Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 674

"E-excuse me for interrupting your family matter. It's terribly presumptuous of me to ask, but might I inquire about the circumstances?"

Amidst the murderous atmosphere, I directed my question to Clan Chief Kamui. While Karua seemed more likely to answer immediately, considering the situation and positions involved, I deliberately addressed Kamui instead.

That said, this felt like the kind of horrific situation where a teacher discovers during a model student's home visit that the family is actually completely dysfunctional. Not that I've ever been a teacher, but still.

"Lord Rid, mind your words."

"Guh...?!"

Kamui's roar shook the grasslands. The magical wind pressure and tremendous volume made the air tremble, instinctively making me flinch. What overwhelming presence. To think this was the same gentle Clan Chief Kamui Magenta from earlier - even seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn't believe it.

"That brat and I are not father and son. As Karua said - 'former.'"

"Former...? Then why did you sever the parent-child relationship?"

"Tch—"

Did he just click his tongue...?! Kamui definitely just clicked his tongue while making a demonic face.

"It's infuriating just to remember. Several months before Baldia took in those so-called 'protected' slaves." Kamui practically spat the words as he pointed at Karua. "This brat opposed my decisions despite being the clan chief's son, then in front of the nobles declared my statements contradictory and unfit for a clan leader."

"Wha...?!"

My eyes widened. For the heir to oppose the chief's decisions was one thing, but doing so before the nobles could practically be seen as rebellion or insurrection.

Karua, who serves as a squad leader in the Second Knight Order, would never normally act that way. If anything, he's always calm and collected, often playing the role of mediator for more assertive members like Ovelia and Mia. Though soft-spoken, he's polite and cares deeply for his comrades - recalling his passionate demeanor during our headband battle confirms he's undoubtedly fervent.

That such a person was not only the clan chief's son but openly challenged his father before the nobles and declared him unfit... Just what kind of exchange had transpired between them?

"Former Father, you always preached that 'the strong should guide the weak.' That's precisely why I spent those days traveling our territory, aiding small villages that couldn't receive proper attention."

"Must we revisit this? I told you then - as the clan chief's son, you must see the bigger picture. When weighing one life against a hundred, someone must make the difficult, harsh decisions no matter how painful. But not everyone can make such choices. That's why the strong must decide and guide the weak. That is the clan chief's position and responsibility."

Kamui's roar again shook the grasslands as magical winds raged. Yet Karua met his glare without flinching.

"So you're saying that justified selling Ared and the others into slavery under the Fox Clan's scheme? Don't screw with me! A true clan chief should have found another way to save his people - even if it meant borrowing other clans' strength!"

"Who the hell are you to say 'don't screw with me'?! Incurring debts to other clans would destroy Zubera's internal balance! That would endanger far more of our people! Must I repeat myself? The clan chief's position and responsibility isn't as light as you imagine!"

Kamui's words about the clan chief's position and responsibility... suddenly reminded me of Father's past words: 'You too will one day face life's scales. Always be prepared to make that decision - as the Margrave's son.'

When I replied, 'Yes. But even before those scales, I'll keep searching for a way to save both until the very end,' Father had laughed. But really, we could have easily ended up like Kamui and Karua - parent and child locked in bitter conflict. This might have been another version of myself, had I not regained my memories.

"Anyone can spout ideals without facing reality, alternatives, or resolve. That's why you remain a brat."

"...Maybe I was back then. But I saw things differently with Ared and the others."

"Saw things...?" Kamui's eyebrow twitched.

"Yeah. After defying you, I went to Balst with Ared. There, people weren't treated as human - beastmen like us were treated as if we were already dead."

"And whose fault is that? You irresponsibly abandoned your position as heir by disobeying my confinement order. You knew exactly what awaited."

"No! Absolutely not! Trading lives based solely on theoretical numbers should never be acceptable. I learned that through experience. And by fate's jest... I met someone who truly practices what you preach."

"What...?!"

Kamui's face contorted with rage, veins bulging dangerously. Karua slowly began turning toward me.

W-wait! I really appreciate the sentiment. It's incredibly moving that someone as level-headed as you - a former clan chief's heir - would say that about me.

But, but now's not the time to look this way!

I desperately shook my head slightly, signaling 'No, don't say my name - that would make things worse!'

Yet Karua's expression softened unexpectedly - into the warmest smile I'd ever seen from him.

"Lord Rid Baldia. He's nothing like you. His strength isn't just superficial power or empty words. He showed me what true strength really means."

*Snap*

In that instant, I could swear I heard something snap.

Simultaneously, the raging winds ceased, leaving an eerie silence.

W-what's happening now?

"Very well, Karua. When you appeared before me without mentioning Rid Baldia - that was the first time."

Kamui's voice had clearly dropped in pitch, gaining a dangerous edge. Moreover, he'd used my full name without honorifics.

Wait - what does he mean by 'first time'? Nothing about this bodes well.

"And now you dare call me 'thick-skinned' to my face? That makes twice."

As he muttered this, magical winds again swept the grasslands - but now saturated with killing intent and magical power far beyond before. I had to activate body reinforcement just to remain standing.

"And just now makes three strikes. I've warned you repeatedly. Fools who still don't understand don't deserve to live."

"You really are short-tempered. Nothing like me."

Hold on, Karua - you're plenty short-tempered yourself!

Though I mentally interjected at their exchange, the situation unfolding before me had escalated beyond reason.

Kamui activated his beast transformation - parts of his clothing tore as his red hair bristled wildly, his body becoming covered in light gray fur. His face elongated, mouth splitting open to reveal large, sharp teeth.

No trace remained of those gentle eyes from before. Most shocking was how Kamui - already enormous - kept growing taller, now easily exceeding five meters with no signs of stopping.

Where sunlight had just reached Karua and me, now only Kamui's shadow loomed.

This looked like something straight out of a cartoon about a dog fighting a bear.

Bad... bad, bad, bad. This is really bad.

The magical energy Kamui radiated rivaled Elba's. If they clashed now, the consequences would be disastrous.

"H-hold on! Let's all calm down! Lord Kamui, please be reasonable! There must be aspects where you can understand Karua's feelings—"

How did coming to learn beast transformation turn into this? I hastily stepped between them.

But Kamui fixed me with a murderous glare.

"Silence, whelp...!"

"Huh...?"

Though I'd tried to mediate, being shouted at left me dumbfounded.

Seeing my stunned expression, Kamui snorted derisively before continuing.

"What could some spoiled lordling raised in privileged lands possibly understand of our clan's suffering? Of my anguish? Not a damn thing. Move aside unless you want to die."

*Snap*

"...I beg your pardon? Would you mind repeating that?"

A roar-like bellow erupted from Kamui's terrifying bear-like visage, sending gales across the grasslands. But that hardly mattered.

Because this time, the sound of something snapping in my head was much louder - and crystal clear.