Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 351

I dared to raise my voice in response to a thoughtless remark made by Drake, the son of Glade Kelvin's frontier count.

Then he scowled and stared at us.

"What are you raising your voice for? Rid Bardia. You said that other people besides me also have 'the will to rebel' behind their words."

"No, the others were only inquiring about the truth behind your father's words. I never mentioned any intention to rebel."

"What ......?"

Drake frowns and stares at me pointedly.

It seems that he is still unaware of his gaffe.

But his father, frontier count Glade, must have understood it because he has a reluctant expression on his face.

There was no way he could let this situation pass him by.

I am afraid to say this, . What you have just said is only because Lord Drake thinks that my father's words have such intentions behind them. An insult to our House of Bardia in the presence of the Emperor. I cannot possibly overlook it."

"......⁉ Don't be ridiculous! Such a deep-fried ......"

As Drake was about to continue, he was stopped by Glade, who put his hand on his shoulder.

"Stop it, Drake. No one thinks that Rainer has any intention of rebellion. Keep your words to yourself."

He looked around with a surprised expression on his face.

As pointed out by the former Count of Glade, the other nobles present here do not show any pretense of defending Drake.

In fact, they seemed to be sneering at him.

When he noticed this, he seemed to take it as a humiliation, and his face turned red and his hands clenched into fists, as if he was trembling with anger.

Then, Glade took a step forward and bade us farewell.

Reiner, Rid,I apologize for my son's rude remarks."

"Father⁉"

Drake rolled his eyes, but he seemed to understand his intention right away and took a step forward with a face that looked as if he was biting down on a bitter bug.

"Ugh ...... Reiner, Rid sirPlease forgive my thoughtless remarks ......."

'Both of you, please look up. It was a figure of speech, and I'm sure it wasn't what Drake meant. I don't mind."

The father said this, and Glade's face looked up and a look of relief came over his face.

However, I felt that Drake was looking at me with a grudging sideways glance.

At that moment, His Majesty Irwin, the emperor sitting on his throne, raised his voice to us.

"Is it no longer necessary? No further exchanges are appropriate at this time. But, Glade,I think Drake's statement was rash. It is a fact that Drake's remarks were thoughtless. In order to avoid confusion, I will ask your son to leave this room. Understood?"

With a single word from the Emperor, the atmosphere in the audience hall became tense, and Count Grayedo bowed to His Majesty, saying, "I'm awed.

Drake followed with a bow, "...... I understand," but his expression remained grim.

When he looked up, he glanced at me with a look of hatred in his eyes.

The look was so unpleasant that I was startled, but he quickly lowered his eyes and left the room by himself.

Glade remained in the room alone.

I felt a little sorry for him, but Drake's statement was not something I could overlook.

The Bardia family had no intention of rebellion.

If you don't speak up on that occasion, it could lead to troublesome things later on,......, like condemnation.

If my father was to raise his voice, it could cause the relationship between the Kelvin family and the Bardia family to deteriorate.

That's why I spoke up.

Since Drake is the son of the frontier count Glade, by having me, his father's son, step forward, it is possible to end the conversation as a quarrel between two children from the outside.

In other words, it would also save face for both families.

That is why Frontier Count Glade immediately offered an apology, and that is why His Majesty also intervened.

Soon after Drake left the room, His Majesty looked around the place and his voice echoed.

I will speak again about the technological developments in the Bardia territory. Please wait, Your Majesty," a voice called out, and a nobleman raised his hand.

The person standing at the center of attention here...... was the Marquis Berluti.

His Majesty's eyes are openly suspicious of his words and actions.

'It's ......, Berluti.

"I am sorry to interrupt you. But I really need to confirm something that Rainer just said, so please give me a few minutes of your time."

He was very reverent, and answered politely.

His Majesty wrinkled his brow, but looked around to make sure.

The nobles gulped, noting the way His Majesty and the Marquis de Berluti handled the situation.

Hmmm, it doesn't look too good.

If His Majesty ignores the opinion of the Marquis de Berruti here, it might look like the emperor is favoring the House of Bardia.

As I held my breath, His Majesty eventually said, "Hmmm......... is fine. But be brief," he muttered unavoidably.

Thank you."

The Marquis de Berluti bowed to His Majesty and immediately turned his attention to us.

Then, I will be quick, Reiner-dono. I personally think that the 'tax benefits' you just offered are something I should positively consider,......, but I would like to ask you a question.

"...... what is it?"

The Marquis of Berluti's eyes narrowed as he watched the father's eyebrows twitch without changing his expression.

"This means that if any problems should occur in the Bardia territory,......, the Bardia family will be responsible for all the problems,....... Naturally, if any problems should arise in the Bardia territory, it would all be the responsibility of the Bardia family, and depending on the nature of the problem, the Empire might not be able to get involved at worst."

Then Bergamot, who had been standing behind him, gave a theatrical "hmmm," and stepped forward with his arms outstretched.

'Indeed,...... it is as you say, Father. In the first place, it is natural for an 'imperial noble' to report and share the new technology he has developed with His Majesty. It is a bit unfortunate that the Bardia family refuses the government's budget intervention and instead proposes preferential tax treatment, but if any problems arise, the entire empire is to blame. Lord Rainer, we would be grateful if you could enlighten us with your wise thoughts."

Bergamot's mouth relaxes sarcastically with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes as he says this.

Most of the nobles were either agreeing with his words and actions or muttering something like, "Indeed, ......."

In the midst of this, Count Roland made a move like he was going to step forward,......, but when Bergamot caught a glimpse of him with a sideways glance, he got jumpy, his face scrunched up, and he became smaller.

It was as if to say, "Don't do anything unnecessary.

The Marquis Berruti and Bergamot, by the way, have hit on a rather unpleasant part of the story.

Although we had gently turned down the budget because we didn't want to show the new technology being developed in the Bardia territory, they took a hard look at that and took a nasty swipe at us.

Things can be made better or worse by the way they are said or the impression they give, so they are probably trying to manipulate the impression of the Bardia family with their clever words.

As an unpleasant atmosphere began to fill the audience room, the father slowly shook his head in response to Bergamot's question.

"The Marquis Berruti, I don't quite understand ...... why you, the Marquis of Berruti, Lord Bergamot, are now asking for what is rightfully due to you. The Bardia family's territory is a frontier bordering other countries. Therefore, it is only natural that we are responsible for solving problems within our territory as much as possible. We are not obstinately refusing to spend the budget of the Imperial capital. We can only afford to use our own funds to cover our own needs without using imperial blood taxes. That is why we are asking for preferential tax treatment. It is extremely offensive to hear you talk like that."

Father answered firmly, and Bergamot nodded her head in a slightly bored manner.

The Marquis Berruti smiled and gave a few light claps to his father.

No, it's wonderful. As one would expect from the Sword of the Empire, Reiner-dono. Your thoughts and words are truly brilliant. I will support your offer of a tax break."

......That is very kind of you," Father nodded wistfully.

Then, after confirming his words and actions, the Marquis Berruti shifted his gaze to His Majesty and bowed.

"I have no more questions to ask , Your Majesty. I apologize for taking so much of your time."

When he said this, the nobles around the room made a commotion.

Apparently, they thought that the Marquis de Berluti was going to shoot off more questions.

I looked over and saw that the Duke Burns and Glade were a little surprised that the Marquis de Berluti had withdrawn.

His Majesty also looked a little dubious, but nodded his head and said, "Mm.

As for the preferential tax treatment proposed by Rainer, it is not a matter for us to decide here, but we will consider it positively. However, we will discuss this matter again. Everyone is in agreement."

His Majesty's voice echoed through the audience hall, and the nobles bowed in awe.

Naturally, we were equally reverent.

I didn't expect the nobles to react so much to the pocket watch, but I guess we got over it for now.

As we were patting our chests in our hearts without showing it, His Majesty Matilda, the empress, looked at us this time and smiled.

By the way, Rainer. I heard that there are some new things related to beauty in this donation. I wonder if it's time you told me about them.

Father nodded and motioned to me with his eyes.

I nodded and prepared the next gift.