Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 779

"Father, Ridd Baldia. I have returned from the diplomatic visit to Zubera."

When the charcoal-powered vehicle arrived at the entrance of Baldia Manor, everyone, including Father and Mother, had gathered to welcome me.

I was happy to see everyone's faces, but after getting off the trailer house, I walked in front of Father with proper form and bowed.

Even though they are family, I have returned from official duties, and with others watching, I have to do this properly.

"...Hmm, you've worked hard."

Father paused for a moment and then nodded.

Wondering what that was about, I turned my gaze to Mother and bowed.

"Mother, I am relieved to see you looking well. I heard through regular reports that you were gradually recovering, but I was worried the entire journey."

"Y-yes, thank you. I was also constantly worried about you, Ridd, so seeing your face like this puts my mind at ease."

"Me too, Mother."

Smiling warmly, I then turned to Mer and Kiel.

For some reason, Mer was looking at me with wide eyes. Kiel was gazing at me with keen interest.

In any case, judging from their expressions, it seems no problems have occurred.

"It's good to see you two looking well too. You haven't been doing any unauthorized headband battles or other reckless things again, have you?"

Jokingly bringing up what happened when I returned from the Fox Tribe territory last time, Mer started, shook her head, and puffed out her cheeks.

"I-I wouldn't, of course. I'm not like you, Brother..."

"That's right, Brother-in-law Ridd. When Mer and I get scolded, we reflect properly. We wouldn't do anything to earn a similar reprimand."

"Haha, when you put it that way, I have nothing to say back."

Chuckling, I shifted my gaze to Tis and Citri, who stood beside them.

"You two seem unchanged as well. Well, your features look a bit more dignified, perhaps."

"I-Is that so...?"

"Thank you, Brother Ridd."

Tis and Citri looked at each other, both blushing slightly, and nodded.

"Oh, and I'll give you this now."

I suddenly remembered.

Taking out the letter entrusted to me by Amon from my pocket, I handed it to them.

"It's a letter from Amon. He was very concerned about you two. When you have time, please write back to him. He'll surely be delighted."

"Yes, once I finish reading it, I will definitely write a reply to Lord Amon."

"I will also absolutely write a reply to Brother Amon."

"Good, please do."

As the two nodded happily, I smiled gently.

Then, I stepped forward to the one I had most wanted to see in my heart.

"...I'm home, Fara."

Even though I had wanted to see her so much, standing before her suddenly made me feel shy, and I scratched my cheek to hide my embarrassment.

"Y-yes. Welcome home, Lord Ridd."

Fara seemed a bit startled and looked down, but her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her ears twitched up and down.

Ah, good.

She seems happy to see me after so long too.

I felt relieved. Fara has a constitution where her ears move in response to her emotions; an up-and-down movement indicates favorable feelings.

This trait is said to be rare even among dark elves, and in Renarute, due to its rarity, it's considered a 'symbol of beckoning fortune.'

Incidentally, Fara with her ears twitching up and down is very endearing.

Suddenly, I noticed she was looking up at my face from under her lowered gaze.

"Um, is something wrong?"

Timidly asking, Fara made a fading voice, saying, "Ah, um, that..."

Wondering what was wrong, I tilted my head, and Asuna, standing behind her, cleared her throat.

"Lord Ridd's demeanor appears more confident, robust, and valiant than before, which has surprised everyone, starting with Lady Fara."

"Eh...?"

I was taken aback but immediately burst out laughing, "Fufu, ahaha."

"That's not true. I mean, the diplomatic visit to Zubera was only about a month, wasn't it?"

It was a long journey, so I might be a bit more tanned than when I was in Baldia.

But to say I'm confident, robust, or valiant because of that... Asuna, you're surprisingly good at joking, aren't you?

"No, no. Seeing Lord Ridd up close, I keenly feel the weight of the phrase 'One should hold the younger generation in awe.'"

"You're exaggerating. I haven't changed that much from before, right, Father?"

Shifting my gaze from the shaking-head Asuna, Father agreed, saying, "Well, that's true."

"There's a saying, 'Send a beloved child on a journey.' Even if Ridd himself isn't aware, from the perspective of those around him, his features have changed a bit during this diplomatic visit."

"Eh...?"

Stunned by the unexpected words, Father relaxed the corners of his mouth into a grin.

"However, that will become unmistakably clear during the subsequent report. Ridd, are you ready to go to the study now?"

"Yes. I slept the entire journey, so no problem."

"Understood. Then, let's go."

Father turned on his heel and walked briskly from the plaza in front of the entrance towards the inside of the manor.

I promptly tried to follow his back but suddenly remembered and hurried over to Fara.

"Um, hey. I have a lot of things I want to tell Fara about Zubera. Could I have some time with you later?"

"Ah...!? Yes, of course. I... I also have many things I want to tell you, and I want to hear Lord Ridd's stories, too."

Just as Fara's face lit up brightly, following my emotions, I took her hand and held it against my chest.

"Eh...!?"

Although Fara looked puzzled, I leaned my face close to her ear and whispered gently.

"Haha, sorry. I just wanted to see you so much, I ended up hugging you."

"N-no, I also really wanted to see you."

Hearing her answer, I smoothly released her from my embrace and smiled.

"Then, let's talk a lot later."

"Y-yes. I'll be waiting."

Hearing Fara's blushing reply, I looked around at everyone present.

"I have a lot of things I want to tell everyone, too. Please look forward to it."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to Brother's souvenir stories."

"They're valuable stories from outside the Empire. I'm looking forward to them."

"Brother Ridd, I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm also looking forward to it, Brother Ridd."

As Mer, Kiel, Tis, and Citri replied, Mother called my name, "Ridd."

"You must not keep Father waiting. Hurry along."

"Ah, my apologies."

Just as I was about to rush off, "Ah, that's right," Mother interjected.

"Regarding the many outfits you found and sent during the Zubera diplomatic visit, Ridd, your father and I will have you try them on together another day."

"Eh...!?"

I unexpectedly stopped in my tracks.

It's true, I sent outfits from various regions for Father, Mother, and Mer and the others.

But, 'the ones for me to wear' shouldn't have been sent.

Could it be...!? Thinking this, I looked over at the Cristy Company group lined up at the very back of the charcoal-powered vehicles and met Chris's eyes.

She wore a somewhat guilty expression, her eyes darting about so noticeably even from a distance, and soon after, she bowed her head slightly.

Chris, you conspired with Mother, didn't you!?

Realizing everything, I was dumbfounded, but then I heard Mother's firm tone, "Ridd."

"Father is waiting."

"Y-yes. Understood."

I hurried off towards the study where Father had gone, but in my heart, I muttered like a curse, 'Chris, I won't forget this conspiracy of yours.'