Chapter 54

This week, the comic adaptation of "The World of Otome Games Is Tough for Commoners" will be updated on "Comic Walker" and "Nico Nico Seiga."

Finally, the Arrogants will appear, so I hope you enjoy it.

And on the 8th of this week, "The World of Otome Games Is Tough for Commoners Comic Adaptation Volume 1" will be released.

There's also information about the special edition, so please check it out.

On Twitter, the original artist, Mr. Shizuri, has been talking about the special edition.

He mentioned a swimsuit festival.

I want it, but it seems I can't get it (^_^;). Even though I'm the original author, I can't get it.

If you're interested, I hope you'll consider purchasing it.

---

In the academy, unauthorized communication is prohibited.

Even when receiving reports from the territory, the communication room is supposed to be used.

Therefore, I was talking to Amagi in the communication room when—

"Debt collectors are swarming in?"

"Yes. They say that our family's financial situation has worsened, and they want to recover the debt as soon as possible."

"Financial situation worsened? Mine?"

I don't understand.

Did something happen in the territory?

"Did something go wrong in the territory?"

"No, everything is going smoothly. Although the growth rate isn't as rapid as before, the colonization of the new planet has been successful, so there are no problems."

"Then why?"

Amagi prefaced his next words with "This is unconfirmed information," before continuing.

"The Berkeley family is working behind the scenes. It seems that several financial companies are backed by the Berkeley family."

"The Derrick's family?"

There was a guy who challenged me in the juvenile school. He tried to kill me in a match using a mobile knight, so I took him down.

But the Derrick's family is very angry.

"The Berkeley family has many relatives and is quite troublesome. Most of them are baron families, but the head maid, Selina, is quite wary of them."

"Are the baron families gathering to oppose me, a count? Even if a bunch of minnows gather, they're still minnows, but it is indeed troublesome."

You never know where the connections of the nobility lie.

So, by killing Derrick, I ended up making enemies with the Berkeley family and their relatives, turning a large number of people against me.

But—this level of trouble is nothing.

"Pay off the debt in full. How about selling the rare metals we've stored to Thomas?"

I left them untouched because converting them to cash was a hassle, but if they want their money, I'll give it to them.

However, I won't forgive them for underestimating me.

"I suggested it, but they can't sell all of it. They don't have the cash. If we offer to pay in kind, they'll buy the rare metals at a price below half the market rate, so I thought I should consult you, sir."

"Debt collectors trying to buy my rare metals cheaply?"

There are many things I dislike, but debt collectors are at the top of the list.

In my previous life, I was thoroughly cornered by them.

I became averse to debt collectors after experiencing brutal debt collection, even though the debt wasn't mine.

However, in this world, it's true that my grandparents and parents accumulated a huge debt.

I intended to pay it off properly, but if they try to force it, I won't show any mercy.

"It's annoying to be bought out cheaply. If they're going to do that, let the empire buy them."

"Is that fine, sir? Selling to the empire will result in a lower price than selling to the debt collectors."

"Better than letting the debt collectors profit."

Besides, I can produce rare metals easily.

I'm almost free from financial problems thanks to the "alchemy box" given to me by the guide, which can turn trash into rare metals.

"I'll show them who they're messing with. Put pressure on the Berkeley family."

"It will turn into an economic war."

"I'll win, of course."

With the alchemy box, there's no contest.

The opponent will be pitiful.

"I'll put pressure on them within reason. By the way, how is your life at the academy? Have you been injured or sick?"

"The academy is too lenient compared to my master's training—though I can't say that. There are no problems. In fact, I'm struggling because there's nothing to learn."

"Nothing to learn?"

"The top student challenged me, so I took him down in the simulator. I wish Amagi could have seen it."

I boasted about defeating Dorf, but Amagi didn't seem very pleased.

"What's wrong?"

"Sir, are you getting too full of yourself?"

"Being full of oneself is a noble's prerogative. But it's true that I defeated a fool with a sense of justice. It's laughable that he was the top student in his year."

The academy is nothing special.

As I smirked, Amagi gave me a stern warning.

"I'm concerned if you're satisfied with just student fights. You need to focus on your studies at the academy."

—Amagi was particularly strict today.

"You're one of the few who can talk to me like that. I'd have beheaded anyone else."

"I'm just giving you necessary advice. You can behead me anytime."

Beheading Amagi? That's not an option, even as a joke.

I raised my hands in surrender.

"I'll follow your advice. Don't be so angry."

"I'm not angry."

"By the way, how is Rosetta?"

The troublesome woman who insisted on entering the academy with me—how is she doing at the mansion?

She calls me "Darling!" and follows me around, which I find annoying.

She's beautiful, and I could consider her for my future harem, but something is off.

"Rosetta is learning strict etiquette from the head maid. She will eventually be sent to another family for training, but given the current conflict with the Berkeley family, it's not safe to send her to just any family."

"Berkeley again. I'm getting tired of hearing their name."

I hear the Berkeley name everywhere.

It seems to be as common as Tanaka in the empire.

"Well, I'll leave it to you."

"Leave it to me."

After the communication ended, I stood up from my chair and stretched.

"Since Amagi said so, I'll try to take my classes more seriously."

◇

The next day's class was about the basics of fleet combat.

It was content I had learned in the education capsule, but listening to the teacher made me break out in a cold sweat.

The instructor, standing at the podium, calmly explained modern warfare.

"Fleet combat tends to have longer pre-engagement maneuvering as the number of ships increases. This is because a direct assault is dangerous. The side that is prepared is generally stronger, so a direct assault must be avoided."

A 3D image was recreating a fleet battle, making it easy for the cadets to understand.

"The quality of the ships and the crew's proficiency also play a role, but a direct assault against an equal opponent is dangerous. If you do it, thorough preparation is necessary."

The instructor added,

"Currently, a direct assault is generally only used to pursue a retreating fleet. I hope there are no heroes who recklessly charge in."

The cadets chuckled, but I couldn't laugh.

After all, a direct assault is the Banfield family's signature winning strategy.

That it's no longer effective in modern times, or only against pirates, is—

I asked the instructor,

"Instructor, how much of a force difference is needed for a direct assault to be possible?"

"Riam, I don't think you need to be told this, but—let's see. At least a four-to-one ratio is necessary."

Four to one.

That means the Banfield family can only handle fewer than ten thousand ships.

The ships and armaments designed for direct assaults, and the soldiers trained for them—

The organization is clearly flawed.

"Four to one. Four to one."

As I pondered, the carefree Wallace approached me.

"What's wrong?"

"I was thinking about strengthening our military."

"Why?"

We need to change our direct assault-focused strategy and increase our numbers.

As a corrupt lord, it's unacceptable to have military weaknesses.

I want to crush others from a safe position, not be in a dangerous place.

"Military—military—"

I'll contact the weapons factory.

And I'll contact Amagi immediately.

Even if I change the policy, it will take years for it to reach the field.

It will take even longer to spread throughout the entire organization.

Damn!—I made a mistake.

I had been complacent, thinking that a direct assault would always work.

Reflecting on the battle with Dorf, I was at a disadvantage in the early stages because of the direct assault.

But I can adapt quickly.

I'll think positively about catching this early.

"Let's aim for a two-to-one ratio of sixty thousand ships. No, a three-to-one ratio of ninety thousand ships?"

Wallace was surprised by my muttering, "What? Increase that much?"

Of course.

There's no room for compromise in military strength.

Because military power is the source of my strength as a corrupt lord.

With military power, anyone can be silenced.

Or silenced.

Violence—the ultimate form of it is the military.

That's why I don't compromise.

Right. I had forgotten.

As Amagi said, I don't have time to be full of myself!

I currently don't have the military power to guarantee absolute safety.

"I'm suddenly motivated."

Seeing my serious expression, Wallace looked confused.

"R-really? Well, that's good, I guess. G-good luck."

You, my younger brother, need to work hard too!

◇

Cassimiro, in his office, dropped the cigar he was smoking when he heard the report.

"W-what?"

His son, reporting via communication, couldn't hide his shock either.

"The Banfield family has released a large amount of rare metals. They've handed it all over to the empire to prepare the cash."

The plan to weaken the Banfield family backfired, only damaging the credibility of our front companies.

"Keep attacking! If we let that boy off, the Berkeley family will be seen as weak!"

"R-right."

After the communication ended, Cassimiro held his head.

"Damn. They're not just a poor noble family!"

I didn't think they had that much financial leeway.

(They must have been using their wealth to increase their available funds while taking on debt. I thought they were just slowly developing their territory, but this guy is quite troublesome.)

Now, it's a contest of who can hold out longer.

If we back down, the Berkeley family will be seen as having limited financial power.

If we fight, we must win.

That's how the conflict between great nobles works.

"We have elixirs too. If push comes to shove, we can sell them to make a fortune. Even if they have a large amount of rare metals, the Banfield family will fall first."

There is a downside to using elixirs, as they can drain a planet, but there are many people who want them.

Cassimiro believed Riam would eventually give in.

"Still, it was a mistake to challenge the boy economically. We've taken quite a hit too."

Our front companies have lost credibility.

Our connection to the Berkeley family has been exposed.

If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen a different approach.

"Still, I can't lose to that boy."

The battle was supposed to intensify gradually—

Bryan (´・ω・) "Lord Riam often talks about making a harem, but all the vassals wish he would hurry up and do it. But Amagi is in a different category, and he doesn't even touch Rosetta—painful. Lord Riam's harem-making fraud is—painful."