Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 760

"...This door leads to the conference room where the talks will be held. Are you mentally prepared, Ridd and Amon?"

"Of course. I'm ready anytime."

"I am also fully prepared."

Azteca relaxed his mouth in a somewhat provocative manner, but Ridd and Amon remained unfazed and nodded.

They walked straight down the path flanked by noblemen, were guided by Azteca through the mansion and its adjoining warehouse, moved into the mansion, and finally arrived at this conference room.

Perhaps because the Horse Tribe handles transportation within Zubaira, next to the chieftain's mansion stood a large, mostly single-story logistics warehouse with offices on the second floor.

The warehouse walls featured numerous large, tall loading entrances at regular intervals to facilitate unloading and loading wagons, a structure worthy of being called a logistics hub.

Chris and Emma, as representatives of the trading company, had also exclaimed upon seeing the warehouse, "We haven't seen a facility of this scale before."

What casually surprised Ridd was that the carts used inside the warehouse were 'foldable with high sides' or 'adjustable shelf height' types, reminiscent of his past life.

'These carts, you see. I designed and made them.'

During the tour, Azteca, seeming to notice Ridd's surprise, had said this with a proud face.

Baldia also makes and uses similar carts.

If you think about the concept and refine the idea, anyone could make them.

However, few people think to actually 'make' it.

In that sense, I was surprised, but some things are better left unsaid.

'Wow, really?' Ridd had smiled and gone along with it for now.

Moving from the warehouse into the mansion interior, various national furnishings caught the eye.

Starting with the handicrafts of other tribes within Zubaira, there were items from the Empire, Renarute, Balst, Gardland, Astoria, Toga... probably furnishings from across the continent.

During the tour, when Ridd asked about the abundance of furnishings from various countries, Azteca relaxed his mouth and said, 'Sharp-eyed, aren't you?'

'The Horse Tribe handles most transportation from within Zubaira to other countries. Because of that, I have personal connections in various nations. These are items I've acquired through those connections.'

'I see, personal connections. That's truly interesting.'

'Haha, sorry, but I can't just tell you about them.'

Azteca shrugged and didn't elaborate on his 'personal connections.'

Then, they toured the rooms where they would stay and the venue for the social gathering, leading up to the present.

"Well then, here we go."

He placed his hand on the door handle, and the door slowly opened.

The room had walls decorated with luxurious gold leaf, a ceiling with chandeliers hanging in a row, and a long, prestigious table made from a single plank of wood.

Seated there were the fierce-looking noblemen seen at the entrance, who stood up promptly and bowed formally upon seeing them.

"Azteca-sama. Ridd-sama, Amon-sama. And to everyone in your party, we have been waiting for you."

"Don't worry about it. More importantly, let's get started."

Azteca waved a hand lightly, gesturing for them to sit, and walked briskly to the innermost seat, plopping down casually.

His manner was eye-catching, but what truly drew attention in the room was the large 'Zebrart family crest' painted on cloth and hung on the wall behind his seat.

The Zebrart family crest somewhat resembled the 'swastika' bit he had seen in his past life.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, Azteca glanced at the crest behind him and nodded. "Ah, this."

"This crest is said to have been drawn to honor the martial prowess and wheels, symbolizing the Horse Tribe warriors' deeds. Well, it was made a long time ago. Its true meaning isn't clear."

"Is that so? Thank you for the detailed explanation."

After thanking him, they each took their assigned seats.

Ridd sat with Amon and Chris beside him. Behind them, Capella, Tink, and Emma began preparing materials.

"Now then..."

Azteca began with a suggestive tone, tapping the table with his fingertips while resting his cheek on his hand.

"Shall we start the talks? But let me say this first."

"...What is it?"

Ridd asked back, and he leaned forward, glowering.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense, a sense of strain beginning to pervade.

"Hearsay spreads like wildfire. I've heard all sorts of things about the proposals Ridd and Amon made in each territory. Being neighbors to the Fox Tribe territory, yet being visited last and then offered scraps—that's not amusing to me at all."

"Th-that is..."

Amon faltered, but Ridd nodded with a smile. "I see."

"That's a valid point. So, specifically, what are you asking for?"

Ridd asked, and he grinned.

"To start with, the quantity of the new text-input devices, the road maintenance request, various prices. I'd like you to consider those points, I suppose."

Since he frequently enters and leaves each tribal territory for transportation, he must have gathered information through his so-called 'personal connections.'

Even if the details of talks in each tribal territory aren't made public, it was anticipated they might eventually be shared among the chieftain council or chieftains on good terms.

However, it must be said that the Horse Tribe gathering this much information in such a short time was unexpected.

"Alright, I'm going to take a smoke break."

Saying this, Azteca smoothly reached into his own pocket.

For a moment, Capella, Tink, and Emma tensed, but what he pulled from his pocket was a small silver case.

He opened it slowly, took out a cigar, and snipped off the tip.

Then, he signaled to a nearby nobleman, who lit it with magic.

He took a deep drag on the cigar and slowly exhaled.

A unique, sweet aroma reminiscent of carved wood filled the room, but it was a bit smoky.

"...Phew, this is my mansion. I'll smoke without restraint."

"Yes, of course. Feel free to smoke."

"Hehe, Ridd gets straight to the point; that helps. Sekmetos used to smoke these before, you know. She quit cold turkey after Johann was born. On top of that, she even banned smoking in the castle. That's abuse of authority."

Sekmetos smoked cigars too?

It suits her image, but quitting cold turkey after Johann's birth is also very like her.

Azteca shrugged and looked at them.

"If any of you want to smoke, go ahead. Don't hold back."

"No, we—"

He started to refuse but stopped.

Come to think of it, no one around him smokes cigars or cigarettes.

Could they be refraining out of consideration?

He looked around to check, but everyone uniformly shook their heads.

It seems none of them smoke.

"What, none of you smoke? Well, that's fine too."

He said disappointedly, then shifted the topic. "So..."

"What about it, Ridd and Amon? You'll consider it, right?"

"Well..."

Ridd didn't answer immediately, deliberately covering his mouth as if pondering.

Considering they are neighbors to the Fox Tribe territory, friendly relations should be prioritized.

However, accepting all the other party's demands might make them take advantage.

Especially with someone like Azteca, he might act nonchalantly and casually, only to end up taking everything before you know it.

A point for careful consideration.

As Ridd pondered, Amon leaned in close to his ear.

"...What should we do, Ridd?"

"We can't simply dismiss them, as they are neighbors to the Fox Tribe territory. But on the other hand, if we comply with every demand, they'll likely push us around endlessly."

As Ridd said this, Azteca tapped the table with his finger, drawing everyone's attention.

"Our time for talks is limited. Could you give me your answer quickly?"

Under the gaze of Azteca and the noblemen, Ridd took a deep breath and then narrowed his eyes.

"...Understood. We'll do our best within the possible range."

"Oh, is that so? As expected, Ridd gets straight to the point; that helps."

"However..."

Interrupting his pleased words, Ridd spoke firmly.

"We cannot compromise on prices due to balance with other tribes. Instead, we can make adjustments in quantity or scope of construction."

"What...? What do you mean you can't compromise on prices?"

Furrows appeared on Azteca's brow, but Ridd narrowed his eyes in contrast.

"Exactly as I said. If you could obtain information from other tribal territories, the reverse is also true. While we naturally want to meet your requests, hearsay spreads like wildfire."

"Hmm..."

His eyebrow twitched.

Since they're his own words, he can't easily retort.

Ridd continued calmly with a smile.

"If we give too much preferential treatment just because it's the last neighboring territory, it might create cracks in the relationships we've carefully built with other tribes. However, with quantity or scope of construction, we can publicly explain it as being 'because it's a neighboring territory.'"

"Oh, you've thought it through. But, listen. I heard that even at Luva's place, you're giving preferential treatment on the quantity of input devices. What about that?"

"You are well-informed. I'd love to know who you heard that from."

"Sorry, but I can't tell you that. It's a matter of confidentiality. Haha."

Ridd deliberately widened his eyes in inquiry, but Azteca grinned and shook his head.

"Immediate delivery of the text-input devices would be difficult anyway. Let's agree on a long-term, continuous supply contract."

"Fine. That's acceptable."

He took another deep drag on the cigar and slowly exhaled.

At least he turned his face away so the smoke wouldn't reach Ridd and Amon.

Amidst the smoke filling the conference room, Azteca placed his cigar in the ashtray, sharpened his gaze, and smiled happily.

"Now, finally, the main topic. Let me hear about this new system combining the charcoal vehicles developed by Baldia, the Christie Trading Company's collection capabilities, and the Horse Tribe's transport power."

"Yes. That's also why we chose the Horse Tribe territory as our final destination."

As Ridd narrowed his eyes, Tink and Capella promptly began distributing materials to the noblemen.

Soon, once everyone had the materials, Ridd cleared his throat and began explaining the plan.