Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 638

When Kiel was worrying about "How can I become friends with everyone as quickly as possible?", Mel-chan suggested, "Why not try a headband battle like Big Brother did?" However, it seems she thought that both I and Father would oppose the idea.

"Ah, I see."

Even though Kiel is Mel's fiancé, he is still a member of the imperial family. If it were training under Father's supervision, that would be one thing. But if he were to get injured while training with commoners like mercenaries, adventurers, or members of the Second Knight Order, it would be a huge problem. Under normal circumstances, permission would never be granted.

Moreover, the children of the Second Knight Order are beastfolk. While they have been taught imperial culture and etiquette, they are not the type to go easy on someone just because they are "royalty."

"From what I've heard, it seems Kiel and Mel were the ones who proposed this. The members of the Second Knight Order who participated in the headband battle have been given a stern warning. As punishment for reporting after the fact, Kiel will receive special training from me. Mel is being given special training by Nanary."

Father muttered with a look of exasperation, then shot a sharp glance at Kiel and Mel.

"Ah, haha. Father, the special training has really sunk in. I won't do it again, so please rest assured."

"Y-yes. Me too."

The two nodded nervously.

As the "older brother" of the Baldea family, perhaps I should say something here.

I cleared my throat and spoke up solemnly.

"Depending on the situation, reporting after the fact is no good. Before doing anything, you should properly consult with Father or Fara. Got it, both of you?"

Not long after I said that, the lively dining hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes widened.

"Huh...?"

Confused, I tilted my head, and Kiel started shaking his shoulders, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Um, Ridd... was that a joke? Or was it sarcasm?"

"I also don't want to be told that by Big Brother."

Following Kiel, Mel shrugged, and I was left dumbfounded. "Huh...?" Father then cleared his throat.

"...Reporting after the fact is your specialty, isn't it? In this case, it's more accurate to say that your younger siblings have been influenced by your bad habits. As their older brother, you should reflect on this as well."

"Wha..."

The sharpness of his words pierced deep into my chest, leaving me speechless.

When I glanced around the dining hall, the maids were all looking down, their shoulders trembling as if trying to suppress something.

It seems everyone in the mansion shares the same view as Father and Mel.

Is this karma? Or did I dig my own grave?

Either way, I wish I could disappear into a hole.

"...I apologize. As their older brother, I will be more mindful of my words and actions."

I hung my head weakly, and Fara, sitting next to me, spoke up. "W-well, it's true..."

"Reporting after the fact isn't ideal. However, there are many situations where it's unavoidable. As the saying goes, 'A timely stitch saves nine.' The reason Lord ridd has been able to achieve so much as a maverick is precisely because of his excellent judgment and decisiveness. Of course, it's also thanks to the support of those around him. Right, Father?"

"W-well, Fara does have a point."

Father, flustered by Fara's passionate and fluent speech, nodded reluctantly.

"Exactly. So, Lord Ridd, you can continue as you have been."

Fara said this with a strong grip on my hand and a sweet smile.

Her adorable smile and encouraging words lifted my spirits, and I felt a warmth in my eyes.

"Thank you, Fara."

"N-no need..."

As I thanked her, looking into her clear crimson eyes, it felt as if time had stopped.

"Big Brother, you're really loved by Sister Fara, aren't you?"

"Yes, it's truly enviable."

At Mel and Kiel's teasing voices, we snapped out of it and looked around to find everyone in the dining hall watching us with warm gazes.

"N-no, this is..."

"W-well..."

As Fara and I scratched our cheeks in embarrassment, she quickly changed the subject. "Ah, that's right."

"Regarding the matter of reporting after the fact, Mel-chan and Kiel, you shouldn't imitate Lord Ridd."

"Eh, why not?"

"I'd like a convincing explanation, please."

As Mel puffed out her cheeks and Kiel narrowed his eyes, Fara cleared her throat.

"Lord Ridd has been granted a certain level of authority by Father. His after-the-fact reports are the result of making judgments and decisions based on his position. But Mel-chan and Kiel, you two are different, aren't you?"

"Ugh..."

Under the pressure of Fara's smiling yet stern gaze, Mel and Kiel looked guilty and averted their eyes.

"In fact, it's precisely because you two are not in such a position that you didn't—or couldn't—consult me or Father. Isn't that right?"

"S-sorry..."

"Haha, you're absolutely right. Our apologies."

Her voice was gentle, but the cold pressure behind Fara's words forced Mel and Kiel to bow their heads.

"No, no. As long as you understand, that's what matters."

The cold pressure in Fara's voice disappeared, and the atmosphere brightened instantly.

Mel and Kiel let out a sigh of relief.

Fara's angry demeanor is becoming more and more like Mother Eltia's.

No, perhaps that smile with its strange pressure is more like Mother's.

The cold pressure in her voice is like Mother Eltia, while the eerie pressure in her smile is more like Mother.

"Fara is right."

Father spoke up, fixing a sharp gaze on Kiel.

"Especially you, Kiel. Even though you are under the care of the Baldea family, you are still a member of the imperial family. If something happens to Ridd, I can step in and handle it. But in your case, even if I step in, it might not be enough to resolve the situation. You may have more freedom here than in the imperial capital, but with freedom comes responsibility. Don't forget to exercise restraint."

"A-ahaha. Understood."

Kiel, perhaps sensing the truth in Father's words, forced a bitter smile and nodded.

Then, Fara leaned in close to my ear, a smile on her lips.

"Back in the imperial capital, Kiel seemed quite mature and composed. But since coming to Baldea, his actions have become bolder day by day. It must be the influence of Father's training, as well as Mel-chan and you, Lord Ridd."

"Eh, really? I can understand Father and Mel's influence, but why am I included?"

Not long after Kiel arrived in Baldia, I had to leave for the Foxkin territory.

I don't recall spending enough time with him to have had such an influence.

Tilting my head in confusion, Fara chuckled and whispered to me.

"In Baldia, you are seen as a special case, a precedent. No matter what Kiel does, everyone's reactions are a bit muted. For him, that's both shocking and frustrating. But in any case, it seems to be a good stimulus for him."

"Huh, is that so?"

While nodding, I felt a bit uneasy about being called a "special case," but I decided not to press further.

Since coming to Baldea, Kiel has been seriously studying both magic and martial arts.

He excels in both, but his talent leans more toward magic.

His relationship with Sandra, who teaches him magic, is also said to be good.

With his current knowledge, he is even more learned than Fara and me in some areas of the empire.

Given that the reformists in the imperial capital were trying to position him as a rival to Crown Prince David, it's clear that despite his youth, he is exceptionally talented.

Without realizing it, Kiel might have developed a sense of being "special."

However, in Baldea, where comparisons to me are inevitable, Kiel's actions are met with "muted reactions" from everyone.

If this situation were to weigh on Kiel's mind, it could be dangerous, but for now, it seems to have ignited his competitive spirit, so it's not a problem.

But can this really be called my influence?

As I watched Kiel with a wry smile, I tilted my head in thought.