Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 774

"...Finding something like this was completely unexpected."

As I sighed after finishing the letter, Tink narrowed her eyes and said, "However, I believe Lord Gleas would be pleased from beyond the grave."

"Why's that?"

"Because Lord Ridd is 'one with clear eyes'."

"Ah, ahaha. I'm happy to hear that, but..."

I replied while scratching my cheek to hide my embarrassment, but I don't have clear eyes.

I just want to protect everyone in Baldia, my family.

"Even so, Gleas hid something quite extraordinary."

Placing the letter on the desk, I lined up Gleas's journal and the author-unknown sacred text.

The journal written by Gleas is made of 'paper', its spine bound together with string.

Apart from the yellowing cover from age, it's not much different from a modern booklet.

The problem is the author-unknown sacred text.

A vertical line divides the cover in half, with the sun depicted on the left and the moon on the right.

Below the center, a girl in prayer is drawn, and it seems intricate decorations cover the whole.

Despite aging deterioration, it hasn't lost its solemnity.

Judging from the construction of this book, the notion that 'only high-ranking bishops or priests with education and insight could use Ancient Martel language' is probably true.

What piques my interest is the phrase in the letter: 'written without embellishment, as about a human being' regarding Goddess Mysterina Martel.

For Toga, which deifies Mysterina as the sole deity, has established the Mysterina faith as its state religion, and continues its missionary work, this would be content that could shake the deification of the goddess.

Being valuable material, they likely wouldn't dispose of it, but they'd probably want to put it in a lead box and bury it deep underground.

Well, I can't say for sure since I haven't seen the contents.

Taking a deep breath, I first carefully turned the cover of Gleas's journal and began reading its contents.

Following the horizontally written text, in the same handwriting as the letter, I read about how Gales, Elva, and Marbas promoted military expansion, disregarded the people, and corrupted the noble families.

There was no grumbling from Gleas; the impression was of naked, matter-of-fact recording of only the facts.

"...Gleas was a person of high integrity."

Sensing his character and personality from the script and content, I turned the page of the journal. Listed there were the names of the corrupted noble families.

"This is..."

Frowning, I couldn't help but groan as I looked at the content.

The corrupted noble families written in the journal were almost all the ones Amon had ordered to be dispossessed.

Of course, the name of the fallen fox tribe noble family, the Santas family, was also recorded.

If Gleas had defeated Elva and Gales, the noble families recorded in this journal would likely have been dispossessed or severely punished.

The current state of the Fox Tribe territory would have been quite different.

Judging from his character and way of thinking, it seems highly likely he could have built a good relationship with Baldia.

The Battle of Hazama Fortress probably wouldn't have happened either.

Staring intently at the names recorded in the journal, tracing every corner with my fingertip, I found there were also a few names of noble families that escaped Amon's dispossession.

But they were very few, and some had changed heads of household.

"...It seems Amon, unknowingly, fulfilled Gleas's dying wish."

"Indeed. I believe Lord Amon would be pleased if he were told."

As Tink narrowed her eyes happily, I looked down at the journal again and turned the pages.

Just as I was thinking there wasn't any particularly new information, my eyes caught on a certain phrase.

'One of Gales Granduke's unforgivable sins is that, in his excessive desire for the strongest child to become the Beast King, he secretly handed over many fox tribesmen somewhere and took Benarina as his wife.

Her appearance is that of a fox tribesman, but she seems to have had the blood of various tribes mixed in her.

And the children born to Benarina and Gales include 'Elva Granduke' and others.

I only learned of this matter just before writing this journal.

Benarina's origins were cleverly hidden, and I could not investigate the details.

If only I knew Benarina's origins, I might have found a way to understand the secret of Elva's abnormal strength.'

"So Elva also had the bloodline of various tribes."

I couldn't help but let my surprise leak into my voice.

When I faced him, I sensed something like a power born solely for battle, something abnormal—perhaps it was because of this.

"Lord Ridd, may I speak?"

"Eh, yeah. What is it?"

The one who called out was Capella.

"It says 'children' here. Perhaps Lord Amon, Lord Rapha, Lady Citri, and even Marbas, who is fleeing with Elva, might also carry that blood."

"...That's right. But I'll ask only Amon about this matter later. Origins are a delicate issue."

"I believe that would be best."

As Capella bowed, I looked down at the journal and turned the pages.

Reading a bit further, it said, 'From here on, the content is for my wife and child.'

To confirm, I skimmed through it. It started with how Gleas and his wife Marichel met, the trigger for falling in love, the confession and marriage proposal, the beginning...

"From this point on, I will examine it, so Lord Ridd, please check that Sacred Text over there."

"Ah...!?"

In the middle of reading, Tink smiled sweetly and smoothly slid the book aside.

As I blinked, she let out a small sigh.

"Lord Gleas seems to be a person of high integrity and character, but he is too serious. He wrote a bit too much. If I were Lady Marichel, I would be angry and tearing out the pages."

"Ah, ahaha. That's harsh."

I ended up reading it, but I understand what Tink means.

If Gleas's daughter, Noir, who is currently in Baldia, were to read this, she might blush furiously with anger.

Now it has become valuable material, so it can't be torn up and will be carefully preserved in either Baldia or the Fox Tribe territory.

Her parents' romantic affairs will be read and analyzed by various people from now on... Thinking about that, only a dry laugh comes out.

Hekuchi!? 'What is it, Lord Ridd?'

Suddenly, an image of Noir tilting her head in puzzlement surfaced in my mind.

Sorry, Noir.

Apologizing in my heart, Capella moved the 'Sacred Text' placed on the desk in front of me.

"Lord Ridd. Please proceed to read it."

"...Understood."

Nodding, I cleared my throat and braced myself.

Gleas's journal is also valuable material for understanding the situation in the Fox Tribe territory from that time until now.

But this Sacred Text written in Ancient Martel language might be a historical document and the 'Pandora's Box' best left unopened.

What if it contains something that fundamentally overturns the existence of Goddess Mysterina Martel?

Without even thinking, it's clear I, and by extension the Baldia family, would draw the ire of the nation of Toga.

If such a thing were written, the existence of this book must absolutely not be known to Toga.

Because if it were ever discovered, our lives could be targeted.

No, but, even if it's about Goddess Mysterina's persona, it could be about her favorite foods or hobbies.

It's possible she was surprisingly clumsy.

It could contain relaxing, slice-of-life content, like the 'everyday life manga' I read in my previous life.

I'm overthinking it, overthinking it too much.

Documents like this shouldn't be read with a heart full of anxiety.

It's the discovery of a historical document precious even worldwide, so I should read it with excitement.

Telling myself that, I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the cover of the Sacred Text.

It's made of a material I can't quite identify.

It should be an old book, yet strangely, Gleas's journal feels more aged.

"Alright, I'll open it."

"Yes, please."

Under the gaze of Capella and Tink, I slowly turned the cover.

Then, on the first page, large characters written in Ancient Martel language were inscribed.

At a glance, I couldn't read it, but next to the Martel language, there was what seemed to be a small translation written by Gleas.

"Let's see, what does it say..."

I brought my face closer to the page and focused my eyes on the small script.

'Goddess Mysterina Martel is a fiction.'

The blood drained from my face, and I slammed the book shut.