Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 541

Several days have passed since we arrived at the capital of the Fox tribe  territory, Forneu.

Including myself, the group from Baldia has been living hectic days.

By the way, the day after our arrival, we focused on tightening and reviewing the security measures at the mansion that had become our garrison.

This was because on the night of our arrival, Rafa managed to slip through the security and came to the balcony of the room where I was staying, which raised concerns.

Diana, who had sensed Rafa's presence and came to my room, wore a particularly serious expression.

"Lord Rid, you are an imperial noble and the eldest son of the Baldia family. Regardless of the circumstances, it is highly inappropriate for you to be alone with a woman late at night. Please understand this point once again."

"Well, maybe I was a bit careless, but I'm only nine years old. Being with a woman at night shouldn't really matter, right...?"

Feeling awkward, I tried to brush it off while scratching my cheek, but she shook her head in exasperation and let out a deep sigh.

"That's exactly what I mean by your thinking being naive. While the conflicts on the continent may have calmed down on the surface, in times of constant strife, engagements and marriages were common even at your age. There are records of engagements being decided even before the child was born. In matters of state that determine the fate of nations, age is irrelevant. In fact, haven't you and Lady Fara already been married?"

"Uh..."

I had no retort to her logical argument, especially since it used my own situation as an example.

My marriage to Fara was recognized as a 'special case' due to the complex circumstances between our Contries .

But that only proves that what Diana said is a reality in this world.

This is one aspect where the societal norms of my previous life and this world differ too much, often leaving me bewildered.

If this is pointed out as 'naive thinking,' then I have to admit she's right.

"Alright. Then, I'll make sure to avoid being alone with any woman other than Fara or trusted women serving the Baldia family."

Hearing my response, Diana smiled and bowed deeply.

"I apologize for overstepping. And above all, I sincerely apologize for the lapse in security as your guard."

"No, no. It's true that my understanding was naive, and it was the first day in an unfamiliar place, so it couldn't be helped. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you. However, the lapse in security cannot be excused by it being the 'first day.' I will discuss with Lord Dynas and Capella to thoroughly strengthen the security from tomorrow onwards."

"Eh...?"

And so, starting from the day after our arrival, the security at the mansion serving as our garrison was reviewed.

However, since there are limits to the personnel we brought from Baldia, the focus was on reinforcing the security around my room.

The most significant change in the security measures was that one of the boys from the Second Knight Order would stay in my room with me until I fell asleep.

Kalua, Geding, Ragard, Ramul, and Dan took turns coming to my room every day.

Well, they also serve as conversation partners, and I can hear their opinions on our future moves, so it's not inconvenient.

When we need to discuss things that can't be overheard, like through communication magic, they just leave the room.

At first, it felt a bit excessive, but Diana's point wasn't wrong, and it's true that my response to Rafa was too lenient.

I guess you could call it the consequences of my own actions.

As for me now, today there's a meeting at Amon's mansion where all the Foxkin nobles will gather, so I'm doing a final check on the materials to be used.

Having left the review of the garrison's security measures to Dynas and Diana, I prioritized confirming the current situation of the Foxkin with Amon.

I had heard the general situation from my father, but we needed to confirm recent events and the movements of the nobles.

Of course, we also shared information about the group called 'Golden Dawn' that stood in our way.

Amon was wide-eyed in surprise, and Barbarossa and Karaba were notably indignant, saying, "What a reckless act."

The Fox tribe's  past and present, along with the information we had gathered beforehand. If we can execute this 'plan' that summarizes various improvements, the future of Baldia and the Foxkin should head in a bright direction.

Conversely, if we fail, the Baldia family could end up with an enormous debt.

At worst, we might even be unable to pay off our debts.

If that happens, the imperial nobles who envy Baldia's development will surely come to seize our interests.

Just imagining it is terrifying.

If actions taken to prevent future condemnation end up leading to bankruptcy due to failed territory management, it would be utterly counterproductive.

That's why this meeting absolutely cannot fail.

Still, it feels like I always end up in a do-or-die situation unintentionally.

"Sigh, life is like walking a tightrope."

"Lord Rid, it's almost time."

Ragard, a Fox man  serving as a guard and standing by the wall of the room, spoke in a respectful voice.

"Hm? Oh, is it that time already? Alright, let's go."

I replied while tidying up the documents I had been reviewing and stood up.

"Just to confirm, are the materials for today's meeting all prepared?"

"Yes. All the materials have been checked by Lady Diana and Lady Capella and are in the bag as important documents."

Important documents, huh.

It sounds a bit dramatic, but the materials for this meeting absolutely cannot be leaked.

That's why only Amon and I know the full contents of the meeting materials, and even their existence has been kept hidden from the nobles, to be revealed only at today's meeting.

So, yeah, the meeting is definitely going to get heated.

"Then, everything's in order."

As I prepared myself and headed from my room to the entrance, I suddenly thought about Ragard.

"By the way, Ragard, you're the son of a noble who serves Greas, right?"

"No, I'm the son of a warrior who served a noble supporting Lord Greas. So, I... no, I am not of noble birth."

"Ah, I see. Sorry about that."

"It's alright, please don't worry. But why do you ask?"

"Well, I was wondering if you had heard anything about what kind of person Greas was."

"What kind of person he was, huh?"

Ragard crossed his arms and let out a troubled "Hmm."

Greas Grandork, the younger brother of Gales.

From what I've heard from Amon and Rafa, he seemed like a noble, strict yet kind person who always put his people first.

But that was just the side he showed to Amon and Rafa.

I wonder what he was like to his subordinates or those he trusted.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing particularly noteworthy..."

Just as he was about to say that, Ragard suddenly went "Ah. That's right."