It seems I had a misunderstanding about what a "galactic nation" is.

However, I don't have time to correct it, so I'll update it as is!

-- I'm really busy right now.

A man with a certain aura arrived.

In the garden of a bizarre mansion, the old man—Master Anshi—is kneeling before me.

He has stubble and wears a tattered kimono.

He looks like a ronin, but there's something different about his presence.

This must be a man who has mastered true martial arts.

"--Liam-dono."

Slowly and quietly, Master called my name.

"Y-yes!"

As I flinched, Master smiled at me.

"There's no need to be nervous. First, I would like to explain my school of martial arts."

Master shows me his sword.

Swords exist in this world too, and I chose this path because I wanted to learn it.

It wasn't for any deep reason, but judging by Master's presence, I believe he's a master. I'm glad I chose him if I can be taught by someone like this.

"Liam-dono, the ultimate secret technique of my school is the killing blow. You must not reveal it carelessly. However, you must want to see my skills. Therefore, I will specially show you the ultimate technique. However, I would prefer that no one else see it. Liam-dono, you will be the only one watching."

I was delighted to hear that.

I didn't expect to be taught the ultimate technique right away.

Amagi, who was behind me, was looking at Master with a suspicious gaze.

"For safety reasons, that cannot be permitted."

Master did not break his expression.

"In that case, I cannot accept this commission."

I immediately gave Amagi an order.

"Amagi, I permit it."

After a slight hesitation, Amagi said--.

"--If anything happens, please call for help immediately."

Saying that, Amagi moved away.

When it was just the two of us, Master prepared some logs.

He told me to touch them.

"Are you going to cut these?"

"Yes, that's right. Now, Liam-dono, please arrange them as you like. Around me—and in places the sword cannot reach, okay?"

As instructed, I indicated where to place the logs, and Master stuck them into the ground.

Thus, Master stood in a range that his sword could not reach.

The sword was still in its sheath.

"Liam-dono, the ultimate technique of Issenshoryu is the pinnacle of martial arts, and it also uses magic. This one technique is sufficient. For anything else, we focus only on the basics."

I was breathless at Master's presence.

"The ultimate technique should not be shown carelessly. However—if you master it, it doesn't matter if it's seen. This is the secret—the ultimate technique, Issen."

Saying that, Master pushed the sword's guard once with his left thumb, then pulled it back, making a satisfying click.

His right hand hadn't moved.

With just that movement, performed naturally--.

"No way."

--All the logs were cut and fell to the ground.

The cuts were clean, and each log was cut with a different sword stroke.

It wasn't within the sword's reach, so perhaps it was an iaijutsu technique?

As I was confused, not knowing what it was, Master took a deep breath.

"This is the ultimate technique of Issenshoryu."

"When did you cut them?"

To my surprise, Master made the clicking sound with his sword once more.

Another log was cut, but this log was directly behind Master.

"You will understand that as you learn Issenshoryu. Searching for the answer yourself is also a form of training. Now, let me ask you. Will you learn Issenshoryu?"

I nodded vigorously.

"Yes!"

Amazing, a fantasy world! I never imagined there were such incredible techniques!

◇

Several years have passed since that day.

Liam is now ten years old.

Every day, he repeated the basics taught by Anshi.

Anshi watched him from a distance.

"Children are so quick to learn, it's enviable. Now, what should I teach him next?"

The basics weren't just swordsmanship; he taught spear, unarmed combat, daggers, and various other things.

In the first place, there wasn't much that Anshi could teach.

While teaching Liam, he sometimes taught him martial arts basics he'd seen in videos, making them seem authentic.

Anshi, resting in the shade of a tree, looked at the new mansion.

The previous bizarre mansion had been dismantled, and in its place was a rather... simple mansion.

"The Banfield family has many bad rumors, yet that kid lives such a simple life."

Anshi's treatment wasn't particularly bad.

However, compared to the nobles he had seen so far, Liam was extremely frugal.

Today too, he was desperately repeating the basics.

In just three years, Anshi was running out of things to teach.

Therefore, he was now just watching.

"It's easy just watching, but that doll sometimes monitors him. Or rather, why does he keep such a doll by his side?"

Nobles generally don't like to keep dolls by their side.

For that reason, Liam seemed eccentric to Anshi.

"--To give a child who knows nothing a title and territory, nobles are truly incorrigible."

A lifeless territory.

However, it had become slightly better than a few years ago.

Former soldiers and residents who had received vocational training were carrying out infrastructure development.

The stalled territory development had begun, and with taxes being used more within the territory than before, it was becoming more vibrant.

However, Anshi also knew the Banfield family's circumstances.

Even with a slight improvement, the enormous debt wouldn't disappear.

Even if it developed, they would simply be exploited accordingly.

"Thinking about it, that kid might be pitiful too."

Anshi felt a little sympathy for Liam.

But that was all.

He had no intention of telling him he was being deceived, and he intended to continue enjoying the benefits.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

"But that kid—he hates corruption, so if it's discovered, will I be eliminated too?"

◇

It was some time after I started learning martial arts.

The new mansion was completed--.

"Isn't this good enough?"

My impression was that even a temporary mansion was sufficient.

Frankly, it was spacious.

The ceiling was high, and it had the appearance of a mansion!

It was a safe mansion, neither bizarre nor original, and it was not inconvenient for living.

While signing documents in the study, Amagi spoke to me.

"Master, when should we schedule your next entry into the capsule?"

"Is it already that time?"

There was a timing for entering the education capsule.

It wasn't a matter of timing, but rather that I couldn't finish the education all at once by staying in for years.

Therefore, I needed to enter it several times before reaching adulthood.

"When is good?"

"Anytime is fine. We are planning for six months this time."

"Then, I'll go in soon."

Basically, managing an entire planet is beyond human capability.

After all, problems are always occurring.

There's no way I can handle it all by myself.

I'm barely managing to gather officials from the populace and entrust them with management.

Amagi stopped at one document.

"What is it?"

"--Please look at this document."

It was a suspicious document, cleverly hidden.

Upon investigation, it seemed that an official was doing various things to gain profit.

"Summon the person who submitted this document."

"Understood."

When Amagi made the contact, a man in a high position among the officials arrived at the mansion a few hours later.

◇

The man with a large belly was dressed in an expensive suit.

He spoke to me with a smile.

"My Lord, I know you may not understand, but this is necessary expenditure for doing business. Nothing can be done with just the numbers on paper."

What he was saying had some truth to it.

However, I listened to Amagi's report.

In times like these, I realized how amazing artificial intelligence is.

"We have confirmed embezzlement of funds. We are also confirming other offenses."

I received the electronic document and checked it.

To think he could do all this and still smile at me.

From simple embezzlement to interfering with personnel matters and bribery—a model corrupt official.

However, one item caught my eye.

It stated that he had run over a man with his car. However, it was deemed the other party's fault, and he faced no charges.

He even made the protesting family disappear.

And the man's wife—he played with her and then discarded her.

The official was making excuses in front of me.

"My Lord, you must not believe what the dolls say. They are the ones who destroyed the previous civilization and are enemies of humanity. My Lord is being deceived. It's true, I may have committed some minor offenses. However, everyone does this much. This is also necessary lubricant for doing business."

Facing an official who was starting to lecture me, I picked up a nearby sword.

Amagi tried to stop me.

"Master, you mustn't!"

As I drew the sword, the official started to panic in front of me.

"You brat! Who do you think you are to be alive like this! You're alive because we support you--."

I drew my sword and cut the official in half vertically.

Blood spurted out, staining the reception room.

"--Shut your mouth."

Amagi sprayed me with a spray.

The foam washed away the bloodstains.

"Master, he's already dead."

Looking down at the official, I saw him as a reflection of the man who had wronged me in my past life.

That man who used his power to frame me.

A lawyer came, and they attacked me one-sidedly, declaring me entirely at fault.

I was also ostracized by those around me, and I was fired from the company, leading to a terrible life afterward.

"Only I can use my power. Trash like you should die! I'm irritated. Amagi, investigate thoroughly. All corrupt officials will be executed!"

I don't mind my subordinates who obey me, but I dislike subordinates who try to make me a puppet.

My territory and my people can only be oppressed by me.

"Master, please let go of your hand."

Then, Amagi gently clasped my hands, which were gripping the sword.

I tried to let go, but my fingers wouldn't move.

"Wh-what?"

"I will assist you."

Carefully, one by one, Amagi released my unmoving fingers from the sword's hilt.

When I let go, I was sweating profusely.

--Do I feel guilty about killing someone for the first time? It's pathetic for someone trying to become a corrupt lord.

Amagi took my sword, cleaned off the blood, and sheathed it.

"Regarding the matter just now, I cannot manage it alone. While I won't demand the same level, we will need to prepare a suitable doll or a management-specific artificial intelligence."

Looking down at the official, I thought--.

Artificial intelligence is more useful than these guys.

However, there's also public perception.

As Brian mentioned, using artificial intelligence extensively seems to be frowned upon by the empire. But that's none of my concern.

I don't care.

"How many units do you need?"

Amagi replied immediately.

"We also need to manage the mansion. Given the financial situation—twelve maid robots like myself. Also, if you could prepare specialized units for governing the territory and their sub-units, there will be no problem."

"Do as you please."

"I will arrange them immediately."

Looking down at the official, I clicked my tongue.

"--Amagi and the others are better."

◇

Brian was educating new servants in the new mansion.

The servants had fearful expressions.

Just a short while ago, Liam had rounded up corrupt officials.

And a mass purge had just occurred.

Rumors were flying throughout the territory about the young Liam.

One of them was that he would get angry easily and cut down servants.

Facing them, Brian explained patiently.

"You may be worried about Liam-sama, but he is lenient towards his subordinates who do their work. There is no need to be excessively afraid."

A maid nervously raised her hand slightly.

"Yes?"

"Ah, um, well—when Liam-sama orders companionship, then--."

The master of the mansion laying hands on his servants.

That was a common occurrence in this world.

Some women even offered themselves.

However, perhaps due to hearing about Liam, the women looked frightened.

"Liam-sama is still young, and only Amagi is by his side. There is no need for such worries."

Someone said.

"--To keep a doll by his side."

At those words, Brian's gaze sharpened.

"I will pretend I didn't hear that, but there won't be a second time."

For Brian, Amagi also presented many problems.

However, over the years, he had realized something.

Liam trusted Amagi more than necessary.

It looked much like a child doting on their mother.

Although young, he was fierce and decisive, but he was still seeking a mother, Brian thought.

(Liam-sama is a wise person. He must understand that he was abandoned. Cliff-sama, why didn't you raise him more carefully?)

"Amagi is a special existence to Liam-sama. Please never treat her with contempt. If Liam-sama finds out, I won't be able to protect you."

Despite his young age, Liam was greatly feared within the territory.

(However, the territory is definitely improving. With Liam-sama, the Banfield family can regain its former glory.)

However, at the same time—by purging the corrupt officials, he was also popular with the populace.

Brian believed in Liam and renewed his loyalty in his heart.