Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 574

I straightened my posture and deliberately cleared my throat.

"Father, with all due respect, I have learned to be more 'self-disciplined' than before. Additionally, both Capella and Dynias, the knight commander, are in the Foxkin territory, so I will consult with them properly as things progress. The likelihood of me doing something 'unconventional' is quite low."

"...If you say you've learned self-discipline, I suppose you wouldn't plan something like a disguised assault."

"Ah, well, that was..."

Caught by his sharp remark and gaze, I scratched my cheek and forced a wry smile.

"I mean, I couldn't let that opportunity slip away. How should I put it?"

To eliminate the remnants of the old Foxkin regime, that method was the most effective, so it was truly unavoidable.

It definitely wasn't influenced by the various media I watched in my previous life as a child.

As I stumbled over my words, Father let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

Then, with a thoughtful expression, he began to mutter, "However..."

"Dynias as the overseer. Dynus, huh?"

"Yes. I'm a bit concerned about that as well."

At Father's words, Diana let out a small sigh and nodded.

Suddenly, a heavy atmosphere filled the room, and it felt like the surroundings had darkened slightly.

"Uh, is something wrong?"

"Well, Dynias has the boldness befitting a knight commander, but he's a bit rough around the edges. If you ask me whether he's the right person to be your  personal servant , I'd say he's a somewhat questionable choice."

"I-I see. Is that so?"

I tilted my head, but upon reflection, I realized I hadn't seen Dynias pay much attention to details.

Considering his usual behavior, you could say he's the complete opposite of Diana.

"But given the current situation, we have no choice. I'll write instructions for Dynias and Capella. Ridd, when you return to the Fox tribe  territory, make sure to give it to them immediately. Understood?"

"Y-Yes. Understood."

After the meeting concluded, I introduced Father to the trainees and the children of the noble families I had brought from the Foxkin territory.

Then, I led them to the industrial district of Baldia.

◇

For those I brought from the Fox tribe  territory, the plan was to spend the entire day touring the workshops and occasionally participating in hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of Baldia's technology.

However, Father and I had other matters to attend to.

We needed to inspect the 'prototype' that Ellen and the others had completed.

The Second Knight Order's Technical Development Workshop, a cornerstone of Baldia's progress, is divided into two departments: the 'First Technical Development Division' and the 'Second Technical Development Division.'

The First Technical Development Division primarily focuses on the research and development of weapons and equipment, with Ellen as its head.

The Second Technical Development Division mainly handles the research and development of new technologies, with Alex as its head.

Although the departments are separate, they often collaborate depending on the nature of the research and development.

However, this 'prototype' involved not only Ellen and Alex but also Sandra, a magic specialist from outside the Second Knight Order.

Following the recent assault incident, security in Baldia's industrial district has been significantly tightened.

Currently, knights from the First Knight Order, who are not only skilled and of good character but also thoroughly vetted, are stationed there.

Learning from past mistakes, new magical tools have been developed to counter disguise techniques.

Incidentally, the concept for these magical tools was inspired by the 'arch-shaped metal detectors' I saw in airports and movies in my previous life.

Of course, Ellen and Alex were the ones who developed them.

Unauthorized entry into the premises is strictly prohibited, whether by civilians, outsiders, or even those serving the Baldia family, without permission from Father or me.

Knights have been instructed to apprehend any suspicious individuals loitering around the workshops on sight.

In fact, several individuals suspected of being spies from both within and outside the country have already been arrested.

Naturally, since spies tend to deny everything, it's often difficult to trace their affiliations.

However, once apprehended, their descriptions and various details are recorded before they are expelled from the territory and banned from re-entering Baldia.

If they are caught again within Baldia's borders, they could face the death penalty, so it's unlikely they'll return unless they have a very compelling reason.

Those permitted to enter the workshop premises are given a pendant with the Baldia family crest by the security knights.

Without this pendant, one is considered an intruder and will be arrested on the spot by the knights.

The reason for incorporating the Baldia family crest into the pendant is that the unauthorized use of a noble family's crest is a serious crime.

If someone prepares a counterfeit pendant to infiltrate the workshop premises, they would inevitably have to misuse the Baldia family crest.

In such cases, no matter what excuses the apprehended individual makes, they will not be released and will face intense interrogation by the First Knight Order until they confess.

In the deepest part of the heavily secured workshop premises, a new technology research and development facility, led by Ellen and Alex, has been constructed.

On this day, a certain laboratory within the development facility was filled with an impressive gathering of individuals, including Father and me, Ellen, Alex, Sandra, and Chris.

Diana, meanwhile, was stationed outside the room, tasked with guarding the area.

On the table in the center of the laboratory was a 'magic storage stone' created from thunderstone, capable of storing electricity.

Next to it was the 'box-shaped prototype,' and beside that was a 'vertical prototype' with a lid that could be opened and closed.

The magic storage stone and the two prototypes were connected by various wires, making the setup somewhat elaborate.

"Now, Lord Riner, Lord Ridd, may I turn on the power?"

"Yes."

"Go ahead."

At Ellen's words, Father and I nodded, and everyone in the room tensed up, holding their breath as they watched the prototypes.

Alex exchanged a glance with Ellen and said, "Here we go, sis," as he turned on the power for both prototypes.

Shortly after, the box-shaped prototype began to hum with a high-pitched sound, while the vertical prototype emitted a low-quality operating noise.

To the casual observer, nothing seemed to change, but Ellen and Alex wore expressions of relief.

"It's a success, Alex."

"Yeah, just as we planned."

After saying this, they opened the lid of the vertical prototype and turned to Father and me with smiles.

"Now, Lord Riner, Lord Ridd, please reach inside the prototype."

"You'll understand the meaning of our successful experiment."

Father and I stepped forward and slowly reached our hands into the prototype.

Soon, Father's eyebrow twitched.

"...It's cold."

"Exactly. With this, I believe we can use it in the same way as the 'refrigerator' from my previous life."

Indeed, the vertical prototype was a 'refrigerator.'

However, the most important development this time wasn't this.

I turned my gaze to the box-shaped prototype.

"So it's finally completed."

"Yes. This is the 'mana converter' you've been wanting, Lord Ridd."

Ellen puffed out her chest with a proud expression, her hands on her hips.

Alex, while giving her a wry smile, also wore a somewhat proud smile.

"This is amazing, truly amazing. This is a groundbreaking invention that will change the world."

As I said this, I enthusiastically hugged Ellen and Alex.