Taming The Villainesses - Episode 208.1

(EP-208.1) Summer #6

208 – Cold Summer #6

Recalling the first time I was invited to the Draco Family mansion, it felt like a haunted house. It really hammered in the dark and eerie theme, especially with the thick, black curtains and numerous closed doors…

It wouldn’t be surprising if the great vampire Dracula or the long-haired vengeful spirit Sadako was lurking here.

In fact, the high-ranking Lich, Lord Aleister was roaming the mansion back then. And strange demons also appeared at night.

Looking back now, it was a creepy place. Plus, back then, I didn’t know much about Mirna, so it was unfamiliar and frightening.

She once told me, “You can go anywhere else, but not this place.” And now, we were heading towards that very room.

━Ggeuaaaak-!

I heard a scream, which made me momentarily look back.

Though, it sounded more like a roar or wail than a scream. It was akin to the sound of a woman shrieking in intense hatred.

Was it like an abomination?

It couldn’t be human…

I didn’t even want to know what it was.

“The mansion is waking up. If we’re late, we might get caught in the aftermath. We need to enter that room quickly.”

Mirna urged me with heavy steps. I didn’t understand what she meant by the mansion waking up, but I didn’t think I would have time to ask.

We soon arrived at the room tucked away in the corner of the third floor.

The door was secured with chains and locks, which would require quite some time to unlock.

Chlingling. Clank, clink.

“Isn’t it this?”

Mirna took out a bunch of keys from her waist and started unlocking the locks one by one. But since the keys all looked the same, she struggled to pick the right one.

“The numbers on the key rings are all mixed up…! That Lioness has done tricks even on my keys…!”

…I didn’t think that was the case.

Tallang, tallang-.

Then I could hear a clear ringing of a bell. Far below? No, above? No, this was already the 3rd floor, which would be the very top. There was no upper floor!

One thing was certain: as the bell rang, Mirna’s hands trembled slightly. After exhaling softly, Mirna then explained.

“Do you know that this mansion was constructed above Solomon’s Labyrinth? It was built to suppress the magic from there.”

I’d heard of this story.

Underneath was Solomon’s ruins called the Ghost Cave. The Draco Family built this mansion on top to contain the evil energy emanating from it.

“The construction of the mansion was not smooth either. Workers kept dying or going mad. There were many unfortunate accidents. So, my grandfather sacrificed people to suppress the energy.”

“… Sacrificed people?”

“It is said that four people were buried in a crypt. Three were wicked men who committed crimes deserving of the gallows. The last one was a pure virgin.”

Tallang, tallang-.

The sound of bells grew closer.

“These four wander around the mansion on days when the mansion is intertwined with the labyrinth. They seek out the Dracos who buried them.”

“…….”

“Especially the maiden’s grudge was very strong. Trapped in the dungeon with the criminals… Although it’s said she volunteered for the sake of her family and financial urgency….”

Cold sweat trickled down my back and forehead, but I didn’t show it. Then, with a click, the final lock was undone, falling on the floor.

“Okay. Sir Theo, come this way…!”

Mirna and I entered the finally-open door together.

The room was entirely red, and all around, talismans with worm-like characters written on them covered the ceiling, floor, and walls.

Kwaang-.

Mirna closed the door and locked the latch inside.

Pitch-black darkness.

Hwareuruek-.

Soon, a small candle was lit between me and Mirna.

“You’ll have to stay here for at least one night. It’s safe inside this room, so don’t worry.”

“… Is it really safe?”

In horror movies, they always said it would be safe, but then problems started popping up one by one. When I asked again, Mirna immediately responded by lighting candles in every corner of the room.

“It’s safe. The talismans inscribed here were personally written by the past heads of the family, imbued with their essences. They contain the power of a Rank 8 barrier.”

“I see.”

Rank 8 surpassed even Aira. Only Solomon would be able to break through such a level!

“But if you’re still uneasy, shall we perform the Rite of 100 Stories?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a form of exorcism ritual. We take turns telling scary stories while blowing out the candles one by one. When the last candle goes out, the rite is completed and a strong barrier is formed.”

Telling scary stories in a room full of bright red talismans… It was just too much…

“I don’t think we should do that…”

“Then I’ll start with the first story. Once upon a time, in a village, there lived a boy who could see ghosts and spirits.”

No, we really didn’t have to.

Mirna took a candle and started the story on her own.

Maybe it was because it was a small and sealed room, but her voice echoed from all directions like a surround speaker, as if someone was whispering directly into my ear.

“But then, ghosts appeared in the village, and everyone died. Now, Sir Theo, it’s your turn.”

What kind of story is this? Did I hear correctly? I asked Mirna with a very strange feeling.

“Are we really doing this weird exorcism ritual?”

“The Rite of 100 Stories.”

“Yes, that one.”

“We have to do this all night long. It’s boring just sitting still.”

According to Narmi, Mirna doesn’t like scary things.

Then I suddenly remembered that there were people who disliked and enjoyed scary things at the same time. People who would cover their eyes but still watch horror movies.

Now that I could see it, Mirna’s shoulders were trembling a little, and her breathing was a bit rough. Mirna was anxious. It would be good if there was something to divert her attention.

So I told Mirna a story I knew.

This reminded me of the time when kids at the orphanage begged me for scary stories at bedtime.

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