Finally, I had reached adulthood in this world, but standing in front of the mirror, I looked at myself with dissatisfaction.
"---After fifty years, this is it?"
No matter how I looked, I still appeared to be around thirteen years old.
It was like I had just become a first-year middle school student.
My height might still grow, but I still looked young.
The servants around me were shedding tears.
Brian was crying so hard it was almost embarrassing.
"This Brian is overwhelmed to see Lord Liam's adult form!"
"Stop crying. Tenshi, what's the schedule for today?"
Tenshi answered as usual, calmly and methodically.
"In an hour, the coming-of-age ceremony will begin. A party is planned for lunch, and you will also attend the evening reception."
Brian stopped crying, wiped his tears, and added,
"By the way, the schedule is packed from morning to night starting tomorrow."
It seemed that for nearly a month, I would be busy working in the territory.
"Cancel everything!"
"That's impossible."
Brian's serious response made me flinch, and Tenshi urged me.
"Sir, we need to leave the room soon or we'll be late."
"Alright, stop rushing me."
Muttering complaints, I left the room and headed to the venue. After thatâimmediately after returning from the capital, I had a new mansion prepared.
The mansion, built with an excessive amount of money, was so large that I couldn't even understand its scale.
In terms of the previous world, it was probably the size of a small city.
I had called in famous artists and spent a huge budget to build itâbut.
Even when moving through the corridors, I needed a vehicle to understand just how unnecessarily large it was.
When I left the room, Christina was waiting for me.
She was dressed in a knight's uniform, waiting for me to come out.
"Lord Liam, you look very fitting."
She was flattering me about my gaudy outfit.
I love people who flatter me.
But, what is it? âHer eyes seem to genuinely think so.
âIt must be my imagination.
"Is that so? More importantly, are you well enough to work?"
According to the hospital report, she had completed a rehabilitation program that would make adults cry, in just one year, and volunteered to become my knight.
"It's no problem. However, to obtain the qualifications of an imperial knight, I must leave the territory immediately. I am sorry that I cannot serve you directly."
ChristinaâTia is from a foreign country.
Therefore, she does not have the qualifications of an imperial knight.
To obtain them, she needs to graduate from at least two schools.
After that, with additional training and practical work, it will take about thirty years before she can return.
"Since my schedule is also packed after coming of age, I wonder when you will be able to return to the territory."
Everyone got into the vehicle, and as we sat down, it started moving.
Sitting on the luxurious sofa, Tia continued.
"For Lord Liam, I will definitely show results."
"Take it easy."
You seem very determined, which is great, but the reason I hired you was for your appearance.
I heard that you were a famous knight in your home country, but I appointed you as my knight because you are beautiful.
What matters is appearance.
I feel like I'm one step closer to a life of luxury.
Brian, who didn't know about my ambitions, was moved.
"Finally, Lord Liam has a knight. This will ensure the stability of our house."
The Banfield family, which had lost its vassals and was not popular as a place of service, had become more popular due to my achievements.
I wasn't very interested, so I left the matter of vassals to Tenshi and Tia.
If there were beautiful women, I would interfere.
The destination was in sight, but it would still take some time to arrive.
"âI made it too large."
I regretted making the mansion too large, even now.
I spent a lot of money, but it was so large that I was taken aback.
No, it was luxurious and fitting for meâbut.
The previous mansion was sufficient.
That one was also very large.
I had underestimated the interstellar nation, the world of the space age.
I wanted to show off my wealth by building a large mansionâbut it could have been smaller.
However, to be a corrupt lord, I had to do this.
Bad guys live in large, flashy mansions.
â
### Ceremony Venue
The newly prepared mansion left Thomas, a merchant, in awe.
"What can I sayâLord's taste is surprisingly sophisticated."
Nias agreed with Thomas's opinion.
"I think it's functional. I've been invited to an egg-shaped mansion before, but it was too eccentric to feel comfortable."
A grand coming-of-age ceremony, inviting people with connections.
The completion of the mansion also served as a debut.
From their perspective, Liam's mansion wasâsimple.
Not in size or construction, but in appearance.
It was grand, designed by a famous artist.
However, among the many nobles who built eccentric mansions, Liam's mansion was seen as functional.
It was indeed large, but there were other mansions that were even larger.
The construction was meticulous and very calming.
"Perhaps it's a mansion fitting for a lord, prioritizing ease of living. It's very Liam-like, I suppose. Despite receiving a huge reward, it's as if nothing has changed. I thought he would build a golden mansion."
"It's expensive, but I also love the functional beauty of the lord's mansion."
Thomas and Nias had a good impression.
Looking around, Nias shrugged.
"Still, it's an impressive lineup. It seems the major trading companies are interested. People from other weapon factories are also here."
Most of the participants were locals.
Officials and military personnel with titles.
There were also many merchants, and many people from the imperial weapon factories.
Most of them were there to do business, to sell their products.
Thomas looked disappointed.
"On the contrary, there are few nobles, which is a bit worrying."
Invitations were sent to lords close to the Banfield family, but many nobles did not attend.
Nias accepted it as inevitable.
"For the surrounding nobles, the sudden rise of a powerful lord's family is unsettling. Or, is it a revival? They can't be happy about it."
Nobles often engage in small conflicts, even wars to destroy each other's families.
For the surrounding lords, the strengthening of the Banfield family was not something they could welcome.
On the other hand, there were nobles who welcomed it.
Small, weak nobles who couldn't develop on their own.
They were trying to get Liam to take care of them.
"Poor nobles are flocking to him."
There were nobles who brought it upon themselves and those who were pitiable.
But, they were all trying to get closer to Liam.
Nias was indifferent.
"In the empire, it's impossible to take care of every corner of the border. The small lords of the border have no choice but to rely on powerful nobles."
As they talked, the ceremony was about to begin.
With Liam's arrival, the participants were tense.
Thomas smiled awkwardly.
"He seems quite approachable, but everyone is still nervous because of the rumors."
"There's no helping it."
After inheriting the territory and title from his parents, he embarked on reforms.
A virtuous lord who did not tolerate corrupt officials and stood at the forefront to fight against bandits, protecting his people.
He was harsh and strict, but to the people, he was a reliable lord.
Moreover, he invested most of the taxes in the development of the territory, a correct ruler.
And, he was a good lord from the empire's perspective, paying taxes.
Additionally, he was serious and paid off his debts steadily.
While the Banfield family had little credibility, Liam was gradually gaining trust.
Among the officials and military, there were many who would risk their lives for Liam.
What was lacking was vassalsâknights.
Liam appeared, and by his side was the new knight he had hired.
Thomas stroked his chin.
"It's Lady Christina. I heard she was the first knight allowed to serve Lord Liam and is quite capable."
"Ah, did you hire her based on appearance?"
"That's not entirely true, but among the many knights I've seen, she stands out. Her aura and the way her eyes shine are different from ordinary people."
With Liam's special treatment, Tia was also drawing attention.
Thomas shared a rumor.
"There's a rumor that she might be a princess knight. You know, from the country destroyed by the Goresâ"
"The famous one? But, isn't she too young? She should be much older if she were the real person."
"No, it's just a rumor. But, if she served such a person, Lord Liam must have the potential to be a great lord."
If he heard it, he would probably tilt his head in confusion.
He focused on the development of the territory because he couldn't extort taxes from the people due to the harsh conditions.
He executed corrupt officials out of anger.
He faced pirates because he thought he could win.
And, he paid off debts and taxes because of his inherently serious nature.
He hired Tia because she was beautiful and loyal.
There was no deeper meaning; he just heard from others that she was very capable.
"I'm glad I followed him. Indeed, my judgment was not wrong."
Nias, slightly taken aback by Thomas, agreed.
"Our factory will be stable with a new customer. I hope Lord Liam continues to do well. And, if he buys our products, I have no complaints."
Thomas narrowed his eyes.
"Your factory, however, needs to pay more attention to appearance and interior design. Focusing only on performance is not enough. The convenience of other aspects is also important."
Nias pretended not to hear and ignored Thomas's words.
â
### One Month After the Ceremony
I was struggling with a difficult problem.
"âHey, am I living a luxurious life?"
Brian, answering my question, said,
"Um, I don't know much about other families, but compared to previous lords, you are quiteâsimple."
In the office.
Leaning on the desk, I had a vague feeling.
"Huh? Is this luxurious? It feels luxurious, but something's off. The balance in my account isn't decreasing at all."
No matter how much I spend, the digits don't change.
"Simpleâreally?"
"Yes, simple. You could be a bit more luxurious without it being strange, considering your position."
I was a count, but I didn't know what level of luxury a count should have.
I decided to try spending money and requested live music during meals.
I just copied what I saw rich people do in my previous life.
I also built a large mansion.
I even built a 24-hour pool. It's more like a leisure facility. Pools with waves and a lazy river.
On the first day, I swam against the current in the lazy river for fun.
And, I even installed a hot spring in the bath!
Yet, it's considered simple.
I had underestimated the values of this world.
"Brianâwhat is luxury?"
"I don't know how to answer that."
Brian looked to Tenshi for help.
Tenshi responded.
"In my records, one count turned an entire planet into his private planetâa private planet. He prepared a tourist planet just for himself."
"What's the point of that!?"
If you prepare a tourist destination just for yourself, what happens on the days you don't go?
You should let in guests.
It's meaningless!
Tenshi corrected my misunderstanding.
"Such a reaction suggests that this kind of luxury doesn't suit you. Fundamentally, seeking meaning is wrong. Yes, you might be asked to be luxurious, but luxury is not about meaning. Considering your personality, true luxury doesn't suit you."
"That's not true! I'll show you luxury. I have the money. I can do anything!"
Brian smiled.
He looked at me with a warm smile.
When I was in trouble, Tenshi offered a solution.
"Then, how about sending people abroad as a form of luxury?"
"Abroad? I'm going to go on a training trip soon, right?"
"No, not you, but the people in your territory. By knowing the capital and other families, more people will broaden their horizons. For a lord, it's unnecessary and can be considered a luxury."
Like a study abroad for fun?
Is it a luxury to use my money to let others have fun?
But, from a lord's perspective, the people don't need wisdom.
They should just follow orders, so study abroad is unnecessary.
Still, Brian agreed.
"I think it's a good idea. As you said before, the Banfield territory is just beginning to develop. There's still much to learn in areas like art and fashion. Sending people to study in these unnecessary fields can be considered a luxury."
I remembered.
"That's right, for that purpose!"
I still can't pick up women in my territory because of my fashion sense.
It doesn't resonate with me.
If I learn about the worldâother territories, it might improve.
I should realize that wearing a full-body suit to the beach is wrong.
I will never forget the day I cried when I heard that wearing a small umbrella on your head was a fashion trend.
Moreover, art and fashion are not essential fields to learn for survival.
In a struggling life, these fields are ignored.
Diving into such fields is indeed a luxury.
"Arrange it immediately. Send them off! I have the money!"
Tenshi quickly made the arrangements.
"Then, I'll plan it with Lord Liam's budget. We can start recruiting and sending people abroad as early as next year."
"Great. The ultimate luxury!"
Brian was wiping his eyes, but I ignored him.
"Using your own money to send people to study abroadâtruly impressive, Lord Liam."
He said something, but I didn't hear it clearly.
Just spend the money, spend it!
It's luxury.
A corrupt lord is luxurious!
That's the goalâbecoming a feared corrupt lord!
Brian (´ďźĎďźď˝): "This Brian is happy to see Lord Liam's adult form."
Liam (ăťâăťďź): "I get it. I get it, stop crying. Look, this is the last time. Make it a good one. Okay?"
Brian (ď˝ăťĎăťÂ´): "That's right! Thenâ"
Brian (´ďźĎďźď˝): "It's hard. Today is the endâthis Brian is sad to say goodbye to all the readers."
Liam (ďźăĐă): "S, so that's it (crying until the end)?"
How was it?
ăReincarnated in an Interstellar Nation to Become a Corrupt Lord!ă concludes here.
I tried to wrap it up quickly, not reaching 100,000 characters.
I left it open-ended, hoping readers would imagine the rest.
This time, I wrote in the SF genre, but it's fundamentally a reincarnation story.
I thought there could be more variety in reincarnation stories.
I have many things I want to write, but I'll do a proper afterword in the "Activity Report."
You can check the activity report by visiting the author's page, and I would be happy if you did.
There are also articles with illustrations of the author's other works, so I hope you enjoy them.
Finally, thank you for reading to the end.
I appreciate your support.
Your reviews and ratings are very encouraging.
Please feel free to leave your thoughts and ratings.