"What's that place over there?"
Amamiya pulled out the missing person compass, aligning it to track Kaguya's direction.
The young girl leading the way tilted her small face up and replied, "I don't know."
The seven dwarfs also shook their heads, indicating their lack of knowledge.
Only Snow White, still hooded, answered:
"That's the direction of the castle."
"The castle?"
Amamiya put away the compass, a satisfied look on his face. "Perfect."
I was planning to steal the magic mirror anyway, and now that Kaguya is likely in the city, there's no need to waste time running around.
Heavy snowflakes fell, blanketing the world as if they would never stop.
Compared to when it was just the two of us, our group had grown considerably—seven dwarves, Little Red Riding Hood, and Snow White. The atmosphere was much livelier, and morale was high.
Only Snow White remained displeased.
"Commoner, take this mask off my head. I can't see properly."
"Brave one, why are you hugging that commoner and not me?"
"Let the seven dwarves pull the sled—they have boundless energy anyway."
"…"
The one in charge of watching Snow White was Hayasaka. Faced with the arrogant and prejudiced princess, Hayasaka's response was simple.
"See this snowball?"
She bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and packed it into a firm ball. Then, holding it up to Snow White, she said casually:
"I love snowball fights in winter. This one might just end up inside your clothes later."
"…"
Snow White huffed and fell silent.
With the mask in place, the dog-licking curse had been significantly weakened. She could no longer turn people into her devoted followers just by speaking. Only those who understood the situation would know how to act accordingly.
The journey continued.
"It's so dark out here." Chika walked beside Amamiya, holding a flashlight to light the way. Her voice was crisp as she remarked, "I never realized how dark it gets in the wild."
Amamiya replied,
"That's because there's too much light pollution in the city."
The biggest inconvenience of traveling at night was the darkness.
Unlike modern cities, where artificial lights flooded every corner, ancient nights were pitch black—you could barely see your own hand in front of you. The dwarves had warned that traveling after dark was dangerous.
Now, with flashlights illuminating the way, safety was no longer the primary concern. However, the deep snow presented another challenge—each step sinking in, making the trek slow and tiring.
"My shoes are soaked from the snow… so cold." Chika shook the snow off her feet and sighed. "I miss the werewolf lady who used to pull our sled."
"What a coincidence—I miss her too," Amamiya admitted. "When we visited Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother, I was actually hoping to run into the Big Bad Wolf. Thought I could make him pull my sled. Too bad he never showed up."
"That's the Big Bad Wolf we're talking about," Chika said, rubbing her stomach. "...Ugh, those mushrooms weren't enough. I'm getting hungry again."
Amamiya sighed.
"Hold on. If you eat any more, I won't be able to carry you."
Chika puffed up her cheeks. "I never asked you to carry me! I'll lose weight after we clear the game!"
"…"
It was unclear how long they had been walking when a weak voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Um… can we take a break?"
A girl at the back of the group covered her mouth with her hand, yawning. Her voice was laced with exhaustion. "I'm so tired… I can't walk anymore."
Tsubame bit her lower lip, hesitating before admitting,
"I'm a little tired too…"
Hayasaka frowned slightly. "We've only been walking for less than an hour since leaving the cabin… Is this because of the mushrooms?"
The mushrooms growing on Tsubame's head were the same as those on the other girl—Sloth Mushrooms.
"Of course it is." Chika nodded knowingly. "I don't feel tired at all… Just hungry. What about you Hayasaka-chan?"
Hayasaka averted her gaze, her voice deliberately casual. "I don't feel anything yet."
…In truth, she did.
And it bothered her.
Why does she need to keep looking at Snow White when she could be walking beside her Senpais, chatting with him happily?
Hateful.
If you want to chat, chat with me!
That's right—the mushroom growing on this spy maid's head was a JealousyMushroom.
Whatever kind of mushroom sprouts on your head, its effects will amplify your emotions.
Though Hayasaka kept a neutral expression, deep inside, she was practically stomping her feet, wishing she could kick Chika away and take her place.
"Senpai, come here. Let me check on the mushrooms and see if they're ready to be picked."
Amamiya waved her over.
"Oh…"
Tsubame walked over and lowered her head.
"The mushrooms seem to have grown quite a bit," Chika observed, shining her flashlight over the spot. "They're growing faster than the dwarves predicted."
Based on information gathered from the villagers and the dwarves, mushroom people could be categorized into three stages.
The first was the larvalstage, where a small mushroom sprouted on the head. It would grow slowly over time, with the exact duration unknown. During this period, the mushroom's influence subtly altered a person's personality.
The second was the maturitystage, where the mushroom had fully developed. At this point, a person's inner desires would surge uncontrollably until they were overwhelmed, succumbing to chaos and evil.
The final stage was the sporestage, like what had happened to Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. Once the mushrooms reached full maturity, they could spread their effects to others.
"Maybe it's because players have too many stray thoughts and inner turmoil?"
Amamiya reached out, gently touching the mushroom on Tsubame's head, before quickly shaking his head.
"No, it's not ready to be picked yet."
As a dark chef, he could only collect viable ingredients. The mushrooms in their current state didn't meet the necessary criteria. Forcibly removing them could be life-threatening.
"Then there's nothing we can do." Chika sighed softly. "We'll have to wait until it grows a little bigger... But what if Senpai can't walk anymore?"
"It's fine," Tsubame murmured, biting her lower lip. "I'm just a little tired, but I can still manage."
"I don't think so," Amamiya said dryly. "If willpower alone could stop it, there wouldn't be so many people succumbing to chaos."
He made a quick decision. "We can't stop now. If we do, we'll lose body heat rapidly, and exhaustion will set in even faster."
Turning to Snow White, he asked, "How much farther to the city?"
After some discussion and time conversion, they estimated it would take another thirty minutes.
"We're close." Amamiya thought for a moment, then set down the guide in his arms. "Chika, carry Little Red Riding Hood."
"Leave it to me."
Chika nodded without hesitation.
As a veteran player, her base stats far exceeded those of normal people, so carrying a small girl was no problem.
Amamiya then turned to Tsubame, extending his right hand.
"Senpai, do you want me to carry you in my arms or on my back?"
Tsubame's face flushed slightly, and she quickly shook her head. "I can walk on my own."
"Let Amamiya help," Chika chimed in. "If you were fine, you wouldn't have asked to stop and rest earlier."
Tsubame: "…"
She couldn't argue with that.
Even though she knew she wasn't truly exhausted, the effects of the sloth mushroom made her legs feel like lead.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she blushed and whispered,
"Please… Amamiya-kun, carry me for a little while on your back."
Being carried like a child with one arm was far too embarrassing, no matter how she thought about it. Absolutely not!
"Alright, hop on, Senpai."
Amamiya knelt slightly to let her climb onto his back.
With a soft sigh, Tsubame hesitated for only a second before wrapping her arms around his neck, her cheeks burning.
Even though she usually carried herself with grace and elegance, this situation was undeniably embarrassing.
But behind them, one person was far more affected.
(Aaaaaah! He's actually carrying that busty woman on his back—in front of me! I'm furious!)
(Get her down right now! If anyone gets to be carried, it should be me… or at the very least, the eldest lady!)
(I need to find a way to trap that idiot Amamiya in a cage and make him my personal property… Wait. Why am I thinking this?)
(Damn mushrooms!)
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner, another player felt even more wronged than Hayasaka.
(What about me? What about me?! Have you forgotten I exist?)
Of course, Amamiya hadn't forgotten. But her treatment had been downgraded—she was simply being carried along by several dwarves.
The group pressed forward.
Aside from the bitter cold, the howling wind, and the occasional encounter with wildlife, the journey was uneventful.
Twenty minutes later.
A city loomed before them.
"We've arrived at the castle," Snow White announced, panting slightly. Her stamina was clearly not in good condition. "The gates close at sundown. If we don't get inside now, we'll have to wait until morning."
She paused, then added, "Also, with those mushrooms growing on your heads, you won't pass inspection. The moment you get close, the guards will arrest you on the spot."
According to Snow White, mushroom people were considered highly dangerous. The guards would capture them immediately upon discovery—unlike asymptomatic carriers, their condition was too obvious to ignore.
Amamiya set Tsubame down, turned to Snow White, and asked,
"Excuse me, how did Her Royal Highness leave the castle safely?"
Snow White lifted her chin proudly. "I walked out, of course. No one dared to stop me."
"That's all I needed to hear." Amamiya smiled. "Then we'll enter the same way you left this afternoon."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"…"
The city gates were shut.
From the entrance fortress, the glow of torches flickered in the cold night, illuminating the guards in medieval armor stationed on duty.
Amamiya, leading Snow White, walked forward. Though the others were still confused, they followed without hesitation.
"Stop!"
"Who goes there?"
"The city gates are closed! If you want to enter, come back tomorrow."
"Take off your hoods!"
"…"
Several guards stepped forward, drawing their swords with a cold and authoritative air.
Unbothered, Amamiya reached over and pulled back Snow White's hood.
Her golden hair gleamed brighter than pure gold. Her skin was as pale as fresh snow, and her lips, redder than ripe plums, immediately captivated the guards.
"It's… Snow White!"
"S-So cute…"
"Her Highness is truly the most beautiful in the world."
"…"
The dog-licking curse took effect instantly.
The guards, who had moments ago stood with unwavering vigilance, were now helplessly entranced by Snow White.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Amamiya slowly drew a dagger and held it near Snow White's delicate face, smiling.
"You wouldn't want Her Royal Highness to get hurt, would you?"
In ancient times, warriors used Medusa's head to defeat their enemies. Tonight, I use Snow White's beauty to gain entry. It's a reasonable strategy—nothing wrong with it at all.
"Despicable!"
"Release Her Highness at once!"
The guards snapped out of their trance, angered, and prepared to step forward.
"Stay where you are," Amamiya warned calmly. "One wrong move, and my hand might slip."
"Don't come any closer," Snow White added, her voice soft and trembling, as though on the verge of tears.
The effect was instantaneous.
The guards froze in place. One of them even dropped his weapon, clutching his chest, his eyes filled with devotion.
Amamiya gave them a pointed look. "Open the gates. We're going inside."
One of the guards hesitated. "B-But… the Queen decreed that no one may enter after dark…"
"The Queen, again."
Snow White pouted in frustration, then bit her lower lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Please… open the gate?"
Clang.
Two more guards dropped their weapons.
"Don't hurt Snow White!"
"We'll open it right away!"
Any sense of duty they had was completely discarded as they rushed to unlock the gates.
Chika and Tsubame, standing at the back and unaffected by the charmeffect, were stunned.
"Amazing… No, terrifying."
"How pitiful."
"Thank goodness we're not like them."
"…"
With that, Amamiya and the others entered the city unimpeded.
Although it wasn't that late, the snow and wind had darkened the sky, leaving the streets nearly empty.
"The buildings look so small," Chika remarked, glancing around. "It's not much better than the village."
Amamiya replied seriously,
"I think we should pay more attention to what's under our feet than the buildings."
"Huh? Why?"
"Do you know why high heels were invented?"
Chika's eyes widened in horror. "N-No way…"
High heels were originally invented in medieval Europe, where hygiene was… less than ideal. Streets were often covered in filth, including human waste. Even places as grand as the Louvre were once considered unbearably dirty.
Why were so many palaces built in France?
Because when one became too filthy to live in, royalty simply moved to another.
And so, high heels were created—to avoid stepping in certainthings.
Given that the Fairy Tale Kingdom's level of development seemed similar to medieval Europe, Amamiya wasn't taking any chances.
The other girls were equally horrified and immediately began watching their steps carefully.
Fortunately, the worst-case scenario didn't come to pass. The streets were covered only in fresh snow, much to their relief.
Amamiya checked the compass in his hand. "It only confirms that she's somewhere inside the city." He turned to the spymaid and said, "Hayasaka, the rest is up to you."
"Leave it to me, Senpai."
Hayasaka nodded firmly, retrieving her hairpin. Despite the mushroom growing on her head, it didn't stop her from fulfilling her duties as a maid.
This particular hairpin was bound to Kaguya. The closer they got, the brighter it would glow; the farther away, the dimmer it would become.
It was an incredibly effective tracking tool.
Following Hayasaka's lead, the group navigated through the winding streets and alleys, eventually arriving at a particular building.