Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 554

"As always, your transformation is amazing."

Dan let out an impressed groan as he witnessed my appearance, now with longer hair and a more mature look.

"Really? But it's basically just an application of 'Transformation Art.' Thanks to all the things you guys taught me."

"N-no, it's not that big of a deal," Dan stammered, scratching his cheek in embarrassment as I smiled at him.

Seeing this, Ramul and Alice, who were also present, couldn't help but smile.

After the battle with Elba, the amount of magical power within me had exploded. I think it was the result of the immense strain I put on my body during that fight. According to Memory, "The excessive burden you took on to revive caused your magic to surge. But as a result, your lifespan has also shortened." She made it clear that I should never push myself that recklessly again.

So, what is this form, then? It's a combination of the magic I activated during the battle with Elba and the Transformation Art I learned from Dan and the others. It's a bit cliché, but I call it "Transformation Magic."

The difference from Transformation Art is that it consumes a tremendous amount of magical energy, making it very inefficient. As a result, it places a significant burden on the user. This became clear when Dan and I both transformed into the same appearance, and I was noticeably more exhausted. After consulting Sandra about the cause, she analyzed it with great interest.

"Transformation Art is a racial magic that the Tanuki and Fox  tribes  have mastered over many years and passed down through generations. In other words, it's a magic suited to their bodies. In Lord Rid's case, your Transformation Magic is an application of Transformation Art, making it a sort of inferior version. It's not suited to a human body, which is why it consumes so much magical energy. But even so, the fact that you've created such a magic is worthy of your reputation as a 'maverick.'"

I remember how her eyes sparkled brightly as she spoke.

The mechanism of Transformation Magic is similar to me stepping into a "costume" made of magical energy. Since the entire costume is created from magic, it naturally consumes a lot of energy. While it doesn't grant any special powers like those I displayed during the battle with Elba, becoming an adult does make my limbs longer, providing some physical enhancement.

"Still, in that form, no one would recognize you as Lord Rid," Ramul remarked.

Alice nodded in agreement. "They don't know about us either, so they probably won't suspect it's our doing."

"Well, that's the goal. That's why, on top of the transformation, I've also added a 'disguise' just to be safe."

The disguise I and the others were wearing consisted of wide-brimmed black hats and masks covering our eyes, with tailcoats and overcoats, and rapiers at our waists.

"Still, Lord Rid," Ramul tilted his head.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Even if we're disguising ourselves, couldn't we have chosen a different outfit? This one seems a bit too flashy."

"Well, yeah. But if we're going to play the role of 'gallant thieves,' this outfit feels right, you know?"

I couldn't exactly say that I pulled this disguise from my memories of a past life, where it was a simple and effective choice.

"Uh, okay. If you say so," Ramul replied, laughing awkwardly as he and Alice exchanged puzzled looks.

Then Dan interjected, "More importantly, Lord Rid, if you're worried about being recognized, there's a better way."

"Oh? What's that?"

Dan grinned and pointed at my chest. "You could make your chest as big as Lady Rafa or Danae's, so it's obvious even over your clothes. That way, anyone would think you're a woman with that cute face of yours. As long as they don't know about Transformation Magic, there's no way they'd recognize you."

Dan looked smug as he made his declaration, but I could feel the blood draining from my face.

"...No, let's not do that."

"What?! I think it's a great idea. You should definitely do it!"

"I appreciate the suggestion, but let's save that for when it's absolutely necessary."

"No, no, Lord Rid. Now is the time for—ow!"

Dan persisted, but Alice stopped him with a punch.

"That's enough. Lord Rid said he'd rather not. Any further insistence would be disrespectful, Dan."

"Tch, fine," Dan pouted, glaring at her resentfully.

"Alice, you're just like Lady Diana in that way. You're so inflexible."

"What?! What are you talking about?" Alice's veins bulged as she got angry.

But isn't that a bit disrespectful to Diana? And calling her inflexible is going too far.

I was about to chide him, but Dan shrugged and made a playful face.

"Wow, scary. Right, Ramul? You think so too, don't you?"

"Huh? Well, Lady Diana is like that, but I think Alice is just serious and hardworking. That's a wonderful thing, isn't it?"

As Ramul smiled, Alice looked stunned for a moment, then quickly flustered. "W-w-what?!"

Her face turned redder and redder until she finally looked down.

"What's wrong, Alice? Are you okay?" Ramul asked with concern.

Alice shook her head without looking up. "I... I just need some time alone. N-no, I'm fine. Really."

"......?" Ramul tilted his head in confusion, while Dan sighed. "Wow, she's just like Lord Rid. Totally oblivious."

"Who are you calling oblivious?!"

"Ow!!"

I gave Dan a firm flick on the forehead.

Good grief. I think I understand a bit of what Diana and Capella go through dealing with these guys.

"Lord Rid, this is Aria. Please respond."

A voice came through the communication device, and I immediately activated the communication magic.

"This is Rid. What is it, Aria?"

"The Santas family's carriage group will soon reach the operation point. We're ready for aerial support fire at any time."

"Got it. But Aria, your sniping would give away our identities, so stay on aerial surveillance duty until I give the order."

"What?! Ugh, understood. Ending communication."

The call ended, but I could picture Aria puffing out her cheeks in frustration.

The terror of her sniper attacks from the sky using the magical bow Sentinel was well-known among the Kitsune clan after the battle at the Narrow Fortress. Plus, since only Baldia can use Sentinel, it would inevitably reveal our identities.

As Dan rubbed his forehead with tears in his eyes, I cleared my throat.

"The operation will proceed as planned. No changes for now. Understood?"

"Understood," the three of them replied, their expressions turning serious as if the earlier banter had never happened.

This quick switch was likely thanks to Capella's training.

And so, with the five of us—me, the three of them, and Aria watching from above—we prepared to execute the operation.