Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 363

A fairly large scar had formed on my left ankle.

It looked like a band wrapped around my ankle, or perhaps like a bruise left from being gripped tightly by a palm. The moment I saw it, what sprang to mind was that strange incident I had just experienced.

Before I escaped through the passage torn open from the picture frame, someone had grabbed my ankle hard. Could this be the wound left from that moment? The pain was too vivid for it to be dismissed as merely a dream or illusion.

Understanding what exactly was going on right now was also difficult. I took the pocket watch from my chest and checked the time. It was around 11:30 in the morning.

...For some reason, time had been turned back?

That’s about the only conclusion I could draw for now.

Sshk.

At that moment, Mirna grabbed my wrist.

“Sir Teo is this flustered... It must mean you saw something that even I couldn’t imagine. Perhaps the unpurified shrine of the all-gods caused some sort of variable.”

Thanks to the warmth of Mirna’s touch, I was able to rein in the turmoil that had been boiling within me just moments ago. At the same time, I could hear the sound of guards running toward us from afar.

━They’ve broken into the all-gods shrine!

━Seize them!

I knew exactly what needed to be done at this moment.

It’s the second time, after all.

“First, I need to grab this painting!”

I yanked the picture off the wall. I didn’t understand everything, but I could clearly tell that the events I was experiencing were happening through this painting. I absolutely had to keep it.

At the same time, I said to Mirna, who cried out, “Sir Teo, there’s no time to grab the painting!”

“Lady Mirna, Plan D. I’m counting on you.”

Mirna looked utterly flustered.

“Plan D?! How do you even know about that, Sir Teo? Don’t tell me you’ve been peeking into my mind or something!?”

“I have no idea myself.”

For now, figuring out what’s going on will have to wait.

━D stands for Strong! Invincible! Supreme! Our pride, our soul, the loyal retainer who has inherited it all! Come forth, blue-eyed...!

Escaping the chaos I had once experienced before in the temple, I hurriedly warped to Sandora, where the tournament was being held.

Normally, it would take about thirty minutes to change appearances using the mirror 「Karma Changer」before the arena. But I didn’t have that kind of time now.

As I approached the waiting room near the entrance to the arena, a familiar face came into view.

“Hey, Teo! What the heck! That look! You said you’d change appearances! You’re still in your cute half-fairy form—if you go out like that, Ayra will....”

I quickly cut off the panicking Elga.

“There’s no time to explain! Listen, there are impure people mixed into the arena! If you catch participant number 132, the mage named Roland, and interrogate him, you’ll learn about a secret organization called Yggdrasil! And also about the Black Robe Revolution Corps—”

“What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden? Impure people?”

Elga shook her head, as if she couldn’t understand. Of course she couldn’t make sense of what I was saying. But what I needed right now wasn’t understanding—it was trust.

I grabbed both of Elga’s arms and said,

“Elga.”

“Wh-What is it, suddenly.”

“Elga, I believe in you. Just like I believe in you, I want you to believe in me.”

“Wh-What kind of... suddenly saying that....”

Elga blushed deeply, her hair standing on end. Soon, she let out a groan—“Ah, shit”—and scratched the back of her head.

“So, what I’m getting is: there are schemers mixed in the arena, and you want us to catch them? For the tournament?”

“Exactly.”

Elga really did understand me well.

“But those guys—if they’re that dangerous, you’d better take Professor Stella with you.”

“Yeah, let’s do that. Professor Stella, come with me, will you? You’re good at finding people, right?”

“Well, I am good at that kind of thing... But I still don’t understand what’s going on. Teo, I trust you’ll explain it all later. You sure do get wrapped up in things—on this side of the barrier or that.”

The two, still full of suspicion, disappeared down the hallway. As soon as they were gone, I hurried my steps. It might take some time to figure out where he is right now.

Just then, a flash of inspiration struck me like lightning.

Bael, didn’t you just roam around earlier to find that guy? Then you should be able to sense where he is now, right? You’ve searched once already—you should know well.

━Hioooong...!

Perfect.

Sshk.

Guided by Bael, I dashed off in a hurry.

Pop, popopopop—!

At noon, countless fireworks filled the sky.

The opening ceremony of the tournament must’ve begun. The prepared performances, congratulations from famous figures, and Queen Ayra’s opening speech would all follow in turn.

Normally, at this time, I would’ve been in a corner near the colosseum, using the 「Karma Changer」 to alter my appearance. But now, I was simply running around near the arena in my half-fairy form.

Still, Bael—are you sure this is the right direction? I feel like we’re just running in circles.

━Hioooong...!

So, that way?

Following Bael’s guidance, I moved through the alleys. What I was looking for were the ones who had ruined the tournament and trampled all over my plans.

Where are you?

As I ran anxiously, I spotted several black-robed figures clustered together in an alley behind the colosseum.

There were five of them.

Even at a glance, I could tell each one was highly skilled. Underneath those black robes, they were hiding sturdy armor and weapons.

━We just need to stick to the plan. Our objective is clear—don’t mess it up.

━Come on, why don’t we just win the tournament ourselves? Take the queen and the throne, and rule the world our way.

A woman?

That cheerful voice made me hesitate for a moment, just before a voice as heavy as stone cut in.

━That would go against Father’s will. We’ve waited a lifetime for this assignment. Act in a way that befits the name of the Brotherhood. If we succeed today, we’ll finally meet Father.