Taming The Villainesses

(EP-318.1) Destined Rivals #4

318 – The Twins Are Destined Rivals #4

A statue sitting cross-legged.

It stood approximately two meters tall, with a burly frame and menacing weapons clutched in its four hands.

Of course, the weapons weren’t real, nor was the statue a living being. It was merely a sculpture carved from stone.

Who could have created such a figure in this secluded cave? As I was letting my imagination run wild trying to figure out the reason, Mirna was the first to react.

“That’s… an angel statue.”

“Angel?”

That demon-like figure was an angel?

In my mind, angels were women with wings—gentle, nurturing figures clad in pure white garments. Perhaps sensing my skepticism, Mirna added a few more words to clarify.

“The image of winged angels has only become popular over the last few centuries. During the early days of the Gwangyeom Church, during the time of the early fathers, angels were depicted as powerful guardians like this.”

I see.

A thought suddenly struck me.

“So, that statue represents one of the early angels of the Gwangyeom Church, meaning this place is connected to the church?”

“That’s a reasonable assumption. But I don’t know why a symbol of the church exists here in Mount Bilford….”

As Mirna trailed off, Narmi, who had been silently listening, spoke up as if she was inspired by an idea or simply wanting to join the conversation.

“If there’s a guardian, it means there’s something to protect. Doesn’t that mean there’s a treasure beyond that angel statue?”

Narmi’s logic was plausible.

But unlike the optimistic Narmi, Mirna was rather negative.

“In the early days of the Gwangyeom Church, angels fought against barbarism and the gods of superstition. They took on those fierce forms to wage spiritual war against horrifying pagan deities.”

“So, you’re saying these angels had to fight here as well?”

“That’s right.”

It was a rather convincing narrative—angels condemning heresy and paganism. Naturally, they would be guarding something terrible and pagan that they themselves had defeated.

From my days at the orphanage, where I attended countless services, I had heard endless stories of vile and malevolent beings. Tales of people possessed by spirits, screaming in animalistic voices.

The memories sent a shiver down my spine.

While I was thinking that, I heard Marmar’s call.

「There’s a weird statue here! It’s blue, and looks ugly and brutish! Professor Stella says it might be some kind of guardian!」

I see.

Marmar’s group also found a similar angel statue? While I couldn’t say for certain, this place wasn’t ordinary.

They must have hidden it deep in the mountains, creating all sorts of traps and winding paths so that no one could find it.

Perhaps Mount Bilford’s temple itself was merely a facade to conceal these statues. As that exaggerated idea crossed my mind—

“Ah, look here! There’s writing!”

Narmi, who had fearlessly approached the angel statue, said something quite interesting.

“Narmi, what if it’s dangerous? You shouldn’t just walk up to it like that,” Mirna scolded, brushing her hand over her face in exasperation.

Yet, curiosity seemed to get the better of her as well. Mirna also slowly approached the statue.

Gooooo—

The closer we got, the bigger the statue appeared.

Squiggly letters resembling earthworms were inscribed at its base. It looked very difficult to read, then Narmi spoke up.

“─We have sealed the evil desires in the darkness of this deep mountain. O ye who read this writing, do not approach your desires lightly. When the two lights engulf, a merciless blade shall cleave you in two.”

“Lady Narmi, is that what the inscription says?”

“As I’ve read, yes. I don’t know if Unnie sees it differently… So, what do you think Unnie?”

Narmi posed a question to Mirna. While there was an awkward hesitance in her tone, it was far better than the bickering and insults they had exchanged earlier. It was probably her way of extending an olive branch.

Watching the sisters’ interaction, I couldn’t help but feel a bit tense. Mirna, meanwhile, examined the inscriptions carved into the floor intently before adding something noteworthy.

“These words were written by Alkinas, the sword of sogeum. He was one of the founding fathers of the Gwangyeom Church, a cornerstone who established many of its doctrines….”

Hearing this, Narmi clapped her hands together.

“Then, could it be true? The story about how the Church’s paladins sealed heretical temples filled with gold and treasure all over the world?”

“I always thought it was just a myth. But if this really is the work of Bishop Alkinas, then it might actually be true. This could be an incredible discovery….”

The sisters were chattering about things I couldn’t understand. And then they started to look around this large room more. Before long, they uncovered more writings.

Mirna, after deciphering them, spoke.

“It seems clear that there’s something significant beyond this angel statue. Judging by the repeated mentions of ‘wish’ and ‘desire’ in the inscriptions, it’s safe to assume there’s an important treasure hidden there.”

“Maybe it’s some kind of relic that grants wishes? Like a sacred crown or a holy grail!” Narmi giggled. Soon, a few words were transmitted in my head.

「Comrade, Professor Stella says there’s something beyond the statue! She said like the style matches the early Church something. I don’t really get it, but it sounds like a big deal!」

It seemed Marmar’s group had also deciphered some of the inscriptions near their statue.

We couldn’t just sit idle. From what we’d pieced together so far, pressing the orb mechanism attached to the statue would likely trigger something.

It was probably a setup similar to the sealed door from earlier.

Just in case, I drew my wand.

Anyone could predict that this statue would come to life and guard the area.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

See?

Without me needing to say anything, Mirna and Narmi already drew their fan and sword—ready for battle.

Suddenly, I felt a strange sense of novelty seeing Narmi and Mirna fighting together for the first time. Of course, now was not the time to get lost in sentiments but to act.

Hoping for an escape route that might be beyond the statue.

I counted.

「3.」

「2.」

「1.」

Creak.

Marmar and I pressed the buttons simultaneously.

Goooooo—.

The statue, which had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly lit up with crimson eyes. At the same time, every softly glowing lantern around us was extinguished.

“─Light!”

Before total darkness could engulf us, I quickly casted a spell to conjure a light source. Who knew what might happen in pitch blackness?

“…Huh?”

Just then, someone let out a strange sound—probably Narmi.

[T/N: Changed Gwangyeong to Gwangyeom Church]