Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 154

"Chris, thank you for today."

"Not at all, I also enjoyed our productive discussion. Besides, Lord Ridd's way of thinking is 'unconventional' in a good way, so working together is always fun."

Chris replied with a gentle smile.

But "unconventional," huh.

Well, I suppose it can't be helped.

I'm using knowledge from my previous life to create various things that aren't yet known in this world as "common sense."

So no matter what I do, I'll probably be called "unconventional." I've more or less accepted that.

But eventually, I shouldn't be the only one called "unconventional."

I smirked.

"Fufu... I think eventually everyone besides me will be called 'unconventional' too."

"Huh? Ahaha, Lord Ridd, surely not. That'll only be you."

She blinked blankly at my words, then immediately laughed cheerfully as she spoke.

Just as I smiled back at Chris, there was a knock on the door.

When I responded, Diana's voice came through.

"Lord Ridd, forgive me for interrupting your conversation. Lord Liner requests that you come to his office once your discussion with Lady Chris is finished."

"...? Father? Understood. I'll go as soon as we're done."

Hearing this, Chris quickly finished her remaining tea, stood up, and looked at me.

"Lord Ridd, we've covered everything necessary, so I'll take my leave now."

"O-okay. Sorry for rushing you."

"Not at all, please don't worry about it."

Chris flashed me a beautiful smile and left the reception room.

After seeing her to the entrance, I hurried to the office where Father was waiting.

◇

Upon reaching the office, I knocked and entered after hearing Father's response.

"Father, you called for me?"

"Ah, you were speaking with Chris, weren't you? Sorry for calling you without knowing."

Father's voice sounded slightly apologetic as he looked at me.

Apparently, he hadn't known I was in a meeting with Chris.

I smiled in response.

"No, we had already finished our discussion, so please don't worry about it. More importantly, what did you need?"

"It's about the construction of the mansion and dormitories we've been discussing. Well, have a seat."

Following Father's gesture, I sat on the sofa across from him as usual and looked at him intently.

"...Father, what about the construction?"

"Yes, the contractors have returned with rough estimates for schedules and such. According to them, the chicken farm and slave dormitories you requested can be ready in about half a year."

"Is that so? That's sooner than I expected."

The dormitories are designed for two hundred people, with each room having two bunk beds, accommodating about four people per room.

To help them learn various skills, we're also preparing long desks in each room where four can sit side by side.

Additionally, buildings with large dining halls, baths, and classrooms will be attached to the dormitories, so perhaps "school and dormitory complex" would be a better description.

The overall construction will be modest, but honestly, in some ways they'll likely live better than the current residents of Baldia territory.

In exchange, they'll face the challenge of extensive study and training.

Probably, one can't simply say which is better.

Father looked slightly exasperated at my words.

"But providing such accommodations for those brought into the territory as slaves... There's no precedent; it's unthinkable normally. If other nobles found out, they'd probably think I've lost my mind."

"Fufu... That's fine. There aren't always precedents for everything we do. Rather, I believe 'precedents' are meant to be created."

Father blinked at my words, looked at me, then immediately put his hand to his forehead, sighed, and looked down.

"Haa... Don't you think that way of thinking is exactly why you're called 'unconventional'? Try to think of my position, trying to shield you from standing out too much..."

"...I can't thank you enough for that, Father. But I think everything I do from now on will probably be 'unconventional.' In return, I will absolutely develop this territory."

I spoke with conviction, looking straight at Father with determined eyes.

Indeed, for a slave dormitory, perhaps such accommodations aren't necessary.

But I'm not thinking of them as "slaves"; I intend to welcome them as "comrades" who will walk the path I'm aiming for together.

I don't yet know what kind of people will come.

Still, one thing is certain.

Nobody becomes a slave by choice.

I don't know what hardships they've faced, but I'm sure no one willingly chose to be a slave.

That's why I want to welcome them in the warmest environment possible.

More than anything, I want everyone we welcome to come to love Baldia territory.

This may be my self-righteous sentiment, but doing this is definitely better than not doing it.

Father looked into my eyes and sighed in resignation.

"Fuh... I understand. Ridd, what you're attempting will surely become a great strength in the future. It's because I can see that too that I'm investing heavily upfront. I see this matter as an opportunity for Baldia territory to make a great leap forward. I'll do everything I can. Go ahead and try."

"...!! Yes, Father!!"

Hearing Father's encouraging words, I replied with enthusiasm, filled with joy.

Seeing this, Father's expression softened slightly, which was rare.

But he immediately cleared his throat and returned to his usual stern expression.

"Ahem... That aside, the problem is the construction of your new mansion with Princess Fara. Unlike the dormitories, this cannot be built modestly. There are many design elements as well, so even with a short timeline, it will take at least a year from now."

"A year... That means Princess Fara will have to wait a while."

When I lowered my voice slightly at hearing the one-year timeline, Father continued, as if admonishing me.

"But you'll be welcoming the slaves in half a year, correct? You'll be busy with preparations from now on, and even busier after they arrive. A year from now, things should have settled down a bit."

Indeed, now that the dormitories are expected to be ready in half a year, I need Sandra and Rubens to complete the educational curriculum for them to study.

Furthermore, teaching materials will be needed.

I'll need Chris to start working with a six-month timeline as well.

I looked intently at Father and spoke.

"That's right... I'll work hard to have everything finished before Fara comes!!"

"Fufu... That's the spirit."

After speaking with Father for a while longer, I left the office and returned to my room, where I began writing a letter concerning matters related to Fara.

Then, after continuing to write silently, I paused and exhaled.

"Phew... Is this good enough?"

I stopped writing the letter to Fara and stretched with a "Uun."

Then, as I shifted my gaze to the letter I was working on and finished reviewing it, I suddenly muttered.

"I wonder how Fara is doing..."

◇

At that same time, far from Baldia territory, in a gorgeously decorated room of a mansion where a certain tribe in the Beastman Kingdom resides, two men were laughing merrily with lecherous smiles.

"Old man, how's that matter going? Progressing well?"

"Yeah, Elva, thanks to your idea, looks like we'll make a profit this time too."

One had an ordinary build, but the man called Elva was a giant standing nearly three meters tall.

And both had pointed ears, a feature not seen in humans, and bushy tails.

The shape of their ears and tails evoked the image of a "fox."

They sat across from each other with a table between them, on which documents, bottles of alcohol, and glasses were placed.

The giant called Elva downed his drink in one gulp and said cheerfully.

"Fufu... They're just trash who'd die if left alone anyway. Selling them as 'slaves' to other countries, where they at least have a chance to survive, gives them salvation and fills our war chest. A brilliant idea, even I must say."

"Indeed... This will become the foundation for our Fox Tribe to make a name for ourselves as the kings of the Beastman Kingdom Zubera. They should be satisfied as our subjects."

The two clinked glasses and downed their drinks in one gulp, in high spirits.

The giant called Elva had a taut, muscular body, an overwhelming presence that intimidated all who saw him.

Moreover, with sharp eyes but refined features, he could be described as a powerfully handsome man.

Suddenly, Elva's expression went blank, and he glared at the other man with intimidating eyes.

"...By the way, are you able to procure salable brats from the other tribes? Even if we have many Fox Tribe brats, they won't fetch a good price. Having a certain number from all tribes increases their value and sells high... You understand, right?"

"...?! Y-yeah, of course. It's going just as you instructed. Besides, it's not our first time. There are those looking to reduce mouths to feed and those blinded by money. We have plans to gather from all eleven tribes."

The man glared at by Elva stiffened momentarily, then answered as if reporting to a superior.

Hearing the man's words, Elva twisted his lips into an unpleasant smile.

"Fufu... Is that so? Good. By the way, when do you think they'll be gathered?"

"W-well... In about half a year, they should be gathered from all tribes."

Hearing "half a year," Elva looked satisfied, poured himself a drink, and downed it in one gulp.

Watching this, the man asked hesitantly.

"B-by the way, are we okay for the 'Beast King Tournament' in three years? We're gathering these slave brats and collecting funds for that, right?"

"Old man... Are you saying you don't trust your own son? Relax, I'm always preparing for that. In fact, I'd like to have the 'Beast King Tournament' right now, today..."

Elva glared intimidatingly at the man he called "old man" and spat out his words resentfully.

The man, though trembling at this, continued speaking to Elva.

"I-is that so? Good. If we follow your plan, the Fox Tribe can become the 'Beast King' uniting the tribes... Right?"

"Old man, relax... I'm the man who will become king of the Beastmen. I'll make sure you become the father of the 'Beast King'... Fufufu... Hahahaha!!"

Elva's hearty laughter echoed endlessly through the gorgeously decorated room.