Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 157

...Eh?! Even though you're so capable working for Chris?"

I was surprised by the fact that Emma had been perceived as someone 'lacking strength.'

I don't know whether she can fight, but seeing her work with Chris makes it immediately clear that she's excellent.

Hearing my words, Emma looked momentarily blank, then smiled shyly with joy.

"Fufu... Thank you, Lord Ridd. But in the beastman kingdom, 'combat ability' is the prerequisite, so unfortunately, the qualities you complimented aren't highly valued. That's why, when I met Lady Chris's father, I offered to 'sell myself.'"

"S-sell yourself..."

After that, she told me about her circumstances.

Emma was born in the Cat Tribe of the beastman kingdom, but neither of her parents was recognized as having strength.

She also had siblings, and life was extremely difficult—apparently a situation of either starvation or leaving the country to become a slave.

At that time, Chris's father visited the Cat Tribe settlement where Emma lived for business.

Emma seized the opportunity to sell herself, and her intelligence was duly recognized.

And so, she sold herself to the Saffron Trading Company.

"...If you were recognized, couldn't you have avoided 'selling yourself'? I can't imagine Chris's father would make unreasonable demands."

"No, selling myself was my own request. So that my parents and siblings could live even a little more comfortably..."

"I see..."

Hearing Emma's circumstances made me realize anew what a difficult country the beastman kingdom is.

She was excellent, but her excellence wasn't recognized in the beastman kingdom.

To protect her family, to survive, she sold her talents to Chris's father.

But she had to go that far just to live.

Such a harsh world it is.

I drank the remainder of the tea Diana had brewed and spoke.

"Phew... Thank you. I mostly understand about the beastman kingdom now. To summarize, it's highly likely that the slaves being sold in Balst this time are children from each tribe who were judged as 'lacking strength' in the beastman kingdom and gathered up, right?"

Chris nodded at my words and spoke emphatically.

"Yes. I believe that understanding is correct. Probably, neither Balst nor those who gathered the children in the beastman kingdom expect them to fetch a high price. That's why they're withholding information to drive up the price. However, because the numbers are large, if we purchase them all at once, price negotiations should go smoothly. Personally, I believe we shouldn't miss this opportunity."

Hearing her words, I deliberately crossed my arms, closed my eyes, and fell into thought.

The dormitory was originally built to accommodate 200 people.

Both Father and I had the idea of eventually preparing that many people.

However, the plan was to accept them in batches of several dozen, improve any issues that arose, and make the system more robust.

But I also understand Chris's words that 'we shouldn't miss this opportunity.'

After such a large-scale movement, it's highly likely that slave children won't be coming out of the beastman kingdom for a while.

Chris said there had been no information about slaves for about half a year.

Considering that, information similar to this time would likely come at the earliest in half a year, or at the latest next year or beyond.

Considering Baldia's future, perhaps we should take a gamble.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

"Understood. I'll consult with Father about purchasing those slave children all at once."

"...!! Very well!!"

Hearing my words, Chris and Emma both showed very happy smiles.

I've heard they've been together since childhood, so perhaps they had some feelings about this matter.

Thinking such things, I called out to Diana, who had been waiting.

"Diana, sorry to trouble you, but could you ask Father if he has time to see me now?"

"Understood."

Diana acknowledged my words, bowed to everyone including me, and left the reception room.

I turned my gaze back to Chris and Emma and smiled.

"I'll do my best to persuade Father so that I can respond to your feelings."

"Thank you..."

Chris looked relieved at my words, but then asked me hesitantly.

"...Um, if discussions happen after this, would it be alright if we waited here?"

"That's fine, but if discussions happen, they might take a while. Are you sure?"

"Yes, both Emma and I have cleared our schedules today, so it's fine."

Both their eyes seemed burning with intensity.

I was slightly surprised by this, but smiled warmly.

"...I understand. I'll let everyone in the mansion know. Also, I'll convey your feelings to Father, so don't worry."

"...!! I'm sorry, please take care of it."

Emma and Chris lowered their heads upon hearing my words.

Surprised by this, I immediately told them to raise their heads.

It seems they have extraordinary feelings about this matter.

Just as I thought this, Chris suddenly spoke as if remembering something.

"Ah... speaking of which, Lord Ridd, when you were thinking with your eyes closed... you looked exactly like Lord Liner."

"Eh...?! Did I have such a stern face?!"

Surprised by Chris's words, I rubbed between my eyebrows with my hand while waiting for Diana to return to the reception room.

Incidentally, seeing me like this, Chris and Emma both seemed to be smiling.