Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 746

A considerable amount of time had passed since we departed the checkpoint under the escort of the Guardian Ten Wings, led by Ibi.

The road the charcoal-powered vehicles were traveling on seemed well-maintained, but the scenery outside the window was an endless stretch of deep forest with tall trees.

It seemed the Bird Tribe territory was a land rich in forests.

The Bird Tribe can fly, and being covered by forests of tall trees might help prevent invasions from external enemies.

If someone unfamiliar with the forest paths strayed from the main road into the deep woods, they would likely get lost immediately.

Since there are no rescue organizations in this world, the worst-case scenario—dying unnoticed—is highly probable.

Taking a cynical view, it could be 'outsiders not welcome.'

Or perhaps there's something in the Bird Tribe territory they don't want outsiders to know about.

"...It's quiet," Tink, sitting in a nearby seat, remarked slowly.

"Yeah. It makes me wonder if monsters really did overflow from the dungeon... Have you ever seen a situation where they overflowed?"

When I asked back, she nodded.

"Yes, I have, from my time as an adventurer. When dungeons appeared in deep mountains or abandoned villages where people don't go, the local lords or the country managing the land would sometimes request cooperation from the Adventurer's Guild, and I participated a few times."

"Wow, really? But I don't think I've heard much about Baldia requesting cooperation from the Adventurer's Guild."

There is an Adventurer's Guild in Baldia too, but I haven't heard much about the Baldia family issuing requests for cooperation.

Perhaps the only time was when we hired mercenaries during the war with the Fox Tribe led by Elba.

Incidentally, the Christy Trading Company seems to issue requests to the guild quite frequently.

Thinking about it, some of the requests the Baldia family gave to Chris are subcontracted to the Adventurer's Guild through the Christy Trading Company.

Indirectly, I guess that means Baldia also utilizes the Adventurer's Guild.

"That's because Baldia's knight orders are excellent," Tink said, slowly shaking her head.

"Some territories or countries can handle things with their own knight orders or armies, but sometimes they lack the manpower, or for some reason, can't dispatch them. In those cases, they request cooperation from the Adventurer's Guild. Baldia has both the First and Second Knight Orders, and both are excellent. Just regarding dungeons, I don't think we'd need to request help from the Adventurer's Guild."

"I see. So, Rubens is probably leading the knight orders and working hard right about now."

"Fufu, perhaps. Since marrying Diana and having a child on the way, he seems to be working even harder than before."

She smiled, then her expression turned serious. "By the way, Lord Ridd..."

"What is it?"

"If it's not too much trouble, may I ask a little about Aria?"

"Ah, right. You hadn't returned yet when Aria came to Baldia, Tink."

"Yes. I received a handover from Diana, but if possible, I'd like to hear it from her directly on this occasion."

As she said this, Tink glanced subtly at Aria inside the vehicle.

Ever since Ibi treated her coldly, her usual brightness had vanished, and she remained dejected.

I tried to encourage her a few times, but she's still gazing blankly out the window.

"...And I think talking about something might help Aria calm down too."

"You're right. Okay."

I stood up from my seat and moved with Tink to where Aria was sitting.

Incidentally, Capella, who is in the same vehicle, isn't showing it in his words or expression, but he's sitting near Aria, seemingly looking out for her in his own way.

"Mind if we sit next to you?""May I join you as well?"

When we both spoke up, Aria, who had been looking outside, started and looked our way.

"Eh, u-uh, yeah. It's fine."

"Then, pardon us."

I sat down next to Aria, and Tink took the seat opposite.

Meanwhile, Capella was sitting in the seat across the aisle, and Cookie, in her kitten form, was on the seat opposite him.

As the atmosphere in the vehicle grew tense, I cleared my throat and began.

"Aria, I know you must have a lot on your mind and feel confused. But also to confirm, could you tell us again about the circumstances that led to you coming to Baldia? And also, what you know about Ibi, Ilia, the Guardian Ten Wings, and Holst?"

"Ah..."

Aria blinked, seeming to understand what I meant. Tink smiled gently at her.

"I've heard about you from Diana, the head maid Marietta, the deputy head maid Fraù, and the maids Leona and Marcio who took care of you when you first arrived in Baldia. They said you're a cute hard worker."

"Eh, really?"

When Aria tilted her head, Tink narrowed her eyes and nodded.

"Yes. I also heard that you tend not to show your weak side to others and keep things to yourself. Everyone was very worried about that point."

"Eh, ehh...?! W-was I seen that way?"

Aria's face turned red with embarrassment. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's true, Aria does tend to keep things to herself. You don't have to stretch yourself so thin just because you're the big sister."

"E-even you, big brother...?!"

As Aria puffed out her cheeks, I gently placed a hand on her head.

"I'm your 'big brother,' right? Then, wanting to help my cute little sister with her worries and troubles is only natural for a brother, isn't it?"

"Big brother..."

"I promised you, didn't I? If you want Ibi and Ilia to come to Baldia, I'll help as much as I can. It might be painful to remember, but could you tell us one more time?"

"...Yeah, okay."

Nodding, Aria began to speak haltingly about the time she and her half-sisters were in the Bird Tribe territory.

According to her, the Padgury family is a tribe within the Beastman Country of Zubera where the idea of the enhanced bloodline is particularly deeply rooted.

The enhanced bloodline is a culture where outstanding individuals bear children together to make their own tribe the Beast King.

It seems there have been confirmed drawbacks to the blood becoming too concentrated, and recently that culture has been gradually fading.

However, it seems there are still some provincial noble families where the idea of the enhanced bloodline remains strong, and among them, the Bird Tribe is said to be the foremost.

The Empire also has its 'Imperial Pureblood Doctrine' ideology, so I suppose such thinking exists to a certain extent in every country.

Aria and her sisters were born as part of a branch family lineage resulting from the long-standing enhanced bloodline practices of the Padgury family, and they underwent harsh training together from before they could even speak.

Treatment gradually changed based on ability differences, and Aria's twin sister, 'Ilia,' was judged to have exceptional power among their sisters.

Not long after that, Aria and the others, who had been weakened by the intense training, were sold off en masse as slaves in Balst, but fortunately, they washed up in Baldia.

When they were sold in Balst, Aria was told by a person who seemed to be a provincial noble, 'This is on Lord Balst's orders.'

However, this point conflicts with what Holst said in the royal capital: 'It was done on the independent judgment of some provincial nobles.'

Of course, I only believe Aria's words.

"...And that's the story of how we ended up in Baldia."

"I see. It matches what I heard from Diana and the others."

Tink nodded, seeming satisfied.

Watching her out of the corner of my eye, I continued, "Then next..."

"Could you tell us what you know about Ibi Padgury and the Guardian Ten Wings?"

"Yeah..."

Aria nodded and slowly began to speak.