Chapter 20

I found a weakness in the Ippan-ryu style.

Indeed, it is a magnificent sword technique, but it is one that never considers holding back.

It is a sword technique meant to kill the opponent.

While it is possible to hold back, once a slightly stronger opponent appears—there is no choice but to kill.

Ippan-ryu is an extremely extreme school.

Until now, I have never considered holding back when dealing with pirates.

What a weakness.

"Well, I guess I need to be more restrained at my training place."

I aim to be a wicked lord, but that is only within my own territory.

I do not act tyrannically in others' territories.

Or rather, I cannot.

Even if I go on a rampage in the viscount's household, I will eventually be restrained.

An individual's strength has little meaning.

Not that it has no meaning—losing is frustrating.

And yet—

"Reiam, it seems we have to tend to the garden this afternoon."

—Kurt, who had been making fun of me, was unusually familiar.

He was changing into work clothes and holding tools.

"—Well, it's not that it matters."

"What do you mean?"

Not talking to the roommate is also a problem.

This is fine, but—recently, the way girls look at me is scary.

Not all the students who come to the viscount's household for training are boys.

There are also girls who come to learn manners—pre-marriage training.

The Leaser viscount's household is a popular training place, and there are many such girls.

However, the way they look at me and Kurt is scary lately.

They often call our names together, like "Kurt, Reiam" or "Reiam, Kurt."

What is this all about?

Sometimes they even glare at each other over whose name to call first.

Is this a custom of this world, or just of the Leaser viscount's household?—The empire, being an interstellar nation, is too vast to understand many things.

What is common sense in the world may be just a local custom.

Perhaps they are sent to other households for training to correct such perceptions?

The thoughts never end.

"Reiam, if you don't hurry, the knight who gives guidance will get angry again."

"That old man is unnecessarily passionate, isn't he?"

He has the spirit of a passionate instructor.

I don't hate him, though.

Half a year has already passed since I came for training.

◇

"I can't get serious unless it's the real deal."

Peter, holding a wooden sword, was sitting in a chair and refused to move during exercise time.

"In fact, I have a license in the famous Aaren sword style, so there's no point in doing this anymore."

A woman in exercise clothes approached Peter, who was making excuses and refusing to move.

"Peter, you should properly move your body."

The woman—girl—was [Caterina Sera Leaser].

The girl that Randolph was thinking of marrying Peter to.

Peter also liked Caterina, a beautiful girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a ponytail.

"Leina, I'm strong without training. After all, I never lost in my territory."

Caterina—Leina—looked at Peter, who didn't look strong, with a doubtful gaze.

"Then show me in a fight."

"A real strong man doesn't fight unless it's important."

Leina was exasperated by Peter, who was dodging exercise.

Looking outside the dojo, the other students who came for training were tending to the garden.

Peter, looking at them, said,

"It's so tiring, isn't it? Poor nobles who work so hard don't need to come for training."

Leina explained, though she was exasperated.

"True, they're not from important families, but they're better than a lazy Peter."

"It's not like that. If I get serious, I can take them down in an instant."

Around them, the girls who came for training were preparing towels and drinks for the wealthy boys.

For them, this place was also a place to meet potential partners.

However, they didn't even look at the students tending the garden outside.

◇

While Reiam was struggling with the issue of holding back at his training place.

In the capital of the empire, a student approached Tia, who was attending university.

He was from the Leaser family.

"Are you Christiana? Your lord is staying at my family's place, do you know?"

Tia was troubled by the man who was trying to flirt using his family's situation.

(Leaser family? He's not worth my time, but Reiam's position at the training place must be considered. I should respond without causing any trouble.)

He seemed to be a frivolous man.

For a noble's child who left a strict family to study in the capital, the university period is like a time for play.

There are serious students, but there are also many who are not.

With a sense of liberation and other factors, many indulge in play.

He was one of them.

"Yes, I know. So, you're from the Leaser viscount's household?"

"Right, right. My father is taking care of your lord. Since this is some kind of fate, let's exchange contact information. We'll have a lot to talk about in the future."

Tia was exasperated by the man's words.

(Is he trying to play with a knight from another household? A kid who can't take responsibility, acting up. But—this is for Reiam. My attitude could damage Reiam's reputation—this must not happen.)

He was probably just looking for a playmate.

Even if he planned to discard her later, targeting someone from a connected household was foolish.

"Sure, that's fine."

She responded with a smile and left the scene.

(What a hassle to be approached like this.)

◇

At the Leaser viscount's household.

I was talking with Kurt in my room.

The content of the conversation—

"Are you confused about something in your territory?"

"Ah, yeah, that's right. I'm a nouveau riche. I got the territory, but I'm struggling with how to manage it."

I got the territory after a promotion.

It's good, but the Exner family, who have never managed a territory before, are in trouble.

"I don't know how much tax to collect or how to treat the people."

The temperament of the people can differ even within the same planet.

Considering the details, it takes a lot of effort.

On the other hand, if you manage everything uniformly, complaints will arise.

Sometimes rebellions occur, and when that happens, the empire gets involved, which is troublesome.

In my case? If they complain, I send out my private army to suppress them.

I dislike rebellious subjects.

I am kind to those who follow me, but there's no point in being kind to others.

"You're an idiot. Just squeeze them dry."

"But even if I want to squeeze them, it's already quite tight?"

Tight? —Are you squeezing them to the limit?

This guy is quite a bad person.

The Exner baron's family is also like this, but he himself also wants to squeeze more taxes—there's potential.

Well, as a fellow wicked lord, I'll give him some advice.

Such connections are important to maintain.

"Then I'll teach you something important. When you wring out a rag, you wet it first, right? You can't squeeze anything out of a dry rag."

"—Of course. Reiam, what are you talking about?"

"Don't you get it? Before you squeeze, you need to enrich the people. Invest in infrastructure, and the people involved will profit. As the territory develops, the environment for squeezing will improve. Investment is important."

"I know that, but it's not easy to implement."

"Do it! Squeezing comes later. After that, money will overflow without you doing anything. You just need to be patient. Once the people are prosperous, you can squeeze them harder. Oh, and maintain your military power. Never slack on that."

Some nobles are afraid of rebellion and don't let their territories develop too much.

Some only educate those related to them and keep the rest in a medieval-like environment.

—My parents were that type.

Nobles can also borrow money, and I understand the desire not to spend money on the territory.

But to squeeze, you need to enrich them first.

"Your territory, Reiam, is well-managed."

"I'm good at squeezing."

Fellow wicked lords, or rather, a junior? Anyway, I'll give him some advice.

So, help me if something happens.

◇

Kurt, listening to Reiam, thought,

(Indeed, enriching the people who are living on the edge is the priority.)

The territory his father received was in a terrible state.

They had to maintain military power and make certain contributions—so the Exner baron's family was managing the territory on a tight budget.

Reducing taxes is understood, but it's not an easy task.

Making the people live on the edge—felt guilty.

"Military expansion also costs money. We can't afford it. Maintenance is also a problem."

Reiam, lying on the bed, was exasperated.

"Reduce the numbers. Quality and training are more important. Instead of having dozens of outdated ships, get a few new ones."

"Numbers are important. Besides, doing anything costs money. We can't squeeze more from the people."

"You're squeezing them quite tight, aren't you?"

Reiam said, looking pleased.

"You should borrow money. If they trust you to pay back, they'll lend it gladly. Oh, but make sure to meet the repayment deadline. My family suffered from that."

Kurt was at a loss at Reiam's earnest words.

"Without credit, the amount you can borrow is limited. As a new family, there's no one to lend to us."

Reiam said, "In that case,"—

"I'll talk to my Echigo-ya."

"What's Echigo-ya?"

Kurt thought it was good to come to the viscount's household for training.

After all, he made a reliable friend, even if he was a bit strange.

(Still, Reiam is quite rude. He really cares about the people, but talks about squeezing them.)

There was a misunderstanding.

◇

Humphrey Trading received a message from Reiam.

"Hmm, that's a problem."

"What happened?"

When asked by a subordinate, Thomas replied that it was a loan application.

"Is it the Banfield family borrowing from us?"

"No. A baron's family was introduced to me. The new Exner baron's family, but I can't refuse because it's Lord Reiam's request."

If the Exner baron's family asked, he would never lend a large sum of money.

But with Reiam's name, it's a different story.

"If there's a count backing them, lending shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"That much is fine."

They have made a lot of money in Reiam's territory, so it's not impossible.

Besides, they owe Reiam, so they would do a bit of extra work if asked.

"But this kind of talk spreads quickly. More nobles who don't intend to pay back will come asking for loans."

"Oh, that's why."

If they lend to the Exner baron, they should lend to us too, right?

They borrow with the intention of not paying back.

Humphrey Trading has recently gained strength.

They have Reiam's backing, but they are still looked down upon by the nobility.

"But I can't refuse Lord Reiam. I'll contact the Exner baron right away."

◇

I introduced Thomas from the wicked group—no, Humphrey Trading—to Kurt's family.

I felt happy as the circle of wicked friends expanded.

"What a wonderful bond. I'll ask for help when I'm in trouble."

I was on my way to throw out the garbage from the garden cleaning.

A voice came from behind a building.

"What is it?"

There was Caterina, the viscount's daughter, with a man, hiding behind the building, being affectionate.

"Stop it. If someone sees us, it will be a disaster."

"It's fine. I'll keep you quiet."

I remember that Caterina was supposed to marry a rich guy named Peter.

But the man with her wasn't Peter.

My heart suddenly turned cold.

Cheating—my wife in my previous life also cheated.

Thinking that it was a good thing I didn't marry such a woman, I felt sympathy for Peter.

Well, I've never talked to Peter, and I don't want to cause trouble in the viscount's household where I'm staying, so I'll keep quiet.

I heard that Peter's family is very excellent and governs well.

I can't get along with someone from such a family.

Our policies are too different, so we wouldn't see eye to eye.

"Poor Peter."

At the same time, I thought of Caterina—this ○○○○.

I left the scene, pretending I saw nothing, and thought,

(Still, being serious doesn't work. Even a serious guy like Peter ends up with such a woman. Poor guy.)

Bryan (´；ω；｀) "It's tough. It's tough because Lord Reiam is always misunderstanding. Lord Reiam, you're wrong! Peter is not serious at all!"

Tenchou (　・∀・) "It's the usual master, isn't it?"