Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 608

"Amon-niisama, Rid-niisama. You don't look so well, are you okay?"

"Yeah, somehow you're looking really pale."

Inside the carriage heading to the tribal council, Tis and Citri, sitting across from me, murmured with concern.

I forced a wry smile while scratching my cheek.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just had a bad dream. Woke up drenched in sweat this morning."

"Me too. Felt like I was hit by some strange energy or something."

At Amon's words, the two tilted their heads in unison. "Strange energy, you say?"

I narrowed my eyes and subtly elbowed Amon in the side, who was sitting next to me.

"W-well, you know. I think it's just because we're not used to the mansion in the royal capital yet."

Amon, startled, scratched his head and laughed awkwardly, trying to brush it off. Tis burst out laughing.

"Amon-sama, I didn't expect you to be so sensitive."

"Ahaha. Yeah, I guess so. Didn't realize it myself."

Thanks to their lighthearted exchange, the atmosphere in the carriage shifted slightly.

It seemed like we had successfully diverted the topic.

What Amon referred to as "strange energy" was likely related to "Gales' secret room."

In fact, I probably had a bad dream because I was affected by that "energy" too.

The lingering smell of dust, dirt, and something slightly foul from that basement still seemed to cling to my nose.

I couldn't remember the details of the dream, but I wondered if it might be related to some future judgment. I asked Memory if he could recall the content.

"I can assure you it has nothing to do with any judgment. Besides, they say dreams are fleeting. If you don't remember, there's no need to force yourself to recall them. Sometimes it's better not to remember."

His reply was firm, almost intimidating.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I nodded and decided not to dwell on the dream.

However, when I ran into Amon during breakfast before we left, there was an awkward tension between us for some reason.

When I asked, it turned out he also had a bad dream and woke up drenched in sweat.

Like me, he couldn't remember the details of the dream either.

"That secret room—once the investigation is done, we'll dismantle it. We'll think of some other use for it."

"Yeah. I think that's a good idea."

I agreed immediately with Amon's suggestion.

Capella and Dynias, who had investigated the secret room, were also at breakfast, but they seemed completely unfazed, showing no signs of having had bad dreams.

As expected of the knight captain and a former member of the covert ops, I guess. That level of "energy" wasn't enough to shake them.

After breakfast, Capella and Dynias said they had something to discuss, so Amon and I were called to the office.

According to them, after thoroughly investigating the room, they found "Gales' journal" hidden under the floor near the bed.

However, most of its contents were deemed highly inappropriate for our education, so Capella only shared the crucial part written at the end of the journal.

*"The groundwork Elba asked me to do for the tribal council is complete.*

*After we take down Baldia, I'll make that insolent man who sent such a rude messenger regret it.*

*But we can't let our guard down within Zubera either.*

*Sekmetos—Elba will likely handle her during the Beast King Battle, making it look like an accident. But that  o... he's an enigma.*

*While we're gathering funds and arranging marriages through slave trading, he's been quietly collecting orphaned beastfolk from all over. His goals and intentions are completely unclear.*

*In the past, I sent spies into his territory, but the last report I received was about a suspicious mansion deep within the restricted area. After that, all contact was lost.*

*To this day, I still don't know the full extent of his operations.*

*Perhaps the greatest threat within Zubera is him.*

*But I have Elba.*

*There's nothing to fear.*

*However, if Elba were to take him down, it would be a truly ironic turn of events.*

*○月×日, Gales Granduke."*

After hearing this, Amon and I both fell into deep thought.

The "insolent messenger" was likely the man named "Robe" that Merdi and Rafa had mentioned.

And "that man" probably refers to someone above Robe, but whether he's the mastermind or if there's someone even higher remains unclear.

At the very least, we know it's a "man."

But what's even more unsettling is the person Gales referred to as "that enigma."

From the journal, it seems to point to a certain tribal leader other than Sekmetos, but who could it be?

And what did Gales mean by "if Elba were to take him down, it would be a truly ironic turn of events"?

I asked Amon, but he shook his head, saying he had no idea.

"Big sister might know something."

"Right. Dynias, could you call her here?"

"Understood."

Shortly after, Rafa arrived at the office.

After explaining the situation, she also shrugged, saying she had no leads.

According to Rafa, Elba herself might know something, but she's still in hiding and her whereabouts are unknown. Confirming anything is practically impossible.

The matter about sending spies happened before Rafa took charge of the covert ops, so the details are unclear.

Even if it had happened after she took charge, spies are constantly being sent into each territory, so based on the journal alone, it's impossible to tell which territory it refers to.

On top of that, Gales sometimes arranged spies independently, so investigating would take considerable time.

With no clear answers and the tribal council approaching, we had no choice but to set off without resolving the issue, leading us to the present moment in the carriage.

"Rid-niisama. You're making a difficult face again. Are you okay?"

"Ah, sorry, sorry. Just thinking about the tribal council."

Citri's worried voice brought me back to reality.

"Is that so? I thought you might be feeling sick since you're not good with vehicles."

"Thanks for worrying about me. But as long as the road isn't too bumpy, I won't get sick right away, so don't worry."

I smiled at her, relieved.

Though, even on smooth roads, I tend to get sick if I'm in a vehicle for too long.

I need to find a proper solution for that someday.

Before long, the carriage came to a stop at the gates leading into the city.

As we stepped out of the carriage, the gates slowly began to open.

"I've been waiting for you."

A familiar voice echoed, and in the next moment, a small white figure rushed out from inside the city.

"Again?" I instinctively braced myself, but Tink and Capella stepped in front of me.

"Too bad. This time, my target isn't you."

The white figure leaped in a different direction.

"What...?!"

As everyone blinked in confusion, a scream rang out.

"Hyahhhh?!"

Looking over, I saw Johan hugging Citri, sniffing her neck.

"You really do smell amazing. I've been wanting to meet you for so long."