Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 311

(EP-311.1) Afterstory of the South #1

311 – Afterstory of the South Wall #1

Soft breathing-.

Stella was asleep.

Even though we had planned to set out early this morning, it seemed she was too exhausted. So I decided to let her sleep for an extra hour or two.

Swoosh.

I gently placed the Angmar robe over Stella’s bare body.

Then, using the nymph technique ‘Sneak’, I tiptoed out of the tree hollow. The chill of the morning air welcomed me as I stepped outside.

Should I have ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) slept a bit more?

Even though my stamina had improved noticeably in recent times, last night’s exertions until early morning were a bit tiring.

It was said that reaching a man’s peak would use as much energy as sprinting around a track at full speed—.

I didn’t know how reliable that information was, but it felt quite plausible.

“Still, I feel pretty good right now.”

Clench.

I clenched and released my fist into the empty air.

Not long ago, I’d been burning with such fever that my vision blurred, but now my body felt comfortably tense, like simmering magma.

It was probably thanks to Stella nursing me back to health.

“So, how long do you plan on hiding?”

My voice echoed in the quiet dawn.

In response, something rustled in the dark thicket nearby. A flash of red light gleamed, which might have seemed like a fearsome beast aiming for me, but I wasn’t worried.

“As expected of Theo-nim. I can’t escape your eyes.”

Pasussuk-.

From the bushes, a woman with her hair and shoulders covered in leaves emerged.

Not only that, she also wore necklaces and bracelets adorned with fangs and bones of some unknown beasts.

Was that a staff made from the skull in her hand?

“Ah, th-this is something I received from the cold-blooded tribe Yan-Dor of the west. They said it was the mark of a chieftain.”

“I’m glad to see you’re in one piece, Balan.”

I said that, though I had already noticed Balan lingering around me these past few days. After being struck by the Ogre Dordor’s massive club and sent flying a few days ago...

I was well aware that the undead appearing in the forest were Balan’s minions.

In the first place, the monsters beyond the wall posed no threat to Balan except for the forest masters or centipede immortal Angala.

“I flew westward, subdued the monsters there, and incorporated them into the new Demon King’s army under Balan de Sabrnak. I also subdued a few small monsters....”

Balan rattled off all she’d done since we last parted, explaining how she’d been expanding her influence in the north by turning various creatures into her subordinates.

Though I was deducting some vacation time from her for being sent flying by Dordor, she’d still managed to turn the crisis into an opportunity and fulfilled her role admirably.

Normally, I would have given her a reward, but restoring her deducted vacation time should be sufficient.

“Actually, I wanted to report to Theo-nim sooner, but I didn’t want to interfere with the capture of the Young Lady of the Belhawk family.”

“......”

“Ah, a hawk falling into the earth. Hihi—If her brother Opal knew about this, he would have screamed. It’s a shame I couldn’t get my hands on his body.”

Was Balan watching everything that happened between Stella and me? I felt a little embarrassed and awkward thinking about it...

Although it was wise of her not to intervene, there was no need to mention it. I scratched my cheek, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“So, what do you think of this forest? Since you’ve been around for a few days, I assume you have some impressions.”

“This forest, the Witch Forest beyond the wall, seems to have found a fair bit of stability. For the Demon King’s army, it maintains a rather primitive structure....”