"It's a tax increase."

"Huh?"

In the study.

The first thing I did after finishing my training at the Viscount's estate was—a tax increase.

"I've decided to follow Baron Exner's example. That Baron is amazing. He's someone who squeezes every last drop. His son, Kurt, inherited that spirit of trying to extract as much as possible."

That's why there's a tax increase.

What? The citizens will suffer?

—So what? I won't.

"The time has come! As a wicked lord—it's time for a major tax increase!"

Amagi pondered my words for a moment before nodding.

"It's about time. I don't think there will be any problems."

"Right! I can already hear the suffering cries of the citizens."

Sometimes, for some reason, there are fools who mistake me for a wise ruler.

Is it because of the propaganda TV station I prepared, which praises me?

Mass media is super convenient.

"They're such fools. Even when betrayed by the me they believed in, they still call me a wise ruler."

"My Lord, what are the specific details of the tax increase?"

"I'll leave it to you. Squeeze them until the very last drop!"

"Understood."

—The next day, the announcement was made that taxes would be increased starting next year.

The entire territory was in an uproar.

It's hilarious!

◇

A private house in the territory of the Banfield family.

The white, detached house with a garden was neatly maintained.

Its owner was a middle-aged man with a small mustache and a potbelly.

As the man went out into the garden to head to work, a relative rushed to visit him.

"Hey, did you hear?"

"What's wrong? I'm about to go to work."

"Look at this!"

What appeared on his information terminal was the announcement regarding the tax increase.

Moreover, it used Liam's name and was practically a mandatory measure.

If they resisted, the military would come and arrest them immediately.

The man trembled as he confirmed the contents.

"Is it true?"

"No doubt about it. It's an official announcement from the government. A major tax increase, they say!"

The two of them were actually delighted.

"This means we can't focus on work. Are there any recruitment drives?"

"The third wave is the closest. They're recruiting people for development plans there, but it's mostly scholars. Personally, I want to get into the fourth wave. Do you want to come too?"

"Of course! If we play our cards right, we can become independent there and won't have to worry about work."

Why were they so happy? And what were they talking about?

Liam had forgotten, but the Banfield family had begun colonizing new planets.

With the development of their home planet settled, they had started to expand to other planets.

Colonizing new planets is difficult.

Many lords simply send people and then abandon them after the initial investment.

And the stated reason for the major tax increase was—the full-scale development of the colonized planets.

In other words, they believed that Liam was seriously investing in the colonized planets.

From their perspective—

"How much is the tax increase?"

"It's not small, but it's better than before."

For the citizens who knew the former Banfield family, it wasn't an unbearable amount.

It was almost too cheap before.

There would be complaints, but for those considering emigration, it was welcome news.

"The rumors that Lord Liam would seriously develop the planets when he returned were true."

"Let's make a fortune out there."

The men decided to have a celebratory drink after work.

◇

After the announcement of the major tax increase.

I watched the news with a smirk, finding it endlessly amusing.

The commentators on television were desperately defending my announcement.

"This major tax increase is intended for investment in the colonized planets—"

A talent representing the housewives offered her opinion to such a commentator.

"But, we can't just accept a tax increase for that reason, can we? Taxes should be used properly."

"No, you see, investment in the colonized planets is the proper use of funds."

"That's an issue for those who want to emigrate, isn't it?"

What an entertaining program.

A major tax increase is something that, by all accounts, cannot be accepted.

If this were democracy in my previous life, the cabinet would have been dissolved immediately.

Long live aristocratic rule.

After that, the discussion continued to heat up regarding my policy.

Even the topic of lending out warships had the talent complaining.

"Besides, I don't understand the point of purchasing warships and lending them to other planets~. That's our tax money, you know."

This talent, representing housewives, often voices such complaints.

The commentators and the host then try to persuade her, which is the usual flow—the whole package.

"You really need to stop that! We've been talking about the cost issues all along, haven't we! It's cheaper to lend out warships than to dispatch our own military from our territory!"

"But that's the problem of other planets~."

"Did you even listen to me! Pirates don't care about territories! If a pirate base is established nearby, our territory will also be in trouble!"

I was impressed by the powerful acting.

Could this commentator actually be an actor? It's possible.

The title of 'expert' was probably provided by the TV station.

It's endlessly fun to think that viewers are being deceived by these titles.

As I enjoyed the program on the large monitor, Amagi approached me.

She was preparing tea.

"My Lord, you seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Ah, it's fun. It's laughable that so many citizens believe this program and call me a wise ruler."

My information manipulation is perfect.

"It's true that we are protecting the safety of the territory, and the investment in the colonized planets is also a fact."

"Is that so?"

Well, I just wanted to increase taxes, and I hadn't decided what to do with the money.

It was just harassment.

I just wanted to squeeze money from the citizens.

If I wanted to, I have the Alchemy Box, so there's no problem.

I just wanted to see the citizens suffer.

I accepted the cup and elegantly drank my tea.

"Tea tastes best while watching the suffering of the citizens."

"I'm glad you're happy, my Lord."

The program then started discussing recent trends.

"Now, next, we'll talk about the popular hairstyles among young people."

"I'm always surprised by the ideas of young people. I never thought such hairstyles would become popular."

The program's participants were laughing.

I wondered what kind of hairstyle it was—

"This is the popular 'Tornado Style'."

Saying that, a model entered the venue.

I spat out my tea.

Their hair was curled—in the best case, like a soft-serve ice cream, but in the worst case—it was a hairstyle like that.

Amagi started cleaning up the tea I had spat out.

"Ah, Amagi!"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Is this hairstyle really popular? Are there many people in my territory with this style?! Tell me it's a lie!"

As I pointed at the monitor, Amagi averted her gaze from me.

"—We don't allow it in the mansion, so it's fine."

"Outside the mansion, it's all like this! Of all things, this hairstyle is too much!"

Damn it! My good mood is ruined.

Is this the citizens' revenge for me deciding on a tax increase?

"I don't want to be thought of as a lord of a territory with such embarrassing hairstyles."

"Well, I understand what you mean, but."

With a stronger resolve than when I decided on the tax increase,

"Regulate it immediately. This is unacceptable!"

"If you say no, they'll want to do it more, won't they? Well, I'll contact the government."

After that, the situation quickly moved towards regulation.

However, while there were no demonstrations against the tax increase, a demonstration occurred just for banning a hairstyle.

—This territory is hopeless.

◇

The head maid was reporting to the Prime Minister.

"I see. He's really increasing taxes for development."

"There's nothing unnatural about it. He doesn't seem to be indulging in luxury despite the tax increase. Rather, he remains frugal."

"—Being too lacking in greed is also a problem."

"They probably don't have much leeway. However, they know how to spend money."

The head maid reported Liam's tax increase and other matters.

This was espionage against Liam.

However—this would end up protecting Liam.

She made the Prime Minister believe that the funds for large-scale investment in colonized planets were from the tax increase.

"I was curious because he seemed to be doing well, but it turns out it was thanks to his frugality. It's too predictable, making it a bit boring."

"You say that as if there should be some big secret."

"Not at all. I'm just happy to see a proper noble being born. With families like the Pittock family appearing, it gives hope to the Empire."

As for the Pittock family, their relatives refused the inheritance due to the dire situation.

If it continued like this, Peter, who couldn't be treated without Elixir, would become the last head of the family.

And the remaining enormous debt—due to the marriage, it was about to fall upon the Viscount Lazer family.

"Also, we have received an unofficial inquiry from Baron Exner's family about entrusting their daughter with bride training in the future."

"Hmm, the Banfield family might be suitable for that. Are the preparations for acceptance in place?"

"It would take about ten years to manage it."

"With you there, I'm relieved. Please lend your strength to the Banfield family."

"Yes, that's the plan. In fact, starting next year, we will be accepting the children of minor lords."

"Please ensure that children from families of Baron rank or higher can be accepted. There are many problems with the children's training."

The communication ended.

◇

The following year.

The Banfield family took in the children of other families for the first time.

However, these were the children of minor lords from neighboring territories—families below the rank of Baron.

Young children gathered from nearby territories—though quite a distance away.

Unlike me, for the children of minor lords, only the heir could study abroad in the Empire.

The reality was that they didn't have the money for that, and they would normally rely on a patron lord.

However, since the Banfield family had been unreliable until now and hadn't done such things—the neighboring minor lords seemed to be in a difficult situation.

Gathered in a large room, most of them were older than me.

When I entered the room with Brian and Amagi, the head maid greeted me.

"Lord Liam, these are the people we will be taking care of from today. Now, please greet them."

When I arrived, everyone greeted me—but one of them was chewing gum.

He was smirking and looking at Amagi.

"What, is it a doll?"

As I frowned, the head maid approached the young man and slapped him.

A crisp, good sound echoed in the room.

"Watch your mouth."

But the guy didn't stop.

"He's younger than me. I was nervous for nothing."

—Sometimes there are.

Fools who, having grown up without knowing the world, don't understand their own position.

I pushed aside the head maid and approached the guy, then punched him.

The man flew back, hit the wall, and started coughing.

"Y-you—"

"I don't need insubordinate people. Brian, send this one back."

"W-wait, Lord Liam. It's only the first day."

"So what? It's his fault for displeasing me. More importantly, it's his family's fault. It's the result of neglecting his education. He's not worth associating with."

I am kind to myself, but strict with others.

The surroundings fell silent, and the man looked bewildered.

"Amagi, make arrangements to send him back."

Amagi nodded.

"I will arrange it immediately."

◇

A few days later.

The head of the minor lord, having heard the circumstances, came to apologize to me.

He said he would disown the problematic child and asked for continued good relations.

Of course, I accepted with pleasure!

I love people who wag their tails at me!

"Having power is the best. Even as a mere noble in the Empire, when I return to my territory, I'm like a king. It feels great."

Brian looked at me with a bit of exasperation, but he praised me.

"The head maid was impressed. She said you have decisiveness. However, I personally wish you had handled it a bit more gently. It's sad to see a family that has revived as a subordinate lose members."

"The beginning is crucial."

It's irrelevant, but I was troubled by that type of young person even in my previous life.

Everyone who acts disrespectfully towards me should die!

"It seems that after that incident, the other disciples have become much more obedient."

"That's good."

As I was feeling impressed, Brian asked me.

"More importantly, did you notice any of the daughters during the introductions?"

"Daughters? —Come to think of it, I didn't really look closely."

Brian looked disappointed.

"Is that so? She was a candidate for a concubine, so it's a shame."

"Eh? Really?"

"They are the daughters of subordinate families who are here for training and do not have fiancés. Of course, it's natural. In fact, many of them probably want to be taken in by you. While I don't want you to be indiscriminate, it's also problematic if you show no interest at all."

"Is that so? But it can't be helped, as there were no unparalleled beauties who caught my eye."

"I'll let the head maid know that you didn't find anyone to your liking."

Brian gave up and said, "Let's hope for next time."

Wait? If that's the case, then Baron Exner's daughter—no way.

Her status is different from that of a subordinate's daughter, so it's unlikely.

Brian (´；ω；｀): "It's painful. It's painful that Lord Liam doesn't pay attention to girls—it's painful."

Amagi, do your best...!