Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 764

"...So that's how it is. I've agreed to accept the exemption from the joint investment funds, and I intend to take in the children being culled to Baldia."

After I finished recounting the negotiations with Azteca, Tink was dumbfounded, and Capella silently shook his head.

"I had a bad feeling ever since Lord Azteca said he wanted to speak only with you all, Lord Ridd, but I never imagined he would propose such conditions."

"Ms. Tink is right. Lord Ridd, if I may ask, how do you intend to explain this matter to Lord Liner?"

Tink leaned forward abruptly, bringing her face close to mine with frightening intensity.

Her usually well-composed face now looked like a demonic mask.

My own face tensed as I flinched, but I managed to say, "I-It'll be alright."

"This time, unlike when we protected the children of the Second Knight Order in Balst, this is ultimately a request from the Horse Tribe chief. Of course, Father will be angry, but he'll also understand, and taking responsibility and getting scolded is part of my job."

"However..."

Tink pouted, showing her dissatisfaction, but I cleared my throat and composed myself.

"Besides, once this matter becomes public, Baldia will have created a significant debt of gratitude with Zubera, right? If we announce to the public that 'at the request of Chief Azteca, we were compelled to choose the path of humanity beyond politics,' neither the Empire nor surrounding nations will be able to say anything."

"That may be true, but..."

"Ms. Tink. Quibbling over what's already done won't help anything. Let's view this positively, as Lord Ridd says, as creating a significant debt of gratitude with Zubera."

"Mr. Capella, we were appointed by Lord Liner to prevent Lord Ridd from acting arbitrarily! This is no time for such leisurely talk!"

Tink rarely snapped, but Capella shook his head slightly and looked at Chris.

"Ms. Chris also participated in the discussion. Forgive me, but didn't you have some considerations?"

As everyone's attention turned to her, Chris narrowed her eyes and nodded.

"Yes. As before, we intend to accept all of them ourselves initially. However, this time there will be no cost for accepting them. After all, their proposal was merely an 'exemption from joint investment funds.' With Lord Liner's permission, we would only need to transport them to Baldia. This point is significantly different from last time."

"Significantly different... but so what? Ultimately, the fact that Baldia is purchasing the culled children, just like last time, seems unchanged to me."

As Tink tilted her head, I interjected, "Well, you see..."

"In other words, no explicit monetary transaction occurs in this deal. To those both domestically and internationally unaware of the inside story, on the surface, it will appear as if Baldia accepted the culled children 'free of charge.'"

Unlike the time with the former Granduke family's objections to our 'protection' of children, this time we are accepting them at the request of the Horse Tribe.

Surely, they can't raise objections to this.

If anything, the only potential objection might come from the 'pureblood ideology' of the conservative faction among the Imperial nobles.

In any case, based solely on 'surface' information, there are no grounds for objection whatsoever.

Well, Father will probably still be angry, though.

"Lady Tink, I share Ridd's opinion."

It was Amon who spoke up, offering support.

"Azteca seems like a calculating man skilled at reading ahead. There's no way such a person wouldn't understand the future implications of negotiating with no benefit whatsoever for Baldia. Perhaps we should consider that in these discussions, the Horse Tribe gained an exemption from joint investment funds, and the Baldia family gained honor."

"...I see. Understood. If Lord Amon also says so, I will say no more."

Tink sighed and nodded.

Though, her reaction seemed to indicate she found Amon's words more credible than mine.

Miffed, I was puffing out my cheeks and eyeing her suspiciously when there was a polite knock on the door.

"Lord Ridd, Lord Amon. The reception is ready. I will guide you."

"Understood. We'll be right there."

I replied in a slightly louder voice and slowly stood up.

"Well, let's continue this another time. The reception is also important diplomacy, so we need to switch gears."

"Understood. However, I will definitely stay by your side during the reception."

"I will also accompany you."

Capella leaned in close, and Tink did the same.

Flustered by the immense pressure emanating from the two, I nodded.

"O-okay. You don't have to glare at me like that, you two."

"No, I think keeping a close watch on Lord Ridd to see what he might do is just about right."

"Indeed. The moment we look away, you'll cause something incredible in that instant. In a way, you require closer supervision than baby Claude."

"Isn't that going a bit too far? I was entrusted as Father's representative, you know!"

As I declared proudly, puffing out my chest, Capella and Tink looked at each other and sighed deeply.

"That is precisely why we worry."

"Please consider again why Lord Liner appointed me and Mr. Capella as your supervisors."

"Ah, huh...?"

As the two drooped their shoulders in dismay, Amon burst out laughing, "Haha."

"Ridd's supervisors, huh? Lady Tink and Lord Capella must have constant worries, sounds tough."

"Indeed. Even I, who am not a supervisor, am always amazed by Lord Ridd's words and actions."

"Just as Ms. Chris and Lord Amon say. Still, I think we've gotten a little used to it."

"Fufu, Emma's right."

At Emma's words, Chris chuckled, and Amon joined in with a smile.

Meanwhile, Capella and Tink, as if nursing headaches, held their foreheads and shook their heads slightly.

Puzzled by the situation around me, feeling I should say something, I opened my mouth, "Um..."

"Is this like that thing? The child does not know the parent's heart?"

"Lord Ridd. If you know that phrase, please exercise a bit more self-restraint."

"I also humbly request this of you."

"Ehh...?"

With Capella and Tink bowing their heads to me, I scratched my cheek in bewilderment.