Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 688

"Ugh... my head hurts. I've never felt like this before."

"Ahaha... Sake is strong liquor, so this is what they call a hangover."

Luva, the ratfolk chieftain, pressed a hand to her forehead with a pained expression.

Well, you were downing glasses of it last night... I thought, but couldn't say it outright. Instead, I scratched my cheek and offered a wry smile.

We stood in the training grounds behind the chieftain's residence—just Luva, myself, and Alina, a ratfolk girl from the Second Knight Order's Intelligence Division.

The division captain, Salvia, was indispensable for intelligence sharing within the Baldia Knights, so she couldn't accompany us to Zubera. Deputy captain Silvia remained at the Baldia estate in the imperial capital, while Servia stayed by Father or Fara's side as communications officer.

That left Alina as the only available personnel qualified for this mission. Her skills rivaled even the triplets', so she should withstand Luva's beastform training.

"Lady Luva, I look forward to your guidance in beastform training today."

"Of course, a promise is a promise. I'll teach you properly."

When Alina bowed formally, Luva's pained expression softened into a smile—only to immediately grimace again. "Agh..." She pressed a hand to her forehead. Will she really be okay for training today?

"Please don't push yourself too hard."

"I won't."

She shrugged, then changed the subject. "By the way... how much do you know about beastfolk transformation, Lord Rid?"

"Let me see..."

I mentally organized everything I'd observed about various beastforms along with my theoretical knowledge.

"...Beastform is a racial magic unique to beastfolk, primarily enhancing physical capabilities dramatically. Each tribe has distinctive characteristics, and in some cases, it even affects physique... That's about the extent of my knowledge."

"Impressive, you've done your research. That's essentially correct."

She nodded approvingly before clearing her throat.

"My head still aches somewhat, so why don't I explain the fundamentals of beastform in more detail?"

"I'd appreciate that. But... are you sure?"

"...? About what?"

At my question, Luva tilted her head curiously.

"Well, beastform is supposedly Zubera's classified racial magic. By sharing it with someone from another nation, wouldn't you be committing treason?"

Disclosing state secrets to foreign powers could constitute high treason. Both the divulger and recipient would face severe consequences.

While previous training sessions with chieftains were framed as "instructional," learning "beastform fundamentals" crossed into different territory. Not that I wasn't thrilled—my heart raced at the prospect—but I had to consider the implications.

Luva, however, waved off my concerns breezily.

"It's fine. I cleared this with Sekmetos, and you've already received training from other chieftains, haven't you? Besides, with your connections to the foxfolk, you'd learn eventually anyway... Better to sell it as a favor."

"Understood. In that case..."

If Beast King Sekmetos approved, then no diplomatic issues would arise from Luva's instruction.

Unable to contain my excitement, I leaned forward with a radiant smile.

"I'll gratefully accept that favor."

"E-er, glad you're pleased. I didn't realize you were so interested in beastform."

My enthusiasm seemed to startle her. Oops, got carried away.

I scratched my cheek sheepishly. "My apologies. I'm just... extremely passionate about magic. If not for my position, I'd probably devote myself entirely to research."

This was true. Not that I resented my duties—far from it. Researching magic with Fara, Sandra, Memory, and everyone at Baldia brought me endless joy, often making me lose track of time.

"Oh? How interesting. That very passion might be what drives Baldia's progress."

"I'm flattered you think so."

As I smiled bashfully, Alina chimed in: "Lord Rid's love for magic runs deep. Lady Sandra's research enthusiasm is remarkable, but Lord Rid's unconventional ideas—"

"—?!"

Sensing she might mention communication magic, I activated full-body reinforcement and lunged forward in a burst of wind and dust, clamping a hand over her mouth.

"Mmph?!"

"Hahaha! Are you about to say how my 'unconventional ideas' keep getting me scolded by Father? Ouch, that hurts!"

While laughing exaggeratedly, I glared at Alina, silently warning: Don't mention the communication magic!

"Mmmph!"

She quickly caught on, nodding repeatedly. Behind us, Luva's suspicious gaze bored into our backs.

"What in the world are you two doing?"

"Nothing! Alina was about to recount my blunders, and I got embarrassed. Right, Alina?"

"Y-yes! Lord Rid interacts so casually with us at Baldia that I almost... ahahaha!"

"...?"

As we laughed awkwardly, Luva shrugged. "Well, never mind. More importantly—let's begin our beastform lesson. Lord Rid, Alina, how much do you know about transformation stages?"

I pondered the question. Transformation stages... When Marbas visited Baldia with Elba, he mentioned foxfolk gained more tails depending on mana capacity.

But bearfolk and oxfolk exhibited physical changes at different stages, suggesting variations between tribes. I glanced at Alina, who shook her head slightly.

"Honestly, I don't know the details. I only recall Marbas saying foxfolk transformations affect fur color and tail count based on mana levels."

"Oh? Marbas told you that?"

Luva sounded intrigued, but I continued.

"That's the extent of my knowledge. Beyond that, just scattered details from books and documents."

Most texts only covered basics like tribe-specific appearances and enhanced physical abilities—nothing substantial. Hence why I'd requested training from each tribe during these visits.

"I see. But let me make one thing clear."

Her tone turned grave as her expression hardened. Suddenly, dense magical pressure weighed down on us—Luva was releasing her mana.

"I'm sharing this because I deem the Baldia family—no, because I deem you, Lord Rid, trustworthy. This information must never leave Baldia's circle. If it spreads indiscriminately through the empire, consider all trust between us irrevocably broken... Understood?"

She finished with a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Just like during our negotiations, witnessing her immense power firsthand was staggering. She'd called ratfolk the physically weakest among beastfolk, yet the pressure she emitted surpassed any human, dark elf, or elf I'd encountered.

A chill ran down my spine even as I maintained a calm smile.