Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 758

"Ridd-sama. And to everyone in your party. Welcome to the Horse Tribe territory."

The air trembled with the loud voices of the noblemen, and the path leading to the chieftain's mansion entrance was filled with a solemn, peculiar atmosphere.

Looking closely at the noblemen surrounding the path, they all had scars here and there on their cheeks, mouths, foreheads, etc., and each had a fierce-looking face.

Amon, standing beside me, placed a hand on his forehead and looked utterly exasperated.

We've seen beast tribespeople from various territories so far, and there have been people in every tribe with scars on their bodies and fierce faces.

In fact, as a race that values 'martial prowess,' they seem to have a meaning behind displaying their own 'bravery.'

I have some resistance to this atmosphere from dealing with bandits and knights, but someone who knows nothing would definitely shrink back.

Glancing over, Nina, the maid closest to a commoner in our party, had a stiffened face and was clearly shrinking back, intimidated.

Still, the fact she was holding her ground, determined to protect Claude, was typical of her strong-willed nature and also reassuring.

Meanwhile, the baby Claude wasn't crying at the men's loud voices; instead, he seemed curious, his eyes sparkling.

Truly the child of Cross and Tink, I suppose.

Capella and Tink's expressions hadn't changed much; if anything, they seemed partly exasperated.

They might be thinking something like, 'A tasteless display of power...'

Cookie, in kitten form, got out of the vehicle, stretched his four legs, arched his back and tail high, and yawned, looking disinterested.

To him, this level of display probably isn't worth fearing.

Looking over at the Christie Trading Company group, Chris and Emma were at the front.

But far from being afraid, they were squinting their eyes.

For them, traveling the continent for business, this sort of intimidation and pressure might be routine.

"What's wrong, Ridd? You're not the type to get scared by something like this, are you?"

Azteca grinned provocatively.

I was annoyed, but smiled without letting it show on my face.

"That's right. It's quite the enthusiastic welcome; I appreciate it. Since it's a welcome, please allow me to respond in my own way."

"Your own response?"

Azteca tilted his head, and I nodded, saying "Yes," then activated Body Enhancement: Blaze.

Mana waves surged around us, kicking up a swirl of dust.

After a quick glance at the murmuring noblemen, I slightly bent my knees, assumed a stance, lowered my head a little, sharpened my gaze, glared around intimidatingly, opened my right hand, and extended it forward.

"I [w *t a k u s h i* ], born and raised in the Empire's Magnolia. Bathed in the first bath at the frontier Baldia. Surname is Baldia, given name is Ridd. Some call me the 'Unconventional Whirlwind Hero.' By some strange and wonderful fortune, at a tender age, I left my birthplace. One way or another, I've wandered east and west, a lad [w a p p a] who tends to impose on the gentlemen and ladies of each land. Henceforth, I ask that you kindly remember this face inherited from my parents. From this day forward, I humbly request your esteemed guidance and strict discipline in all matters [k o u g o b a n t a n]."

After I delivered this speech clearly and confidently, puffing out my chest, silence enveloped the surroundings.

The noblemen were dumbfounded, their eyes wide open, speechless.

It was a greeting modeled on the formal speeches from the 'human drama films' of my past life.

I had checked it in my mind via Memory.

Judging by the reactions around me, it seemed to have gone over well.

A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye, intimidation for intimidation.

Alright, nailed it.

Just as I thought that, Cookie, in kitten form, cautiously rubbed against my legs and meowed, "nya~."

"...Kukuku. Aha ha ha ha!"

Suddenly, Azteca started chuckling, then burst into loud laughter.

"What is it?" As the noblemen and those around us focused on him, he laughed for a while, then wiped his eyes, stood before me, and assumed a similar stance.

"Your polite words are appreciated. Let me reintroduce myself: I am the Horse Tribe Chieftain, surname Zebrart, given name Azteca. Henceforth, I look forward to working with you in all matters."

"Thank you. Please, raise your hand."

"No, you first."

"That would be troubling."

"Then let's raise them together."

I nodded at Azteca's words, and we both raised our hands as we stood up.

This signified that Azteca and I were on equal footing.

I released Body Enhancement: Blaze and straightened my posture. Azteca grinned, tilting his head. "So, Ridd."

"I went along with it, but what was that greeting all about?"

"Huh? Aren't you supposed to give a formal speech as a greeting here?!"

"Who said that...?"

Azteca shrugged, and my entire body suddenly felt hot with embarrassment.

I wanted to crawl into a hole.

Covering my face with both hands, I could hear his laughter.

"Well, it was good entertainment before the talks. The guys who were on guard seem to have lightened up a bit towards Ridd."

"Huh...?"

Startled, I looked up. The noblemen surrounding the path were all standing at attention, their mouths forming a tight line as if suppressing something, trembling.

"Wh-what...?!"

"These guys were all intimidated by the tales of Ridd's exploits they'd heard from all over. This path-surrounding greeting was their idea too."

As I faltered and Azteca glanced at them, a snicker escaped from some of the noblemen.

"Guh...?!"

My face grew hotter and hotter. Someone gently patted my shoulder.

Turning around, I saw Amon smiling.

"Ridd, that speech just now was good, but who taught it to you?"

As Amon brought it up, Tink and Capella looked over.

"I'm also curious. Who could have possibly told Ridd-sama to give such a greeting here?"

"I recall there were people in Renarute who gave similar greetings, but when and how did Ridd-sama learn of it?"

"N-no, that is..."

Pressed by the three of them, I made an awkward face, my eyes darting around.

"W-well, it was... written in a book I obtained in Renarute..."

I muttered, trying to gloss over it. Amon narrowed his eyes. "I see."

"However, this is Zubaira. I think you should be a bit more careful about using greeting styles learned from books of other countries."

"I must agree with Amon-sama on this matter. Ridd-sama, please be cautious."

"R-right. I'll be careful next time."

Chastised in succession by Amon and Tink, I slumped my shoulders dejectedly.

"...Well, it wasn't entirely bad, perhaps."

Capella said thoughtfully, and I tilted my head. "Huh...?"

"While Azteca-sama played dumb, he probably understood the intent behind the greeting. Your movements weren't those of someone merely mimicking."

"Th-then why did he pretend not to know...?"

I asked back, and Capella glanced at Azteca, who was smirking a short distance away.

"Within the Horse Tribe, there undoubtedly are hardliners, or those wary of the talks with Ridd-sama. He might have used your speech to placate them."

"Wha...?!"

Hearing this, I looked at Azteca. He approached with a fearless grin that seemed to say, 'So you finally figured it out.'

"Alright, it's about time I showed you the mansion. Can you follow me, Ridd?"

"...Understood. Thank you."

Azteca Zebrart... what a sly one.

Muttering this inwardly, I responded with a smile.

And so, the curtain rose on the talks with the Horse Tribe.