Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 720

After about a full day's travel since departing the Cat Tribe territory, our party entered the Wolf Tribe territory.

The roads in the Wolf Tribe territory were poorly maintained and bumpy. The vibrations transmitted inside the vehicle were incomparable to before and were sheer hell. I lost count of how many times Chris, Tink, and Amon had to pat my back.

The Wolf Tribe towns we stopped in for breaks had an imposing atmosphere, with defensive structures like dry moats on their peripheries and outer walls made of wood and stone. This is probably due to their shared border with Toga, similar to the Cat Tribe territory.

However, once inside the towns, we could see the Wolf Tribe's vibrant lifestyle. The men's attire involved scarves—red or brown—around their necks, long-sleeved coats worn over shirts, swords worn on belts around their waists, wide-bottomed long pants, and boots reaching below the knee. In terms of my previous life's memories, their outfits were close to gauchos or cowboys.

The women wore vibrant, embroidered one-piece dresses with wide skirt hems and boots reaching below the knee. I also remember being impressed that Wolf Tribe members, regardless of age or gender, wore or carried wide-brimmed hats around their necks, perhaps to avoid the strong sunlight characteristic of mountainous regions.

The Wolf Tribe Clan Chief's mansion was located in a natural stronghold within the mountainous region and was structured more like a 'castle' than a mansion. Given its high elevation, it offered a clear view of Toga's movements at the border, making it unlikely the mansion would fall unless something extraordinary happened.

When we visited the mansion, the Wolf Tribe Clan Chief, Jackass Wolfgang, greeted us. Initially, I thought he might be a taciturn, hard-to-read person, but once the talks began, he spoke logically, fluently, and covered all necessary points. (Note: Amon and I changed into traditional attire before the talks.)

According to Jackass, because the Wolf Tribe focuses on border defense involving national security, they struggle annually with acquiring weapons and provisions. The Wolf Tribe's specialties are limited to mountain vegetables, spices, and fruits from the mountains, some sheep farming, and a bit of saltwater fish from fishing. Chris and I focused on the spices and sheep.

We had the spices from the mountainous region prepared during the talks; they had a unique aroma and a numbing spiciness. Aren't these almost identical to the Sichuan pepper from my previous life's memories? The spiciness was a bit strong for a child like me, but mass-producing these and using the Christy Trading Company's distribution channels could present a fantastic business opportunity.

Chris seemed to have the same thought, proposing to Jackass, "Let's produce this spice," and offering to provide Renalute's agricultural technology if necessary. Regarding the sheep, we requested they produce not just wool and meat, but especially 'cheese.' Although the sharp-nosed Wolf Tribe members were skeptical, saying, "How can anyone eat such a smelly thing?", we explained that the primary customers would be elves and humans, so it shouldn't be a problem, and gained their approval.

Surprisingly, the talks concluded more smoothly than any before. A social gathering was also held, but I noticed Jackass didn't drink any alcohol, only sipping tea throughout. Wondering if he didn't like the sake we brought, I asked, and his answer was unexpected.

"I can't hold my liquor; I don't drink. Don't worry about it."

Learning that there are beastmen who aren't good with alcohol made me feel a bit closer to him in that moment.

The day after the talks and social gathering, we toured the mountainous areas and defense facilities within the Wolf Tribe territory, then observed the Beast Transformation training Sheryl underwent under Jackass's guidance. However, when Jackass saw Sheryl, he showed a slightly surprised expression.

"Your name is Sheryl, correct? Do you remember your parents' names?""Yes. My mother is Yulisha, and my father is Adel.""I see. Those two... no, never mind.""Um, is something about my parents...?""...No, it's nothing. I just thought you resembled some old acquaintances. Don't mind me; it's just a mistake.""O-oh...?"

Sheryl tilted her head, but this was the only time Jackass asked about her parents. After that, he transformed, covered in silver fur. He trained Sheryl with a taciturn, strict, yet precise guidance.

After successfully completing our schedule in the Wolf Tribe territory, we departed. Following about a day's travel, we entered the Monkey Tribe territory.

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The Monkey Tribe territory is covered in lush forests along the road leading south from the central area connected to the capital, Bestia, with the northwestern part being mountainous. Heading straight north leads to the sea. Besides the abundant fruits from the forests and marine products from the sea, the dexterous Monkey Tribe creates decorations and crafts using materials gathered within their territory, distributing them throughout Zubera.

The works produced by Monkey Tribe artisans are so technically skilled that they impress even Ellen and Alex the Dwarves and the Fox Tribe members. Their unique sensibility, especially expressing natural beauty through flowing lines, is something not found in other countries.

The Monkey Tribe towns we visited along the way were colorful and vibrant, but we didn't see the defensive structures common in the Wolf and Cat Tribe territories. Looking at the Monkey Tribe people in the towns, both men and women wore stylish, embroidered coats with large hems and long, fluffy, skirt-like garments resembling hakama that reached their feet. However, upon closer inspection, the men's skirts had slits for ease of movement, and some seemed to be wearing long pants underneath.

There seem to be many merchants from other countries visiting the Monkey Tribe territory for procurement, and most adventurers come primarily as escorts for these merchants.

Upon arriving at the clan chief's mansion, a Monkey Tribe woman greeted our party with a bright, high-pitched voice.

"You're late, Ridd-chan! I've been waiting with my neck stretched out for so long!"

Her name is Jetty Listoot, the clan chief ruling the Monkey Tribe.

"It's been since the clan chief meeting. Long time no see, Lady Jetty.""Another territory in Zubera also engaged in industry. We look forward to learning many things this time as well."

As Amon and I extended our hands, she smiled, showing her white fangs. Then, she pulled our hands, drawing us into a hug against her chest.

"You're both as cute as ever. If only you'd been born ten years earlier.""Um, Lady Jetty?"

Ignoring our bewilderment, she kept smiling brightly. Eventually, Tink and Capella intervened, and we were freed, only to be faced with changing into traditional attire next.

After that, we were guided to a conference room for the talks. The focus of the talks with the Monkey Tribe was the commission for 'decorations' and 'crafts,' and the sale of raw materials, which had also been proposed at the clan chief meeting, through the Christy Trading Company.

The plan involved Baldia and the Christy Trading Company conducting market research primarily in the Empire and other countries, then placing orders for products with high sales potential. For raw materials, they would handle those obtainable within their territory, and the Christy Trading Company would procure and sell any shortfall.

Throughout the negotiations covering outsourcing costs, labor costs, material costs, etc., Jetty never lost her bright, high-energy atmosphere. However, contrary to her frivolous demeanor, Jetty repeatedly pinpointed issues with purchase prices, selling prices, and contract terms with a smile. The sharpness of her questions was on par with, if not surpassing, that of the Rat Tribe Clan Chief Luva, leaving Chris and me groaning multiple times, making these negotiations the most difficult yet.

The talks, which lasted from morning until late evening, finally managed to find a compromise acceptable to both sides. However, I hadn't expected negotiations with the Monkey Tribe to be this tough. We had to revise our perception of her, Jetty Listoot.

At the social gathering held after the talks, we enjoyed fruits and juices from the forests, as well as marine products, savoring the flavors. Additionally, the sake we brought as a gift was very well-received.

"Fufu, this is delicious; I love it. By the way, Ridd-chan, Jackass couldn't drink, right? If his share is still left, could I possibly have it?""My apologies. Lord Jackass couldn't drink it, but the great clan members liked it so much that there's none left.""Eh? Then send some to me next time. I'll repay you."

During the gathering, the cheerful Jetty repeatedly downed glasses filled to the brim with sake in one go. Is it okay to drink like that? Despite my worries, she continued drinking liberally without any issue and quickly closed the distance with the female members like Chris, Emma, and Tink. It seemed they continued drinking even after the official gathering ended, but surprisingly, everyone was perfectly fine the next morning.

The day after the talks and social gathering, Jetty showed us around the territory. In the afternoon, Skyla from the Baldia Second Knight Order received Beast Transformation training. The fruits available in the Monkey Tribe territory included many that couldn't be procured via the Empire, Renalute, or Balst, and Chris's eyes sparkled, saying, "It's full of business opportunities."

On the other hand, one of my goals in visiting the Monkey Tribe territory was to inspect the 'sea.' I had the idea that if conditions were right, we could create a system generating 'immense wealth.' Unfortunately, the sea off the Monkey Tribe territory was rougher than I had imagined.

"The sea around the Monkey Tribe territory gets rough due to winds along the mountains and northern winds. It's not very suitable for swimming, but the strong waves make the fish flesh firm and delicious.""I see. Thank you for the information."

It seems that plan is unfeasible in the Monkey Tribe territory. Facing the sea with whitecaps caused by the wind, I listened to Jetty's explanation while maintaining a calm facade.

After the territory tour and returning to the mansion, during the Beast Transformation training, Skyla struggled valiantly, and Jetty gave her stamp of approval, saying, "She shows great promise." However, although Jetty, transformed and covered in silver fur, smiled brightly throughout, her training methods were extremely harsh. Jetty also seemed skilled in handling long-range magic, adeptly switching between close combat and magical projectiles using wind attribute magic.

"Skyla-chan. To fall asleep in front of me? Aren't you quite confident?""N-no, I'm definitely not sleeping...""No excuses. See, see? You're within my range? Surely you can dodge this little thing. Here you go~!""W-wait a... Waaaaaah?!"

That day, Skyla's screams echoed across the clan chief's mansion training grounds amidst the sound of Jetty's bright laughter and explosions.

Jetty, isn't that a bit much...?

The next day, having completed our schedule in the Monkey Tribe territory, we were preparing in front of the clan chief's mansion to depart for the Rabbit Tribe territory.

"Well then, see you later, Ridd-chan.""Yes, stay well, Lady Jetty. And regarding the sake, I'll make sure to arrange it.""My, how delightful. I'll look forward to it."

Bidding farewell to Jetty, we boarded the charcoal-powered vehicles and, seeing her off, departed for the Rabbit Tribe territory.