Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 423

After the heads of the various tribes settled down at the sound of Sekhmetos' voice, the meeting began to move forward with Lewa of the Rat People taking the chair and scribe.

Vestia, the royal capital of the beastman nation of Zubera.

The meeting is held here mainly to share information on the status of the territories controlled by each tribe's chief.

The territories governed by each tribe naturally have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For example, a tribe's territory facing the sea can produce salt, while a tribe located inland cannot.

Instead, agriculture flourishes in the territories ruled by the inland tribes.

In addition, the territories of the Cat tribe and the Wolf tribe, which are located on the borders of the cultic lands of toga, are subject to skirmishes and quarrels with the toga.

For this reason, supplies are supplied from each territory.

However, the beastmen have a strong belief in the "law of the jungle," and those who excel in martial arts are given preferential treatment in this world.

Therefore, the production rate of agriculture is not good.

As a result, each tribe sells its children into slavery, a practice that is tacitly accepted.

The Beast King Sekhmetos holds regular meetings to improve these problems.

However, it is not easy for Sekhmetos to unite the tribal leaders, who are all different from each other.

Besides, the rules ...... of each territory, in simple terms, the laws are left to the tribal chiefs who govern the territory.

What is fine in the territory of the Cat People can become a problem in the territory of the Raccoon People,.......

The accuracy of information sharing is also a frequent problem.

If an invader or criminal from another country causes a problem in one of the territories, it inevitably takes time for the information to be transmitted to the other territories.

No, that's not all.

There have even been cases where information was not shared because of the "I don't like those guys from that tribe ......" and it became a big problem later.

Sekhmetos listened to the reports of the tribal chiefs, which were no different from usual, and wrinkled his brow.

The beastmen have high individual combat power, but their organizational strength is weak.

Eventually, she feared, this would lead to a fatal gap in national strength with the empire and the togas.

When all the reports from the heads of the various tribes were finished, Luva, who was presiding over the meeting, cleared her throat.

Then, after all the reports from the various territories had been made, she asked for a show of hands if anyone had any special information to share.

But no one raised their hands.

If there is none, this meeting is now ......."

Just as Ruba was about to announce the meeting was adjourned, Gareth from the Fox tribe raised his hand as if to intercept her.

"A few words, if you don't mind."

"What is it ......?"

She frowned and looked at him suspiciously, but Gareth continued on without thinking about it.

The truth is that we have received information ...... that some children who went 'missing' in the territories of the various tribes are being treated as slaves in the Bardia territory of the Magnolia Empire through Barsto, and we are currently confirming the details.

The tribal leaders who heard his report did not change color and said nothing.

However, each one of them wondered what Gareth was doing ...... now.

It is common for children to be selected from each tribe to be sold to Barsto when they are caught in the slave trade.

Moreover, Gareth's son, Elba, calls on each tribe to collect unwanted children.

He is the one who regularly plans to sell them to Barsto in batches as slaves.

And yet, he is often referred to as 'missing."

However, there was one person who wrinkled his brow and glanced at Gareth's report.

Sekhmetos.

"Well . What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing much, really. As long as I know that my people are being treated as slaves, I will take action to free them. And this one thing. We, the Grandek family, which borders Bardia, would like you to leave this matter in our hands."

When Gareth bailed out, Sekhmetos responded with a "Hmm.

Gyoub. The territory of the Raccoon People also borders Bardia, is there any problem leaving this matter to Gareth?"

"Yes, I suppose so. In exchange, I hope you will not come crying to the Raccoon Tribe no matter what happens."

Guyoub nodded in agreement and turned a quizzical look at Gareth.

Then he sniffed.

"Of course not. My fellow citizens include my own fox people. Then, I guess it's safe to say that you will leave this matter entirely in our hands. Sekhmetos."

"I will leave this matter in Gareth's hands. But don't try to start any trouble with the Empire, okay?"

Sekhmetos said, touching his iron mask with his left hand and glaring at him.

At that moment, the conference room was filled with a strange tension.

It was a kind of magical pressure emanating from her, and a creaking sound was echoing from the wooden round table.

''You are the proud son who made me wear this 'mask'. Tell Elba what I just said. Is that clear?"

"

...... Yes, I understand."

Gareth nodded nonchalantly, not afraid of the Beast King's threat.

Shortly after, the meeting ended and the tribal chiefs left the room one after another.

Soon, Sekhmetos and Ruba were the only two people left in the conference room.

Then, Ruba, wrinkling her brow, spoke up

'Sekhmetos. You don't really mean what Gareth said, do you?"

"Hm? I don't believe that. They are trying to steal the fruits of their neighbor's labor. Let's see how well they do".

But that would offend the empire, right? The fox people's territory is next to the Bardia territory of the empire. The Bardia frontier is ruled by the Counts of Bardia, who are known as the Swords of the Empire, you know?

"Hmmm, that's why, Ruba."

...... what do you mean?"

When Ruba tilted her head, Sekhmetos crossed his legs with his cheekbones.

'Probably this one. It's Elba who's at the helm. He wants to show that the beastmen are a force to be reckoned with, even against the empire."

"I guess he wants to save the missing child ...... for a good cause. But what are they going to do with their power?

"It's obvious. When he himself becomes the Beast King, if he succeeds in this case, it will be a foothold for him to unite the tribal chiefs' opinions and dominate the continent. Well, that's what Elba's ambition is."

I "Well, finally, after all you and I have done, the Beast Kingdom is starting to get a little bit better, you know? If Elba becomes the Beast King, it will be the end of everything."

Although they came from different tribes, they shared the same desire to improve the beast nation of Zubera, and Ruba offered her cooperation to Sekhmetos.

The two began to cooperate with each other and came up with various policies in collaboration.

Shortly thereafter, Ruba noticed something, and Sekhmetos began to laugh.

"Yes . That's why I dare to allow it. Elba and the imperial sword will destroy each other. And if it comes to it, just cut off the whole tribe of foxes."

But what if Elba wins?

"The Empire is not an easy opponent to defeat. Even if Elba wins, he will receive the wounds he deserves. After that, I will push him politically, and if necessary, I will personally lead him in the battle of the Beast King. I owe this mask too much."

Sekhmetos said, turning to the empty door of the conference room and speaking up.

'That's the way it is,' he said. Gyobu, Horst. If you guys are interested, keep an eye on Gareth and the others."

Soon after, Gyob appeared from outside the door, scratching his head.

"...... that's right. If there's going to be trouble in the territory next to ours, I'll keep an eye on things. However, there's a nasty 'Rafa' over there, you know. Well, don't get your hopes up."

"Oh, that's fine. I'll even thank you when you share some good information with me. By the way, are you going to help us, Horst?

"I don't care what happens to the Foxes or any other tribe. I will do as I please."

Horst shows his face and says so, then turns his back and leaves.

At the sight of him, Guyoub cowered his shoulders in dismay.

'Good grief. I don't know what that man is really thinking."

'...... He's dangerous in a different way from Elba. You must not let your guard down."

Sekhmetos nodded at Ruba's words and let out a deep sigh.

◇

Sekhmetos stepped out of the conference room and immediately made his way toward a room.

"Johann. Sorry to keep you waiting, the meeting is over."

She opened the door to the room with a start, and a boy who had been quietly reading a book in the back of the room looked up and smiled at her.

He was called Johan, had the same pale blue eyes and blond hair as Sekhmetos, and a very pretty face.

"......⁉ Mother, I missed you!"

Johann puts down the book he was holding in a familiar place and turns to Sekhmetos.

It was truly a charming sight.

But in the process, Johan suddenly turned into a beast and leapt to the side.

Next, he kicked the wall and went behind Sekhmetos.

It happened so fast that an ordinary person would not have known what had happened.

"Mother . This is how I felt, I was so lonely!"

Johan reaches out to slice his mother's neck with his claws, which are now animalized and sharp.

But Sekhmetos grabs the hand and hugs him directly to her chest.

"Ah-ha! That's Johann. That's my little boy. At your age, it's not every day that a man of your age is able to master the art of beastification and slice my neck open behind my back. I am really looking forward to seeing your promising future."

"Muuuu⁉ Mother, I can't breathe through your chest. Please let me go!"

Sekhmetos, who noticed that Johan was struggling in his chest, immediately released him.

Oops, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But Johann. This practice is only for me. As I always say, do not do it to anyone else, okay?"

"Yes, Mother. "

Hmmm... good boy."

Johann bowed his head with a peculiar smile, and Sekhmetos stroked his head gently as he squinted at him.

Then, he suddenly gazed out of the window of his room.

'The fox people and the Bardia family. Let them each crush each other. For the future of the beastmen nation ...... and for Johan's sake."

When Sekhmetos muttered this, Johan tilted his head. Johan tilted his head.

"Mother, what is the Bardia family?"

" Yeah, a frontier count who governs the Bardia territory of the empire. They say it is so strong that it is known as the sword of the empire."

Johan, who had just finished his first session, huffed, as if something had just occurred to him.

"If there is a girl who is strong and close to my age, I will make her my future wife."

"Ha-ha! That's a good idea. You should call on her right then and there."

After that, Johan asked Sekhmetos to dig deep into the roots of the Bardia family, and he was very curious.