Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 736

"Hey, Vene. Is this really, truly, I swear, the Rabbit Tribe's traditional clothing?"

"Just as Rid says. This is clearly..."

"Yeah, that should be right. The old man prepared them, after all. They look great on both of you."

Faced with Vene's immediate response, Amon and I exchanged glances before slumping our shoulders dejectedly.

In a certain guest room at the chief's residence.

After seeing the prepared Rabbit Tribe traditional clothing, Amon and I were dumbfounded and tried to confirm with Vene, but she insisted 'this should be correct' and pushed us to change, so we had no choice but to put them on.

The clothing consisted of sleeveless, slender one-piece dresses with slits from the waist down.

Since there were no pants underneath and we were barefoot, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

At first glance, the closest comparison would be cheongsam.

Mine was primarily red with exquisite, delicate embroidery.

Amon's was similar but primarily blue.

Additionally, my hair had even been politely styled into 'buns.'

Amon, having fox ears, apparently didn't get the hairstyle treatment.

Capella, who assisted us with changing, checked multiple times with Vene waiting outside the room, but each time was told 'I'm the chief saying this. It's correct,' so we had no choice but to change.

And now.

After finishing changing, Amon and I invited Vene into the room and were narrowing our eyes suspiciously.

But Vene was smiling, showing her white double canine teeth.

"...Well, I'd really hesitate to attend the social gathering in this outfit. Couldn't we at least wear the same clothing as Capella?"

When I said this, I glanced at Capella waiting by the wall.

Actually, this time he had also changed into Rabbit Tribe clothing.

He wore a loose, long-sleeved one-piece made of smooth gray fabric with minimal embroidery, similar to our clothing with slits from waist to hem.

However, since he was wearing pants underneath, it didn't feel awkward even on a man.

"I understand what you want to say, but that's for adults, so no."

"Clothing differs between children and adults? Does that happen?"

When I asked back, Vene nodded.

"You don't hear about it much with other tribes or countries, but in the Rabbit Tribe, when young children participate in events, they traditionally wear clothing of the opposite sex to pray for health and ward off illness. It's to deceive evil gods who bring disease and misfortune. See, it appears in Mistina sect stories too, right? Where Saint Mistina disguises herself as a man to evade the evil god's notice and rescue the soaring dragon."

"Ah, now that you mention it, there was such a story."

Content from when I read the Mistina scriptures previously resurfaced in my mind.

If I recall correctly, in the story, the evil god who appears rides a soaring dragon through the sky, and when finding children, approaches with a gentle expression asking 'You're a boy, right?' or 'You're a girl, right?'

If the child answers 'Yes' to that question, their soul is stolen by the evil god.

But even answering 'No' doesn't work since, being a god even if evil, lies don't work and the soul still gets stolen.

When people troubled by the evil god's attacks desperately sought salvation from Saint Mistina, she apparently said 'If our souls get stolen regardless of how we answer, then we have no choice but to deceive the evil god from the start. That way it's just the evil god misunderstanding, so it shouldn't count as lying.' She then disguised herself as a man, approached the evil god, successfully deceived and defeated it.

And the children's souls captured by the evil god were freed, and the soaring dragon controlled by the evil god joined her party - or so the story went.

"Apparently those people troubled by the evil god were the Rabbit Tribe's ancestors. That's how the culture developed of children up to twelve years old changing into opposite-sex clothing when participating in events. Well, no way to verify it now though."

Vene said this and shrugged.

"Huh, so different lands really have such cultures."

"...Indeed, I've heard snippets about Rabbit Tribe culture of dressing young children in opposite-sex clothing. However, Lady Vene. I'm already thirteen..."

When I nodded in agreement, Amon smiled wryly and scratched his cheek.

"Oh, is that so? Well, whatever. Don't worry about details."

Vene made an innocent face before beginning to laugh heartily.

Probably intentional.

"Let's give up, Amon. At this point, we just have to endure this appearance together."

When I spoke encouragingly, Amon sighed.

"...Rid. Your face right now says you won't allow me to escape alone."

"Ahaha, SONNA KOTO ARU WAKE NAI JYANAI KA" (Ahaha, such a thing couldn't possibly be true, could it?)

"Rid, why are you speaking broken?"

"SAA, YOKU WAKARANAI YO" (Well, I don't really understand)

Just as I shrugged at the suspicious Amon, the room door knocked.

"Lord Rid, Lord Amon. Are you finished changing? I've brought everyone, may we enter?"

The voice from beyond the door was Shia's.

"Yes. We just finished changing, so it should be fine now."

Responding, I signaled Capella with my eyes, and he bowed slightly before opening the door.

Then, led by Shia, Chris, Tink, and Emma entered the room.

Seeing their appearance, Amon and I instinctively blinked.

"Amazing. Everyone looks so fitting."

"Y-yes indeed. Everyone looks wonderful."

Actually, this time, due to Vene's insistence... no, proposal, they were also participating in the cultural exchange.

When proposed, Chris had a somewhat resigned expression since it was continuing from last time, but Tink and Emma tried to decline.

But that would work with us... no, not with Vene.

'You won't listen to a request from the chief?'

'Emma, I as representative am also participating.'

'That's right. It's a good opportunity, so Tink and Capella should participate too.'

'Y-yes, I think so too...'

Unable to resist the pressure from Vene, Chris, me, plus Amon's hesitant muttering, both Tink and Emma ended up changing into Rabbit Tribe clothing following the swimsuits.

What they changed into had a similar cheongsam-like atmosphere to Vene's but with different colors.

Tink's purple gave a mature, slightly glamorous atmosphere that suited her well, and Emma's light blue created a refreshing atmosphere that matched her usual bright, cheerful demeanor.

Chris's blue created a dignified atmosphere that balanced well with her always noble bearing.

But, I wonder why.

Only she gives the impression that she might unleash incredible leg techniques or magic bullets.

Maybe it's because only Chris has her hair in buns?

Or perhaps my previous life's memories are influencing me.

"Thank you. But what happened with you two, that outfit...?"

When Chris scratched her cheek as if to hide embarrassment, she tilted her head looking at our clothing.

"Ah, this is because Vene explained that Rabbit Tribe children up to twelve years old wear opposite-sex clothing when participating in events. So Amon and I had no choice, you see."

Scratching my cheek awkwardly, Shia furrowed his brow.

"Vene, what is this meaning? That clothing is what you wore when you were young, isn't it? And the social gathering isn't a festival event."

"Huh? What are you talking about? I properly prepared the clothing the old man gave me for the social gathering event."

"Hmm...?"

Shia tilted his head before starting, "N-no way, you...!?" his eyes widening.

"You're not suggesting you confused festival events with social gathering events, are you!?"

"Wh...!?"

When Amon and I widened our eyes, Vene went "Ah..." avoiding eye contact before looking down.

Soon after, raising her face, she stuck out her tongue while scratching her head.

"Haha, I messed up. Rid, Amon, my mistake. Sorry, sorry, for now sorry."

"...!? VENEEEEEEEE!?"

She's definitely doing this on purpose.

Intuiting this from her unapologetic words and actions, I immediately activated Body Enhancement - Retsuka, raging with fury like blazing flames.

But Amon instantly beastified and pinned me down.

"Amon. Let go, let me go!"

"Rid, I understand how you feel, but stop!"

"Oh, Rid's Retsuka is as amazing as ever. Okay, bring it on!"

"Vene! Stop this, you great fool!"

Me, raging furiously with Body Enhancement - Retsuka, scattering magical waves and making the room walls creak under magical pressure.

Amon, beastified and desperately pinning me down.

Vene, delightedly with sparkling eyes.

Shia, infuriated by Vene's words and actions.

Chris and the others, watching our situation in astonishment.

The previously quiet room became enveloped in tremendous noise triggered by my anger.