Otome Game Mob Villain - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Talking With Father

Translator: mayora13

Today, my father, Reiner Baldia, would be returning home.

I told Garn that I had something to discuss with my father, and the butler said that he would pass the word on.

Speaking of which, I had two things to talk about. Firstly, I wanted to start studying various subjects such as magic and martial arts.

In “Flutterella!”, Rid didn’t have any protagonist bonuses such as increased experience points. Even though I knew that I could grow strong, the process would take time. If my character setting stood valid in this world as well, then there was no faster way to becoming strong than training.

Secondly, I wanted some money that could be freely spent. I needed a financial measure to prepare for my future goals, but I currently had nothing in hand. In this regard, I had no choice but to borrow the power of my father. While there was the alternative of selling familiar luxury goods, I wanted to keep this method as a last resort because it could become a problem later down the road.

Now, I had been reading books in the study all this time, and I found something interesting; many things in this universe such as plants and minerals were fundamentally identical to that of the world in my previous life, including their names.
Naturally, there were unique things too.

“This might settle my goal of funding. By getting something that can be supplied sustainably in this world and getting merchants to…”

As I was reading a book and summarizing my thoughts for the future, I was interrupted by a cute, complaining voice.

“… Nii-chama, I’m bored.”

“Ahh, sorry. I suppose it’s time to read some picture books.”

“Really? Yay!!”

Mel was delighted when I read her picture books the other day, and now she would come to spend time with me while I was in the study. The little girl could immediately understand the contents of what I read to her, which clearly showed how intelligent she was.

‘Isn’t my little sister a genius?’

Incidentally, the maid Danae was with us in the study to attend to Mel… I didn’t know if she could tell my thoughts, but I got the feeling that she was looking at me with a face that said: “Oh boy.” Probably no more than a feeling, though.

Before I knew it, Garn was standing in front of the study room door, coughing dryly as he began to speak. “Ahem, Rid-sama. Reiner-sama is calling you to his office.”

“… I got it. I’ll be right there.”

“Much appreciated. Well then, I will be returning to Reiner-sama first.” Garn said only what he needed and left the study after giving a bow.

“Ehh!! Nii-chama, you’re going…?”

“I’m sorry. Let’s leave the picture books for later.”

“Aww…”

Mel seemed grumpy that I was called by Father just when I was about to read her picture books, but immediately, Danae humored her by offering to read books in my place.

Mel cheered up at that, and then said to me, “Read me picture books later, okay? It’s a promise!!”

So I replied, “Mhm. “It’s a promise.” Then I headed to the office where my father called me.

Upon arriving at the office, I knocked at the door with a nervous face. A low, heavy voice answered from the other side.

“Enter.”

I said, “Excuse me,” and entered the office. Garn was also inside. Apparently, he had returned first to help with Father’s work.

As for my father, he had been sitting at his office desk working on documents, but his hands stopped when I came in. Eyeing me with sharp eyes, he spoke to me in that low voice of his.

“… I heard that you collapsed in the garden. Are you feeling all right?”

“Yes. There’s nothing wrong with me now.”

“I see.”

My father, Reiner Baldia, had purple eyes and the same silver hair as mine. He always maintained an impassive face to prevent his emotions from being read, which gave him a fierce look. His eyes, in particular, had a powerful gleam to them, giving off an air that would send any normal child running in tears.

“I’m told by Garn that you have something to say. What is it?”

“Yes. To start off, I would like to express thanks for your time today. Now, there are two things I would like to ask you. First, I would like to request a tutor who can teach me magic, martial arts, and various other studies.”

“… Hmm. Regarding that, I had been considering the idea for a long time. But given your mental state and attitude in the house, I had deemed it difficult and postponed it as such. I certainly didn’t think you would request it yourself. Are you sure about this?”

I was a little surprised by Father’s words. It wasn’t like he talked to me or Mel in the mansion, so I didn’t think he had been holding off on calling tutors because of my mental condition. I couldn’t help thinking to myself though; since he cared, wouldn’t it be better that he faced us more?

Father quietly stared at me without losing his expression. After taking a deep breath, I spread my chest and answered with confidence. “Yes. I apologize for worrying you. Seeing Mother grow weaker by the day up close, I went astray for a time. But I realized that degeneration solves nothing. I know that I can become Mother’s strength by polishing myself. Please reconsider the matter of tutors.”

“I understand. It should be fine if your will is clear to that extent. I shall arrange it right away. Well then, what’s your second request?”

Reiner appeared slightly relieved and happy at my words, but his expression turned blank the next moment as he asked his next question.

“Yes. Second, although I know this is shameful, I would like you to prepare funds that I can use personally as I wish.”

“… For what purpose?” The pressure in Father’s voice grew heavier along with the atmosphere in the office.

“While I was researching various materials in the study, I came across some things that might become useful products. I want to put those ideas into action.”

“You would normally submit data and the like when asking a sponsor for funds. Are you saying I should provide the funds without anything to go on?”

“Yes. it’s as you say. But I would like you to invest in me this time. I believe that Father will trust in the talent of your child, and it’s with that belief that I shamefully make this request of you. What say you?”

This was a bet. Certainly, as my father said, it was only right to prepare data if you wanted to ask to be sponsored. But it was highly likely that preparing that data would take quite a bit of time, something which I probably didn’t have much of, considering my mother’s situation. That was why I was going for all-or-nothing. Passion could sometimes move the feelings of people, and even more so when it was between parents and children.

‘Sure I’m betting on our connection as a family, but considering how Father sounded like he’d been watching over me, I’m certain he’ll accept my proposal…!!’

After hearing my second request, Father frowned and pinched the center of his brows,
while I fixedly stared at his face. Noticing my stare, Father sighed a little.

“Haah… Alright. I shall grant you some free money. From how you talked of ‘useful products’, I presume you are thinking of running some kind of business? Business money is beyond a child’s capacity, but I trust your confidence means you can make good use of it.”

Thrilled, I cried, “Yes, thank you very much!! I’ll definitely meet your expectations!!”

Father seemed to be in a slightly better mood than when I first came into the office, so I wondered if I could push for a little more.

“Father, since we’ve come this far, I have one more request if that’s fine with you.”

“What is it? If it’s about funds, I can’t allow any more.”

“No, it’s not that. Mel and I have both been feeling a bit sad about not being able to talk with you, Father. If it’s okay with you, can we have breakfast or dinner together?”

Reiner’s forehead twitched at the mention of ‘Mel’. “I shall consider it… By the way. You are addressing Meredy as Mel?”

“Eh? Yes. Mel told me to call her as such because Mother does the same.”

“I see.” Father paused and then continued, “Do you have any other matters to discuss? If not, then you may go.”

Father closed his eyes, appearing to be musing about something. I observed his figure as I excused myself out of the office. I saw Father and Garn talking as I closed the door, but I held back my curiosity and headed for the study.

“Good, that went better than I thought. Guess I need to search for a trader next since I’ve procured some funds.”

Joyful that the negotiations with Father went better than I imagined, I had forgotten something—my promise to read picture books with Mel…

I was reading in the study for a little while when the door opened with great force. Wondering what it was, I looked over to find Mel standing there looking dreadful and on the verge of tears. It was at that moment I remembered that I had forgotten my promise.

“M-Mel, Sorr—”

“Nii-chama, you liar!! Liaar!!”

Mel drowned out my apology with a wail as she came over to cling to me. Then she burst into senseless tears while whacking away at me with her harmless little fists.

I hugged my little sister and murmured an apology to soothe her. “I’m sorry, Mel.”

Needless to say, once Mel had stopped crying, I had to read picture books to her until she was satisfied…