Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 741

"Well then, Rid. Be careful on your journey."

"Yeah, thank you. Vene."

The morning of our departure from the Rabbit Tribe territory. Charcoal cars were lined up before the chief's residence, with Vene and Shia seeing us off plus formal influential tribe members gathered in full force.

After finishing a firm handshake with Vene, I also shook hands with Shia.

"Lord Shia, I apologize for causing you trouble during our stay."

"No no, thanks to you, the Rabbit Tribe territory's future has brightened. If anything, my heart feels lighter."

"That's good to hear. But we also felt very encouraged by your promise of full cooperation."

When I answered with a smile, Shia subtly glanced sideways at Vene before leaning closer.

"...Lord Rid must have also been troubled by Vene's recklessness. My apologies."

"Ah, ahaha. Well, thanks to that I feel we've become comfortable talking with each other, so it worked out in the end. And..."

"And...?"

When Shia tilted his head, I looked at Capella and Tink, Chris and the others.

"Like Lady Vene, I also drag everyone around. I'm not in a position to criticize others."

"Ah, I see. Fufu, it seems I was directing my sympathy to the wrong person."

Apparently understanding what I meant to say, Shia spilled a benevolent grandfatherly smile.

Having spent time with Vene this time, I realized something.

Though our personalities and speech differ, at our core she and I are similar.

While Vene drags Shia and the influential members around, her words and actions here and there convey that she deeply cares about them in her heart.

And also how she actively takes action considering the territory and people's future.

"Old man, what are you talking about with Rid?"

"No, nothing important. Don't mind it."

"What's that?"

Vene shrugged at Shia's answer, then turned serious and leaned her face close to my ear saying "By the way..."

"Next is Horst's place, right? That guy's not like me - he won't speak openly. Don't be deceived by appearances or sweet words."

"...I know. I'll be careful."

When I nodded, she relaxed her mouth saying "Ah, that's right."

"I sent the same swimsuits Chris and the others used at the sea, plus the clothing from the social gathering, to Baldia."

"Eh, really?"

When I tilted my head, she smiled showing her sharp double canine teeth.

"Yeah, yesterday. Since the sight of Chris and the others wearing those was hugely popular with the men. Lord Liner should be pleased too."

"No no, if he sees the contents, I don't think he'll give them to Mother."

I am curious to see how Mother would look wearing those swimsuits and Rabbit Tribe clothing.

But given Father's personality, he probably wouldn't hand them over.

"Then it's fine."

"Why's that?"

She raised the corners of her mouth mischievously.

"I properly sent them addressed to Lady Nanary. Wrote 'The knights from the Empire without exception were captivated seeing Chris, Tink, and Emma wearing these. Please enjoy wearing them yourself.'"

"Eh...? Wha, you wrote that and sent it to Mother!?"

When I asked back with wide eyes, Vene spilled a nonchalant smile.

"Haha, don't be so surprised. I properly wrote that thanks to Rid, the Rabbit Tribe decided to fully cooperate with Baldia too. Plus Lady Nanary is undergoing medical treatment, right? Wearing them would provide a change of pace, and even if she doesn't wear them, they should be something to look forward to after recovery. Though our clothing might be a bit provocative for stuffy Empire standards."

"W-well, that might be true but..."

That it would provide a change of pace is probably correct.

Mother is progressing toward recovery, and I've been sending various tribe traditional clothing to Baldia through the Christina Trading Company thinking it might provide distraction.

However, while Vene knows Father, she doesn't know Mother.

I never imagined she would choose to send clothing addressed to Mother rather than Father in that situation.

"And also. According to stories from retired influential members, being confined for long periods apparently makes people feel left behind by society. Since it's a letter from me as chief, I thought it might encourage Lady Nanary."

"Ah..."

Now that she mentions it, Mother always greatly looked forward to the regular letters from Her Majesty Matilda.

For Mother, those letters might have been her only connection to society besides family.

Though now that Baldia has developed, letters from people trying to create connections from past ties have exploded, making replies apparently quite troublesome.

"Well, I also wrote they can throw them away if unnecessary, so don't worry about it."

"...Understood. Vene, thank you for being considerate of Mother too. As thanks, if Vene ever comes to Baldia, I'll guide you through every corner of the territory. Including special visits to Baldia's workshops."

"Oh, really!? I'll definitely come to Baldia! Rid, don't forget this promise!"

"Of course. I'll look forward to Vene's visit too."

Nodding at her words as she happily sparkled her eyes, we boarded the charcoal cars.

Then, seen off by Vene and the others, we departed the Rabbit Tribe territory.

◇

About a full day after departing the chief's residence, our group arrived at the checkpoint between the Bird Tribe and Rabbit Tribe territories.

The checkpoint is apparently under Padgury family management, with the soldiers within the grounds unified as Bird Tribe members.

They wear white-based uniforms, with attire similar to Horst and Ibi whom I saw in Zubera's capital.

Their back wings seem to vary slightly in color, size, and shape between individuals.

While undergoing inspection, a soldier descended from the sky, and the checkpoint soldiers began moving busily.

Wondering if there was some problem, a Bird Tribe soldier came running over.

"Lord Rid, I deeply apologize. A messenger just arrived reporting that a dungeon with monsters overflowing has been confirmed within the territory."

"Eh, monsters are overflowing from a dungeon!?"

Dungeons accumulate magical power in their cores over long periods, and when exceeding a certain amount, the monsters created inside overflow to the surface to claim the land as their territory.

Meaning it must be a massive dungeon possessing considerable magical power by the time it overflows.

"Apparently Horst-sama has urgently headed for suppression, so he humbly requests the talks be postponed."

"I see."

Given the incident in the capital and being warned by Vene, I had been more tense about the talks with Horst than any previous ones.

I never expected they'd be postponed in this form, but I wonder if the dungeon matter is genuine.

Perhaps there's something he doesn't want us to see or know about.

While turning thoughts over, I had a flash of inspiration and began with "Um..."

"If acceptable, shall we assist with the monster suppression?"

"Eh..."

The soldier looked puzzled with wide eyes at my proposal.

"Since we're touring Zubera, our group is organized around Baldia knights. I believe we can help protect the territory's people, but what do you think?"

"That's a very appreciated offer. However, I cannot decide on my own authority, so please wait a moment."

Just as the soldier nodded happily, wind blew down from the sky and a large shadow fell.

"That won't be necessary."

Startled by the dignified voice, I looked up to see Ibi Padgury with her red hair in two large side ponytails descending.

Then Bird Tribe members emitting pressure and intensity not inferior to previous chiefs descended from the sky following her.

A petite, beautiful woman with an unapproachable atmosphere.

A seemingly taciturn man with strong eye intensity wearing a headband.

A creepy man with a leering mouth.

A cheerful-looking woman with an unceasing smile.

A person around 3 meters tall covered in full body armor.

A pale man carrying a large scythe constantly muttering to himself.

An expressionless woman staring as if appraising us.

A polite-looking young man with gentlemanly formal manners.

A girl with a bright expression carrying a large metal club.

With Ibi included, ten people stood lined up, sending chills down my spine as I gulped and caught my breath.

They must all be people born through the enhanced bloodline said to be practiced in the Padgury family.

The magical power I sense from them strongly mingles with various beast tribe presences I've encountered before.

"Th-this is the Brutritter everyone! Welcome, you've come!"

The Bird Tribe soldier nearby turned pale and prostrated on the spot, at which the checkpoint soldiers hurriedly all pressed their heads to the ground in formal respect.

These people who descended with Ibi at the front are the Brutritter...?

Judging from the situation and presence, they're either directly under Horst or a special group composed solely of the Padgury family's enhanced bloodline.

As the checkpoint atmosphere became grimly enveloped in unusual tension, Ibi advanced as if this situation were natural and came before me.