Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 740

"Haha, she passed out, huh. True to her word, she didn't avert her eyes or run from my strike. Impressive courage, that Ovelia."

As Vene, still in beastified form, emerged from the sand cloud showing her sharp double canine teeth, I let out a deep sigh and looked at her.

"...Vene. I'm grateful you provided beastification training, but why was it necessary to go this far?"

Ovelia, unconscious in my arms.

The place where she had been until moments ago now had cracked ground with a large crater.

It was created by the single strike of the "Instant Step Single Strike Kick" that Vene unleashed.

If it had been a direct hit, Ovelia's life would undoubtedly have been lost.

The reason she was sent flying through the air with the sand cloud was because Vene changed the trajectory of her descending foot at the last moment.

"Why, you ask? That should be obvious."

Vene grinned.

"If the top combatant of the Second Knight Order is from the Rabbit Tribe, wouldn't that be interesting? It would effectively promote our name too."

"...I see, so you planned to use the Second Knight Order and Ovelia as advertising pillars for the Rabbit Tribe."

"Well, bluntly speaking, something like that."

After answering, she released her beastification and shrugged.

It's easy to forget with her light tone and manner, but Vene is the chief who leads the Rabbit Tribe.

She probably discerned Ovelia's talent through training and judged her to be excellent material for demonstrating the Rabbit Tribe's power abroad.

Really, all the chiefs are people with no carelessness or openings.

I wish they'd consider my position dealing with them, starting with Sekmetos.

It's exhausting dealing with them.

As I let out a deep sigh, Vene turned serious and looked at the unconscious Ovelia.

"...That said, I hadn't planned this from the beginning. If Ovelia didn't have this much potential, I wouldn't have gotten serious either. Are all the members of Baldia's Second Knight Order like this?"

"Yeah, that's right. While Ovelia is particularly strong, there are quite a few children with similar abilities."

Looking across the Second Knight Order members, the squad leader children possess strength close to Ovelia's.

Through this training, she advanced her beastification stage ahead of the others, so she should now be in the position of being chased.

When we return to Baldia, she'll undoubtedly be bombarded with questions from the members.

Since Ovelia learns through intuitive physical sensation, I'm not sure if she can properly answer the other children's questions.

Well, that should also be good experience for her.

"Huh, the world is vast. Ah, could it be that Lord Liner Margrave personally instructs them?"

"That happens occasionally too, but basically it's handled by Curtis, the dark elf entrusted with commanding the Second Knight Order."

"...Dark elf Curtis? Unfamiliar name."

When Vene crossed her arms and tilted her head, I burst out with "Fufu."

"He's from a martial family called Rammark in Renarute. Since he handed the succession to his son and was living retired, I approached him about coming to Baldia if he was interested."

"So you recruited talent from another country and installed them as commander. Rid, you really do all sorts of things."

Muttering admiringly, she sighed and shook her head as if to say "What can you do."

"I'm just the Rabbit Tribe chief, but listening to Rid's stories makes me keenly realize how little I know about the world, being this tiny existence who never leaves the territory."

According to what I've heard, Vene is still in her early twenties.

As chief, she probably studies other countries' situations and cultures through documents and hearsay, but experiencing places personally by going there and seeing with her own eyes is completely different.

There's no doubt that my visits to the imperial capital and traveling around Zubera have been very valuable experiences too.

Coming to unknown lands and seeing different cultures with your own eyes broadens your world and, most importantly, expands your perspective.

Just as I was sympathizing with Vene's feelings, I suddenly remembered the proposal I made to Luva, the Rat Tribe chief's child, and slowly began.

"...If you're that interested in other countries, why not try studying abroad in Baldia, or something?"

"Eh...?"

Apparently it was too unexpected a proposal, as Vene looked puzzled with wide eyes.

"Ah, sorry. Someone in your position like Vene couldn't possibly do that. Ahaha, forget I said that."

"...That's right. But while impossible immediately, if I persuade the old man and secure cooperation..."

When I shook my head flustered with a bitter smile, Vene covered her mouth with a serious expression and began muttering something quietly.

Hmm, what's going on?

As I tilted my head, I heard a voice calling "Lord Rid."

Turning around, Tink and Capella came running with changed expressions.

"Lord Rid, you mustn't suddenly rush out in such situations!"

"As Lady Tink says. Even without Lord Rid personally diving in, we are here."

"Ah, ahaha... Sorry, I found myself rushing out before I realized. Anyone would have their body move instinctively when trying to save someone, right?"

Carefully handing the unconscious Ovelia to Tink, I scratched my cheek evasively.

Perhaps thanks to my magic proficiency, I think my ability to detect presences through magical power is superior to anyone present here.

Even when Ovelia was floating in the sand cloud, though I couldn't see her visually, I immediately knew her position.

Before I realized it, I had rushed out.

Capella sighed, then spoke up with a serious expression.

"...Lord Rid's feelings and actions are wonderful, I believe. However, care must be taken as it could lead to serious injury, so please rely on those around you as much as possible."

"U-uh. Understood. I'll be careful from now on."

"Thank you."

When I responded, Capella bowed slightly before looking at Ovelia in Tink's arms.

"That said, Ovelia achieved a great victory."

"Eh, great victory?"

When I asked back, Vene showed her sharp double canine teeth saying "Haha, that's right."

"Though she lost consciousness, she didn't run from my strike. Meaning Ovelia won against me in training, even if just practice. The old man agrees, right?"

When she asked loudly, Shia who was slightly distant let out a small sigh and nodded.

"...That's correct. Though unofficial, that Ovelia defeated Chief Vene. Among beast tribes who value martial prowess, this holds significant meaning. If this matter spreads within the territory, the Rabbit Tribe people should view Baldia favorably."

"Eh, is that so?"

Blinking at the unexpected words, Vene nodded.

"She challenged a match proposed by me in my position as chief, and Ovelia faced it without running and won. I don't know about other countries, but among beast tribes, she's accomplished a feat everyone would praise. Baldia, whom Ovelia serves, will see its favorability skyrocket too."

After saying this, she began laughing loudly enough to echo through the training ground.

With the pearl cultivation matter too, increased Rabbit Tribe favorability toward Baldia is very welcome.

Perhaps this was also part of Vene's consideration.

Though I might be overthinking.

Ovelia and Vene's beastification training came to an end, and we began preparations to depart the Rabbit Tribe territory.

Our next destination is finally the Bird Tribe territory - the land governed by Chief Horst Padgury.

Given that Horst deployed what could be called hypnotic magic in the royal capital, he's also the most dangerous and tense opponent so far.

That man alone is unreadable in his thoughts.

Unlike the previous chiefs, he's undoubtedly hostile.

We can't exactly skip visiting the Bird Tribe territory, and I'm concerned about Aria's sister Ilia and the sister named Ibi Padgury too.

At any rate, it will undoubtedly be a different kind of visit from previous ones.

While advancing departure preparations, I tightened my focus and heightened tension without letting those around me notice.