When it comes to a villainous merchant, the image of Nagoya-ya from a past life comes to mind.
It must be quite a nuisance for Nagoya-ya, though.
In any case, before I start acting like a villainous lord, let me introduce my own Nagoya-ya—no, I mean, my official merchant.
The man with a beard, a bit on the chubby side, and the look of a typical villainous merchant is named Thomas Henfrey.
He came here wanting to do business as the territory was being developed and improved.
By "merchant" here, I mean a trader. Moreover, an interplanetary one.
In this world, where space exploration has advanced, it was thought that official merchants were unnecessary—but, to be honest, they are needed.
They fly between planets, not just within the empire, but also to other interstellar nations to buy and sell goods.
I want you to imagine them bringing rare resources and goods from incredibly distant planets to sell in my territory.
The reverse is also true, but it's a different category from the companies doing business within the territory.
My official merchant.
In other words, a special merchant recognized by me, or rather, the Banfield family, in my territory.
Sitting across from me in the reception room, with a low table between us, I ask Thomas:
"Did you bring the yellow-flowered sweets?"
Wiping his sweat, Thomas offers me a box containing gold bars.
"Of course, my lord. Please accept them."
Taking it, I can't help but smile at its heavy weight.
"Nagoya-ya, you're quite the villain, aren't you!"
"No, my lord, I've told you many times, it's the Henfrey Trading Company."
With that, our usual greeting is over, and he is indeed a suitable villainous merchant for me.
Thomas is a bad merchant who makes me profit.
Taking the bribe, I listen to him with a satisfied smile.
"So, what's the matter this time?"
"Actually, we have to pass through a dangerous area for this trade, and I would like to borrow your fleet. I hope for a hundred ships as an escort."
He wants to borrow military power as an escort.
I'm sure it's just a pretext, and he's planning some evil scheme using my military power—
But if it makes me profit, I'm willing to lend them.
"Is it that dangerous a place?"
"The destination itself isn't dangerous, but there are many pirate bases at the intermediate points. It's not uncommon for merchants to be attacked two or three times a day."
Space pirates are a hassle.
They vary widely.
Some are using weapons from a few generations ago, while others are trained and equipped with military-grade weapons, having fled from the military.
These latter ones also work as mercenaries and have extensive combat experience.
They are very troublesome.
Turning to Amagi, who is standing behind me, he seems to understand what I want to say.
"If it can be done within three months, we can prepare a hundred ships immediately. If it takes longer, we will need more preparation."
I nod and smile at Thomas.
"I'll lend them to you. But you understand, right—Thomas?"
Thomas looks relieved but a bit confused by my meaningful smile.
"I, I understand, but—no, I will prepare the yellow-flowered sweets for next time."
"That's important, but the key is something else. —Will it be profitable?"
If it doesn't make me profit, there's no point in lending the military power.
"Of course, my lord!"
"Alright! Amagi, make the arrangements immediately."
"Understood."
I hope you make me profit as an official merchant, Nagoya-ya—no, the Henfrey Trading Company.
â—‡
The large transport ship Thomas is using is docked at the spaceport.
Thomas, who has ascended from the ground to space, is walking down the zero-gravity corridor to board his ship.
He is carrying his luggage, and his subordinates and guards are around him.
While looking at the planet visible from the corridor, one of his subordinates speaks.
"The Banfield territory has developed quite a bit. That young master—no, the earl, has done a remarkable job at his age."
Thomas has visited the Banfield territory many times in his business.
It couldn't be called a wonderful territory, but it's undeniable that the planet has grown rapidly over the past few decades.
"He's a bit different from the nobles we've seen before. He's an unusual presence, but— he is a good ruler."
Thomas, who treats Liam as a good ruler for demanding yellow-flowered sweets, is not contradicted by those around him.
However, his subordinate is puzzled.
"But why does he ask for gold? It's not a particularly scarce resource in the earl's territory, is it?"
Thomas is also puzzled.
"That's true. Why gold? No, it's fine. But it feels a bit wrong—especially since he seemed dissatisfied even after we offered him mithril and magical gems. It seems gold is the best."
"He's a strange one."
The reason Liam demands gold is that he believes it is valuable.
Why does gold hold a constant value? It's because the amount was fixed on Earth.
While it is also valuable in this world, on some planets, gold is discovered in large quantities, and there are metals more precious and expensive than gold.
Mithril, for example, is a typical case.
The silver that houses holy power—people are happy to receive it as a gift, and it is considered a valuable metal with a smaller total quantity than gold.
"He must be a modest person."
Compared to the profits he makes as an official merchant for the Banfield family, the bribes he usually offers are really small amounts.
A drop in the bucket—within the margin of error.
After passing through the corridor, he arrives at his ship.
"Still, things have become so convenient."
Thomas looks back at the spaceport.
The newly built spaceport is well-equipped and appreciated by merchants.
"I had heard that most of the taxes collected were being invested, but to do the obvious things so naturally. It's impressive that he can do this at his age. If the Banfield family didn't have such a huge debt, what a territory it would be."
Thomas says this with a hint of regret and turns to his subordinate.
"This trade is more dangerous than usual, but it is very important for the Banfield family. We usually make a profit, so let's contribute to the earl as official merchants."
In fact, this trade is very important for the Banfield family.
While it's not necessary for Thomas and his team to push themselves, it is a business that is essential to contribute to Liam.
—Thomas is not a villainous merchant.
â—‡
Predictions about the future are usually wrong.
In my past life, when I was a child, there were predictions that cars would be flying in the future.
But when I grew up, flying cars existed but were not common.
Despite the existence of interstellar nations, the view from high-rise buildings—luxury hotels is not much different from what I saw in my past life.
In fact, the big cities of my past life seem more developed.
High-rise buildings exist, but they are not densely packed.
It sounds good to say it's rich in nature, but there is a lot of undeveloped land.
"My territory hasn't developed much yet."
Muttering this, Amagi, who is nearby, corrects me.
"Compared to when you inherited the title and territory, there has been significant growth in numbers. It has developed to the point where it's unrecognizable."
"It's just numbers, though. Besides, it's not the scene I idealize. The fashion is different, and I don't even think about bringing women into the mansion."
Sometimes I think about walking around the territory and trying to pick up women, but the fashion—well, it's just not right.
Recently, women have started to spend money more.
Women dressed up and enjoying shopping.
But it's not right.
You know, like, would you get excited looking at fashion from the Showa era in modern times?
I like a clean and tidy look, but everyone is dressed like a gal or a goth loli—anyway, it's just not my taste, so I have no interest in pursuing anyone!
"I need to develop it more."
"Maybe it would be good to teach them about fashion. Of course, with the premise of what you like."
In the first place, the culture varies from planet to planet in this world.
While there are commonalities within the empire, there are also differences.
There are planets that match my ideal, but there are also many that make me raise an eyebrow at their fashion.
"Alright, I'll bring in fashion designers and invest in things like spas! Otherwise, I won't be interested."
The swimsuits popular at the seaside in my territory are like full-body tights.
No way, enough is enough! I absolutely won't allow it.
"I'll bring in models. Seeing beautiful people will definitely have an impact. I'll invite celebrities left and right!"
While talking about trying out various new things, Amagi has a difficult expression.
The maid robots are quite expressive.
"In that case, the debt will be a problem. The tax revenue has increased due to development, but the repayment amount has also increased."
The huge debt of the Banfield family.
Because of this, there are things I can't do.
Looking out the window, I see a space warship flying in the sky.
Is this the kind of futuristic scene?
It has indeed developed compared to when I was five, but to me, it's a lonely scene.
â—‡
The door to another world opened.
The guide, who had returned to this world, checked the current situation and felt a chill run down his spine.
"—He hasn't done anything at all."
I thought he was aiming for a life of debauchery, but he hasn't touched alcohol or women.
He's considering his physical age with alcohol.
With women, it's due to distrust and the fact that his interests are different from the people in his territory.
Before I knew it, he was just working diligently as a lord.
"I'm disappointed. I had high hopes, but I feel betrayed. He's aiming to be a villainous lord, yet why is he treated as a good ruler?"
Moreover, because of the lingering feelings from his past life, he feels like he's living extravagantly even with small luxuries, which is annoying.
He himself is quite satisfied, which gives him a sense of ease.
This sense of ease has turned into gratitude towards the guide.
What's even more annoying is that the people in the territory are grateful to Liam.
This is also disgusting to the guide.
Indigestion, headache, nausea, dizziness—while it's bearable, it's still disgusting.
It would have been fine if he was grateful.
Eventually, I plan to knock him down to the bottom of the valley, let him fall, and show him hell.
However, this is not the future the guide had in mind.
If left alone, Liam's life might really end as a good ruler.
"I'm disappointed. If he was feeling happy but there was something going on beneath the surface, it would have been enjoyable."
The people in the territory would be dissatisfied with the villainous lord Liam.
Soldiers would plot a rebellion.
The beauties he gathered would harbor murderous intent towards Liam—these are the scenes he wanted to see.
But because he lives modestly, he is considered a good ruler by the people.
The soldiers think, "For that lord."
In the first place, there are no beauties around, so it's impossible to cause relationship problems and remind him of the pain from his past life.
Is he really aiming to be a villainous lord?
The guide decided to abandon the disappointing Liam.
"At least at the end, I'll burn down the territory he built. Yes—there are suitable space pirates."
Black smoke spews from the guide's irritated body and dissolves into the surroundings.
Then, he says with disgust.
"At least let me enjoy myself at the end. Until then, I'll take my time and watch the show."
â—‡
A planet far from the Banfield family.
Missiles are hitting the planet one after another, causing massive explosions.
The scorched earth.
A pirate is laughing as the beautiful planet turns into a desolate scene.
The pirate fleet, numbering over thirty thousand, is led by a man named Gorez.
He has a scar on his shaved head and a black beard, looking rough and tough.
A giant with bulging muscles.
Gorez is laughing with his mouth wide open.
In his left hand, he holds a bottle of alcohol, drinking while watching many lives disappear.
"This moment is always the best, you know!"
The pirate subordinates, who are afraid of Gorez's laughter.
One of them speaks up.
"Captain, was it really necessary to go this far?"
Gorez places his large hand on the subordinate's head.
Some of the surrounding pirates look away, while others are unimpressed, thinking, "What an idiot."
"Who told you to give me your opinion? Don't interfere with my fun."
"Captain, m—!"
He crushes the subordinate's head with his bare hands.
A subordinate standing by cleans Gorez's hand.
As the subordinates start to carry away the body and clean up, Gorez is watching the planet he destroyed on the pirate ship's monitor.
He places his clean right hand on a gold box he cherishes.
The box, with patterns and emblems, is always with him.
He usually carries it in a special holster.
He strokes it with his right hand multiple times.
"This was an easy job this time."
He says this after taking a planet and the many lives on it.
This shows how evil and ruthless he is.
Gorez has a bounty on his head, and the amount is astronomical.
If you defeat Gorez and the Gorez Pirate Gang, you'll get a sum of money that you can't spend in a lifetime.
He is that dangerous.
A subordinate speaks to Gorez.
"There were a lot this time. By the way, what about your favorite woman? You've found a replacement, so are you going to get rid of her?"
Gorez grins.
His yellowed teeth are very dirty.
"Yeah. I've had my fun, so maybe it's time to enjoy a new toy. She lasted a long time."
The subordinate also has a lecherous smile.
"It's impressive that she managed to keep her sense of self as your toy. So, what's next? A vacation somewhere?"
Gorez thinks it's fine for now.
But then he sees some black smoke.
He rubs his eyes, thinking it was just his imagination, but suddenly has an idea.
"No—wait."
"Captain?"
"By the way, I heard there's a kid who's trying to be cool these days. A Banfield, I think? They say he's a good ruler, working hard in the countryside."
The subordinate also remembers the rumor.
"I've been hearing about it a lot lately. So, is the next target Banfield?"
Gorez is not afraid of nobles.
After all, Gorez has an incredible treasure.
"Isn't it satisfying to destroy something someone has worked hard to build? Besides, it was a boring place that ended too quickly."
The subordinate nods.
"Then, the next target is—Banfield."
Gorez licks his lips.
"I'll thoroughly torment that kid who's trying to be cool."