Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 737

"Sigh, I'm unnecessarily tired..."

"Me too, Rid."

When we arrived at the grand hall where the social gathering was being held and slumped our shoulders dejectedly, Amon next to me smiled wryly and scratched his cheek.

Beside us were guards Capella and Tink, plus Chris and Emma.

And Vene and Shia who had guided us here.

Due to Vene mistaking festival events for social gathering events, Amon and I had been made to change into opposite-sex clothing in the guest room, but now we were properly changed into correct male attire.

It consisted of loose, long-sleeved one-piece garments with slits from the waist down.

We wore long pants underneath too, and the construction allowed for easier movement than appearance suggested.

The colors were plain red for me and blue for Amon with minimal embroidery, modest yet elegant clothing.

Capella waiting nearby wore almost the same outfit, but our clothing seemed slightly more luxurious judging from the embroidery work.

"Haha, I meant no harm. Forgive me, both of you."

Facing Vene who showed her sharp double canine teeth, I let out a deep sigh.

"It's fine now. Since you prepared proper clothing for us like this. But no next time, okay?"

"I'll keep that in mind. Man, words are really difficult though."

"Really, everything you do is too tomboyish. Try putting yourself in my position as your father. I can't rest easy."

"Haha, what's wrong with that? Better than days with no stimulation at all."

When she laughed with her hands clasped behind her head, Shia put his hand to his forehead with an exasperated expression and sighed.

Shia must really have his hands full dealing with Vene.

Turning my gaze from their exchange to the venue, like other tribes, a standing buffet-style social gathering was adopted, with plates piled high with dishes crowded on the large dining table placed in the center.

At first glance, seafood dishes seemed plentiful, with even 'sashimi' which was rare in the Empire and Renarute.

Looking at the Rabbit Tribe members, the men including children wore almost identical clothing to ours.

Meanwhile, the ladies and young women wore one-pieces with similar atmosphere to cheongsam like Vene and Chris wore, but with variations in sleeves - sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved.

Some had V-necks revealing only the chest area, others had openings at the chest.

Additionally, some seemed to be showing off faintly visible abdominal muscles with midriff-baring styles.

Somehow, the venue had more glamour compared to other tribes' social gatherings, with a mature atmosphere floating about.

Perhaps due to proximity to the sea, the climate is warmer, or maybe they have a more open sensibility than other tribes.

Now that I think about it, the Monkey Tribe also seemed like a bright, open-feeling tribe.

Though with the Monkey Tribe, it might be largely due to chief Jetty being incredibly bright and frivolous.

However, what draws the most attention in the venue is probably the familiar 'giant fish' placed on a platform in one corner.

It seemed to easily exceed two hundred kilograms. Judging from the frost on it, it might have been frozen with ice magic for preservation.

Looking around, I noticed some of the men occasionally glancing at us.

I've been the center of attention at social gatherings before, so it's nothing new.

But somehow it feels different from usual, with somewhat lecherous vibes.

Hmm, wondering why, I tilted my head slightly when Vene asked "What's up, Rid?"

"Ah, well. I'm used to being the center of attention at social gatherings, but somehow the gazes feel different than usual."

"Ah, that's..."

Vene meaningfully relaxed her mouth and looked at Chris, Tink, and Emma.

"It's because foreign beauties are wearing our clothing. Like the old man, Rabbit Tribe men have many secretly lecherous types."

"Eh...?"

If that's the case, this is the most unpleasant way to attract attention so far.

"W-well, it can't be helped. It must be rare for an elf like me to wear them."

"...I'm getting angry at the gazes some people are directing."

"My, it seems I'm not completely written off yet either."

While I made an exasperated face, Chris wore an awkward bitter smile, Emma made an irritated expression with a tongue click, and Tink remained unfazed with a cheerful smile.

"H-now stop that! Refrain from statements that disparage the tribe and cause misunderstandings!"

"What's wrong? Even you, old man, have been sneakily glancing since earlier, haven't you?"

Though Shia hurriedly cautioned, Vene shrugged nonchalantly.

"Wh-what foolishness...!?"

When his eyes widened, Chris and the others subtly changed their positions.

Chris moved behind me, Tink behind Amon, and Emma behind Capella as if hiding.

Then the three deliberately narrowed their eyes suspiciously at Shia.

"L-ladies. What seems to be the matter?"

"No no, nothing at all. Please don't mind it."

"Yes. As Lady Chris says, please don't mind it."

"As both say, please don't mind it."

Chris, Emma, and Tink answered with narrowed eyes, but their eyes weren't smiling.

Shrugging as if to say "What can you do," I cleared my throat and looked at Shia.

"I must say with all due respect. If Lord Shia, standing second in the Rabbit Tribe, looks at the three with such gazes, it might set a bad example for others. Please refrain."

"N-no, it's a misunderstanding. I..."

Just as Shia tried to explain, "By the way..." Amon interjected.

"Regarding this clothing that Lady Tink and others wore, do you think it would be attractive if my sister Rapha Grandork wore it?"

"Lady Rapha wearing this clothing...?"

He gulped and looked at Tink and the others.

Then Shia's philtrum visibly lengthened.

"My, if it's Lady Rapha, it would undoubtedly suit her. Without mentioning specifics, combined with her overflowing charm, it would surely create an enchanting appearance."

"...Old man, stop that disgraceful side. It's embarrassing as your daughter."

"Wh...!?"

When Vene sighed, he started but it was too late.

Chris, Tink, and Emma smiled cheerfully, but their eyes overflowed with rejection.

Amon, who had brought up the topic, smiled gently.

"Lord Shia, speaking as tribal chief, I believe you should 'strictly refrain from words and actions that disparage the tribe and cause misunderstandings.'"

"Ugh...!?"

Shia made a pained expression before slumping his shoulders dejectedly.

Probably because the words he had admonished Vene with earlier were now returned to him.

I feel like Amon becomes unusually merciless when Tink and This are involved.

I wonder, maybe it's the influence of Cross who apparently became his guardian spirit.

By the way, if imagining whether Rapha would wear Rabbit Tribe clothing, she would undoubtedly wear it nine times out of ten.

And enthusiastically with 'Oh, that looks fun!'

Because her personality prioritizes 'enjoying the present' above all.

Since she usually wears revealing clothing anyway, I feel the atmosphere might not change much.

"Well, it's about time for my appearance, so I'm heading out."

Vene suddenly took the lead.

"Heading out? Where to?"

When I asked back, she smiled fearlessly and pointed to one spot in the venue.

"Over there."

"Over there... you mean that giant fish?"

"That's the fish prepared in advance to entertain you guys, Rid. It's called shibi - do you know it, Rid?"

"Shibi...?"

Hmm, was there such a fish?

When I tilted my head, Shia interjected "Vene, don't call it by that name."

"Shibi evokes associations with death day, so it's unlucky - I told you to call it tuna, didn't I?"

"Ah, that's right. Sorry, sorry."

"Really..."

At Vene's light apology while showing her sharp double canine teeth, Shia shrugged as if to say "What can you do."

Hearing "tuna," I understood the sense of familiarity.

Yes, that's right.

I didn't notice from a distance, but that size and shape is undoubtedly the tuna from my previous life's memories.

But actually, tuna's value is still low in this world.

The reason is that being a giant fish makes it very difficult to chill.

Actually, tuna apparently maintain body temperature around 30 degrees Celsius regardless of seawater temperature while alive and swimming.

Naturally, even when caught, that body temperature doesn't drop rapidly.

Without refrigeration technology using ice, when transported from sea to land and beyond, by the time it reaches the destination, most key parts become inedible.

The 'fatty otoro' that was premium in my previous world would spoil first.

Thus, in eras like the Edo period from my previous life's memories, the toro parts were apparently all used as fertilizer for fields and paddies.

"So what will you do with that tuna? I believe shibi is a fish that spoils quickly, right?"

When I asked pretending ignorance, Vene blinked surprised saying "Huh, you know well."

"Certainly it usually spoils quickly. But I personally went fishing and froze it immediately upon catching, like Baldia's transport method. That should make it last a while, right?"

"Ah, I see. Certainly, that would solve the quick spoilage issue."

I nodded.

The 'Baldia transport' mentioned in Vene's words refers to the Christina Trading Company freezing some foods transported by charcoal car using ice attribute magic.

Freezing does lower quality somewhat, but it's much better than spoiling.

However, in this world where magic isn't common, personnel who can use ice magic are limited, so it hasn't become a widespread general transportation method.

Since frozen transport was mentioned during the chiefs' meeting in Zubera's capital, Vene probably got the idea from there.

"...Speaking of which, you have ice attribute aptitude, Vene?"

"Yeah. But I'm not very good with magic. I'm good at body enhancement and beastification though."

She shrugged, then stood before the platform where the tuna was placed and picked up the large knife placed nearby.

Even from this distance, I could see the blade had a saw-like edge.

As several servants lined up beside her, Vene took a deep breath before emitting a voice that echoed through the venue.

"Today's social gathering is to deepen friendship between the Rabbit Tribe and Baldia family. We Rabbit Tribe don't mind informality, but please be respectful to our guests Rid and the others."

When she said that, cheers rose from the venue.

"Oh, rare. Is Lady Vene personally cutting it?"

"Usually Lord Shia does the cutting."

"Probably wanting to convey to us how much she values the relationship with the Baldia family."

"I heard Lady Vene personally went out on a fishing boat."

"Fufu, still as tomboyish as ever. Lord Shia must have constant worries."

"That much is just right. When Lord Shia has free time and excess energy, he immediately becomes undisciplined."

"Lord Shia didn't play in his youth, focusing solely on work. Maybe the backlash came later."

While admiring voices came from the influential male members, the female members shifted to discussing Shia midway.

Apparently, his lecherous nature is famous within the tribe.

"Alright, let's begin."

When Vene's voice echoed through the venue again, the tuna dissection finally began.

And thus the venue became tremendously lively.