(2) Living as the Villainess Queen

Chapter 257

It was dark all around. The dim light radiating from the floor was of little avail as it expanded less than a man’s height. None of the corners, where the floor meets the walls, nor the ceiling was visible as they were too far to be touched by the light.

The light that radiated from the flat stone floor beamed in all directions in no orderly manner. It was just beams as thick as a man’s arm, stretching out in straight lines and mystical curves.

Such a strange sight to one’s eyes, too vast for one to have a full view of it. However, if only one could look down upon it from far high up in the air, one could surely make out that the array of lights, radiating from the floor, forms a gigantic rune on the ground.

In one corner of the rune, lit up by the light, had a cluster of people sitting around in huddles with each other. They looked ghostly due to the shades casted by light beaming up against their wizened faces. They talked in whispers among themselves.

“Can’t they make this any softer?” One annoyed voice could be heard among the crowd.

“You know how quickly it will mold if it isn’t completely dried before it’s sent down here.”

“But I have bad teeth. And this bread is too hard.”

The elders turned to Mur all at once as they appraised the quality of their rationed bread. The silent pressure in the air propelled Mur into a response.

‘I’ll see to it when I go back up.” He said to appease the unsatisfied elders of the tribe.

– Just eat what you’re served or go hungry. It’s ridiculous to get picky with food at your age.

A clear voice resonated in everyone’s mind alike. All gazes were then turned to the owner of the voice who had just uttered a blunt remark. He was easily spotted as he was the odd one among the group of the aged.

Not only was he young, but it was also his contrasting look that made him stand out from all. The color of his long hair, streaming over his shoulders, was of conspicuous gold even under the poor light. And the eyes of the handsome stripling, whose comely features were a work of art, shone brightly in crimson.

“What gives you the right to say that the aged can’t complain about what they eat?”

“Right you are! Eating is indeed one of the great pleasures in life as we humans have a delicate palate, unlike you. I bet you’ll never come to understand how exquisite such senses really are.”

The elders reproached the blond lad with all their fingers pointed at him. However, he simply ignored them all with a snort as the elders continued to glare and grumble. “Shame on you, you impertinent greenhorn.”

– Have you finally gone senile? Or have you simply forgotten the fact that I’ve lived much longer than you all?

The blond lad quipped in retort.

The elders winced shortly before they went on with their grumblings. “Don’t get on your high horses just because you’re older. As it happens, age has nothing to do with one’s maturity.”

“Well said. As it’s the wisdom and experience that really matters. What have you accomplished as you get on in years? Playing leader to odds and sods?”