I'm nearing fifty years old – the age of adulthood in this world is approaching.
I, who spend my days in the mansion, realized something here.
"Don't you think it's unhealthy to have been reincarnated into a world that seems like science fiction, yet only live within the mansion?"
In the study.
Amagi, while assisting with my work, answers me plainly, but she's ignoring the reincarnation part. This maid has a high level of evasion skills.
"It is not a problem as you can get adequate exercise within the mansion and your safety is secured. Rather, it would be problematic if you went out."
Is she angry about the previous incident where I went out to pick up women?
I did go out to pick up women, but I didn't speak to anyone.
What should I really do?
The corrupt lord I'm aiming for drinks more, has beautiful women around him – what else does he do?
Drinking, huh… Drinking in this body gives me a sense of guilt, and I don't find it tasty in the first place.
And I don't have any trouble with women, as I have the ideal Amagi, so there's no need to force myself.
Wait? Is there no need to force myself?
"No, that's no good. I'm aiming to be a corrupt lord. I can't give up here."
"Is that so? However, if you say you want to be a corrupt lord, it's difficult. What is it you wish to do?"
"—Like raising taxes and tormenting the citizens?"
"While tax revenue will increase temporarily, it will be a negative in the long run, so I do not recommend it. Let's consider a tax increase after observing the situation in the territory."
Depending on the situation, even lowering taxes can increase citizens' purchasing power, leading to an increase in tax revenue.
—No. It's not about economics.
I want to trample on others!
I want to be on the side that takes, not the side that is taken from!
"I don't want to hear such adult opinions. I want to be on the side that takes by power or violence!"
That's right.
I am the one who takes, and the citizens are the ones who are taken from.
Who cares about tax revenue!
"Alright, I'll find beautiful women in the territory and bring them here! Fashion – at this point, I'll give up on that and make them to my liking after bringing them here."
Then, Amagi immediately replies.
"For those working within the mansion, aside from technical positions, appearance is also a selection criterion. They are all carefully selected individuals from within the territory."
Hearing that, I recall.
Indeed, many of the people working in the mansion were handsome and beautiful.
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Amagi asks,
"Shall I have someone suitable serve as your companion?"
"No, I don't feel like it. —Wait? Is it okay to touch them?"
"They are hired with that in mind, so yes. If you prefer men, I can arrange for them as well."
"—No."
Did you think I was interested in men?
More importantly, it's boring to touch girls who are okay with it.
Isn't the resistance what makes it fun!
"Let's bring in entertainers from the territory! Because it's fun to subdue those who resist."
"Master, the entertainment sector in the territory has not yet grown. Furthermore, many would be pleased if you summoned them. Within the territory, they are the best patrons imaginable. Or, shall I bring them from outside the territory?"
Outside—does she mean from other territories?
"I want to enjoy the feeling of being a king within my own territory! If they come from elsewhere, they are outsiders!"
I reject that because I don't want to cause trouble with other territories when I don't have enough power yet.
I'll deal with them after I gain more strength.
"Please do not worry. Master, you are the ruler of the Banfield family. You are not just in spirit, but actually the king of a galaxy—no, of a planet."
No, that's true, but that's not what I mean!
Besides, you just corrected yourself, didn't you? Ah, that's right. While I say I rule the galaxy, what I actually rule is just one planet.
It's not my fault. This is the fault of my father and grandfather!
Damn—is it this difficult to become a corrupt lord?
Amagi reminds me of the fundamental problem.
"First of all, we have debt, don't we?"
—Yes, debt.
No matter how much the territory develops, I can't do as I please because of the debt.
Ignoring it will cause trouble, so I have to repay it.
Somehow—if the repayment is delayed any further, the collectors will get serious.
—The fear of my previous life comes to mind.
"Damn—isn't there an easy way to repay debt?"
"There's nothing that can be done about this. Let's repay it steadily. If we show sincerity, they won't make unreasonable demands—"
Just then, an urgent communication arrived.
It was Brian.
"Why are you communicating instead of coming to my room?"
When I authorized the call, an image floated in the air.
"Liam-sama, it's terrible! Pi-pi-pi—Pirates have declared war on the Banfield family!"
—Aren't they too polite for pirates?
◇
The government building in the territory is quite a large skyscraper.
This is where the officials who manage the territory work, and I only visit occasionally.
Because I am important, if there is a problem, I dispatch my subordinates to the mansion.
Though, most of it ends with communication.
In the conference room, the main figures were gathered, discussing the pirates' declaration of war and their demands.
An official in a suit was confirming the contents with a nervous expression.
"The pirates' demands are that we hand over all our wealth and hostages. They specified that the hostages should be limited to handsome and beautiful individuals."
I look at the list of requested precious metals, but they've specified an amount I can't provide.
The hostages are limited to handsome and beautiful people.
—It's irritating.
Why should I hand over my possessions to these people?
Not only officials but also soldiers were present.
"Lord, shouldn't we negotiate with the pirates and resolve this peacefully?"
The soldiers were irritated by the timid response of the officials.
"That's Goaz! He's a wanted criminal with an extremely high bounty!"
As expected of a heinous pirate, he has an extremely high bounty on his head.
It seems a tremendous amount of money can be obtained by defeating the pirate crew.
What exactly did these guys do?
"Can we win? The Banfield family's forces, even if gathered, are only eight thousand. In contrast, the pirates led by Goaz number thirty thousand ships!"
"There's also the skill level and quality of equipment! Numbers aren't everything. Besides, if we surrender without doing anything, will they let us go?"
"Are you saying that you intend to escape yourselves?"
"Are you insulting us?!"
As the argument between the officials and soldiers intensified, I was looking at Goaz's bounty.
As the lord, it's not a particularly large amount for me.
It's not an amount I can ignore, but it's not enough to become rich all at once.
It's really subtle.
—It was at that time.
Not a sound could be heard, and when I looked up, the surrounding scene was strange.
The officials and soldiers, who were arguing fiercely, were now completely still.
Everyone was motionless.
"—Are they stopped?"
I thought time had stopped.
Then, I heard a familiar voice.
"Yes. I've taken a little of your time. It's quite tiring, though. By the way, it's been a while. Should I call you Liam now?"
Turning around, I saw the guide standing there.
"It has been a while. More importantly, what is this? Pirates are attacking."
Didn't you promise to make me happy?
When I asked in a way that implied that, the other party seemed to understand.
"It's a misunderstanding. This is a—present for Liam-san."
"A present?"
"Yes. You're about to come of age in this world, aren't you? Before that, I wanted to give you a noble status as a distinguished aristocrat. Also, this territory has debt, doesn't it?"
He gives a spiteful reply.
"Thanks to that, it's a shame I can't do as I please."
"I apologize. Therefore, I have invited pirates possessing immense treasures into this territory. If you defeat them, it will all be Liam-san's."
"Mine?"
The guide approaches me, rubbing his hands.
"Yes. If you defeat them, Liam-san will gain honor and immense treasure. The pirate leader possesses an incredible treasure. I sent them to give that to you as a gift."
"—Oh?"
As a smile formed on my lips, the guide also raised the corners of his mouth and smiled eerily.
"I'm glad you understand. Well, since the after-service is complete, I will take my leave."
He slightly lifts the brim of his silk hat, then pulls it down deeply, and a door appears behind the guide.
As usual, I can't see anything but his mouth.
As he bows and tries to leave—
"Thank you for your trouble."
I said thank you.
From the guide's mouth, his expression seemed to disappear, but he quickly smiled again.
"It's all in a day's work."
—When the guide closes the door, he disappears.
Immediately after, the noisy arguments resume.
As time, which had stopped, began to move again, I stood up.
As all eyes gathered, I announced my plan.
"Since it's a good opportunity, let's finish my first battle. You all, prepare yourselves."
The soldiers were flustered.
The officials were the same.
"Lord, that's reckless. They are renowned pirates. They must have many knights who have fallen into piracy. We have no knights of the Banfield family."
There are no hereditary retainers.
After that, no knights came to serve.
But, it's fine.
If the guide has made the arrangements, there's no way I can lose.
"So what? Listen, I said I would do it. You just need to prepare."
The soldiers still looked displeased, but the officials, remembering that I had purged many people in the past, fell silent.
That's right, just obey me silently.
As long as you obey me, I'll treat you well.
Otherwise, I'll just kill you.
"Gather all the forces you can. Avido will also be deployed."
A commander, who was a soldier—pulled from the Imperial Army—opposed me.
"Are you intending to sortie? That's reckless."
"Of course I am, it's my first battle. Just follow my orders. This is going to be a fun pirate hunt."
There's nothing more enjoyable than a sure victory.
These pirates brought immense treasures for me.
I'll treat them with courtesy.
"—Launch."
◇
In the mansion, Brian was restless.
Amagi reports.
"Avido has reportedly reached the spaceport safely. It is scheduled to be loaded onto the battleship that Master will board."
Brian clutches his head.
"What terrible misfortune. Just as the territory is regaining its former vitality, such vicious space pirates are descending."
Amagi remained unfazed.
However, she seemed worried.
"We haven't lost yet, and Master's judgment is not wrong. Based on the information about the pirate crew, surrender is meaningless. Also, we have received word that the Empire will dispatch regular forces."
Brian shakes his head.
"It won't be in time. By the time they gather their numbers and arrive at the territory, who knows what will happen."
It was decided that regular forces would be dispatched because dangerous pirates had invaded Imperial territory.
However, it was impossible to make it in time.
In the worst-case scenario, the territory could be ravaged, and the regular army might arrive after the pirates had fled.
Brian laments.
"Finally—finally, the Banfield family was about to recover. If only Liam-sama had been born a hundred years earlier."
Brian, who had placed his hopes on Liam, resented the pirates.
◇
Spaceport.
There was a man watching the Banfield family's fleet gather.
It was the guide.
He was in his usual attire in outer space.
Standing above the spaceport, he laughed as he watched Liam and the others frantically prepare to meet the attack.
"It seems he liked the present. Well, it would be best if the pirates captured him and made him their plaything, wouldn't it?"
The guide did not tell Liam.
That the forces possessed by the Goaz pirate crew were not ordinary pirate crews.
There is a secret in the box that Goaz cherishes.
That is Goaz's source of funding.
With abundant funds, Goaz equipped his forces.
While the skill level might be questionable, the quality of their equipment is not significantly inferior.
In this battle, the pirates, who had superior numbers, had the advantage.
"To thank me—I'm looking forward to seeing his expression later. Gratitude turns into hatred in time, and smiles twist into ugliness with animosity. I'm sure he will satisfy me."
The guide eagerly awaits Liam's downfall.
Behind him, a small light left the guide and headed towards Avido, which was being loaded onto the battleship.
It infiltrated Avido without the guide noticing.
The unsuspecting guide spread his hands wide.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of results it will bring! Now, Liam-san—it's time to know the truth you've been waiting for!"
Why he reincarnated Liam into this world.
Why his previous life was unhappy.
The guide couldn't wait for the time to explain everything.