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—Liam was feeling troubled.

Knowing this, the Guide’s hands were trembling.

Delight, a feeling which was foreign to him, coursed throughout his body.

“Liam is having a difficult time.”

Hardship in and of itself wasn’t that uncommon, but it became a different story when the Guide was involved.

Until now, whatever he did, Liam ended up benefiting from it.

For the longest time, the Guide had wished for Liam’s unhappiness.

Having failed in all his previous attempts, the Guide could not help but tremble at this time’s result.

“I tried to help Liam by making Calvin unhappy—however, Calvin redirected his misfortune and made Liam suffer in his stead. For once, I’m siding with Liam, yet he’s encountering one obstacle after another—What could this mean?”

The Guide grinned while holding his head.

He could not stop his laughter.

No matter how much he tried to make Liam suffer, he had always failed.

This time, on the other hand, by offering Liam a little assistance, he was able to gradually corner him.

It was the ultimate pleasure.

Although Liam’s gratitude still gave him a burning pain, the Guide was able to temporarily forget about it because of the overwhelming pleasure.

“We’re like the North Wind and the Sun! Instead of actively trying to make his life miserable, things will work out in my favor so long as I try to make him happy! Yes, that must be it!”

To the Guide who had repeatedly experienced failure, the result displayed in front of him this time meant everything.

“Now that that’s clear, I’ll continue to offer Liam my support! Hmm~ It’s getting interesting now~”

From behind, a dog was glaring at the Guide as the latter laughed with his mouth wide open.

◇

Despite the sharp increase in the number of habitable planets in the territory of the Banfield family, the population was still sparse.

Because of the rapid territorial expansion, it was necessary to wait for the territory to be populated before doing anything more.

As such, Liam, who had an urgent desire for manpower, was accepting immigrants that could increase his territory’s population.

The number of immigrants was high.

Many people that originated from countries surrounding the Empire had abandoned their hometowns and emigrated because of the civil wars.

—Unfortunately, there was a major flaw to this immigration policy.

The territory of the Banfield’s was originally a relatively calm and safe place.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the neighboring countries, there had been a large influx of immigrants.

“SAY NO TO ARISTOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP!”

“ARISTOCRACY IS TOO OPPRESIVE! DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED!”

“PRECISELY! THAT WAS HOW IT WAS AT THE INTEGRATED GOVERNMENT!”

—Liam had managed to acquire a huge number of citizens, but demonstrations began soon after in many planets under the influence of the immigrants from the Integrated Government.

-At one of the planets that was holding such demonstrations-

In an inconspicuous alleyway, the man in charge of the demonstration was having a discussion with someone else.

“Thanks to you, more people have joined our cause. I’ll make sure that aristocracy is toppled.”

The young leader of the demonstrators firmly believed that democracy was the right political system to implement, and that was what he was trying to do with the Empire.

The person cooperating with this young leader was an agent under the Calvin Faction.

“And we would be delighted to help you achieve your goal. Let’s end this era of aristocracy together.”

“Of course! I’ll turn this Empire into a democratic country!”

The agent was laughing inwardly.

(Keep dancing for us. In the first place, you don’t seem to understand that if it was anyone else other than Liam, the lord would have razed the entire planet to the ground and swept it clean. That’s how things are at the Empire.)

If the demonstrators proved to be a nuisance after Liam’s defeat, the Calvin Faction planned on destroying the planet.

(The Empire does not need to be run by a democracy.)

◇

“THOSE PIECES OF TRAAAASH!!”

I’m currently at the luxury hotel located in the Capital, and I’m absolutely furious.

Soon after “disinfecting” my workplace, I received an urgent report from my territory.

It was Brian who contacted me with unpleasant news.

“Lord Liam, what shall we do? I never expected the immigrants to suddenly start a demonstration in this manner.”

There’s clearly someone behind this.

Calvin is our prime suspect, but he didn’t leave behind any clue for us to trace.

“—Kukuri!”

Kukuri presents himself the moment he is called for.

“Present.”

“Some spies must have infiltrated the territory. Why haven’t they been found yet? You’re not going to say that these demonstrators planned everything out and executed this on their own volition, right?”

Starting a demonstration so soon after moving in—it would’ve made sense if they were treated poorly. However, I’ve made lots of preparations for them and even provided them with adequate support.

I did this to ensure that the human resources could be put to good use as soon as possible.

Housing, education, vocational training—all these generous supports were for the sake of using them.

If one were to come to my territory, he or she would be given a house and a job.

In the case of children, they can even receive education.

Given these conditions, would people normally protest? Over a political system?

Sh*t! I now regret having accepted the immigrants from the Integrated Government.

Anyway, my point is, I’m certain that there’s someone working behind the scenes.

“—This isn’t about my subordinates, but I heard that a number of investigators affiliated to the house of Banfield’s went missing recently.”

“What?”

Although Kukuri and his subordinates are outstanding, they can’t do everything by themselves.

That’s why I formed an organization that can catch undercover spies, but it seems like some of its members vanished for no apparent reason.

Brian also hurriedly adds on to this topic.

“A-Ah yes, I’ve also received such reports.”

“Are they all incompetents?”

Kukuri corrects me when I express my disappointment.

“Negative. Labeling them as incompetents wouldn’t be appropriate. Even though they’re not particularly skilled, I don’t think they would normally be this oblivious. Lord Liam, I believe there are people like myself lurking inside the territory.”

“People like you guys?”

“Affirmative. There are many clans and organizations like us in the Empire. Even during the era when we were active, there were more than a hundred dark organizations. Among the group, there was a particular clan which we had always been in conflict with.”

A Black Ops from 2000 years ago—it wouldn’t be too strange for them to be still active, and I’m sure they would be quite skilled if they are.

“...So some of them might have slipped in.”

“—Right now, we have our hands full guarding Lord Liam and taking care of some businesses in the Capital. That’s why only a few of my men are in Lord Liam’s territory.”

Kukuri’ men are all exceptional. Alas, there are only a few of them.

To think that my territory is being threatened at this busy hour, it’s really unforgivable.

—I must personally secure the Alchemy Box that I left behind in the territory before it’s stolen.

Where should I hide it?

Realizing how frustrated I am, Kukuri offers a suggestion.

“—Do you wish to dispatch us back to the territory?”

“Troubles are popping up everywhere! I can’t carelessly move you guys from your current positions. Let’s keep the status quo. Tell your subordinates in the territory to focus on their current missions.”

“Acknowledged.”

With that, Kukuri sinks back to the floor and disappears.

It’s really ticking me off.

Replacing me with a system of democracy?

I want to turn these people into ash if I could, but I’m too busy right now.

—It would be safe to assume that the enemies have delved quite deep into my territory.

“—I’ll incinerate them all when I’m done with everything!”

Brian panics upon hearing me speak.

“Y-you can’t, Lord Liam! You must hold yourself back at times like this!”

“You’re telling me to endure? Are you stupid? To tell you the truth, I would’ve loved to return to the territory just so that I can slice them to pieces with my very own hands. Brian, what I adore are obedient subjects. Those that try to leave my hand—are nothing more than trash.”

“L-Lord Liam.”

Brian appears to be shocked and depressed, but my personality has always been like this.

Amagi enters the room while I’m still a bit pissed.

I cut off my communication with Brian.

Ellen Tyler, my disciple, comes into the room, hand-in-hand with Amagi.

The little girl with red hairs and a wooden sword hides behind Amagi.

“—Ellen, why are you, a disciple of One-Flash, hiding behind Amagi?”

Seeing Ellen being scared of me, Amagi’s expression turns sullen.

From the outside, she looks as expressionless as always, but I can tell!

She’s angry.

Amagi is angry.

“A-Amagi.”

My voice suddenly drops a few notches, and Amagi steps forward as if to protect Ellen.

“Master, taking out your anger in this manner is pathetic.”

“Y-you’re wrong! It’s, uhhh, that. I’m just upset because the people are rioting. As an aristocrat, I should suppress them by force and—”

“It’s not as if everyone is partaking in the demo. If the problem can be dealt with by the forces stationed in those planets, you can leave it to them.”

“S-still, it makes me frus—”

“Rather than that, there’s something Master must attend to—Now, Ellen-sama.”

Amagi gently pushes the back of Ellen, who fidgets when she stands in front of me.

“—Master, the training session that you promised—I haven’t seen you in the past three days.”

I am taken aback.

Recently, I’ve been too busy to watch over Ellen’s training.

I thought it would be fine since she was just repeating the basic moves, but to think I’d forget my duty of raising a successor for the school of One-Flash—I’m too ashamed to face Master Yasushi anymore.

Master Yasushi was always there for me when I was under his tutelage.

Amagi’s gaze is on me.

“Master said that you’d take care of her when you picked her up.”

“—Y-yes.”

Indeed, after picking her up, I had promised to take care of her.

Since it’s Amagi who’s saying it, I’ll give up on the idea of returning to the territory and going on a rampage.

To begin with, I don’t have enough time to do that.

Working at the government office.

Making preparations for the sortie.

Worrying about the large-scale demonstration back in the territory.

Raising Ellen.

I have never been this busy before.

Amagi comforts me, albeit in an admonishing tone.

“I understand that you’re under a lot of stress, but—please don’t forget to look around at your surroundings a bit more. Master, I’m worried for you.”

“!”

I made Amagi worry——this hurts.

I fall on my knees, and Ellen rushes over.

“Master! Are you okay, Master!?”

“I-it’s all good, Ellen. Let’s begin training. After all, raising you—is part of my promise with Master.”

“Master’s Master?”

“Yes, Master Yasushi—he’s a man known as the Sword God. He’s an amazing person.”

I was the one to first hail him as the Sword God.

The title suits Master Yasushi so well that I’m sure he won’t have any objections.

Master, are you pleased with the title?

I stand back up and head to the training ground with Ellen.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Amagi also follows behind us.

“By the way, Ellen, have you been diligently practicing the basics?”

“Y-yes! I tried my best!”

“While Master was absent, I watched her perform the basic movements. Ellen-sama worked very hard on them.”

“Ellen, you were alone with Amagi!? When I was too busy to even accompany her!?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Amagi becomes upset when she sees Ellen apologizing.

I’ll say this again. From the outside, she looks as expressionless as always, but I can tell!

“—Master, what are you saying to a child?”

◇

“It’s here! The wind is blowing on me!”

Liam’s anguish was transmitted to the Guide, making the latter elated.

Power surged within him.

He wasn’t able to figure out why, but every time the Guide tried to assist Liam, an external force interfered and made Liam’s life more difficult.

A bunch of immigrants had moved in knowing that Liam was accepting people into his territory.

However, a demonstration soon began due to Calvin’s influence.

Liam would suffer every time he helps.

The Guide was touched by this.

“It’s simple. I just have to help Liam if I wish to achieve victory—I have been mistaken all along!”

After realizing his mistakes, the Guide was determined to help Liam in the future

There was no reason for him to hesitate.

“Liam, I will help you attain happiness so that you will suffer more.”

What the Guide muttered made no sense at all.

“You will have my full support! I will bless you with every iota of my power!”

Thus, the Guide began supporting Liam with all his might.

◇

-At the territory of the Banfield family-

The original residents of the territory walked pass a mob of demonstrators.

“They’re from the Integrated Government, aren’t they?”

“How energetic.”

“Is democracy that good a system?”

“Recently, many youngsters from the territory have been participating in the demonstration.”

“—Not many youngsters are informed of how it was in the past. Hence, they fail to appreciate what they have right now.”

“Wasn’t the last demo dozens of years ago? It was—right! It was when we argued with Lord Liam over the tornado hairstyle!”

“Ah~ I remember putting my back into it. Nowadays, I don’t see many people with tornado hairs though.”

“It was quite festive, wasn’t it? Back then, there were stalls and whatnot lined up on the streets.”

“Then are these people feeling festive as well?”

“Ah, that must be it! I get it now.”

The residents talked amongst themselves as they watched the demonstrators from a distance.

A group of young men from the Integrated Government approached them.

“Everyone, do you think it’s alright for aristocrats to continue their reigns?” (Demonstrator)

“Eh? It isn’t?” (Resident)

“Of course not!” (Demonstrator)

The young men then proceeded to enthusiastically preach about how corrupted and unethical aristocratic policies were.

“In an aristocratic society, tax rates are decided solely based on the lords’ whims, not to mention that they are never judged or bound by any law! How strange is that? It’s dangerous when a single person holds all the authority! Each of us should have the right to vote so that we can choose our own representatives!”

“T-that so?”

An elderly couple that was listening reminisced about the old days.

“Things were looking really terrible back then before the current lord took over.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

The group of young men smiled.

“Right?! If aristocracy isn’t abolished, you never know when things will revert back to how it was—”

As the young protesters once again started their passionate speech, a different group of people from the younger generation gathered around the elderly couple to ask about how things were in the past.

“I remember my parents talking about it. They mentioned how tough things were when they were children. Were the conditions that terrible?”

“The word ‘terrible’ doesn’t cut it. We’re enjoying a period of prosperity thanks to Lord Liam, but before he became the lord, most of us were impoverished. It was to the point where many households could not even afford to pay for electricity.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about that as well.”

“I’m really glad that Lord Liam took over. In the future, I hope his successor would continue on with his policies and—and?”

A sudden look of surprise washed over the elderly couple.

“Hey, does Lord Liam have a successor?”

“—No, I haven’t heard about anything.”

Those from the younger generation felt a sense of crisis.

“Isn’t this...bad?”

“Hypothetically speaking, if Lord Liam passes away, what would happen to this territory?”

The elderly couple responded based on the past.

“The Empire would send out a deputy—a-and we might have to experience that period of history once more? I hear that deputies aren’t interested in managing or developing their territories.”

The residents clamored.

“—Isn’t Lord Liam engaged to Lady Rosetta?”

“But has there been any news of pregnancy?”

“—H-hey, Lord Liam’s the type that charges into the enemies’ front lines, right?”

Anxiousness swelled among the residents of the territory.

The group of young men that were eager participants of the demonstration noticed something peculiar about the air around them.

“A-are you guys listening to us?”

The residents glared at them.

“We’re having a serious conversation here! Shut up!”

“Hey, should we also start a demo?”

“Good idea!”

Hearing them discuss about a demo, the group of youngsters that wished to spread democracy left, thinking that they had managed to convince the residents.

—A demonstration of unprecedented scale was well under way in the territory of the Banfield’s.