Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 665

The morning after the negotiations and social gathering in the Bovine-folk territory.

After spending the night in the guest quarters of the chieftain's residence, Ammon and I were invited to breakfast. Today, I wore my usual Empire-style attire—after all, it's what I'm most comfortable in. Ammon, too, was dressed in Fox-folk-style clothing. While it suited him, there's no denying that familiar clothes simply allow for easier movement.

Moreover, unfamiliar garments make me overly conscious—worrying about whether my gestures align with their culture or if I might accidentally tear the fabric. It's mentally exhausting. Back in Baldia, wearing these outfits for fun would be fine, but here, it's a different story. I had already arranged for everyone’s traditional attire, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how they’ll look in them.

Led by a Bovine-folk woman to the breakfast venue, I was stunned by the déjà vu of the scene before me.

Baldia’s representatives, including Chris and Ammon, the Bear-folk chieftain Karua and their nobles, the Bovine-folk chieftain Hapis and their nobles—the gathering was large, so it made sense that the venue was the same as last night’s, with a buffet-style setup where people could eat at any table they pleased.

But…

*"……Are they seriously eating like this first thing in the morning? After that massive feast last night?"*

Spread out before me were the same extravagant dishes from the banquet, piled high on the tables once again.

Was this irony or something else?

The sheer volume of food made the spread unimaginably colorful, even by normal standards.

How much time had passed since last night’s banquet? By my estimation, only a single night.

Surely the Bovine-folk and Bear-folk hadn’t spent the entire night training just to work up an appetite for breakfast, right?

*"Ohhh, this looks delicious! Last night was all about socializing, so I didn’t get to eat enough."*

*"Same here. I had a little, but my stomach started growling before dawn. My wife scolded me for it."*

*"Father, hurry and get my share too!"*

*"Ah, right. Here, about this much?"*

*"Hmm, a little more, please. Oh, and Mother’s portion too—she’s really hungry!"*

Two Bovine-folk noblemen and a child chatted cheerfully while piling food onto their plates—with portions so absurdly large they could rival the size of my head.

*"Wait, ‘didn’t get to eat enough’? ‘Stomach started growling’? Didn’t they clean out the banquet tables last night?"*

The shock of seeing such quantities left me speechless.

Ammon let out a dry chuckle at my muttered disbelief.

*"I’d heard that Bovine-folk and Bear-folk, regardless of age or gender, have enormous appetites due to their builds… but I never imagined it was to this extent."*

*"Just looking at this makes me full. Well, let’s eat what we can, I guess."*

The difference in food consumption was so vast it felt like a cultural shock.

After deciding on seating, Capella and Tink offered to fetch food for us, but I declined, saying, *"Since we’re here, I’d like to pick for myself."*

At first, it was fun… until—

*"Oh my, Lord Lidd. Such a small portion won’t help you grow, will it? Please, you should at least have this much!"*

Every time the Bovine-folk women saw the amount of food on my plate, they looked genuinely concerned and showed me their own plates as reference.

But the ‘amount’ they suggested was easily a ‘large serving’—something even an adult human male might struggle to finish.

Only big eaters like Rubens or Dynas from the Baldia Knights could handle that much.

And for a child? Absolutely impossible.

*"I appreciate the sentiment, but it seems humans and Bovine-folk have very different capacities for food intake. Unfortunately, even this much is more than enough for me."*

*"Eh?! Really? Even our infants eat more than that!"*

Their eyes widened in disbelief, but the portion I’d taken was already substantial. If Bovine-folk babies really ate that much, I had to wonder—did they have four stomachs or something?

*"Please, don’t hold back. Eat to your heart’s content!"*

*"No, really, I can’t eat any more than this."*

I declined with a strained smile, but they wouldn’t relent.

Their expressions and tone made it clear they were genuinely worried, but this was getting awkward.

Maybe I should’ve just let Capella and Tink handle it from the start.

They were nearby, but these women were Bovine-folk nobles—higher in status than Capella and Tink. If they intervened, even unintentionally, it could lead to complications due to rank differences, despite being from different nations.

What should I do?

Glancing to the side, I saw Ammon similarly surrounded by Bovine-folk women, looking just as troubled.

*"That’s enough."*

A deep voice cut through the air. Turning, I saw Hapis and Kamui standing there.

*"Good morning, Lord Hapis, Lord Kamui."*

The women stiffened respectfully, but Hapis waved them off.

*"No need for formalities. More importantly, Lord Lidd is human, and Lord Ammon is Fox-folk. Their bodies are different from ours. The amount Lord Lidd took for himself would be considered large for a human child. Pressing for more, even out of kindness, is discourteous."*

*"Ah…"*

It seemed they finally believed what Ammon and I had been saying.

The women gasped and bowed apologetically.

*"We deeply apologize for forcing our expectations upon you."*

*"No, no, please don’t worry about it."*

As they straightened, I cleared my throat lightly.

*"Honestly, I wish I could eat as much as you all do, but our bodies just don’t work the same way. Still, I truly appreciate your kindness. And I’ve learned that Bovine-folk women are incredibly warm and nurturing. You’re all wonderful people—thank you for your consideration."*

I meant every word.

Watching them enjoy their meals was heartwarming in its own way.

If I could eat that much, meals would be even more enjoyable—though my food expenses would skyrocket.

Tilting my head up slightly to meet their eyes, I smiled.

For some reason, they all froze.

*"Um… is something wrong?"*

When I asked, they snapped out of it and shook their heads vigorously.

*"N-No, it’s nothing! We’ll take our leave now!"*

They scattered like startled spiders.

*"Huh? What was that about?"*

Puzzled, I heard Hapis chuckle.

*"I see. Lord Lidd, you’re called a ‘maverick stormbringer’ for your exploits, but there’s also a rumor that you’re a ‘charmer’ for forging ties with influential figures across nations. Now I understand why."*

*"A ‘charmer’?"*

I’d heard ‘maverick stormbringer’ before, but ‘charmer’ was new.

Was this another baseless rumor?

More importantly, how did talking to Bovine-folk women make me a ‘charmer’?

*"Don’t tease him, Hapis. Your women just have a soft spot for ‘adorable things.’ Lord Lidd’s mannerisms must’ve triggered their strong maternal instincts."*

*"Huh…?"*

My mannerisms triggered their maternal instincts?

Before I could process that, Kamui coughed.

*"More importantly. Lord Lidd, today you’ll be surveying potential paddy field sites within Bovine-folk territory, correct?"*

*"Ah, yes. Capella and the others will handle the measurements while I observe."*

While Ammon and I were being painted in Bovine-folk attire, Capella had already reviewed topographic maps provided by the nobles, conducted interviews, and assessed land slopes and water sources to narrow down candidate locations.

Despite his background in the shadows, Capella possessed extensive knowledge of the Renaluate Kingdom. His expertise made quick work of paddy field surveys and land assessments.

*"Is that so? I’ll accompany the survey, but I’ll need to return to Bear-folk territory ahead of you. The nobles have taken a strong interest in the paddy field proposal. I need to prepare candidate sites and compile additional materials. I wanted to inform you beforehand."*

*"Understood. I’ll let everyone know."*

Good.

It seemed the Bear-folk nobles had also recognized the potential of paddy fields.

Still, one thing concerned me.

The plan was for Bovine-folk and Bear-folk to produce large quantities of rice, which the Krist Trading Company would purchase, process in Baldia, and sell.

But after seeing the Bovine-folk’s eating habits, I wondered if there’d be enough surplus for bulk purchases.

Then again, if this solved their food scarcity issues, it’d earn us immense goodwill—another solid step toward avoiding future condemnations.

As I nodded, Hapis interjected.

*"By the way… try to finish the land survey as quickly as possible. Wouldn’t it be better to leave it to that Capella fellow?"*

*"Huh? Why?"*

When I asked, Hapis grinned.

*"You want to learn about the Bovine-folk’s Beastform, don’t you? Even if we teach you, time is limited."*

*"……! Right. I’ll discuss the survey with Capella, then."*

After the Tanuki-folk, I’d now learn the Bovine-folk’s Beastform.

For Baldia, this meant strengthening the Second Knight Order. For me personally, it was another clue in preparing against Johan.

Maintaining a calm smile, I couldn’t contain my excitement.