Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 761

According to Azteca, the Horse Tribe, who run all over Zubaira for transport, naturally gather information about beast tribespeople driven from their towns and villages for various reasons like 'reducing mouths to feed,' 'having circumstances,' or 'being criminals.'

He seemed to have had a flash of inspiration, thinking he could put this information to good use.

'Even if their fate is to die within the beastmen's country, in Balst, they can survive in some form or another. So, we should transport them to Balst. With luck, there's a non-zero chance they could live better lives than now.'

He said he tried collecting some people facing death due to 'reducing mouths to feed' while on transport runs and took them to Balst, where the reaction was excellent.

As we grimaced at his cheerful tone, he grinned fearlessly and spread his hands.

"Ridd, Amon, Chris. Don't think I'm a terrible person. You must have seen it too. The light and shadow in each tribal territory."

"That is..."

His sharp comment made Ridd hesitate.

During their tours of each tribal territory, they had glimpsed people suffering from poverty and hunger in the shadows of the glamorous central districts.

The chieftains probably have some countermeasures, but without the economy of each territory and all of Zubaira becoming richer, and without effective policies being implemented, fundamental solutions are difficult.

If the measures he proposed in each place go well, Zubaira's problems should start moving towards resolution.

However, that will be gradual, not a sudden improvement.

He picked up the cigar resting in the ashtray and took a deep drag.

Then, he exhaled towards Ridd.

"Sekmetos, Luva, and Gyobu have been working hard, and things are a little better than before. But with the skirmishes with Toga, there are always insufficient supplies, deteriorating public order due to poverty and food shortages, lack of cooperation among tribes... the list goes on. Of course, the Horse Tribe territory is no different. There's no room to save complete strangers, people cast out to reduce mouths."

"...So, you transported our fellow beastmen to Balst?"

Amon asked intimidatingly, and Azteca nodded. "Yeah, that's right."

"Let me make one thing clear. When we transport them to Balst, we inform them of the destination beforehand, and they only go if they agree. It's only those who don't want to die, who think they can manage if they just survive."

"That's odd."

It was Chris who countered.

"Most of the members who are now part of House Baldia's Second Knight Order said they were brought to Balst against their will."

"Don't jump to conclusions, elf lady."

Azteca shrugged and pressed the shortened cigar tip into the ashtray.

As smoke rose quietly, he slowly clasped his hands.

"I tried that a few more times after that. But Elba caught wind of it."

"Brother... no, Elba did?"

Amon's eyebrow twitched, and he nodded.

"I was in trouble back then. Even though 'reducing mouths' was an unspoken understanding within the country, the fact that I, a chieftain, was transporting fellow beastmen to Balst. No matter the reason, this looked bad and was unacceptable. If it became public, my position in Zubaira would be at risk. But..."

"What Elba wanted was to 'hijack the plan,' correct?"

Ridd cut in to ask, but Azteca shook his head.

"Hijack is a bit off. What Elba said was, 'If you don't want this made public, help me with my plan.' I was just showing a path for survival, however slim, to those cast out. He, on the other hand, used others as pawns to achieve his own goals and desires. Well, the result..."

He grinned meaningfully and looked at Ridd and Amon.

"...was calling Ridd over, and even having Amon snatch the chieftain's seat. I had a good laugh when I heard about the outcome at Fort Hazama. Serves him right."

Saying this, Azteca began laughing loudly.

As his laughter echoed in the room, Ridd cleared his throat and spoke.

"I see, I understand the story. So, Azteca was complicit in Elba's slave trade. However, it's not that you willingly cooperated, so don't misunderstand. That's the gist, right?"

"That's right, that's the first part."

"The first part...?"

Ridd tilted his head, asking for clarification. Azteca took out a new cigar and cut the tip with a dagger.

Then, he produced a small flame at his fingertip and lit the cigar.

Taking a deep drag and exhaling smoke, he continued with an air of importance.

"This is where the main topic begins. Through the Christie Trading Company, I want Ridd to buy again. Again, I want you to take those cast out with nowhere to go."

"Wh... what?!"

Ridd couldn't help but widen his eyes at this unexpected request.

But Azteca was smirking.

"No need to be so surprised. It's been quite a while since Elba started selling our people to Balst. Here and there, more and more people are being 'cast out' with nowhere to go."

"Azteca. That is a problem for us beast tribespeople, for Zubaira. It's not something to ask of Ridd from House Baldia, a foreigner."

Amon raised his voice, but Azteca looked at him with exasperation and shrugged.

"Naive. You're naive, Amon. The reason 'reducing mouths' still happens is because we can't solve the problem within our own country. Let me tell you, 'reducing mouths' is still a reality even now in the Fox Tribe territory."

"Guh...!"

Perhaps struck by the truth, Amon grimaced bitterly and bit his lower lip.

Since the battle at Fort Hazama, the Fox Tribe territory has regained remarkable vitality. However, that's mainly in the central areas; small villages still face harsh conditions.

They are doing their best to deliver aid supplies, but there are limits.

They issued directives to avoid 'reducing mouths' and offered that the Granduke family would take in those in truly unavoidable situations, but perhaps due to fears of 'being charged with a crime,' no such cases have been brought to them.

Azteca placed his cigar in the ashtray and continued. "And besides..."

"The Fox Tribe territory's situation is harsh due to Elba's long years of oppressive rule. But then again, the internal state of every territory in Zubaira is similar. Arguing about it won't produce a solution. However, the rapidly developing Baldia can accept them. On top of that, it would create a significant debt of gratitude from all tribes in Zubaira. What do you say, Ridd? Will you take on this request?"

"That's... true..."

He couldn't immediately say, 'Yes, understood.' Ridd covered his mouth with his hand, thinking it over.

When they accepted the children who later joined the Second Knight Order from Balst through the Christie Trading Company, it was a first attempt, and it was possible because they had arranged things with the Emperor beforehand through his father.

To be honest, a response here is beyond what he can decide on his own.

"Ah, by the way, among those 'cast out,' there are also uncontrollable criminals, but we'll handle those on our end. What I want Ridd to accept are only the 'young and untainted' ones."

"Young and untainted, huh."

Judging from the flow of conversation, they are probably in similar circumstances to the children of the Second Knight Order.

For Baldia, which will continue to develop, promising future talent is something they desperately need.

Talents vary, but the potential of beast tribespeople has been demonstrated by the children of the Second Knight Order.

Even if they lack education at the moment, that can be remedied with time.

As he pondered how to respond, the smiling faces of everyone in the Second Knight Order who looks up to him came to mind.

And the words Fara said in front of them resurfaced in his memory.

'Fufu, Ridd-sama and everyone... it's like a family, like siblings.'