The world of otome games is harsh for side characters. The "book edition" of volumes 1-2 is now on sale.
※The manga version can be enjoyed for free on Comic Walker and Nico Nico Seiga. (Episodes 1 and 3 are currently available as of December 28)
The free release of episode 3 has only one week left, so if you haven't read it yet, please do so.
Please also look forward to "Seventh" volumes 1-7.
※The book edition has been rewritten from scratch and is different from the web version.
How about during the New Year's holiday?
In the territory of the Leeser family.
There, Yasu was there.
Yasu, who is Liam's sword instructor, had heard that the territory was recruiting workers for mining operations and had come.
He is also the founder of the Ippan-ryu, an incredible sword technique, but he himself is not a great swordsman.
"Damn it. They won't hire me because I don't have a heavy machinery license. I've even ridden a mobile knight before, just for a ride, though."
He is originally a perfumer, but he became Liam's instructor at the request of an acquaintance.
He was talking about things that sounded plausible, and before he knew it, his disciple had become a first-rate swordsman.
Yasu was also confused by this.
He became anxious that his lies would be exposed and that Liam would kill him, so he fled.
After wandering around and spending all his money, he is now aimlessly looking for day jobs.
"No one even watches my performance, and no one will hire me. Ah, what am I supposed to do?"
He aimlessly walks through the pleasure district.
He doesn't even have money for a drink.
Yet, he is a hopeless person who ends up in the pleasure district.
He had even sold the sword he carried on his hip and had nothing left to sell.
"Is there anyone who can buy me a drink?"
As he was making a fuss, he bumped shoulders with some thugs coming from the front.
"You bastard, where are you looking while walking!"
"Ouch! It hurts!"
"Are you okay! --You hurt my junior. You won't get away with this!"
He had run into a bad crowd.
The people around them looked on coldly, trying to avoid getting involved.
Yasu was surrounded by three thugs with no place to run.
"It was just a light touch, right!"
His resistance was meaningless against the three of them.
"Is that all you have to say? It looks like you need to learn a painful lesson."
"Boss! Let's take this guy to a back-alley doctor and sell his organs."
"That's a good idea!"
Talking to them was pointless.
Facing the three who looked like criminals, Yasu prayed to the heavens.
(Someone, help me!)
Then, the surroundings began to stir.
The trio, ignoring the surroundings, was about to attack Yasu.
"We'll teach anyone who disrespects us a lesson--"
But--
"Everyone--what? Finish that sentence."
When Yasu looked behind the trio, he heard a familiar voice.
He had grown taller since the last time Yasu saw him.
However, he had encountered the one person he least wanted to see.
(God, not him. Please, not him!)
The trio turned around, and there stood Liam.
In his right hand, he held a weapon.
A laser blade--a convenient weapon to carry.
Seeing Liam, the trio picked up their pistols.
"Brat. Don't you dare talk to us so casually--"
The head of the man who spoke--fell off with a plop.
Yasu shivered with a chill running down his spine.
(This guy--he's recreating my performance with martial arts)
He seemed even stronger than the last time Yasu saw him.
Yasu couldn't gauge his strength, but he could tell that Liam had become someone he couldn't handle.
--Yasu's instincts were screaming that he shouldn't fight him.
He had to run--but he was already within Liam's reach.
(Oh, it's over)
Yasu felt his life was over, and his face became one of resignation.
The thugs looked confused, not understanding what had happened.
As Liam approached, they raised their weapons, but then two of them spurted blood from their bodies and fell.
The people around them also looked confused, not understanding what had happened.
As the smell of blood spread, Liam said,
"Don't get in my way. Hey, old man, you got involved with these guys--"
Liam didn't seem to notice Yasu.
But when he saw Yasu's face, he knelt and bowed his head.
"Master! I apologize!"
Seeing Liam bowing hurriedly, Yasu had reached his limit.
Resigned--or rather, with a bold attitude, he spoke to Liam.
"You seem to be doing well."
"Y-Yes. A-Are you living here?"
What should he say in response?
If he said something wrong, he would end up telling Liam where he was staying.
That was something he couldn't do.
"I'm traveling--traveling."
"Traveling? A-Are you here without a sword? Master, I don't think you should be without a weapon, even if you're not worried."
Yasu thought to himself.
(I already sold it! I don't have any money! If I could just say that, it would be so much easier)
"I'm traveling with nothing but the clothes on my back, unarmed."
"Why?"
(Eh? W-Why? There's no reason!)
"I'm looking for a disciple."
Seeing Liam, a reason came to mind, and he spoke it out loud.
Liam smiled.
"If that's the case, I'll prepare a dojo in my territory right away. If you can focus on training the next generation there, I'll be happy, and your wish will be fulfilled."
"No, that won't do."
"Eh?"
Liam had a face that said, "Why not?"
(Oh no! My brain, work at full capacity and come up with a good excuse!)
Yasu started talking without thinking.
"The disciple I'm looking for is not just any disciple. I'm looking for a disciple to complete the Ippan-ryu."
"Complete? But the Ippan-ryu is already complete, isn't it?"
"That's not true!"
He strongly denied it, but inside, he was panicking.
Liam, who had been shouted at by Yasu, closed his mouth and waited for the next words.
"There is no end in the path of martial arts. The Ippan-ryu is about continuous progress."
"Master, I was foolish. But if that's the case, can't you look for disciples in my territory?"
"I'm looking for a child who can complete the true Ippan-ryu. You, Lord Liam, are one of the possibilities, but that's not enough. I need to find two more disciples like you."
(Huh? This is just saying I don't want to go to your territory in a roundabout way. This is bad. I need to cover it up!)
Yasu's brain was working at full capacity.
"The Ippan-ryu in me and the Ippan-ryu in you are different. If I stay near you, I won't be able to find new possibilities."
"But, that--that may be true, but I won't interfere with you, Master?"
"It's not just my problem. Lord Liam--if you have received the full transmission, you must pass on the Ippan-ryu in you. Are you telling me to hinder you? Or do you not intend to take disciples?"
Liam's gaze wavered.
He hadn't been thinking about taking disciples.
(Ah, I got it! I'll tell him to take disciples and direct his attention to them)
"Lord Liam, you should have at least three disciples. Not all of them will be able to pass on their swords to the next generation as swordsmen. I want you to pass on the Ippan-ryu to as many disciples as possible. You are already a fine swordsman."
"Master--I was wrong."
He was moved, thinking that Yasu had been thinking about him.
(Of course it's a lie! But this might just work. I want to run away, but I don't have any money, so I can't leave this planet. Damn, what am I supposed to do?)
Then, Liam said,
"But, I can't let a disciple see you in such a state. I don't have much, but I'll prepare some travel money for you."
"That's very kind of you."
(I did it! Now I can escape from this guy!)
Liam charged electronic money to Yasu.
Seeing the amount, Yasu's blood drained from his face.
(What? What is this amount? There are way too many zeros)
Receiving an unbelievable amount of money, Yasu struggled to hide his inner thoughts.
He was thinking of leaving the territory immediately.
◇
After seeing off my master, I am troubled by my new goal.
"Three disciples--and not just any disciples, but ones who can complete the Ippan-ryu. How am I supposed to find them?"
I need to work hard to spread the Ippan-ryu.
Should I go see the dojo in my territory first?
However, the Ippan-ryu is not taught there.
Only I can teach it, so I can't appoint an instructor.
"I guess I have to find them myself. Still, every word from my master carries weight. I need to follow his example."
He didn't seem to care at all about being harassed by thugs.
That must be the confidence of a strong person, right?
I aim to be a corrupt lord, but I want my master to continue on his path.
"What are you mumbling to yourself?"
The knight in charge of my training came to see me, who had been thrown into the dungeon of the viscount's house.
It seems I shouldn't have caused a disturbance in the city.
"Truly, causing a disturbance during training is unacceptable."
"I apologize."
I had left the mansion with some seniors and was playing in the pleasure district--but I got lost.
The thugs were annoying, and I was getting frustrated.
I hate people like that.
Among the debt collectors, there were thugs like them.
They weren't kind or anything like in dramas or movies; they were just unreasonable.
"But, I understand how you feel."
The knight smiled at me.
"I looked into it, and they seem to be a bad bunch. I wonder why they haven't been caught yet."
They were quite bad.
Well, it doesn't matter.
It was their fault for getting in my way.
Besides, they had laid a hand on my master. I didn't even need to kill them.
"Lord Randolf says he'll let you out soon. Get some rest."
"I will."
I had a lot to think about regarding my disciples, so it was just as well.
◇
In the hideout of the outlaws in the territory of the Leeser viscount's family.
The pirates were in an uproar, saying that three of their comrades had been killed.
--The ones Liam had killed were their comrades.
"Boss, are we just going to let this slide?"
"---You fool. If we do, we'll lose face."
The pirates were the largest pirate group in the territory of the Leeser viscount's family.
"But, it seems the opponent is a noble. A young noble who came to the Leeser family for training."
"It's scary not knowing who we're dealing with. Killing them is easy, but I don't want any trouble. Hey, is there anyone who can investigate?"
One of the subordinates raised his hand.
"If so, there's a regular customer at the casino. He's the heir to the Peetack family, but he owes money to our place. We might be able to get information from him."
"Good. Get close to him. Use alcohol, women, money--whatever it takes to find out about the fool who messed with us. We'll definitely get our revenge."
They were determined to investigate before taking action.
"We'll make the noble regret messing with us."
The pirates grinned and vowed to take revenge on Liam.
◇
In the territory of the Leeser viscount's family.
Thomas, who usually doesn't come to this area, was visiting for a business negotiation.
"The name Liam doesn't seem to have any effect on the pirates around here."
The pirates who usually don't cause trouble in the areas where Liam runs wild were different in the Leeser viscount's territory.
One of his subordinates reported back.
"We only had to pay a toll, but don't you think these guys are connected to the viscount's family? The timing of their attacks is suspicious."
Thomas had also felt that way.
"I know. But I feel bad asking Lord Liam to provide security. Even considering the profit, the cost of security would put us in the red."
It was good that he had come to the Leeser viscount's spaceport, but he needed to return as soon as the negotiations were over.
"I wanted to greet Lord Liam, but this won't do."
His subordinate sighed.
"We'll make a small profit from the transaction, but I can't help feeling that the merchants and pirates are in cahoots."
It seemed as if the pirates were demanding tolls in a way that allowed the merchants to make a profit.
It was an amount that made paying easier.
"---I had heard that Lord Liam was a good lord, but I wonder how true that is."
Thomas began to worry that Liam might be influenced by the Leeser family's ways.
Bryan (´；ω；｀) "Lord Liam, could it be that you trust that Yasu more than this Bryan? --It's painful."