Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 653

"Ridd, have a safe trip."

"Yes, Mother. Thank you for seeing me off."

I exchanged an embrace with my formally dressed mother.

Next, after entrusting Diana and Sandra with Mother’s care, I turned my gaze to Fara, who stood beside me.

"Well then, Fara. I’ll be going."

"Lord Ridd, please take care on your journey this time as well."

Narrowing my eyes slightly, I took Fara’s hand, pulled her close, and gently hugged her.

"Fwah…⁉"

"Sorry. It’s just that we won’t be able to see each other for a while again."

Though I heard her adorable voice, I continued holding her and whispered by her ear.

"Y-yes. That’s true… I’ll miss you too."

"...Mhm. Thank you."

Reluctant as I was, I released Fara from my embrace.

Any longer, and our departure would be delayed.

"Big Brother, you two are so lovey-dovey~"

"Nyaa~"

Mel giggled, while Biscuit, the white kitten at her feet, mewed in agreement.

Nearby, Cookie, the black kitten, remained silent with an aloof expression.

"Of course. It’s only natural that I love Fara."

"Eh…⁉"

I proudly responded to Mel’s teasing, causing Fara’s eyes to widen and her face to flush red.

Then, Kiel smirked.

"Heeh. Ridd, what’s gotten into you? You’ve suddenly become so bold."

"I’m not going to stay the butt of jokes forever. Loving Fara dearly is just as natural as my love for Father and Mother. I’ve decided not to care about hiding it anymore."

Glancing sideways, I saw Mother looking puzzled for a moment before suddenly realizing something.

"R-Ridd! Don’t tease your parents!"

"Now, now. Aren’t you and Father deeply in love?"

Before Father left for the imperial capital, I had noticed something.

Every day, without fail, Father and Mother would spend time alone together somewhere.

How did I know?

Because I had been training daily to expand the range of my electric field, keeping track of everyone’s locations within the new estate grounds.

As a result, I ended up noticing that Father and Mother always made time for just the two of them.

"*Sigh*… Really, this child. Should I call him precocious or just silver-tongued?"

Mother sighed in exasperation, and laughter rose from those around us.

Amid the cheerful atmosphere, Curtis smiled gently.

"Lord Ridd, do not neglect your training even while in Zubera."

"Of course. I can’t afford to lose in the Beast King Tournament."

The training he referred to was like sparring sessions with the second knight order’s members and Curtis himself.

Here, the vice-captains were the usual participants.

Though Rubens sometimes joined in, in the Foxkin territory, the captains, Dynas, Rafa, and even Amon would be there.

No doubt, the training there would be even more intense than in Baldia.

"Next time we spar, I’ll give you a black mark, Curtis."

"Haha, how reassuring. I’ll look forward to it."

As Asuna’s grandfather, Curtis was incredibly strong.

We’ve crossed blades many times, but I’ve never once beaten him.

"Brother Ridd."

Hearing my name, I turned to see Citri standing there shyly, holding a letter.

Beside her, Tis was also holding one.

"What is it, you two?"

"Umm, could you please deliver this letter to Brother Amon… and this one to Lord Johan? Ah, but Johan’s letter can wait until you have the chance."

"Got it. I’ll keep them safe. Tis, yours is for Amon, right?"

"Yes, thank you, Brother Ridd."

Taking the letters from them, I carefully tucked them into my coat.

This time, only me, Tink, and Capella would be heading from Baldia to the Foxkin territory, along with Claude and Nina, who would help with childcare.

Claude was still young, and I had told Tink she could stay in Baldia if she wanted, but she flashed a bright smile and refused.

*"No need to worry. Back in my adventurer days, women would carry children on their backs while working. I’m quite fortunate in comparison. Besides, if I stayed, Tis might get too spoiled."*

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but admire the resilience of women adventurers.

Behind the line of coal-powered carriages we were boarding, the Christy Trading Company’s group was also preparing to depart.

Since Chris would be accompanying us for visits and individual meetings with the various tribes, she had joined us as well.

Looking over at them, I saw Chris and Emma bustling about, checking documents right up until departure to ensure nothing was left behind.

Around the carriages, Ellen and Alex, along with Tonage and Thomas, were conducting final inspections.

While coal-powered carriages were undoubtedly revolutionary in this world, their maintenance was far from ideal.

Securing a power source was one thing, but with technology advancing so rapidly, it wouldn’t be long before something replaced them.

The scent and sight of burning coal to start these carriages might soon become nothing more than a nostalgic memory.

"Lord Ridd, it’s almost time."

"Ah, right."

After Tink whispered to me, I straightened up and looked around at everyone who had come to see us off.

"Well then…"

"Lord Ridd, please wait—!"

Just as I was about to say my farewells, a lively voice rang out.

Turning, I saw a girl in the second knight order’s uniform running toward us.

"Phew…! Made it just in time."

"What’s wrong, Salvia? In such a hurry."

Salvia, a mousekin, was a key member of the Baldia Second Knight Order’s intelligence division, specializing in high-precision communication magic.

Usually stationed at headquarters, she rarely made public appearances these days.

"Lady Sylvia from the imperial capital just sent a message. This is a written note from Lord Liner. He asked that you review it on the way to the Foxkin territory."

Sylvia was her younger sister, stationed in the capital as part of the intelligence network.

A letter, huh?

If Father wanted me to read it on the way, he was really asking a lot—considering my motion sickness.

Accepting the letter with a strained smile, I replied,

"Ahaha… I’ll do my best to read it."

"Eh…? Oh, my apologies. I forgot about your motion sickness. It’s fine if you wait until arriving in the Foxkin territory. But once you’ve read it, please contact Lord Liner through Sylvia."

"Got it. For now, could you let them know I’ve received it?"

"Understood. Then, I’ll take my leave. Have a safe journey."

Salvia snapped a crisp salute before dashing off.

Seeing how composed she’d become compared to her once-timid self made me smile.

"Now then… Let’s try that again. I’m off!"

Just as I raised my hand in farewell, Fara stepped forward and pulled two small stones from her pocket.

She struck them together—*clink clink*—creating a sharp, clear sound.

"These are flint stones. That was *kiribi*, a traditional Renalute ritual to ward off misfortune. Please stay safe, Lord Ridd."

"Thank you, Fara."

With that, I boarded the towed trailer house with Tink, setting off once more for the Foxkin territory.