After being escorted to the capital planet by the Banfield family's fleet, Serina immediately went to visit the Prime Minister, who was working in the palace.

She first had his subordinates leave, and now the two of them were alone in the office.

"—He was aware of you?"

"Yes. The Banfield family's black ops are excellent. It seems they have inherited the techniques of the black ops who once operated in the shadows of the capital planet."

Could the black ops, Kukri and his team, be descendants of the black ops who once operated covertly in the palace?

The Prime Minister found Serina's hypothesis convincing.

"They did manage to defeat Prince Linus and Prince Calvin, so that's within the realm of imagination. Was your safe delivery before me an act of mercy from Duke Banfield?"

Serina shook her head in response to the Prime Minister's question.

"It was a severance of ties. The Duke continues to build up his military strength. He suffered heavy losses in the war with the Hegemonic Kingdom a few years ago, but he has already filled those gaps."

Serina projected the information she had obtained in front of the Prime Minister.

As several pieces of data appeared in the air, the Prime Minister narrowed his eyes.

"—It's not just that he acquired a few rare metal resource satellites. Just like the Berkley family he once destroyed, it seems he has something up his sleeve."

Faced with numbers that defied common sense, the Prime Minister also concluded that Liam possessed something special.

However, he showed no signs of panic.

Serina continued.

"We have no choice but to judge this as an intention to rebel. If we stand by idly, the Banfield family will acquire an even more formidable army and bare its fangs at the Empire."

After the war with the Hegemonic Kingdom, the Banfield family's army had gained the experience of surviving a major war.

Knowing how terrifying that was, Serina's vigilance intensified.

In contrast, he initially showed a grim expression.

"I think so too, and I have already advised His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince of this. I told them that any further deterioration of our relationship could result in tremendous damage to both sides."

"Does that mean relations are improving?"

Thinking that the Empire had recognized the Banfield family's efforts and switched to a policy of appeasement, Serina's expression relaxed slightly.

Having been in their care for nearly a hundred years, she had likely grown attached.

However, the Prime Minister immediately denied it.

"If only that were the case, how wonderful it would be. —The Empire intends to crush the Banfield family. I was told they wouldn't mind if the entire territory was reduced to ashes."

"Impossible!?"

As Serina reeled in shock that they would go that far, the Prime Minister asked about Liam's condition.

"It's true. Also, they were concerned about the Duke's state. I hear he was quite exhausted by the battle with the Hegemonic Kingdom?"

What was the real story? To that question, Serina answered honestly.

As the Prime Minister's spy, she had no choice but to answer.

"—It seems to have been a very fierce battle, and he suffered a deep wound to his spirit. I believe he is receiving treatment, but it appears to be having little effect."

Given Liam's position, it was natural that he would be receiving treatment—the Prime Minister nodded, imagining just how severe the battle with the Hegemonic Kingdom must have been.

"They were an enemy that has plagued the Empire for many years. The Duke, who invaded as far as the Hegemonic Kingdom's capital planet, is undoubtedly a hero, but it seems the price was also great."

Even a hero like Liam had worn down his spirit in the fight against the Hegemonic Kingdom, barely scraping out a victory.

◇

Why am I here?

Though I've only been here once, the place I remember so vividly is the throne room of the Hegemonic Kingdom.

In a place reminiscent of the Parthenon from ancient Greece, a towering, muscular man stood before me.

That man was the king of the Hegemonic Kingdom, a rugged man known as the Hegemonic King.

And that Hegemonic King was blushing.

The sight of him squirming shyly like a maiden was strangely terrifying.

But the real terror was yet to come.

"I want to bear your child."

—I never thought I'd hear such a line from the Hegemonic King, the manliest of men!

Who would have ever thought he'd confess to me in the first place?

A cold sweat broke out as I screamed.

"Noooooo!!"

I let out a pathetic scream that echoed through the throne room.

◇

"Noooooo!!"

I shot up in bed, sitting upright and looking around the room.

A familiar room, familiar furniture.

My heart was pounding, thumping loudly in my chest.

I was drenched in a disgusting cold sweat.

As I wiped the sweat from my brow, Rosetta, who should have been sleeping next to me, was already out of bed.

In her hand was a glass of water.

"Darling, you were having a nightmare again. Here, drink some water."

"—Thanks."

Taking the glass from Rosetta and downing it in one gulp, I finally felt a sense of relief.

It was a terrifying, truly terrifying dream.

Even though I had returned victorious from the Hegemonic Kingdom, the Hegemonic King kept appearing in my nightmares.

"Damn it—I hate that Hegemonic King."

I was the one who won, so why does he torment my mind like this?

Rosetta sat down next to me, hugging me to offer comfort.

"It's okay. It's okay, Darling."

Seeing Rosetta's teary eyes, I felt a little sorry.

I had only told Amagi about my nightmares—about the Hegemonic King.

I couldn't tell anyone else. It was too embarrassing to admit I was having nightmares because the Hegemonic King confessed his love to me.

As a result, Rosetta and everyone else had the wrong idea.

They thought the war with the Hegemonic Kingdom had been so harsh that it had worn down my spirit.

That wasn't it at all.

The army suffered heavy losses, but I myself won because I was destined to win.

And yet, here I was, terrified of the Hegemonic King.

—I felt pathetic.

"That bastard Hegemonic King, I'll never forgive him."

The one who pushed me this far was the Hegemonic King alone.

◇

The Imperial Capital Planet.

On a table set in the center of the vast audience chamber, there were two glasses filled with a seven-colored liquid.

Seated at the small round table were Emperor Algrand, “Bagrada,” and the Crown Prince, “Cleo.”

When Cleo drank the strange, seven-colored liquid through a straw, he felt a variety of flavors in his mouth.

One moment it tasted of sweets and tea, and the next, as he swallowed, the sweetness vanished, leaving a cool, refreshing sensation.

It was a rather strange drink, but both of them were used to it and paid it no mind.

Bagrada was smiling as he spoke about the drink.

"I've been drinking nothing but this lately. You can enjoy all sorts of flavors, and it's perfect for nutritional replenishment."

Cleo watched him with a troubled smile.

"I hear it's a cheap snack that commoners eat, though?"

"I've grown tired of luxury. This is enough for me now."

With that father-son conversation over, the two got down to business.

Bagrada relayed to Cleo what he had heard from the Prime Minister.

"More importantly, several years have passed since the war with the Hegemonic Kingdom. It seems Duke Banfield's emotional wounds from the war have yet to heal."

As Bagrada happily informed him, Cleo smiled with a wicked expression.

"That is excellent news. It seems even Liam couldn't escape unscathed when facing the Hegemonic King."

"It's a country that has plagued the Empire for many years. —Well, I think it's about time we get serious."

As Bagrada said this, he finished his seven-colored liquid and placed the empty glass on the table.

Simultaneously, information about individuals connected to the Banfield family appeared around the two of them.

Elliot of the Cleve Company.

Patrice of the Newlands Company.

And the key figures of the Seventh and Third Weapon Factories.

Also on the list was the hotel that Liam and his people used as their base on the capital planet.

Cleo glanced at them and put a hand to his chin.

"These are the ones to be driven from the capital planet, correct? However, I think the Third Weapon Factory is a bit of a waste. Their products were very popular within the Empire."

To Cleo, who wanted to spare the Third Weapon Factory, Bagrada shrugged.

"Unfortunately, they're too close to the Banfield family, so it's a no-go. Besides, I was asked by people from the other weapon factories. Many would be pleased to see the Third disappear."

For the other rival weapon factories, it was better if the Third was gone.

It seemed some of them had gotten wind of the situation and petitioned Bagrada to expel the Third.

Cleo gave a small nod.

"Then it can't be helped."

"A new popular factory will emerge soon enough. Besides, we need those two weapon factories to do their best for the Banfield family."

"When I first heard about aiding the enemy, I couldn't believe it."

Bagrada chuckled at the exasperated Cleo.

He seemed to be taking the act of sending salt to the enemy lightly.

No, rather—

"Wouldn't that be more fun? In the Empire, we'll have the other weapon factories run at full capacity to mass-produce weapons. —We'll also have to get the Imperial military's arsenals running in earnest."

If the weapon factories were semi-public, semi-private organizations, the arsenals were purely military organizations managed by the Imperial Army.

They collected data from all the weapon factories and manufactured weapons for the Imperial Army.

However, only a fraction of the fleets within the Imperial Army could operate the weapons built by the arsenals.

They were deployed only to the elite fleets.

Cleo made a direct appeal to Bagrada.

"When you dispatch the punitive force, please let me be the supreme commander. I will surely report a victory."

Even if Liam had become the greatest noble in the Empire, he stood no chance if the entire Empire turned against him. Having made this judgment, Cleo volunteered to be the supreme commander.

Bagrada nodded with an eerie smile and granted Cleo's wish.

But—

"Very well. However, let's have someone else take actual command."

Cleo could not refuse this proposal.

After all, while he had gained military knowledge from an education capsule, he had no actual experience.

He understood that commanding a fleet of several million ships under these circumstances would be extremely reckless.

"Thank you. So, who will be in actual command? A soldier from the Imperial Army?"

Bagrada answered after a moment of thought.

"How about Marquis Hampson? He's a noble I've entrusted with the border, so he has plenty of experience in war. Plus, he has no qualms about doing dirty work. —I think he's the right man to burn the Banfield territory to the ground."

From among the reliable nobles, Bagrada nominated the most villainous one.

Then, he announced he would dispatch a famous fleet.

"We'll have to send Kozmo-kun's fleet as well. I'm sure he and his friends will be delighted to join."

Hearing the name Kozmo, Cleo mentioned the person who came to mind.

"General Kozmo of the Special Task Fleet? Indeed, as a former space pirate, he would be the perfect irony to use against Liam."

As if remembering something, Bagrada added another person to the roster.

"Oh, and we must have Viscount Troid participate. Like the Duke, he's a man consumed by ambition, so I'm sure he'll be happy to join. —Let's throw in Dustin for good measure."

"—Sword Saint Dustin? If he is defeated by the Issen-ryu style, the Empire will lose all of its Sword Saints, won't it?"

Dustin was the last remaining Sword Saint in the Empire.

The Empire had been trying to avoid having him fight the Banfield family at all costs.

However, the Emperor seemed determined to have him participate.

"No, since we went to the trouble of appointing him a Sword Saint, let's have him do his best. Cleo, I'm entrusting them to you."

Entrusted with such capable individuals, Cleo forced a smile as a cold sweat ran down his back.

"I will report nothing but victory."

(If I lose this, I'll probably lose my position as Crown Prince.)

It was a battle he couldn't afford to lose—in fact, it was a battle he was expected to win.

Finally, Cleo asked Bagrada.

"So, when will this be?"

"Including the preparation period, about ten years? —Well, it'll be over in a flash."

At Bagrada's answer, Cleo accepted the ten-year preparation period with mixed feelings. It felt long, but to fight Liam, it also felt short.

(Ten years. In ten years, I will—defeat Liam!)