Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 604

"W-What are you doing?!"

Her face turned bright red as she protested, but Johan paid no heed.

"Just as I thought. From a distance, it was hard to tell, but you also have a really sweet and pleasant scent. Rid smelled delicious, but you have a more soothing aura."

"S-Soothing? What on earth are you talking about... Hyaa?!"

Citri, tilting her head in confusion, suddenly let out a scream.

Johan had licked the nape of her neck with the tip of his tongue.

"Yep, no doubt about it. Rejoice, Citri. We're a really good match."

"I-I don't understand what you mean. More importantly, please let go of me already."

Johan wore a broad smile, while Citri frowned.

"Aw, just a little longer, won't you? You smell so good."

"Hyaaa?!"

He hugged her with a smile and began sniffing and licking her neck again.

"Lord Johan, Citri is clearly uncomfortable. That's enough. Lord Sekhmet, this is starting to look like outright misconduct."

When Amon shouted in anger, Sekhmet shrugged and gave a wry smile.

"That's true enough. Johan, stop it now."

"But, Mother..."

"Are you refusing to listen to me?"

Just as Johan tightened his grip on Citri to keep her from escaping, Sekhmet's eyes sharpened, and she glared at him.

The intensity of her gaze made Johan's body tremble.

"M-My apologies, Mother. Citri, I'm sorry for pushing you."

"I-It's fine. As long as you understand, it's okay."

Citri, pouting, spoke in a firm tone and quickly returned to Amon's side.

Johan watched her go with slumped shoulders, then dejectedly returned to his seat next to Sekhmet.

I cleared my throat to shift the mood.

"By the way, Lord Sekhmet. Johan mentioned that I also 'smell good.' Could you explain what that means? His actions toward Citri could easily be misunderstood. It would be helpful if you could clarify for everyone here."

While I was personally curious, Amon was visibly suppressing his anger, Citri's face was still red, Tis looked puzzled, Rafa was trembling as usual, and Pianee had furrowed her brow.

Everyone wore different expressions, creating a rather chaotic atmosphere.

If left as is, it could lead to various speculations and misunderstandings.

"That's true enough."

Sekhmet nodded and raised a finger to her nose.

"Among the Catfolk, some of the noble families, including ours, have members who can discern 'special scents.' Our Bestia family is particularly renowned for this ability."

"Special scents? Could you elaborate on that here?"

"Of course. It's something you'd eventually find out anyway."

She answered immediately and gently patted Johan's head with one hand.

"These special scents can indicate strength, presence, power differentials, magical ability, potential, and more. What Johan sensed from Lord Reid and Lady Citri was the scent of 'compatibility for producing strong offspring.'"

"Ah, strong offspring, huh?"

While I was taken aback, the word 'genes' from my past life flashed through my mind.

Vaguely, I remembered hearing that siblings often dislike each other's scents because their genes are too similar.

Conversely, being attracted to the scent of someone outside the family might be due to their having different genes.

I don't know the details, but perhaps this ability allows them to sense that more strongly.

"Children are strange  beings . Even if two talented individuals have a child, there's no guarantee the child will inherit their talents. However, the Bestia family has used this 'scent' to identify partners with whom they can produce stronger offspring. As a result, the Catfolk have produced more Beast Kings than any other tribe in Zveera. That's why Johan got so carried away by the 'scent.'"

"I see. That's quite a unique culture, I must say. A remarkable ability."

"Indeed."

Sekhmet smirked and continued, "By the way..."

"The 'very sweet and delicious scent' Johan sensed from Lord Reid and the 'very sweet and soothing scent' he sensed from Lady Citri indicate a similar level of compatibility. It's a shame you're a boy, though."

"Ugh... Not this again. But if it's about compatibility for producing offspring, shouldn't that only apply to the opposite sex?"

"Who knows? There's still much we don't understand about this ability. But I've also sensed a pleasant scent from someone of the same sex before. Like Luva, for instance."

She glanced meaningfully at Luva, who shuddered.

"H-Hey, we don't need to talk about that here and now."

"Oh my. Luva, known as Sekhmet's right hand, could it be that you two are also...?"

When Gyobu teased her, Luva's face turned bright red as she denied it.

"Of course, I admire her. But I don't see her that way. Sure, when I first met her as a child, I mistook her for a man, but..."

As her words trailed off, Sekhmet murmured nostalgically, "Those were the days."

"Back then, I was quite perplexed by the small girl who was so aggressively pursuing me."

"Sekhmet, don't say unnecessary things in front of Gyobu. If he hears it, the whole of Zveera might know by tomorrow."

Luva glared at him sideways, and he shrugged, shaking his head.

"No, no, I won't spread this around. But I might use it as a trump card someday."

"That's exactly why I don't want you to hear about it..."

She placed a hand on her forehead and let out a deep sigh.

Somehow, I found myself wanting to support Luva, even though we'd just met.

Being dragged around by such unique individuals is quite exhausting.

"Now, Lord Amon. Please ensure that Lord Rid and Lady Citri attend the next tribal chief meeting. We'll announce Johan and Citri's engagement there."

"...Understood."

Amon and I exchanged glances, sighed, and nodded.

We were supposed to discuss future plans with Gyobu and how to build good relationships with the other tribal chiefs.

I never imagined things would turn out like this.

After the meeting, Sekhmet and Gyobu left the Foxfolk territory, looking satisfied.

This meeting was full of unexpected twists from start to finish.

But if I can attend the tribal chief meeting, I'll have the chance to meet all the chiefs at once.

Once Johan and Citri's engagement is made public, it will undoubtedly increase Amon's and my influence within Zveera.

This isn't a one-sided deal that only benefits Sekhmet.

It will also provide a safe opportunity to meet the suspicious tribal chief, Horst Padgory.

Sekhmet probably thinks she's cleverly roped me into Zveera's reforms, but that's fine.

I'll play along with her plan.

I'll change not just the Foxfolk territory, but all of Zveera.

Now, how should I go about it?

As I watched the carriage carrying Sekhmet and the others depart, Amon called out to me.

"Rid, you're scheming again, aren't you?"

"Scheming sounds so harsh. I'm just thinking about how to return the favor. How can I repay them tenfold?"

"Rid's famous payback. Just imagining it is terrifying. But most people would call that 'scheming,' you know."

As Amon joked with a wry smile, I lost myself in thoughts of how to transform Zveera.