(I'm so incredibly nervoussss!!)

Huddled on the sofa was 【Emma Rodman】.

The location was a lounge in the Banfield family's mansion.

However, only a select few who had been given a number by Liam were permitted to enter.

Besides them, the only others with the authority to enter were Liam himself, Amagi, Brian—and the maid-bots who performed daily cleaning.

If there were any exceptions, it would only be those who had been given temporary permission by Liam.

This time, two such exceptions had been invited.

Christiana Sera Roseblaia.

Marie Sera Marian.

They were seated on the opposite side from Emma—though more than ten meters away.

The sofas were arranged in a circle, so they were sitting facing each other.

Next to the stiffly nervous Emma sat a red-haired female knight.

This female knight, who wielded a weapon called a katana, had been given the number "3".

She sat about a meter away from Emma, an awkward distance for starting a conversation.

The woman herself sat with her legs crossed, fiddling with her hair with a look of disinterest.

Glancing towards the wall, she saw a large man in a black cloak and a mask standing there.

It was Kukuri, the one who managed the Banfield family's dark side.

To be honest, Emma was surprised to see such an eerie figure showing himself.

There were rumors that he killed anyone who saw him, so her heart was anything but calm.

As she waited, breaking out in a cold sweat, the lounge doors slid open to either side.

The ones who entered were Liam, holding a child in one arm—and both Amagi and Brian.

When Brian saw Emma, he smiled for a brief moment.

That smile caused Emma's tension to ease slightly.

(—Grandpa.)

He wasn't Emma's actual grandfather.

But they had known each other for a while.

Behind him was Klaus Sera Mont, the head of the Numbers.

He glanced at the nervous Emma and gave her a slight smile.

She felt a sense of relief at the appearance of her former superior.

(Captain Klaus—no, that's not right. The Commander-in-Chief is here.)

She knew Christiana and Marie, but having been chosen for the Numbers over them, Emma was on edge.

At Liam's arrival, everyone stood up and knelt.

As Liam sat down on the sofa, he began to speak to the Numbers about the child he was holding.

"At ease. —Now then, Marie already knows, but this is my son."

Faced with the rumored Edward, Emma broke out in a cold sweat.

After all, being Liam's son, he was currently an only child.

Edward, the future Duke, was like a crown prince within the Banfield household.

Only a very select few were allowed near him.

The reason Emma was so flustered was that she had been accepted into that select group.

(I've come so far...)

As she was wondering why she was here, Liam began to explain the reason he had gathered the Numbers.

"This lounge is for your exclusive use. Use it as you please."

The one who responded was Klaus, the head of the Numbers.

"If you favor us too much, it will cause discontent among the other knights."

"What's wrong with favoritism? I have high expectations for you all. And while I'm at it, I decided to show off my son."

Images of Edward had circulated, but seeing him in person was a different matter entirely.

It was a sign of how much they were trusted, but—Emma was troubled.

(What should I do? Lord Edward is... Lord Liam's cheek...)

Edward was laughing as he slapped Liam's cheek.

Pat, pat. Over and over.

Liam, acting as arrogant as ever, ignored Edward and continued speaking.

It was so strangely amusing that she had to suppress the urge to laugh when—

"Master, may I ask something?"

Number 3, 【Ellen Sera Tyler】, stood up.

She was the successor to the One-Flash style and Liam's direct disciple.

Despite having no achievements within the Banfield family, she had been permitted to join the Numbers this time.

Liam, his clothes stained with Edward's drool, wore a fearless smile.

"Speak."

"Yes. Then, one thing. I would like an opportunity to silence those around us."

"Huh?"

Liam, the absolute ruler, raised an eyebrow, perhaps displeased.

"I was the one who acknowledged you. Is there someone who dares to complain about that?"

Ellen continued to speak without fear.

"They may not say it, but they are not convinced."

"—You've gotten bold."

For a brief moment, Liam glared at Ellen before breaking into a grin.

Edward, finding something amusing, repeatedly headbutted Liam.

(Ah, he's wiping his snot on Lord Liam's clothes.)

While Emma was preoccupied with such things, Liam made a proposal.

"In that case, this is perfect. How about you go on a pirate hunt with Emma Rodman?"

As Liam said this, a holographic image appeared in the center of the circular sofa arrangement.

"The home base of the fools who betrayed me is aiming for independence. As for their military strength, their training is one thing, but their equipment is on par with the regular army. Leaving them be is a hassle. You two will crush them."

A fleet had betrayed him during the war with the Hegemony.

On the home planet of that fleet, they must have thought they had incurred Liam's displeasure.

They were making moves toward independence.

Since the Banfield family's relationship with the Empire was deteriorating, they thought now was their chance to declare independence and defect to the Empire's side.

They had a home base and equipment on par with the regular army.

Liam described them as pirates.

"—You can do it, can't you?"

Ellen, having been asked, nodded silently.

"Of course."

With that, she turned her gaze to Emma.

Emma stood up, straightened her back, and replied in a high-pitched voice.

"Y-Yes! I-I'll do my best!"

Liam scowled at her response.

"There's no need to 'do your best.' You just need to produce results. If you can satisfy me by slacking off, then I don't mind that either."

Effort was not worthy of evaluation.

Emma was bewildered by Liam's words.

"U-Um..."

Emma showed a timid attitude, but she was skilled enough to have made it into the Numbers.

But why was she so flustered?

(I-I'm... I'm talking to Lord Liam right nowwww!!)

—Emma was a fan of Liam.