Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 668

[Not satisfied with the position of tribal chief and aiming even higher...]

In terms of status, the position of tribal chief should far surpass that of a squad leader in Baldia's Second Knight Order.

If we're talking about a status equal to or higher than Zubera's tribal chiefs, in the Empire, that would likely mean becoming a royal knight directly serving the imperial family or a high-ranking noble.

Perhaps Toruba aspires to become a royal knight and receive a noble title in the future—something along those lines.

Either way, I had no idea he harbored such grand ambitions.

"'Not satisfied with the chief's seat,' you say? Then what exactly *are* you aiming for?"

Hapis fixed Toruba with a sharp glare, but Toruba merely glanced sideways at me.

When I tilted my head in confusion at his gaze, he smiled faintly.

"It’s simple—I intend to continue serving Lord Rid."

"…What?"

"…Huh?"

Hapis’s eyebrow twitched, while I was left utterly dumbfounded.

*Not satisfied with the chief’s seat, aiming even higher…*

And yet, his ultimate goal was to *keep serving me*? What did that even mean?

Toruba chuckled at our reactions and continued.

"To be more precise, it’s about the sights we’ll see from the heights Lord Rid leads us to. No matter what position I hold, those are views I could never witness unless I remain by his side."

"Toruba…"

A warmth spread through my chest, and my throat tightened.

I never expected him—usually so calm and composed—to say something like this.

"I want to see, up close, the place Lord Rid reaches… and the world that unfolds from there."

"…So, you’re saying that standing beside Lord Rid when he arrives at that future holds more value than the seat of a tribal chief. Hence, you refuse an offer that any noble’s son would leap at."

"Precisely. While I’m deeply honored by your offer, I must respectfully decline."

Hapis scowled, his expression stern, but Toruba remained unfazed as he bowed.

To stand so dignified before a tribal chief and deliver such an answer…

I was so moved that before I realized it, I had rushed over and pulled him into a tight embrace.

His furry ear tickled my nose, but I didn’t care.

If anything, it only made me happier.

"Toruba… You’re such a good man."

"Th-thank you. But really, this is how everyone you’ve saved feels. It’s nothing so extraordinary."

He scratched his cheek bashfully, but the way he had spoken so logically and fearlessly before a tribal chief was something only *he* could have done.

Then, Hapis—who had been wearing a severe expression—suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Ha! You’re an interesting one. I like you. If you ever tire of Baldia, come find me. You’ll be welcome anytime."

It was the first genuine smile I’d seen from Hapis since the tribal council.

He must have taken a real liking to Toruba.

Toruba bowed respectfully before him.

"I appreciate the consideration. But I doubt such a day will ever come."

"That’s right, Chief Hapis. Toruba is one of my most valued knights. Now that he’s made his stance clear, I hope you’ll let this matter rest."

When I chimed in, Hapis shrugged and shook his head.

"Very well. I won’t bring it up again."

And so, the beast transformation training under the bovine tribal chief came to an end.

◇

The negotiations, beast transformation training, and investigations for the rice paddy project in the bovine territory—

With all our tasks completed, the following day, we bid farewell to Hapis, the bovine nobles, and the locals before setting off, escorted by a crowd of well-wishers.

This time, I let someone else take the wheel of the charcoal-powered vehicle so that Capella, Chris, and Emma could ride with me in the passenger car.

We needed to discuss the rice paddy survey reports on the way to the bearfolk territory.

No time to waste, after all.

Motion sickness was an issue, but Chris had prepared plenty of anti-nausea candies.

As long as I kept popping them in my mouth, I’d manage for a while.

Though the risk of cavities was a little concerning.

From what I gathered in their reports, the surveys and measurements for the rice paddies had gone smoothly after we split up, and most of the candidate sites were deemed suitable.

The necessary farming tools for the project would be procured from the Renalute Kingdom via the Christy Company.

After that, Amon and the foxfolk territory would use those tools as references for further research and development.

However, some locals remained skeptical despite the nobles’ explanations.

Naturally, converting large wheat-producing areas into rice paddies overnight was bound to meet resistance.

The consensus was to start small, focusing only on cooperative and manageable sites first.

Without the internet—or even photographs—information was limited, so the locals’ wariness was understandable.

As the saying goes, *seeing is believing*. The key would be to demonstrate successful rice harvests before seeking broader acceptance.

Alternatively, we could bring young representatives from each region to Renalute for agricultural training alongside the nobles.

Rather than just telling them, letting them *see* the value of rice for themselves might be faster.

Speaking of which, by now, Father must have informed King Elias of Renalute about the Beast King Battle.

Prince Reisis might not be told, but Queen Eltia and Zack would definitely hear about it…

King Elias, as a ruler, would probably take the news calmly and objectively.

The real problem was Queen Eltia.

Outwardly, she maintained a cold demeanor, but deep down, she was a kind and wonderful woman.

And though she’d never admit it, she cared deeply for Fara.

She had her reasons for not expressing it, but her feelings were undeniable.

Since we’d already consulted the bovine and bearfolk about sharing agricultural technology before the tribal council, that wasn’t an issue.

But the report about the pre-battle terms—should we lose the vanguard match—must have been delivered by Father after I left Baldia.

I had a feeling a letter from Queen Eltia would be waiting for me when I returned, and the thought was terrifying.

"…Lord Rid, you seem troubled. Is something worrying you?"

"Ah, no, don’t mind me. I was just thinking about how to report this meeting to Renalute."

When Capella tilted her head, I scratched my cheek evasively.

It wasn’t a lie—I *had* been thinking about Renalute and the reports.

"Ah, speaking of which… Lord Rid, I received a letter from Queen Eltia addressed to me, for some reason."

"Queen Eltia sent *you* a letter?"

Not to me, Father, Fara, or Mother—but to *Capella*?

And why was he telling *me* about it?

As I frowned in confusion, Capella pulled an envelope from his pocket.

It looked like it had already been opened.

"When I opened it, this was inside."

"Another envelope… inside the first one?"

"Yes. And this one is addressed to *you*, Lord Rid."

"Wha—?!"

Startled, I took it. The envelope bore elegant, precise handwriting—beautiful, yet carrying a sharp, almost blade-like coldness.

But why…?

The moment my eyes landed on the words, an overwhelming pressure washed over me, sending a chill down my spine.

*"To Capella Didor: Deliver this letter without fail to Lord Rid Baldia, whom you serve. This is an order."*

"Uh… any idea why Queen Eltia sent this through you?"

"Most likely, if she sent it directly to you in Baldia, it would have been intercepted. Even if marked *urgent*, Lord Liner and Lady Nanary would have inevitably learned of it. But a personal letter from Queen Eltia to me wouldn’t raise as much suspicion."

"S-so… she made sure only *I* would read it?"

"Most likely…"

As Capella nodded, the atmosphere in the car grew heavy.

"Well, we’ve finished our reports, so Emma and I will return to our seats. Come, Emma."

"Y-yes, Lady Chris!"

"Lord Rid, please read it in private."

"R-right. Thanks, Chris."

Perhaps sensing the tension, Chris and Emma stood and moved to the front seats.

"I’ll go take a break in my seat too."

"O-okay."

Amon followed suit, leaving me alone in the back with the letter.

"Then we shall wait elsewhere to avoid disturbing you."

"Indeed. Let’s do that."

Capella and Tink also tactfully excused themselves, taking seats farther away.

In Renalute, Queen Eltia had embraced me and said, *"Your mother, Lady Nanary, must be so proud of you."*

And now, she had gone out of her way to send me a secret letter—using Capella as the intermediary.

Given the circumstances, there was a ninety percent chance this was about the *vanguard match*.

Left alone in the back seat, letter in hand, I took a deep breath.

Somewhere in my heart, I’d expected Queen Eltia to make a move eventually.

But I’d assumed it would happen after I returned to Baldia or the foxfolk territory…

I’d underestimated her—both her decisiveness and the depth of her feelings for Fara.

A different kind of tension gripped me—one I hadn’t felt even when facing Father, Mother, or Empress Matilda.

A mix of dread and reluctance warred inside me, but steeling myself, I broke the seal and unfolded the letter.