Lately, the military seems to be busy.

The planet where the officer academy is located also has facilities for re-education and retraining, and they have been operating at full capacity for the past few years.

This situation is not limited to this planet; most of the facilities in the empire are in a similar state.

Among the cadets, rumors are spreading that a major operation might be underway.

I am currently in my sixth and final year at the officer academy.

I've given pocket money to Tiar, who graduated ahead of me, and she's organizing a patrol fleet. I'm curious to see how it's going.

I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of fleet she can put together, but honestly, the numbers are so large I don't even know how much money it was.

I rarely use it, and it just keeps accumulating, so I've left it entirely to her.

"--It's increasing again."

A portion of the tax revenue from my territory goes into my pocket, but the amount is so large it makes me dizzy.

The amount that increases far exceeds the amount I spend, so I feel no gratitude for it.

As a corrupt lord, I find myself thinking it's not good to have no idea how to spend money.

While I was contemplating this, the carefree Wallace approached me.

"Liam~, can I have some allowance?"

"I just gave you some last week, didn't I?"

"That amount? I spent it all treating my juniors when we went out."

Seeing Wallace proudly boasting about going out and having fun makes me angry.

This guy is breaking curfew and going out drinking with his juniors.

--With my money!

"Why should I have to provide money for you to go out and have fun?"

"Because you're my patron. W-wait, please don't raise your fist! H-help me!"

I stood up and gave Wallace a punch to the head, and he covered his head with both hands.

"You don't have to get so angry."

"It irritates me that you're the only one having fun."

"You should go out and have fun too."

"If I could, I would!"

--I want to have fun too, but the incident with Peter still lingers, and I can't enjoy myself.

What kind of venereal disease makes a penis explode?

It's a fantasy world's venereal disease, or rather, a virus that's too aggressive and scary.

Even a corrupt lord is afraid of diseases.

"The thought of my crotch exploding is terrifying."

When I let my true feelings slip out, Wallace laughed.

"Liam, you and Kurt were like this even in elementary school, never going out. Here, they do check for venereal diseases, and if you're unlucky, it just explodes."

"It's exploding, isn't it!"

Incidentally, it seems that two officer cadets also exploded during my six years of attendance.

Is that a lot or a little?

If there's even a slight possibility, I'll prioritize safety and not go out.

However, as a corrupt lord, I want to have fun.

"You don't have to go all the way. Isn't it enough to just have a good time drinking with women?"

"--Well, I suppose so."

I don't find bars particularly interesting, but considering it's a way to spend money without much effort, maybe it's not a bad option?

I, spending my days idly, using money earned by the sweat of my people's brows.

--Truly wonderful.

This is what a corrupt lord is all about.

But, honestly, I'm not interested.

As I was pondering, Wallace asked me about my plans after graduating from the officer academy.

"By the way, Liam, where will you be doing your training after you graduate from the officer academy?"

"The capital planet. Apparently, great nobles like me do odd jobs on the capital planet."

If you are born into a great noble family, your training destination is naturally a popular department.

Wallace, being royalty, is the same.

"What about me?"

"You're with me."

"Is this because... you were too lazy and decided to group us together?"

"--Maybe."

Wallace seemed excited to hear that he could return to the capital planet.

And then I remembered Kurt, who wasn't here.

"Won't you be able to meet Kurt, who's at university?"

"I think we can hang out on holidays, but he's probably busy too, isn't he?"

"No, you should contact him. Kurt was really crying, saying he'd be separated from Liam."

Wallace's words reminded me of Kurt crying at the elementary school graduation ceremony.

That guy is so dramatic.

"I guess I should contact him."

"Please do. If you don't contact him, Kurt will be truly sad. Oh, speaking of which, isn't Rosetta also on the capital planet now?"

Hearing Rosetta's name made me feel heavy.

I don't know how to approach her.

"Should I contact her?"

"--Why are you hesitating? She's your fiancée, isn't she?"

Wallace's words made me anxious about my life on the capital planet.

◇

Meanwhile.

At the palace on the capital planet, Rosetta was educating newly adult girls who had come for etiquette training, acting as their senior.

She was teaching them all about the proper mindset.

"Since you have come here for training as etiquette apprentices, I will not tolerate any leniency. It is forbidden to act arrogantly towards other servants based on your family's power dynamics."

The girls, who had just arrived, responded with tension to Rosetta, who carried herself with more confidence than when she first arrived.

"Yes."

"--Very well. I will also cooperate to the best of my ability so that you can learn as much as possible here."

When conducting training for juniors as an etiquette apprentice, one must have a high evaluation in the workplace.

Otherwise, you won't be able to have juniors and will always be in a position to receive guidance.

The girls who had previously looked down on Rosetta seemed frustrated.

After dismissing the juniors, Cattleya arrived.

As the frustrated girls disappeared, Cattleya praised Rosetta.

"You've changed so much since you first came here."

Upon hearing this from Cattleya, Rosetta bowed and expressed her gratitude.

"It is thanks to your guidance, Lady Cattleya."

"That may be part of it, but it is your own ability. Be more proud."

She had worked harder than anyone else at her training and had now become a maid recognized by those around her.

After all, Rosetta had persevered in a harsh environment.

Her spirit was not so easily broken by something like this.

Cattleya thought of the girls who had run away.

"I wish those girls had also taken you as an example."

It was fine that they came for etiquette training, but their evaluations were not very high.

Rosetta said nothing about them.

Seeing this, Cattleya smiled.

"--You have become so admirable. You have one year left, so I entrust you with the guidance of your juniors. Show them what you can do, Rosetta."

"Yes."

"Also, your grandmother has a message. Count Banfield will be assigned to the capital planet next year for military training."

"Darling! Ah, my apologies."

Cattleya chuckled.

"You two are close, aren't you? I heard you'll be staying here for two years, but men at this age are often taught bad habits by their seniors. --Rosetta, you should be careful too."

"Lord Liam wouldn't do such things--"

"Men who can't relax tend to bottle things up. Even serious people make mistakes, so keep a firm hand on him. However, don't be too strict."

Given Liam's position, it wouldn't be strange for him to have several concubines.

In fact, considering the situation of the Banfield family, it would be problematic if he didn't.

If Liam were to fall, the candidates for heir would not be from the direct line but from collateral relatives -- or perhaps the previous generation would be recalled.

Amagi and Brian's thinking is that they cannot allow that.

Serina agrees, and the Banfield family needs Liam's descendants.

"--I understand."

"You look like you haven't quite accepted it. I understand how you feel, though. Normally, after fulfilling your duty, you're taught to do as you please."

Many noble daughters, after giving birth to an heir, enjoy romantic relationships freely.

Liam's grandmother and mother both built their families with partners of their choice after fulfilling their duties.

However, for Rosetta, who likes Liam, such matters after fulfilling her duties were irrelevant.

"I am devoted to Lord Liam alone."

"I envy you for being able to say that."

Cattleya said this and returned to her work.

◇

A luxury hotel in the capital planet.

Construction work was being rushed there.

Thomas was overseeing the progress, and the manager was explaining the interior modifications.

"We are proceeding with the work as quickly as possible, but it will still not be ready by next year."

This luxury hotel has a long history in the capital planet, but it had fallen into disrepair recently for a certain reason.

"At worst, it's fine if the areas Liam-sama won't see are delayed. More importantly, what about the employee training?"

When Thomas found this hotel, it was in such a state that it was questionable whether it was even operating, with hardly any customers.

"We are calling back the former employees, but we are still short of experienced staff."

"Please gather them quickly. Once Liam-sama graduates from the officer academy, this will be the base of his operations for a while."

The manager was completely serious.

"Yes."

His strong reply conveyed his determination not to miss this opportunity.

This hotel didn't fall into disrepair due to any problems causing customers to stay away.

Previously, when they kicked out a drunk and rowdy customer, that person was a noble -- and of quite high rank, so pressure was applied.

If you make an enemy of a noble, even a popular hotel will quickly go out of business.

However, if you can win over a noble -- you can easily revive it.

The manager confirmed with Thomas.

"By the way, regarding the people who will be serving Liam-sama, is it really alright to select them based solely on their abilities? Shouldn't appearance be a selection criterion?"

If he likes them, he might want to have someone by his side whom he can touch.

When the manager said this, Thomas shook his head.

"Liam-sama doesn't even lay a hand on his own household staff. It's not about taste or preference; he's a truly strict person with himself. It would be better to have someone who can do their job properly by his side than someone like that; their evaluation will be higher."

In Thomas's mind, Liam was treated as a noble of integrity.

The manager bowed his head.

"--You are a truly admirable person, Liam-sama. I have seen many nobles in the capital planet, but Liam-sama is truly splendid."

"He may be a bit rough in his speech, but he is a merciful person. He shows no mercy to his enemies, but he is tolerant otherwise. Manager, unnecessary worries are not needed. As long as you do your job, Liam-sama will appreciate it."

The manager straightened his back and raised his face.

"Understood."

Preparations were underway in the capital planet to accommodate Liam.

Thomas was relieved that he could secure Liam's residence when a subordinate rushed towards him.

"Chairman!"

"What is it?"

"Th-that! Merchants from the capital planet are requesting an audience with you!"

"--What? Their names?"

It was unusual for merchants from the capital planet to come to meet Thomas, who was doing business in the provinces.

Normally, Thomas would be the one to visit them.

"It's Chairman Elliot of the Clave Trading Company and Patrice, an executive of the Newlands Trading Company. They said they absolutely want to meet and talk with you."

Thomas's eyes widened.

"Both of them are big players, aren't they?"

The Clave Trading Company is a royal merchant of the empire.

One of the largest trading companies in the empire.

And the Newlands Trading Company has its headquarters in the capital planet but is a large trading company that does business extensively in various regions.

Both are on a different scale than Thomas's Henfrey Trading Company.

It was like a president or executive of a company doing business nationwide wanting to meet a shop owner who runs a few stores in the countryside.

The manager was also flustered.

Both of them are that famous.

"What is their objective?"

Since he couldn't refuse the meeting, Thomas decided to meet with them immediately.

La1
Brian (´・ω・) "--"

La3
Brian (´；ω；) "-- I am happy that Lady Rosetta has grown."