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I'm almost fiftyâapproaching the age of adulthood in this world.
Spending my days at the mansion, I realized something.
"Isn't it unhealthy to live only in the mansion, even though I reincarnated into a world like an SF setting?"
In the study.
Tenchou, while assisting with my work, calmly answered, but she ignored the reincarnation part. This maid has a high level of ignoring things.
"There's no problem. You can get moderate exercise within the mansion, and safety is ensured. Rather, it would be troublesome if you went out."
Is she still angry about the previous pick-up attempt?
I went out to pick up girls, but I didn't talk to anyone.
What should I do?
The evil lord I aim to be should drink more and have beautiful women serve himâwhat else should he do?
Alcoholâthis body makes me feel guilty when I drink, and it doesn't even taste good.
I don't need to force myself to gather women because I have my ideal Tenchou.
Wait, do I even need to force myself?
"No, that's not it. I'm aiming to be an evil lord. I can't give up here."
"Is that so? However, being an evil lord is problematic. What do you want to do?"
"Raise taxes and make the people suffer?"
"Tax revenue will increase temporarily, but it will be negative in the long run, so I don't recommend it. Consider raising taxes based on the situation."
Depending on the situation, lowering taxes can increase the people's purchasing power, resulting in higher tax revenue.
âNo, that's not it. It's not about economics.
I want to trample others!
I don't want to be the one being taken. I want to be the one taking!
"I don't want to hear such adult opinions. I want to be the one who takes using power and violence!"
That's right.
I'm the one who takes, and the people are the ones who are taken.
Who cares about tax revenue!
"Alright, I'll find and bring beautiful women from the territory. Fashionâonce I bring them, I can make them suit my taste."
Then, Tenchou immediately answered.
"The people working in the mansion, except for technical positions, are also selected based on their appearance. They are the best in the territory."
Hearing that, I remembered.
Indeed, there were many handsome and beautiful people working in the mansion.
Tenchou, sensing my thoughts,
"Should I let someone be your partner?"
"No, I'm not in the mood. âWait, is it okay to do that?"
"It's included in their employment. If you prefer a man, I can arrange that too."
"âNo."
Do you think I'm interested in men?
Besides, it's not fun to do it with someone who's okay with it.
It's fun because they resist!
"I'll bring entertainers from the territory! It's fun to make them submit even if they resist."
"Sir, the entertainment industry in the territory is still growing. Besides, many would be happy to be called by you. You are the best patron in the territory. Or, should I bring someone from outside the territory?"
Outsideâmeaning from other territories?
"I want to feel like a king in my own territory! If they come from outside, they're still outsiders!"
I don't want to cause trouble with other territories while I'm not strong enough. I'll wait until I'm stronger.
"Please rest assured. You are the ruler of the Banfield family. Not just in feeling, but you are the king of a galaxyâno, a planet."
No, that's not it!
Or, did you just correct yourself? Ah, right. You rule a galaxy, but in reality, it's just one planet.
It's not my fault. It's the fault of my father and grandfather!
Damnâwhy is it so hard to be an evil lord?
Tenchou reminded me of the fundamental problem.
"Besides, there's the debt."
âRight, the debt.
No matter how much the territory develops, I can't do as I please because of the debt.
I have to repay it; otherwise, it will become troublesome.
To put it bluntlyâif I don't repay it, the debt collectors will get serious.
âIt brings back memories of my previous life's fears.
"DamnâIsn't there an easy way to repay the debt?"
"There's no other way. We have to repay it gradually. If we show sincerity, the other party won't make unreasonable demandsâ"
Then, an emergency communication came in.
It was from Bryan.
"Why don't you just come to the room? What are you thinking by using communication?"
When I allowed the call, an image appeared in the air.
"Liam-sama, it's terrible! T-the pirates have declared war on the Banfield family!"
âAren't pirates too formal for that?
â
The government building in the territory is a large high-rise building.
It's where the officials who manage the territory work, and I occasionally visit.
I'm important, so I send my subordinates to the mansion if there's a problem.
Mostly, everything is handled through communication.
In the conference room, the main people gathered to discuss the pirates' declaration of war and their demands.
A suited official, looking nervous, was confirming the details.
"The pirates' demands are to hand over all wealth and hostages. The hostages must be handsome and beautiful men and women."
Looking at the list of precious metals they demanded, it's an amount we can't provide.
The hostages must be handsome and beautiful men and women.
âIt's frustrating.
Why do I have to hand over my possessions to these people?
Not only the officials but also the military were present.
"Lord, shouldn't we negotiate with the pirates to resolve this peacefully?"
The officials' weak response annoyed the military.
"The enemy is the Gores! They have a huge bounty on their heads!"
They are notorious pirates with a very high bounty.
If we defeat the pirate group, we'll get a huge amount of money.
What did they do to deserve such a bounty?
"Can we win? The Banfield family can gather at most eight thousand troops. The Gores have thirty thousand ships!"
"Training and equipment quality matter! Numbers aren't everything. Besides, they won't let us off if we surrender without a fight."
"Are you planning to run away yourselves?"
"You, are you insulting us!"
The argument between the officials and the military intensified, while I was looking at the bounty on the Gores.
It's not a significant amount for me as the lord.
It's not a negligible amount, but it's not enough to make me rich instantly.
It's really a tricky situation.
âAt that moment.
All the noise stopped, and when I looked up, the scene around me was strange.
The officials and military were arguing fiercely, but now they were completely still.
Everyone was motionless.
"âAre they frozen?"
I thought time had stopped.
Then, a familiar voice spoke.
"Yes. I took a little time. It's quite tiring, but it's been a while. Should I call you Liam now?"
Turning around, I saw the guide standing there.
"It's been a while. What's going on? Pirates are attacking."
Weren't you supposed to make me happy?
The guide seemed to understand my implication.
"It's a misunderstanding. This is aâgift for you, Liam."
"A gift?"
"Yes. You're about to come of age in this world, right? I wanted to give you a proper noble status before that. Also, your territory has a debt, right?"
I replied sarcastically.
"Thanks to you, I can't do as I please, which is disappointing."
"I apologize. So, I brought the pirates, who possess vast treasures, to your territory. If you defeat them, everything will be yours."
"Mine?"
The guide approached me, rubbing his hands.
"Yes. If you defeat them, you'll gain honor and vast treasures. The leader of the pirates has an incredible treasure, which I sent as a gift."
"âReally?"
A smile appeared on my face, and the guide also smiled, but it was unsettling.
"I'm glad you understand. Now, the after-service is over, so I'll take my leave."
He slightly lifted the brim of his silk hat and then put it back on deeply. A door appeared behind him.
As usual, only his mouth was visible.
As he bowed to me and was about to leaveâ
"Thanks for coming all this way."
I thanked him.
His expression seemed to disappear, but he quickly smiled again.
"It's part of my job."
âWhen the guide closed the door, he disappeared.
Immediately after, the noisy argument resumed.
As the frozen time resumed, I stood up.
With everyone's attention on me, I announced my plan.
"This is a good opportunity to have my first battle. Prepare yourselves."
The military was anxious.
The officials were the same.
"Lord, it's reckless. They are famous pirates. They must have many knights who have become pirates. We don't have a single Banfield knight."
There are no hereditary vassals.
No knights have joined since then.
But it's not a problem.
If the guide has arranged everything, we can't lose.
"So what? Listen, I said I'll do it. You just need to prepare."
The military still looked dissatisfied, but the officials, remembering how I once punished many people, fell silent.
That's right, just follow my orders.
As long as you follow me, I'll treat you well.
Otherwise, I'll kill you.
"Gather as many troops as possible. We'll use Avid too."
The military commander, who was recruited from the imperial army, opposed me.
"Do you intend to sortie? It's reckless."
"It's my first battle, so of course, I'll go. Just follow my orders. We're going to have a fun pirate hunt."
There's nothing more enjoyable than a battle you know you'll win.
The pirates have brought vast treasures for me.
I'll treat them nicely.
"âWe're sortieing."
â
At the mansion, Bryan was restless.
Tenchou reported.
"Avid has safely arrived at the spaceport and will be loaded onto the battleship you'll board."
Bryan was holding his head.
"What bad luck. Just when the territory was regaining its former vitality, such vicious space pirates are attacking."
Tenchou remained calm but seemed worried.
"We haven't lost yet, and your judgment is correct. Surrendering is meaningless based on the information about the pirate group. Also, the empire has informed us that they will send regular troops."
Bryan shook his head.
"It's too late. By the time they gather and reach the territory, who knows what will have happened."
If dangerous pirates invade the empire's territory, regular troops will be dispatched.
But they won't arrive in time.
Worst-case scenario, the territory will be ravaged, and the pirates will escape before the regular troops arrive.
Bryan sighed.
"Finallyâfinally, the Banfield family was recovering. If Liam-sama had been born a hundred years earlierâ"
Bryan, who had high hopes for Liam, blamed the pirates.
â
At the spaceport.
A man was watching the Banfield family's fleet gathering.
It was the guide.
He was standing above the spaceport, laughing at Liam and his frantic preparations.
"It seems you liked the gift. Ideally, I'd like you to be captured by the pirates and become their toy."
The guide didn't tell Liam that the Gores' strength was far beyond that of ordinary pirate groups.
The secret lies in a box the Gores treasure.
That box is their source of funds.
With abundant funds, the Gores have built a strong force.
Their training may vary, but their equipment quality isn't much worse.
In this battle, the pirates, with their greater numbers, had the advantage.
"To thank me and thenâhow will you react later? Gratitude will turn to hatred, and your smile will become a twisted expression of malice. It will surely satisfy me."
The guide, looking forward to Liam's downfall, watched as a small light separated from him and headed toward Avid, which was being loaded onto the battleship.
The light entered Avid without the guide noticing.
The guide, unaware, had his arms wide open.
"I'm looking forward to the outcome! Now, Liamâthis is the moment you've been waiting for to learn the truth."
Why did he reincarnate Liam into this world?
Why was his previous life unhappy?
The guide, eager to reveal everything, was impatient.