A report had arrived from an operative dispatched to the Banfield family's territory.

The location was a conference room where the Calvin faction had gathered.

The sounds of a large-scale demonstration could be heard.

However, the operative's complexion was pale.

"'Th-the demonstrations are spreading on a larger scale than we anticipated. We can't control it from our end.'"

Inciting the immigrants from the Unified Government to cripple Liam's territory—that objective had been splendidly achieved.

However, it had succeeded beyond their expectations, leaving Calvin and his followers perplexed.

"This is beyond imagination. Honestly, I never expected a demonstration of this scale to occur in Liam-kun's territory."

No one had predicted that such a large 'democratization' protest would erupt in Liam's territory, where he was known for his good governance.

The nobles exchanged glances.

"As I thought, the common folk don't need any unnecessary knowledge."
"Getting full of themselves and demanding rights... it's disgusting."
"That brat Liam will learn his lesson from this."

But looking at the results alone, it was a great success.

Calvin praised the operative.

"Good work. There's no need for us to intervene any further. You may return."

"'Yes, sir!'"

When the communication cut off, Calvin smiled at the nobles of his faction.

A demonstration of this magnitude.

It was more than enough material to condemn Liam.

At this point, Calvin's and his followers' objective had been achieved.

"This will cast doubt on Liam-kun's ability to govern. I think we could tighten the screws on him now, but he has military power. What should we do?"

They could berate Liam for being unable to properly govern his own territory.

But now was the time to drag Cleo down.

If they blamed Liam now and kept him away from the war, it would become troublesome.

"We should let him fight in the war against the United Kingdom and use his defeat, or even a narrow victory, as material to corner him. Liam's military strength is not to be underestimated."
"I'm not saying we can't defeat him, but a direct confrontation would be dangerous. He himself is a powerhouse who defeated a Sword Saint. It will be too late if something happens, so let's prepare a Sword Saint of our own to guard His Highness the Crown Prince."
"One won't be enough. We need two."

The other nobles also seemed to consider a direct confrontation with Liam a foolish move, trying to avoid a war.

He was the man who had crushed the pirate nobles all by himself.

There was no telling what he might do.

In order to crush Liam completely, sending him to the battlefield was a settled matter.

If he survived and returned, they would hang him out to dry using the demonstrations as a pretext.

And Calvin, too, was thinking about his own protection.

He had his black ops unit, but Liam, who had defeated a Sword Saint, was still frightening.

He had defeated a man who had earned the rank of Sword Saint through sheer skill. Liam, with his pure power, was a threat.

Calvin decided to summon two Sword Saints.

"—Let's gather the heads of the Ahren-style and Kurdan-style schools of swordsmanship, as well as other powerful master swordsmen. I will tell the two heads to prepare skilled guards, so you all should also keep bodyguards by your side."

Not forgetting to show consideration for the other nobles was part of Calvin's way of getting by in the world.

The two schools he was summoning were mainstream sword styles in the Empire.

Therefore, when bestowing the title of Sword Saint, the extent of the school's influence was also taken into account.

To put it bluntly, those two schools had obtained the title of Sword Saint for political reasons.

However, it was also dangerous to let only men who climbed to the rank of Sword Saint through power alone bear the title of the Empire's Sword Saint.

Poor conduct would tarnish the Empire's authority.

For that reason, it was necessary to choose respectable swordsmen.

The heads of the two major schools were convenient for the Empire.

And, of course, they also possessed strength.

"—Make sure to explain things clearly to the two Sword Saints. Don't forget to tell them what they need to do to prevent their positions from being usurped by this upstart school, the One-Flash Style."

Calvin intended to corner Liam completely.

To tarnish Liam's name, he would spread rumors that even the One-Flash Style was a dubious form of swordsmanship.

The two major schools would also move in earnest to crush the recently talked-about One-Flash Style.

And they moved quickly.

◇

The Empire was using major media outlets to report a certain piece of news, making sure it reached even foreign countries.

It was about Liam's One-Flash Style.

The man who had once introduced Yasushi to Liam was being interviewed on a monitor.

"'In the first place, that man Yasushi is a third-rate swordsman. He's barely better than an amateur, a yashi... is that what you call them? A man who made a living through street performances.'" (Translator's Note: Yashi refers to a street performer or charlatan.)
"'So, what about the One-Flash Style?'"
"'That's just some nonsense he made up.'"

On another program, they were analyzing the movements that could be called the foundation of the One-Flash Style.

Somehow, they had investigated and were thoroughly explaining the basic movements Yasushi had taught—imitations of other schools.

"'Regarding the movements of the One-Flash Style, this is a move from the Kurdan school. This one is from Ahren swordsmanship. To put it simply, it's a complete patchwork.'"
"'So, that means?'"
"'It means the One-Flash Style is just copying other schools.'"

They were thoroughly trashing the One-Flash Style.

Clinging to that monitor was—Yasushi.

"Yes! More! Say more! Let them know that the One-Flash Style is a fake!"

If his lies were exposed, Liam would kill him.

But for Yasushi, who was now being chased around and called a Sword God, it was a relief to have them spread the word that it was all a lie.

"Finally! Finally—a weight is lifted from my shoulders."

He was moved to tears.

The sword style that began with his own lie was finally going to disappear.

Yasushi felt a sense of relief, as if he had been freed from everything.

◇

The scene changes to a public diner within the Empire's territory.

There, two individuals were eating a noodle dish.

Coming from the television was a news program titled, "Is the One-Flash Style a Fake?!"

"'Regarding the recently popular One-Flash Style, it has been revealed to be a completely fraudulent sword style.'"

"'That's right. If what the Count says were true, it's strange that it never came to light before. It's a lie, a lie.'"

The surrounding customers were also talking about the One-Flash Style.

"Nobles just like to show off."
"The One-Flash Style is probably a fake sword style."
"The real ones are Ahren swordsmanship and Kurdan swordsmanship. As expected, the two major schools are strong."

On the program, the heads and master instructors of those two major schools were badmouthing the One-Flash Style.

The two who had been eating left money on the table and exited the diner.

In front of the diner, the two of them—

"Which one do you want?"

"Either one is fine, I guess. Well—I'm going to crush them both anyway."

—After saying that, they continued their conversation for a little while.

After that, the two parted ways on the spot.

◇

—I'll kill them all.

Holding my favorite sword and sitting on the sofa, I felt my guts boiling with rage at the daily news reports denouncing the One-Flash Style.

The heads of major schools holding the title of Sword Saint—and many other schools besides—had begun to disparage the One-Flash Style.

Calling it nonsense, a rip-off, a fake—

Eventually, I'll cut every last one of them down.

But the timing right now is just too bad.

Standing before me in my fury was Ellen.

"—Master."

Seeing my anxious disciple, I snapped at her out of irritation.

"What is it? Do you doubt the One-Flash Style too?"

At that, Ellen shook her head.

"I believe in your sword, Master! I don't understand the complicated stuff, but I believe in your sword. To me, you are the greatest swordsman in the universe!"

Before my disciple, who was looking at me with tears in her eyes, my own eyes widened.

Behind Ellen—I could see Master Yasushi.
Of course, it was probably an illusion.

It might have been my own delusion, but the master was smiling at me.

"'Lord Liam, it is when your heart is in turmoil that you must reflect upon yourself. A heart of fire, a mind of ice—and you must not lose sight of what is important.'"

I remembered Master Yasushi's words.

Shaking my head, I chuckled softly.

"That's right. There were no lies in the master's sword. What I saw with my own eyes is the truth. No matter what others say, the truth doesn't change."

I recall the scene I saw that day.

The master's "One-Flash" was real.

Isn't that something I know better than anyone?

"Master?"

Ellen looked at me, puzzled and anxious.

—As a master, I am still immature.

"There were things I needed to take care of first. I'll crush the other schools later. I have my own things to do."

I'll break through this shitty situation.

The territory is facing problems with large-scale demonstrations.

Cleo's faction is extremely busy with the impending war between interstellar nations.

Since I'm taking most of my army with me, even maintaining public order in the territory is precarious.

I'm short-handed. An overwhelming lack of manpower.

"Ellen. When you're frustrated, it's time for training. Let's work up a sweat and—"

Just then, an emergency communication came in.

It was from Brian, who was holding down the fort in the territory.

"'L-Lord Liam, this is terrible!'"

◇

The Banfield family mansion.

There, Brian was breaking out in a cold sweat.

"—For the large-scale demonstrations to spread this far..."

The territory was becoming dysfunctional.

Even so, the companies under Liam were operating without issue.

His income wouldn't be cut off.

But demonstrations were exploding across the land—and to top it off.

"Brian, this is a petition from the servants working in the mansion. Over eighty percent of the staff have signed it."

The head maid, Celina, brought another bomb to drop.

"Noooooo!"

Brian thrashed his head about, his stomach clenching at this abnormal situation.

"O-Over eighty percent?!"

"You can't underestimate their daily dissatisfaction. It seems they've been swept up by the atmosphere in the territory and are using this as a chance to push their demands."

"B-But I just reported the current situation to Lord Liam—why? Why do these things keep happening one after another?"

Brian collapsed to his knees.

◇

The Guide was skipping.

He was even humming, radiating an aura of happiness.

"Muhohoho, I never thought it would be this effective."

Liam's territory was in disarray, and to top it off, rumors were being spread that the One-Flash Style was a fake, sending Liam into a rage.

The Guide couldn't be happier.

In the past few decades, he had never been this happy.

He was feeling the greatest happiness he had ever felt.

"I support Liam, and Liam suffers. It's wonderful. My wish to indirectly interfere and make my target miserable has also been granted."

He truly was a piece of shit.

That's why—he overlooks important things.

"I'll keep pushing Liam hard! My support is far from over!"

◇

—There were traitors.

"I never thought even the servants in my own mansion would betray me."

The servants working in my mansion are hand-picked citizens from my territory.

And those very people betrayed me.

A petition to me—they've got to be kidding.

Trying to somehow console my irritated self was Rosetta.

"Darling, calm down."

"I couldn't be calmer. I can't wait to get back to the territory and decide how to punish the traitors."

I should probably start thinking about torture methods now.

"—Darling."

Averting my gaze from Rosetta's sad face, I looked at Ciel, who had been entrusted to me by Baron Exner.

"Ciel, have you heard anything from Baron Exner?"

At that, Ciel, while expressionless—was openly hostile towards me.

She probably thought she was hiding it, but I could read her feelings like an open book.

This one hates me.

"To support you steadfastly, Lord Count. I have been strictly told so by my father and brother. My brother, in particular, perhaps out of worry, contacts me every day—every single day."

Inwardly, she was seething with frustration, but her expression was calm.

She really is an interesting one.

"That Kurt fellow must be busy as a soldier. I'll contact him later. By the way, are you having any trouble?"

"—No. Everyone has been very kind to me. I am grateful to be learning so much."

Just listening to the conversation, it would probably seem to others that I was concerned about Ciel, who had come here to train.

But the relationship between Ciel and me was not so heartwarming.

This one doesn't hide her hostility towards me.

Well, she probably thinks she's hiding it, but it's all completely obvious.

Despite having an evil lord like Baron Exner for a father, she herself had grown up to be pure and incorruptible—a heretic.

But that Ciel has neither the skill nor the brains to defeat me.

She is competent, but there was nothing Ciel could do about me.

In other words, she's a fun toy for me.

She's not a chyoroin (a term for a female character who is easily won over) like Rosetta, but a girl with a true spirit of steel.

It's amusing how she shows her disgust whenever I talk to her.

However, she is Baron Exner's daughter and Kurt's sister.

I can't get too rough with her.

Even playing with her requires a sense of balance.

"I see. Things have been hectic lately, so I was worried if you were getting proper training."

Interrupting our fun conversation was Rosetta, who can't read the room.

"Don't worry, Darling! I'll take good care of Ciel!"

"—I see."

Read the room, will you!

I was having fun teasing Ciel, and you had to interfere.

However, if traitors have appeared in my own mansion in my territory, there are probably others.

It doesn't take much thought to realize the Calvin faction will use this opportunity to weaken our power.

They must be carrying out all sorts of schemes.

No, they're probably in the middle of their schemes right now.

It's safe to assume that anyone who seemed likely to betray me has already done so.

—Damn, is the Guide not helping me this time?

If that's the case, I'll have to get through this with my own power—huh?

There, I began to think things through, one by one.

As I thought about the possibility of escaping this situation and winning, I realized something.

"Huh? This situation... isn't actually that bad, is it?"

Brian (´；ω；｀): "A baby-making demonstration... I want to participate."

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