Taming The Villainesses Chapter 843 - 842 - 841 - 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)

"Outsider. 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 I couldn't comprehend.

Emperor...?

A Nymph-hating Forced Labor Act? The unfamiliar phrase stirred something in my memory, and I swiftly consulted the documents Stella had provided.

Flip, flip.

These papers detailed ancient kingdoms and empires that had governed this continent prior to the establishment of the Angmar Kingdom—a time when Angmar was merely a small city-state.

My focus landed on the relevant section:

"The Ancient Fairy Empire."

It appeared that the region where Angmar's Monarch City now stands was once the seat of an empire founded by Nymphs. The records stated that the first emperor to rule the continent originated from this very empire.

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

That is how the passage concluded.

As I read the book aloud, Tartar, who was listening intently nearby, shivered.

"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 adorned with an orange armband, seemed inexplicably thrilled. Before I could even voice my curiosity, he elaborated.

"There might be precious ancient relics in this vicinity, remnants from the time when the Nymphs held immense power...! We might even find the height-growth mushroom here...!"

Oh.

Could such a thing truly be possible?

A survivor from an empire that existed a thousand years ago? I had heard that Nymphs were a long-lived race. Yet, even the oldest Nymphs I had encountered were only around a century old.

Could a Nymph possibly live for a millennium?

The thought left me in a state of daze.

"━━─."

Whoosh.

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

She wasn't merely running; her speed was so phenomenal that pursuit seemed futile. In the blink of an eye, the distance between us grew, and she vanished down the tunnel.

Marmar spoke up.

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

"Right."

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

Furthermore... if I introduced her to Stella, I was certain Stella would be absolutely delighted.

With that thought, I sprinted after the vanishing Nymph.

Whoosh!

However, she proved far faster than I had anticipated. She completely disappeared into the cave's depths.

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 incredible...! With such sharp martial arts, she might even know how to defeat Yujinoi...!"

Even {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Punchnoi couldn't maintain the pace and had to abandon the chase.

But that wasn't the only issue we faced.

When we finally managed to catch our breath, we discovered a new problem: we were lost.

"Where are we...?"

We had blindly sprinted past countless forks in the tunnel. Now, we had no idea of our location. Which passage led further in, and which led back out?

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

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

Imps and Nymphs began to collapse one after another, utterly exhausted from the strenuous chase. Consequently, we decided to rest, finding seats on nearby rocks and boulders.

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

Just as I reached for 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 astonished voices 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 earlier that morning—vanished without a trace!

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

"Hiiiiik...!"

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

But I wasn't the only one experiencing this outrage.

Other Imps and Nymphs, upon realizing their own lunches had disappeared, began to tremble and voice their indignant shouts.

"Who pilfered Moromoro's sandwich container?!"

"My lunch is gone too...! Tartar's entire meal has vanished without a trace!"

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

"Garrururu! Garrururururur!"

"Ah—! Even Gargar is enraged! I've never witnessed Gargar resort to such vile profanity before!"

The cave descended into an uproar. The angry shouts echoed back from every corner, amplifying the chaos.

But it was entirely understandable.

Lunchtime represents the heart of any picnic or outing. It is the cherished moment when everyone gathers, shares side dishes, exchanges fruits, and engages in warm conversation.

That irreplaceable joy had been brutally stolen from us.

Naturally, we were incensed!

—Hiooong...!

Bael rustled gently within my heart.

Yes, I need to find my composure.

Simply becoming enraged will accomplish nothing.

"Hmm..."

Numerous lunches vanishing simultaneously. A coordinated effort.

A single culprit seemed probable.

That suspicious newcomer.

Just as this realization dawned, Punchnoi lifted a clenched fist, bellowing,

"It must have been that dark-haired Nymph who pilfered our sustenance! What a conniving little pilferer! Let us pursue her and administer a fitting retribution!"

Rumble...

The collective outrage of the party resonated throughout the cavern.

***

Our diligent pursuit of the dark-haired nymph led us onward, yet the cave truly resembled a labyrinth. Had monsters or brigands emerged, it would have readily been classified as a dungeon.

After nearly an hour of being disoriented, the thought of prioritizing our escape from the cave over apprehending the suspect began to surface.

Nevertheless, this was more easily conceived than executed.

While immersed in contemplation, I observed a subtle sparkle upon the cave's floor.

It was a soft, downy—

"...Plume?"

Rather, it was down. White, fluffy down. Quite substantial in size as well. Initially, I surmised it might be from a rabbit, but its texture and tenderness felt more akin to avian feathers, perhaps from a duck or goose.

Actually, no—the quantity present was far too abundant to originate from common waterfowl.

Rustle, rustle.

The down I held aloft trembled slightly.

"...!»"

At that precise moment, a crucial understanding materialized in my mind.

Swipe.

Promptly, I moistened a digit and extended it into the ambient air.

—Nymph Art: Wayfinding!

Rustle, rustle.

A gentle current of air caressed my fingertip.

The presence of a breeze indicated the proximity of an egress to the exterior!

"Everyone, this direction!"

I guided the irate assembly of Nymphs and Imps towards the source of the airflow.

And at long last—it was revealed. An opening, resembling an entrance or exit, bathed in an ethereal luminescence.

Upon stepping into its embrace, brilliant sunlight cascaded over me, causing me to flinch and instinctively narrow my eyes.

"Ugh..."

The radiance was overwhelming. Sunlight penetrated my closed eyelids as if piercing needles. Yet, as my vision adjusted to the intensity, an involuntary gasp escaped me.

"...Remarkable."

Cascading down the slope below lay a settlement. A ribbon of river wound through its heart under the resplendent sun, and wisps of smoke ascended lazily from chimneys adorning countless dwellings.

It presented an image of... pastoral tranquility.

However, a single anomaly presented itself. Even from this considerable distance, the observation was undeniable—the residences possessed a radiant gleam. Their roofs shimmered with an emerald hue.

Emeralds? Jade? Or perhaps some form of precious stone? Certainty eluded me.

Closer inspection would be required to ascertain the truth.

Rustle.

I retrieved my map as we advanced towards the village.

Was there a settlement of this magnitude situated near the ancient woods we had been traversing? Based on my recollection... not even a river flowed in this vicinity.

What realm was this?

It evoked a sensation of... an entirely different dimension.

"━━──."

"━─?"

As our approach to the village became imminent, the children and inhabitants engaged in outdoor activities turned their gaze towards us.

Undoubtedly, they had perceived our status as unfamiliar individuals.

The distinction between our groups was straightforward. Every inhabitant possessed dark hair and was clad in garments fashioned from silk or coarse linen.

Conversely, our peculiar attire and vibrantly hued hair must have made us conspicuous.

Would armed guards suddenly emerge and surround us?

Tension coiled within me.

Yet, the Imps and Nymphs appeared utterly exhilarated.

"So many dark-haired Nymphs abound! Surely, someone here possesses a hidden martial arts manual, I am certain...!"

"That wretched Nymph who absconded with Tartar's meal is indisputably present as well, without question...!"

While we remained in a state of awkward stillness, a figure emerged from the gathering throng.

Dressed in robes of black and white silk, with precisely bobbed red hair and a slender, graceful physique, her features exuded poise and elegance—undeniably beautiful.

She uttered,

"It has been an considerable duration since outsiders have traversed the cave passage. Are you emissaries dispatched by the Emperor?"

She comprehends our tongue?

The very fact that an individual here could communicate with us, after our prior exchange consisted solely of unintelligible utterances, was more than heartening.

Assuming the mantle of our group's leader, I advanced.

"Nay, we are not emissaries of the Emperor. We are subjects of a Queen."

"A Queen?"

"Aye. The Queen of Angmar."

"Angmar?"

The woman inclined her head as if neither designation held any prior recognition.

"Very well, if you are not imperial envoys, that is acceptable. We shall arrange accommodations for your stay within the village. Rest for the present. The passage back to your world shall materialize on the morrow."

"...Hold. You imply our departure is not feasible today?"

My vision wavered precariously.

I had assured Elga of my return on this very day.

Should I remain absent without a further communication, the esteemed ladies would undoubtedly exact a severe reckoning.

Particularly given that today was Thursday—Narmee's designated day.

If I failed to return this evening, Narmee would be left to wait, utterly alone.

Such an outcome was unacceptable.

Narmee transforms into a truly formidable presence when displeased.

"Is there genuinely no alternative for us to return presently?"

"There is none," she responded with unvarnished directness.

"If the gate is opened right now, soldiers who covet our precious mushrooms will surely invade. And then, the hard-won peace we've managed to build will be utterly shattered."

Her words didn't entirely make sense to me.

However, one particular word captured my attention:

"...Mushrooms?"

Responding to my inquiry, the woman raised a hand, gesturing towards something nearby—what appeared to be cultivation beds.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed dozens of colorful, unusual mushrooms flourishing in various boxes and trays scattered throughout the area.

Unsurprisingly, Marmar was the most enthusiastic.

"There are so many mushrooms! I bet they would taste incredible grilled, or perhaps in a hearty stew!"

The mere thought sent a rumble through my stomach.

We had skipped lunch, and my bento box was long gone, so the mere mention of food made me ravenously hungry.

I swallowed hard and posed my question to the woman,

"Do you happen to have that mushroom which makes one grow taller?"

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

After her response, she became silent.

The villagers surrounding us began to whisper amongst themselves in a language we couldn't comprehend.

"━─Max of the Ancients..."

"Go-dai Max..."

Their faces had turned pale, their bodies trembling as if gripped by fear.

The woman let out a sigh.

Then, she spoke,

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