Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 312

The meeting between Rid, Reiner and Barnes in the guest room of the guest house ended.

Rid, who had made the next appointment among the three of them, politely addressed Reiner and the others and then left the room.

Meanwhile, Barnes, who remained in the room and remained seated on the sofa, took a sip of tea before turning his imploring gaze on Reiner.

'Hmm, rumours are often unreliable, but this time you were unusually correct. I can see the nobles having a big fit when your son comes to the Imperial Capital.'

'Don't be ridiculous, Barnes. But I don't hear much of it. ...... What kind of rumours are you hearing?

Yes, I suppose so. 'Well, the rumours are only amongst a select few, but I'll tell you what I know, if that's all right.'

Burns then began to talk about the rumours of an 'unconventional prodigy' circulating among some of the nobility in the imperial capital, as if he were enjoying himself.

According to him, the rumours started circulating around a year ago.

He says that around that time, some of the noble families in Renalute approached the Imperial nobles with whom they were friendly, asking for information on 'Rid Bardia', the son of the 'Bardia family'.

"At that time, the nobleman who approached me was ...... coincidentally a friend of mine."

'Oh .......'

When Reiner quips, he grins and continues his story in a frightened manner.

Barnes says that the Renalute nobility who asked for information asked him, 'To what extent do you know about that unconventional prodigy, Rid Bardia?

'Of course, there was no need to tell them the information from the Imperial nobility, and my friend's answer, who didn't know much about Rid you, was 'I don't know', and that was the end of it. He never heard from the nobleman after that.'

'I see. I didn't know there was such an exchange. But how did it come to be rumoured among some of the nobility?'

Hearing his story, Reiner inwardly clucked his tongue in bitterness.

The one year or so ago that Burns refers to was probably when he took Rid to Renalute.

After all, Rid was too conspicuous at that time.

No matter how much King Elias has kept his mouth shut, it's impossible to stop rumours from spreading.

In response to Reiner's question, Burns smiles wryly.

'Huh, actually, this story didn't end there.'

He then begins to happily explain.

Barnes tells the story of the sudden death of a Renalute nobleman who had asked about Rid.

It is also, apparently, very likely that he was assassinated.

However, he is not the only member of the Renalute nobility who has lost contact with them.

And a number of nobles who were thought to have been assasinated had one thing in common: they had approached the imperial nobility about the 'unconventional child prodigy'.

As a result, it seems that there was a bit of talk about 'unconventional prodigies' among some of the imperial nobility.

'But it's only a rumour. After a while, these rumours soon died down. But only recently have some of the nobility started to talk about it again.:

'What do you mean?'

The rumours had died down once, but were now being whispered about again.

He replied with his hands outstretched in a playful manner.

'It's nothing to worry about. It's you who's the cause, Rainer. In Bardia territory, you bought a lot of beastmen children from Barst in the name of 'protection'. That's not possible, considering the common sense of the Reich and your character. That's when the story of your 'unconventional prodigy' was revived among those who knew you."

'I see. ...... But from what I've heard, it doesn't seem to be as important yet as I thought it would be."

Reiner looked a little relieved when he said this.

The purchase of the children of the beastmen tribe in the name of 'protection' has already been laid the groundwork in advance, not only with the emperor, but also with friendly nobles such as Burns.

Therefore, it was reasonable to say that the rumours had been revived.

It is not as if Reiner had not heard of the rumours circulating among some of the nobles.

However, it is also true that the Bardia family, the party responsible for the rumours, did not hear much about them.

That is why Burns was probed, including by way of confirmation.

And the result was probably within the range of Rainer's expectations.

Seeing the change in Reiner's expression, he smiles and continues talking.

'Well, even the nobles can easily find out about Rid's age. Therefore, even those who know the rumours are aware that 'unconventional prodigy' is overrated and only a rumour. However, it is true that the Bardia family is attracting attention because of the ...... 'pocket watch', and also because of the 'charcoal truck'. Whatever the truth of the rumours, there will be moves to surround you and Rid when you come to the Imperial City. Be prepared."

Burns, who was talking happily, gave a small shake of his head and let out a sigh.

'...... we've finally welcomed the Princess Fara, but the road ahead is not easy.'

'Hmm, I'm hoping that the 'Sword of the Empire' will be able to exterminate the 'monster raccoon, monster fox' and other monsters that lurk in the Imperial City.'"

Seeing Burns' expression with a bright smile on his face, Reiner, who let out a sigh again, shook his head lightly while putting his hand on his forehead, saying 'Oh dear'.

But at that moment, he suddenly remembered the topic related to his daughter, 'Valerie'.

'Come to think of it, Barnes. Your daughter ...... Valerie, I think it was. I heard that she is the most likely candidate to be engaged to the First Prince, but are there any talks going on about that?"

The question may have been unexpected, but Burns's smile changed to a slightly awed expression.

'Oh, that matter is almost decided between us, privately.

'I see. 'No, but neither the Prince nor your daughter would be old enough to be engaged yet. Is something wrong?"

'No, actually. ......'

Barnes leans over and begins to speak in a whisper that only Reiner can hear.

When his daughter, 'Valeri Elasenise', turned six, a birthday party was held at the Duke's house in the imperial capital.

The meeting was held at the same time as a meeting between Valeri and the first prince, with a view to the future.

However, Valerie, who was playing with the Prince, hit the back of her head hard against a wall and fell forward, fainting.

More unfortunately, when Valeri fell, he injured his forehead with a toy that was lying on the floor and even bled.

The imperial family took this incident, which occurred with many witnesses, very seriously and decided, albeit unofficially, that the first prince's fiancée would be 'Valeri Elasenise'.

When Rainer heard the story, he looked aghast.

'...... This sounds like something out of a novel.'

'Exactly. That's exactly what they say: 'Fact is stranger than fiction'. Besides, ...... there's one other thing that's changed since that incident happened."

'......?'

Burns, who was unusually pompous, tilted his head.

Then, after a short pause, he continued.

'Since that day,......, my daughter has suddenly become more clever in some way. My daughter has suddenly become a lot more intelligent since that day, as smart as Rid earlier in the day, if not smarter. Well, my wife and everyone in the house is happy that my daughter has recovered from her strong temper and selfishness.

'Yes, well, ......, strange things do happen, don't they?'

While he was hammering away, Reiner had a sense of déjà vu about a story he had heard somewhere before.

He fainted, and when he woke up, he was as clever as a new person,...... because that was exactly what had happened to Rid.

Reiner was muttering to himself inwardly (no,...... just ......), but he was alone with the feeling that he was about to have another problem to get his head around.

At that moment, Barnes huffs as if remembering something and grins.

'Oh yes, I'd forgotten. The Marquise Berluti, though. I hear he's got a new 'adopted daughter'."

'An adopted daughter, ...... the Marquis has a son and a grandson. And he has an 'adopted daughter'?

Yeah, I don't know the details yet. Well, it's him. I'm sure he's got a lot on his mind. He might be planning to give it to you, Rid.

Burns speaks with a half-joking air of amusement.

But Reiner shook his head with a grave expression.

'That's indeed a no-no, .......'

The two continued to hold talks in the guest room for as long as time allowed.