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Rosetta was on the verge of breaking down.
Just like her grandmother and mother, Rosetta felt her spirit wearing thin from life at the young school.
"---I---I wanted to rise in the world---to escape this miserable life."
She wanted to escape from the endless hell.
But reality was cruel.
Every day, she was shown the gap between herself and those around her.
By the time she was in her second year, she could no longer even see the backs of her classmates.
She couldn't understand what was being said in class.
In martial arts, she couldn't even put up a fight against a smaller girl.
No matter how hard she studied or practiced, she couldn't catch up.
She began to doubt if they were even the same species.
She sat on the bed, hugging her knees.
"I hate it. If I have to suffer like this, I wish I had never been born."
She remembered the sad faces of her grandmother and mother when they sent her to the young school.
They looked very pained.
Still, they had no choice but to send her, and they told Rosetta that it was okay to give up.
But Rosetta couldn't bear it.
It felt like admitting defeat, which she hated.
But what she realized at the young school was that it wasn't even a matter of losing; the reality was that it wasn't even a fair fight.
Rosetta's spirit was breaking.
It felt like it would break at any moment.
In the young school's faculty room, the teachers were talking.
"About Claudia's case---"
Mr. John, who had been consulted, was also struggling with how to handle it.
"It's painful to watch. If possible, please take care of her."
At the young school, Rosetta wasn't being thoroughly bullied.
But there was a history.
Most importantly, she was clearly at a different level from the other students.
It wasn't her fault, but a simple matter of wealth and status.
So, it wasn't right to blame her.
Moreover, they knew she was trying her best.
Therefore, their response was inevitably light.
They didn't get angry when she couldn't do something.
And they didn't blame her too much.
This made Rosetta feel like she was being taken lightly.
Another teacher suggested, "Why don't we let her take a break for a while?"
Mr. John shook his head.
"We've received complaints from the officials who are monitoring her. It's difficult to do more."
The officials who had been monitoring the Claudia family for years were cruel.
They seemed to be thinking about how to break her spirit.
Such people had been gathered, and their work had continued until now.
If they tried to let Rosetta take a break, the monitors would complain.
Was it a challenge to the late emperor's command?
Threatened in this way, the teachers couldn't resist.
Therefore, they were forbidden to lend a hand.
"Is there anything we can do?"
The teachers were powerless.
A teacher rushed into the faculty room.
"It's an emergency!"
Mr. John turned to him.
"What happened?"
"It's the next tournament with the mobile knights! Lord Derrick has entered, but Lord Liam has also entered!"
Hearing this, the teachers stood up.
"---We must stop it immediately."
Liam was known for injuring Derrick.
Although Liam was usually gentle, he was famous for thoroughly beating pirates.
If Liam and Derrick fought in mobile knights, it would be a disaster.
"Liam must withdraw. If he doesn't---"
But the teacher who brought the information shook his head.
"Lord Derrick insists that he must participate. He won't allow it otherwise."
Mr. John decided to report to his superior immediately.
"What is he thinking!"
The prime minister received the report from the young school.
"Hmm, interesting. Let's let it happen."
The subordinate who brought the report was---Tia.
She had been officially assigned as a subordinate to the prime minister.
"Liam will be pleased."
While looking at Tia's smile, the prime minister invited her to become a direct vassal of the empire.
This was proof of Tia's great ability.
"By the way, Christiana, have you considered becoming a direct vassal of the empire?"
Tia answered immediately.
"There's no need to consider it. I decline."
Hearing this, the prime minister backed off.
"That's a shame. I wanted as many capable subordinates as possible."
"My lord is Liam alone."
"To inspire such loyalty in a capable knight. Indeed, he is different from the rest."
"Of course."
Tia, who had worked as an official, had been recognized for her abilities and was recruited by the prime minister.
The prime minister regretted that she would have become a reliable subordinate if she had worked for a hundred years.
"---Now, the Banfield and Berkeley families will engage in a serious conflict. Are you prepared?"
Tia had no doubt about their victory.
"Of course. Lord Liam's decision is never wrong. Even if it were, I would make sure we win."
(The loyalty is admirable, but it's almost blind.)
Tia sensed danger, and the prime minister thought it was a good decision not to recruit her.
"Very well. Feel free to wreak havoc. The empire accepts the victor."
A battle between the Banfield and Berkeley families.
Who will win?
Even the prime minister didn't know.
(In terms of scale, Berkeley has the upper hand. But the earl has always won in unfavorable battles. Personally, I hope he will again.)
While secretly rooting for the Banfield family, the prime minister knew he couldn't act as the empire's prime minister.
(Regardless, it will be a long battle.)
A battle between nobles.
First, they will quietly compete.
Before it turns into a war, they will engage in intense conflict.
Those who benefit from Berkeley's victory will support the fight.
In that case, Liam has no chance of winning.
No matter how strong Liam is, he will lose.
(The question is whether there are noble and principled people who will support the earl.)
If there is a chance of winning, it would require the support of noble and principled nobles and merchants who oppose the Berkeley family.
"Sorry! I apologize!"
On the monitor, Brian was apologizing.
I was listening to the report while rubbing my sleepy eyes.
"The head of the Claudia family, along with the previous generation, doubts Lord Liam's intentions, and the engagement negotiations are not progressing."
While watching Brian wipe his sweat, I thought.
Brian is a gentle person.
He wouldn't negotiate from a position of superiority, saying "I will engage you," and I wouldn't allow it.
So, is he really against me?
Even if they fall, the Claudia family, with their unbreakable spirit, is---the best!
"Continue the negotiations politely. A slow and steady approach is needed. Right, Brian?"
"Of course. However---the Claudia family believes there is no reason to welcome Lord Liam as a spouse, even if he falls in love with Rosetta."
Even if it's a case of love at first sight, is he taking it lightly? We are a historic ducal family!
---Is that the feeling?
The Claudia family---you really entertain me.
"Lord Liam, do you really intend to welcome Rosetta as your wife?"
Looking at the worried Brian, I understood what he was trying to say.
Is it okay for a corrupt lord like me to welcome a daughter of the Claudia family, a block of justice with a steel heart?
The Claudia family is an amazing family.
They defied a sleazy and evil emperor and have endured harassment for thousands of years.
Moreover, they are led by a female head---a group that probably thinks men are trash.
Subduing such a woman would surely be enjoyable.
Even if it takes a long time, it's worth it.
Rather, I want to see how long she can endure.
"Brian, are you dissatisfied with my decision?"
I don't tolerate complaints about my decisions.
But Brian is like a hereditary vassal.
I can tolerate a little grumbling.
"---To be frank, I am dissatisfied. The Claudia family's debt is worse than the Banfield family's. Even if we form an alliance, the benefits are minimal."
Money can be solved.
In fact, according to Tenshi, if development proceeds smoothly, self-repayment is possible.
Tenshi wouldn't be wrong.
"This is a decision."
Hearing this, Brian's shoulders drooped.
"I understand. But personally---this Brian supports Lord Liam."
I ended the communication.
I stood up and stretched.
"Brian is starting to understand my feelings. It's a bit off, but that's Brian for you."
At that time, a test was being conducted at the Seventh Weapon Factory.
One of the lavishly made prototypes was being piloted by Marie.
In space, where debris floats, she was speeding at full throttle.
Nias, watching from inside the ship, was mesmerized.
"Great. My lavishly made mobile knight is the best."
The prototype, made without budget constraints and using rare metals, was more like a work of art.
Marie returned after completing the test.
"Nias, the response is a bit slow. Do you think Lord Liam will be satisfied with this?"
As a test pilot, she was also top-notch.
While there were many issues as a test pilot, Marie was undoubtedly an ace.
A valuable pilot who could handle difficult machines like her own limbs.
Operating a tablet, Nias replied.
"I'll pay attention to Avid's response speed."
"Take care with this one's adjustments. This will be my personal machine."
It was a prototype, but Marie liked it and wanted to make it her personal machine.
"I'd like to keep it as an experimental machine."
"We're making several of the same ones. Don't be greedy. By the way, I hate the prototype's color. Paint it white and purple, my personal colors."
Dyeing the personal machine in her own colors.
A privilege of ace pilots.
When Nias tried to arrange it---
"Ah? Marie, I'm sorry, but permission isn't granted. It's set to Christiana's personal colors."
Marie's demeanor changed instantly.
Until now, she had been polite, but suddenly---
"That bitch! She used my personal colors without permission! I'll make her pay, that shit!"
She began to curse Tia in foul language.
"E, eh---Marie?"
"Oops, sorry. By the way, how shameless can that woman be? Calling herself the head knight is embarrassing. She's not suitable for Lord Liam, don't you think?"
It wasn't a self-proclaimed title, but a decision made by Liam---Marie wasn't convinced.
(How should I answer this? More importantly, will this person go on a rampage if she finds out about the engagement?)
But I couldn't keep it from her.
"More importantly---Lord Liam has found a woman he's interested in at the young school. He says he will make her his fiancée and is negotiating with her family."
"Wha---the partner! A suitable partner for Lord Liam is not easy to find in the entire empire."
Nias was amazed at how highly Marie thought of Liam.
"---Rosetta of the Claudia ducal family."
Hearing this, Marie shouted.
"That's wonderful! I must prepare for the celebration immediately!"
"Aren't you angry?"
"Lord Liam is indeed my ideal lord. I never thought he would choose the Claudia family---it must be fate."
There was no response.
Leaving the excited Marie alone, Nias operated the tablet.
The image of Avid, which was being modified, was displayed.
It was being modified using a large amount of rare metals.
She drooled at the sight.
"Ah, it's wonderful. Especially this line and this gimmick are the best. I'll nuzzle it when I get back."
Nias felt a motherly affection for Avid, which was being modified with all the resources of the Seventh Weapon Factory.
The other staff members watched the excited Marie and Nias with a look of shock.
"Are they okay?"
"They're in a fantasy. Don't talk to them."
"Nias was talking to Avid as if it were her child."
The modification of Avid was proceeding smoothly.
Nias was nuzzling the tablet.
"Ah, the shine of the reinforced mithril is driving me crazy."
Brian (´・ω・) "The engagement with the Claudia family is tough, but---if Lord Liam falls in love at first sight, there's nothing this Brian can do."
Brian (｀・ω・´) "So, this Brian! I will work hard for Lord Liam."