"Patrol fleet?"

I was talking with Wallace in the officer's mess hall at the academy.

It's my third year here, and I've gotten quite used to life.

"That's right. I was talking with my older brother, who also left the imperial harem. He chose to live his life as a soldier, but the regular fleet refused to accept him, so he was sent to a patrol fleet."

It's strange that the regular fleet would refuse to accept royalty, but there are ranks among royalty. Like Wallace before, there are too many royals with little to no claim to the throne.

Most regular fleets want to avoid accepting them due to the hassle involved.

"If he becomes a commander in a patrol fleet, he'll be in charge of at least several hundred ships. It's not a bad deal, is it?"

When I said that, Wallace made a rather awkward face.

"Many of them are like dumping grounds, which is the problem. The fleet my brother, [Cedric], was sent to is a fleet of about thirty ships, all old models. Patrolling empty space must be incredibly depressing."

"He can just relax on the ship. Isn't that a job where he doesn't have to work?"

"It's impossible to relax on a cramped battleship with a poor environment. The soldiers are all rotten, not even knowing why they're working."

So, it's a place for military demotions.

In a company, it would be a sinecure – like being a “window-sitter.”

Apparently, they're increasing these patrol fleets unnecessarily, and many of them are just idling.

--Are they stupid?

"Why did the situation become like this?"

Wallace, while poking at his messy food with a fork, told me several reasons.

"I suppose soldiers also wanted a place to kick their rivals down. They didn't just want a demotion; they wanted a workplace that would break their spirits. And then there's the place to confine the nobles."

"Nobles?"

"Because there are many who abuse their positions to do whatever they please. In the military, that can be fatal, so they thought it's better to make them patrol fleet commanders. As a result, their numbers increased, and it costs money to reorganize the fleets, so they're just leaving them as they are."

"But maintaining them must be more difficult."

"As long as they're given supplies, they'll operate. It's an environment that's almost completely abandoned. Also, patrol fleets are genuinely necessary. It wouldn't be funny if pirate dens popped up in empty space."

It seems like a state of maintaining extreme waste due to the entanglement of many complex circumstances.

--No, it's not bad.

"That's an interesting story."

"Are you interested? Liam, you'll be assigned to a regular fleet even if you stay quiet."

"I'm not interested in that."

Yes, I've been internally sounded out for an assignment to a regular fleet.

Everyone is saying, "Please join our fleet!"

There are various types of regular fleets, some stationed at the borders and others in the provinces.

There are always three fleets stationed to defend the capital planet, and among the regular fleets, they are the elite Royal Guard fleets.

Even the Royal Guard fleets have invited me, but frankly, I'm not interested.

I don't like being ordered around from above, and wouldn't a patrol fleet, where I can do as I please, be the best?

"I want to be assigned to a patrol fleet!"

"--Liam, are you an idiot?"

"Why?"

"Were you listening to me? My brother was demoted to a sinecure and cries that his spirit is dying. Wanting to be assigned to such a place yourself is foolish. Moreover, all patrol fleet equipment is outdated. The onboard environment is also poor. Do you want to spend four years in such a place?"

Wallace doesn't understand anything.

Since I'm a wealthy person, I'll be assigned to a patrol fleet.

Naturally, I'll invest in the fleet.

"We can just buy ships. If we prepare ships comparable to luxury liners, even a boring job will become enjoyable."

"--The military won't provide money, you know."

"I will provide the money."

"Eh?"

"I'll pay for the ships."

"No, but-- If only Liam rides a luxury liner, you'll incur the resentment of those around you."

"It's not a problem. We'll replace everything. But if that's the case, investing at the time of assignment won't be enough. --Alright, I'll prepare a fleet befitting me starting now."

"--Eh, are you really going to prepare one?"

"Of course. Tia will graduate from the academy next year. I'll have her prepare my fleet first."

I'm not getting my desired assignment by making a donation.

I'll create my own desired assignment!

Demanding the military to prepare my fleet – how villainous of a lord!

Being able to control even the military with the power of money resonated with me.

"There have been many kinds of nobles, but I don't think there was anyone like you, Liam."

"First in the empire? That's good. I'll order Tia right away."

◇

In the communications room.

Tia was talking to her former superior, the Prime Minister.

"--Many nobles prepare their own ships. There were even nobles who prepared entire patrol fleets. But a noble like you, Count, is unprecedented."

The Prime Minister seemed unable to hide his surprise.

Tia, watching him, said with confidence:

"One of the empire's problems will be solved. Isn't that a good thing?"

"--There's also the disadvantage of a fleet being under the Count's influence. But replenishing the fleet and reducing the unnecessarily bloated patrol fleet-- it will cost a considerable amount of money."

"Liam-sama has ordered me to 'prepare a fleet befitting him.' I have been given the budget for it, so there is no problem."

Liam told her to prepare a patrol fleet, but for Tia, a fleet befitting Liam would be on the scale of a regular fleet.

Since she has ample budget, she decided to organize a fleet on the scale of a regular fleet by gathering unnecessary patrol fleets.

She was seeking permission from the Prime Minister for this.

The military brass would likely not approve, and even if it benefits the empire's finances, they wouldn't understand.

Therefore, she contacted the Prime Minister, who was aware of this issue.

"--When you leave the military, the fleet will be operated by the empire. Also, we will prepare a nominal commander."

"Nominal? Are you worried that Liam-sama will command?"

"You and he are too young. Even if formally assigned, your ranks are likely insufficient. Promoting you forcefully will cause the military to complain. We will prepare a nominal commander, but the real authority will be yours."

Tia thought:

(The burden on our side is large, and the reward is small, but this is probably how it is.)

"--Understood."

"--That is a truly excellent proposal. The empire can solve two major problems."

After the communication ended, Tia geared herself up.

"I must prepare a fleet befitting Liam-sama-- I need to gather unnecessary patrol fleets over two years, and re-educate and train the personnel. I also need to proceed with preparing the ships-- I must have it ready by the time Liam-sama is formally assigned."

Although Tia often showed her incompetence, her abilities were genuine.

"A fleet befitting Liam-sama-- and I will be by his side to support him."

Tia put her hands on her cheeks and looked dreamy, but-- her abilities were genuine.

◇

While Liam and the others were making moves at the academy.

There were also developments in the Barkley family.

"Damn it!"

Kashimiro was growing frustrated with the reports that kept coming in.

His economic war with Liam, which had lasted for several years, had not gone well in any aspect.

The reason was simple: the battle of moneybags never ended.

"What is it? What is that brat?!"

He was relentlessly pursued by Liam, who possessed the planet development device, Elixir.

Furthermore, rumors were circulating that Liam had made massive investments in the military.

He was being shown that he had the leeway to invest in the military while fighting the Barkley family.

"How much Elixir do you think I've distributed?! If I can't corner him even with this-- I see, he had it too!"

It was becoming likely that Liam also possessed some incredible device.

However, it was highly probable that he had recovered the planet development device that Derrick had lost.

If he had that, he could certainly fight me.

--I never thought he could properly handle that device he recovered. It just looks like a nonsensical sphere.

However, the Barkley family has multiple such devices, so Kashimiro has the advantage in the end.

But it was unclear how long this mutual destruction would continue.

It was a futile economic battle against an opponent he shouldn't have engaged with.

"If we continue to destroy each other like this, I can win. But-- I'll lose too much."

It was a waste of time to engage in this pointless economic battle.

So, Kashimiro decided to stop this futile struggle immediately.

--Not the fight with Liam.

"The petty tricks are over. If we don't crush him now, we'll be crushed by him eventually."

Liam is young and talented.

His remaining lifespan is different from Kashimiro's, and as he gains experience, he will undoubtedly become a troublesome existence.

Can my sons defeat Liam? --Realizing it was impossible, Kashimiro immediately made a call.

"What is it, Father?"

"--Contact the military. We'll gather experts to wage war against Liam."

"War!? You're moving too fast, Father!"

"You idiot! If we don't crush him while we can still win, the Barkley family will be crushed by him! Just obey me! Bring me soldiers who can defeat the Banfield family. Anyone is fine. If they can defeat that brat-- I'll give them favorable treatment."

Kashimiro genuinely feared Liam.

Watching this was-- the Guide.

He noticed Kashimiro's strong interest in Liam and decided to visit.

The Guide applauded.

"Wonderful, Kashimiro. You have correctly identified Liam as a threat."

What the Guide liked was that Kashimiro was a person to his liking-- and that he possessed more military power than Liam.

Over a hundred thousand ships, pirates, and nobles.

The movable forces would likely reach hundreds of thousands of ships.

On the other hand, even if Liam's fleet increases, it won't reach fifty thousand ships.

This is because he is satisfied with a fleet already exceeding thirty thousand.

Now, when he is arrogant from winning, is the chance to defeat Liam.

"Liam-- your carelessness will be your downfall."

Due to his lack of allies, Liam was in a situation where he had to fight almost alone.

"Kashimiro-- you can win. I will support you with all my might."

As black smoke emerged from the Guide, it enveloped Kashimiro's body.

Watching this, the Guide spread his arms.

"From now on, those who declare the overthrow of Liam will gather. The darkness of the empire will gather to kill Liam! You shall unite them and make them your strength!"

He adjusted things to attract those who could become Liam's enemies.

This will further increase the number of allies for Kashimiro, and the difference in strength will widen.

Faced with a quantity that quality cannot overcome, the Guide was immensely looking forward to Liam's death throes.

"There are seeds I've planted before. I don't know if Yasushi will make it in time-- but that woman is also here."

The woman who harbored a desire for revenge against Liam-- [Yurishia Morishil].

"Eventually, I'll make it so she can be by Liam's side as he wishes. Liam being stabbed by that woman would also be interesting."

No matter how much he struggled, the situation was shaping up in a way that Liam could not escape.

The Guide was filled with a sense of happiness.

"I understand. I understand-- I can feel Liam being cornered!"

A formidable enemy was about to appear before Liam.

Afterword:

Tsurian (´；ω；｀): "It's tough. Liam-sama wants to go to a sinecure-- it's tough."

Marie ( ゜∀゜): "The comic 'The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs Vol. 1' is coming out soon, so check it out. The original novels volumes 1-3 are also on sale! Buy them ♪"

Tsurian (´；ω；｀): "There's an unnecessary person in the afterword-- it's tough."