Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 715

"By the way, Mia. How would you like to become my direct subordinate?"

"Eh...?"

We were all stunned by Sekmetos's sudden proposal, frozen in place.

But Mia snorted and glared at her.

"Don't mess with me. I've sworn loyalty to Lord Ridd and am prepared to have my bones buried in Baldia. I'll have to pass on that offer.""Mia...?!"

Seeing her refuse so immediately brought a warmth to my eyes.

"Oh? You refuse so readily? This is an opportunity to become a direct subordinate of the Beastman Clan Chief... no, of the Beast King herself."

As Sekmetos grinned fearlessly and pressed, Mia clicked her tongue and retorted.

"Save the nonsense for when you're asleep, Your Majesty the Beast King. First, you drive us out of the country, and then you say 'come back because you seem useful'? That's just too lame.""Grr..."

As Sekmetos furrowed her brow at Mia's words, Tabal suddenly burst out laughing.

"Ahaha! Sek, you've been outdone this time."

While the tense atmosphere dissolved completely, Johann stared at Mia and grunted in admiration.

"Ridd's subordinate is amazing. She's the first person I've seen talk back to Mother like that to her face.""Ah, ahaha. Yeah, I'm surprised too."

Mia's fierce competitiveness, combined with her spirited personality, puts her in the top one or two within the Second Knight Order in that regard. Even so, to stand her ground and talk back like that in front of Sekmetos, the Beastman Clan Chief and Beast King, is incredible.

"Well, fine then. It seems Lord Ridd has earned considerable trust and loyalty.""Thank you."

I bowed slightly, then straightened my posture and cleared my throat formally.

"However, Lady Sekmetos. Mia is an important comrade and vassal to the Baldia family... no, to me personally. Such a sudden offer is troubling, so I must ask you to refrain from doing so in the future."

Narrowing my eyes and emitting a slight pressure, Sekmetos laughed delightedly. "Fufu."

"Understood, I'll be careful. Lord Ridd, no need to make such a scary face.""You speak strangely. Where exactly am I making a scary face?"

As she and I exchanged smiles and stares, Tabal stepped between us.

"Lord Ridd, that's enough, Sek. There's still some time left; shall we resume the training? Mia also seems to intend to continue.""Eh...?"

Startled, I looked at Mia. She relaxed the corners of her mouth.

"Lord Ridd, I'm convinced I can become much stronger. May I... continue training with Sekmetos...-sama?""Ah, yeah. Of course. Lady Sekmetos, would that be alright?""Certainly. It's been a while since I've met a child with such backbone. I'll train you thoroughly.""Hehe, that's exactly what I want."

As Sekmetos began walking leisurely back to the center of the training grounds, Mia followed her with a smile. The two then spent the remaining time immersed in training.

◇

"Fwaah, we're finally departing from here tomorrow."

I sat on the bed in my prepared room in the clan chief's mansion, yawning and stretching. After the Beast Transformation training with Sekmetos concluded, we had dinner with Sekmetos and the others at the mansion, leading to now.

Surprisingly, no social gathering was held today.

*'Lord Ridd and your party must be tired from your long journey. Please rest well today.'*

It seemed Tabal had arranged this consideration for us, and we gratefully took him up on it, each deciding to rest early.

We've visited the Raccoon Dog, Cow, Bear, Rat, and now Cat tribes, but in terms of the diplomatic tour schedule, we're only at the halfway point. Tomorrow, we depart the Cat tribe territory to visit the Wolf, Monkey, Rabbit, Bird, and Horse tribes.

I have no regrets about planning this tour of each territory to build trust and expand trade routes with each tribe after the clan chief meeting in the Zubera capital. The goals were to solidify the strong connection between Baldia and the new Grand Duke household, and to demonstrate to both domestic and international audiences that Baldia leads through 'action.'

"But maybe I packed the schedule a bit too tightly..."

Sighing deeply, I pondered. The idea that touring Zubera quickly using charcoal-powered vehicles would naturally demonstrate Baldia's technological prowess wasn't wrong, but actually doing it is more exhausting than I imagined. On top of that, days filled with meetings with clan leaders and social gatherings with the great clans in each territory have been relentless.

"...I'll allow myself a good sleep tonight."

Just as I lay back on the bed, there was a polite knock on the door. Wondering who it could be at this hour, I tilted my head. "Lord Ridd," Tink's voice came from the other side of the door. (Note: Tink and Capella are standing guard outside this room.)

"Lord Ridd, are you still awake?""Yeah, what is it?"

Sitting up to respond, I heard her slightly flustered voice in return.

"Lord Johann and Lord Amon are here, saying they wish to speak with you.""Eh...? Wait a moment."

For the two of them to visit at this hour, something must have happened. Surprised but hurrying to the door, I placed my hand on the handle.

"Ridd, I came to hang out!""Sorry, I couldn't stop him."

Opening the door, I found Johann, wearing different sleepwear than usual and smiling, and Amon, looking exasperated. Johann was in a pink, hooded, cat-like onesie pajama, and Amon was in a plain, simple button-up short-sleeve shirt and long pants.

"Um, what's the situation here?"

When I asked, Johann puffed out his chest and stepped forward.

"What are you talking about, Ridd? Best friends are staying under the same roof. If that's the case, there's something we *have* to do, right?""Y-yeah...? Something we have to do?"

Baffled by the abrupt statement, I was still confused when Johann smiled sweetly, showing his white fangs.

"You're slow on the uptake. A sleepover! In other words, a pajama party!""A p-p-pajama party?"

My eyes widened as I tilted my head. Amon scratched his cheek apologetically.

"Anyway, can we come in?""Ah, sure. Please."

Inviting them both in, I asked Tink to prepare some tea and snacks. She bowed, saying, "Understood. I'll ask the mansion staff," left the guard duty to Capella, and departed.

Sitting on the provided sofa surrounding the table, I began, "Well then...""What exactly does a 'pajama party' entail?""It means exactly what it sounds like! I heard from a son of a great clan once that he invited friends to his home, stayed up all night in their pajamas talking, and had a great time. Since then, I've wanted to do it if I ever made a best friend.""O-oh, I see. But why is Amon here too?""I lost to Lord Johann's enthusiasm..."

As he smiled wryly in response to my question, Johann's ears drooped dejectedly.

"...You and Amon are leaving tomorrow, right? So I thought if I missed today, I might not get another chance for a pajama party.""Ah, that's what it is."

Finally, it made sense. Johann, bearing the status of the Cat Tribe Clan Chief and Beast King's son, blessed with prodigious talent. However, it seems that very status and talent prevented him from getting along well with kids his own age. Judging by his demeanor, feelings of loneliness probably took precedence. Since Amon and I seem to be his first real friends, he probably wants to do everything he can on this occasion. It's a childlike, cute reason, and I couldn't help but let a "Fufu" laugh escape.

"Alright. Staying up all night might be tough, but let's have a pajama party.""Really?! As expected of Ridd, my best friend!"

Johann's eyes sparkled as he showed a carefree smile. If interactions with the clan chiefs, starting with Sekmetos, were always like this, how peaceful it would be.

"I'm glad you're happy. So, what should we talk about?""You're naive, Ridd. According to the various books I've read, there's only one choice for 'pajama party topics.'""One choice...?"

As Amon and I exchanged glances, Johann puffed out his chest proudly.

"Namely, love talk.""Love talk...? Love talk?!"

Just as our eyes widened in surprise, the room door was knocked on politely.