—Liam is in trouble.

At this fact, the Guide's hands were trembling.

Ecstasy.

A joy unlike anything he had ever felt before was coursing through his entire body.

"Liam is struggling, you say?"

Struggles themselves were not uncommon, but it was a different story if he was indirectly involved.

Until now, no matter what he did, it had always ended up benefiting Liam.

How he had wished to make him miserable.

The Guide had failed at everything, but he couldn't stop trembling at this result.

"I helped Liam and made Calvin miserable—b-but, Calvin turned the tables, and now Liam is the one suffering. Even though I'm helping him, Liam is facing one hardship after another—what in the world is going on?!"

He held his head in his hands, but he was smiling.

He couldn't stop laughing.

Until now, no matter how hard he tried to make Liam miserable, he had always ended in failure.

This time, conversely, he had lent a little power to help Liam—and Liam was gradually being cornered.

It was pure bliss.

Even now, he was tormented by a burning pain from Liam's gratitude, but a pleasure that made him forget it was coursing through the Guide.

"It's just like 'The North Wind and the Sun'! Instead of trying to make Liam miserable, I just need to make him happy, and everything will work out! That's it, it has to be!"

Having failed continuously up to this point, the result before his eyes was all that mattered to the Guide.

"Now that I've decided, I'll continue to help Liam from now on! Ooh, this is getting fun~"

As the Guide rolled on the floor laughing with his mouth wide open, a single dog was glaring at him from the shadows.

◇

The Banfield family's territory had an increasing number of habitable planets, but its population was small in comparison.

Due to the rapid expansion of the territory, they needed to wait for the population to grow further.

However, Liam, who was currently in need of people—manpower—was pushing forward with accepting immigrants as a quick way to increase the population.

In reality, the number of immigrants was large.

Thanks to the civil wars that had broken out around the Empire, many people had abandoned their homelands and were immigrating.

—However, this immigration policy had a major flaw.

The Banfield family's territory was relatively stable and had good public order.

Thanks to the situation in the surrounding nations, they had acquired a large number of immigrants, but—.

"Don't allow the aristocracy's dictatorship!"
"Aristocratic rule is too autocratic. We should introduce democracy here!"
"That's right! That was the norm in the Unified Government!"

—Liam had gained many subjects, but at the same time, demonstrations by immigrants from the Unified Government were taking place on many planets.

On one of the planets where such a demonstration was being held.

In a deserted alley, the man leading the demonstration was consulting with someone.

"Thanks to you guys, our numbers have grown. We'll topple this aristocratic government just like this."

The young leader was utterly convinced that democracy was the only correct political system.

He was trying to implement it in the Empire.

Assisting this young leader were operatives from Calvin's faction.

"What, we just want to support you guys. Let's end this aristocratic rule together."

"Of course! We'll turn this place into a democratic nation!"

The operative was laughing inwardly.

(Dance for us as much as you like. They probably don't understand that if this wasn't Liam, the Empire would just burn the entire planet to a crisp and be done with it.)

(The Empire has no need for democracy.)

◇

"You bastards!!"

I was currently raging in a luxury hotel on the capital planet.

Just when I'd finally cleaned up my workplace, an urgent report arrived from my territory.

The one who delivered the unpleasant report was—Brian.

"'Lord Liam, what shall we do? We never expected the people we took in to suddenly hold such a large-scale demonstration.'"

Someone is clearly pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Right now, the most likely candidate is Calvin.

But I can't catch him red-handed.

"—Kukri!"

When I called, Kukri emerged from my shadow.

"I am here."

"There must be operatives at work. Why can't you find them? Or did those people really plan and execute this demonstration on their own?"

A demonstration right after moving in—I could understand if their treatment was poor, but I made proper preparations and even provided support.

I had them prepare thoroughly so they could be used as human resources immediately.

Housing, education, vocational training—the reason I had them provide such generous support was so I could work them to the bone right away.

Even if they're penniless, they can get a house and a job if they come to my territory.

Children can even receive an education.

Despite all that, would they really start a demonstration so soon?

Just because of the political system?

Damn it! I'm now regretting that I didn't hold off on accepting immigrants from the Unified Government.

In any case, it's certain that someone is pulling the strings.

"—It's not us, but several of the Banfield family's investigators have gone missing."

"What?"

Kukri and his people are skilled, but they can't cover everything.

That's why we also have a normal organization to track down these kinds of operatives—but it seems they've gone missing for unknown reasons.

Brian also hurriedly reports on the matter.

"'Th-that's right, we have received reports to that effect.'"

"Are my people all incompetent?"

As I was feeling disappointed, Kukri corrected my thinking.

"No, they are not incompetent. I wouldn't say they're exceptionally skilled, but I can't imagine they'd fail to see through something of this level. —Lord Liam, I believe people like us are operating in the shadows within your territory."

"People like you?"

"Yes. In the Empire, there are clans and organizations like ours. Even in the era when we were active, over a hundred groups operated in the shadows. Among them is a clan we have fought against for many years."

The dark underbelly from two thousand years ago—it wouldn't be strange if they still existed, and they're probably highly skilled.

"So they've infiltrated my territory."

"—Currently, we are fully occupied with protecting you, Lord Liam, and our activities on the capital planet. Unfortunately, we have only a few people stationed in the territory."

Kukri and his people are skilled, but there aren't many of them.

To have my territory messed with at a time like this is truly unforgivable.

—I need to secure the alchemy box stored in the territory myself before it gets stolen.

Now, where on earth should I hide it?

As I was getting irritated, Kukri made a suggestion.

"—Shall we dispatch our people to the territory?"

"There are problems everywhere! I can't just move you guys around. Maintain the status quo. Tell your subordinates in the territory to prioritize their current mission."

"Yes, sir."

Kukri then sank into the floor and disappeared.

This is really getting on my nerves.

Depose me for democracy?

I want to turn them to ash right now, but I'm too busy to move.

—I should probably assume the enemy has infiltrated quite deeply.

"—When this is over, I'll turn it all to ash!"

Brian, who was listening to my words, was shocked.

"'Y-you mustn't, Lord Liam! This is a time for patience!'"

"You're telling me to endure? Are you an idiot? To be honest, I want to go back to the territory right now and cut down those fools with my own hands. Brian, I like the subjects who obey me. Those who leave my grasp—are nothing but trash."

"'L-Lord Liam.'"

Brian is shocked and dejected, but this has always been my personality.

Just as I was thinking how truly irritating this was—Amagi entered the room.

I cut the communication with Brian.

The one who entered the room holding Amagi's hand was my disciple, Ellen Tyler.

A little girl with outward-flaring red hair was hiding behind Amagi, holding a wooden sword.

"—Ellen, what is a disciple of the One-Flash School doing hiding behind Amagi?"

Seeing Ellen afraid of me, Amagi—wore a look of exasperation.

It was her usual expressionless face, but I could tell.

She's angry.

Amagi is angry.

"Ah, Amagi."

When I suddenly became meek, she stepped forward as if to shield Ellen.

"Master, taking out your frustrations on others is unbecoming."

"N-no! This is, well. I was just a little irritated—my subjects started a demonstration. As a nobleman, this calls for the use of force—"

"I have not heard that everyone has started a demonstration. If the forces left on-site can handle it, you should just leave it to them."

"B-but, it's infuriating—"

"More importantly, Master, you have things you must do. —Come now, Lady Ellen."

Pushed forward by Amagi, Ellen stood before me with her head down.

"—Master, our promise about training... you haven't watched me for three days."

I was taken aback.

Lately, I've been too busy to watch Ellen's training.

I thought it would be fine since she was in the phase of repeating the basics, but for me to forget about raising a successor to the One-Flash School—I can't face Master Yasushi.

Master Yasushi always watched my training when he was teaching me.

Amagi is looking at me.

"You were the one who picked her up, saying you would look after her."

"—Y-yeah."

I was the one who picked her up, saying I'd take care of her.

With Amagi saying that, I can't just force my way back to the territory and go on a rampage.

I don't have time for that in the first place.

Work at the government office.

Preparations for deployment.

And on top of that, large-scale demonstrations in my territory.

I also have to raise Ellen, so I've been busier than ever before.

Amagi consoles me as if admonishing me.

"I understand that this is a difficult time, but please—pay a little more attention to your surroundings. I am worried about you, Master."

"Ugh!"

I made Amagi worry—that hurts.

As I staggered and fell to my knees, Ellen rushed over.

"Master! A-are you alright, Master?!"

"I-I'm fine, Ellen. Anyway, let's train. Raising you—is a promise I made to my master."

"Your master's master?"

"Yeah, Master Yasushi—the man known as the Sword God. He's an amazing person."

I was the one who made people call him the Sword God, but it's a title befitting Master Yasushi, so there shouldn't be a problem.

I wonder if Master will be pleased?

I stood up and headed to the training grounds with Ellen.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

Amagi followed us as well.

"By the way, Ellen, you have been practicing your fundamentals, haven't you?"

"Y-yes! I worked really hard!"

"While you were away, Master, this Amagi confirmed her basic movements. Lady Ellen has been working hard."

"Ellen, you were alone with Amagi?! I've been so busy lately, she hasn't even paid any attention to me!"

"I-I'm sorry."

Seeing Ellen apologize, Amagi looked truly exasperated.

To others, she might just look expressionless, but I can tell!

"—Master, what are you saying to a child?"

◇

"It's coming. The winds are blowing in my favor!"

The anguish coming from Liam was making the Guide happy.

Power was welling up inside him.

He didn't know why, but every time the Guide tried to make Liam happy—something would interfere and Liam would suffer.

Because Liam was accepting people, a large number of them immigrated.

But thanks to Calvin's handiwork, demonstrations were breaking out in the territory.

Every time he lent a hand, Liam suffered.

The Guide was moved.

"It was so simple. What I needed to do to win was to help Liam—I've been doing it wrong this whole time!"

Having finally realized his past mistakes, the Guide resolved to continue his activities to help Liam from now on.

There was no longer any hesitation.

"Liam, so that you may suffer, I shall help you find happiness."

The Guide muttered something incomprehensible.

"Full support! With all the power I possess, I will make you happy!"

The Guide supported Liam with all his might.

◇

In the Banfield family's territory.

The original residents of the territory walked past the people who were demonstrating.

"Those people are from that place called the Unified Government, right?"
"They've got a lot of energy."
"I wonder if democracy is really all that great?"
"I hear some of the young people from the territory have been joining in lately."
"—Well, the number of kids who don't know the old days has increased. They don't understand how happy they have it now."
"Hasn't it been decades since the last demonstration? The last one was—that's right! When we clashed with the Lord over the tornado hairstyle!"
"Ah, we really fought hard back then, didn't we? —Though you don't see the tornado hairstyle anymore."
"It was like a festival, wasn't it? There were even food stalls lined up."
"In that case, maybe they're in a festive mood too."
"So that's it! I get it now."

The residents watched the demonstration from a distance, chatting among themselves.

Some young people who had immigrated from the Unified Government approached them.

"Everyone, do you think it's okay for this aristocratic rule to continue?"

"Huh? I think it's fine."

"Of course it's not!"

The youths became enraged and began to passionately explain how terrible aristocratic rule was.

"It's absurd that taxes are decided by the lord's whim, and that the lord isn't bound by law or judged! It's incredibly dangerous for everything to be in the hands of a single person! That's why each and every one of us should have the right to vote and choose our own representatives!"

"I-is that so."

An elderly couple who had been listening reminisced about the old days.

"Come to think of it, things were really terrible before the current Lord took over."

"They certainly were."

The youths smiled.

"See! If this aristocratic rule continues, who knows when things will go back to how they were—"

While the youths were passionately speaking, a group of young people had gathered around the elderly couple to hear stories about those times.

"My parents used to say something similar. That their childhood was tough. Was it really that bad?"
"'Bad' is an understatement. We can live so prosperously now, but until Lord Liam became the head, we lived in true poverty. There were many homes that couldn't even use electricity."
"Ah, I've heard about that."
"We were so lucky that Lord Liam became the head. I hope things continue peacefully and the new lord inherits Lord Liam's policies—inherits?"

The elderly couple's faces showed a sudden realization.

"Hey, does Lord Liam have an heir?"
"—I-I haven't heard of one."

The young people felt a sense of crisis.

"Isn't this, like, bad?"
"If Lord Liam died now, what would happen to our territory?"

The elderly couple spoke of the past.

"In that case, the Empire would dispatch a magistrate—hmm, could we go back to the old way of life? I hear magistrates aren't interested in developing the territory."

The residents began to murmur restlessly.

"—Lord Liam is engaged to Lady Rosetta, right?"
"There hasn't been any announcement of a pregnancy, has there?"
"—Hey, Lord Liam is the type to charge into the front lines alone, isn't he?"

The residents' anxiety swelled to great proportions.

The youths participating in the impassioned demonstration noticed that something was strange about the mood of the people around them.

"Uh, um, are you listening to us?"

The residents glared at them.

"We're having a serious discussion here, so shut up!"
"Hey, shouldn't we hold a demonstration too?"
"Yeah!"

Seeing them decide to hold a demonstration, the youths who wanted to spread democracy thought they had gotten through to them and left the scene.

—In the Banfield family's territory, demonstrations began to spread on an unprecedented scale.

Brian (´；ω；｀): "It's painful. Lord Liam is angry, and it's painful. But more than that, the huge difference in treatment between Amagi and this Brian is too painful."