Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 174

(EP-174.1) Exposed #3

174 – Exposed Under The Sun #3

“Here’s the key. Should I accompany you?”

“It’s okay.”

“He’s a dangerous man. It’s better to be careful since who knows what he might do.”

I dismissed the guard who offered to escort me and headed towards the underground dungeon alone.

Somewhere in Ark, there was a well-constructed prison in an underground location inaccessible to ordinary people.

It housed various warriors who had caused trouble or heinous criminals awaiting the church’s judgment. A space so vast, extending endlessly beneath.

No one knew how many floors it consisted of.

Despite its dreadful designation as “Avici Hell,” in reality, there were no unjust torture or cruel harm done to the prisoners.

For those trapped in this gloomy confinement, it was simply a place filled with unending boredom, as they awaited their faraway freedom.

━There’s light.

━Looks like someone came in.

Submerged in silence within the dark cells, the prisoners began to show interest at the sudden change. It was as if they were abyssal creatures swarming towards the only glimmer of light.

━You look cute~.

━Hehe, come here!

They sought any hint of entertainment in their monotonous prison life from me, an outsider.

Their bodies were constrained with chains, sturdy fetters and handcuffs, yet I couldn’t help but get slightly intimidated as they slammed their grotesque faces against the iron bars.

Most of the inmates imprisoned here were on death row or had committed terrible crimes.

━It’s so boring here~.

━Tell us something. How many years have passed outside? What season is it? How’s the weather? No one tells us anything here. Heuheu.

━I’m innocent...!

Soon, the clamor of people shouting like madmen began echoing from all directions. Befitting its name, this was truly a hellish place. With such thoughts, I arrived at the area the guard pointed out.

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Here it was.

Before me, a man with dark eyes covered in bandages came into view. Bound by chains, he sat huddled in a corner of the prison floor.

Seueuk.

He lifted his head to gaze at me. His face, illuminated by the dim torchlight, was obscured by the bandages, making it difficult to discern his expression.

But unlike others whose minds had succumbed to the darkness and despair, his eyes were surprisingly calm. He appeared more serene than during the days when he roamed outside.

I knew for a fact that he wouldn’t be the one to initiate a conversation with me. So, I decided to greet him lightly.

“You seem rather calm in this hellish prison.”

“.......”

The man, however, remained silent. To begin with, in the original story, he was a person who didn’t talk more than necessary.

Because instead of wasting time with idle chatter, he preferred to kill even more villains—such was his captivating character. Everyone liked that kind of power.

Not now though.

Anyway.

As expected, making him open his mouth with just a casual greeting was a tall ask.

But that was okay. In some ways, I knew more about this man than I did about Aira. After all, he was the protagonist of the story I knew and had immersed myself in.

I had several cards to play.

Then, like molten iron, he responded to my words with a low voice.

“He-ll. It’s not these stones, walls, or darkness.”