Taming The Villainesses

(EP-313.2) Afterstory of the South #3

313 – Afterstory of the South Wall #3

I began by explaining that I had lost consciousness for a couple of days after falling from the wall and that Professor Balan and Professor Stella had looked after me.

Then, as I mentioned being separated from Professor Balan after fighting the ogre Dordor, a surprised Mirna interrupted the story.

“Sir Theo, you defeated an ogre alone?” 

“Not alone. I got some help from Stella-nim. Anyway, after somehow defeating the ogre, we headed east.” 

I continued, recounting how we were chased by wolves after entering the eastern area, how Stella had been poisoned and was near death, and how I had set off to find an evening primrose for the cure. After hearing the story, Mirna chuckled. 

“Going off to find evening primrose on a spider’s advice? Sir Theo, don’t you think you’re underestimating me, Mirna Draco, just a bit? Maybe Narmi, but I’m not going to fall for a fairy tale like that.” 

It probably sounded unbelievable.

“If you can understand animals, then you’d be able to understand what this little one is saying too, wouldn’t you?” 

As if to test me, she held out the small creature in front of me.

━Yingyingyaing.

Yingying, who had been napping on the cool mat just a moment ago, was caught by Mirna and brought to my face.

━Crrreung…!

It seemed angry that its nap was interrupted. But Mirna, whether she knew it or not, continued to ask me.

“What is it saying right now?”

━Creung…!

“It said ‘creung’.”

“I could hear that much myself.”

“Actually, I can’t understand what it’s saying. But it’s true that I can understand animals.”

Surrr.

Mirna narrowed her eyes. Sensing that this conversation could go on endlessly, I decided to move the story forward.

“Anyway, that’s not important. After fighting a massive centipede named Angala, I got the evening primrose and cured the fever.” 

“By Angala, do you mean the great Angala?” 

“Yes.” I answered somewhat casually, but I felt a little anxious that the conversation wasn’t progressing.

The point wasn’t about these details. I was trying to lay groundwork to explain the relationship between Stella and me, but everything seemed interesting to Mirna.

“Angala, as in the sister of the wise spider Argala? The one who ascended to heaven after years of asceticism and virtue?” 

“I’m not sure about all that, but it was an enormous, powerful centipede. I’m not lying—perhaps it’s the one Lady Mirna knows about.”

“…….”

Mirna’s eyes narrowed even further. She seemed to think I was making fun of her. 

“The immortal Angala is said to reside on one of the countless mountain peaks surrounding the Draco family’s home. There’s quite a deep connection between her and our family.” 

“Is that so? She’s connected to the Draco family?” 

“Yes. It’s said that the Draco family originated from a snake that failed to ascend.” 

It was said that snakes that had polished themselves for hundreds of years ascended to the heavens and became one with nature itself. They dwelled hidden among the clouds, overseeing the world and bringing rain or storms. 

However, there was a snake that failed to ascend to heaven for various reasons. Then a man took her as his bride, and their child was said to be the founder of the Draco Family. 

I nodded thoughtfully.

“That’s an interesting story. It’s the kind of story that could be a founding myth of the royal family.” 

“Of course, it sounds like a lie when you hear it now. And to me, what Sir Theo is saying sounds like this.”

‘I see.’

Then Stella, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in.

“But it’s true that we learned immortal arts. Mirna-yang would be surprised if you hear about the training we received from the wolves.” 

“Immortal arts… you mean the ancient arts and methods practiced and cultivated to become immortal? Unlike modern magic, which is explained by new techniques, it’s rather outdated and superstitious….” 

Srrrk—

Mirna narrowly opened her eyes. 

“Indeed, now that I see it, the natural energy within Professor Stella and Sir Theo has increased. I can sense it.” 

“How can you tell?”

In response, Mirna unfolded her fan with a flourish.

“The spells I wield have been refined from ancient arts passed down through ages. They’re rooted in the era of spirits and fairies.” 

Ah, that explained it.

I understood in an instant.

Narmi’s necromancy and Mirna’s exorcism were slightly different from what would typically be called ‘magic.’ 

They didn’t fall within the hierarchies used to measure magic ranks—that was precisely why. Now I saw that Mirna had been cultivating and refining the ancient arts and techniques passed down within her family.

“The sorceries of the Draco family are said to have originated from the training, ascetic practices, and purification rituals that snakes performed to ascend.” 

Mirna added, hedging her bets a bit.

But having seen the amazing sights from beyond the wall, I began to think that perhaps it wasn’t mere boast or exaggeration.

If she continued her rigorous training…

Could Mirna one day ascend like a dragon?

That would be cool.

At that moment—

“So, Theo-kun, when are you going to tell the most important part? About how you and I are in love? Shouldn’t she know that too?”

Stella suddenly interrupted, at the most unexpected moment.

After carefully constructing the conversation with logic and calm, I—

I wanted to scream!

Edit by: faker