The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 205
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“…What is this?”
“It’s a mansion…,” the High Priest replied.
“A mansion, indeed.”
And an enormous one at that. It was hard to believe that such a massive mansion could exist in the middle of this pitch-black monster-infested forest.
The entrance to the mansion was a maze, as if it were some kind of elaborate trick.
In the center of the circular maze stood the grand mansion, surrounded by tall walls made of thorny vines, with blooming roses scattered throughout.
The entire scene exuded a sinister atmosphere, and the heavily concealed nature of the place gave off an unsettling feeling.
Around the circular maze stood an even higher iron fence, also covered in thorny vines, as if to ward off any intruders.
It was clear to anyone that this mansion rejected entry to human beings.
“R-Roxelyn, what is this?! Is this one of those haunted houses you told me about in the Empire? My lady! Or is it one of those cursed places with ghosts?!”
“…What did you read?”
“I read ‘Understanding the Culture of the Diyanitas Empire: Occult Edition!’ My lady!”
Of course, he had stumbled upon the strangest aspects of the empire’s culture first.
Roxelyn shrugged and turned her attention to the mansion ahead.
When she glanced at Gerun Wilfred, he was lightly rubbing his chin, deep in thought.
“Irvon.”
“Yes, Master?”
The High Priest, clad in white robes adorned with gold ornaments, smiled brightly as he answered.
“Do you feel anything strange coming from the mansion?”
“If you mean the presence of monsters, then no, not at all.”
“Then…”
Roxelyn trailed off, but before she could finish her thought, she felt a light tickling sensation on her palm. She quickly turned her head.
“…Arma?”
“Yes.”
Roxelyn glanced down at the hand they were holding, then back up at Arma.
“Roxelyn, I know it’s childish, but… could you avoid looking at other men? Or at least talk to them through me…?”
His voice trailed off with a slight tremble, his eyes cast downward. Roxelyn frowned slightly but nodded.
“There’s no need to engage in such inefficient behavior, is there?”
Arma hesitated for a moment, then gave an awkward smile and nodded slowly.
“…I suppose you’re right…”
He ran a hand through his hair as he responded.
“Pfft…”
Gerun Wilfred let out a low chuckle.
“We’re here to subjugate monsters, so I don’t think there’s any need to enter the mansion. What do you all think?” High Priest Irvon asked.
As someone responsible for his Master’s safety, he didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
Even if Roxelyn was simply here to observe, the responsibility would fall on him if anything went wrong.
‘Though I don’t sense anything specific, this place feels… off.’
The High Priest trusted his instincts.
Even when there was no clear sign of danger, if something felt wrong, it usually was. Avoiding the mansion seemed like the safest option.
“Once we finish the subjugation, I’ll report this to His Majesty. We can organize a separate investigation team later—”
“Let’s play!”
At that moment, a childlike voice echoed, and a section of the thorny vine-covered fence transformed into a gate, creaking open.
Whooosh.
A chilling wind swept through them.
The atmosphere shifted.
The surroundings suddenly darkened, and black mist began to creep around them.
Grrrrr.
It wasn’t long before the sound of growling beasts echoed.
Roxelyn took a slow, deep breath.
Arma pulled her toward him, shielding her behind his body, gripping her hand even tighter. Roxelyn’s eyes widened slightly.
“Sister, let’s play!”
“Come play with us!”
“First, it’s time for a maze!”
“Sister, you have to come find us!”
Roxelyn slowly turned around.
From within the unseen black mist, the sound of heavy footsteps and low growls echoed as something dripped saliva.
The stench of beasts filled the air from all directions. Roxelyn slowly opened her eyes.
“…Monsters.”
