to pursue her? The situation felt incredibly dubious, yet we were not exactly presented with a plethora of alternative choices.

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

And so, I commenced sprinting after the vanishing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, her pace far exceeded my expectations. She vanished entirely into the remote expanses of the cave.

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

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

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

Yet, that was not the sole predicament we faced.

Upon finally catching our breath, a chilling realization dawned upon us—we were utterly lost.

"Where are we...?"

We had blindly navigated past numerous junctions in the tunnel. Now, we had no clue as to our current location. Which path led deeper into the earth, and which would guide us back to the surface?

More than that—the cave had not appeared nearly as vast from the exterior. But now, it felt like an intricate labyrinth. It was as if we were traversing a maze deliberately designed to disorient and confuse any intruders.

"My poor legs cannot endure any longer...!"

Imps and Nymphs began to falter, one after another, overcome by exhaustion from the imprudent pursuit. Consequently, we resolved to pause for a respite, settling onto nearby rocks and boulders.

It was, after all, lunchtime. Perhaps it was best to partake in a meal.

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

"Ah...!?"

A Nymph or an Imp—someone—emitted a peculiar cry.

"Ah—!"

"Aaaah!?"

A chorus of startled exclamations erupted from every direction.

And I was no exception to this collective shock.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...It was gone!

The very lunch that I had meticulously verified within my bag earlier that morning—vanished without a trace!

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

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming surge of Nymph-hating fury, as if I were on the verge of unleashing a destructive beam!

But my distress was not unique.

Upon discovering their own lunches missing, other Imps and Nymphs began to tremble and voice their indignant outrage.

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

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

"Even my sugar stars have been taken, every single one! This—this Nymph-hating act of food theft is utterly intolerable! Punchnoi is ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is incensed! I have never witnessed Gargar resorting to such vile profanity before!"

The cave reverberated with a tumultuous uproar. The shouts echoed back to us from all corners, intensifying the surrounding chaos.

However, this reaction was entirely natural.

Lunchtime represents the very essence of any picnic or excursion. It is the cherished moment where one settles down, shares delectable side dishes, exchanges fruits, and engages in warm, convivial conversation.

That profound sense of joy had been cruelly stolen from us.

It was only natural that we were enraged!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within the depths of my heart.

Yes, I need to calm myself. Becoming agitated will resolve nothing.

"Hmm..."

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

The most likely culprit was obvious.

That suspicious outsider.

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

"It must have been that dark-haired Nymph who pilfered our food! What a wicked little food thief! Let us pursue her and teach her a proper lesson!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party reverberated throughout the cavern.

***

We trekked onward, relentlessly searching for the dark-haired nymph. Predictably, the cave system proved to be a complex labyrinth. Had monsters or bandits attacked, it would have been easily mistaken for a dungeon.

After almost an hour of being lost, I began to consider that escaping the cave might be a more prudent endeavor than pursuing her.

However, that thought was simpler in concept than in execution.

While deep in contemplation, my gaze fell upon something shimmering on the cave floor.

It was a soft, downy...

"...Feather?"

No, it was down. White and fuzzy, and quite substantial in size. Initially, I suspected it might be from a rabbit, but the texture and delicate softness were more akin to the down of a duck or goose.

Upon further reflection, there was far too much of it to have originated from waterfowl.

Rustle, rustle.

The down I held fluttered slightly.

"... !"

At that moment, a realization dawned upon me.

Swipe.

I swiftly moistened my finger and extended it into the ambient air.

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A subtle breeze grazed my fingertip.

The presence of wind indicated that an exit to the outside must be somewhere in the vicinity!

"Everyone, this way!"

I guided the irate throng of Nymphs and Imps in the direction from which the wind was originating.

And at long last—we discovered it. A formation resembling an entrance or possibly an exit, brilliantly illuminated by a soft glow.

As we stepped into the light, the glaring sun washed over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively shield my eyes.

"Ugh..."

It was blinding. The sunlight pierced through my closed eyelids as if with needles. However, once my eyes gradually adjusted to the intense brightness, I couldn't help but let out a gasp.

"...Wow."

Spreading out below the hill was a village. A river snaked through its heart under the radiant sun, and tendrils of smoke ascended gently from chimneys scattered across the homes.

It presented an image of pure idyllic charm.

Yet, there was a peculiar detail. Even from this distance, I could discern that the houses possessed a remarkable gleam. Their rooftops shimmered with an emerald green hue.

Were they emeralds? Jade? Perhaps some form of gemstone? I couldn't be certain.

A closer inspection would be necessary to ascertain the truth.

Rustle.

I retrieved my map as we proceeded towards the village.

Could a village of this magnitude exist near the ancient forest we had been exploring? To the best of my recollection... there wasn't even a river within a considerable distance.

Where could this place possibly be?

It felt remarkably... like an alternate dimension.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As our group drew nearer to the village, the children and adults playing in the streets all turned their heads to observe us.

They had undoubtedly noticed our foreign presence.

The distinction between us was stark. Every one of them possessed dark hair and was clad in attire fashioned from silk or coarse linen.

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

Would soldiers suddenly emerge and surround us?

I felt a surge of tension.

However, the Imps and Nymphs appeared overwhelmingly delighted.

"So many dark-haired Nymphs everywhere! Surely, there must be someone here possessing a secret martial arts scroll, I am quite certain...!"

"That unpleasant Nymph who absconded with Tartar's lunch is definitely somewhere in this vicinity, without a shadow of a doubt...!"

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

She was adorned in black and white silk robes, sported a neatly trimmed bob of red hair, and possessed a slender, elegant physique. Her features were refined and graceful—undeniably beautiful.

She spoke,

"It has been a considerable time since outsiders have emerged from the caves. 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 unintelligible speech until this moment, was more than just encouraging.

Taking the lead as the spokesperson for our group, I stepped forward.

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

"A Queen?"

"Indeed. The Queen of Angmar."

"Angmar?"

The woman tilted her head, seemingly unfamiliar with either name.

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

"...Hold on. Are you suggesting we cannot return today?"

My vision blurred slightly.

I had assured Elga that I would return by the end of today.

If I remained absent without sending word, the noble ladies would surely be furious.

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

If I failed to return this evening, Narmee would be left awaiting my arrival, completely alone.

I absolutely could not permit that outcome.

Narmee transforms into a rather formidable figure when angered.

"Is there genuinely no feasible way to return today?"

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

"If the gate is opened now, soldiers who desire our mushrooms will storm the barrier, and the peace we've painstakingly maintained will be shattered."

Her meaning wasn't entirely clear to me.

Yet, one word stood out distinctly:

"...Mushrooms?"

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

Upon closer inspection, dozens of vibrantly colored, peculiar mushrooms were visible in boxes and trays scattered throughout the area.

Unsurprisingly, Marmar was the most enthusiastic.

"There are so many mushrooms! I bet they'd be delicious grilled or in a hearty stew!"

My stomach rumbled at the mere suggestion.

Having skipped lunch and with my bento box long gone, the thought of food made me incredibly hungry.

I gulped and queried the woman,

"Do you have mushrooms that make one grow taller?"

"...If you are referring to the ancient Max Mushroom, then yes."

She then lapsed into silence.

The surrounding villagers began to whisper in a tongue unknown to us.

"━─Max of the Ancients..."

"Go-dai Max..."

Their countenances were wan, their bodies quivering as if seized by dread.

The woman let out a sigh.

Then, she declared,

"It does exist. However, you will not be able to obtain it. The patch where Max Mushrooms flourish lies downstream... beyond the Little Fairy River. And that location..."