Taming The Villainesses-Chapter 354: D (2)

This sanctuary atop the mountain was said to be a place sought by those who had cut all ties with the secular world.

It’s common to hear people say someone “shaved their head and retreated to the mountains” when they withdraw from society.

This temple, they said, was exactly for people like that.

Which is why the monks here had no interest in worldly affairs, nor did they know who was famous or what festival was taking place at the moment—they were ignorant of all of it.

Perhaps that’s why the monks here didn’t seem to know who I was. Having grown used to everyone recognizing me no matter where I went in Angmar, this situation actually felt unfamiliar.

"Who might you be?"

The old man asked, and I was just about to answer—

Shff.

Mirna stepped between me and the elder and spoke.

"That’s not important right now. Eliesel, please take us to the Hall of All Gods. We need to retrieve a treasure from there and use it. It’s urgent."

"Urgent... Well, the Hall of All Gods does belong to the Dragon King. It would be right to follow the word of the Lady, who is one of his descendants. However, this old monk has something to inform you..."

The elder then launched into a rather long explanation.

"The artifacts stored within the Hall of All Gods... Among them are objects that harbor twisted curses and desires—things like the monkey’s paw, or the seven dragon orbs. Thus, we regularly conduct purification rites..."

Lately, he said, the ominous energy within had grown noticeably stronger. Which was why, aside from the high monks, no one was permitted to even approach the Hall of All Gods.

"However, the purification rite is nearing its end. If you could wait just a little longer, we’ll be able to reopen the hall shortly. Would you consider waiting?"

At the word “wait,” Narmee’s brow twitched.

"If we wait, how long?"

"Let me see... Is Grand Master Norba here? The young lady is asking when the purification rite is expected to end."

A young man in silk robes stepped forward and whispered something into the old monk’s ear. He deliberately spoke quietly, but my sensitive fairy ears picked it up clearly.

━It’ll take about two more days.

Two days.

A short time, relatively speaking. But for us, two days—or even two hours—was time we absolutely didn’t have. While I was pondering what to do, Elder Eliesel spoke again.

"In any case, you’ve come a long way. Please, come inside. I’ll have five-flavor tea and red bean jelly brought out. There’s nothing better to soothe the fatigue of mountain travel."

At his overly laid-back response, Narmee burst out in protest.

"We really don’t have time! We need to get to the Hall of All Gods right now! My sister and I will take care of whatever curses there are—just tell us where it is!"

At Narmee’s bright and direct plea, I saw the old monk’s face momentarily soften.

Of course, anyone would want to accommodate Narmee’s request. To the people of House Draco, Narmee was a beloved princess—someone they’d spoil without question.

However, the monk soon adopted a very stern expression.

"I’m afraid not."

Narmee scowled.

"I’m Narmee von Draco. You are servants, retainers, disciples, and monks of our house. If I give an order, shouldn’t you obey?"

It might’ve sounded a bit impolite, but Narmee was right.

This world had a clearly defined class hierarchy.

Noble and commoner rights were legally codified. And Narmee—second daughter of the great House Draco—could practically level a mountain lake and call it land if she wanted to.

But—

The monks merely stared at one another blankly.

Then, one by one, they began to smirk—and soon burst into full laughter. Their unexpected mirth caused both Narmee and Mirna to frown in confusion.

"What? Why are you laughing? Do I look funny to you? I’m Narmee von Draco...!"

Narmee seemed genuinely hurt, like someone who’d just been mocked.

The elder monk gently tried to console her with a soft tone.

"We were entrusted with the peace and safety of this sanctuary and the Hall of All Gods by your grandfather and our great master, Lord Yudas. Even if it’s the young lady’s request, we cannot defy that command."

His tone was gentle, but his resolve was ironclad. No matter what was said or begged, this old monk would not yield to Narmee’s wishes.

Realizing this, Narmee’s eyes welled up, and she looked to me and Mirna.

Mirna let out a small sigh and muttered under her breath.

"So we’re still not acknowledged. Not yet recognized as heads of House Draco, as rulers of these peaks. Not yet as heirs to Grandfather Yudas."

The monk said nothing.

But sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.

From what I’d gathered listening to their conversation, I was beginning to understand. Narmee and Mirna had not yet been formally acknowledged as successors at this central sanctuary of their clan.

Despite House Draco being devastated by evil sorcery, the lack of support from their ancestral base had always struck me as strange.

Now, it made sense. It explained why Mirna had been carrying so much on her shoulders all this time. The issues of inheritance and authority were still unresolved.

That’s when Narmee asked:

"Then what do I need to do to get that recognition?"

At her question, the monk’s face lit up.

"Are you expressing interest in the Rite of Succession, Lady Narmee?"

The onlookers glanced at one another with expressions of relief and happiness, murmuring things like "That’s great news" and "Now everything will be fine." It seemed they viewed her interest in the succession quite positively.

"Then, Lady Narmee, over the next three days, you must purify your body and soul—bathing in cold water and reciting prayers. Purity is paramount in inheriting the Dragon King’s Orb."

Three days of ritual cleansing.

For us, who only had two hours to spare, it was impossibly long.

Yet Narmee looked over at us and gave a sly wink.

It was adorable, but I had no idea what it meant—until Mirna said, nodding to herself:

"Ah, so that’s what we’re doing."

***

SPLASH!

"Ahh! Cold!!"

Narmee, clad in a white linen robe, was being doused in icy water inside a large fountain. The sacred spring water of Mount Yeong, said to be colder than ice.

"So cold!!"

She trembled violently, like a puppy caught ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) in a downpour—there was something pitiful about it.

━The poor young lady...

━Still, it’s the rule, nothing to be done.

As everyone watched her endure the ritual, Mirna nudged my side.

"Everyone’s attention is focused on Narmee right now. If we’re going to slip away, this is our best chance."

"Slip away?"

"While Narmee draws their attention, we’re going to steal the treasure from the Hall of All Gods."

"Ah."

Stealing.

Hearing such a criminal-sounding plan from the mouth of the ever-proper Mirna was shocking.

But at the same time, it was flawless.

To commit a crime and deceive others so openly in service of a plan—truly, she was worthy of being my wife.

Shfff.

We began to retreat backward, away from the crowd.

All eyes were still on Narmee as she screamed under the icy water. No one paid us any mind.

"People have always paid more attention to Narmee than to me. But I suppose that trait’s finally become useful."

Mirna’s expression held a touch of catharsis.

A hint of the inferiority complex she’d harbored toward Narmee seemed to be lifted. She had grown as a person.

Even if she’d just fallen in morality. Perhaps reading my thoughts, Mirna pouted slightly and defended herself.

"I’m simply retrieving my belongings from my family vault. That’s not stealing. So technically, I’m not doing anything wrong."

"That’s... fair. But do you even know where the Hall of All Gods is? You seemed a bit unfamiliar with this place yourself."

"Well, I only visited once as a child. But I remember bits and pieces. This stone path... the fluttering flags... and around this corner—"

Mirna led the way, like a capable guide.

—"Hey, you there! Outsiders aren’t allowed here—urk!"

A few soldiers tried to stop us, but Mirna struck them in the stomach with her fists, knocking them unconscious.

Thud.

As I looked down at the fallen soldier, Mirna tugged my sleeve.

"No time to gawk. If they realize we’ve disappeared, Narmee’s diversion will be wasted—and everything we’ve done so far too."

"I know. Let’s go."

We ran for quite a while before finally finding it: a massive cave connected to the temple. The entrance was several meters wide.

Chains sealed with talismans wrapped around stakes, and ominous angel statues guarded the front. It was clear—this was no ordinary place.

"Who goes there!? No one may enter the Hall of All Gods during the purification rite!"

Monks wielding swords blocked our path as we approached. I had expected some resistance. We’d have to subdue them quickly.

"Wh-what!?"

"The ground! The ground is collapsing!"

"Magic?!"

They were suddenly swallowed up to the chest in sinking ground.

A fifth-rank spell:

Terrain Collapse.

They wouldn’t be able to climb out for at least an hour.

As we moved past them and toward the cave entrance, just as I crossed the chains—

Zap!

A jolt hit my nose like lightning. Something invisible was blocking the way.

Mirna clicked her tongue, opening her palm toward the empty air.

"A barrier. Of course they wouldn’t let us through so easily."

The half-buried soldiers shouted proudly:

"A spell cast by King Solomon and the hero Yudas himself! An invincible barrier that’s never been breached! Those with impure hearts won’t be able to take a single step inside!"

I see.

"But walls like this... I’ve always gotten through them."

Shff.

I placed my palm against the barrier.

"Break."

"You fool! That’s the Arc Dome—no way you can break the best defensive—"

Crackle! ZZZZZT!

With a massive shattering noise, the soldiers’ faces turned to horror.

"The barrier’s breaking...!?"

"A hall that’s gone untouched for over fifty years..."

When it finally shattered with a resounding crash, their faces went pale with disbelief. They had never imagined the barrier would fall.

"Who... who are you?"

At their fear-filled question, I paused.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

Soon, only my name and banner will echo atop the world’s highest peaks.

...That last line felt a bit too theatrical, so I swallowed it.

Step.

With that, I stepped into the dark cave. Just one step—and already, the clammy air clung to my skin like the world had changed.

This was the Hall of All Gods of House Draco.

A place where all manner of relics and curses gathered.

"It’s... thick with malice."

Mirna gagged, covering her nose with a handkerchief. She seemed overwhelmed by the malevolent aura lurking here.

But for me, it was more bearable than expected. My throat and face stung a bit, but it felt no worse than chemical warfare training.

Before me stood pedestals and glass cases filled with bizarre objects.

Where’s the one I need?

I squinted, and soon various labels began to appear.

「Monkey’s Hand Bone」

「Monkey’s Skull Bone」

「Monkey’s Tail Bone」

「Monkey’s Spine Bone」

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"........."

Why the hell are there so many monkey bones?

I quickly turned my head, searching for the label I wanted. If we dawdled, the guards would realize we’d broken through the Hall.

Narmee was out there soaking in cold water for our sake—this couldn’t go to waste.

「Karma Changer」

Ah, there it is!

Clink.

I smashed the glass case and grabbed the mirror resting on the pedestal. The moment I touched it, I felt a sharp tingling sensation at the back of my neck.

I turned my head out of instinct—and locked eyes with someone.

Those blue eyes.

That dark chestnut hair.

That lively smile on the lips.

"...A portrait."

It was a framed painting.

The unique script below it resembled the handwriting Bael had shown me in her journal.

"...Solomon."

I stepped closer and read the inscription beneath the image.

「My moon. My star. My eternal flame. —Beatrice.」