The fleet of seventy thousand ships faces the Barkley family's fleet, which is more than four times its size.

The aircraft carrier, known as a fortress-class ship, is very large and serves as the flagship of the Banfield family.

It is normally used as a space base for an outpost planet, but it was mobilized for this crisis.

The generals are gathered and arguing about how to deal with the Barkley family's fleet.

"Why aren't we charging?"
"Commander, there's no other way but to charge!"
"With this much of a difference in numbers, we have no chance if we clash head-on!"

The generals urge a charge, but the commander remains facing them, not taking action even after a week has passed.

It is eerily quiet before a large-scale fleet engagement.

Both sides can discern each other's formations, and they adjust their formations to close or open the distance in response.

It can take over a month to actually commence attacks.

However, the Banfield family's fleet, accustomed to crushing opponents with charges, was growing impatient with this waiting period.

"It's Liam-sama's order."

When the commander says this, the generals exchange glances.

"Liam-sama?"
"He should be commissioned in the Imperial Army now."
"Have you been in contact?"

The commander explains Liam's current situation.

"He's heading here with the fleet he's been assigned to. Until then, the order is to maintain a standoff."

The fleet, which had been charging for decades, had developed a strong inclination towards charging.

"Commander, but the situation won't change if we just wait for reinforcements like this."

Liam's assigned fleet is at most thirty thousand ships.

Even with that many added, the difference in combat power wouldn't change that much.

The Barkley family still held the advantage.

"I understand. But this is an order."

They have no choice but to obey Liam's command.

The generals fall silent.

◇

The Barkley family's flagship.

In the bridge of a battleship luxuriously made with rare metals, the eldest son of Dolph and Kashimiro was pressing him.

"Hey, they aren't moving!"

But Dolph remained unfazed.

"There's no need to worry. They are likely just having trouble making a decision without Liam."

"But this isn't going according to plan."

"I never expected things to go according to plan from the start. However, overcoming this difference in strength is nearly impossible."

We've prepared the latest warships and mobile knights from the weapons factories.

Crew education and training are also being conducted.

It's a massive fleet prepared with an enormous budget.

However, behind that, there were planets that were destroyed to secure Elixir, and Barkley family citizens suffering from heavy taxes.

Of course, neither Dolph nor his eldest son cared about such things.

"--There are rumors that Liam has formed his own fleet in the military."

"It seems he prepared thirty thousand ships, but even with that fleet joining, our advantage won't be broken. Even if we're pincer-attacked, we can divide our fleet into two to deal with it. And what remains to overturn this situation is --"

"The Banfield family's specialty, the charge?"

"Yes. More importantly, it doesn't matter if they don't charge. We've already won."

We've made every possible preparation, wary of Liam.

Dolph is like Liam's natural enemy right now.

(Liam -- I'll get back at you for what happened at the officer academy. I'll defeat you in the practical combat you love so much!)

The eldest son seemed a little relieved by Dolph's confident demeanor.

"I-I see. Then, I can rest easy."

The Barkley family's fleet consists of trained soldiers, unlike the pirates of the past.

Dolph's subordinates follow his orders precisely and face the Banfield family's fleet.

Dolph was confident of victory, having gained allies who moved like his own limbs.

However, he showed no signs of letting his guard down.

This is because he grew from his defeat by Liam at the officer academy.

(That defeat back then was for this very moment. I can accept losing in the simulator. But I will be the one to win in the end!)

◇

In space, there was a guide standing on a travel suitcase.

He gazed at the opposing fleets, holding a cup and drinking tea.

Whether this was space or not, it didn't matter to the guide.

"--No movement. But the outcome is all but decided. Now, I'm just curious to see in what form Liam will despair."

Even with Liam's reinforcements, it would be a hundred thousand.

The Barkley family's strength is over three hundred thousand.

Both sides have no significant difference in equipment or training.

The Banfield family is superior overall, but it's not a difference that can be overcome by that.

"If the skill levels are roughly the same, the side with more numbers will win. It's only natural."

There's no movement yet, but once it starts, it will continue until it's over.

The guide enjoyed this quiet time.

"My relationship with Liam, who has caused me so much trouble, will end like this, huh?"

It's profound.

Liam is the first person to have troubled him this much.

"--I'll prepare a special hell for you."

Imagining Liam crying and begging for forgiveness, the guide waited for the moment to come.

Then, an unpleasant sensation, like his skin was burning, intensified.

Just from that, the guide knew Liam was nearby.

"He's here, Liam!"

A warp hole appeared, and ships began to emerge from it one after another.

"Fuhahaha! I've been waiting for you, Liammm--?"

The guide, delighted, threw his cup away and spread his arms, but the number of ships emerging from the warp hole was... a lot.

Moreover, they were still continuously appearing.

"Hey, wait a minute! What in the world is going on?! How can you prepare so many ships!"

There's no doubt Liam is nearby.

But something was terribly wrong.

The large fleet Liam was leading undoubtedly numbered over a hundred thousand.

The guide clutched his head.

Liam's strong sense of gratitude was burning the guide's skin.

"Why? Whyyyy!"

◇

"Hm?"

When I looked up, Marie, who had brought me tea, asked me.

"What's wrong, Liam-sama?"

"No, I thought I heard a familiar voice."

I thought I heard the familiar voice of the guide.

That's right-- he's watching over me.

Then, this result is only natural.

As I drank my tea, the operators began reporting one after another.

"The 24th Fleet has safely exited the warp."
"The 36th Fleet is requesting instructions."
"Enemy fleet confirmed! They haven't engaged yet!"

When I heard that there was a fool attacking my territory and decided to return, many regular fleet commanders said, "Ah, I'll lend a hand."

Since we also need fleets to guard the borders, the ones brought here number one hundred and twenty thousand.

As expected, the bribes were incredibly effective!

Also, merchants are sending supplies one after another, so I can move the large fleet without any hesitation.

It was a good decision to increase the number of preferred merchants.

Tia made a suggestion to me.

"Liam-sama, with this situation, we can pincer the enemy. Although our numbers are fewer, if we charge with the Banfield family's fleet, we can inflict heavy damage."

"Is that so?"

As I was about to go with that, the commander rushed to stop me.

He usually doesn't say anything, but did something happen?

"Wait!"

"--Commander, is there a problem?"

Tia glared at the commander, and Marie was about to reach for her weapon when I stood up from my seat and stopped them.

"Wait. --Commander, do you have another proposal?"

Then, the commander cleared his throat and explained to me.

"While that is a valid tactic, the casualties would be too great. For a battle of this scale, I believe there is a more appropriate method."

Elysia directed a suspicious gaze at the commander.

"What is this 'appropriate method'?"

"--It would be best to maintain distance and exchange fire first."

Marie crossed her arms and complained about the commander's timid fighting style.

"It's too passive. This isn't a suitable fight for Liam-sama."

--Huh? Is that so?

What would be a suitable fighting style for me?

However, the commander had a more serious expression than usual.

"Count -- Kings have their own way of fighting. It's true that you've achieved military exploits against pirates so far, but that won't do for someone leading this many."

Tia drew her weapon, preparing to face the commander.

"How rude. Are you trying to lecture Liam-sama on royal combat? Liam-sama already possesses the bearing of a king!"

These guys really don't understand me.

I'm sure in their minds, I appear as a truly wonderful person.

That's all an illusion.

"I said stop it."

"Liam-sama?"

Pushing Tia aside, I looked at the commander.

In his earnest eyes, I, as a gambler, trusted the instincts of a great commander.

"--Very well. Announce to the entire army. We will maintain distance and begin attacking. Inform them to keep a constant distance from the enemy."

It's a cowardly way to fight, but a corrupt lord is a coward in the first place.

As long as we win, that's all that matters.

The way of fighting is irrelevant.

Marie looked surprised.

"Liam-sama!? A-are you really alright with this?"

"Enough. Obey my orders."

◇

The commander was relieved.

(Are you kidding me! Charging at such a massive fleet? Are they an idiot? It's safer to chip away at each other and have them retreat out of exhaustion.)

The commander, having managed to avoid the charge, vowed in his heart not to get involved with Liam and his group again.

(If we fight while maintaining distance, this battleship won't sink, right?)

The battleship Liam is on is custom-made.

Therefore, it's designed not to sink easily.

However--.

"Alright, I want to fire the main guns too, so have the flagship move forward!"

Liam, in high spirits, ordered the flagship to advance.

(--What?)

Elysia looked surprised.

"Vice Admiral, aren't we supposed to maintain distance?"

"If we maintain distance, it's safe, right? Then, I'll be at the very front and shoot down the enemy. Hey, hand over the main gun trigger to me."

(No way!? What is this guy talking about!?)

◇

The Barkley family's fleet, caught in a pincer attack, was in utter chaos.

Liam and his forces attacked while maintaining distance.

We could fire back, but-- the problem is that many of our ships are strong in close combat.

Under long-range attacks, they had no choice but to endure.

Ships loaded with a large number of missiles detonated near the flagship.

"Damn it!"

Dolph slammed his fist onto the control panel.

It seems the enemy is targeting ships with weak defenses.

The eldest son grabbed Dolph by the collar.

"Hey, this isn't what we agreed on! Weren't they supposed to charge!?"

"Please calm down. In this situation, our only option is to find the enemy flagship and target it. We need to strike the head and confuse the enemy."

"It wouldn't be this difficult if we knew where the enemy commander was!"

The Barkley family's fleet was also searching for the ship that likely carried the enemy commander.

However, the Banfield family's fleet had a fortress-class ship that seemed difficult to destroy.

Meanwhile, the reinforcement fleet-- it was impossible to determine where the commander was.

An attack hit the ship Dolph was on, causing it to shake violently, and the eldest son fell.

"I-I can't stay here! I'm the heir of the Barkley family! I can't die here!"

Seeing the eldest son flee, Dolph muttered.

"Hmph, I wasn't counting on you. But this situation is bad."

Although our numbers are greater, if we are kept at a distance and attacked, we will eventually be reversed.

A voice reached Dolph, who was worried.

"--Dolph, I will lend you my strength."

"Who's there!?"

Dolph turned around, but no one was there.

Thinking he might have heard an auditory hallucination, an operator shouted.

"We've found the enemy flagship!"

"What!?"

They managed to identify the ship carrying Liam from the over one hundred thousand enemy ships.

That was incredibly lucky.

"In that case, even though the plan has changed, we will charge and strike Liam!"

The Barkley family's fleet began to charge towards Liam's battleship.

Afterword:

Young Ki-chan, who became a good child: "The first volume of the 'Mobuseka' manga is now on sale! Be sure to check out the bonus content too!"

Brian: "--My afterword has been hijacked, and it's painful."