If I had to describe the woman named Lysithea in one word, it would be 'out of place'.

In a palace consumed by political strife, a kind-hearted knight would simply be devoured.

Her high status doesn't help either.

She's a princess, an oddball who chose the path of a knight to protect her younger brother.

It would have been fine if she had the skill to back it up, but reality is, unfortunately, cruel.

No matter how generously you assessed her, Lysithea possessed only the abilities of an average knight, with nothing to make her stand out.

"I'm sorry, Duke. I can't stop Cleo."

She stopped me, and we're now walking down the corridor together, but Lysithea is pale-faced and looking down.

As I listen in silence, she begins to talk about Cleo's recent behavior.

"The Cleo of today has changed since gaining power. He used to be a kind boy, but now he's just like my brother Calvin and the others—no, he's even worse."

Cleo is trying to send me, the one who worked so hard to put him on the Crown Prince's throne, to a fierce battlefield.

Normally, this would be considered a terrible betrayal.

But I don't resent Cleo.

—Because from the very beginning, I've never trusted people.

I had anticipated that Cleo would betray me.

Although, I didn't expect to be treated this badly.

Lysithea laments her own patheticness.

"My words don't reach the Cleo of today. I told him that since you've helped us so much, Duke, we should join hands with you even now. —Cleo wouldn't listen."

This person, Lysithea, is probably a good-natured woman.

However, she shouldn't be having this kind of conversation within the palace.

In a situation where we can't be sure where hidden eyes and ears are, Cleo would surely be displeased just by her approaching me.

Lysithea speaks of her recent treatment with self-deprecation.

"He said I was being too noisy and removed me from my guard duties. Now, I can't even speak with Cleo. But—as his older sister, I felt I absolutely had to apologize to you, Duke. If possible—"

If possible—'don't resent Cleo'? Or maybe, 'please forgive Cleo'? Lysithea, who was about to say such words, seemed to feel ashamed and swallowed the rest of her sentence.

—Yes, that's for the best.

It seems even Lysithea understands that there's no turning back now.

I smile at Lysithea and give her a noncommittal reply.

"I understand your feelings, Lady Lysithea. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to get busy."

Lysithea watched my back as I quickly walked away, but I didn't look back.

◇

A room in the luxury hotel where I used to live.

I use it whenever I stay on the capital planet, and as soon as word gets out that I'm here, visitors come in a constant stream from morning till night.

Elliot from the Klaebe Company and Patrice from the Newlands Company came, not caring that it was already nighttime.

I'm hearing about the recent state of affairs from the two of them, who wear grim expressions before me.

"Did Cleo give you the cold shoulder?"

Elliot's Klaebe Company is a major player among the merchant houses that serve as purveyors to the Empire.

Even a company like that has apparently seen a clear decrease in its business with the Empire.

"It's atrocious. We've provided our utmost support for His Highness Cleo, and this is how we're treated. Lord Liam, we implore you to back someone else."

The merchant companies close to me are being targeted.

I don't know if Cleo ordered it or if those around him are just trying to curry favor.

But—I find myself disappointed that this is the extent of Cleo and the Emperor's abilities.

Patrice was quite flustered.

"At the Newlands Company's executive meetings, the number of those who want to abandon Lord Liam and cozy up to His Highness Cleo is growing. If you're going to back someone, I can introduce you to a convenient candidate right away."

She's trying to appear calm, but she's pressuring me to quickly prepare a rival for Cleo.

"Has your position in the executive meetings worsened?"

When I ask with a grin, Patrice makes a face as if she's bitten into a bitter bug.

"The number of executives who want to offer me to His Highness Cleo as a severance gift is increasing."

Next to Patrice, who is on the verge of being betrayed by her own people, Elliot offers words of sympathy, "That sounds terrible," while his eyes remain cold.

The two are not friends.

They're of the mindset that as long as it doesn't negatively affect them, they don't care what happens to the other.

It's quite dry, but they're more trustworthy than those who bring up things like human compassion.

Those without power are used and discarded.

That's the same in my past life and in this world.

"Patrice, I'll lend you Kukuri's subordinates. Keep your rival executives in check."

"That would be a great help."

"And I have a favor to ask of you."

"Is it about selecting someone to support?"

"We'll talk about that later. First, the battle with the Hegemony Kingdom is approaching. For you two, this is a time to make a profit, isn't it?"

As I say that, a light ignites deep in the eyes of Elliot and Patrice.

As expected, merchants are sharp when it comes to profit.

Elliot asks about the battle with the Hegemony Kingdom.

"Profit is important, but what are your thoughts on the war with the Hegemony Kingdom, Lord Liam?"

Will I fight with all my heart for the country, or will I fight passively to preserve my forces and eventually retreat—it seems they're concerned about what I'm aiming for.

The best course of action would probably be to fight just enough, and once I have an excuse, retreat or negotiate.

But I don't choose the 'better' option.

"Of course, it will be a complete and utter victory."

◇

Next to visit my room were people from the weapons factories.

Nias, dispatched from the Seventh Weapons Factory, is crying in front of me.

"All the contracts we had have been taken away! Isn't this just too blatant?! To go this far just because we're on good terms with you, Lord Liam... it's too much!"

The Seventh Weapons Factory is usually a group of freaks obsessed with thoroughly pursuing productivity, maintainability, or performance, but they normally produce weapons for the Empire.

They make money by mass-producing officially adopted weapons, but apparently, all of those jobs have been canceled.

Thanks to that, the Seventh Weapons Factory is apparently deep in the red.

Standing next to me is Eulisia, who is connected to the former Third Weapons Factory.

This time, she's accompanying me in a secretarial role, and she also informs me that her former workplace has been receiving complaints.

"The Third Weapons Factory has also had its work reduced. The Third is popular, so it won't go into the red, but if they continue to be given the cold shoulder by the Empire, I think they'll quickly reconsider their relationship with the Banfield family."

Cleo and the Emperor, why are they so careless with their finishing moves?

It makes me suspect they might be doing it on purpose.

Or perhaps—are they just playing around?

To the crying Nias, I promise a large order on the spot.

"It's sad to watch, so stop crying. The war with the Hegemony Kingdom is starting, so I'll place a massive order, including spare units."

"Really?!"

Seeing the joyful Nias, Eulisia crossed her arms and looked on with pity.

Even if they get through this, it's inevitable they'll be in the red in the future.

I'll have this same Eulisia propose a large purchase from the Third Weapons Factory as well.

"Eulisia, tell the Third that I'll buy a large amount from them too. They don't need to give me a discount. I'll buy even if it's overpriced. That way, they'll be able to save face with the Empire, right?"

"—Are you really sure about this?"

Eulisia, who is already like family, knows about the Banfield family's financial situation.

We've allocated a large portion of our budget to territorial development and military expansion, so we don't have much to spare.

We're in such a tight spot that even using the Alchemy Box can't keep up.

"It doesn't matter. I'll prepare the budget."

"I'll make the proposal, but please don't get your hopes up."

"Tell them I'll buy it even at double the price."

Eulisia has a 'What, that much?!' look on her face, but Nias's eyes change color as she clasps her hands and looks at me as if in prayer.

"Lord Liam, the Seventh Weapons Factory will continue to support you to the fullest! So please, buy from us at a higher price too—fifty percent, no, even a twenty percent markup would be fine!"

If they lose a major client like me, the Seventh Weapons Factory must be on the verge of being forced to shut down.

Also, this one is really bad at sales.

"Your place is in dire financial straits, isn't it? I have no intention of buying at a high price. I'll buy at the normal price, so you'll have to bear with it."

"No way~"

Watching the lamenting Nias, Eulisia shrugged.

"It's your fault for letting them take advantage of your weakness. Well, in the case of the Third, it's Lord Liam who's being taken advantage of, though."

"—That's right."

Too bad, Eulisia—I'm taking your former workplace, the Third Weapons Factory, down with me.

The double price is something of an apology for that.

◇

After the guests had left.

Tia and Marie came to my room and asked about our earlier conversation.

Tia doesn't fully trust the merchants.

"We need to have Kukuri's subordinates keep an eye on Elliot and Patrice to ensure they don't betray us."

Marie, on the other hand, seems to be furious with the weapons factory people.

"Putting the Seventh aside, I do not like the Third. How much do they think they've earned thanks to Lord Liam all this time? The moment things look bad for us, they immediately try to take advantage."

My current position is precarious.

That's why many people have been distancing themselves from me.

However—I'm satisfied with this situation.

No, it's even more favorable than I had anticipated.

"Cleo and the Emperor are both careless with their final moves."

When I say that, Tia and Marie get dubious looks on their faces.

It's not directed at me, but from a sense of distrust towards Cleo and the Emperor.

Tia was suspicious as to why Cleo and the Emperor weren't making more effective moves to undermine me.

"It is indeed unnatural. In the current situation, the carrot would be more effective than the stick for winning popularity. If they wanted to weaken the Banfield family, they should have built friendly relations and made our allies betray us, rather than tightening the screws. It makes one question if they're serious about undermining us."

Marie dryly predicts what comes next.

"Even if they defect to Cleo's side, their safety isn't guaranteed. If they betray the Banfield family only to be betrayed by Cleo later, it all ends up the same."

The merchants and weapons factory personnel must also be struggling to decide which side to take.

If they side with me, they'll be on the Empire's bad side.

But if they side with Cleo, will they be safe?

Even if they betray me for Cleo, there's no guarantee they can maintain the same relationship they had before.

If I were in Cleo's position, I would have promised to give them preferential treatment in our future dealings.

"Are they underestimating me that much, or is this just a trivial matter to them? I can't sense any will to win."

Our honest impression was—it's creepy.

There's something unsettling about Cleo and the Emperor deliberately avoiding effective methods.

"—Is this also the Guide's blessing?"

Even though I muttered it in a low voice, Tia and Marie tilt their heads in confusion.

"Lord Liam, did you say something?"

"Is something the matter with the one who guides you?"

I shake my head, slightly taken aback by the two of them who try not to miss even my softest whisper.

"It's nothing."

Things keep developing in a way that's convenient for me.

Is this a trap, or is it the Guide's blessing? It's hard to tell.

But, I'll make sure to thank the Guide properly today as well.