Taming The Villainesses Chapter 840 - 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)

"Stranger. Is Emperor Jinshinoi still alive?"

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

The black-haired nymph uttered words beyond my comprehension.

Emperor...?

A Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? That unfamiliar phrase resonated with something distant, prompting me to quickly examine the documents Stella had provided.

Flipping through the pages.

These contained accounts of ancient kingdoms and empires that had governed this continent prior to the establishment of the Angmar Kingdom—back when Angmar was merely a fledgling city-state.

What I sought was within this text:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It appeared that in the very region where Angmar's Monarch City now stood, an empire founded by Nymphs had once existed. The continent's first emperor, according to the records, originated from this very empire.

"However, the Fairy Empire, rife with illegality and idol worship, was ultimately overthrown by the martyrs and crusaders of the Church of Radiance."

That was the account presented.

As I read the passage aloud, Tartar, who had been listening intently beside me, shivered.

"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 sporting an orange armband, exhibited an inexplicable excitement. Before I could even voice my query, he elaborated.

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

Oh.

Could such a possibility truly exist?

A survivor from an empire that existed a thousand years ago? I had heard that Nymphs were known for their long lifespans. Yet, the oldest Nymphs I had encountered were only about a century old.

Could a Nymph genuinely live for a millennium?

The thought left me in a state of bewildered awe.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

At that precise moment, the black-haired Nymph murmured something unintelligible—and then darted away.

She wasn't merely running; her speed was such that pursuit seemed impossible. In a mere instant, the distance between us widened considerably, and she vanished down the tunnel.

Marmar spoke up.

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

"Right."

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

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

Thus, I sprinted after the disappearing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, she moved far faster than I had anticipated. She completely vanished into the deeper recesses of the cave.

Only Punchnoi, the Iron Fist, managed to keep pace with her—and even then, it was a struggle.

"Tch—! I lost her! Her footwork was absolutely incredible...! With martial arts that potent, she might even possess knowledge of how to defeat Yujinoi...!"

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

But that was not the extent of our troubles.

Upon finally regaining our breath, a stark realization dawned upon us—we were completely 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 cave, and which one offered an exit?

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

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

Imps and Nymphs began to falter and collapse, one after another, utterly exhausted from the frantic chase. Consequently, we resolved to take a respite, settling ourselves upon nearby rocks and boulders.

It was, after all, lunchtime. Perhaps it would be prudent to eat.

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

"Ah...!?"

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

"Ah—!"

"Aaah!?"

A chorus of startled exclamations erupted from all directions.

And I was no exception.

"...Wait, Mirna's lunch for me—"

...was gone!

The very lunch I had meticulously double-checked in my bag that very morning—vanished without a trace!

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

"Hiiiiik...!"

I felt an overwhelming surge of Nymph-hating fury, as if I could unleash a destructive beam!

But my distress was not unique.

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

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

"My lunch is also missing...! Tartar's entire meal has vanished completely!"

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

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is furious! I have never witnessed Gargar utter such vile profanity before!"

The cave resonated with an uproar. The shouts echoed back at us from every corner, amplifying the chaos.

But this reaction was entirely understandable.

Lunch represents the very essence of any picnic or outing. It is the moment for shared relaxation, the exchange of side dishes, the swapping of fruits, and the enjoyment of pleasant conversation.

That cherished moment of joy had been stolen from us.

Naturally, we were incensed!

—Hiooong...!

Bael stirred gently within my heart.

Yes, I need to compose myself.

Anger alone won't solve anything.

"Hmm..."

A mass disappearance of lunches, all at the same time and coordinated.

There was only one culprit that seemed likely.

That suspicious outsider.

Just as I reached this conclusion, Punchnoi raised a fist and bellowed,

"It must have been that black-haired Nymph who pilfered our food! What a wicked little thief! Let's hunt her down and teach her a lesson!"

Rumble...

The collective fury of the party reverberated through the cave.

***

We journeyed onward, searching for the black-haired nymph—but indeed, the cave was like a maze. Had monsters or bandits emerged, we could have easily labeled it a dungeon.

After almost an hour of being lost, I started to think it would be more sensible to prioritize exiting the cave rather than pursuing her.

However, that proved easier said than done.

While deep in thought, I noticed something shimmering on the cave floor.

It was soft, fluffy—

"...A feather?"

No, it was down. White, fuzzy down. Quite large, too. I initially thought it might be rabbit fur, but the texture and softness felt more akin to duck or goose feathers.

Actually, no—there was far too much of it to be from ducks or geese.

Rustle, rustle.

The down I held in my hand quivered.

"...!

"If the gate is opened now, soldiers who desire our mushrooms will flood in. The peace we have painstakingly built would then be obliterated."

Her words did not fully register in my mind.

Yet, one particular word stood out:

"...Mushrooms?"

In response to my query, the woman raised her hand, indicating something nearby. It resembled cultivation beds.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed numerous vibrant and peculiar mushrooms growing in boxes and trays scattered throughout the area.

Unsurprisingly, Marmar was the most animated.

"So many mushrooms! I bet they would taste incredible grilled, or perhaps in a soup!"

The mere thought made my stomach rumble.

We had skipped lunch, and my bento box was long gone, so even discussing food was making me incredibly hungry.

I audibly swallowed and then inquired of the woman,

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

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

After that statement, she ceased speaking.

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

"━─Max of the Ancients..."

"Go-dai Max..."

Their countenances were ashen, and their bodies shook as if gripped by terror.

A sigh escaped the woman.

Then, she spoke again,

"It does exist. However, you will be unable to obtain it. The area where the Max Mushrooms grow is located downstream... beyond the Little Fairy River. And that place..."