Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 768

"Take care, Ridd, Amon. I'm glad I got to talk with you."

"Likewise. Thank you for the warm welcome, Azteca."

"As neighboring territories, let's continue to work well together."

In front of the Horse Tribe chief's mansion, with the charcoal-burning vehicles lined up and ready for departure in the background, Ridd, Amon, and Azteca exchanged farewell handshakes.

Having completed their diplomatic visit日程 in the Horse Tribe territory, Ridd's party had finally reached the day of their return journey to the Fox Tribe territory.

After finishing the handshake, Azteca relaxed the corners of his mouth into a grin and leaned in close.

"...I'm counting on you to properly convey the matter of the joint investment exemption and taking in the brats to Liner."

"I am well aware. However, please do not forget that Baldia will be keeping a close eye on your future actions, Azteca."

"Ah, I'll keep that in mind."

He shrugged, stepped back a little, and looked around as if searching for someone.

"By the way, where's that Gedding fellow?"

"I believe he's helping with loading the charcoal vehicles and preparing for departure in the rear."

Answering, Ridd looked toward the rear vehicles and saw Gedding working alongside the other knights.

However, for a certain reason, his attire was the same as the Horse Tribe formal wear Azteca was wearing.

"Heh heh, is that so. I thought I'd say hello since he's here, but if he's working, I'll hold off."

"...Please don't tease him too much. He's surprisingly sensitive."

Ridd sharpened his gaze and glared at the chuckling Azteca.

Actually, after Gedding learned 'beastification form transformation,' a small problem had occurred.

When he deactivated his beastification and returned from horse to human form, the Second Knight Order uniform he'd been wearing was torn to shreds, completely gone.

In the light of the setting sun, his young but trained light brown skin had been exposed.

Needless to say, Ridd had been stunned by the unexpected sight.

The uniforms worn by the children of the Second Knight Order were special creations by Ellen and Alex, using unique materials designed to withstand the physical changes of beastification.

Therefore, Ridd had never imagined a uniform could tear.

Gedding first tilted his head in puzzlement, but quickly realized his state, turned bright red, screamed "Uwaaaah!", and collapsed on the spot.

Ridd hurriedly took off his jacket and covered Gedding with it, and Capella immediately did the same.

Seeing Azteca's shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter at this scene, Ridd immediately confronted him: "Azteca, you knew this would happen, didn't you?"

"Heh heh heh, sorry, sorry. He could withstand normal beastification, so I thought he'd be fine with form transformation. My bad."

Azteca shrugged with an innocent face and began to supplement his explanation about form transformation.

Apparently, because the amount of magical power emitted by the user is greater than in normal beastification, clothes require more special materials and processing.

"Well, this is at least an apology. I'll give you Horse Tribe formal wear that can withstand beastification and form transformation. Take it back, research it, do whatever you want with it."

After finishing his explanation, Azteca said this and selected formal wear for Gedding.

That's the formal wear he's currently wearing.

However, on the day of the accident, it had been difficult to spend the whole night consoling the disheartened Gedding.

They'd all been to the hot springs together many times, but anyone would be down for a while after unintentionally exposing themselves in public.

No matter how mature Gedding seemed, he was still a child.

"Don't glare at me like that, Ridd. I gave him our formal wear as an apology, didn't I? That's not something you can easily get your hands on."

"I appreciate the gesture, but 'that's one thing, this is another.'"

"You're strict."

Azteca shrugged wearily, then suddenly became serious.

"The next time we meet will probably be at the Beast King Battle. I'm looking forward to the preliminary match between you and Johann, Ridd. After all, the outcome will greatly affect Zubera's future."

The phrase 'greatly affect the future' made Ridd's heart skip a beat.

For them, it was about 'Zubera's future,' but for him, it was a match that would greatly impact 'Baldia's future' and 'avoiding conviction.'

On this matter, both Empress Matilda of the Magnolia Empire and his stepmother Eltia, a concubine of the Renarute Kingdom, had firmly warned him with tremendous pressure.

If he messed up, he'd be straight on the path to conviction without waiting for the future.

Losing was absolutely not permitted.

"...That's right. I intend to stay focused and train hard until the Beast King Battle."

"Hehe, is that so. There's a saying, 'When you haven't seen a man for three days, look at him with new eyes.' I'm looking forward to seeing you grow, Ridd."

Having said that, Azteca turned his gaze to Amon.

"Of course, when it comes to the main Beast King Battle, matches will be between tribal chiefs or tribal representatives. But for the Fox Tribe, if the new chief Amon doesn't show up, it just won't feel right."

"I intend to stand on the Beast King Battle stage without being told. And if I step onto that stage, I have no intention of losing to anyone. I am prepared to give my all."

As Amon replied in a polite yet forceful tone, Azteca grinned.

"You're young. But I don't dislike that kind of resolve. I'm looking forward to seeing you both at the Beast King Battle."

And so, seeing off by Azteca and the clan leaders, Ridd's party set off on their return journey to the Fox Tribe territory.

Along the way, Ridd gazed out the window of the charcoal vehicle, reflecting on everything that had happened.

Starting with the Raccoon Dog Tribe, then the Ox Tribe, Bear Tribe, Rat Tribe, Cat Tribe, Wolf Tribe, Monkey Tribe, Rabbit Tribe, Bird Tribe, Horse Tribe... Each territory had its unique culture, and every tribal chief was indeed a character with one or two quirks.

But what still troubled him was the Bird Tribe.

The warriors belonging to the 'Ten-Winged Guardians,' including Ibi, possessed an eerie strength rivaling or even surpassing that of the tribal chiefs.

The obsession with 'strengthened bloodlines' that produced warriors of such hidden power was formidable, but the problem was that it was unclear what they were ultimately seeking.

Bird Tribe Chief Horst Padgry.

If even all the Ten-Winged Guardians together couldn't beat him, then Horst should rightfully be the Beast King.

But he wasn't.

The origin of strengthened bloodlines was supposedly to make it easier for the tribe to produce a 'Beast King.'

And then there was the true meaning of the words Ibi had whispered in his ear as they left the Bird Tribe territory: 'I advise you not to delve any deeper into the Beastman Country.'

Why had she said 'Beastman Country' instead of 'Bird Tribe'?

Maybe it meant nothing, but it felt like some hidden meaning lurked within.

Could it be that the 'Beastman Country' held some special secret?

"Ridd. You've been staring out the window with a difficult expression for a while. What are you looking at?"

"Eh, ah, sorry. I wasn't really looking at anything, just thinking about something."

Answering Amon, who was peering over from the adjacent seat, Ridd suddenly had an idea and said, "By the way..."

"Do you happen to have any materials on Zubera's history or the origins of the Beastman Country in the Fox Tribe territory?"

"Historical materials? If I recall..."

Amon murmured but then suddenly looked apologetic and shook his head.

"Sorry, Ridd. There were some, but I think they were lost when the old tribal chief's mansion burned down."

"I see. Well, that can't be helped."

There might be some in other tribal territories, but he also had to secure time for training for the Beast King Battle.

Investigating Zubera's history would have to wait for another opportunity.

"Ah, no, but maybe..."

At that moment, Amon covered his mouth, looking down as if deep in thought.

"Maybe...?"

As Ridd asked back, Amon slowly raised his face.

"You're currently staying in a mansion in the Fox Tribe territory, right?"

"Yeah. It used to be where someone named Gleas Granduke lived."

The mansion that served as Baldia's garrison in the Fox Tribe territory was apparently the former residence of Gleas Granduke.

Many of the clan leaders supporting Amon reportedly still held him in high regard.

"Ah, that's right. He was my uncle, and as a hobby, he also enjoyed researching history. I thought maybe some of Zubera's historical materials might still be on the bookshelves in his room."

"Now that you mention it, that's possible."

Come to think of it, the bookshelves in the room he was using were filled with dusty books.

At first glance, they hadn't seemed to contain anything significant, but now they might provide materials offering a different perspective.

"Well, I'd feel a bit intrusive, but maybe I'll take a look at the bookshelves when we get back."

"Don't worry about that, feel free to do as you like. Uncle would probably be happier that way anyway."

"Got it. Thanks, Amon."

Ridd held a faint hope that the unseen materials Gleas might have left behind could hold clues to uncover the true meaning behind the words Ibi had whispered to him.