Taming The Villainesses

(EP-353.2) #1

353 – D #1

Swoooooo—.

As the teleportation gate activated, I felt my body flatten from top to bottom. It was as if a giant vise was pressing down on my head and toes.

Wuuuuuuung.

The pressure was so intense that I couldn’t even open my mouth. And just when I thought I had been compressed into a tiny ball—

Fwaaah!

My body, which had been compressed to the extreme, suddenly expanded outward in all directions. Was this what a seed felt like when it broke through its hard shell to sprout?

Saaaaaa…

The crisp, cool air typical of high-altitude regions filled my lungs. In the distance, countless mountain peaks stretched out, with clouds draped around their slopes, lending the scene an almost mystical quality.

The next thing that caught my eye was a series of elegant buildings, their deep blue tiled roofs curving gracefully.

The stone-paved ground and the scattered statues of sacred animals—rats, oxen, tigers, rabbits—made it feel as though I had stepped into an ancient temple.

“Did we safely arrive?”

I helped Mirna and Narmi up from where they had collapsed. Their struggle wasn't surprising given that we had just traveled an immense distance in an instant.

“Haa… Teleportation gates never feel pleasant.”

Mirna elegantly pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her lips. But as she looked around, her expression suddenly brightened.

“But their effectiveness is undeniable. This place… I’m sure of it. I visited here once when I was very young. The main headquarters, the Ancient City of Armina…”

‘The Ancient City of Armina.’

I’d heard it was a mountaintop fortress with an incredibly long history. To exaggerate a bit, it was said to have existed as long as the human civilization itself.

Of course, the actual city was at the foot of the mountain, and this place was probably better described as a temple located on the mountain. It felt like a school trip to a temple.

Whooooosh—

Just then, a strong gust of wind swept through, making me instinctively squint to keep the dust from getting into my eyes. As the banners adorned with dragon emblems fluttered noisily in the wind—

“It’s been half a century since the teleportation gate was activated, so I came to see it. Travelers from afar, what brings you to this temple?”

A voice called out to us.

I opened my eyes and looked up, only to see an elderly man with a long white beard, clad in blue silk robes, gazing at me from beneath his thick, snow-white eyebrows.

How old was he?

It was hard to tell.

With such deep lines, he could easily be over a hundred years old. Despite that, his towering stature, over 180 cm, and his upright posture made him seem like an immortal.

He had the aura of someone wielding an azure dragon (Qinglong) sword and cut down enemies.

“Oho…!”

His brown eyes shifted to Narmi and Mirna, and then his heavy eyelids widened in surprise.

“You…! My word, it’s the young ladies! How can this be?! This is a miracle! Everyone, come quickly! The young ladies have arrived! Come out quickly!”

* * *

Before I knew it, a crowd had gathered, all turning to Narmi and Mirna with familiarity in their expressions. There was no hostility in their gazes, only warmth and welcome.

It was only natural.

This was Armina, the eastern headquarters and ancestral home of the Draco twins. Here, they were literally princesses and heirs of the land, beloved by all.

“To think the young ladies have returned! Had I known in advance, this old monk Aliesel would have prepared a grand feast.”

The elderly man who had first spotted us introduced himself as Aliesel.

“Do you remember? When you were still little fledglings, I would give you rides on my shoulders…”

From what I gathered, he was the one managing and overseeing this temple in the absence of the Draco family. In other words, he was like the archbishop or abbot.

“You have grown into fine adults. Mirna, Narmi, seeing how splendid you’ve become… I don't know why you two are apart, but I can only assume much has happened. By all means, this old monk can finally rest in peace.”

“…….”

“…….”

Unlike the old man's exaggerated hospitality, Mirna and Narmi's expressions were somewhat stiff. They were frozen, like cats on their first walk with a leash.

I roughly understood why.

Though this place was the ancestral home of all Draco, Mirna and Narmi had spent most of their lives in the church city of Gracia. To them, this place was as foreign as any other distant land.

It was only natural for them to feel awkward and out of place.

Of course, they weren’t the type to let their emotions affect their judgment. Mirna was the first to collect herself, and after clearing her throat with an “Ahem-,” she spoke to the old monk.

“We’re grateful for your warm reception despite our unannounced arrival, Aliesel. However, we are short on time. We’ve come here to open the Pantheon.”

The Pantheon.

At those words, a shadow of worry seemed to pass over the bright faces of the people. My sharp fairy ears picked up the hushed murmurs that spread among them.

━The Pantheon? But it’s currently undergoing its purification ritual.

━Even if they are the young ladies, opening it recklessly could be disastrous….

It seemed like there was some kind of issue. Then again, no matter where you went, problems were bound to exist. That didn’t matter much to me—I had already anticipated obstacles.

So, stepping forward, I said to the old monk.

“Whatever the issue is, I’ll handle it. Please guide us there.”

The monk’s already deeply furrowed brows tightened even further.

“Young ladies… may I ask who is this gentleman?”

Huh. He didn’t know me?

This was quite refreshing.

Edit by: faker