I'm the Evil Lord of an Interstellar Empire! Volume 4 is now on sale!!

The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs Volume 9 will be released on [November 30th]!! Pre-orders are welcome.

An Imperial fleet of several hundred thousand ships looked down upon the Hegemony Kingdom's capital planet.

On the bridge of the flagship, Argos, we were discussing which members would be descending.

"I'm going down to beat the Hegemon to a pulp."

When I announced I would be the first to go down, Klaus and the other key figures showed their blatant disapproval.

"It's dangerous. Please descend only after we've confirmed it's safe."

I shook my head at Klaus's suggestion and looked down at the planet projected on the floor.

"No. I don't have time to waste."

When I told them I was short on time, everyone but Marie exchanged glances and tilted their heads in confusion.

Tia requested permission to speak.

"Lord Liam."

"What is it?"

"You've been in more of a hurry than usual. Is there a reason? We haven't heard of any problems on the home planet."

Marie, seeing the confused reactions around her, sneered at Tia.

She must have felt superior, being the only one here who knew the situation.

The matter with Rosetta had been kept secret, so even the soldiers who brought me the message hadn't been told the full details.

Thinking I had already told them, I informed them as if I had just remembered.

"I forgot to tell you. My child was born."

"Th-That's wonderful news. Congratulations. —Huh?!"

After offering her congratulations, Tia froze in shock.

The others reacted with a "Whose child?" expression, but they seemed to figure it out, recalling how I had gone out of my way to return to the home planet during the war.

Even the usually calm Klaus was taken aback by the news of a child.

Marie spoke up in my stead, informing everyone of the situation on the home planet.

"A young lord has been born. Lord Liam can't be bothered with the Hegemony Kingdom forever. The correct course of action is to destroy the Hegemony Kingdom as quickly as possible and return to the home planet."

Only Marie, who had accompanied me back to the home planet, knew about the child.

Did she keep it to herself after we returned because she thought she should be the only one to know the truth?

However, Marie's judgment was wrong.

"Who said anything about destroying them?"

"Huh?"

I explained the future of the Hegemony Kingdom to the astonished Marie.

"We'll let the Hegemony Kingdom continue to exist as it is."

Everyone looked at me with expressions that said, "What is he talking about?" but no one voiced a complaint.

Klaus cleared his throat.

"We can discuss the matter of the Hegemony Kingdom later—but Lord Liam, why did you not inform us about the young lord?"

Tia, having rebooted, looked like she was about to cry.

"That's right! The birth of an heir is a joyous occasion for the Banfield family!"

"It has nothing to do with the war. Besides, the child is irrelevant—I'm just the one who wants to get back quickly."

When I showed my curt attitude, Marie nodded as if she understood.

"You want to return to the young lord's side as soon as possible, don't you?"

"Who said that?"

I was irritated, but everyone around me just assumed I wanted to get back to my child.

—These people are seriously infuriating.

You'd better be prepared for the rewarding of merits.

Tia cleared her throat and took a step forward.

"With this, a major problem for the Banfield family has been resolved. No, thinking of the future, just one young lord is a problem. Lord Liam, you should provide the young lord with younger brothers and sisters. If I may be so bold, I, Tia, volunteer to be the mother."

The sight of a beautiful woman offering to bear my child would have been delightful, had I not known any better.

Marie, competing with Tia, promoted herself.

"Lord Liam, please choose me, Marie!"

The people around them watched the two rivals with cold eyes.

Rinho and Fuuka, seemingly uninterested, were chatting amongst themselves.

"Our senior disciple's kid, huh? I wonder if he'll teach him the Issen Style?"
"He's like a nephew to us, I guess? Should we get him a souvenir?"

"How about the Hegemon's head?"
"Wouldn't a sword be better?"

A trophy head and a sword... their choices are problematic.

And both are too soon for a baby.

Exasperated, I declared to Tia and Marie.

"I have no expectations for either of you in a woman's role."

At my firm declaration, Tia and Marie's eyes widened.

"Huh?"

"U-Um..."

It was one thing to be rejected, but to be told they weren't even seen as women left the two of them frozen stiff.

The others averted their eyes from the two of them.

I turned my gaze to Klaus.

"Klaus, you and I will hash out the future of the Hegemony Kingdom. Man, this whole affair has been a real rush."

"Eh? Ah, yes."

Next, I called out to the chatting Rinho and Fuuka.

"Rinho, Fuuka, you two come along as well. We're going to go have some fun in the Hegemony Kingdom."

"Senior Disciple, can I be the one to cut down the Hegemon?"

"I don't care who it is, as long as they're strong."

"Behave yourselves this time. However—cut down any fool who tries to pick a fight."

Taking Klaus and my junior disciples, who were concerned about the two, I left the bridge.

◇

The royal castle where the Hegemon lived.

I sat on the throne, with Rinho and Fuuka standing on either side of me.

Their swords were stained with blood.

"Lame."
"Is there no one else? Come and get me."

I had them deal with the fools who had attacked us, but now that they understood the overwhelming difference in power, the people of the Hegemony Kingdom had fallen silent.

I passed judgment on the Hegemony Kingdom.

"Your territory will be returned to its pre-war state. However, from now on, you will work for me."

When I didn't say I would destroy the Hegemony Kingdom, the civil and military officials in the audience hall began to murmur.

It was the current Hegemon who silenced them.

The muscular, brawny man had an aura different from the others around him.

But even a Hegemon like him was no better than a small fry before us.

Near him stood Aluna, her injuries not yet fully healed.

The Hegemon stepped before me.

"Tell me why the victor does not destroy the vanquished."

His dignified attitude seemed to irritate Rinho and Fuuka.

"Hey, don't be so arrogant with our senior disciple."

"The vanquished should be groveling on the ground."

I raised my hand slightly to stop the two of them as they were about to attack, and then I explained my reason to the Hegemon.

"I'll explain it so even you can understand. I was only ordered by the Empire to 'defend.' I never received an order to destroy you."

Why should I have to destroy the Hegemony Kingdom for the sake of the Empire?

From start to finish, I've only ever been fighting for myself.

"—If you'll work for me in the future, I'll entrust the Hegemony Kingdom to you. How about it? Simple, right?"

When I presented him with these favorable terms, the Hegemon stroked his chin and fell into thought.

As I was thinking that I'd just cut him down if he got cocky, the Hegemon proposed an additional condition.

"If you ask us to serve under you, not the Empire, we will accept. But there is one condition."

"What is it?"

"I want your child. Give me your genes."

"—Huh?"

Like father, like daughter, I suppose.

I was momentarily stunned, but then I turned my gaze to Aluna.

For some reason, she blushed under my gaze and looked away.

She looked quite maidenly, but that must be because my senses have gone numb.

"If it's about Aluna—"

As I was about to refuse, the Hegemon shook his head.

"No! —I am the one who desires your genes."

"Hm?"

I tilted my head, and the Hegemon declared.

"I, the Hegemon, wish to bear your child!"

For a moment. Just for a single moment, I couldn't comprehend what was being said to me.

A brawny, muscular man had just declared he wanted to bear my child.

I thought the people around us would be dumbfounded by such a statement, but the Hegemony Kingdom's civil and military officials were ecstatic.

"As expected of the Hegemon!"
"Such a maidenly heart!"
"A child of the Hegemon and Lord Liam would surely be the strongest warrior!"

As cheers echoed through the audience hall, I shook my head, unable to comprehend.

I'm tired in so many ways. —I want to go home.

◇

When I returned to the Argos, Klaus, who had been waiting, rushed over to me.

"Lord Liam, we have a problem!"

"What is it?"

Having just been confessed to by a man, I was feeling overwhelmed by the diverse cultures of this interstellar nation.

Sure, he could probably bear my child if he underwent a sex change, but the original image was too strong—.

As I was thinking that, it turned out those two had done something again.

"Lady Christiana and Lady Marie are causing a commotion, saying they're going to undergo a sex change."

"—Take me there."

They really know how to get on my nerves.

I headed for the district with the medical facilities, with Klaus in tow.

◇

A super-dreadnought class battleship is equipped with a variety of facilities.

There are even devices for sex changes, but not many of them.

Over a single one of these devices, Tia and Marie, dressed in sporty underwear, were grappling with each other.

"Let go! I'm becoming a man first!"
"Don't be ridiculous! If I'm not wanted as a woman, then I'll at least become the greatest knight there is!"

Apparently, because I said I didn't want them as women, they had decided to become men to gain my recognition as knights.

The fact that they both arrived at the same idea, does that mean they're actually good friends?

Klaus pressed a hand to his forehead.

"They're bickering like this. Lord Liam, if you could say something—Lord Liam?!"

I was covering my face with both hands.

Klaus was surprised to see me blushing all the way to my ears.

"Lord Liam, what's wrong?"

I'm very particular about my taste in women.

But, I do have my preferences.

One of them is not wearing flashy underwear.

Right now, the two of them in their sporty attire were apparently a direct hit to my preferences.

I became so embarrassed it even surprised me.

"—Put on some clothes."

"Huh? Ah, yes. You two, Lord Liam is here."

The medical staff on standby draped bathrobes over the two of them.

Upon realizing I was there, both Tia and Marie knelt.

Their dejected appearances were proof that my words had hit them hard.

Seeing them like this, I was reminded of the Hegemon.

—He's going to be appearing in my dreams for a while.

Thinking about it now, he's a tougher opponent than Izel or Aluna.

The Hegemon is the one who's troubled me the most.

He was a formidable enemy.

"Tia, Marie, raise your heads."

"—Yes, my lord."

Their replies overlapped as they raised their heads.

Because of my earlier excitement, I couldn't help but see Tia and Marie as cute.

Compared to the Hegemon, just being a woman seemed to have value.

"You two are fine as you are. —I'm, uh, sorry. Continue to serve me in the future."

The incident with the Hegemon had apparently dealt more damage to my psyche than I'd imagined.

Feeling down, I ended up saying something kind to the two of them.

Also, remembering how they looked just now made me blush—my face grew hot.

When I turned my face away, Tia and Marie stood up.

"Lord Liam, that reaction means you were aroused, doesn't it?! In that case, please, help yourself to me, Christiana!"

"Step aside, you minced-meat woman! Lord Liam, I, Marie, am yours in body and soul. You may do as you please with me!"

Having figured out that I was aroused by them, the two began to aggressively promote themselves.

It's scary that I'm starting to think that even these two are better than the Hegemon.

"I'm going back now."

Klaus, standing beside me, saw how dejected I was and immediately tried to get me back to my room.

"Lord Liam, if you are tired, please rest at once. I will take care of the rest."

"—Yeah."

When it comes down to it, Klaus is the one I can rely on.

"In that case, I, Christiana, will sleep by your side!"

"No, I, Marie, will be Lord Liam's body pillow!"

I fled from the two of them.

◇

—When I returned to my domain, there was a protest going on for some reason.

"What is the meaning of this?! My child was just born, so why are they holding a protest?! Is that it? Is it because the war caused too many casualties?! Fine, as an evil lord, I'll punish them thoroughly!"

The Banfield family paid a great price in the war with the Hegemony Kingdom.

I had anticipated that some would demand I take responsibility for it.

However, I hadn't expected them to go as far as to protest.

In the office of my mansion were Amagi and Brian.

"It is true that the damages from this war have caused a level of dissatisfaction among the populace that cannot be ignored. There are likely those among the protestors who are venting their frustrations."

"—Then what are they protesting about?"

If the damages weren't the reason, then what were they protesting?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Brian, operating a tablet, began to explain with glee.

"Yes! The current protests are mainly occurring on planets that have been under Banfield rule for several decades. The majority are protests demanding a second child, but at the same time, they are festivals celebrating the birth of the first child, Lord Edward."

"They're holding a festival and a protest at the same time? Are all my subjects idiots?!"

What were they thinking, doing both at once?

Do they just want an excuse to make a scene?

As I felt a headache coming on, Brian continued.

"Among the protestors, there is a 'Please treasure Lady Eulisia!' faction, which has seen an increase of several percent since last time. When we informed her, she delightedly went off to give a speech."

"What is she doing?!"

It wasn't just my subjects; my subordinates were idiots, too.

My people, who would hold such an out-of-left-field protest demanding I make more children, would apparently use any reason to make a fuss.

I considered cracking down on them, but even my own subordinates were participating with glee.

Why do I have to be troubled like this?

Feeling irritated, I roughly sat down in my chair and threw my work aside in frustration.

"I've had enough! I'm not working today. I'm just going to sulk in my sleep."

If I wished hard enough to the Guide, would he solve this problem for me?

As I was indulging in such convenient thoughts, Amagi looked at me with a slightly exasperated expression.

"Master, you have an important appointment today."

"—I remember."

I stood up from my chair and headed for the audience hall.

◇

Around that time.

On the Imperial capital planet, the Guide picked up an e-paper and trembled.

"Liam had his first child? Everything is proceeding conveniently for him, in places I know nothing about."

The Guide, trembling with frustration, was living in a garbage dump in an alleyway.

For some reason, this place felt calming to him. He looked up at the artificial sky of the capital planet.

"If there's a baby, I could have used all sorts of tricks. B-But, if I carelessly approach the Banfield home planet, I'll get badly burned again."

It was a chance to inflict mental anguish on Liam, but the Guide, who had been burned badly on the Banfield home planet before, was hesitant.

He might be able to do something if he pushed himself, but the result wouldn't be worth it if he got seriously injured.

As the Guide was pondering various things, the spirit of a dog with bared teeth appeared beside him.

To the Guide, who was plotting to harm Liam's child, Edward, the dog delivered a blessed emotion.

The dog had come to deliver a mass of blessings celebrating Edward's birth.

It released the blessing it held in its mouth, and it rolled to the Guide's feet as an orb.

It hit the Guide's foot.

"Hm? What is this?"

At first, he didn't realize what it was.

It was wrapped in something, and the Guide couldn't fully grasp it.

Normally, he would have noticed, but the Guide was completely weakened.

Failing to see through the orb's true nature, which he should have been able to, he carelessly reached out his hand.

When he picked up the mass of emotion, which was different from gratitude, it easily burst, and its contents were splattered all over the Guide.

It burned the Guide's body like a poison.

"Hgyaaaaaaahhhhh!! B-But I didn't do anythingggg!!"

The dog's spirit made a gesture as if spitting and moved away from the Guide.

The Guide, whose newly regenerated body had been burned away to nothing, lamented.

"This is cruel. What did I do? All I'm doing is spreading a little misfortune, and I get treated like this! It's too much!"

His words were utterly selfish.

However, although the Guide was reduced to just a hat, he had not despaired.

"—This is strange. Something is strange. Why are feelings of gratitude and blessing originating from Liam, who is so far away, reaching me? That should be impossible."

At the same time, he was finally beginning to realize—the existence of someone who was tormenting him to this extent.

"Is something interfering with me? —If so, then you'd better be prepared. I will revive again and again! The Imperial capital planet has plenty of negative emotions accumulated over many years. I will return to my original form—no, I will obtain power even greater than before—and I will show Liam, and the one who torments me, a living hell."

The Guide let out an eerie laugh—but pathetically, his form was just a hat with tiny arms and legs.

◇

The war with the Hegemony Kingdom had concluded.

Looking only at the results, the war ended with merely repelling the Hegemony Kingdom's fleet.

The Banfield family lost half of its fleet and gained nothing.

From an outsider's perspective, it was a battle where we drew the short straw.

—But, there were things that were gained.

In the audience hall.

Lined up before me were those who had distinguished themselves.

"This battle was truly meaningful. We have eliminated the rabble, and now you, the competent, have appeared before me."

My words, dismissing my own allies as rabble, were surely an insult to those who had participated in the same war.

However, it was a fact that some had committed the grave sin of deserting before the enemy.

While showing that I would not forgive such people, I prepared rewards for those who had performed well.

"I have prepared promotions and bonuses. I promise generous compensation to the families of those who died for me—but well, we can't end it with just that, can we?"

Tension ran through the audience hall.

"For a while, I've only given a Number to Klaus, but that's meaningless. Since we have the chance, let's decide on the second and subsequent numbers as well."

The audience hall buzzed.

I could see Tia and Marie with expectant looks in their eyes, but you two troubled me, so you're being passed over this time.

"—Kukuri, show yourself."

A man in a black cloak and mask suddenly appeared from the floor of the audience hall.

He was the man who managed the Banfield family's dark division.

An unsettling atmosphere filled the audience hall.

"The dark division?"

"No way, it's a Knight Number!"

Many of them thought it was a number given to knights, but I have no memory of saying such a thing.

"Kukuri, I am grateful for your work. Following Klaus, you are the one to receive a Number."

"Kihahaha—Lord Liam, the Dark Division has no need for such a title."

"It is proof that I recognize you as competent. Accept it without a word."

"—Yes, my lord."

The kneeling Kukuri sank back into the floor and disappeared.

He probably didn't want to remain exposed before a large crowd.

"Now then, for the next one—step forward."

I turned my gaze to a red-haired female knight waiting in the back, and she approached me with a calm gait.

The young woman, showing no signs of panic, knelt and bowed her head.

"Ellen Tyler—no, is it Ellen Sera Tyler now, holder of an Imperial Knight qualification?"

Ellen, who had her long red hair tied up in a ponytail, had asymmetrical bangs with one side grown out.

She had been sent to war with the Hegemony Kingdom, and a lot of time had been consumed by preparations and such—but in that time, Ellen had completed all of her training.

Rinho and Fuuka, who were lined up on the military side, whistled.

"So Ellen's back too."

"She's gotten taller. —Is it about time she could cross swords with us?"

Receiving the curious gazes of my junior disciples, Ellen smiled.

"You two are the same as ever."

Her appearance still retained a hint of youthfulness, but on the inside, she was already an adult.

I had Ellen stand.

"Stand."

"Yes, my lord."

Looking at the standing Ellen, I saw she had grown quite a bit while I had left her alone.

"You've changed completely."

"I have been training for these past few decades. I caused Lord Kurt a great deal of trouble as well."

She had worked as a soldier under Kurt for a time, so she was probably put through the wringer back then.

"From the looks of it, you'll be fine. I'll give you the Issen Style certificate of mastery later. Before that, the Number '3' is yours, Ellen."

"Yes, my lord."

With two people designated, I ignored Tia and Marie, who were waiting in anticipation for their turn, and—.

"This will be the last one for today. [Emma Rodman], step forward."

When I called her name, a female knight younger than me, who hadn't expected to be called, came before me in a fluster.

"Y-Yes!"

The female knight with a brown bob cut and a rustic air—was a homegrown talent of the Banfield family.

There was a reason I chose her.

She was a success story of someone who rose through the ranks.

Putting her in the spotlight would surely earn her some jealousy, but it should also motivate those who want to rise up to think, "I'll be next!" and work hard.

However, she was only less conspicuous than the main members; she had been performing well up until now.

When Emma's name was called, even Tia and Marie showed complex expressions.

Among those in the audience hall, some were welcoming.

—She's surprisingly popular.

"I expect great things from you in the future."

The restless female knight's expression tightened as if she had steeled her resolve.

◇

My room.

On the large bed, I was lying on my side, lifting Edward up.

Rosetta, watching me and Edward, was smiling.

"He's gotten bigger, hasn't he?"

I couldn't return to the home planet for nearly a year due to the war and its cleanup, and Edward had grown in that time.

Even in this world, babies grow up fast.

And, Edward was looking at me, but not with a smile.

"If I don't see him for a year, will he even think of me as his father?"

When I said that, Rosetta strongly denied it.

"That's not true! I've been showing him videos of you every day, darling. I told him every day, 'Your father is a very busy man~'."

"—Is there a need to go that far?"

"It's absolutely important! Besides, Edward wanted to see you too, darling. He said 'Da-da' while watching the videos!"

Isn't that just a case of mishearing?

I pinched Edward's cheek.

"For now, just grow up healthy. If things continue like this, eventually you'll be the next—"

I was about to say Duke, but I stopped myself.

It's already decided that Edward cannot become a Duke.

But for now, it's fine as long as he grows up healthy.

As the son of an evil lord, I'll let him live a fun life.

—Though I don't know when these fun times will end.

It'll be fine as long as I'm around, but what will become of him—.

Handing Edward over to Rosetta, I flopped onto my back on the bed and once again gave my thanks to the Guide today.

—I thought I hated children, but this isn't so bad.

Today, I sent him more gratitude than usual—and for some reason, I thought I heard the Guide's scream.

It must be my imagination.

But, he's a shy one.

He might just be shouting to hide his embarrassment.