A fleet moving through space.

Lights, neatly aligned, seemed to create a path in the emptiness.

The main flagship's guest room was surprisingly luxurious.

Attendants were also present, and the commander-in-chief and admirals were by my side as I sat.

"Liam-sama, you have successfully completed one of your training exercises."

"This is just the beginning. In a few years, I'll be studying abroad in the empire's capital star. How many decades do they plan to confine me?"

Kurt seemed restless.

Tier was diligently attending to me.

Is this a way to earn points because the welcome failed?

I don't dislike that.

"Liam-sama, will you be attending university or the academy first?"

In response to Tier's question, I moistened my throat with a drink and replied.

"--Either is fine. It's all the same anyway. Just a temporary stop."

Kurt was thinking seriously.

"I think it's quite important. Through my father's connections, I plan to work in the military for a while after my training. He told me to build connections there."

Trying to gain favor with superiors, huh?

This guy has it tough too.

"Given our positions, we'll likely be in rear-echelon service."

"I'd prefer to earn some merit if possible. Liam, will you return to your territory immediately after your training?"

I heard that most young people who finish their training spend about two hundred years living freely.

After that, they either inherit their family's business or help prepare for the succession.

However, I am already a Count.

"I think I can play around for a while."

If I become an official, I can use my connections to cover up any wrongdoing.

It's the same for military personnel.

They'll help me when something happens and cover up any problems.

It would be best to build connections with both, but... what should I do?

I want to have fun when I study abroad in the capital star, and it would be nice to play around as an official too.

Should I offer bribes now?

As I was thinking about various things, we arrived in a sector where warp travel was possible.

The admirals also needed to lead their own fleets soon, and after they left the room, only the commander-in-chief remained.

"Liam-sama, regarding the pirate suppression in Baron Exner's territory, the enemy's scale is reported to be three thousand."

"Is that so? I hope they've accumulated a lot of treasure."

Kurt looked uneasy.

"Don't worry. I'll give you thirty percent of it."

"N-no, that's not it. Aren't you nervous, Liam? They're pirates, but sometimes they engage in mercenary work. They're not amateurs at fighting."

Too serious.

A serious-type corrupt lord, this guy is too unique.

"As I said. Pirates are my wallet. They are wonderful people who gather wealth for me and provide merit. I'll clean them all up."

Kurt may be worried, but I have a guide.

You could even call it a blessing.

Thanks to that person, my second life is fortunate.

Everything I do succeeds.

"Still, three thousand is a small number."

If debris were generated during combat, I could convert it into resources and make a big profit, but... this time might be a disappointment.

Lately, pirates don't seem to hoard much, which is disheartening.

Tier leaned her body against my leg.

"Liam-sama, please entrust the first strike to this Tier."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I decide when you get to play."

"M-my apologies."

Seeing Tier immediately move away and kneel, I thought she was like a dog.

As we continued talking like that, the commander-in-chief received a communication.

"What is it?"

"The enemy is deploying to block our course. Their numbers reach twenty thousand."

"Enemy? Pirates?"

"W-well --"

"What is it?"

"-- Within the pirate fleet, we are confirming vessels displaying noble house crests."

◇

Upon arriving at the bridge, both forces were already facing each other.

The simplified 3D image of the battlefield showed the enemy spreading out as if to engulf us.

In contrast, our fleet was forming a spherical formation.

"Are they planning to surround and crush us?"

Kurt nodded at my murmur.

"They intend to surround and crush us. It's a viable strategy when the enemy numbers are so high."

Seeing that, I--

"Alright, charge."

"Wait! Liam, charging is a bad idea. The enemy is waiting for us!"

Ignoring the flustered Kurt, the commander-in-chief issued an order.

"All ships, prepare to charge."

Tier, perhaps, was breathing a little harder, her palms sweating with excitement.

Is this person okay?

"Liam, it's dangerous. They plan to surround us."

Is it like wrapping a ball?

The enemy's movements are spreading out to envelop us.

"No problem. We excel at this kind of combat. Besides, this numerical difference is meaningless."

After all-- I have a guardian deity of luck, a guide.

◇

In space, the guide was writhing.

"Why! Why have you prepared so many ships, Liam!"

Originally, Liam's escort was supposed to be a few hundred ships.

But now, over ten thousand ships had come to confront them, intending to crush them with a hundred times the force.

Unacceptable.

It must not happen.

"My plan... I gathered this much by exerting my last bit of strength."

I cooperated with pirates and the Pittock family to gather as much military strength as possible.

Although I couldn't contribute much, both the pirates and the Pittock family were determined to strike Liam with all their might.

Despite that, Liam, even if only half of it, had no chance of winning once the numbers were equalized.

Space.

The guide, sitting on a satellite, buried their face in their knees and muttered.

"It's no use anymore. It's over."

◇

The pirate crew was trembling.

"Why? Why-- they aren't breaking."

Based on past experience, most nobles would lose their will to fight if surrounded.

They were all about appearances, and opponents with low-performance warships could be easily defeated even with equal numbers.

This time, with the help of the Pittock family, we had twice the number of enemies.

Subordinates reported.

"Captain! The Pittock family's forces are breaking, and there's a hole in the encirclement!"

The less experienced Pittock family not only failed to move as expected but were also being annihilated.

The advantage in numbers was gradually being lost.

"D-didn't they have the latest warships? Hey, connect me to the pirates we're allied with!"

"The jamming is too severe --"

"Just connect it!"

The connection was made to a pirate group of similar scale.

Facing a severely noisy video, the captain pleaded for help from the other party.

"Yo, brother. Actually, I need a little help."

The other party looked bewildered.

"What are you doing? Are you in combat?"

"Ah, yes. But the enemy is strong, and we're at a disadvantage. Can you send help? Or, can you temporarily shelter us?"

As the captain considered fleeing, the other party asked for the enemy's name.

"Who is the opponent that's cornering you?"

"It's Banfield. The Banfield of the Count's family."

Upon hearing that, the pirate on the screen dropped the cigar he was holding.

He was trembling.

"Banfield, you say."

"Ah, yes. Liam, a young lad, is leading them. That brat picked a fight with us."

However, the pirate in front of him looked strange.

"You bastard, what have you done!"

"What's wrong, brother?"

"Liam Banfield, isn't that the pirate hunter Liam? He's the one who defeated Goaz. Are you going to war with someone like that? Stop messing around!"

After the communication was unilaterally cut off, it wouldn't reconnect.

After that, I tried asking acquaintances among the pirates, but the responses were all the same.

The captain stood frozen.

"--What does this mean? Wasn't the Banfield family a declining noble house?"

◇

Several days have passed since the war began.

The enemy was already collapsing, and we were beginning to cut through them.

Kurt, observing from the bridge, couldn't hide his surprise at the strength of Liam's army.

(Is it on par with the regular army?)

The quality of equipment, the quality of personnel, and their training level – none of it belonged to a mere lord's private army.

Then, a communication came from the enemy's flagship, the Pittock family's flagship.

"This is the Pittock family's main flagship, Peter II. We surrender. We surrender!"

The other party was in chaos, and the communication was filled with extreme confusion.

In contrast, the bridge on our side was quiet.

I could hear the operators' voices, and the staff were giving instructions in a calm manner.

Glancing at Tier, I saw her narrowing her eyes at the enemy's command ship.

(This person is strong. Not an ordinary knight. Is Liam commanding such a knight?)

The commander-in-chief confirmed with Liam.

"Liam-sama, the Pittock family has offered to surrender. It's true they were allied with pirates, but if we push them too hard, there might be problems --"

The commander-in-chief probably thought this was the end.

He was asking Liam for confirmation to accept the surrender.

However, he seemed displeased, likely harboring anger towards the Pittock family, and didn't look very happy.

He's a serious soldier. He probably can't tolerate nobles acting like pirates.

Tier's clenched fist was making a creaking sound.

It was clear from just looking at her that she hated pirates.

Then Liam --

"Pittock family? Oh, you see them as the Pittock family? I don't. To me, everyone here is a pirate."

Liam, who started laughing, gave an order.

"--They are pirates. It's impossible for the good and noble Pittock family to pretend to be pirates. Therefore, what reason is there to accept their surrender?"

--At that moment, the commander-in-chief adjusted his hat deeper.

"My apologies. Then, we will continue the attack."

"Naturally."

Liam stood up.

"Well, it's time for me to get in on the action. Tier, you come too."

"Yes!"

Kurt called out to Liam.

"Liam! Are you really okay with this?"

This meant clashing with the Pittock family -- and their associates.

Yet, Liam was smiling.

"Of course."

He left the bridge with Tier, maintaining a composed demeanor.

After they disappeared from view, the commander-in-chief spoke to Kurt.

"That is Liam-sama."

"--It's amazing, isn't it? True lords and nobles. I now understand why my father and I are called upstarts."

I couldn't make a decision like Liam's.

"Don't worry. They're just pirates. You can think of them that way, Kurt-sama."

And at the same time, I understood.

(If I say it, black becomes white. --It's easy to say, but did Liam make it happen?)

If Liam said it, the Pittock family would be treated as mere pirates.

Knowing that his words were not a joke, I felt he was carrying an immense resolve.

"He must be strong."

I felt a shiver.

While I was glad I wasn't his enemy, a part of me also wanted to fight him.

However, to be precise -- I wanted to fight him as a swordsman, but I was convinced that as a lord, I should absolutely not make him an enemy.

"--This training was fortunate."

The training at Viscount Reizel's residence was rather unsatisfying.

However, Kurt thought it was fortunate to have met Liam and established a friendly relationship.

◇

A corridor leading to the hangar.

Tier's cheeks were flushed as she looked at Liam's back.

(Ah, Liam-sama. What noble spirit. Even if they are nobles, you will strike down those who associate with pirates with your own hands. Your decision captivates me.)

When Liam, knowing they were the Pittock family, called them pirates and decided to annihilate them -- Tier trembled.

She trembled with joy.

(As expected, Liam-sama is my lord. I must serve you with all my heart.)

Liam's back, still young and smaller than herself, seemed incredibly large to Tier.

And upon arriving at the hangar -- knights were lined up and waiting.

A red carpet was laid out on the path leading to Liam's beloved machine, the Avido.

Liam addressed those around him.

Soldiers, mechanics, and others were all looking at Liam.

"--It's time for some enjoyable pirate hunting. Everyone, follow me."

With a simultaneous salute, the knights immediately boarded their respective machines.

Liam was smiling.

"The special unit is good, but the mass-produced units are also good. However, when we return, put horns on the captain's unit."

As Liam boarded the Avido, Tier also boarded her own machine.

Emerging into space, the Avido charged towards the enemy.

"Annihilate those foolish pirates calling themselves the Pittock family!!"

Where the Avido passed, enemy warships and mobile suits alike -- were all cut in half.

(In addition to nobility, this strength -- just watching is --)

Tier, unable to contain her excitement, pierced nearby enemies with her sword.

A thrust into the cockpit.

Thus, she continued to destroy them one after another, following Liam's back.

Afterword:

Brian ( ´・ω・｀) "This Brian understands. Liam-sama is probably mistaken, thinking that the Pittock family is a good family and wouldn't pretend to be pirates. The thought of an inter-family war breaking out due to a misunderstanding -- my stomach hurts and it's painful."