The neatly aligned and beautifully arranged lights seemed to create a path in the emptiness.
The flagship's cabin was extravagantly luxurious, to the point of being surprising.
Attendants were also on standby, and by my side, where I sat, were the supreme commander and admirals.
"Lord Liam, you have successfully completed one of your training tasks."
"The real challenge is yet to come. In a few years, we will be studying in the capital of the empire. They plan to keep us there for decades."
Kurt seemed restless.
Tia was diligently taking care of me.
Is that it? Did she fail to pick me up and is now trying to earn points?
I don't mind that.
"Lord Liam, will you proceed from the university or the military academy?"
In response to Tia's question, I moistened my throat with a drink before answering.
"---Either one is fine. After all, they're both the same. Just a formality."
Kurt was seriously considering it.
"I think it's quite important. I plan to work in the military for a while after my training, as I'm told to build connections there."
Trying to gain favor with the higher-ups, huh?
He's got a tough job ahead.
"As for us, with our positions, we'll end up in rear duties anyway."
"I'd like to earn some credit, though. Liam, will you return to your territory immediately after your training?"
Young people who have completed their training usually spend up to about 200 years in freedom.
After that, they take over the family business or assist in the transition of power.
But I am already a baron.
"I do think it's fine to have some fun for a while."
If I become a bureaucrat and build connections, I can get away with mischief.
The same goes for the military.
They will help me in times of need and cover up any problems.
Building connections with both would be the right move, but---what should I do?
I want to have fun when I study in the capital, and I can also have fun as a bureaucrat.
Maybe I should bribe people now.
As I was thinking about all this, we arrived at a region where we could perform a warp.
The admirals also needed to lead their fleets soon, and as they left the room, only the supreme commander remained.
"Lord Liam, regarding the pirate suppression in the Exner barony, the enemy force is said to be 3,000 strong."
"Is that so? I hope they have some treasure stored up."
Kurt looked worried.
"Don't worry. I'll give you 30% of the loot."
"That's not the point. Aren't you nervous, Liam? They're pirates, but they also engage in mercenary work. They're not amateurs."
He's too serious.
A serious but corrupt lord, this guy has a strong personality.
"I told you, pirates are my piggy bank. They gather wealth for me and provide me with credit. I'll clean them all up."
Kurt might be worried, but---I have a guide.
It's almost like a guardian.
Thanks to him, my second life is filled with luck.
Whatever I do, I succeed.
"Still, 3,000 is a small number."
If debris is generated in battle, it can be converted into resources for a big profit---but this time it might be disappointing.
Recently, pirates don't seem to be storing much, which is disheartening.
Tia leaned against my leg.
"Lord Liam, please let me be the vanguard."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I'll decide when it's your turn."
"I'm sorry."
Seeing Tia immediately back away and kneel, I thought she was like a dog.
As we continued talking, the supreme commander received a communication.
"What is it?"
'The enemy has deployed to block our course. Their numbers are close to 20,000.'
"Enemy? Pirates?"
'That's---'
"What's wrong?"
'---We have confirmed noble crests on some of the enemy ships.'
β
When we arrived at the bridge, the two forces were already facing each other.
The 3D tactical display showed the enemy spreading out as if to engulf us.
In contrast, our formation was spherical.
"Planning to surround and crush us?"
Kurt nodded at my murmur.
"They intend to surround and crush us. Given their numbers, it's a viable strategy."
Seeing this, I---
"Alright, let's charge."
"Wait! Liam, charging is a bad idea. They're waiting for us!"
Ignoring the flustered Kurt, the supreme commander issued the order.
"All ships, prepare to charge."
Tia seemed slightly---breathing heavily and excited, sweating.
Is she okay?
"Liam, it's dangerous. They're planning to surround us."
Imagine it like a ball being enveloped.
The enemy's movements were spreading out to envelop us.
"No problem. We excel at this kind of battle. Besides, the difference in numbers is meaningless."
After all---I have a guide who acts like a guardian of luck.
β
In space, the guide was writhing.
"Why! Why did you prepare such a large force, Liam!"
Originally, Liam's escort was supposed to be a few hundred ships.
He planned to crush them with a hundred times the force, but Liam's escort consisted of over 10,000 ships.
It was impossible.
It shouldn't have been possible.
"I put all my remaining strength into this---I finally gathered this much."
He cooperated with pirates and the Pietak family, gathering as much force as possible.
While he couldn't contribute much, both the pirates and the Pietak family were determined to take down Liam.
Yet, even with half the number, Liam had no chance of winning.
In space.
Sitting on a satellite, the guide buried his face in his knees and whispered.
"It's over. It's all over."
β
The pirate gang was trembling.
"Why? Why---aren't they breaking?"
From past experience, most nobles would lose morale when surrounded.
They were all show, and with low-quality warships, they could be easily defeated even in equal numbers.
This time, with the Pietak family's help, they had gathered twice the number of the enemy.
A subordinate reported.
"Boss! The Pietak family is breaking, and there's a hole in the encirclement!"
The poorly trained Pietak family not only failed to move as intended but was also being destroyed.
Their numerical advantage was gradually being lost.
"Are they equipped with the latest warships? Hey, connect me to the pirates we're allied with!"
"The jamming is too severe---"
"Just connect me!"
The connection was to a pirate gang of similar size.
Facing a noisy image, the boss asked for help.
"Hey, brother. I need a little help."
The other side was incredulous.
'What did you do? Are you in battle?'
"Yeah, I am. But the enemy is strong, and we're at a disadvantage. Can you lend a hand? Or maybe hide us temporarily?"
The other side asked for the enemy's name.
'Who's after you?'
"Vanfield. The Vanfield barony."
Hearing this, the pirate on the screen dropped his cigar.
He was trembling.
'Vanfield?'
"Yeah, that's right. A kid named Liam is leading them. He's the one who started this fight."
But the pirate's reaction was strange.
'What the hell did you do!'
"What's wrong, brother?"
'Vanfield's Liam? The pirate hunter Liam? He's the one who took down Gorez. You're going to war with him? Are you kidding me!'
The communication was cut off, and it couldn't be reconnected.
The same reaction came from other pirate allies.
The boss was at a loss.
"What's going on? I thought the Vanfield family was a declining noble house?"
β
A few days into the war.
The enemy was already breaking, and we were cutting them down.
Kurt, watching from the bridge, was amazed by the strength of Liam's forces.
(Are they at the same level as the regular military?)
The quality of equipment, personnel, and training---all were far superior to the average lord's private army.
Then, a communication came from the Pietak family's flagship, which was breaking.
'This is the Pietak family's flagship, Peter II. We surrender. We surrender!'
The other side was in chaos, with the communication being established amidst the commotion.
In contrast, our bridge was calm.
The operators' voices could be heard, and the staff were giving orders, but they were composed.
Glancing at Tia, she was squinting at the enemy flagship.
(This person is strong. Not just an ordinary knight. Liam has such a knight under his command?)
The supreme commander asked Liam for confirmation.
"Lord Liam, the Pietak family has offered to surrender. They did ally with pirates, but pushing them too hard might cause problems---"
The supreme commander probably thought it was over.
He was asking Liam if he would accept the surrender.
But he seemed angry with the Pietak family, not finding it particularly interesting.
A serious military man, he couldn't tolerate nobles acting like pirates.
Tia's hands were making a creaking sound, showing how much she hated pirates.
Then, Liam---
"Pietak family? Come on, do they look like the Pietak family to you? They look like pirates to me."
Liam laughed and gave the order.
"---They're pirates. The noble and respectable Pietak family wouldn't act like pirates. So, they're just pirates pretending to be nobles. Why should we accept their surrender?"
At that moment, the supreme commander straightened his cap.
"Forgive me. We will continue the attack."
"Of course."
Liam stood up.
"Well, it's time for me to have some fun. Tia, come with me."
"Hai!"
Kurt called out to Liam.
"Liam! Are you sure about this?"
This meant going to war with the Pietak family and their associates.
Yet, Liam was smiling.
"Of course."
Calmly, he led Tia out of the bridge.
Once they were out of sight, the supreme commander spoke to Kurt.
"That's Lord Liam."
"---True nobility is impressive. I, and my father, can understand why we are called upstarts."
He couldn't make the same judgment as Liam.
"What, he's just a pirate. You can think of him that way, Kurt."
And he realized.
(If you say it, black becomes white. Saying it is easy, but Liam has made it a reality.)
When Liam said it, the Pietak family would be treated as mere pirates.
Realizing that his words were not a joke and that he had made a great decision, it felt even more impressive.
"He must be strong."
He felt a shiver.
While he was glad not to be his enemy, he also wanted to fight him.
But, as a lord, he was certain that he should never be his enemy.
"---This training was fortunate."
The training at the Lezelle viscount's house was unsatisfying.
But meeting Liam and forming a friendly relationship was fortunate, Kurt thought.
β
In the corridor leading to the hangar.
Tia, looking at Liam's back, blushed.
(Ah, Lord Liam. What a noble spirit. Even if they are nobles, those who ally with pirates will be struck down by your hand. I am moved by your decision.)
When Liam, knowing they were the Pietak family, called them pirates and decided to annihilate them---Tia trembled.
She trembled with joy.
(Indeed, Lord Liam is my true lord. I must serve him with all my heart and soul.)
Liam's back, though he was still young and smaller than her, looked very large to Tia.
When they arrived at the hangar, knights were lined up and waiting.
The path to Liam's beloved machine, Avid, was lined with a red carpet.
Liam called out to the surroundings.
---It's time for a fun pirate hunt. Everyone, follow me.
The knights saluted and quickly boarded their machines.
Liam was smiling.
"Special machines are good, but mass-produced ones are also nice. Just make sure to add horns to the lead machine when we return."
As Liam boarded Avid, Tia also boarded her machine.
Avid, heading out into space, charged at the enemy.
'The foolish pirates claiming to be the Pietak family will be annihilated!'
Where Avid passed, enemy warships and mobile suits were all cut in half.
(With his nobility and this strength---just watching him---)
Tia, still excited, stabbed nearby enemies with her sword.
One thrust in the cockpit.
She continued to destroy them one by one, following Liam's back.
Bryan (Β΄γ»Ογ»ο½) "I understand, Lord Liam must be mistaken, thinking the Pietak family is a good family and wouldn't act like pirates. The thought of a war between noble families due to a misunderstanding---makes my stomach hurt."