Taming The Villainesses Chapter 839 - 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 breathing?"

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

The dark-haired nymph uttered words I couldn't comprehend.

Emperor...?

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

Flip, flip.

These scrolls detailed ancient kingdoms and empires that once governed this continent before the Angmar Kingdom was established—back when Angmar was merely a small city-state.

What I sought was within this section:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

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

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

That was the account presented.

As I recited the passage aloud, Tartar, who had been listening intently nearby, shivered.

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

Tartar, the imp with the orange armband, exhibited unusual excitement. Before I could even voice my bewilderment, he elaborated.

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

Oh.

Could such a thing be plausible?

A survivor from an empire that existed a millennium ago? I had previously heard that Nymphs were a race blessed with longevity. Yet, the oldest Nymphs I had encountered were merely around a hundred years of age.

Could a Nymph truly live for a thousand years?

The thought left me in a state of bewilderment.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

At that precise moment, the black-haired Nymph whispered something inaudible and darted away with incredible swiftness.

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

Marmar then spoke.

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

"Understood."

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

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

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

Whoosh!

However, her speed surpassed my expectations. She completely disappeared into the cavern's abyss.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to maintain her pace, albeit just barely.

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

Even {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi was unable to keep up with her and had to concede the pursuit.

But that was not the sole issue we confronted.

Upon finally regaining our breath, we came to a stark realization—we were utterly lost.

"Where have we ended up...?"

We had blindly navigated past numerous junctions in the tunnel. Now, we possessed no knowledge of our current location. Which passage led deeper into the earth, and which led towards the exit?

More significantly—the cave had not appeared nearly this vast from the exterior. Yet now, it felt like an intricate labyrinth. It gave the impression of a maze meticulously designed to disorient intruders.

"My weary legs can no longer endure this...!"

The Imps and Nymphs began to falter, succumbing one by one to exhaustion from the strenuous chase. Consequently, we resolved to rest, settling onto nearby rocks and boulders.

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

Just as I reached for the provisions Mirna had prepared for me that morning, intending to retrieve them from the satchel secured at my waist—

"Ah...!?"

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

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of astonished exclamations resounded from all directions.

And I was no exception.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...vanished!

The very lunch I had meticulously inspected in my pack earlier that day—gone without leaving any trace!

In a state of panic, I frantically unfastened every pouch and compartment of my knapsack. Nothing to be found!

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming urge to unleash a devastating beam fueled by sheer Nymph-hating fury!

Yet, I was not alone in my distress.

Other Imps and Nymphs, discovering their own lunches missing, began to tremble and voice their indignant rage.

"Who absconded with Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

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

"Even my sugar stars have been pilfered, every single one! This—this flagrant Nymph-hating food theft is utterly unacceptable! Punchnoi is incandescent with rage!"

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

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

The cave erupted into a cacophony of commotion. The shouts reverberated, returning to us from every conceivable angle, thereby intensifying the overall chaos.

But it was an entirely natural reaction.

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

That profound sense of joy had been cruelly snatched away from us.

Naturally, we were incensed!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

One must maintain composure. Getting enraged solves nothing.

"Hmm..."

A simultaneous, coordinated pilfering of lunches. A single culprit was the most logical conclusion.

That suspicious outsider.

As this realization dawned, Punchnoi brandished a fist, bellowing, "It was undoubtedly that black-haired Nymph, the food thief! Such a wicked little scoundrel! Let us hunt her down and teach her a lesson!"

Rumble...

The collective ire of the party resonated within the cave.

***

Our pursuit of the black-haired nymph led us through a labyrinthine cave system. Had monsters or bandits appeared, it could easily have been mistaken for a dungeon.

After almost an hour of being lost, the idea of prioritizing an escape from the cave rather than continuing the chase began to form.

However, this was easier said than done.

While lost in thought, 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. Initially, I considered it might be rabbit fur, but the texture and softness more closely resembled that of duck or goose down.

Actually, it was far too abundant to have come from ordinary waterfowl.

Rustle, rustle.

The down clutched in my hand fluttered.

"...!"

Suddenly, something clicked into place.

Swipe.

With practiced speed, I moistened a fingertip and extended it into the air.

—Nymph Technique: Pathfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle breeze caressed my fingertip. The presence of wind indicated a route to the outside was likely nearby!

"Everyone, this way!"

I guided the indignant assembly of Nymphs and Imps in the direction from which the breeze emanated.

And at last—we located it. A distinct opening, appearing as an entrance or exit, bathed in effulgent light.

Upon stepping through, brilliant sunlight enveloped me, causing an involuntary squint and a wince.

"Ugh..."

The glare was blinding, the sunlight penetrating my closed eyelids like sharp points. Yet, as my vision adjusted to the intensity, an astonished gasp escaped me.

"...Wow."

A village lay spread out below the hill. A river gracefully snaked through it under the shimmering sun, and wisps of smoke ascended lazily from the chimneys of numerous dwellings.

The scene was... idyllic.

However, a peculiar detail stood out. Even from this distance, it was evident—the houses possessed a remarkable gleam. Their rooftops shimmered with an emerald hue.

Were they adorned with emeralds? Jade? Or some other type of gemstone? I couldn't be certain.

Closer inspection would be necessary for a definitive answer.

Rustle.

As I approached the village, I retrieved my map.

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

What place was this?

It felt as though we had stepped into... an entirely different realm.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As our group neared the village, children and adults alike, who had been engaged in activities in the streets, turned their gazes toward us.

They had clearly recognized us as outsiders.

The distinction was obvious. They all possessed dark hair and were clad 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 emerge and surround us?

My apprehension grew.

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'm certain...!"

"That despicable Nymph who absconded with Tartar's lunch is undoubtedly among them too, without question...!"

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

She was dressed in elegant black and white silk robes, her neatly bobbed red hair framing a slim, graceful form. Her features exuded poise and refinement—undeniably beautiful.

She spoke, "It has been a considerable time since visitors emerged from the cave. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She speaks our language?

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

Assuming the role of our leader, I stepped forward.

"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 the name was entirely unfamiliar.

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

"...Hold on. You mean we cannot return today?"

My vision began to blur.

I had assured Elga of my return this very day.

If I failed to check in without communication, the noble ladies would undoubtedly be furious.

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

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

Such a scenario must be avoided.

Narmee's temper was formidable when angered.

"Is there truly no way to depart today?"

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

"If the gate is opened at this moment, soldiers who desire our mushrooms will surely surge in. The hard-earned peace we've maintained will then be utterly ruined."

Her meaning wasn't entirely clear to me.

However, a single word resonated with striking clarity:

"...Mushrooms?"

In response to my inquiry, the woman lifted her hand, gesturing towards nearby structures that bore resemblance to cultivation beds.

Upon closer inspection, it became evident that numerous vibrant and peculiar mushrooms were flourishing within an array of boxes and containers scattered throughout the vicinity.

Naturally, Marmar's excitement was palpable.

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

The mere thought sent a rumble through my stomach.

Having missed lunch and with my bento box long gone, the talk of food left me absolutely famished.

I gulped audibly and then posed a question to the woman,

"Do you happen to have the type of mushroom that helps one grow taller?"

"...If you are referring to the legendary Max Mushroom of the Ancients, then yes."

Following this declaration, she ceased speaking.

The surrounding villagers commenced a low murmur in a tongue unfamiliar to us.

"━─Max of the Ancients..."

"Go-dai Max..."

Their countenances had turned ashen, their bodies quivering as if gripped by dread.

A sigh escaped the woman's lips.

She then spoke,

"It does exist. However, obtaining it will be beyond your reach. The grounds where the Max Mushrooms flourish lie downstream... beyond the river known as Little Fairy. And that particular location..."