Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 544

"Oh dear,  Lady Rafa is truly as whimsical as a cat. But you, on the other hand, are more solitary. I sense a wolf-like aura about you."

Diana, who had been frozen in place,  retruned back to reality and seemed to shiver as if struck by a chill, shaking off Gabriel's hand.

"Don't be ridiculous. Who would ever become your wife? Besides, I'm already married."

As she said this, she flashed the ring on her right ring finger. It was a masterpiece crafted by Rubens, commissioned by Ellen and Alex.

Yet, even after seeing it, he remained smiling.

"Is that so? Then I shall explain to your   husband that he must part ways with you."

"Wha...?"

Before Diana could fully process his words, Gabriel reached for the ring on her finger.

Diana, seemingly frightened by his gesture, took a step back with a tense expression.

"W-what do you think you're doing?"

"Well, what else? Haha. Since you're going to be my second wife, that ring is no longer necessary."

He shrugged nonchalantly, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

This was the first time she had encountered someone so utterly incomprehensible.

Though she felt a sense of terror, she couldn't afford to entertain him any longer.

Just as I was about to intervene, Amon stepped forward.

"Lord Gabriel, Lady Diana serves the Baldia family as Ridd's guard and close aide. I cannot overlook such disrespectful remarks toward her any further."

"Lord Amon, I must disagree. Where exactly have I been disrespectful? I was merely expressing my love. But alas, I wouldn't want to take up any more of your time. Lady Diana, it's a shame, but we shall meet again."

"...No, I have no desire to ever see you again."

"Haha, that's fine. They say that hatred is just another form of love. In other words, you've already been unknowingly drawn to my charm."

Despite Diana's clear rejection, Gabriel flashed a bright, cheerful smile.

Witnessing his unwavering demeanor, Diana shivered as if struck by another chill.

His positive thinking—or rather, his ability to interpret everything in the most convenient way—might make him some kind of genius.

Or perhaps, in this case, he was just a fool.

"Now then, Lord Ridd," Gabriel shifted the conversation, turning his gaze from Diana to me.

His expression was somewhat provocative.

"There's one thing I'd like to ask you, though I know it may be rude."

"Yes, what is it?"

"The rumor that you defeated Elba Grandork is quite famous, but I haven't seen it with my own eyes. Is the rumor true?"

"Gabriel, I told you I won't tolerate any further disrespect," Amon growled in a low voice, but Gabriel simply shrugged.

"That's why I said it upfront—I'm asking with the understanding that it may be rude. And Lord Ridd has accepted it. In this case, it doesn't count as disrespect, does it?"

"That's just sophistry."

"No, it's common sense."

As the two glared at each other, I cleared my throat to draw their attention.

"Amon, it's fine. I don't mind. And Lord Gabriel, I'll answer your question. It's true that I defeated Elba, but it's not the whole truth."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Seeing Gabriel's intrigued expression, I smiled faintly.

"The fact that I defeated Elba is the final result, but getting to that point required the cooperation of everyone in Baldia. Naturally, there were knights who sacrificed themselves along the way. So, while it's true that I defeated Elba, the truth is that it wasn't my strength alone. It was the strength of everyone who serves Baldia."

I glanced around at everyone present.

In the eyes of the world, the battle at the Gap Fortress is often exaggerated as a feat accomplished solely by my father and me.

But in reality, it was the result of the combined efforts of everyone in Baldia who believed in and fought to protect it.

If I were to grow arrogant and overconfident, thinking it was all my own strength, I would surely lose my way eventually.

"I see, I see. That makes perfect sense."

Gabriel nodded repeatedly, seemingly satisfied.

"Lord Ridd, thank you for the explanation. I'll take my leave now, so let's meet again at the next council meeting."

"Sure. See you later."

After hearing my reply, he turned on his heel and began walking toward the mansion.

Just when I thought it was finally over, Gabriel suddenly stopped and turned back to face us.

"Ah, I almost forgot. I believe that one day I will surpass Elba as a warrior, so I hope to cross blades with you someday, Lord Ridd."

With that, he walked away again.

"One day? When exactly?"

I muttered to myself, tilting my head in confusion.

"'Surpass Elba as a warrior'... I feel like I've heard something similar recently."

As I pondered, it suddenly hit me.

"Ah, that guy who called himself 'Marvelous,' the leader of the 'Golden Dawn,' said something similar to Gabriel."

"Most likely, there's a very high chance it's him," Capella responded to my murmur.

Diana, meanwhile, looked utterly exasperated.

"Lord Ridd, fools don't change unless they die. Perhaps I should have swallowed him up with that spell back then."

"Haha... But if that's the case, it's a good thing we let him live. It would have caused a lot of problems, and having someone like him on the enemy's side must be quite a headache for them."

If I were ever in a situation where I had to work closely with someone like Gabriel, even I might feel despair.

But if he's on the enemy's side, there's a good chance we can use that to our advantage.

"Lord Ridd, you can say that because you haven't been in close proximity to that man. Just remembering the time he grabbed my hand makes my skin crawl... ugh."

Diana seemed genuinely nauseated, as if she might vomit on the spot.

"A-are you okay?"

"Y-yes. That man... I just can't handle him. Even the thought of him makes me sick."

"I-I see. Sorry for putting you through that. I'll make sure you don't have to see him as much as possible."

There are just some people who don't get along.

When you reach the point of absolute dislike for someone, even the thought of meeting them can make you feel physically ill.

It's not uncommon for people like Diana to feel nauseated at the mere memory.

I know from my past life that many people have fallen ill from overthinking and worrying too much.

I don't want anyone serving the Baldia family to end up like that.

Moreover, ensuring the physical and mental well-being of the people living in our territory is crucial for its management, as my father taught me.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for your concern."

As I comforted the unusually subdued Diana, we followed Amon's lead and headed to the conference room inside the mansion.