In the Banfield family mansion, there was Rosetta, dressed in a maid's uniform.
She was walking with proper posture on a white line, with a mechanical ball on her head.
Her long blonde hair in a vertical roll was noticeable against the chic dark blue maid's dress.
Her usually stern expression was tense as she concentrated on walking.
The one guiding Rosetta was Selina.
Clapping her hands, she urged Rosetta, who was walking slowly.
"How long are you going to walk so slowly? Walk faster."
The current Rosetta is Liam's fiancée and will eventually become his wife.
In terms of status, she is above Selina, but since Rosetta is currently in training at the mansion, Selina is in the position to guide her.
Her words were also strict.
Rosetta started to cry.
"I don't want to anymore!"
Selina, looking at such a Rosetta, had a face of exasperation.
"--- How many times do I have to say it? Rosetta, you need this training to become a suitable wife for Lord Liam."
Rosetta, however, was not crying because Selina's training was harsh.
Her previous life was even stricter.
There are many things to learn, such as etiquette, but she can endure it.
She can endure it, but--- the problem was Liam.
"I wanted to enter the military academy with my darling!"
Currently, Liam is attending the military academy.
He even brought along Wallace, who was reluctant, and was not at the Banfield family mansion.
"It's terrible that when I came out of the education capsule, my darling had already entered the military academy!"
Selina remained calm.
"There is no need for a future duchess to become a soldier. What Rosetta needs now is the ability to manage the household."
Noble men are considered full-fledged when they obtain the qualifications of a bureaucrat and a soldier, but for women, it was not necessary. Some women do obtain both qualifications, but they are less than thirty percent of the total.
It's not that they are not accepted because they are women, but simply that there are fewer applicants.
"I wanted to be of help to my darling."
Seeing Rosetta crying, Selina was exasperated but also impressed.
(She has a good attitude towards effort.)
At the time of her graduation from the young school, Rosetta's grades had risen to a middle level.
The education capsule was a quick fix, and it was expected that she would only reach a middle level, but her personal effort allowed her to surpass that.
Selina highly evaluates Rosetta. However,
(She is a rare type for a noble woman.)
Many women dedicate themselves to their husbands, but it is rare to have a type like Rosetta who would accompany her husband to the military academy.
When Liam heard that Rosetta would follow him to the military academy, he said, "I'll enroll with Wallace while Rosetta is in the education capsule," and fled.
Selina took a small deep breath and returned to Rosetta's education.
"Rosetta, crying won't solve anything. If you want to become a suitable woman for Lord Liam, you should stand up immediately."
Hearing this, Rosetta stood up.
"I know. When my darling comes back, I'll show him the appearance of a duchess."
"--- That's very commendable, but Lord Liam won't be able to return for a while."
"Huh? B-because the education period at the military academy is six years."
Selina explained carefully.
"After graduation, training will start immediately. After two years of training, he will spend at least four years in the military. Depending on his assignment, it could be twelve years before he returns."
"Whaaat!"
Rosetta's eyes filled with tears again.
"During that time, Rosetta, you will also need to undergo training at another house."
"I can't see my darling for twelve years?"
"--- Listen to me."
"Yes!"
Normally, one would be sent to another house for training after adulthood, but since there was no house to take in a member of the Claudia family, Rosetta had not undergone such training.
In noble society, not having undergone training at another house would lead to being looked down upon, so it was necessary to do so as soon as possible.
However, there was a problem.
(--- With the conflict with the Berkley family, we need to be careful about which house to send Lady Rosetta to.)
It's not a situation where any house will do.
Selina was troubled by Rosetta's education.
◇
The Berkley Baron's mansion.
It was a very grand and luxurious mansion, almost on the scale of a city, which was unexpected for a baron's mansion.
In the office of the mansion, the boss of the Berkley family, [Cassimiro], was holding a cigar.
He blew out white smoke and looked at the man trembling and sitting on the floor in front of him.
The man was a noble who had opposed the Berkley family.
"You are a bad person who only speaks ill of others and hinders the Berkley family."
When Cassimiro said this, the sons around him were grinning.
All of them were barons.
The Berkley family is an organization of baron families.
Technically, Cassimiro has divided his vast territory among his children, making them independent, but in reality, he manages everything himself.
The actual size of the territory is not just comparable to a duchy, but is one of the largest in the empire.
The reason is not just the territory.
The Berkley family's fleet exceeds one hundred thousand ships.
Moreover, it can be said that all the pirates operating in the empire are under Cassimiro's control.
While the pirates who flow in are different, the boss who organizes the pirates operating in the empire is Cassimiro.
This is why they are called pirate nobles.
Many nobles cooperate with such a Cassimiro, but there are also many who defy him, like the man in front of him.
"Shut up! It was you who put pressure on my territory and had the pirates attack us!"
Cassimiro puffed on his cigar.
"It would have been better if you had handed over your territory and title willingly. Can't you understand a parent's desire to see their child stand on their own?"
"To do that, you have to destroy my family!? You even killed my family--- you pirates!"
The noble shouted and lunged at Cassimiro, but the sons shot him with guns.
As the noble fell, blood spread on the floor.
"--- You scoundrels. I hope the Banfield family destroys you."
Cassimiro, looking down at the dying noble, threw his cigar and stomped it out.
"What a foolish man. If you had followed the Berkley family, I wouldn't have taken your life."
One of the sons spoke to Cassimiro.
"Father, am I a baron now?"
"Hmm? Yeah, do as you please. However, I will manage the territory."
"I'm now a member of the family's leadership!"
The son was happy, but Cassimiro didn't know his name or which number son he was.
He just thought that if they were blood relatives, there was less risk of betrayal, so he made his sons barons.
"--- Well, our elixir stock is running low. I want to wither a planet and replenish it, but which one should I choose?"
Another son suggested a candidate.
"There is a good planet. Actually, there is a girl I'm interested in, but I was told that I can't do it as a pirate noble. I want to destroy it for revenge."
Playing with his hair, the slender son's request was easily accepted by Cassimiro to obtain elixir, which would kill people, animals, and even a planet.
"Fine, as long as it's not a bad connection. Destroy it quickly."
"I will. But I want you to spare the girl. I want her as my mistress."
"Do as you please."
The planet development device, an ancient artifact, is the strength of the Berkley family.
It is a machine that activates a planet and adjusts it to be habitable by humans.
However, if used differently, it can steal energy from a planet and its inhabitants, killing them, and in exchange, obtain elixir.
Using this, the Berkley family has risen in the empire by preparing a large amount of elixir.
Cassimiro, who has risen by killing people and even planets, was looking down at the dead noble.
"--- What about the Banfield family?"
There is a noble who has openly challenged the Berkley family.
--- Liam Sera Banfield.
Cassimiro's sons looked at each other, hesitating to speak.
"Report."
When Cassimiro said this, a bearded son reported.
"--- We sent assassins and skilled killers, but all of them failed."
They sent assassins in response to the challenge.
But all of them were defeated.
"You are quite persistent. Well, if we keep sending them, you will feel the pressure eventually."
Although he seemed calm, one of the sons, sensing that Cassimiro was angry, immediately suggested stopping the assassinations.
"Father, the boy Liam has entered the military academy. If we send assassins, the military won't be happy."
"So? Are you saying we should just sit and watch? Listen, nobles are all about face. Can we let ourselves be looked down upon?"
Hearing Cassimiro's words, the sons suggested methods other than assassination.
"--- Father, the Banfield family has a debt. A considerable amount."
"Was it a debt left by the previous generation? What about it?"
"They also borrowed from companies connected to us. I want to forcefully collect the debt, even if it means using somewhat aggressive methods."
Hearing this, Cassimiro was a bit troubled.
(If I forcefully collect from the boy who is seriously repaying, the credit of our front companies will plummet.)
They were also involved in the financial industry to make money and to hold the weaknesses of other houses.
The income from this was not negligible, and losing credit was something to avoid.
However, if they kept sending assassins to Liam and failing, other houses would start to look down on the Berkley family.
(I have to crush that boy, even if it means taking a loss.)
Liam, who rose as a pirate hunter, is a noble who will eventually oppose Cassimiro.
If Liam rises in the noble society, the number of houses that will support him will increase, making him a troublesome opponent.
(If we don't settle this now, we will be eaten eventually.)
There are many houses that hold grudges against the Berkley family, and Cassimiro wanted to settle the matter before Liam finished his training.
"Alright. Spread the rumor that the Banfield family will collapse because they can't repay their debts. Other lenders will rush to collect as well."
The target shifted from Liam personally to the Banfield family.
The conflict between the great nobles was intensifying.
Bryan (´；ω；｀) "It's tough. Not only this Bryan, but Lord Liam hasn't appeared either--- it's tough."