Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 330

I and Farah were stunned when Father told us that I was seen as a "good candidate" ...... by the central aristocrats.

Father was a little disgusted and began to talk to us.

"I mean it as it is. Some of the central nobles who have learned that you are going to the Imperial Capital have already offered to take this opportunity to make a "connection" with you. I would like to take this opportunity to just meet them at ......."

'What?!"

I couldn't help but raise my voice at the unexpectedness of the conversation.

Then, Fara, who is sitting next to me, blacked out her eyes and then muttered in admiration.

"Rid-sama is also being sought after by the central aristocrats. ......"

'No, no, that's not the point. And I have heard that in the empire, marriages between nobles and concubines are not allowed. If that is the case, why is such an offer being made by the central nobility?

Shaking my head at this, I asked the question as if to pry into it.

I told you, they see you as 'prime piece of property."

Father then explained slowly.

In my case, because I am married to a "princess from another country," if it is deemed necessary to receive an imperial noble's young lady as a side wife, it is thought that the chances of being approved are higher than usual.

Furthermore, the Bardia family has recently strengthened its presence in the imperial capital with lotions and rinses.

In addition, it is known among some of the nobility that the Bardia family has succeeded in developing a "pocket watch" and a "charcoal truck," and it is said that the Bardia family is attracting a lot of attention.

However, as expected, they do not know that I am involved in various developments, and it seems that they only want to be associated with the Bardia family.

Then the father made a reluctant face.

"But the biggest problem is that through you, they want to bring the Bardia family into their own faction.''

'A faction ......?'

I was surprised to hear this unexpected story again, and my eyes widened.

"Hmm. The political factions in the empire are mainly composed of the "conservative faction" led by the Duke of Barnes, the "innovative faction" led by the Marquis of Berluti, and the "neutral faction" that does not belong to either of the three factions. Well, there is also a group of those who are enamored with the teachings of the Church of the Church of the Holy Land of Toga, but I can't say that they are a faction. If anything, they are considered heretical or dangerous by all factions."

I see. ......I guess from what you said earlier that we, the Bardia family, are a 'neutral faction', is that right?

If the central aristocrats are trying to win over the Bardia family through me, then that's what I'm saying.

"That's right. The Bardia and Kelvin families, which are said to be especially strong in military strength within the empire, have long held a position as 'neutral factions'. This is because if either of the two families, both of which have military power, were to fall in line with one of the two factions, the empire would split into the west and the east, which could lead to civil war in the worst case scenario."

Hearing my father's words, I felt something disturbing and a light chill ran down my spine.

In the memories of my previous life, one of the factors that led to my condemnation must have been factional strife.

Perhaps the villainess had been a member of either the "conservative" or "revolutionary" faction.

I, the son of the Bardia family, which has long defended neutrality, participated in this, creating a situation that could upset the balance of domestic politics. ...... If that is the case, I don't think the main reason I was condemned was something like "treason" for inciting internal strife. I was condemned for something like "treason" for fomenting internal strife? Ha, no, I don't think so.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a little too far.

As I shook my head lightly to dismiss the thought, Fara suddenly began to speak.

"I learned about the 'conservatives' and 'innovators' in the empire from my mother in Renalute. I remember that when the empire took its current form after a bitter territorial struggle, there was a dispute between the conservatives, who thought that domestic development should be prioritized, and the innovators, who thought that the empire should attack neighboring countries in order to lead the continent. I heard that the emperor at that time decided to give priority to domestic development, and the conservative faction became stronger in the empire. However, nowadays, I hear that the insistence of the 'revolutionary faction' that the empire should lead all the peoples of the continent is getting stronger year by year, along with the increase in national power."

Fara's fluent description of the political situation in the empire caused my father and I to roll our eyes.

Soon after, my father's expression of admiration appeared on his face.

"Yes, that is correct. You are indeed a retired princess of Renalute. Rid, I think Fara may know more about this area than you do. If you are in trouble in a situation where you cannot rely on me or Garun in this matter, you can rely on her."

"I understand. Fara, I will be counting on you in case of emergency."

"Yes, thank you . I am honored to be of assistance".

She looked a little embarrassed by the way my father and I were looking at her, and her ears moved up and down a little.

Father looked at Fara and smiled for a moment, but then immediately returned to his stern face.

Although they have adopted a 'neutral' position, the Kelvin family is more of an 'innovator. The Bardia family is 'conservative."

Eh,...... that's surprising. The Kelvin family, which has military power and is supposed to be neutral, is closer to the 'innovators'?

 If the House of Kelvin, which is said to have military power equal to that of the House of Bardia, is close to the "innovative faction," then the domestic situation of the empire is more dangerous than you think.

The father showed a difficult face when I asked him such a question.

"I think that was a little confusing. The Kelvins support what the "innovators" say about building up and sustaining military power. The Bardia family agrees with this from a frontier standpoint. The 'conservatives' are always telling us to cut the military budget, as long as we can defend ourselves."

'I see. ......"

Certainly, the 'conservatives' who are looking at the domestic scene may not feel the need for a 'military budget.

When I nodded my head in agreement, my father continued his story with a bit of a fright.

"It means that both 'conservatives' and 'innovators' have their own good and bad points, You will be on the spot sooner or later. Take this opportunity to prepare yourself."

"Ha ha ......"

Certainly, in my position, it will eventually become necessary for me to go to the Imperial Capital and participate in politics as well.

A neutral Bardia family surrounded by conservatives and innovators.

Just thinking about it now seems daunting.

At that time, a question suddenly occurred to me and I asked my father.

"By the way, Father. What would happen if the Bardia family were to fall in line with one of the factions?"

If that were to happen,......, as I said before, the empire would split into 'East and West' in the long run, and in the worst case scenario, there would be 'civil war. And if the "revolutionary faction" gets its way, war with neighboring countries is also a possibility. Even if the " conservatives" defeat the "innovators" in a civil war, a decline in national power and chaos will be inevitable. As a result, there will be an opening for neighboring countries to invade the empire, and the continent may be devastated.

Father shook his head quietly this time.

"But if that happens, the Bardia family may be "condemned" as the nobility that started the civil unrest. Well, that's not likely to happen."

"Yes, that's right. ......"

Father speaks happily, but at this moment, I was thinking that perhaps this is the reason why I was condemned in "Tokirella!

Perhaps what I thought earlier was almost right.

The factions of the villainesses in the game from my memory of my previous life were probably connected to the "Innovative Faction" and the "Conservative Faction".

In other words, I can't belong to either faction. ...... What awaits me in the future beyond that is probably destruction in the name of 'absolution'.

Father, mother, Mel, Fara, and all the people who serve the Bardia family and the territory.

In order to protect them, I cannot do anything bad.

Once again, I felt the horror that lurks in the Imperial City, and cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

Then, Farah asked me with a worried expression.

"Rid-sama, you look a little pale, are you all right?"

As soon as I heard her voice, a flash of inspiration came to me.

Yes, I have my wife, Fara by my side.

I had originally planned to turn down everything, but as long as I had her, I could politely decline any offers of marriage from various factions.

As I was thinking about this, Fara tilted his head anxiously, "Rid-sama, ......?" Fara tilted her head anxiously and peeked at me.

With having his face so close to mine, I hurriedly answered,

"Uh-huh. I'm fine. More importantly, Fara."

'Yes, what is it?"

I turned to Farrah, who was looking at me in a puzzled way, and I grasped her hand firmly and told her with all my might.

"I'm devoted to you. So, please don't worry."

He......⁉ Yes, thank you,...... very much."

At that moment, Fara's face turned bright red and she turned her head down, flapping her ears.

Then Asuna, Diana, and even father rolled their eyes in surprise at what I had said and done.

As soon as I gasp, my father clears his throat and says, "Gohon.

"I don't mind if you're passionate about it, but when you refuse the offers of the central aristocracy and the noble ladies, please do so without rudeness."

"Yes, I understand."

I nodded to my father's words as I felt my face burning hot.

I think I heard Asuna and Diana, who were watching the whole thing from the back of the room, giggle...... probably because they were imagining it.

On the other hand, Fara is blushing and looking down with her ears going up and down in happiness and embarrassment.

Soon after, the father coughs again, adding to his stern expression and atmosphere.

"Now, let's talk about the details of the 'get-together' we're going to have in the Imperial Capital."

"I understand."

After that, father, me and Fara continued to discuss about going to the imperial capital.

◇

On that day, a girl with long, silky platinum hair and beautiful, clear indigo eyes was summoned to the office of the Marquis Berluti Jean-Paul, the largest mansion in the imperial capital.

She entered the office and bowed to the Marquis de Berluti, who was seated at the back of the room.

"You wanted to see me, Father-in-law".

Yes, I have been expecting you. I have been expecting you, Marone. Actually, there will be a reception at the Bardia family mansion in the Imperial capital. The Bardia family's eldest son, Rid Bardia, who is the same age as you, is also going to be there. I thought I would bring you and my grandson, Berzelia, to the party as a way of getting to know each other."

He put the papers in his hand on the desk and smiled good-naturedly.

Marrone, however, replied without changing his expression.

"I understand. Then I will do my best to be of service to my father-in-law and my brother Berzelia."

"Unlike my grandson, Berzelia, you are a brilliant young lady. I'm counting on you. ...... Do you know what this means?"

"Of course I do."

The Marquis of Berluti narrowed his eyes at Marrone, who answered in a clear voice and without hesitation.

'Of course. I'm very proud of you, Marrone. I am sorry to have called you out of your busy schedule."

No, it's nothing at all. There is nothing more important than the call of the father-in-law. Now, if you'll excuse me.

She politely bowed to the Marquis de Berluti and left his office.

Then, remaining alone in the room, he muttered contentedly.

"Marrone is a great talent after all. But, Rid Bardia, isn't it? The grandson of the late Ester and Tristan, and the son of Rainer? I'm looking forward to meeting him."

After saying this, he picked up the documents on his desk and resumed his office work.