Chapter 83

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　I sometimes get scared by my own good fortune.

"I can only be grateful to him."

　Thomas and Patrice are puzzled by my muttering.

"Grateful?"

　Faced with the perplexed Thomas, I urge him, "Never mind. Continue."

　Still, whenever I'm in a bind, this is always how it goes.

　A solution always comes from somewhere.

　No, there are no miracles in this world, so it must be that someone is working behind the scenes.

　Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense.

　Patrice resumes his earlier explanation.

"The reception of refugees from the Rostwall Unified Government and the Oxis United Kingdom. With the fall of Prince Linus, who had been their patron, the forces that rebelled have quickly lost their strength."

　I drink the tea prepared by Amagi.

　I would have preferred alcohol, but Amagi gave me a disapproving look, so I stopped.

　I snort.

"I refuse those who betray, but I need more forces right now."

　Thomas wipes his sweat with a handkerchief.

"No, the ringleaders will be punished in their respective countries. The problem is with those who were caught up in it. There are knights and soldiers who cannot disobey their lords, and both countries are struggling with how to handle those with only a loose connection."

　The rebels will be punished, but there are too many involved, causing a dilemma.

　To put it simply, they are like regular employees of a bankrupt company.

　They have no responsibility, but their future is uncertain.

　Moreover, they can't be welcomed with open arms.

　After all, they are traitors.

　It would be better if they just disappeared, but it's hard to impose harsh punishments on those who were caught up in the situation, right?

"I'll accept them. I have plenty of land."

　At my words, Amagi cautions me.

"Sir, accepting residents from a different political environment is not easy, is it?"

"---The Unified Government seems difficult."

　The Unified Government adopts a democratic system.

　In the imperial system of the aristocracy, the political structure is too different.

　Patrice was also concerned about this.

"The people participated in politics. There might be those who bring democracy to Liam's territory."

"Democracy---I hate it."

"Indeed. I've only met a few nobles who like it."

"---There are such people? Nobles who like democracy in a feudal country?"

　Is there even a noble who dreams of democracy in a country with a feudal system!?

　The world is full of fools.

"Some people agreed if it made things easier. Others say democracy is a wonderful political system."

"That's foolish."

　I hate democracy.

　No, I hate having someone above me.

　The reason I dislike the current absolute power I have in my territory is not the political system.

　Ultimately, it's incomplete because it's handled by people.

　No matter how great a system is, people ruin it.

　The problem is not the political system but the people.

　I don't trust people. Therefore, I understand that no political system is perfect. In that case, the current state where I reign as king is the best.

　I turn my gaze to Amagi.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

"No---nothing."

　In the past, the people of this world entrusted everything to artificial intelligence and failed.

　But if the people of the past, who had seen the ugliness of humans, sought perfection from artificial intelligence out of desperation---would that be unforgivable?

　Well, artificial intelligence is also imperfect because it is created by imperfect humans.

　Created by imperfect humans, after all.

"Amagi---you're cute as always today."

　Despite all these thoughts, when I look at Amagi, a beautiful woman who embodies my ideals, such things become irrelevant.

　To me, Amagi is perfect.

"Thank you. But---the two of them are confused, so it might be better to choose the time and place."

　Faced with the two who have come to request the acceptance of refugees, I clear my throat.

"To avoid trouble, I'll disperse them. Is that okay?"

　Thomas nods.

"The people from the United Kingdom should be fine. I think the political systems are similar."

　Patrice looks troubled.

"While it will be a favor to the Unified Government, are you sure? If a democratization movement starts, it will cause trouble in your territory."

　These guys don't understand me at all.

　If I were a good ruler, I would be hesitant and cautious about accepting them.

　But I'm a villain.

"Feel free to express your beliefs. But if you cause trouble in my territory---I'll crush you."

　Thomas and Patrice are speechless.

　By the way, there's something I've been wondering about.

"By the way, Thomas, what happened to the noble who betrayed and was connected to you? If he's down, it's no fun for me."

　Thomas smiles wryly.

"He blamed his lord and managed to escape responsibility and maintain his position."

"Great! I'll support him in the future."

　It seems the corrupt lord from a foreign country is doing well.

　I'll do my best too.

◇

　It's been a while since I've been to my territory.

　I decided to stroll around the territory incognito.

　I came up with the idea of revealing my identity and executing those who show me disrespect.

　I went out with a sense of excitement.

　Finally, I can act like a corrupt lord.

　But---

"What's going on? There's no one picking a fight with me."

　I'm sitting on a bench with an ice cream in my hand, in a place known for its poor security.

　It's a bit mixed, but the surroundings are peaceful.

　I imagined a more slum-like area---but families are walking around normally.

"The place with poor security? Why did they tell me about such a place? That cop must have lied to me."

　The cop I asked for directions must have lied to me.

　I'll demote him later.

　Still, the smell of food from the stalls is good.

　Seeing families reminds me of my past life.

　Going out with my child on a holiday---it was a relatively happy time when we didn't know anything.

"Thinking about it makes me angry."

　Seeing families makes me irritable.

　I stand up to leave, but a voice reaches me as I eat my ice cream.

"Hey, where are you looking while walking!"

　It seems there's a commotion.

　Out of curiosity, I go to see what's happening, and there are clearly some shady characters.

　Black leather jackets.

　Spiky accessories.

　Blonde hair standing up.

　The obviously bad guys are irritated in front of a mother and child.

　The child must have bumped into one of them, and ice cream is on the tight pants.

　The mother is hugging and protecting the child.

"Sorry. We'll pay for the dry cleaning---"

"Dry cleaning!? Who do you think I am? I'm the heir of the Clover Sub-Baron, who serves the Norden Baron, one of the twelve families supporting the Banfield family!"

　Hearing this, the mother and child---the mother's face turns pale, and the surroundings are shocked.

"The twelve families?"

"Trouble. What will happen to that mother and child?"

"Running into a noble like that, that child is unlucky."

　I am speechless.

　What are the twelve families?

　The Norden Baron supporting me? I've had many nobles try to take advantage of me, and I think the Norden Baron was one of them.

　But I haven't been supported by them.

　I'm the one supporting them.

　And you guys---why are you fawning over a low-level guy like him!?

　You should be fawning over me!

　I'm right here, and you're afraid of someone else!?

　My anger rises.

　I'm angry at the foolish citizens, but---

"Playing the bad guy in my territory, you have some nerve, low-level noble."

　A Sub-Baron is not a formal noble but more like a knight appointed for one generation.

　The empire appoints knights and sends them to territories, but it's troublesome, so they tacitly allow hereditary succession.

　Knights with territories---and the scale of their territories varies.

　Sometimes a hundred lords are crammed onto a single planet, and sometimes a knight family dominates a whole planet.

　In such cases, the territory is often desolate, with a population of only a few hundred thousand.

　In other words---many of them are useless.

　I don't understand why he's acting so arrogantly in my territory.

　Angry, I throw the half-eaten ice cream at the heir.

　The ice cream hits his face and splatters, and the scene suddenly becomes quiet.

　Everyone looks at me, so I step forward with a grin.

"Hey, what happens when you throw ice cream? Teach me."

　As I step forward, the three men glare at me.

---Huh?

"Don't disrespect a noble. Hey, get rid of this guy."

　The man's subordinates take out weapons.

　They pull out the handles of swords, and the blades extend.

　I'm surprised.

"Hey, wait. You---don't you know me?"

　The man wipes the ice cream from his face and yells, spitting.

"It's too late to be scared now! You, do it! After all, no one will complain to the police if a commoner disappears."

---This familiar attitude, has he done this many times before?

　Have my subordinates been cleaning up after them?

　I can't allow that.

　Those who cover up their crimes will be punished as soon as I return.

　The only one who can act arrogantly in my territory---the only one who can torment the citizens in my territory---is me.

　I dodge the two swords coming at me, grab their heads, and slam them to the ground.

　The knights, trained, won't die from this.

　Their heads are buried in the ground, twitching, but I ignore them.

　It's not a problem if they die.

　The man looks at me in surprise.

"Are you a knight too? Which family? The Norden Baron is a key supporter of the Banfield family. Do you know that the Earl's right-hand man is my foster father?"

　I'm frustrated.

"Do you even know your master's face? A low-level guy like you shouldn't be acting so freely in my territory. You should die."

　The man picks up a gun and points it at me, but a knife is thrown and deflects it.

　It seems Kukuri's subordinates are watching.

　A sword is thrown in front of me, so I pick it up and glare at the man.

"---Now, a question. Are you really a noble?"

　The man starts to tremble.

"R, really! If you kill me, the Banfield Earl won't let it go!"

　The mother and child, who were harassed by the man, are trembling.

　The onlookers, hearing this, realize it's bad and start saying, "Lord Liam," "Lord Liam is strict," "This is bad, if you cause a commotion, what will happen to this area---" They look quite scared.

　Very well.

"The Banfield Earl? So what?"

　The man points at me.

"Don't you know? He doesn't show mercy to his enemies! You, your whole family will be killed. Is that okay? If you kill me, you'll be at odds with the Banfield family---"

　Annoyed, I cut him down.

　As the man's head falls, I stretch.

"Too low-level. I'll cut off support to the Norden family. You deserve to be punished for making me uncomfortable."

　As the surroundings turn pale, a police car finally arrives.

　Police officers, some of whom are trained as knights, get out of the flying car and surround me.

　Holding a large sword in both hands, Marie, who was guarding me, steps forward.

"If you point weapons at this person---I'll cut off all your heads right here."

　The police officers are intimidated by Marie's threat.

　One of the police officers realizes.

"Don't point weapons! That's Lord Liam!"

　Hearing this, the onlookers become noisy.

"Lord Liam?"

"But he killed a noble."

"Is that Lord Liam?"

　I wanted to make a worse impression, but I just killed a noble in front of everyone.

　I'll be seen as a thug.

　Marie, excited, looks at the two knights with their heads buried in the ground.

"Lord Liam, these are indeed the heir and his followers of the Clover Sub-Baron."

　They were temporarily staying at our mansion but now live in my territory.

　They seem to have been causing trouble in my territory.

　I'll let that slide. But only I can torment my citizens.

　I hate people who meddle with others' possessions.

"Is that so? Summon his family and the Norden Baron. I'll question them. Acting so freely. What's this about the twelve families? I'll crush them."

　Marie grins ferociously.

"Please let me lead the charge! This time, I'll definitely be of use to Lord Liam---"

　But Marie stops speaking.

　I notice that the sheath of the sword I'm holding is being grabbed and turn to see a girl being held by a frightened mother.

　She's reaching out and holding the sheath of my sword.

　Marie, without a word, tries to cut down the mother and child, but I stop her with my hand.

"Marie, don't interfere. I want to talk."

"---Yes."

　Normally, I would have cut them down in a rage, but I let my guard down because there was no killing intent.

　I crouch down to look at the girl's face. She's looking straight at me.

　The cute girl with red hair is holding the sheath of my sword and won't let go.

　The mother is trembling.

"S, sorry. Sorry! This child doesn't know anything!"

　Marie, angry, glares at the mother.

"Don't know? Not knowing Lord Liam in this territory is punishable by death. Don't think you'll die easily depending on your answer."

　The civilians are terrified.

　Yeah, she's useful sometimes.

　I'll let the onlookers know that I have such a dangerous knight by my side.

　Hmm, it's very villainous! ---Probably.

　Actually, I've only seen model villains in period dramas from my past life.

　I think this is right, but---is it?

　I stop Marie. I want to continue the conversation.

"Marie, don't interrupt me."

"S, sorry."

　As Marie steps back, I look at the girl's face again.

"What's wrong? Do you want this sword?"

　I'm rich, so I have many swords.

　Among them, the one I used this time had intricate decorations on the blade.

　I bought it because it was suitable for a rich person, but I like it because it's surprisingly useful.

　It's one of my favorites, but the girl shakes her head.

"Because it was pretty."

"Pretty?"

"Because the blade was pretty."

　Hearing this, I'm surprised.

"---Can you see it? The pattern on the blade?"

"Golden---a cat."

　It's a tiger, not a cat, but she might not know.

　But, she---she got the handle right.

　The blade has a golden tiger design.

　Did she see it when I drew the sword!?

"What's your name?"

"Eren---Eren Tyler."

　She answers firmly despite her young age.

　So I ask her.

"Are you interested in being a knight? Can you dedicate your life to the sword? If you can dedicate your life to the sword, I'll give you this sword."

　The girl tilts her head and then nods, not quite understanding.

Bryan (・ω・｀) "Lord Liam has brought a cute apprentice, but the workplace is full of knights who are not good role models. I'm worried that the child's character might be warped, and it's painful."