A month after the battle ended, the territory had become much more peaceful.
No, my subordinates are still busy.
Still, things have calmed down for me.
In the parlor of the mansion, the person I was dealing with was not Echigo-ya, but Thomas.
"Thomas, you're quite the scoundrel, aren't you?"
"Eh!? No, I think it's a fair price?"
He showed me the purchase prices for the precious metals, antiques, and other items he had sold.
The amounts were so outrageous that I couldn't help but laugh.
The numbers were so large that it was hard to judge.
To put it in perspective, it was like pocket change. If you take out a thousand-yen bill and get a few tens of yen in change, you don't really think about it. It's a similar feeling. The amount is so large that it's hard to comprehend. Thinking about it makes me feel strange.
"I just wanted to say it."
"Is that so? But, are you sure it was okay to let go of everything?"
I had sold most of the precious metals and treasures I had acquired.
Reason? Money.
This allowed me to significantly reduce my debt.
The key point is that it wasn't the full amount.
—Just how much did my family in this world spend?
"What would you do with them? Besides, I kept a few. Like this sword."
I showed him a sword I liked, and Thomas looked impressed.
"You've got a great sword there."
"Really?"
I had only thought of it as a good cutting sword, but it seems to have value.
"I'm not an expert, so I don't know the details. Would you like me to have an expert appraise it?"
"No, it's fine."
"Alright. By the way, I'll deliver the items the Earl requested as soon as possible."
The items Thomas was planning to buy were medical equipment.
Since this was the time, I decided to get a variety of them.
After all, I needed to treat them.
"Please arrange a doctor as well."
"Leave it to me."
Having a merchant is really convenient.
After all, they can even arrange people for you.
However, I'm sure he's using me to make a huge profit.
It makes me angry.
Thomas asked me,
"Earl, when do you plan to head to the capital planet?"
"Next year? I think I'll go before I come of age."
In this world, one comes of age at fifty, but when a noble comes of age, various troubles increase.
One must go to the capital planet, where days of training await.
Or rather, one must enroll in a school designated by the empire.
It's very troublesome.
I had planned to do various things as a corrupt lord in my territory, but I won't be able to return for a while.
"I'll definitely attend the investiture ceremony. And here are the yellow-flowered sweets for this time."
"Echigo-ya, you're quite the scoundrel!"
I love that you never skip the bribes—tips.
◇
The Seventh Weapon Factory is a factory in space that uses a resource satellite.
It reuses resource satellites that have been mined, and there are many such factories.
They produce weapons, but they also do various other jobs.
One of these is the study of weapons from other interstellar nations.
In front of the numerous pirate ships delivered by the Banfield family, Nias, who had been promoted to technical lieutenant, was moved.
"Amazing. I didn't expect pirate ships, but none of them are warships. The armor modifications are just bad."
A junior—subordinate—agreed, looking at the ships that had been brought in together.
"Why do they modify them so flamboyantly? Still, this time it's a big catch. We've also acquired a lot of materials."
Nias sighed.
"It was a stretch to secure them, so the budget is a mess. I wish they would place a large order again?"
Nias, who wanted Liam to buy the ships, was still thinking about using her charm.
The subordinate laughed.
"Using your charm again?"
"Hey, why are you laughing? What do you mean by laughing!"
"What do you mean? But, it's true that you really want a good customer, isn't it?"
The Seventh Weapon Factory had been in a tight budget situation due to continuous losses in the imperial army's adoption trials.
Yet, there was a reason for the factory to go to great lengths to buy weapons and materials from Liam.
"I won't lose this time. If we develop the next-generation ship, we can turn things around."
"You can't develop it that quickly."
While getting angry at her subordinate's resigned attitude, Nias got to work.
◇
I came to the imperial capital planet for the investiture ceremony the following year.
I had heard the capital planet was amazing, and it was indeed amazing.
What was amazing—imagine a metal sphere enveloping the entire planet.
The planet is managed as a whole.
It manipulates the weather and has a strong defensive wall.
When I first saw it, I thought the person who came up with this idea must be crazy.
From the spaceport, you can take an elevator to the planet, and when you get down, the capital planet is a concrete jungle—though it's not actually concrete, just gray buildings.
It's like a planet of machines.
The skyscrapers are incredibly tall, and I heard the total population is in the hundreds of billions.
I could only think that the empire is amazing.
If you ask me if I'm envious, I can't even feel jealous at this point.
On the day of the ceremony,
Two couples came to see me.
Both looked like they were in their twenties.
I was checking my attire in the waiting room, but I was puzzled by the two couples in front of me.
The man greeted me with a smile.
"It's been a while, Liam."
"Who are you?"
I could tell the waiting room was filled with an awkward atmosphere.
The man also had a strained smile.
"Y-Yeah. It's been a while, so you don't recognize me. Maybe I look older?"
"No, who are you?"
I thought they were probably relatives trying to take advantage of my newfound fame. I had heard in my previous life that relatives increase when you become famous.
But in my previous life, I was isolated and distant from even close relatives.
When things were bad, they stayed away, and when things were good, they came closer.
These people must be of that sort.
I felt like I had seen them somewhere, but it was probably just my imagination.
All four of them had very awkward expressions, and I was puzzled.
I looked at Tenshi.
"Tenshi, do you know these people?"
"Sir, the people in front of you are your parents. The ones behind them are your grandparents."
—Parents? I remember, those people.
They were the pitiful ones who had taken away my position and territory—no, wait. Didn't they also push their debts onto me?
I started to get angry.
My father—Cliff—made a theatrical cough.
"You seem to remember. It's been over forty years, so I understand if you don't recognize me. As a father, it's a bit shocking."
No, I don't have any memories of you doing anything as a father, so I can't really say anything.
My mother, Darcy, laughed it off.
"Liam, you're so good at joking. By the way, are you still using the doll I bought for you? But, I'm not impressed. Bringing a doll to the palace is embarrassing."
—I was irritated.
The grandparents behind them also agreed.
"It's the first time I'm meeting you, but bringing a doll to the palace is sad. You're about to come of age. Get rid of it."
"That's right. It's embarrassing for the head of the Banfield family."
The grandparents, who looked like they were in their twenties, seemed like a joke.
But in this world, it's normal.
Anti-aging technology is very advanced, and many people look young.
Tenshi bowed and tried to leave the room.
"I'll wait in another room."
"It's fine. Stay here. What do you want from me?"
Ignoring my irritation, my parents and grandparents started to state their wishes.
"We heard there's a huge reward. We'd like you to lend us some. We have a bit of debt that's become a problem."
"Living in the capital is expensive. If you have the means, please increase the allowance."
They wanted me to increase the allowance because living in the capital was expensive.
It's like a child asking their parents to increase the allowance.
The roles are reversed, though.
"I've already bought a lot from merchants. I'll leave the payment to you."
"The grandmother is happy to have such a fine grandson."
The grandparents, who were saying whatever they wanted, made me angry.
They had messed up my territory.
It's my money.
It's my territory.
I won't do anything for you!
"Tenshi, these guests are leaving. Please take them."
"Liam, how can you treat your parents like this!"
"I don't know them."
In the first place, my parents are only from my previous life.
Who are you?
It's wrong to ask me for family affection.
—I'm a villain.
In front of the palace ladies, I kicked out my parents and grandparents.
In the awkward atmosphere, I talked to Tenshi.
"Do I have to pay their debts?"
"You don't have to, but merchants and debt collectors will try to collect from you."
"—They're a nuisance."
The people around me seemed to hold their breath at my words.
Tenshi made a suggestion.
"It's best to review the allowance. The condition for increasing it is that we no longer have any contact. It will tarnish your reputation."
I wanted to get rid of them immediately, but it would be troublesome.
"Prepare the documents immediately. I'll pay a small amount."
◇
Outside the ceremony venue.
A man was walking with his hand on the wall, looking tired.
He was the guide.
"You—You, Liam."
The resentful words slipped out of his mouth.
Due to the incident with Gorez, the guide couldn't escape to another world because he had used too much power.
He was suffering from Liam's gratitude, which was making him weaker.
"Why? Why could you defeat Gorez? You shouldn't have been able to cut him. How did you get that sword at that moment?"
It shouldn't have been possible for him to get it.
The guide, who had been careless, not only used too much power but was also being weakened by Liam's gratitude.
"I won't forgive you. I absolutely won't forgive you."
Gritting his teeth, he headed for the room where Liam's parents and grandparents were.
No one in the palace corridors noticed him.
When he entered the room, the four of them were arguing over electronic documents.
"It's your fault for not educating them properly!"
"Don't be ridiculous! You didn't do anything for me either!"
The documents Liam had Tenshi prepare stated that in exchange for increasing the allowance, they would never have any contact again.
Liam's parents and grandparents were only thinking about squeezing money out of the now-famous Liam.
To put it bluntly, they were scum.
In front of these four, the guide smiled despite his suffering.
"—I'll make these four work. Throughout history, the palace has been a place where humans engage in power struggles. Liam, you will lose everything to your family. Your family is your enemy."
Black smoke emerged from the guide's body and enveloped the four.
The guide, who had no time to check on Liam, was already very weak.
Liam's grandfather suddenly realized something.
"That's it. We'll initiate the change of head of the family. Then, all of Liam's wealth will be mine."
The grandmother clapped her hands in joy.
"That's a great idea. I'll ask a friend in the palace to start the process immediately."
Cliff also smiled.
"Then, we'll prepare a new heir. Liam won't do."
Darcy had a resigned look.
"True. If we can get a territory with a lot of money, it's worth cooperating. What about Liam?"
Cliff smiled darkly.
"We can hire assassins for a price. After the ceremony, we'll make sure Liam disappears after a while."
The guide was satisfied after hearing their conversation.
Then, he disappeared from the room.
A small light in the corner of the room left the room through the door.
◇
Tenshi was heading to a separate room for Liam to attend the ceremony.
The empire is a cold country when it comes to dolls.
Tenshi understood that attending the ceremony was impossible and was heading to the prepared room.
Then, he saw something strange.
"What's that?"
He noticed a floating light in front of the door.
The light entered the room, and Tenshi stood in front of the door.
Curious, he checked the inside and found four life signals.
They were Liam's parents and grandparents.
When he touched the door, he overheard their conversation.
"What will be the reason for the change of head of the family?"
"Anything will do. As an imperial noble, it's inappropriate to have a doll by your side. That's enough. We can bribe them to come up with a reason."
"Then, what about the arrangements for the assassins?"
"For that, I can ask a friend—"
After overhearing their conversation, Tenshi left the scene immediately.
Tenshi thought,
(I should probably distance myself from Sir.)
His presence was lowering Liam's reputation.
Tenshi—disliked it.
◇
Outside the ceremony venue!
The managed sky was blue, and the sunlight was warm but not too bright.
It's hard to believe that everything is artificial.
In the perfect weather, I was kneeling before His Majesty the Emperor.
I couldn't hear what the Emperor was saying from a distance.
The Emperor's voice came from the giant holographic image projected in the sky.
After a long speech and various formalities, I responded and received the medal.
The number of attending nobles was overwhelming.
I thought, there are so many nobles.
The ceremony proceeded solemnly, and I received the Emperor's words of appreciation.
However, what awaited me afterward was a daily routine of parties.
I heard that large-scale parties were held almost every day somewhere.
—As a corrupt noble, isn't it important to party and have fun? I thought so and tried to attend as many as possible.
You don't have to pay to attend if you're invited.
While I was spending my busy days in the capital, Tenshi was busy with work.
He didn't tell me what he was doing, but he reported, "It's fine. It's taken care of."
Since it was taken care of, I thought it was fine and showed up at another party today.