Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 724

"Earlier, you said that if we can just find a sea that meets the conditions, it will lead to the prosperity and development of the Rabbit Tribe, right?"

At Vene's words, the influential tribe members stirred, and Shia's eyes widened.

"You don't possibly intend to take such talk at face value!?"

"...Old man, be quiet for a moment."

"Guh...!?"

When she furrowed her brow and glanced at him, the atmosphere instantly tightened, and the murderous magical pressure made it feel like my body was about to be crushed.

Shia grimaced and stepped back, then dropped to one knee.

Looking around, some of the influential tribe members were also on one knee, and on our side, many were unable to stand due to the magical pressure and had crouched down.

Especially the Christina Trading Company side, which had few knights, were trembling under the magical pressure Vene was emitting, with some even falling on their backsides.

Chris was barely standing with Emma's support, but she looked quite strained.

Just from Vene taking one step, then another step closer to me, cold sweat poured from my entire body, and I was driven by the impulse to flee this place immediately.

The Vene reflected in my eyes wasn't the one who had been laughing with me in the vehicle.

She was a terrifying existence covered in pitch-black magical power filled with murderous intent.

I felt a shudder similar to when I faced Elba at the Gap Fortress, but she must be testing me in her own way.

Just as I was looking straight at her, gulping and swallowing my breath, a small black shadow flew in front of me.

"...!? Cookie!?"

"Grrrrrrrr..."

He let out a growl that seemed to echo from the depths of the earth, scattering magical waves as his body grew larger.

He must be trying to protect me.

"Lord Lid, pardon me for stepping in front."

"Tink, Capella...!?"

Both had their hands on their weapon hilts but hadn't drawn them yet.

When she saw the two standing in front of me, Vene showed her sharp double canine tooth.

"Huh, interesting. But I'm not an enemy, you know."

"In that case, we would like you to restrain that murderous intent and magical power."

"Since everyone is frightened, please contain it."

Though Tink and Capella respectfully admonished her with proper decorum, Vene shrugged.

"Then move aside. I have something to discuss with Lid."

"Then please contain the murderous intent and magical power first."

When Tink narrowed her eyes, Vene clicked her tongue and scratched her head.

"What troublesome folks. I'm not going to eat you or anything."

"That's not the issue."

When Capella immediately retorted with a serious face, Vene said "Huh?" suspiciously.

"No matter what intentions you may have, we cannot allow you to stand before our lord while emitting such intense murderous intent and magical waves. As Lady Tink said earlier, please contain the murderous intent and magical power."

"Interesting. You're the first to admonish me so directly to my face. But this is my way of doing things. I can't back down."

"Then we cannot let you pass either."

When Capella answered with a smile, Tink and Cookie braced themselves.

Amid the tension where a clash seemed imminent, I slowly started walking, passed by the three of them, and stood before Vene.

"Lord Lid!? Please step back!"

"Thank you, all three of you. But since I'm the one who started this."

After saying that, I activated Body Enhancement - Retsuka to counter Vene's murderous intent and magical power.

While Body Enhancement itself has no effect of blocking murderous intent or magical pressure, using 'Retsuka' which covers the caster with magical power can result in gaining some resistance.

As the magical waves generated around me from activating Retsuka clashed with the magical waves emitted by her standing before me, the surrounding sand was whipped up with tremendous force.

"As expected, Lid, you're good. You understand me pretty well, don't you?"

"Even though we're young, we have beast tribe knights in our household, so I just somehow understood what Vene wants to do."

"Is that so? Then let me ask you again."

The moment she said that, even more intense murderous intent pierced through my entire body, and magical pressure that made both legs tremble weighed down on my whole being.

"Guh...!?"

Gritting my teeth and enduring, she spoke with a serious expression.

"If I cooperate with Lid and we find the sea you're seeking, the development and prosperity of the Rabbit Tribe territory is guaranteed, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. I won't lie. However..."

"However...?"

When Vene tilted her head, I looked straight into her eyes.

"If we find a sea that meets the conditions, it will undoubtedly become the foundation for the territory's development. However, the territory's development and prosperity ultimately depends on Vene's abilities. Of course, I'll cooperate as much as possible though."

When I said that, I deliberately smiled.

Vene blinked in puzzlement and started laughing, "I see, that makes sense."

Simultaneously, the murderous intent and magical pressure she had been emitting suddenly disappeared, and I dropped to one knee on the spot, taking a deep breath.

I had been so focused on enduring the crushing magical pressure that I couldn't even breathe properly.

I've become much stronger than before, and I know there are those stronger than me.

But I was made to keenly realize once again that there are still many strong people in the world.

As I breathed, moving my shoulders up and down, Tink and Capella came running over.

"Lord Lid, are you alright!?"

"Are you injured?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me."

After thanking them, I said "More importantly..." and looked at Vene who was laughing cheerfully before me.

How did she judge our exchange?

It doesn't feel bad, but will it turn out to be fortunate or unfortunate?

After laughing for a while, Vene looked straight into my eyes.

"Haha. The admonition stung my ears."

She touched her own upright ears and showed her sharp double canine tooth.

"I've gauged your true intentions. No matter what anyone says, I'll believe in you, Lid."

"Really!?"

When I asked back in surprise, Vene nodded.

"I don't go back on my word. Let's head for the sea right now."

"Yes, thank you!"

Yes, with this we might be able to proceed with 'that plan.'

Just as I thought that, "Wait, Vene!" echoed Shia's angry roar.

"What is it, old man?"

"I won't allow such arbitrary actions. Sea information is a matter related to national defense. No matter how much we've gauged Lord Lid's true intentions, we cannot provide it without knowing the reason or purpose."

"Still as stubborn as ever. There hasn't been anyone until now whose true intentions I couldn't gauge with the 'Mind Reading' technique I just used."

Well, I'd classify that more as intimidation or coercion rather than mind reading.

As I retorted in my heart, Shia shook his head saying, "What can't be allowed can't be allowed."

"Then how about just the two of us - me and Lid - go to inspect the 'sea'? And also prohibit keeping records if the conditions don't match. Then if the information leaks externally, the responsibility would lie with Lid... or rather with the Baldia family, right? Old man, would this satisfy you?"

"No, that's not the issue..."

When Shia tried to argue back, Vene furrowed her brow and glared intimidatingly.

"Old man, that's enough. The development and prosperity of the Rabbit Tribe territory is at stake. First of all, the information related to the sea is enormous. If we prohibit means of keeping records, there should be no problem, right?"

Sorry, Vene.

In my case, if I consciously try to remember, I can recall things anytime through Memory.

As I retorted again in my heart, I heard Shia groan "But, however..."

"Ah, that's enough!"

Vene shouted.

"In the name of the Rabbit Tribe Chief, I temporarily demote 'Shia Noamos' from the position of Chief Assistant to general affairs, and sentence him to confinement in his room in the residence. The reason is 'delaying behavior during the talks.'"

"Wh-whaaaaaat!?"

Shia's eyes widened in astonishment.

As murmurs arose from the influential tribe members, I whispered to Amon who was nearby.

"By the way, how important is a Chief Assistant?"

"It probably varies somewhat by tribe, but in Shia's case, it's undoubtedly the position next to the Chief. For that to be reduced to general staff work by his own daughter's single command, I can only imagine how Shia must feel. I can't help but sympathize."

"Ah, ahaha. That must be tough."

I smiled wryly, but then the question 'But isn't this just a parent-child quarrel?' crossed my mind.

However, putting it into words would likely complicate things, so I decided not to say it.

Without concern for the astonished Shia or confused influential members, Vene made eye contact with a nearby Rabbit Tribe guard.

"Hey, the old man has been demoted to general affairs and ordered into confinement. Take him away quickly."

"B-but...!?"

"Can you not follow the Chief's orders?"

When Vene showed her sharp double canine tooth, the guards trembled and bowed saying, "Understood," then took hold of Shia on both sides.

"Wa-wait a moment. Do you think such a thing, such a thing is allowed, Vene!?"

"I know, I know. I'll properly get scolded later, and I'll reverse the demotion and lift the confinement too. Just bear with it this time, please, old man. Now, take him away."

When Vene made a shooing gesture with her hand, the guards saluted saying, "Y-yes."

"Do you people understand the gravity of this situation? Let go, let go of meeeeeee!?"

"We apologize. Lord Shia, the beast tribes follow the law of the jungle. We cannot defy the Chief's orders."

"Noooooooooooo!?"

"See you later, old man. You've been saying recently that you're tired and want to rest, right? Rest for a while."

Vene waved with a full-faced smile at Shia who was being forcibly taken away by the guards.

But the murmuring influential members seemed to be sending sympathetic looks his way.

My jaw dropped at the series of events unfolding before my eyes, and as we stood dumbfounded, she cleared her throat and turned back to us.

"Well, the nuisance... I mean, the old man is gone. Let's go to the sea."

"Ah, yes. But are you really sure about this?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I've done similar things several times before."

"Eh, really...?"

As I stood bewildered, one of the influential members present raised his hand and said, "Um, may I speak?"