Chapter 390: The Dungeon

Following the rhythmic sound of footsteps, with Mayi leading the way down the stairs into the underground passage...

"Hmm. This area's definitely been cleaned up nicely."

Nanami was the one who responded.

"Because this section houses the living quarters for the 'Immortal Squad' kids."

"So... every time these kids come and go, they're just repeating that little performance again and again?"

No, those kids seem to be coming and going through the underground employee passage.

I wish we could've taken that route instead. It might be a detour, but...

And then, suddenly, Mai calls out.

"Everyone, be careful! Beyond this point lies a dungeon... Apparently, the villains from sealed fairy tales are still imprisoned here."

Mayoi's lines constantly shift between "intense realism" and "careless indifference."

Still, responding to her words, the underground lights flickered on one by one.

"Fufufufu... Little ones, be careful where you step... Wouldn't do to get hurt here—would ruin the fun, now, would it?"

The "Magic Mirror" with a surprisingly kind line is oddly endearing.

I glanced at my watch.

"About twenty-five minutes left..."

Seems like plenty of time... or maybe not.

"Well, it's the same building, so we'll get there soon."

True, this castle uses perspective to appear larger than it is, but in reality, it's not a particularly massive structure.

"Still, living in a place like this—frankly, what purpose does it serve besides satisfying vanity?"

Even with VIP rooms available, they're only truly comfortable when well-maintained and properly managed.

"I don't know... but Reika does value appearances, you know."

As I was muttering to myself, Nanami quietly whispered something in my ear.

"By the way, hey, 'Nobody'..."

Yes?

Actually, there's something I need to give you a warning about while we still have the chance.

What is it?

There's a direct line between princesses, right?...And there's someone who hasn't responded since a while ago.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The songstress, Chida Mizuki."

"Um... I think, despite her flashy appearance, she always seemed nervous and hesitant."

"That's right."

We were planning to make a video together in the 'Sing It' style, but due to the prolonged chaos in the 'Mirror Country,' things ended up falling through.

"Seriously?...I'm really impressed."

She was level 52, job class 'Minstrel,' wasn't she? A real pain.

"Still, given how that girl is, she might just not realize it. Maybe she's sleeping or something."

"No way, that can't be it."

"You really think so?"

"Stuff like that's called a 'setup' or a 'flag' in stories, you know."

"I know what a setup is, but in real life, it's just a series of coincidences that happen to line up."

"Maybe you're right... but still..."

"No, seriously, Mizuki's really forgetful. I mean it. I'm just sticking with the coincidence theory."

"No, no. You said 'don't use that technique,' yet in the story, we never actually find out what the technique even is..."

"What are you talking about?"

At that moment,

"Everyone! Stop for a sec! Look at this... Could it be... the room where Cinderella's family is trapped...?"

That was Miyo.

In response, from within the cell came a voice, unnervingly eerie and ominous,

'Where... hey'

Where am I...?

And the two dolls whisper together.

Upon closer inspection, they were women whose eyes had hollowed out completely.

Cinderella! My eyes! They're being poked and pulled! Aaaaaaah!

"Yikes!"

Even though it's a stylized doll, I can't help screaming at its lifelike performance.

They staggered toward the iron bars, continuing:

"Sure, we did torment that girl..."

"But is there really a reason for this...?"

"She's the only one who lives in everlasting happiness..."

"While we're left suffering here forever..."

"I sacrificed my toes..."

"I gave up my heels..."

"Even cut them off, just to please the prince... waaah!"

"I did all that, and this is how you repay me?!"

At the same time, the noise spreads to the other cells, filling them with a lively, bustling clamor.

"That's right, that's right! I was made to wear these scorching hot red shoes!"

and the queen, "Snow White."

I was stuffed with pebbles in my belly while I was asleep!

I've been put inside a barrel full of snakes!

I've been doused with concentrated sulfuric acid!

"Just because it's right, do you think you can do anything you want?!"

This kind of thing will traumatize a child.

"Ah! Ah! Everyone! Run away—!"

As Mayi shouted, the torch-shaped light illuminated the far end of the cell.

Yes, yes. Next up, that area is the path.

Just as everyone rushed toward the door—then it happened.

それこそ、なんの伏線も予兆もなく、突如として、ぶぅうううううううううううううううううん……と、耳障りな羽音が聞こえてきたのは。

一瞬だけ、これも何かの演出かと思われましたが、どうも違う。

この音だけ、録音とかそういうのじゃなく、アトラクションの演出的にも浮(・)い(・)て(・)い(・)る(・)のです。

「ちょっとまって。……何です、この音」

「羽虫でも、飛んでるのかしら」

No.

Something feels off. The sound of the fly—“būūūun”—it’s different, somehow. The pitch of that “būūūun” is just slightly off, as if the wings were fluttering a little differently.

“…Ah.”

At that moment, Aizuki Mii-chan, who was with me, formed an “O” with her mouth.

That’s when I was about to ask her what was wrong—

a shock struck me like a bullet piercing my temple.