After finishing my meetings with Prince Cleo and the royal merchants, I was thinking in my hotel room.
I had thought Prince Cleo was just a young, pampered noble, but he didn't flinch even when I tried to be casual.
He accepted it without batting an eyelid.
If he had shown a bit of irritation, I could have reminded him of the gap in our abilities, but it's a shame he didn't.
Still, he had a rather androgynous beauty, perhaps because he was originally a woman.
Despite his male bone structure, he had a feminine quality about him.
Maybe the gender transformation wasn't perfect?
As I was lost in thought, Rosetta opened the door and came in.
"Darling, I heard that Prince Linus is putting pressure on the Banfield family! Is it true!?"
Seeing Rosetta in a panic, I felt a bit down.
The once strong woman had fallen and was now all over me, which was hard to watch.
It made me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"---There's no problem."
"It's a big problem! We can't trade the rare metals that support the Banfield family's finances!"
Rosetta, waving her hands and flustered, was actually quite entertaining to watch.
I decided to tease her.
"Right. We'll be living in poverty with rare metals that no one will buy. Eventually, we'll be taken advantage of and bought out cheaply. Will you leave me and run away?"
When I tested her, Rosetta looked at me seriously.
"---Even if you become poor, I'll stay with you. Even if you can't earn, I'll support you!"
---I wasn't expecting such a response.
She's really a disappointment.
"It's a lie. Besides, we don't lack for trading partners. If we want, we can sell to foreign countries."
"Foreign countries---that could be considered a crime if we're not careful."
"Prince Linus declared war on us. I'll make him pay for it. Besides, we have other ways to earn money even if we can't trade rare metals."
Well, I have the alchemy box as my trump card.
With this, I can mass-produce rare metals—except those under export restrictions—and sell them without any issues.
If they regulate that too, there are other methods.
Moreover, the Banfield family's rare metal trade is just a part of our business. We make decent profits from other ventures as well.
Even without the rare metals, we earn as much as a marquis family.
Diversifying risks is fundamental.
"However, it might not be bad to form an alliance with a foreign country at this time."
Seeing my smile, Rosetta sat down next to me.
"With a foreign country? Do you mean creating your own channels?"
"I side with whoever benefits me. It doesn't matter if they're an enemy."
Rosetta was speechless after hearing my true thoughts.
Was it too harsh for the serious girl?
Well, if she's surprised by this, she won't be a good wife to a corrupt lord.
Wait? I think she misunderstands me. This might be a good opportunity to emphasize that I'm a villain.
"Remember, Rosetta. A true villain forms alliances with enemies and kills their allies."
Rosetta was shocked by my words.
It doesn't matter if it's against the empire's interests.
I will pursue my own happiness!
◇
Walking down the hotel corridor on her way back to her room, Rosetta muttered to herself.
"A true villain---I wonder who it is?"
It was difficult for Rosetta to associate the true villain with Liam.
After all, Liam seemed like a good person to her.
She thought he must be indignant about the true villain.
Considering Liam's actions so far, such extreme moves were not common.
However, he had rejected the offers from Calvin and Linus and was supporting the prince who was farthest from the throne.
What was the point of this?
Liam's current power in the empire cannot be ignored.
If Liam sides with a faction, even Linus, who is losing in the succession battle, could have a chance to win.
Linus could curry favor and further elevate the Banfield family.
The same applies to Calvin.
While not as much as Linus, he would have a significant lead in the succession battle.
"Darling is a powerful noble, so the two who want to recruit him would treat him well. But he refused and chose the third prince---so what does that mean?"
Liam's reckless actions made Rosetta suspect something was going on.
"Are Prince Calvin and Prince Linus colluding with the enemy?"
Liam, who was actively seeking connections with foreign countries, might have information she didn't know.
Was he not telling her because it was dangerous to know?
Rosetta felt a chill down her spine.
"---Is this the darkness of the empire?"
She realized the empire was much darker than she knew.
Thinking about Liam living in such a world, she genuinely admired him.
It felt like Liam was fighting alone against the princes who were colluding with the enemy.
Mary approached the pale-faced Rosetta.
"There you are, Rosetta."
"Mary? You're back?"
"Actually, I received an order from Lord Liam. I'm leaving the empire for a while. I wanted to say goodbye before I go, but---are you troubled about something?"
"---Mary, where are you going if you're leaving the empire?"
Foreign country---Liam must have sent her to another country.
Rosetta asked Mary for more details.
Mary, a bit hesitant, decided it was okay to talk.
"Rustwar. I'm infiltrating as a mercenary guarding merchants in the interstellar nation called the Union."
Mary was chosen to guard Patrice.
"Union? ---Have you heard anything from Lord Liam?"
"I haven't heard directly, but Lord Liam intends to create his own connections with the Union. I plan to meet with key figures there. They seem to be busy with internal conflicts, so I'll be investigating that as well."
(So it's true!)
Rosetta felt something connect in her mind.
"Rosetta, is something wrong?"
Mary spoke so openly because Rosetta was Liam's wife and an important figure in the Banfield family.
Since it wasn't a secret from Liam, she explained the details.
"Then, I'll prepare a budget and ask you to gather as much information as possible about the Union. I want you to investigate if the empire is involved in the internal conflicts."
Mary narrowed her eyes.
"---Understood."
Mary also sensed something was going on and agreed to Rosetta's request.
◇
"Stupid former special advisor!"
The one cursing over the communication was Cedric, Wallace's brother.
A royal and a military man, he is now a vice admiral commanding thousands of ships.
I accepted his curses because the others recognized him as part of my faction.
"I'm sorry. But don't worry, I'll send you the latest ships."
"How can I be reassured by that! I decided to live by my own strength and not get involved in the dirty court politics!"
"Relax. I'll provide you with funds."
The reason Cedric was complaining was that he was suddenly being neglected after being assigned to the regular fleet.
His funding for fleet operations was reduced, and it was clear he was being sidelined.
"And what's with Cleo! He has no chance of winning! If you just want to help, you could secretly help him escape or something!"
"That wouldn't be meaningful. I've decided to make him emperor."
It's more beneficial for me.
Besides, the emperor and other princes are likely to be my enemies, and Linus is already an enemy.
"Cedric, there's no place to run anymore. Just follow me and take control of the fleet. I'll provide you with a generous budget and the latest weapons."
"---If you do that, I can bring in my subordinates. But I can only command about a thousand ships. I don't think I can be much help to you."
"No problem. I'll promote you quickly."
"Stop it! I want to earn my promotions through my own achievements!"
It's great that he has the drive.
"Then be happy. I'll give you the chance to shine."
"Huh?"
Unused weapons are meaningless.
Since Cedric is being sidelined in the regular fleet, I'll pull him out and place him where he can shine.
"Actually, Cleo---His Highness has been receiving petitions. There are many requests to combat pirates, but they are too numerous for my fleet to handle. I'll need your help."
"Huh!?"
"Make a list of what you need. I'll also provide you with an additional thousand ships. There are many idle military personnel who can be gathered."
The empire has plenty of opportunities to exploit!
Interstellar nations are full of vulnerabilities.
They are too large to manage effectively.
I learned the methods from my previous patrol fleet.
I'll gather these idle personnel and put them to good use.
"Also, I've been talking to some of my acquaintances in the space military command. If you need supplies, you can rely on them."
Annual bribes---no, gifts are very important.
They were happy to accept.
"Wait a minute---"
I cut off the communication and happily thought about my next move.
"Well, what kind of bad thing should I do next!"
Being a corrupt lord is fun!
◇
In the Banfield family's territory.
Bryan, trembling, was reading a report with the head maid, Selina.
"Is it not only about putting all efforts into development, but also mobilizing the entire military?"
Currently, the Banfield family is busy developing a newly acquired planet.
Colonization has started, and a huge budget, manpower, and resources are being invested.
In the midst of this, orders have been issued to almost the entire military.
Reorganizations and training fleets aside, a fleet of 30,000 ships is on the move.
The remaining fleets are dispersed throughout the territory to maintain defense.
Selina was also surprised.
"It's like we're fighting without any guard. One small mistake could lead to a collapse."
One mistake could cause a significant setback.
In the worst case, the Banfield family could be destroyed.
"Why didn't Lord Liam consult us!"
As Bryan cried, Selina found it amusing.
"Even if he had consulted us, we couldn't have stopped him. Still, it's a big gamble. If this succeeds, there's a chance for Prince Cleo to become emperor."
A possibility that was zero before now has a few percent chance.
Selina feels that Liam is serious about making Cleo emperor, but Bryan doesn't care about that.
"Why is he always so extreme! However, it's still Lord Liam. Even in this emergency, the burden on the citizens is minimal."
It's possible to mobilize all citizens, but Liam didn't do that.
Bryan interprets this as kindness.
Selina shakes her head.
"He's a sweetie, but I don't hate him. Still, is he looking at the surrounding countries---is something happening? Bryan, have you heard anything?"
"I haven't heard anything. Well, if we're not trading rare metals, it's not a crime, so there's no problem."
"---Right. If we're not dealing with rare metals, that's true."
Selina seemed quite concerned.
Bryan laughed in response.
"I've seen the list of items we're trading, and they're all fine. Selina, you're worrying too much."