The 21st chapter of the manga adaptation of "The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs," currently available on Niconico Seiga, already has 1500 comments!? (;゜ロ゜)

If you don't mind spoilers, I think you'll enjoy it.

Volumes 1-3 of the manga version are now on sale, so I'd be happy if you could purchase them as well.

Having fled from the Banfield family's home planet, Baron Norden had returned to his domain and was preparing to escape.

His family was also terrified.

The one interrogating him with a shrill voice was Baron Norden's wife.

She was a beautiful woman, but gaudily dressed.

"Is it true that Liam has returned!?"

"I-It's true. If we don't flee immediately, we'll all be killed."

The space pirates who had already infiltrated the territory were beginning to be defeated by the private army, which had regained its cohesion upon Liam's return.

Baron Norden's face was etched with regret.

"If only he hadn't come back."

Born into a baronial family on the frontier, he held a position that was looked down upon among the Imperial nobility.

Even when he visited the Capital Planet, he was treated like a country bumpkin.

He wanted to live in luxury, but his domain's planet was just too awful.

Successive generations of lords had tormented the people with heavy taxes and indulged in every possible luxury.

It was the same situation the Banfield family had been in before.

However, thanks to Liam's growing power, Baron Norden had been able to live a somewhat more affluent life.

This was because if he asked Liam, Liam would develop his territory for free.

Infrastructure improved, and tax revenues increased.

Of course, he immediately raised taxes afterward to squeeze the populace dry.

He was such a useless lord that if Liam heard about it, he'd just say, "What an idiot."

"I only agreed because you said it would be absolutely fine!"

"I didn't think he'd come back either! Dammit, are you saying I can't even have my modest little luxuries?"

To have invited Isaac into the Banfield family's territory just to get a taste of the good life, and now this was his line.

Despite tormenting his people and living a life of luxury, he was convinced that he was poor.

As he was trying to escape, armed soldiers burst into the room.

They were soldiers from Baron Norden's private army.

"Wh-What is this!? I'm not ready yet. If you've come to escort me—"

As Baron Norden began to complain, his subordinates silently pulled their triggers.

After he and his wife were shot dead, the soldiers surrounded the two of them.

"Trying to escape all by yourselves? How convenient."

"We've suffered under these two for years. It was worth waiting for this chance."

"Should we hang them in the public square? Everyone would be overjoyed."

The people, who had been tormented for so long, took action the moment Baron Norden made an enemy of Liam.

If the populace had killed their lord without a backer or a valid reason, the Empire would have ordered Liam to burn the entire planet to the ground.

They had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

The soldier who seemed to be their leader looked down at the two bodies.

"We'll deliver the bodies to the Banfield family. We have to show that the populace holds no ill will towards them. So you all, hold back."

Other soldiers arrived and began to carry out the bodies.

Just then, the Banfield family's fleet descended upon Baron Norden's planet.

◇

The one who had invaded Baron Norden's territory was Tia.

On the bridge of a battleship, she was looking over a report.

She instantly processed the information on the monitors projected around her and let out a small sigh.

"So the moment he defied Lord Liam, he was killed by the very people he had tormented. I knew he was incompetent, but what an anticlimactic end."

Baron Norden, his wife, his concubines, and his children—all had been killed by his private soldiers, who were originally commoners.

In Baron Norden's territory, the people were now hoping to be ruled by the Banfield family.

A female knight standing beside Tia asked for her next order.

"Killing a lord is a grave crime. Shall we execute the soldiers who did it? They seem to have steeled their resolve."

No matter the reason, killing a lord was a serious offense.

But Tia was smiling.

She had reported the details to Liam, and he seemed to have taken a liking to Norden's anticlimactic end.

A more detailed report would follow, but Liam was in a good mood.

"I was able to give Lord Liam a wonderful report. Have the perpetrators discharged, their names changed, and then relocated to another planet. The official announcement will say they were executed."

The female knight looked a little exasperated.

This was far more troublesome than simply executing them.

"That's quite a display of mercy. They must have been prepared for the worst."

"They pleased Lord Liam. This is just a little reward from me personally. Now then—it's a pain, but we'll be managing Baron Norden's territory for a while."

The dispatched fleet was scheduled to temporarily take custody of the Norden family's domain.

Tia would serve as the acting lord, governing until a replacement arrived.

It's easy to forget because of her unfortunate tendencies, but Tia was a competent knight.

The female knight looked over the information on Baron Norden's territory with a bored expression.

"A textbook example of a corrupt frontier lord. No wonder his people hated him. If the Banfield family hadn't lent a hand, the territory would have been in an even worse state."

When Tia looked at the data on Baron Norden's domain, it was so awful it was almost refreshing.

Liam's support had made things somewhat better, but he had immediately raised taxes afterward, tormenting the people.

It was no surprise he was resented.

"He's nothing like Lord Liam. I will demonstrate Lord Liam's glorious might to this planet. Lord Liam would never neglect a planet as desolate as this."

Tia decided to govern the planet, exhausted by its evil lord, with all her might.

She was sure that Liam would have done the same.

◇

"Darling!"

As I returned to the mansion, Rosetta threw her arms around me, and I silently accepted her embrace.

I felt bad pushing away a crying Rosetta, and besides, Amagi was nearby.

If I pushed her away now, I'd get an earful.

"—You seem to be doing well."

When she pulled away, Rosetta wiped her tears and began to tell me how anxious she had been during my absence.

"I was so sad when you were gone, Darling. And I realized just how necessary you are to the domain. I couldn't do anything. I was so frustrated and pathetic that I couldn't do anything for you, Darling."

Of course you couldn't.

If you had tried to meddle in the domain's affairs, I would have been furious.

Giving Rosetta any real power is out of the question in the first place.

If you could do as you pleased, it would be a huge problem for me.

If someone has to take charge, I'd rather entrust it to one of my loyal subordinates.

Rosetta is the one person who absolutely cannot be in charge.

"Don't worry about it. But for the future, I'll prepare a Royal Guard for you."

"Oh, you don't have to do that for me. A Royal Guard is such a luxury."

It is a luxury, but it will be necessary in the future.

Also, to prevent another incident like the one with Marie, this girl needs to be able to protect herself.

"It's to protect you."

"Darling."

Rosetta is moved, but she truly doesn't understand anything.

Preparing a Royal Guard for her might seem to go against my principles.

However.

Conversely, it serves to limit the scope of her interference in the domain's affairs.

I will limit the military forces Rosetta can command to only her own Royal Guard.

It would be a pain if she got carried away and started meddling in this and that throughout the territory.

This girl is a creature of good.

In the future, she might try to stop me from tormenting the populace.

This is to create a jurisdiction for her and prevent her from interfering with the military or the officials beyond that.

This is a strategic move, not an act of kindness.

"Rosetta, I'll prepare a splendid Royal Guard just for you."

"R-Really? But I wonder if I can handle them properly?"

"Don't worry. You can use them as you see fit."

I used to think she was disappointingly gullible, but I've realized she's the perfect asset for an evil lord.

A gullible woman like her is easy to wrap around my little finger.

I order Amagi to prepare Rosetta's Royal Guard.

"Amagi, prepare a Royal Guard for Rosetta. And get her a battleship, too. It will be her flagship."

"As you command."

Rosetta looked a little pleased at the news that a Royal Guard would be established for her.

"A battleship I can use freely is such a luxury. But what should I do with it when I'm not using it?"

It seems she thought it was a waste.

Honestly, what a frugal mindset.

"Do as you like. You're free to do whatever you want with it when you're not using it."

"Is that so? I'll think of something then. Oh, more importantly, I heard you're getting a pet, Darling. What kind of pet are you getting?"

It seems Rosetta doesn't know about Chino.

"I'll introduce you eventually. Right now, it's at the hospital for quarantine and various other checks."

"I'm looking forward to it."

She's probably imagining a dog or something.

She's in for a surprise when she sees it.

—Well then, I suppose it's time for me to get serious.

It's time to punish the populace.

◇

I came to my office and began issuing orders to my subordinates from there.

Coming right after the purge, my subordinates are moving efficiently.

I'm glad to see they've been put on edge.

"Excuse me."

The one who entered the room was Ciel, who is under Rosetta's care.

I'm in the middle of work, so I just give a nod.

As I watch Ciel prepare my tea, I issue orders to my officials.

"—That's right. Show those foolish commoners who harbor illusions about me the reality of the situation."

"U-Understood. But are you sure about this? The records of your activities on the Capital Planet are mostly related to parties, you know?"

"Don't be difficult."

The official complies with my order, and I end the call before giving instructions to the next one.

It was then.

Ciel was giving me a bitter look.

She wasn't even trying to hide her disgust for me.

She's a truly interesting girl.

I ignore her and issue my next order.

"Hey, what's the status on that matter?"

"Regarding the tax increase, there will be backlash if we raise taxes without a reason. Besides, given our house's financial situation, a tax increase is unnecessary."

"I'm the one who decides that. But a reason is necessary, I suppose."

Think, me! In my past life, what was the most infuriating reason for a tax hike?

There were many, but—social welfare.

It was a legitimate reason, so I couldn't strongly oppose it, but I never felt like things got any better.

I remember my past life, thinking about what they were doing with the increased taxes after seeing news of corruption and other scandals.

"Alright, social welfare. The enhancement of social welfare is important, right?"

"—Then, I will make arrangements accordingly."

As the call ends, Ciel, unable to hold back any longer, speaks to me.

She's a failure as a maid, but I feel like teasing her, so I'll indulge her.

"You're not raising taxes because you have a reason, you're looking for a reason because you want to raise taxes? You have your means and ends reversed."

It's a sound argument.

The fact that the daughter of an evil lord like Baron Exner is a good person is what makes this so amusing.

Ciel, a thoroughbred of evil lords, is denouncing evil lords.

"It's not a mistake. I'm raising taxes because I want to make the populace suffer. The reason doesn't matter."

Ciel's eyes widen at my words, but her expression seems to show a hint of understanding.

"So you've shown your true colors. I never believed you were a wise lord."

Her tone suddenly changed. It seems she's realized my true nature and dropped the polite act.

Yes, that's how you should be.

"The fools are just misunderstanding. But you, who have realized the truth, are a clever girl. I'll praise you for it."

"Stop the tax increase. You shouldn't make the people suffer. Have you forgotten about Baron Norden? In the end, they were killed by their own people."

Is she talking about that idiot who was killed by his own subjects?

That was a masterpiece.

But it has nothing to do with me.

"He was just a fool. That's all. I'll handle it better."

Neither letting them live nor killing them—properly exploiting the populace is the way of a proper evil lord.

Those who fail are just idiots.

"I'm sure you will. But please, stop."

"No. Besides, this is my domain. What's wrong with me doing as I please?"

"—Please. Don't bully the people."

Seeing Ciel, who feels pain for people who aren't even her own, I realize what a wonderful find I've made.

This is the kind of woman I've been waiting for!

"Your pleas aren't worth listening to. I want to see the faces of my people as they suffer."

I don't need to put on an act for this girl.

After all, both Baron Exner and Ciel's brother, Kurt, are my allies.

No matter how much Ciel complains, it won't hurt me in the slightest.

"You're the worst. You're truly the worst kind of lord!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

That's right. This is the kind of woman I've been waiting for.

Rosetta being so gullible was a miscalculation, but I never thought Ciel would have a will of steel.

She complains about what I do, but she has no power to do anything about it.

She just defies me.

It's a happy miscalculation to find the perfect person I've been searching for so close by.

You are my blue bird of happiness.

"Everyone is being deceived by you. This is wrong."

"What's wrong isn't me, it's the world. No one will believe the words of a powerless girl like you. Now, get back to your post once your work is done."

I want to keep teasing her, but I have work to do too.

From now on, I'm going to show the populace footage and videos of me fooling around on the Capital Planet.

I'll show them how I've been living lavishly with their money.

And then, the tax increase combo.

Oh, my dear populace—you will regret humiliating me with your baby-making demonstrations.

Ciel, frustrated by her own powerlessness, leaves the room with tears in her eyes.

In her place, Kukuri appears, revealing himself from my shadow.

He pokes just his head out from the shadow.

"Lord Liam, is this wise?"

Kukuri seems like he might kill Ciel if left to his own devices, so I should probably give him a warning.

"She is the precious daughter entrusted to me by Baron Exner. You are absolutely forbidden from laying a hand on her. Besides, she's fun to tease. If you see her in trouble, you all should help her out."

"You are playing a dangerous game."

Given that I spared Kunai's life, Kukuri probably has his own thoughts on the matter.

"She's one of my favorites now, too. Forgive me this much. So, did you need something? Did you just show your face to ask for permission to assassinate Ciel?"

"There is some information I wish to bring to your attention. We have just secured them, but both Christiana and Marie were in possession of Lord Liam's genetic material. Ah, here is the genetic material."

It seems the two of them were in possession of my genes, contained in a test tube.

"Kukuri, you are a hard worker. I shall prepare a reward for you."

I'm truly grateful to have such a diligent subordinate.

"Lord Liam, how shall we dispose of those two?"

"—I will punish them myself."

What did they intend to do with my genes?

Well, the answer is obvious.

In any case, I'll summon them and give them their punishment.

"To prepare an heir without my permission is an unforgivable act. Right, Kukuri?"

"As you say."

I should summon the two of them, who are probably running around the territory right now, and make it crystal clear.

Just how sinful it is to create my child without permission.

Wakagi-chan ( ゜∀゜) "I know this pattern! Even if he decides on a tax hike~"

Brian (´；ω；｀) "It's painful to be on the verge of getting spoiled by a weird plant."