This work, 'I'm the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!', has been greenlit for a book release by Overlap Bunko!

It will be released on July 25th!

I've posted the cover illustration in my activity report, so please be sure to check it out.

In the Kingdom of Aarl, which Liam had left behind, a certain change was taking place.

"Lady Amagi."

Queen Enora was wearing an outfit made to resemble the maid uniform Amagi had worn.

There was even a statue made in Amagi's likeness.

Besides Enora, there were others dressed in maid uniforms.

Not just women, but men as well.

Everyone was equally offering prayers to the statue of Amagi.

The reason was simple. She was an existence that even the overwhelmingly powerful Liam could not defy.

Amagi must surely be a being of high standing.

They had prepared a statue of this Amagi and had ceremonial robes made to resemble the clothes she wore.

To Enora and the others, the maid uniform looked like celestial garments.

As a result, it had been adopted as the ceremonial attire for the priests who worshiped Amagi as a god.

Enora was praying fervently.

"We have forged a pact with the beastmen and agreed upon mutual non-interference. This was the right thing to do, wasn't it?"

The reason Amagi had provided supplies to Enora and her people was because of Liam.

Since he had declared the beastmen to be his, he had to provide at least a minimum level of care for them.

If Liam had left without doing anything, they would likely have fought over food, leading to war.

To prevent that, Amagi had followed up.

Even that, from Enora's perspective, was a blessing from the heavens.

"Goddess Amagi, we thank you for saving us."

Men and women, young and old, all dressed in maid uniforms, offered their prayers to the statue of Amagi.

◇

Glass, the chieftain of the Wolf Tribe—now renamed the Dog Tribe—had erected a wooden statue of Liam in the center of the village.

"My daughter married Lord Liam! This means our Dog Tribe is a family of gods!"

He used the fact that Chino had become Liam's pet to announce a policy of increasing their presence among the other beastmen.

A wooden statue that bore no resemblance to Liam had been made and was now on display.

However, the reaction from his other tribesmen was dull.

"No, 'Dog Tribe' is just wrong."
"We're wolves."
"That bastard Glass, does he have no pride?"

From the perspective of the other beastmen, the Dog Tribe had married their daughter off to Liam.

They had become an existence that couldn't be treated poorly, but the reaction from within their own tribe was lukewarm.

Glass spurred on his reluctant tribesmen as if kicking them in the rear.

"You lot, who couldn't defy him back then, have no right to talk back! In the first place, if we don't cast aside our pride, we'll be annihilated. Are you all okay with that?"

It would be one thing if they could die fighting as warriors, but a fight with Liam couldn't even be established.

Liam would just unilaterally trample them.

They couldn't challenge such a being in a warrior-like fashion.

To the Dog Tribe, Liam was now a god of war.

Glass's son raised his hand and spoke.

"Father, more importantly, is Chino coming back?"

"That child has become the foundation of our tribe."

(In the first place, even if they talk about space and all that... well, it's just confusing.)

Glass was saying things that sounded plausible, but in reality, he knew nothing.

Interstellar nation, space, planets—he lacked the basic knowledge to understand these concepts and couldn't even imagine how Chino was being treated.

(I think she's safe. I think so, but... she must be having a hard time. Chino, thanks to you, we survived. We will be sure to pass down your story.)

He didn't regret offering his daughter to the overwhelming Liam.

But as a father, he felt pathetic.

"Let's revere Chino in our village as well. We are who we are today because of her."

A wooden statue of Chino was also prepared in the village, but it looked nothing like her.

◇

The Banfield family mansion.

In front of Serena, the head maid, new maids had been assigned.

"I'm Christiana!"
"I'm Marie!"

The two, wearing maid uniforms and striking cute poses, had awkward smiles on their faces.

They themselves understood that it didn't suit them, but it was Liam who had made them do it.

For the two of them, for whom Liam's orders were absolute, striking a cute pose in a maid uniform was a mission worthy of staking their lives on.

Serena let out a sigh.

"Your smiles are stiff. Do it over."

Tia and Marie snapped at Serena for demanding a do-over.

"I'm fine! The problem is this fossil of a woman!"

"Mincemeat woman! Understand that your ugly pose is the one dragging us down!"

Serena gave a cold look to the two who were trading insults.

"Lord Liam has certainly given this old woman a troublesome job. You two, why don't you try to learn a little from the newcomer over there?"

Serena's tone also became informal as she directed the gazes of the two quarreling women towards another new maid.

Chino, with her triangular dog ears and fluffy tail, was dressed in a maid uniform.

"I am Chino of the proud Wolf Tribe! I was told to be a maid, so I'll do it. Now, who do I have to defeat?!"

She didn't understand what a maid was at all.

Serena felt like clutching her head, but with Chino, this was fine.

Because Liam allowed it.

Tia looked at Chino and snorted.

"Lady Serena, are you telling me to learn from this tiny beastman? I am a first-rate maid, you know. There is nothing for me to learn from this beastman."

Serena presented the triumphant Tia with a fact.

"You were never even in the running from the start, you know."

The one who was happy to hear that was Marie.

She pointed at Tia and laughed.

"Did you hear that, mincemeat woman? She says you're lower than a primitive beastman!"

Serena shot back a sharp retort to the foul-mouthed Marie.

"You should try to hide that foul mouth of yours a little. If you don't at least put on your usual innocent act, you'll be the one who's lower than a primitive."

"Wha-!?"

Marie recoiled, and Tia brought her face close to Chino's.

"I cannot accept that I would lose to this one. Education, etiquette, and strength—I don't feel like I'd lose in any of these."

Under Tia's intimidation, Chino tucked her tail and trembled.

Her dog ears drooped flat.

"I-I'm the daughter of the greatest warrior of the Wolf Tribe!"

As Chino's voice cracked with fear, Marie now brought her face close.

"It's impossible that Lord Liam would dote on a beastman like this."

Intimidated by the two, a teary-eyed Chino was trembling all over.

Seeing this, Serena decided to have an important talk with the two.

"She's far more decent than the two of you."

"In what way? As I've said many times, I am a first-rate knight and Lord Liam's sword. I don't believe I would lose to this beastman."

The reason the two of them kept calling Chino a beastman was because they sensed that Liam was interested in "beast ears and a tail."

In other words, it was jealousy.

The two, who would normally treat everyone without discrimination, would run wild when it came to Liam.

Serena began to tell a hypothetical story.

"Alright then. I have a question for you two. There was a woman who was in love with a man. Their social statuses were mismatched, and the man was far out of her league. Seeking a connection with him, the woman tried to get pregnant with his child without his consent. What do you two think of that?"

It was clearly a story about Tia and Marie, but the two of them were completely put off.

"That's a bit of a scary story. That woman should go to a hospital."

"I agree. A hospital for her head or her mind would be good. To get pregnant with a man's child without his consent... I question her humanity."

Serena thought.

(Can't they even understand it's about them? These two are actually quite competent, but they're a pain because they go berserk when it comes to Lord Liam.)

Serena straightened her posture and presented them with the cruel truth.

"Your reactions just now are how Lord Liam feels about you."

Tia and Marie looked at each other and started laughing.

"Lady Serena, you have a good sense of humor."

"Indeed."

Why did they think they were different?

Serena would soon find out why.

The two, the light gone from their eyes, spread their arms with smiles on their faces.

"Lord Liam cannot be described with a simple phrase like 'out of my league.' To me, he is already a god. To conceive the child of the revered Lord Liam is a sacred rite."

Marie clasped her hands in a prayer-like gesture.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't lump me in with some crazy, stupid woman. Even if it means committing a taboo, if I can conceive Lord Liam's child, I will do anything. That is the very essence of my loyalty."

Serena looked up at the heavens.

"To order me to look after these two... Lord Liam gives such cruel orders."

Chino was completely put off by the two of them.

"I don't really get what you're talking about, but I think mutual understanding is important."

To Chino, who had offered a perfectly reasonable opinion, Serena muttered, "This one is still more worth educating."

Just then, Liam arrived.

"Chino! You've never had pancakes before, have you? I had the pastry chef make some, so let's eat together."

As a cheerful Liam approached, Chino wagged her tail furiously.

"Pancakes, what a delicious-sounding wor—I mean! D-don't think you can win this Chino over with something like that-nyo!"

She fumbled her words at the end, but she looked like she wanted to eat.

Liam was about to take Chino with him.

"Serena, I'm borrowing Chino."

"I don't mind, but what about those two?"

When Serena looked over, she saw Tia and Marie giving Chino cold stares.

It was to the point where one could almost see the flames of jealousy behind them.

Chino got scared and hid behind Liam.

"Eek!"

At that, Liam looked at Tia and Marie with a disgusted expression.

"If you do anything to my Chino, I'll cut you down. You two, hurry up and get educated by Serena and learn some ladylike manners. Now, let's go, Chino."

"Y-yes! I shall accompany you."

As Liam left, Chino followed him to escape from the other two.

Frightened by Tia and Marie, she was holding Liam's hand.

Seeing that, Tia and Marie collapsed to their knees.

"Lord Liiiaaam!"
"Why that little giiirl!"

Seeing the two break down in tears, Serena's head began to ache.

"This is the first time I've been entrusted with such problem children. You two, from today on, I'm going to train you strictly, so be prepared."

(They're tougher than your average knight anyway, so it should be fine to be a little harsh.)

And so, Tia and Marie were to be strictly educated under Serena.

◇

A room where Rosetta, Eulisia, and Ciel were gathered.

There, they were discussing Rosetta's personal guard.

Eulisia was a little surprised after hearing Rosetta's policy.

But she quickly nodded.

"You're going to help those in need? It's certainly not a bad idea, but... it will require extra expense and time."

"I don't mind. I remembered what it was that I wanted."

Rosetta, who had been told by Liam to decide for herself, recalled her past.

"I lived a difficult life as part of a ducal house in name only. Even so, I was saved when I met Darling. But that was just me and the people around me. With my power now, I think I can help many more."

To gather members for her personal guard, she had proposed to specifically hire people in trouble.

She would gather those suffering for various reasons, such as poverty or debt.

Eulisia offered a realistic opinion.

"Debt and poverty are often the person's own responsibility. Do you intend to save everyone?"

Rosetta shook her head.

"I don't think Darling would approve of that. I intend to choose people who are in situations beyond their control, because of their parents, ancestors, or other circumstances."

"Well, if that's the case, I don't mind, but it will cost more than planned. If we're to make them an elite force, it will take time and money, and we'll have to scale down to about three hundred ships."

"I don't mind. They don't have to be the most elite; even average skill will do. I want to give them a chance. And I will help people in need."

Eulisia did some calculations to form a fleet that would meet Rosetta's request.

"In that case, how about around three thousand ships?"

"Please do."

Ciel, who had been listening, knew this was different from the original plan, but... she had given up.

(Lady Rosetta is so kind, as I thought. But I'm sure that a personal guard established by the kind Lady Rosetta will turn into a wonderful fleet.)

Ciel believed that this would surely become a force to stop Liam someday.

Rosetta was showing her motivation.

"Once it's decided, we'll act immediately! We probably can't gather enough people from within our territory, so let's scout from the Empire's directly controlled territories and other domains."

Eulisia made a slightly displeased face, as her troublesome work had just increased.

However, she also seemed happy to have the work.

"I'll do it, of course. But this is going to be quite a difficult job."

And so, they began to move towards the establishment of Rosetta's personal guard.

◇

"Is everyone an idiot!?"

Gritting my teeth in frustration, I was looking at a monitor with Amagi.

Amagi was looking at the results of a public opinion poll.

"Many of the citizens are in favor of the tax increase. After all, if the taxes go towards social welfare, they will also receive benefits."

"Those damn officials tried too hard."

Since ancient times, if you give officials a free hand, they'll just do unnecessary things.

Officials are the type to become useless if left alone.

That's why I thought they'd do bad things even if I didn't interfere, and they should have been.

I would!

However, while it was fine to raise taxes under the banner of enhancing social welfare, it seems the policy—the evil deed—was so cleverly done that it actually looked to the populace like social welfare was being improved.

Because of that, they weren't really feeling the pain.

"To think my perfect plan would go awry!"

"Has Master ever had a perfect plan before?"

"Amagi, connect me to the officials immediately!"

"Displaying on the monitor."

The image of a sweating official appeared on the monitor that had been showing the news until now.

"Lord Liam, what is the matter?"

"It's about the social welfare, obviously! Couldn't you have made it simpler!?"

If we don't make it more obvious that we're squeezing the populace dry, they won't understand what's happening.

I don't want to see the stupid populace having their taxes squeezed without knowing it; I want to see them suffer.

This is my revenge for the baby-making demonstration!

"Simpler, you say? No, but, any more than this would be—"

"You guys can do it!"

Officials have always found loopholes to do various things.

There's no way they can't.

"W-we'll begin a review immediately!"

"That's good. Do it properly—I'm counting on you, you know?"

I even applied some pressure at the end.

Just imagine being told "I'm counting on you, you know?" by your boss.

It's just pressure.

With this, the officials should get fired up and turn social welfare into a useless policy, which should anger the populace.

"I'll make them regret angering me."

Amagi gave me an exasperated look, seeing that I was still hung up on the baby-making demonstration.

"You still haven't given up on that?"

"Of course not. I'm going to make those sinful citizens who angered me suffer."

The day of my return to the capital planet is near.

I wanted to see the suffering faces of my people soon.

◇

Several months later.

Following an announcement from the government office, the social welfare policy was reviewed.

The populace was buzzing about this news.

"It's easier to understand than before."
"I heard Lord Liam directly ordered them to make it easier to understand."
"I heard the officials got motivated after being told he was counting on them."

It had been a welcome policy before, but now that it was simpler, it was even easier to use.

The populace welcomed it with open arms.

"Still, it was fine as it was before, but Lord Liam doesn't cut corners."
"That man is truly admirable."
"He's on his way to the capital planet now, right?"
"I hear his training as a nobleman is almost over, so he should be back in a few years."
"I hope he comes back soon."
"I wonder if he'll settle down even after his training is over?"

Things progressed in a direction different from Liam's expectations, and the populace became even more grateful.

◇

The top floor of a luxury hotel rented on the capital planet.

I collapsed to my knees after hearing the report.

Apparently, my reputation within the territory had improved because I had ordered a review of the policy.

Amagi, though expressionless, reported this to me looking slightly pleased.

"Thanks to you, Lord Liam, it's been well-received for being easier to understand. We've received voices of gratitude from the populace."

"I'm doing this to make you all suffeeeer!"

When they're this stupid, it starts to get scary.

I slowly stood up and gave an order to Amagi, who was beside me.

"Amagi—we're overhauling the education in the territory. The level is too low as it is; it's no good."

"Education? I believe the current level is sufficient, though?"

"They don't even realize they're being made to suffer! Why are they thanking me!? It should be the opposite, shouldn't it!?"

If this were my previous life, the ruling party's reputation would have plummeted.

Why are they thanking me!?

My people are all idiots.

That started to scare me.

I'm starting to worry that the education level in my territory is actually too low.

"Currently, compulsory education is nine years."

"Extend it to twelve years and review the curriculum. Provide a slightly better education."

To not even realize they're being made to suffer is, conversely, terrifying.

It would have been fine if this was something done sneakily behind the scenes, but this time, I wanted the populace to suffer.

—Being an evil lord is hard.

Brian (*´ω｀) "This Brian has finally been illustrated... I am so happy."

Brian (｀・ω・´)ノシ "Well then everyone, we must part for a short while again."

This concludes Chapter Seven.

If you scroll down, there are sections to enter points and write your thoughts.

Points and comments are a great encouragement to the author, so I would appreciate it if you would feel free to use them.

*However, please abide by the terms of service of Shousetsuka ni Narou.

The start date for Chapter Eight's posts is currently undecided, but since two books are being released in July, I might post for promotional purposes.

I plan to use my activity report for more details, so I would be happy if you could check it out.