Taming The Villainesses Chapter 838 - 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 around?"

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

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

Emperor...?

Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? That unfamiliar phrasing triggered a flicker of memory, and I promptly retrieved the documents Stella had provided.

Flip, flip.

These records detailed ancient kingdoms and empires that held dominion over this continent prior to the Angmar Kingdom's establishment—back when Angmar was merely a small city-state.

What I sought was within these pages:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It turns out that in the very region where Angmar's Monarch City now stands, an empire founded by Nymphs once existed. The first emperor of the continent, according to the text, originated from this very empire.

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

That is how the passage was written.

As I read the book aloud, Tartar, who had been listening intently beside me, let out a shiver.

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

Tartar, the imp sporting an orange armband, appeared inexplicably thrilled. Before I could even voice my confusion, he elaborated.

"There could be valuable ancient relics nearby, remnants from the time when the Nymphs wielded great power...! There might even be a height-growth mushroom here...!"

Oh.

Could such a possibility truly exist?

A survivor from an empire that vanished a millennium ago? I had previously heard that Nymphs were an exceptionally long-lived race. Yet, the eldest among those 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 very moment, the black-haired Nymph uttered another string of incomprehensible sounds—and then darted away.

Her departure wasn't merely a run; her speed was so phenomenal that pursuit seemed impossible. In mere instants, the distance between us grew immense, and she vanished entirely down the tunnel.

Marmar spoke up.

"Looks like she wants us to follow! Let's go!"

"Right."

Was it truly prudent to follow her? It felt incredibly dubious, yet our options were decidedly limited.

And besides... if I were to introduce her to Stella, I was certain she would be utterly delighted.

Thus, I sprinted onward, pursuing the vanishing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, she proved far swifter than I had anticipated, disappearing completely into the depths of the cave.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to maintain a pace close enough to hers—and even that was a struggle.

"Tch—! I lost her! Her footwork was astounding...! With such refined martial arts, she might even know how to defeat Yujinoi...!"

Even {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi couldn't keep up with her and was forced to concede the chase.

Yet, that was not the sole issue we encountered.

Once we finally managed to catch our breath, a sobering realization dawned upon us—we were utterly lost.

"Where are we...?"

We had blindly rushed past numerous forks in the tunnel. Now, the path forward was utterly unclear. Which direction led deeper, and which led back to the surface?

More significantly—the cave hadn't appeared nearly as vast from the exterior. Now, it felt like an intricate labyrinth, as though we were navigating a maze deliberately designed to disorient intruders.

"My poor legs can't take it anymore...!"

The Imps and Nymphs began to falter, one by one, their energy depleted by the frantic chase. Consequently, we resolved to pause and rest, settling down on the nearby rocks and boulders.

It was, after all, lunchtime. Perhaps it was best to refuel.

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

"Ah...!?"

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

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of startled exclamations erupted from all sides.

And I was no exception.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...was gone!

The very lunch I had meticulously confirmed to be in my bag that morning—vanished without a trace!

In a state of panic, I frantically searched every pouch and compartment of my pack. Nothing was found!

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming impulse to unleash a destructive beam out of sheer Nymph-hating fury!

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

Other Imps and Nymphs, upon discovering their own lunches missing, began to tremble and vociferously express their outrage.

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

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

"Even my sugar stars are gone, every last one! This—this Nymph-hating theft of our provisions is absolutely intolerable! Punchnoi is FURIOUS!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

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

The cave was engulfed in an uproar. The angry shouts reverberated, echoing back at us from every direction, amplifying the prevailing chaos.

But it was entirely understandable.

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

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

Naturally, we were incensed!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

Yes, I need to regain composure. Getting agitated serves no purpose.

"Hmm..."

Lunches vanishing en masse, all at once, all coordinated.

There was only one suspect who fit the profile.

The outsider, who had been acting suspiciously.

As soon as this conclusion solidified in my mind, Punchnoi raised a fist, his voice booming,

"It had to be that black-haired Nymph! She stole our food! What a wicked little thief! Let's go hunt her down and teach her a lesson!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party reverberated within the cave.

***

We trekked onward, relentlessly pursuing the black-haired nymph. Indeed, the cave was a treacherous labyrinth. Had monsters or bandits appeared, it would have been perfectly justifiable to label this place a dungeon.

After wandering for close to an hour, my thoughts shifted; perhaps it was more prudent to prioritize exiting the cave over continuing the chase.

However, that was far easier said than done.

While lost in contemplation, a glint on the cave floor caught my attention.

It was a soft, fluffy—

"...Feather?"

No, it was down. White, fuzzy down. Quite substantial in size, too. Initially, I surmised it might be rabbit fur, but the texture and delicate softness felt more akin to duck or goose feathers.

On second thought, there was far too much of it for it to have come from ordinary ducks or geese.

Rustle, rustle.

The down I held began to flutter.

"...!”

At that moment, a realization struck me.

Swipe.

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

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle current of air brushed against my fingertip.

If wind was present, it logically meant a passage leading outside had to be somewhere nearby!

"Everyone, this way!"

I guided the irate throng of Nymphs and Imps in the direction from which the breeze originated.

And then, finally—we discovered it. A location resembling an entrance or an exit, bathed in a radiant light.

Upon stepping into it, the brilliant sunlight washed over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively shield my eyes.

"Ugh..."

It was blinding. The sun's rays felt like sharp needles piercing through my closed eyelids. Yet, as my eyes gradually adjusted to the intense brightness, I couldn't suppress a gasp.

"...Wow."

Sprawled out below the hill was a village. A river gracefully snaked through it under the gleaming sun, and wisps of smoke ascended lazily from chimneys scattered across the dwellings.

The scene appeared utterly idyllic.

But one detail was strikingly peculiar. Even from this considerable distance, I could discern—the houses possessed a shimmering quality. Their rooftops gleamed with an emerald hue.

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

I would need to approach closer to ascertain the truth.

Rustle.

As I advanced toward the village, I retrieved my map.

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

Where exactly was this place?

It felt as though... I had stumbled into an entirely different realm.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As our proximity to the village increased, the children and individuals frolicking in the streets all turned to observe us.

They must have recognized us as outsiders.

The distinction between us was plain. Every one of them possessed black hair and was attired in garments of silk or coarse linen.

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

Would soldiers suddenly materialize and surround us?

I felt a prickle of tension.

However, the Imps and Nymphs seemed utterly delighted.

"So many black-haired Nymphs everywhere! There must be someone here with a secret martial arts scroll, I'm certain...!"

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

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

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

She spoke,

"It has been quite some time since outsiders ventured through the cave. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She understood our language?

The fact that someone here could communicate with us, after only hearing incomprehensible speech until this point, was more than encouraging.

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

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

"A Queen?"

"Yes. The Queen of Angmar."

"Angmar?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, as if neither name registered as familiar.

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

"...Hold on. You're saying we cannot return today?"

My vision began to blur.

I had assured Elga of my return today.

If I failed to check in without incident, the noble ladies were sure to exact a severe reprisal.

Especially since today was Thursday—Narmee's designated day.

If I did not reappear tonight, Narmee would be left waiting, utterly alone.

I absolutely could not permit such a situation.

Narmee transforms into a truly formidable presence when angered.

"Is there genuinely no means of returning today?"

"There is not," she responded with directness.

"If the gate is opened now, soldiers who desire our mushrooms will undoubtedly breach the barrier. Then, the tranquility we’ve painstakingly established will surely crumble."

Her meaning wasn't entirely clear to me.

However, a single word resonated distinctly:

"...Mushrooms?"

In response to my query, the woman gestured with her hand, indicating nearby cultivation beds that seemed to be filled with them.

Upon a second glance, I noticed numerous vibrant and unusual mushrooms growing in boxes and containers scattered throughout the area.

Naturally, the most exhilarated among us was Marmar.

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

The mere thought made my stomach rumble in protest.

Having skipped lunch, and with my bento box long gone, discussing food had left me utterly famished.

I gulped audmonstly and posed my question to the woman,

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

"...If you are referring to the legendary Max Mushroom, then yes, we do."

Her statement was followed by a period of silence.

The surrounding villagers commenced a low murmur in a tongue that was foreign to us.

"━─The Ancients' Max..."

"Go-dai Max..."

Their countenances had turned a ghastly pale, their bodies quivering as if gripped by fear.

A sigh escaped the woman's lips.

Then, she spoke again,

"It does exist. However, obtaining it will prove impossible for you. The fields where the Max Mushrooms flourish lie downstream... beyond the Little Fairy River. And that particular location..."