Currently, chapters 6 to 9 of the manga adaptation of "The World of Otome Games is Tough on Commoners" are available for free on Comic Walker and Nico Nico Seiga.
Chapters 1 to 5 are included in the first volume of the manga, so I hope you will purchase it and enjoy the continuation.
I was so happy about the release that I ended up buying three copies, hehe (´ω`)
---
In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.
---
The flagship of the Berkeley family's fleet, which is called a fortress-class aircraft carrier, is extremely large and is used as the Banfield family's flagship.
It is usually used as a space station on a frontier planet, but it has been mobilized for this crisis.
The generals gathered and were arguing about how to deal with the Berkeley family's fleet.
"Why don't we charge in!"
"Commander, this is a situation where we must charge!"
"With such a numerical disadvantage, we have no chance of winning if we clash head-on!"
The generals advised a charge, but the commander, who had been facing the enemy for a week, showed no signs of taking action.
Before the large fleets clashed, there was an unusual silence.
Each side could see the other's formation, and they would either close the distance or open it up to adjust their formations.
It could take over a month for actual combat to begin.
However, the Banfield family's fleet, which had been accustomed to charging and crushing the enemy, was growing impatient with the waiting.
"It's Liam's order."
When the commander said this, the generals exchanged glances.
"Liam's order?"
"Isn't he supposed to be serving in the Imperial Army now?"
"Did we receive any communication from him?"
The commander explained Liam's current situation.
"He is leading the fleet he has been assigned to and is heading this way. We are to maintain our position until he arrives."
The Banfield family's fleet, which had been charging into battle for decades, had a strong inclination towards charging.
"Commander, but even if we wait for reinforcements, the situation won't change."
Liam's assigned fleet numbered at most thirty thousand.
Even with that number added, the difference in strength wouldn't change much.
The Berkeley family still had the advantage.
"I understand. But this is an order."
They had no choice but to follow Liam's order.
The generals fell silent.
◇
On the flagship of the Berkeley family.
In the bridge of the battleship, which was lavishly built with rare metals, the eldest son of Kashimiro was confronting Dolph.
"Hey, they're not moving!"
But Dolph remained calm.
"There's no need to worry. They are just struggling to make a decision without Liam."
"But this isn't according to plan."
"I never expected things to go according to plan. However, it's almost impossible to overturn this numerical advantage."
From the weapons factory, they had prepared the latest warships and mobile knights.
They had also trained the crew.
They had invested a huge budget in preparing this large fleet.
However, in the shadows, there were planets that had been destroyed to secure elixirs, and the people of the Berkeley family's territory were suffering under heavy taxes.
Of course, neither Dolph nor the eldest son cared about such things.
"---There are also rumors that Liam has formed his own fleet in the military."
"He seems to have prepared thirty thousand ships, but even if his fleet joins, our advantage won't be overturned. Even if we are attacked from both sides, we can split our fleet to deal with it. The only thing left to overturn this situation is---"
"The Banfield family's trademark charge?"
"Yes. However, even if they charge, it won't matter. We have already won."
Dolph had been wary of Liam and had made all possible preparations.
Dolph was now Liam's nemesis.
(Liam---I will repay the debt from the military academy. I will defeat you in the real battle you love so much!)
The eldest son seemed somewhat relieved by Dolph's confident demeanor.
"S-Sure. Then, I can rest easy."
The Berkeley family's fleet, unlike the pirates they had faced before, consisted of well-trained soldiers.
They followed Dolph's orders and faced the Banfield family's fleet.
With allies who moved like his own limbs, Dolph was confident of victory.
However, he showed no signs of complacency.
This was because he had grown from losing to Liam at the military academy.
(That defeat was for this moment. I will accept the loss in the simulator, but the final victory will be mine!)
◇
In space, a guide stood on top of a travel bag, sipping tea from a cup as he watched the opposing fleets.
The fact that this was space was irrelevant to the guide.
"---No movement. But the outcome is already decided. Now, I'm curious about how Liam will despair."
Even with Liam's reinforcements, the total would be one hundred thousand.
The Berkeley family's forces numbered over three hundred thousand.
There was no significant difference in equipment or training.
The Banfield family was generally superior, but not enough to overturn the difference.
"If the strength is roughly equal, the side with more numbers will win. It's only natural."
There was no movement, but once they started, it would continue until the end.
The guide was enjoying this quiet time.
"This relationship with Liam, who has caused me so much trouble, will end here."
It was a poignant moment.
Liam was the first to cause him so much trouble.
"---I will prepare the most exquisite hell for him."
Imagining Liam crying and begging for forgiveness, the guide waited for the moment to come.
Then, an unpleasant sensation, like a burn, intensified.
The guide knew Liam was nearby just from this feeling.
"You're here, Liam!"
A wormhole appeared, and ships began to emerge one after another.
"Hahaha! I've been waiting for you, Liam---huh?"
The guide, who had been eagerly awaiting Liam, threw his cup and spread his arms wide, but the number of ships emerging from the wormhole was---too many.
Moreover, more were still coming.
"Hey, wait a minute! What's going on!? How can you have so many ships!?"
Liam was definitely nearby.
But the situation was too strange.
The large fleet undoubtedly led by Liam---numbered over one hundred thousand.
The guide clutched his head.
Liam's strong sense of gratitude was burning his skin.
"Why? Why!?"
◇
"Hmm?"
When I looked up, Marie, who had brought me tea, asked me.
"What's wrong, Liam?"
"I thought I heard a familiar voice."
I thought I heard the voice of the guide.
So, he's watching over me, huh.
Then, this outcome is only natural.
As I drank my tea, the operators began to report one after another.
"The 24th fleet has successfully exited the wormhole."
"The 36th fleet is awaiting orders."
"Enemy fleet confirmed! They haven't engaged yet!"
When I heard that a fool was attacking my territory, many regular fleet commanders offered to help.
Since we needed fleets to guard the border, we brought back twelve thousand ships.
Bribes really do work wonders!
Moreover, the merchants were sending supplies, so we could move the large fleet without hesitation.
It was a good decision to increase the number of loyal merchants.
Tia suggested to me.
"Liam, with this situation, we can attack the enemy from both sides. Although our numbers are fewer, if we charge with the Banfield family's fleet, we can deal a significant blow."
"That's a good idea."
Just as I was about to agree, the commander hurriedly stopped me.
Was something wrong?
"Wait!"
"---Commander, is there a problem?"
Tia glared at the commander, and Marie was about to draw her weapon, but I stood up from my seat to stop them.
"Hold it. ---Commander, do you have another suggestion?"
The commander cleared his throat and explained to me.
"Indeed, it's an effective strategy, but the casualties would be too high. In a battle of this scale, there is a more appropriate way to fight."
Yurisha looked at the commander with a suspicious eye.
"What do you mean by 'appropriate'?"
"---First, we should maintain our distance and engage in long-range combat."
Marie crossed her arms and complained about the commander's cautious approach.
"That's too passive. It's not a fitting way for Liam to fight."
---Huh? Is that so?
What is a fitting way for me to fight?
But the commander had a more serious expression than usual.
"Earl---a king has a way of fighting. You have built a reputation fighting pirates, but leading a fleet of this size requires a different approach."
Tia was about to draw her weapon at the commander.
"How dare you. Are you trying to teach Liam how a king should fight? Liam already has the demeanor of a king!"
These people really don't understand me.
In their eyes, I must seem like an incredibly wonderful person.
It's all an illusion.
"I said, stop."
"Liam?"
Pushing Tia aside, I looked at the commander.
In his serious eyes, I trusted the commander's instincts as a gambler.
"---Alright. Issue the order to the entire fleet. Maintain distance and begin the attack. Ensure the distance from the enemy remains constant."
It's a cowardly way to fight, but a corrupt lord is a coward.
Winning is all that matters.
The method of fighting is irrelevant.
Marie was surprised.
"Liam!? A-Are you sure about this?"
"Enough. Follow my orders."
◇
The commander was relieved.
(What a joke! Charging into such a large fleet, are they crazy? It's safer to engage in a prolonged, gradual battle and retreat when both sides are exhausted.)
The commander, who had managed to avoid the charge, vowed to himself that he would never get involved with Liam again.
(If we maintain our distance, this battleship won't sink.)
Liam's battleship was custom-made.
It was designed not to sink easily.
But---
"Alright, I want to fire the main cannon, so move the flagship forward!"
Liam enthusiastically ordered the flagship to move forward.
(---What?)
Yurisha was surprised.
"Admiral, aren't you going to stay back?"
"Maintaining distance is safer, right? Then, I'll be at the front and take down the enemy. Hey, pass me the trigger for the main cannon."
(What!? What is he saying!?)
◇
The Berkeley family's fleet, caught in a pincer attack, was in chaos.
Liam's fleet maintained their distance while attacking.
We could return fire, but the problem was that many of our ships were designed for close combat.
We could only endure the long-range attacks.
A ship loaded with missiles exploded near the flagship.
"Damn it!"
Dolph slammed his fist on the control panel.
The enemy seemed to be targeting the weaker ships.
The eldest son grabbed Dolph by the collar.
"Hey, this isn't what we agreed on! They were supposed to charge, right!?"
"Calm down. Now, we need to locate and target the enemy flagship. We need to disrupt their command."
"We wouldn't be struggling if we knew where the enemy commander was!"
The Berkeley family's fleet was also searching for the ship that likely carried the enemy commander.
However, the Banfield family's fleet included fortress-class ships that were difficult to destroy.
On the other hand, the reinforcements had no clear indication of where the commander was.
Dolph's ship was hit, causing it to shake, and the eldest son fell.
"I can't stay here! I'm the heir to the Berkeley family! I can't die here!"
Seeing the eldest son run away, Dolph muttered.
"Hmph, I didn't count on you anyway. But this situation is bad."
We had the numerical advantage, but being attacked from a distance would eventually turn the tide against us.
Worried, Dolph heard a voice.
"---Dolph, I'll lend you my strength."
"Who's there!?"
Dolph turned around, but no one was there.
Thinking it might be a hallucination, he was interrupted by an operator's shout.
"We've located the enemy flagship!"
"What!?"
They had managed to identify the ship Liam was likely on from over a hundred thousand enemy ships.
It was an incredible stroke of luck.
"Now, we'll charge and take down Liam!"
The Berkeley family's fleet was about to charge Liam's battleship.
Young Miki-chan (°▽、°) "The manga adaptation of 'The World of Otome Games is Tough on Commoners' Volume 1 is now on sale! Check out the special edition too♪"
Bryan (´；ω；｀) "---I'm really upset that the afterword has been hijacked."