ââA report had been received from the agent dispatched to the Banfield family's territory.
The location was the meeting room where the Calvinists gathered.
What could be heard was news of a large-scale demonstration.
However, the agent's complexion was not good.
"It's... spreading on a scale beyond what we anticipated. We can't control it here."
The aim was to incite the settlers from the Integrated Government to cause dysfunction in Liam's territory, and this goal had been achieved beautifully.
Still, it had succeeded beyond expectations, leaving the Calvinists perplexed.
"I didn't expect it to be this much. Frankly, I didn't anticipate such a large-scale demonstration in Liam's territory."
No one had expected such a "democratization" demonstration in Liam's well-governed territory.
The nobles gathered.
"Indeed, the common people don't need unnecessary wisdom."
"The idea of demanding more rights is repulsive."
"Liam's boy will learn his lesson from this."
However, just looking at the results, it was a great success.
Calvin praised the agent.
"Good work. There's no need for us to get involved any further. Come back."
"Hai!"
When the communication cut off, Calvin smiled in front of the nobles of his faction.
This large-scale demonstration would provide ample material to criticize Liam.
At this point, Calvin's objectives had been achieved.
"This will cast doubt on Liam's governance. I think we can pressure him here, but he has military power. What should we do?"
If he can't govern his territory properly, they could criticize Liam.
But now was the time to bring Cleo down.
If they criticized Liam and distanced him from the war, it would be troublesome.
"We should use the war with the United Kingdom to make him fail or barely win, and then use that as leverage to corner him. Liam's military strength cannot be underestimated."
"We don't say we can't defeat him, but it's dangerous to face him directly. Since he himself is a strong warrior who defeated a Sword Saint, we should prepare a Sword Saint to guard the Crown Prince in case something happens."
"One is not enough. We need two."
The nobles also seemed to think that a direct confrontation with Liam was unwise and were trying to avoid war.
He is a man who single-handedly defeated a pirate noble.
No one knows what he might do.
To thoroughly crush Liam, sending him to the battlefield was a given.
When he returns, if he survives, he will be hung up for the demonstrations.
Calvin was also thinking about his own guards.
The Dark Sect is there, but Liam, who defeated a Sword Saint, is still scary.
He defeated a man who earned the title of Sword Saint through his own strength, and Liam's pure power is a threat.
Calvin decided to summon two Sword Saints.
"Let's gather the heads of the Aaren and Kuldane schools, as well as other skilled swordsmen. I'll tell the two heads to prepare capable guards, so you should also have guards by your side."
Not forgetting to take care of the nobles was part of Calvin's political strategy.
The two schools he was summoning were mainstream sword arts in the empire.
Therefore, when granting the title of Sword Saint, the spread of the school was also considered.
In other words, these two schools received the title of Sword Saint for political reasons.
However, it was also dangerous to let men who earned the title of Sword Saint through sheer strength alone represent the empire.
If they behaved poorly, it would tarnish the empire's authority.
Therefore, it was necessary to choose excellent swordsmen.
The two heads of the major schools were convenient for the empire.
Moreover, they were naturally strong.
"Make sure to explain it well to the two Sword Saints. Don't forget to tell them how to prevent the new school, Ippan-ryu, from taking their position."
Calvin intended to thoroughly corner Liam.
To tarnish Liam's name, he would spread the word that even Ippan-ryu was a suspicious sword art.
The two major schools would likely move seriously to crush the recently popular Ippan-ryu.
And they acted quickly.
â
The empire used major media to report a certain news item, even reaching foreign countries.
It was about Liam's Ippan-ryu.
A man who had introduced Anshi to Liam was answering an interview on a monitor.
"Originally, Anshi is just a third-rate swordsman. He's just a bit better than a layman, a street performer, you know?"
"Then what about Ippan-ryu?"
"That's just his nonsense."
In another program, the basic movements of Ippan-ryu were being explained.
How they found out, but they thoroughly explained the basic movements Anshi taught, which were imitations of other schools.
"The movements of Ippan-ryu are from the Kuldane school. This is from the Aaren school. In short, it's a patchwork."
"What does that mean?"
"Ippan-ryu is just imitating other schools."
They were thoroughly criticizing Ippan-ryu.
Clutching the monitor was Anshi.
"Good! More. Tell them more! Let them know that Ippan-ryu is a fake!"
If the truth came out, he would be killed by Liam.
But now, being chased as a Sword God, Anshi felt more secure with the truth being spread.
"Finally! Finally, the burden is lifted."
He was moved to tears.
The sword art that started with his lie was finally disappearing.
Anshi felt a sense of liberation, as if he were freed from everything.
â
The scene changed to a popular restaurant within the empire's territory.
Two people were eating noodle dishes there.
The TV was broadcasting a program titled "Is Ippan-ryu a fake!?"
"It has been revealed that the recently popular Ippan-ryu is an outrageous fake sword art."
"That's right. If what the earl says is true, it's strange that it hasn't come to light before. It's a lie, a lie."
The customers around them were also talking about Ippan-ryu.
"Nobles just want to show off."
"Ippan-ryu is a fake sword art, right?"
"The real ones are Aaren and Kuldane. After all, the two major schools are strong."
The program featured the heads and instructors of the two major schools criticizing Ippan-ryu.
The two people eating left the restaurant, leaving money on the table.
At the front of the restaurant, they said:
"Which one?"
"Either one is fine. Wellâboth will be crushed."
After a bit more conversation, they parted ways.
â
âI'll kill them.
Holding my favorite sword and sitting on the sofa, I was seething with anger at the daily reports criticizing Ippan-ryu.
The heads of major schools with the title of Sword Saint, as well as many other schools, started to denigrate Ippan-ryu.
It's nonsense, a copy, a fakeâ
I will cut them all down eventually.
But the timing is too bad right now.
In front of me, Elen was standing.
"Master."
Seeing my anxious disciple, I couldn't help but snap.
"What? Do you doubt Ippan-ryu too?"
Elen shook her head.
"I believe in Master's sword! I don't understand the complicated stuff, but I believe in Master's sword. Master is the best swordsman in the universe to me!"
With tears in her eyes, she looked at me, and I was taken aback.
Behind Elen, I saw Master Anshi.
Of course, it was an illusion.
It might be my imagination, but Master was smiling at me.
"Liam, when your heart is in turmoil, reflect on yourself. Keep your heart hot and your head coolâand don't lose sight of what's important."
I remembered Master Anshi's words.
Shaking my head, I chuckled.
"You're right. There was no lie in Master's sword. What I saw with my own eyes is the truth. No matter what others say, the truth doesn't change."
I recalled the scene I saw that day.
Master's "Ippan" was real.
Isn't that something I know well?
"Master?"
Elen looked at me curiously and anxiously.
âI am an inexperienced teacher.
"There are things I need to take care of first. I'll deal with other schools later. I have my own things to do."
To break this shit situation.
The territory is facing large-scale demonstrations and problems.
The Cleo faction is busy with the interstellar war.
Most of my army is being taken, so maintaining order in the territory is precarious.
There are not enough hands. There is a severe shortage of manpower.
"Elen. When you're frustrated, it's time to practice. Sweatâ"
Then, an emergency communication came in.
It was from Brian, who was on duty in the territory.
"It's, it's a serious situation, Lord Liam!"
â
At the Banfield family's mansion.
Brian was sweating coldly.
"I didn't expect the demonstrations to spread this much."
The territory is in a state of dysfunction.
Still, the companies Liam owned were operating without problems.
There was no interruption in income.
But the demonstrations were spreading explosively in various placesâand to make matters worse.
"Brian, this is a petition from the servants working in the mansion. More than 80% of the people working here have signed it."
The head maid, Selina, brought another bombshell.
"NOOOOOOOO!!"
Brian was in a panic, his stomach tightening at this abnormal situation.
"More than 80%!?"
"Daily grievances can't be ignored. The atmosphere in the territory has overwhelmed them, and they are using this opportunity to push through their demands."
"J-Just now, I reported the current situation to Lord Liamâwhy, why does this keep happening?"
Brian collapsed to his knees.
â
The guide was skipping.
She was even singing a tune, exuding a happy atmosphere.
"Hehehe, I didn't expect the effect to be so powerful."
Liam's territory was in a state of dysfunction, and on top of that, Ippan-ryu was being called a fake, making Liam furious.
The guide was overjoyed.
She hadn't been this happy in decades.
She felt the happiest she had ever been.
"I support Liam, and he is troubled. It's wonderful. I can indirectly interfere and make the other party unhappy as I like."
What a bastard.
That's whyâshe overlooks important things.
"I will continue to push Liam! My support is far from over!"
â
âA traitor appeared.
"I didn't expect the servants in the mansion to betray me too."
The servants working in my mansion were chosen from the residents of my territory.
They betrayed me.
Petitioning meâwhat a joke.
Rosetta was trying to calm me down.
"Darling, calm down."
"I am as calm as I can be. I can't wait to punish the traitors when I return to the territory."
I should start thinking about torture methods now.
"Darling."
I turned my gaze from Rosetta's sad face to Shier, whom I had received from Baron Exner.
"Shier, did Baron Exner say anything to you?"
Shier, though expressionless, was openly hostile towards me.
She was trying to hide it, but I could see through her like a book.
She hates me.
"Support the earl well, I was told firmly by my father and brother. Especially my brother, who is worried, contacts me every dayâevery day, every day."
She was seething inside but kept a calm expression.
She is a really interesting person.
Kurt is busy as a soldier, yet he contacts me every day. I'll