Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 537

"Lord Dynas, that is certainly not the case. This is a method known as 'Ebi-zeme' in Renarute. Those subjected to it will turn completely red in less than thirty minutes, resembling boiled shrimp. After an hour, their skin will turn purple or brown, and eventually pale. If left untreated, death will follow. If we use this on one of the bandits as an example, the others will be terrified and will quickly confess their connections."

"That is an intriguing method. However, I have never heard of such a technique. Could it be that Lord Capella also conducted interrogations in Renarute?"

"No, I did not personally carry them out. My direct superior was fond of interrogations, so I often observed."

If we are speaking of Capella's direct superior, it must undoubtedly be 'Zack Riverthon,' the head of Renarute's shadow organization.

Perhaps the unsettling aura behind his smile was due to his fondness for interrogations.

Wait, hold on a second.

Mother Eltia is a direct descendant of the Riverthon family, inheriting Zack's blood.

Fara, of course, also carries that bloodline, so the occasionally fierce expression she shows... no, that's probably overthinking it.

Besides, discussing torture methods for interrogations isn't appropriate in front of a young boy like me.

"I see. If the opportunity arises, I would like to ask your direct superior about effective methods."

"Certainly. I would be happy to  help you at that time."

As the two of them exchanged smiles and seemed to hit it off, I raised my voice, saying, "Wait, wait!"

"We won't behead, whip, or shrimp-boil anyone. For now, the only harm they've caused is blocking the road, and the impression of Baldia within the Fox Clan's territory is still unclear. If we make too much of a fuss, things will get complicated. This time, we'll just scare them a bit and let them go. We'll observe the situation from there."

I still don't fully understand what the Golden Dawn is.

But since they call Elba their leader, it's certain that a powerful clan opposing Amon is involved.

However, even if we capture them now, it's unlikely we'll obtain significant information. Even if we do, the clan will likely disown them.

In that case, it's better to let them go this time and see how they react.

"Understood. Then I leave it to you, Lord Ridd."

As Dynas stepped back, I raised my right hand and released the stored magical energy.

In the next moment, a fairly large fireball formed above us.

"W-what is that?!"

"I told you, those guys are dangerous!"

Marvelous's eyes widened, and Morse panicked.

For them to be shocked by something like this, the self-proclaimed Elba would be disappointed.

I glared at them, took a deep breath, and...

"We're the heirs of nobility. At least show some respect... ugh."

Just as I was about to deliver a sharp retort, my vision swayed.

I was hit with intense nausea and gagged.

Damn motion sickness.

But then I realized something.

"Ah..."

In the midst of gagging, my control over the magical energy faltered, and the fireball instantly grew larger, shooting toward Marvelous and the others.

A tremendous roar echoed, and magical waves surged.

"Whaaaaaat?! What is thaaaaat?!"

"It's coming, it's coming, Lord Marvelous!"

"Ugh, I can't take the heat anymore!"

"Given it's a fireball, we need to deal with it as quickly as possible... heh heh."

The group calling themselves the Golden Dawn was thrown into chaos by the approaching fireball.

"...Lord Ridd, weren't we supposed to let them go?"

Dynas looked at the scene before us with a dumbfounded expression.

"Ah, haha. Well, that was the plan, but... I mean, they claimed to rival Elba, so they should be fine, right? Plus, it's a good way to show Baldia's power. All's well that ends well, right?"

In truth, it was because my motion sickness caused me to lose control of the magical energy.

But that's embarrassing, so I laughed it off and averted my gaze from the Golden Dawn group.

"D-don't panic! I'll push it back with my own power!"

Marvelous shouted, transforming into a black fox with four tails.

He deployed a magical barrier and tried to hold back the massive fireball with both arms.

"T-this is nothing!"

As his roar echoed, I tilted my head in confusion.

I thought he'd have five or six tails in his beast form, given his boast of rivaling Elba.

But maybe, like Elba, he's hiding his true number of tails.

Just to be sure, I decided to apply a bit more pressure.

I directed my right hand toward the fireball and sent a bit more magical energy into it.

"Uwooooooh?!"

"Huh...?"

But instead of pushing back, Marvelous let out a pained cry and was slowly being forced backward by the fireball.

"Lord Ridd. I fear their strength is far from Elba's, and it seems they aren't hiding any power. At this rate, the entire Golden Dawn will be consumed by the fireball."

"Well, isn't that fine? It's just the right amount of heat to wake them up."

Capella's words were followed by Diana's cold remark.

"Ah, haha. It seems I misjudged their strength."

Scratching my cheek with a wry smile, I raised my right hand controlling the fireball into the air.

Following my movement, the fireball soared high into the sky and eventually disappeared from view.

"Phew, that should do it."

Just as I let out a sigh of relief, Marvelous's triumphant laughter rang out.

"How's that, you all? This is my true power!"

"Woooooh!"

The members of the Golden Dawn, seemingly inspired by his words, let out fierce roars.

"Bwahaha! Did you see that, ridd Baldia? That was your full power, right? But it didn't work on me. In other words, you can't beat me. If you're scared, you should just go back to Baldia. I'll let you off this time, but consider this a warning. Be ready next time we meet. Farewell!"

Marvelus spouted whatever he wanted, then led the Golden Dawn group away in a dramatic exit.

I hadn't even used a fraction of my full power, though.

As I stood there dumbfounded, Dynas cleared his throat.