Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 161

"Hmm... Dainas, huh. Certainly, considering everything comprehensively—practical skills, negotiation, guard duty, transport—he'd be suitable. But what do you intend to do about his duties as captain while he's away?"

Father finished speaking and sent me a testing gaze, so I took a deep breath and answered carefully.

"Well... How about having Vice-Captain Cross remain in the territory and act as captain pro tempore? We can have someone else accompany Captain Dainas. If the vice-captain is in the territory, the captain should be able to move more freely on-site. Of course, I'll help Vice-Captain Cross with his duties as much as possible. What do you think?"

As captain of the knights, Dainas usually runs all over Baldia territory.

His duties range from crime suppression to checking border security conditions, and even dungeon subjugation.

Given that experience, he's comprehensively suitable as Father said.

The remaining issue is who will handle matters while Dainas is away, but with me supporting Cross, we should manage.

After hearing my words, Father nodded slightly.

"Very well, we'll have Dainas go to Balst with Chris. Ridd, you and Cross prepare the reception arrangements. Also, I'll assign Rubens as the captain's assistant in place of the vice-captain, so be prepared for that."

"Understood. But assigning Rubens to accompany the captain in place of the vice-captain?"

I looked puzzled at Father's words about assigning Rubens to Dainas.

Certainly, Rubens has been to Renarute with Chris and the others, so considering coordination, he might be suitable.

But is that all? Seeing my expression, Father spoke as if answering my question.

"I've been thinking for a while about having Rubens gain practical experience under Dainas. I intend to have Cross take over Rubens's duties. Including martial arts training with you, of course. Well, looking after Dainas will be tough, but it'll be good experience for Rubens."

Father finished speaking with a slightly amused smile.

Training Rubens under Dainas, I wonder? That might mean Father is thinking of eventually promoting Rubens to 'vice-captain.'

If so, it would be an excellent 'promotion' for him.

I nodded at Father, sending him a gaze as if to confirm my thoughts.

"Is that... you're thinking of having Rubens gain practical experience under Captain Dainas and eventually appoint him as 'vice-captain'?"

"Well, something like that. It'll be a good opportunity for Rubens."

"...Understood."

I nodded in acknowledgment as I replied to Father's words.

Even so, Rubens as vice-captain, huh.

Considering his age, wouldn't he be quite a rising star in the Baldia Knights?

He'd probably be happy to hear it, and Diana would be happy too.

Imagining their delighted faces made me happy, and my expression softened.

At that moment, Chris, who had been silently listening, hesitantly raised her hand.

"Um, Lord Riner, Lord Ridd, I'm having trouble following the conversation, but am I correct in understanding that this person Dainas and Rubens will be accompanying us as guards...?"

Chris's words made me startle, and I turned my gaze to her.

"Ah, sorry. Yes, that understanding is correct. Captain Dainas is the 'Captain' of the Baldia Knights, and he can respond flexibly on-site, so rest assured."

"Th-the 'Captain' of the Baldia Knights will be accompanying us as a guard?!"

Chris and Emma seemed not to have expected the captain himself to come as their guard, showing surprised expressions at the unexpected development.

Seeing them, Father looked at them and explained deliberately.

"This project was conceived by Ridd and Chris, but since we've committed to it, Baldia can't afford failure. This level of personnel is only natural. If there's anything else troubling you, don't hesitate to say so."

"Yes, I'll do whatever I can too, so feel free to speak up if anything comes up."

"Understood... thank you."

Chris looked at Father and me, showing a slightly relieved expression despite her surprise.

After all, going to Balst must hold some anxiety for her.

Having the captain of the Baldia Knights as a guard, I hope she feels at least a bit more reassured.

At that moment, Emma, who had been watching our exchange, said hesitantly.

"U-um, by the way, what kind of person is this Lord Dainas?"

Hearing her words, I thought about Dainas, tilting my head as I spoke.

"...In a word, he's 'The Tough Guy.' He's boisterous, but very good-natured and respected, so rest assured."

"Hmm, Dainas should still be in the mansion. It's sudden, but let's call him in for an introduction. Do you two still have time?"

"Yes, we have time."

Chris and Emma nodded, and Father stood up to instruct Galun, who was waiting outside, to call Dainas.

Then, as we waited in the room, we soon heard heavy footsteps.

There was a knock, and after Father responded, the door swung open energetically.

"Lord Riner, you called for me?!"

As soon as Dainas entered the room, he bellowed boisterously.

As everyone, including me, was taken aback by the volume, Dainas noticed Chris and Emma, bowed, and addressed them.

"...My apologies, I didn't realize you had guests. If my voice startled you, I'm sorry."

"N-no, it's fine."

With his bald head, beard, muscular build, and boisterous demeanor, Dainas is actually polite and has a playful side.

Chris and Emma were startled at first, but seemed to quickly understand his character, smiling.

Looking at them, Dainas turned his gaze to Father and me and said playfully.

"Well now... Was I called back here, having just left, to introduce me to these beautiful ladies?"

"Fufu... They certainly are beautiful women."

At my words, Emma and Chris showed embarrassed expressions, then looked at me.

"Lord Ridd, your jokes have gone too far...!!"

"Oh? I don't think so. Well then, let me properly introduce you to Captain Dainas. These are Chris and Emma from the Christina Trading Company, who've been helping me."

I brushed off Chris's words and turned my gaze to Dainas to introduce them.

Hearing they were from the Christina Trading Company, he showed a slightly surprised expression.

"Oh!! I'm surprised to learn you two are from the Christina Trading Company. My wife loves your 'Christina Skin Lotion' and 'Emma Hair Rinse.' My, my, thank you for providing such excellent products."

"Th-thank you for your kind words."

Chris and Emma seemed not to expect the names of the lotion and rinse to come up, showing slightly embarrassed expressions.

Looking at them, Dainas continued.

"Yes, yes, and that 'Yukata' from Renarute, was it? Bringing that to Baldia territory was quite an insight..."

"Ahem... Captain Dainas, shall we get to the main point?"

Sensing the conversation heading in an odd direction, I deliberately cleared my throat to interrupt Dainas.

He turned his gaze to me, tightened his expression, and spoke with a stern demeanor.

"Hmm... You're right, my apologies. So... what is this about?"

"Yes, well..."

Father and I took the lead and began carefully explaining the upcoming operation to Dainas.

Chris and Emma occasionally joined in to supplement the explanation, responding to his questions as we went along.

Throughout the explanation, Dainas showed none of his earlier boisterousness or playfulness, listening calmly while considering potential issues.

After we finished, he exhaled and spoke deliberately.

"Phew... I understand the details. First, let me deploy several dozen knights I've selected in civilian clothes. Also, please leave all on-site decisions to me. Forgive me for asking, but will you agree to temporarily place the Christina Trading Company under my command?"

Chris nodded quietly in response to Dainas's words.

"Yes, understood."

Dainas, with a stern face, calmly and coolly summarized what seemed necessary on-site as he continued the discussion.

With Dainas joining, the plans we'd previously made became more concrete.

After that, our discussions continued for some time.

◇

"Thanks to Captain Dainas, I think we've worked things out quite concretely. Thank you."

Hearing my words, Dainas grinned.

"Not at all, I'm just doing my job. More importantly, thinking of bringing in beastman children... quite an idea. If any promising ones come along, I'd like some for the knights."

"That won't do. I have various things I need them for... okay?"

I smiled at Dainas while firmly emphasizing that poaching wasn't allowed.

Whether he understood, he shrugged in an 'oh well' gesture and gave a wry smile.

Yes, I want the children who will come to become people who will develop and protect Baldia alongside me.

And so, the gears that would greatly change the fate of both me and Baldia began to turn, little by little.