Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 591

"Rid. How were Baldia and Lord Reiner?"

"Yeah, everyone was doing well, and there were no particular problems."

When I visited the tribal chief's residence, I was guided to the office.

And now, I was sitting on a sofa across from Amon, who was seated on the other side of the desk in the middle of the room, ready to start our conversation.

Besides us, there were also Capella and Karaba, who were acting as guards, standing by the walls.

The interior of the office was modest, but the wallpaper and furniture had a subtle elegance, and the room was designed to accommodate guests.

I often handled various administrative tasks in this room, and since I was familiar with Amon, I felt more comfortable here than in the guest room.

"So, how have things been on your end?"

"Insanely busy."

In response to my question, Amon shrugged his shoulders and gave a wry smile before starting to explain the recent developments in the Foxman tribe's territory.

Due to the dismissal of the feudal lords, there were territories left without administrators.

While proceeding with the process of placing all these territories under the direct control of the tribal chief, Amon, feeling the strain of the lack of personnel, decided to recruit collaborators for the administration regardless of their status.

"First, ability; second, enthusiasm. High aspirations are a prerequisite. Regardless of status, we are looking for those who wish to brighten the future of the Foxman tribe's territory. Those who believe they are the right person for the job."

This was apparently based on the idea that there were still capable feudal lords and their families within the territory who had to hide due to clashing with Gareth and Elba during the previous regime.

Amon, who recognized that he did not possess the overwhelming power that Elba had to attract others, thought that not many people would respond to the recruitment.

However, when the recruitment was opened, he was astonished to see a large number of young people gathering from all over the territory.

At first, Amon was puzzled as to why so many people had gathered, but as he began conducting interviews, the reasons gradually became clear.

When Amon first became the new tribal chief, many of the people were negative or skeptical, saying, "Amon Grandork, who won with the help of the Baldia family, is not fit to be a tribal chief."

However, starting with the attendance of the Beast King of Zubera and other tribal chiefs at Gareth's funeral, which Amon ostensibly managed, the situation within the Foxman tribe's territory began to change little by little.

What particularly became decisive was the dismissal of the feudal lords. The corruption of the feudal lords had been whispered among the people, but they had been resigned to it.

When Amon and I stepped in and dismissed them all, the people's evaluation of Amon changed dramatically, thinking, "This is the real deal."

To some extent, this was part of the plan, but the fact that the people's evaluation changed so drastically indicates that everyone had been harboring dissatisfaction with the previous regime's administration in their hearts.

The feudal lords also initially questioned Amon's capabilities, but when they saw the Santas family, the head of the previous regime, dismissed and fall from grace, their evaluation changed completely.

Now, they seem to approach Amon with awe and reverence.

"…So that's how it is. Thanks to you, Rid, and the others, the entire Foxman tribe's territory is becoming more and more vibrant. I don't want the people living in the Foxman tribe's territory to suffer as they did before. From now on, I intend to deal strictly with any injustices."

"I see, that's a relief for now."

As a ruler, it's better to be feared than to be underestimated, so the change in the evaluation of Amon and us among the feudal lords is a good trend.

It seems that talented people are starting to gather regardless of status, and due to the oppression under the previous regime, the Foxman tribe's territory will surely develop quickly with the backlash of liberation.

However, seeing Amon's fervor, I felt a tinge of unease and said, "I don't think what Amon is doing is wrong."

"But not everyone is as noble as you. I think it's better to understand that."

"…Rid, I'm sorry. What do you mean by that?"

Amon's expression darkened slightly, and he tilted his head.

"Once, in a book about territory management, I read this saying."

I took a deep breath and carefully chose my words to leave an impression on him.

"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. If a person is too scrutinizing, there will be no followers… Just as water that is too clear cannot support fish, if you nitpick every little thing with good intentions, people will stop coming to you. It's a warning."

"So, you're saying we should overlook some injustices?"

There was a slight edge to his tone, but I looked straight back at him without flinching.

"No, injustices should be properly exposed. But it's important to have a sense of balance in everything. The dismissal of the previous regime's faction was undoubtedly justified. However, if you don't leave room for consideration of circumstances in the future, it could lead to the people who have gathered under Amon leaving."

"A sense of balance and room for consideration of circumstances, huh?"

As Amon pondered with a thoughtful expression, I glanced at Karaba standing behind him.

"Have you heard anything from Barbarossa or the feudal lords?"

"…No, nothing in particular."

Karaba shook his head, but there was a slight hesitation in his actions, indicating that he had heard something.

Amon seemed to sense it too and asked, "It's fine. For the future, please tell us."

"B-but…"

"Nobody can do everything perfectly from the start. Even Amon and I make mistakes. At such times, a true vassal is someone who can advise us when we're wrong."

When I gently told him this, Karaba, who had been hesitating, looked startled.

"Understood. Then, with all due respect, it seems that some voices, regardless of faction, have started to say that Lord Amon is too harsh on the feudal lords due to prioritizing the people. However, given the severity of the previous regime's oppression, I don't think it's something to be overly concerned about."

"Regardless of faction, huh? Thank you for telling me, Karaba."

Amon seemed a bit surprised but quickly returned to his usual expression and gave a wry smile.

"It seems Rid's words are correct. If I hadn't received this advice, I would have continued with strict enforcement. That would have led to opportunities for the remnants of the old factions or outsiders to take advantage in the near future. That's what it means, right?"

"Yeah. Discipline and strict rewards and punishments are important, but if you're too harsh, it will inevitably lead to backlash. The 'dismissal' under the new regime was the whip, so next, you should give the 'candy' of development and balance. That way, the feudal lords should stop complaining."

Injustice must be strictly punished, or political corruption will spread.

But if you're too strict, it can lead to backlash and dissatisfaction, potentially causing conflicts within the organization.

Amon is a noble and upright person.

But perhaps because of that, he unconsciously expects others to have the same mindset as him.

If he can improve on that point, he will become an even more remarkable person.

Enough to be a suitable husband for my sister, Tis.

"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. And the carrot and the stick, huh…"

He muttered as if pondering, then looked at me and shrugged.

"Well, I'm impressed by your advice. But when I talk to you, Rid, I feel like I'm the younger one. You're not using magic to disguise your age, are you?"

"Eh, ahaha. Don't be silly, that's impossible. And hey, I told you, I read it in a book."

I scratched my cheek and laughed, trying to brush off his suspicious gaze.

"Fufu, that's right. Oh, by the way, about that 'book' you read, Rid. Since it's such a good opportunity, could I borrow it? I've read many books, but I've never heard such an interesting maxim. I'm very interested."

"Ah, well, that's…"

What should I do?

The words I told him were from a collection of sayings from classical Eastern literature in my previous life.

I can't exactly say it's from classical literature of my previous life.

As I was thinking about how to respond, Amon shook his head and said, "Ah, no, no. It's fine if it's not possible."

"Probably, it's something from the imperial teachings of the empire, so it's not for outsiders. I'm sorry for asking too much."

"Ah~… Yeah, actually, that's right."

Seizing the opportunity, I fully embraced Amon's misunderstanding.

After all, collections of classical literature sayings are a kind of imperial teaching, so it's probably not entirely wrong.

However, Amon's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward.

"So, it's like that after all. Rid, I'm not asking you to lend me the empire's secret texts. But for the sake of my future learning, could you teach me more orally when you have time?"

"Uh, yeah. Well, if it's just orally when I have time, I guess it's okay."

It's not really the empire's imperial teachings or secret texts, but…

I guess it's okay if I just orally pass on some sayings.

But when Amon heard my answer, he smiled genuinely.

"Really?! Rid, thank you. I will never forget this favor."

"Never forget, huh? Ahaha, Amon, you're so dramatic."

As I gave a wry smile, Capella whispered to me, "Lord Rid, may I speak with you outside the room for a moment?"

"Eh, yeah. Sure, but…"

What's going on? Did some emergency happen?

I told Amon I was stepping out and left the office.

"Capella, what's wrong?"

"Lord Rid. With all due respect, I think it's inappropriate to orally pass on the contents of such imperial teachings, even if it's just orally, to someone outside the country. Depending on the situation, it could even be considered a serious crime."

"Eh?! It's not that valuable, is it? You can read it anywhere…"

I stopped mid-sentence, realizing something.

'You can read it anywhere.'

If you think calmly about the common sense of this world, that's impossible.

Books themselves are expensive, and especially books containing military strategies or imperial teachings could be considered state secrets.

Now I understand why Amon's eyes lit up and why he was so happy.

Even among the countries on the continent, the opportunity to learn about the imperial teachings of a country with considerable national power is something any ruler would be interested in.

Especially someone as ambitious as Amon.

"Ah~… I messed up."

I crouched down, holding my head, and heard Capella's voice.

"Fortunately, since Lord Amon is connected to the Baldia family, it shouldn't be a big problem. But I think it's necessary to make sure it doesn't leak outside."

"…Yeah. I'll do that."

I let out a small sigh and returned to the office, telling Amon, 'The oral teaching is just between us. Absolutely don't let it leak outside.' He smiled and said, 'Of course. If necessary, I'll clear the room and make it just the two of us when you teach me, Rid.'

I guess I'll have to report this to my father later.

Although it's not actually the empire's imperial teachings, it does involve passing on knowledge from my previous life.

Even if I try to cover it up, Capella will probably report it eventually.

And if Amon and my father meet and this topic comes up, it could lead to a loss of trust between them.

"I guess I have to be honest, huh."

As I was pondering and muttering to myself, I heard Amon's voice and snapped back to reality.

"Sorry. I was just thinking about something."

"I see. By the way, I'd like to ask about that matter now, if that's okay."

"That matter?"

I tilted my head, and Amon scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.

"Well, it's about Lady Tis. Since you were with Rid, I thought she must have arrived by now."

"Ah, that matter."

I straightened up, cleared my throat, and started a new conversation.