Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 745

"Then, Lord Ridd. We will lead the way, so please follow us."

"Understood. Lady Ibi, everyone of the Ten Wings, I look forward to your guidance on the journey."

At Ibi's words, I nodded and looked around. They bowed their heads slightly in acknowledgment, then simultaneously soared into the sky.

A strong wind whipped up, leaving only Ibi on the ground.

"I will fly within visible range of Lord Ridd and your party, but the rest will patrol from higher altitudes to watch for monsters."

"Understood. We'll set off in the charcoal-powered vehicles now."

I nodded at her words and signaled with my eyes to Capella and Tink.

Chris and the others reacted immediately, and the party busily began final preparations for departure.

"Wait, Ibi, big sister!"

A cute voice came from the sky. Turning around, I saw Aria's figure and my eyes widened in surprise.

"Aria...?! I specifically asked you to guard the Christy Trading Company along with the others."

"Ridd, big bro— no, Lord Ridd, I'm sorry. I just really wanted to talk to Ibi, big sister..."

I had deliberately assigned her to the rear guard for the Christy Trading Company this time.

I had also instructed her to walk on the ground instead of flying.

The reason was to keep Aria away from Holst and those under his influence.

Aria is a girl with the blood of the enhanced lineage from the Padgury family.

It's unclear how exactly she ended up being sold to Balst, but when I found her and her sisters, they were severely emaciated.

Both Sandra and Dr. Bizica, who examined them, unanimously said that 'if they hadn't washed up in Baldia, Aria and her sisters would have died from exhaustion.'

This is just speculation, but Aria and the others were probably sold to Balst 'on the premise that they would die.'

If they were alive in Baldia, it meant the bloodline of the Padgury family's enhanced lineage had leaked outside.

In fact, back in Zubera's royal capital, Holst had said, 'Won't you return Aria and the others to me?'

I refused immediately, but the story of how they were sold to Balst differed between him and Aria.

Moreover, Holst had used some suspicious magic or something to place a suggestion on me.

As if to say, 'Do not get involved with the Bird Tribe.'

Because of all this, I had no intention of letting Aria and Holst meet, and I had planned to have the Bird Tribe members abstain from the Beast Transformation training as well.

"...Aria. It's been a while."

Ibi directed a cold gaze at her, but Aria didn't back down a single step, meeting her eyes and speaking up.

"Like I said before, I want you all to come to Baldia. Lord Ridd is kind, the food is delicious, and there's no one who calls us 'failures' or other horrible things. So, please."

As Aria's words echoed within the checkpoint, the Bird Tribe soldiers stirred.

Regardless of her intent, she had just tried to recruit Ibi, who leads the Guardian Ten Wings, Holst's direct subordinates, an organization composed entirely of the enhanced lineage.

They were probably just astonished.

Well, I'm pretty surprised too, to be honest.

Actually, Aria had consulted with me many times about accepting Ibi and Ilia, and each time I answered:

'It's a difficult problem, but if Ibi and Ilia truly wish to come to Baldia, I'll manage something.'

Glancing subtly around, Tink and Capella had difficult expressions.

Since they both think about diplomatic issues more than I do, they probably aren't feeling calm inside about this situation.

"Aria..."

Ibi's expression softened slightly, and she walked over, gently placing a hand on Aria's cheek.

"...You are a disgrace to the Padgury family."

"Eh...?"

Just as Aria tilted her head in confusion, the sound of a slap reverberated through the checkpoint, and Aria fell onto her backside.

"B-Big sister...?"

Blinking, Aria looked up. Ibi glared down at her with a demonic expression.

"I can sympathize with you being sold into slavery to Balst by the heartless provincial nobles. However, even if you are from a branch family, the blood of the Padgury family should flow in your veins. Have you forgotten that pride? Not content with being bound to a foreign nation, you even dare to tell me and Ilia to 'come'? You are utterly shameless."

The ear-splitting roar Ibi let out swept through as magical waves, kicking up sand and sending a tingling vibration through my entire body.

"B-but, I want to hear your singing again, big sister Ibi!"

"You still dare to speak? Then I shall slit your throat so you can never open your mouth again."

As Aria stood up fearlessly and shouted back, Ibi drew the sword at her waist and closed the distance in an instant.

I instinctively shouted "Stop!" and stepped between them, planting myself firmly in front of Aria.

The tip of the sword was pointed right between my eyes. Amidst the stir and tense atmosphere from within the checkpoint, Ibi glared at me.

"...Lord Ridd. With all due respect, what is the meaning of this? This is a matter for the Padgury family."

"B-Big brother..."

Aria murmured worriedly behind my back, but I narrowed my eyes reassuringly at her, signaling 'It's okay.'

I saw Tink and Capella about to step forward in my peripheral vision, but I signaled with my eyes for them to 'stay back' and stop.

I'll probably get scolded by them later.

Thinking that, I turned back to face Ibi.

"It's true that Aria may have the Padgury bloodline. However, right now, she is part of Baldia's... no, she is one of my precious family members whom I must protect."

"Family...?"

Ibi frowned, but I smiled and said, "Yes, family."

"Nations, nobles, aristocratic families, provincial nobles... there are as many ways of thinking as there are such groups. Personally, I consider those who serve Baldia devotedly as family. Therefore, please understand that Aria is my little sister."

"I have never heard of such a way of thinking. Lord Ridd, you seem to hold rather unique views."

"Haha, I get that often. I guess that's why they call me an unorthodox storm-bringer, huh?"

I gave a wry smile, scratching my cheek. Ibi fell silent and stared straight into my eyes.

It felt like she was sizing me up.

After a moment, she snorted and lowered her sword.

"...You've spoiled the mood. Besides, if Lord Ridd considers Aria his sister, then I cannot lay a hand on her regardless."

"I'm glad you understand."

I smiled at her, but she continued to glare at Aria, her brow still furrowed.

"However, Aria. The fact that you are a disgrace remains unchanged."

"Big sister Ibi..."

"I had been ordered by Lord Holst to persuade you to return to the Padgury family if I ever met you. But you, who have forgotten the pride of the Padgury family and are bound to a foreign nation, are someone we want nothing to do with. Never call me 'sister' again. It makes me sick."

"Th-that can't be...?!"

As Aria's face filled with confusion, Ibi sheathed her sword and turned her back to us.

"A young bird separated from the flock will eventually be attacked by a great eagle. When you fly through the sky, you'd best be careful."

She muttered this quietly, then added, "Now, I will lead the way," and soared into the sky.

"Why... why... Big sister Ibi..."

Aria fell to her knees on the spot and began to cry.

"It's okay, Aria. Ibi must have her reasons too. A time will come when you understand each other. I'll help as much as I can, okay?"

"...Yeah. Thank you, big brother."

As I stayed by her side, encouraging her, Tink and Capella came running over. "Lord Ridd! Aria!"

"Lord Ridd, please don't do anything so reckless. I thought my heart would stop."

"I concur with Lady Tink."

"Ahaha, sorry about that. Tink, Capella."

I apologized, scratching my cheek. The two let out deep sighs and looked at Aria.

"You too, Aria. What do you think Lord Ridd was being cautious for, trying not to draw attention?"

"I understand your feelings, wanting your sisters from your homeland to join you. But if that puts you in danger, it defeats the purpose. Now that Lord Ridd has called you family, you must strictly refrain from causing him worry."

"I-I'm sorry."

Aria hung her head dejectedly. Tink's expression suddenly softened, and she gently hugged her.

"But you were very gallant and wonderful. I am proud of you, kind-hearted Aria. You don't need to worry about the 'pride of the Padgury family' or such things."

"Ah... Y-yeah. Thank you."

In Tink's arms, Aria blushed and nodded, looking both happy and embarrassed.

As I watched the two fondly, Capella leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"...Lord Ridd, regarding the exchange between Aria and Ibi, it seems it attracted the attention of the Ten Wings who had flown up into the sky as well."

"Seems like it. I felt it too."

I glanced up at the sky casually, but I couldn't see them.

Were they watching from afar?

Or perhaps they were hiding within the clouds.

"It seems we should indeed be cautious around the Bird Tribe."

"Yeah, I agree. Also, while we're in Bird Tribe territory, let's have Aria guard me personally. It seems there's a 'great eagle' targeting the 'young bird'."

"Understood."

As Capella nodded, I looked up in the direction Ibi had flown.

Ibi was waiting at a slightly higher altitude, seemingly waiting for us to finish our preparations.

That exchange between Ibi and Aria just now.

If taken at face value, it was Ibi severing ties with Aria.

But I also sensed there might be an underlying intention.

First of all, from the Bird Tribe's perspective, Aria's initial 'recruitment'-like statement towards Ibi was unforgivable.

It was content that could lead to a diplomatic issue, but by refuting it with intense words and declaring the severance of ties, Ibi made Aria's statement ambiguous.

Holst, Ibi, Ilia, the members of the Ten Wings...

It seems they all have their own various motives.

Who is an ally, and who is an enemy, for Baldia?

It seems necessary to discern as much as possible, even in this short time.

I waved lightly towards Ibi. Still hovering in the sky, she said nothing but bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment.

*At the very least, I hope you are an ally, Ibi Padgury.*

I muttered this in my heart, then boarded the charcoal-powered vehicle with Aria and the others.