Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 709

"Fwaaah... I see. So that's why you came to my room."

"Ahaha. Well, yeah, pretty much."

After I explained the situation, Amon, walking beside me, yawned and nodded. By the way, he was also wearing the Beastman tribe's traditional attire.

Looking ahead, Johann was happily leading the way down the mansion's corridor, with our guards, Capella and Tink, following behind us.

Early this morning, Johann visited my room. Taking him up on his offer to show us around the clan chief's mansion, our first stop was Amon's bedroom.

* * *

*'...A tour of the mansion? Okay, I'll get ready right away.'*

Amon, who had poked his sleepy face out the door, agreed to Johann's suggestion without hesitation, despite the sudden visit. However, he seemed still half-asleep and hadn't noticed us.

Meanwhile, I blinked at the sight of Amon's morning appearance, quickly covering my mouth to stifle my laughter. His usually wide eyes were squinty and drowsy, and his hair was a complete mess from bedhead. The difference from his usual sharp appearance was so stark it hit my funny bone.

*'Haha, glad to hear it. By the way, Amon. No, Brother Amon, your bedhead is something else.'*

*'Huh? Bedhead...?'*

At Johann's remark, Amon tilted his head and touched his own hair, then gasped. His sleepiness seemed to vanish instantly, and he turned pale when he noticed me, Tink, and the others.

*'Wha...?! Ridd! And even Lady Tink is here! J-just wait a moment!'*

The door slammed shut, and sounds of frantic movement came from inside the room. Shortly after, Amon emerged, looking his usual self and dressed in the Beastman tribe's attire.

*'Hah... Hah... Sorry to keep you waiting. Well then, let's go.'*

Seeing Amon's sharp, dignified expression as if nothing had happened made our shoulders shake with laughter again.

* * *

And now, as we walked down the hall guided by Johann, I was explaining everything that had happened from last night until now to Amon.

"But a spar between you and Johann, huh? I wish I could have seen it with my own eyes. What a shame."

When Amon said this regretfully, I smiled wryly and scratched my cheek.

"It wasn't that big of a deal. Besides, you'll be able to see it at the Beast King Tournament soon anyway."

"Well, I suppose you're right. I'll look forward to it until then."

"We're here, both of you."

Just as Amon nodded, Johann stopped in front of a room at the very end of the corridor.

"This is my room. Come on in."

No sooner had he spoken than he grabbed the handle, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Johann, the son of the Beast King, gifted with prodigious talent in martial arts. Just what would his room look like? Even though he's a child, does it have training equipment? Or maybe it's filled with books about martial arts? Whatever the case, my chest swelled with expectation and curiosity.

"...Pardon the intrusion.""Excuse us."

Amon and I both entered the room with slightly nervous expressions.

"So? It's a cool room, right?"

Johann puffed out his chest confidently, looking proud.

The interior was modest yet tastefully decorated, with a study desk, a sofa and table for guests, and a large canopy bed. Various weapons like swords, daggers, spears, and bows hung on the walls, including the tonfas Johann used last night.

But Amon and I were captivated by the 'certain items' placed everywhere throughout the room.

"Um, Johann. These things all over the room... they're 'stuffed animals,' right?"

"Of course. What else would they look like?"

When I cautiously asked, he answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"This one here was handmade by my mother. It feels the best to hug when sleeping."

"O-oh, is that so?"

The one Johann picked up and hugged was a slightly large stuffed rabbit. It looked very similar to the one Merle often holds.

As I nodded along, Amon looked around the room.

"...Still, that's an impressive number. Did Lady Sekmetos prepare all of them?"

"Of course not. My mother and father prepared them for me. They're often away on official business, so they said it was so I wouldn't feel too lonely."

"I see, that makes sense."

Amon nodded as if it all fell into place.

The stuffed animals in the room were diverse, from cute ones modeled after animals to ones shaped like people. Among them was a cute stuffed animal modeled after a Beastman child, wearing armor and holding a sword and shield in both hands.

Johann had said it was 'cool,' but 'cute' was probably more accurate. Merle, Tis, and Citri would definitely like them, and even Fara and my mother might surprisingly enjoy them.

*'Hey, Ridd. Have you ever had fun spending time with kids your own age?'*

Suddenly, the words Johann had said at the training grounds resurfaced in my mind, one after another.

*'I haven't. There aren't any kids my age in Zubera with strength equal to mine, and no one tries to compete with me either. Everyone just watches my mood; they're all spineless cowards.'*

*'I'm overjoyed. Finally, I've met a rival, Ridd, someone I can go all out against.'*

Because of his prodigious talent, Johann had no friends, and his parents were busy with official duties, leaving him somewhat lonely. He might not realize it himself, but perhaps having so many stuffed animals was a way to distract from his loneliness.

Maybe Johann and I are similar...

For a moment, I felt like I could see my past self, destined to fall into darkness, overlapping with Johann's figure.

"Hmm...? What's wrong, Ridd? Is there something on my face?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing."

To Johann, who tilted his head quizzically, I shook my head with an evasive smile. It seemed I had been staring at him without realizing it.

I cleared my throat and looked around the room again.

"Yeah, it's a wonderful room. I think Citri would really like it too. Right, Amon?"

"Eh...? Ah, yeah, I think so."

"Really, Brother Amon?"

When Amon nodded, Johann's eyes sparkled happily, and he leaned forward.

"Y-yeah. The clan chief's mansion burned down along with it, but Citri's room also had quite a few stuffed animals. So, I think she'd like this room if she saw it."

"Is that so? Well then..."

Saying this, Johann went and picked up the 'stuffed animal modeled after a Beastman child' from the room.

It was modeled after a Beastman child with golden hair and blue eyes, made with rounded features, making it very cute. It was a bit large, so it seemed just right for hugging.

"Brother Amon. Could you give this to Citri for me?"

"Um, I appreciate the sentiment, but Citri isn't in the Foxman territory right now."

"Oh right, Citri is in Baldia. Ridd, can I ask you?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll make sure to give it to her."

When I took it from Johann and looked at it up close, the stuffed animal seemed to resemble Johann a little.

"Ah, but you have your wife and sisters in Baldia, right, Ridd? Wait a moment."

Saying this, he brought over a few other stuffed animals from the back of the room.

"This one's for your wife. And this one's for your fiancée, Amon, right? And how about this one for your sister, Ridd?"

"O-okay. Thank you."

He handed me the stuffed animals one after another, and they all looked familiar somehow.

The one for Fara was a rounded figure modeled after a human with silver hair and purple eyes. The clothing looked like Imperial nobility.

The one for Tis was a rounded figure modeled after a Foxman with blonde hair, fox ears on its head, and black eyes. The clothing resembled Foxman traditional attire.

The one for Merle was modeled after a black cat sitting on all fours, and this one was made to look quite realistic.

"Please take good care of them. They were all handmade by my mother."

"O-okay, I will."

I nodded as Johann emphasized this, but these were definitely modeled after me and Amon. What was Sekmetos's intention in making these stuffed animals and giving them to Johann? Maybe so he could feel closer to us and become friends? Nah, that's probably overthinking it.

As I stood there dumbfounded, Capella, who was behind me, called out, "Lord Ridd."

"I will take those and bring them to your room first."

"Sounds good. Please do."

"Understood."

Watching Capella carefully take the stuffed animals from me, Johann cleared his throat.

"Well then, let me show you to the next place."

"Yeah, lead the way."

As I replied, he left the room, leading the way. After that, we let Johann guide us and explored the inside of the clan chief's mansion until breakfast time.