Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 602

"Umu. Given your age, you would be close to Johan's. However, if possible, it would be most appreciated if we could form a connection with Lady Meldy Baldia, the younger sister of Lord Rid. What do you think?"

Sekmetos cast a meaningful glance in my direction, but I shook my head.

"It's not a matter of 'what do you think.' My sister Meldy  is already engaged to His Highness Kiel Magnolia, the second prince of the empire. Moreover, as you should know, imperial nobles are prohibited by imperial law from entering into arbitrary engagements or marriages with influential figures from other countries, let alone domestic nobles."

There are many, both within and outside the empire, who wish to form ties with influential imperial nobles, so the imperial law I mentioned is well-known even in other countries.

As the Beast King, there's no way she wouldn't know this.

"Oh, I must have overlooked that. Now that you mention it, that's true."

Sekmetos shrugged exaggeratedly, then leaned forward with a defiant smile.

"Very well, out of respect for imperial law, I will give up on forming a direct connection with the Baldia family. In that case, the only option left would be someone subject to the laws of the Beast Kingdom. Incidentally, since this would be a matter within the Beast Kingdom, Lord Ridd, you would have no say in it."

"Wha...?!"

I clicked my tongue inwardly, realizing I'd been outmaneuvered.

From the very beginning, she hadn't been serious about proposing a marriage between Johan and Meldi.

If she had straightforwardly proposed a marriage between Johan and the Grandork family, neither I nor Amon would have readily agreed.

However, by deliberately bringing up the idea of a marriage with Merdi first and then showing respect for imperial law, she had effectively cornered us.

This was a move to block any influence from the Baldia family, which stands behind Amon, and to keep them in check.

"Why so surprised? The Foxman territory belongs not to the empire, but to Zubera. It's only natural that the laws of the Beast Kingdom apply. Moreover, this would be a marriage proposal between the Bestia and Grandork families. I don't intend to make a big deal out of this, but if you, as an imperial noble, interfere too much, it could be seen as meddling in our internal affairs."

"Meddling in internal affairs, you say? That's not a very peaceful term."

I glared back with a smile, but Sekmetos remained unfazed and turned her gaze to Rapha.

"Even you would agree that, given your position and the current state of the Foxman tribe, it wouldn't be ideal."

"That's true. There's that, and while Lord Johan is adorable, I have my eye on someone else, so I must respectfully decline."

Rapha narrowed her eyes and dismissed the proposal lightly.

Her position within the Foxman tribe is similar to that of the Baldia family, serving as a backer for Amon.

If Rapha were to become engaged to Johan, even though the old regime has been purged, it could reignite debates about whether Raphar should be reinstated as the tribe's leader.

When she said 'given the circumstances,' this is likely what she meant.

"Hmm, that's unfortunate. In that case..."

Sekmetos slowly shifted her gaze.

"It seems you would be the best choice."

"W-wait a minute!"

The one who spoke up was Amon.

"While we are honored by the marriage proposal, this is all moving too quickly. Moreover, Citri has only returned home temporarily. It has already been decided internally that she will return to Baldia for further studies soon. Considering the future relationship between our families, we cannot simply reject this outright. Please reconsider."

"Oh, studying in Baldia, you say? That makes me even more interested."

"Huh...?"

The words Amon had used as a pretext for refusal only made Sekmetos lean forward with even greater interest.

"As I said before, if things continue as they are, Zubera risks falling behind the surrounding nations. However, someone who has studied long-term in Baldia, the most rapidly developing territory in the empire, would be an ideal candidate as the 'king's wife' to bring about change in our country."

"Th-that's..."

As Amon and I exchanged uneasy glances, Gyobu clapped his hands and said, "My, my, Sekmetos, your insight is as sharp as ever."

"I support the engagement between Johan and Citri. If the Grandork family, which has ties to both the Beast King's clan and the empire's Baldia, becomes our relatives, it would make things much more flexible."

"Indeed. While it's a rather sudden proposal, I also support this matter."

Following Ruvva's agreement, Sekmetos smirked defiantly.

"And this is also a good deal for you, Amon and Lidd."

"For us as well?"

When I asked skeptically, she nodded.

"You may not be fully aware of this, but the various tribe leaders are, for better or worse, very wary of the new Foxman territory. Especially the Horse and Bird tribes, who handle Zubera's domestic distribution networks. They see the charcoal-powered vehicles as a 'threat.'"

"Are you suggesting that Ridd and I would take over the distribution network with our charcoal-powered vehicles? We would never do such a thing."

As Amon furrowed his brow, Sekmetos shook her head.

"What you think doesn't matter. In this case, what matters is how the other side perceives it."

With that, she suddenly turned serious and glared at us.

"I have high expectations for you two, who defeated Elba and Gales. I see you as the next generation of leaders who will bring change to Zubera—no, to the entire continent. To put it more plainly, I intend to become your backer through this marriage."

"Our backer..."

Amon and I held our breaths and exchanged glances.

It's true that if Sekmetos, the Beast King, were to back us, it would make things much easier within Zubera.

However, given the way this conversation has gone, it's hard to take her words at face value.

While she says she'll back us, it feels more like she's trying to get her hands on Baldia's technology, experience, and knowledge.

Elba and Gales tried to swallow Baldia through sheer force, but Sekmetos is using a cunning, indirect approach to achieve the same goal.

That's the impression I can't shake.

Her sharp gaze and intimidating demeanor suddenly softened as she leaned back in her chair.

"Well, no matter how much you agonize over it, you unfortunately have no right to refuse. This is a 'royal decree' for the future of our nation. Therefore, the engagement between Citri Grandork and Johan Bestia is absolute."

"Wha...?! That's far too tyrannical!"

Amon raised his voice, but Sekmetos remained unmoved.

"Then let me ask you this, Amon Grandork. Which country do you belong to—the Magnolia Empire, or the Beast Kingdom of Zubera?"

"Of course, it's Zubera, but each tribe has the autonomy to govern its own territory. Even as the Beast King, unilaterally deciding on an engagement is tyrannical, as I said."

"It's not tyranny—it's a 'royal decree.' If you defy this decree, the Foxman tribe will be treated as traitors who have defected to the empire."

The room froze at Sekmetos' words.

It was clear that there was no lie in her every word and action.

"Sekmetos. You once stated that your goal was to break away from the 'distorted survival-of-the-fittest mindset,' but isn't your current approach itself distorted?"

When I glared at her and asked in a low voice, she nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, it is. However, doing nothing in the face of an opportunity to break away from it is an even greater issue. I'm sorry, but with the next Beast King election approaching, I can't afford to be picky about my methods."

"The next Beast King election... I see, that's what this is about."

Amon nodded as if he had finally understood.

"What do you mean?"

When I asked, Amon looked at Sekmetos and the others with a stern expression.

"Elba was the leading candidate for the next Beast King, but he's no longer with us. That means the various tribe leaders will compete for the throne, and in terms of strength, it's anyone's game. Sekmetos wants to strengthen ties with Baldia at all costs while she's still the Beast King. It's insurance in case she doesn't retain the throne."

"...So, no matter who becomes the next Beast King, as long as they have ties with Baldia, Sekmetos' influence can't be ignored. Is that it?"

She truly lives up to her title as the Beast King—she's a shrewd one.

In a way, her methods remind me of Empress Matilda in the imperial capital.

"That's quite rude. The next Beast King will undoubtedly be me."

As Sekmetos smiled and said this, a magical pressure on par with—or even surpassing—that of the beastified Elba filled the room, causing the walls to creak.

"Wh-what is this...?!"

So, this is the level of power the tribe leaders possess as they compete for the throne.

Despite my shock, I couldn't help but feel a thrill.

"Oops, it seems I startled you."

She shrugged, and the magical pressure vanished.

"Now, it's pointless for us to keep talking among ourselves. Lady Citri Grandork, I would like to hear your opinion as well. Don't hold back."

"W-well, I..."

Under everyone's gaze, Citri looked at me and Amon.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke up.