Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 580

"…So, I think it’s better to consult with my father before teaching everyone the  Magic  Blade Technique."

The  Magic  Blade Technique, which I first showcased during my training with Rubens, unexpectedly received high praise from everyone who watched.

Especially from Rubens, Asuna, and Tis, who, while not necessarily weak in spear magic, aren’t particularly skilled in it either. They immediately asked me to teach them the technique.

However, since this is essentially a new form of magic, I explained that it would be difficult to teach them without my father’s permission.

"Understood. In that case, I will also mention the Demon Blade Technique to Lord Liner and put in a good word for you."

"I see. That’s disappointing, but I suppose there’s no helping it. I’ve also been exploring anti-magic swordsmanship to protect the princess, but…"

Rubens nodded respectfully, while Asuna, unusually for her, looked dejected.

As Farah’s personal guard, Asuna is a genius with the sword. She’s proficient in body enhancement, magic infusion, and spear magic, among other things, but her spear magic inevitably pales in comparison to her swordsmanship.

That said, if you face her in training, even if you unleash spear magic from a mid-to-long range outside her sword’s reach, she’ll cut through it all and render it useless, so she hardly has any weaknesses.

However, Asuna has witnessed firsthand how magic has been advancing in Valdia. It’s only natural for her to think that relying solely on swordsmanship and the current state of anti-magic swordsmanship might not be enough.

"Lord Ridd. Asuna is my guard, so could you please make an exception for her?"

"That’s right, brother. Asuna is the one who protects  Princess. Who else would guard her while you’re away in Baldia?"

"Exactly, Brother Lidd. While it’s one thing for me or Sir Rubens, who are part of the knight order, Asuna should definitely be allowed to learn it."

"Brother ridd, I also believe that if Lady Asuna masters the Demon Blade Technique, she’ll become truly invincible."

As Asuna looked downcast, Farah, Mel, Tis, and Citri surrounded me with overwhelming pressure, staring at me with pleading eyes.

Their gestures were cute, but the collective pressure they exerted was quite formidable.

I couldn’t help but flinch and take a step back.

"W-well, I guess it’s fine. Asuna isn’t part of the knight order, so if I teach her privately, it shouldn’t be a problem… right?"

As I tilted my head and nodded, seemingly yielding to their pressure, Asuna’s face lit up, and she grabbed my hand.

"Lord Lidd, thank you! I promise to master the Demon Blade Technique and protect the princess from any danger!"

"Y-yeah, but still…"

"I’m so glad for you, Asuna!"

Just as I was about to add, "After getting my father’s permission," Farah cut me off with a radiant smile.

"Yes, Princess. Thank you, everyone!"

Farah and the others surrounded Asuna, who bowed gratefully, and the atmosphere became warm and cheerful.

Huh? When did everyone become so close?

As I stood there dumbfounded, I heard a voice from behind me.

"No matter how much of a maverick Ridd is said to be, he’s no match for Farah and Meldi, huh?"

Startled, I turned around to see Kiel smiling with narrowed eyes.

"Well, in this case, it’s more accurate to say he’s weak against his wife."

"…I won’t deny that I’m weak against Farah, but it feels a bit unsatisfying to hear that from you."

Kiel probably can’t stand up to Mel either, right?

I responded with a smile, and he tilted his head slightly, adopting a thoughtful expression.

"You’re right. If it were my older brother in the imperial capital, he would have refused any request, no matter who it came from, with a smile and without hesitation."

"Your older brother… you mean David?"

"Yes, that’s right."

Kiel nodded with a grin.

Come to think of it, David, the crown prince, deals with high-ranking nobles in the imperial capital every day. He probably wouldn’t flinch or falter under a little pressure or intimidation.

"That’s what makes Lord ridd so admirable."

Nels, a knight assigned as Kiel’s personal guard, chimed in. He’s the same age as Rubens and Diana and has been friends with them since childhood.

According to my father and Dynas, while Rubens surpasses him in sword talent and combat instincts, Nels is superior in overall ability.

However, Nels has said, "If Rubens becomes the knight commander, I might consider becoming the vice-commander," indicating that he has little ambition for advancement.

My father appointed him as a personal guard because of his high overall ability and lack of ambition for promotion.

It’s surprising how unpredictable life can be. I remember being shocked when he was chosen for the position.

Being a personal guard to someone close to the imperial family is a position that ambitious knights would kill for.

It’s not that we don’t trust the knights, but there’s always the risk that someone with strong ambitions might be swayed by high-ranking nobles from other countries.

It’s not that a lack of ambition guarantees immunity, but it’s a matter of probability based on the individual’s character.

Still, when Nels was appointed as Kiel’s personal guard, there were no objections from within the knight order, so his abilities must be well-known.

It’s a bit odd to see someone with skills on par with Rubens, the vice-commander, choosing to remain a "regular knight," but it seems to suit Nels just fine, and he gets along well with Kiel.

"Lady Danae is right. It’s not like Lord Ridd to refuse with a smile and without hesitation. His expression when he’s troubled is quite adorable."

Danae, who had been standing beside Nels, watching over Farah and the others, made this remark, leaving me, Rubens, Nels, and Kiel utterly stunned.

"Ah, I apologize for my impertinent comment."

Realizing everyone’s gaze, Danae quickly bowed her head in apology, but I scratched my cheek and said, "Don’t worry about it," urging her to lift her head.

Danae is one of the most highly regarded maids working for the Valdia family. She’s a strong candidate for future head maid or deputy head maid, or a position of similar standing.

Incidentally, Danae is beautiful, kind, capable, and has a homely charm. She’s incredibly popular among the men both inside and outside the Baldia household.

With the recent increase in visitors to Baldia, there have even been nobles who came to the estate after falling in love with her at first sight in town. My father politely declined their advances to avoid any commotion.

Come to think of it, when I used transformation magic, Dan the tanuki once told me, "With a bit more effort, you could pass as a woman with that cute face of yours."

"Not to toot my own horn, but is my face really that… cute?"

I asked, trying to suppress my embarrassment, and Danae nodded with a bright smile.

"Yes, absolutely. You have a very adorable face. Right, Sir Rubens?"

"That’s true. Lord Lidd has always resembled Lady Nanari, but lately, the resemblance has become even stronger."

Rubens nodded in agreement, and Nels, after studying my face closely, also chimed in, "Indeed."

"Lord ridd’s aura and expression when angry are just like Lord Riner’s, but up close, his face resembles Lady Nanaly’s."

"I see. So, I usually look like my mother, but when I’m angry, I resemble my father. Is that it?"

I imagined my father’s stern expression and tried to mimic it, furrowing my brows, pursing my lips, and narrowing my eyes sharply.

As soon as everyone saw my face, they all widened their eyes, burst into coughing fits, and then turned away, their shoulders shaking.

Oh, it seems I nailed the expression.

I cleared my throat and said in a low voice, "Rubens."