Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 735

After securing the promise of full cooperation from Vene and Shia regarding the pearl cultivation proposal, talks including the influential Rabbit Tribe members were immediately held.

Naturally, the influential members who had been shut out wore suspicious expressions and regarded us with doubt.

However, the atmosphere completely changed when Vene and Shia deeply bowed to the influential members right from the start.

"Sorry. I can't share the details yet, but as tribal chief, I've promised full cooperation to Rid and the others."

"I have as well. The proposal from Lord Rid will undoubtedly brighten the Rabbit Tribe's future. However, the proposal content is beyond what we can imagine with our common sense and has extremely high confidentiality. Therefore, for the time being, this will be a matter handled by chief Vene and myself as assistant."

Right after the talks began, the two at the tribe's summit bowing caused murmurs among the influential members.

As the venue filled with an atmosphere of confusion, we immediately stood up and bowed to them as well.

"I also apologize. But let me assert this much - we are by no means looking down on everyone. As Lord Shia mentioned, this involves technology with particularly high confidentiality within our household, which is why we shared it only with Lady Vene and Lord Shia. Moreover, now that we've received their promise of full cooperation, it's no exaggeration to say our two families will become sister cities going forward. Our household promises full cooperation for the development and prosperity of the Rabbit Tribe."

Raising my face, I scanned the influential members with passionate eyes, speaking fluently with gestures and a tone filled with strong emotion, slightly exaggerated.

"Sister cities" refers to relationships between local governments centered on cultural exchange of people, goods, and technology.

But in this world, such recognition is still rare, and it's likely one of those relationships that hasn't been verbalized yet.

Alliances are connections between countries, so I can't arbitrarily declare that here.

But using the term "sister cities" allows the excuse that it officially refers to "friendship" primarily centered on cultural exchange.

"It's not just Lord Rid. I, Amon Grandork, as Fox Tribe chief, also promise full cooperation to Baldia and the Rabbit Tribe."

When Amon followed up with this announcement, the expressions of the influential members filled with suspicion softened, and murmurs arose.

"Sister cities between us and Baldia...?"

"It's an unfamiliar term, but doesn't it mean the Rabbit Tribe has advanced one step further in relationships compared to other tribes?"

"That's right, sister cities doesn't sound bad either."

"Lady Vene's intuition is reliable. And Lord Shia supports it with abundant experience. Both have promised cooperation, and Lord Rid and Lord Amon have promised to respond. Essentially, it means a cooperative system between three families has been built."

"...So that means it was a proposal with that much value?"

"Exactly."

When one influential member muttered as if groaning, Vene interjected.

"As I said first, I can't share details yet. But when the time comes, you'll understand. That today was the turning point for the Rabbit Tribe territory's development and prosperity."

"Regarding this, I share the same opinion. Everyone, there must be many points you don't understand, but please trust Vene and me."

When Shia announced this, the influential members exchanged looks but the atmosphere wasn't bad.

I thought this would settle it, but then one influential member began with "However..."

"With all due respect, no plan absolutely guarantees success, correct? Being told to invest without even knowing the potential risks of failure seems rather unreasonable. Could you at least present some basis for believing in this plan?"

He spoke in an unemotional, matter-of-fact tone.

It was a calm, objective, and perfectly reasonable point.

But if I showed the physical evidence of pearls, perceptive people would quickly realize cultivation technology had been established.

The more people know, the higher the risk of information leakage inevitably becomes.

"That's a valid point. But I refuse."

When Vene showed her white double canine teeth and declared this, confused murmurs arose again from the influential members.

Then she suddenly turned serious.

"I'm staking my position as chief on this matter. If anything unexpected happens, I'll take full responsibility and resign as chief, and if compensation is needed, I don't mind selling myself into slavery."

"Wh...!?"

"Vene, are you sane!?"

At such an outrageous statement, our eyes widened in shock, Shia's expression changed dramatically, and the influential members erupted in murmurs.

But she remained unfazed and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm serious. It was my arbitrary decision to promise full cooperation with all resources to Rid without consulting the old man or everyone. If I don't shoulder this much risk, everyone won't be satisfied, right? Plus, with the title of former chief, I should fetch a good price when selling myself."

"That's not the issue! First of all, a chief selling themselves into slavery is unprecedented! There's no way that would be allowed!?"

"Then what about the financial resources for potential compensation? Considering the Rabbit Tribe's current situation, there's nothing that could serve as future financial resources. You know that well too, old man."

"Th-that is..."

When Shia hesitated, Vene shrugged.

"To accomplish something, someone has to shoulder the risk. That's the chief's role. Right, everyone should be satisfied with this now?"

When she asked with a smile, the influential members looked at each other in confusion and began murmuring, "Well, if Lady Vene goes that far..."

Vene has courage and is truly generous-hearted.

While appearing carefree, she harbors a strong sense of responsibility deep in her heart.

Truly chief material... no, in terms of leadership, she might even have what it takes to be 'Beast King.'

Anyway, since she's trusted Baldia this much, I can't just stay silent without saying anything.

"Please wait. Regarding the compensation matter for potential risks that everyone mentioned, let Baldia also shoulder the risk."

When I took the lead, the influential members murmured in surprise.

"Lord Rid. Your words are greatly appreciated, but you are merely a representative. You're not in a position to arbitrarily decide on compensation."

Shia emitted a sharp gaze, but I smiled gently.

"Your point is correct - I can't arbitrarily decide compensation amounts on my own authority. However, if it's framed as expenses for recruiting excellent personnel, there should be no problem."

"Expenses for recruiting excellent personnel...?"

He looked puzzled but soon started.

"N-no way...!?"

"That's exactly it. If anything unexpected happens, let Baldia take custody of Lady Vene. At that time, how about our household paying the compensation amount required by the Rabbit Tribe territory?"

"Oh, that would be most welcome! So, that means if the plan fails, I become Rid's concubine, right? As expected, Rid is quite precocious."

Vene showed her white double canine teeth cheerfully and laughed merrily, but I kept my eyes narrowed and slowly glanced at her.

Then her entire body flinched.

"Absolutely not as a concubine. We'll treat the compensation amount paid to the Rabbit Tribe territory as a loan to Lady Vene. Naturally, until the debt is repaid, Lady Vene will belong to Baldia. For example, she would primarily work in the knight order, but depending on the situation at that time, we might be able to dispatch her as a knight order member to the Rabbit Tribe territory. Since this is important, let me emphasize clearly once more - absolutely not as a concubine. Understood?"

"Y-yeah. Understood. S-sorry."

She turned pale, her mouth twitching as she nodded.

It seems she understood that it's definitely not about being a concubine.

I cleared my throat and scanned the venue again.

"Since this concerns the future, I don't know what state our household will be in. Accordingly, let's share the compensation measure I just proposed among Baldia, the Christina Trading Company, and the Grandork family led by Lord Amon. That way, someone should be able to pay the compensation amount to the Rabbit Tribe territory in exchange for Lady Vene's custody. Chris, Lord Amon, this is a sudden arrangement, but what do you think?"

When I signaled with my eyes, both nodded.

Then they stood up and bowed.

"The Christina Trading Company fully supports and accepts Lord Rid's compensation measure. Personnel cannot be replaced with money. If we can welcome someone like Lady Vene, we'll pay any amount. At worst, if our company finds it difficult, we'll also approach the Saffron Trading Company. They'll probably pile up compensation amounts with the same understanding as me."

"The Fox Tribe, Grandork family, also agrees with Rid's compensation measure. Honestly, what the future holds... there are still unclear aspects. But if Lady Vene, who wishes to sell herself, requests affiliation with our household, we'll seek cooperation from the Baldia family and Christina Trading Company to manage it somehow."

When Chris and Amon announced this, murmurs arose from the influential members.

They must be surprised that Baldia, the Christina Trading Company, and the Grandork family offered to take custody.

But more than that, they might be shocked by our implication that 'we won't hesitate to spend any amount to obtain Vene.'

While it's understandable for Amon who belongs to Zubera, they probably didn't expect Chris and me from other countries to value her this highly.

Though her words and actions can be overwhelming, Vene's talent is genuine.

If she can be recruited with money, no amount is too much to pay.

As groans could be heard from the influential members, Vene showed her white double canine teeth with a "Haha."

"See, everyone? It seems I'm quite valuable. This should work as compensation, no complaints, right?"

"Really, you..."

Shia held his forehead while looking down, shaking his head.

Somehow, this scene feels familiar.

Eventually, the murmuring influential members regained composure, and the one who had calmly pointed things out stood up and bowed.

"Understood. If Lady Vene has that much resolve, we won't ask anything further. Please guide the Rabbit Tribe in a better direction."

"Yeah, leave it to me. Just follow me quietly."

Puffing out her chest with a triumphant expression, she began laughing cheerfully and loudly.

"...Vene, don't get too carried away."

When Shia offered admonishment, she started and relaxed her mouth into a grin.

"Oh, that's right. Sorry, sorry, for now sorry."

"Y-you...!?"

Shia trembled with anger while desperately restraining it.

Vene laughed merrily and remained carefree.

The influential members watched their interaction, shrugging and sighing.

Witnessing their behavior, Chris quietly whispered to me.

"Lord Rid. Earlier I was swept up by the heat and atmosphere, but is Vene really going to be alright?"

"Y-yeah. She'll be fine. She should be fine..."

Seeing Vene's overly lighthearted demeanor makes me a bit anxious about the future.

But disregarding my anxiety, the subsequent discussions progressed smoothly.

From starting trade in sea fish and salt to sales of the "Character Input Device," everything proceeded in what was arguably the most friendly atmosphere so far, and the talks concluded successfully.

Though a social gathering would follow next, knowing that 'that' which was becoming a tradition during territory visits was waiting beforehand, Amon and I felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

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