A certain noble house was demoted.

Their possessed resource satellite was confiscated by the Empire, and they lost their credibility as nobles.

The Razel Viscountcy—no, the Barony—was branded as unsuitable for apprenticeship.

"--How did it come to this?"

When the Banfield family was attacked by pirates, there was suspicion of intentional negligence.

The Razel family was fortunate that Liam annihilated the pirates.

Randolph dealt with all the remaining pirates at the Baronial seat.

The Empire's investigation was more thorough than imagined, and various other matters were looked into—leading to this situation.

The reason the house was allowed to remain was partly due to the Empire's convenience, as suddenly having the Razel family disappear would create administrative burdens.

And then, other circumstances were simply significant.

The Pittock family was destined to perish, and on top of that, enormous debt was about to fall upon the Razel family.

The reason was Katerina, who had been married off.

If Peter died, Katerina might become the female head of the family.

They could abandon everything and flee, but if they did, their relatives would resent them for destroying a Count's house.

They would be ostracized in the Empire's noble society.

No matter how they looked at it, a bright future was nowhere in sight.

Even worse—

"Even the merchants are all fleeing."

Merchants who heard the rumors fled.

Even the commissioned merchants they associated with became cold after the demotion. They hadn't thought highly of the association with pirates in the first place, and this was an opportunity for them to cut ties.

Their perceptive subordinates also quickly found new positions and left.

Only those who were inflexible remained.

Among them was the knight who had been instructing Liam.

"What was wrong? What did I do wrong?"

Randolph despaired—and the guide was watching him.

The guide stood before Randolph, but he didn't seem to notice.

"I am disappointed in you. However, thanks to your despair, you have become somewhat more decent. I will take revenge on Liam with your despair as my nourishment."

Thanks to people like Randolph and Peter who met misfortune, the guide had regained some strength.

However, it wasn't enough strength to make Liam suffer.

The guide pondered.

"If that's the case, I'll reveal everything and make Liam despair. That's the only way."

Liam's hateful gratitude could be felt even from afar.

Without Randolph and Peter, he would have been in danger.

—At worst, he might have faded away from exhaustion.

He wished these people had suffered even more.

The guide truly thought so.

"I will use your negative emotions as nourishment and this time, I will drag Liam down to hell!"

As the guide disappeared, Randolph raised his head.

His face looked a little—refreshed.

It was probably because his negative emotions had been absorbed by the guide.

"The consequences of my past actions have caught up to me. If this is the case, I have no choice but to start over from here. First, I need to contact my son. I should also talk to Katerina."

There was also the future of his children.

Randolph stood up, realizing he couldn't afford to stand still.

◇

Peter's Peter, who had exploded, had a face as if a spirit had left him.

Beside him was Katerina.

Peter, lying in bed, was smiling weakly.

"I was— no, I was an idiot."

"Did you finally realize that?"

Katerina was exasperated.

"Katerina, you should go back to your family. You can still break off the engagement now. I will prove that there was no physical relationship between us. I can't let you be troubled."

While everyone else had given up on Peter, Katerina shook her head.

"There's no point in going back. Father told me to come back, but I have no intention of doing so. If I leave you like this, my family will be ruined. So, I have to try and make the Pittock family a little more decent."

"—Katerina. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, really."

Katerina had a look of resignation about many things.

However, she was also genuinely thinking of doing something about the Pittock family.

"If the Pittock family can recover even a little, someone will emerge to run for the head of the family. Then, we can abdicate and retire."

"Ah, I— I'll do my best."

Peter was the same as Liam.

He had grown up without knowing his parents' love.

He was naive about the world, and his parents were in the Empire's capital.

Having found someone he could rely on for the first time, Peter looked very happy.

◇

Imperial Capital Star.

Tia, having graduated from university, was undergoing training to become an official.

The training period was a long two years, during which she would be used for menial tasks.

However, those who were expected to achieve high positions in the future would be assigned to appropriate departments and receive preferential treatment.

Tia was one of them.

As she entered the government building in her suit, she saw the heir of the Razel family in work clothes.

He was being scolded by a senior.

"Hey, rookie! How many times do I have to tell you the same thing?!"

"S-sorry."

"You're not interested in this kind of work anyway, are you?"

"That's not true—."

"Is that so? Heirs of noble families like you are considered failures unless they're in the flashy departments. You're thinking you can get away after enduring for two years, aren't you?"

"No, that's not it."

"I won't let someone like you escape, so be prepared. At the very least, for the two years of training, you'll be cleaning toilets."

He clenched his fists, looking down without talking back.

The Razel family was demoted, and its heir was not assigned to a flashy department.

He was simply, silently working—cleaning.

That department was not one where heirs of noble families would be assigned.

Still, he was working diligently.

(—Well, if he's working hard, there's nothing for me to say.)

If he had said something, she would have been unforgiving of the Razel family for mistreating Liam, but seeing his earnestness, Tia's resolve softened.

(Now, two years of training, then four years of practical experience—after that, the academy? Which will Liam-sama choose, university or the academy?)

Depending on that, she would have to change her own plans.

Tia worked hard for Liam's future.

◇

The backlash from the citizens was strong.

For the past few years, he had been struggling to deal with idiots who claimed rights and freedoms.

Freedom and rights are mine!

You have no freedom or rights!

"Why are you so fixated on that poop-like hairstyle!"

I slammed my desk in the executive office, and deployed the army to the demonstrations that occurred in various places.

Fortunately, it was just a demonstration with placards demanding recognition of the hairstyle.

But the soldiers lacked motivation.

Some of them were saying things like, "It's just a hairstyle, what's the big deal?"

Don't mess with me!

I will absolutely not approve of such a hairstyle!

Why are you so obsessed with that coiled poop-like hairstyle for so many years!

"The territory is peaceful, isn't it?"

Amagi's words left me stunned.

"Peaceful where! There are citizens who oppose me!"

When I subtly conveyed to the TV stations that "this isn't good, is it?", they said things like "there's no law regulating hairstyles."

Whose side are you on! Flatter the powerful!

Don't mess with me!

When I tried to force a law, the officials also started saying things like, "That's a bit much, isn't it?"

In reality, it would be troublesome to decide which hairstyles are acceptable and which are not.

I understand, but— I understand!

Why are you all so fixated on hairstyles!

Is it that? Is it a reaction to the tax increase! That's what it is!

"More importantly, the fourth contingent to the pioneer planet has arrived safely. Development is going smoother than imagined. Because of the tax increase, they probably thought Your Excellency was serious. The citizens' motivation is different."

"It's about the hairstyle, you idiot! I don't want a territory with so many citizens sporting poop-like hairstyles!"

I will definitely stop that hairstyle before I enter elementary school!

◇

The head maid was reporting to the Prime Minister.

"—That is the situation. Everything is peaceful except for the demonstrations."

"I understand the Count's feelings perfectly."

Upon hearing Liam's current situation, the Prime Minister expressed his sympathy.

"More importantly, the admission period for the elementary school is approaching."

"It should be no problem for the Count, but I hear there are many problem children in the elementary school these days."

The elementary school also has many problems.

The reason the Prime Minister expects Liam is because the Empire's corruption is becoming unbearable.

"By the way, the Count purchased a fortress-class ship from the Seventh Weapons Factory. Are you in too much of a hurry to increase your military strength, or is there a reason?"

The head maid replied.

"It's being placed at the defense outpost of the pioneer settlement. It will take several more years to prepare a proper base. They are likely using it as a temporary measure until then."

"I see. So that was the reason. He is thinking ahead."

◇

The children of nobles who are being taken care of at Liam's mansion.

Their life at the mansion is that for three years, they are treated strictly as servants.

Education is also provided, but what will happen to them after that, since they are not going to the elementary school like Liam?

—The answer is simple.

They will spend their lives in Liam's territory.

Universities are also increasing, and they can study at the university of their choice.

Two girls who spent three years at the mansion are walking on the university grounds in casual clothes.

"Wow, the Count is so generous. He takes care of tuition and living expenses."

Tuition is waived.

Living expenses are provided at a certain amount, and if that's not enough, they have to work part-time or rely on remittances from their families.

"We can't have this much fun in our hometown."

There are many territories where universities don't even exist.

In the surrounding areas, Liam's territory is developing remarkably.

The reason why minor lords send their children to study abroad is because they want them to learn in Liam's most developed territory.

"I don't want to go back to my hometown~."

The girl smiled at her friend who was lamenting.

"You have to find a husband, don't you? I'm going to live here like this."

The lamenting girl glared at her friend.

"That's nice~. I want to stay here too. At least, I want to have fun for ten years."

"Give up. Rather, you should look for someone who will marry into your family as a knight."

The girls seem to be having a lot of fun.

It was the same for the men.

They were enjoying their youth, indulging in studies and flirting—love at university.

◇

"Damn it!"

I was furious, and the admission period for elementary school was approaching.

And yet—

I picked up a fashion magazine, and the problematic hairstyle had evolved further and was featured.

Brian peeked in.

"If you try to regulate it carelessly, they will strongly resist, Liam-sama."

"I'll crush them completely!"

I didn't expect to be angered this much.

It's probably also a reaction to Amagi raising taxes to the limit.

If that's the case, I need to teach them clearly which one is right—no, which one is superior.

"Perhaps you should give up?"

"They are the ones who should give up! I will definitely make them regret opposing me, the person in power!"

"Rather, I feel like the citizens are even enjoying it."

"I can't forgive them even more!"

It's fine for me to play with the citizens, but it's not acceptable for me to be played with.

It concerns the pride of an "evil lord."

"If it comes to this, it's military action. I'll call back the knights and lop off those whose heads are full of dung—"

After saying that much, I noticed that Brian's demeanor was strange.

He wasn't moving as if time had stopped.

This feeling—yes, I know this.

Looking around, I saw the guide, just as I had seen him before—no, looking a bit worn out.

He was sitting on his travel bag, with his legs crossed.

He wore his hat pulled down low, so his eyes were not visible.

However, his crescent-shaped mouth was clearly visible.

"It's been a while, Liam-san."

"You."

The guide spread his hands.

"I've wanted to meet you for a long time. But I couldn't meet you until today."

To the guide, who looked happy, I also expressed my gratitude.

"I wanted to meet you too. Actually, I wanted to thank you—"

The guide brought his index finger to his mouth and gestured for me to be quiet.

"It's me first, Liam-san. I had a lot of things I wanted to say too."

The guide stood up and spoke to me calmly.

"Didn't you find it strange?"

"What is?"

"Various things, you know. Well, if we're talking about recent topics, it's the Razel family. Didn't you find it strange that you were treated coldly?"

"Not really."

"You should!"

The guide suddenly yelled, then apologized, "Excuse me," and continued.

"Originally, Liam-san, you were supposed to be entertained like Peter. By marrying a daughter of the Razel family, it was a chance to connect with a powerful house. Originally, Peter's position should have been Liam-san's."

"—No way."

As I widened my eyes in surprise, the guide laughed, spreading his hands with enjoyment.

"Then why was everything you were going to obtain stolen by Peter! There is a mastermind behind it all!"

"Mastermind?"

"—It's me."

The guide bowed, then looked up at me and smiled.

"Everything was orchestrated by me."

Hearing the truth, I thought.

"Y-you—"

"It wasn't Peter who took everything you were going to get! It's because of me that you lost everything! And that includes everything up to now! Liam-san, you were deceived!"

—This guy.

Brian: (； ・`ω・´) What did you say!?