n

nMy super-dreadnought class battleship is finally complete!

nNever thought it would be the one to come pick me up though.

nBy the way, I’m in a terrible situation.

nWe’re already quite far away from the planet that I was summoned to, but the people that have gathered in my room are criticizing me.

nThe reason for this is because of Chino.

nChino, the girl that belongs to the Dog tribe, is currently sleeping on my bed with her stomach exposed.

nEllen’s touching her ears and tail out of interest, but she doesn’t seem to be waking up at all.

nAfter finishing the food that has been prepared for her, she has apparently fallen asleep.

nBased on how unsuspecting she is of her surroundings; I refuse to believe that she is a wolf.

nIn my eyes, she’s just a cute pet dog.

n“Lord Liam, this Brian here is flabbergasted. What were you thinking by bringing along a local human as your pet?”

nWhen I look away from Brian, I catch sight of Amagi who starts lecturing me with an exasperated tone.

n“Master, we’ll be returning her to the place where you picked her up.”

n“But why!? Everyone else is doing it as well! When aristocrats find rare creatures, they keep them, right?”

n“While beastmen are certainly not numerous, they aren’t that rare either.”

n“I’m free to do what I like!”

nWhen I think of selfish aristocrats, I imagine them brining back rare creatures to their hometown, even if the aforementioned creatures are from somewhere that they shouldn’t have technically visited.

nSelfishness is forgiven—that’s the impression that I have of aristocrats.

nAmagi’s face remains expressionless, but her attitude is like that of a mother that is scolding her child for picking up animals on the street.

nKuu! Stop looking at me like that!

n“Can’t I keep her? I promise I’ll take care of her properly!”

nBoth Amagi and Brian turn towards Ellen, whose attention is still on Chino.

n“You say all that, but you left behind Ellen this time and made her sad, didn’t you?”

n“This Brian believes that Lord Liam should keep a normal dog instead. What do you think, Lord Liam?”

nThese guys don’t understand anything.

nI’ll never keep a real dog ever again since I’ll be sad when it eventually dies.

nSince Chino is closer to that of a human, I don’t think I’ll be as sad if she were to die.

n“Enough about me! Now, let’s return and subjugate the idiots there.”

nI’ll deal with them using an iron fist along with the super idiots that can’t even house sit properly.

nBrian wipes away his tears using a handkerchief.

n“It’s all because Lord Liam ignored the problem about leaving behind a descendant that the issue became this serious.”

n“This ain’t my fault.”

n“Part of the responsibility still falls on Lord Liam!”

nI’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.

n◇

nA massive fleet consisting of 30,000 ships was advancing towards the territory of the Banfield Family to plunder the land.

nWhile some were aristocrats disguised as pirates, the rest were the real deal.

nSome aristocrats of the Cleo Faction were also participating with 3,000 ships of their own.

nThey had joined the Cleo Faction because of its meteoric rise.

nIn other words, they were opportunists that just wanted to be on the winning horse.

n“This is what he gets for showing off despite being nothing more than a brat.”

nInside one of the battleships, an aristocrat is relaxing in a room that had been decorated like a palace, drinking sake from his glass.

nHe was precisely an evil lord that Liam aspired to be.

n“To think he’d allow us to plunder the Banfields’ territory as much as we’d like. That’s quite generous of him. I guess that just shows how desperate he is to get rid of Liam.”

nAs they were being backed by a certain individual, the aristocrats had entered Liam’s territory with peace of mind.

nThey had been informed of what was happening inside the territory.

nNot only were Liam’s vassals divided, his relatives were gathering on the main planet to compete over who should inherit his position.

nNow was the perfect time to plunder the territory.

nBesides themselves, other pirate groups and aristocrats of the Empire were advancing towards the Banfields’ territory.

nBy joining hands with the pirates, they wished to have a slice out of the Banfield Family’s wealth.

n“Even then, this is way too easy. I guess a family that rose through the ranks in the course of one generation is only so-so… bwah!?”

nJust as he was about to gracefully take a sip out of his glass, the battleship began to shake violently.

n◇

nI don’t feel nervous at all despite facing the 30,000 pirate ships that we’ve come across along the way.

nI’m sitting on a chair that’s inside the battleship’s bridge with my disciple Ellen standing beside me.

nLike the great master that I am, I’m teaching Ellen about various things.

n“Ellen, I’ll show you how I do things.”

n“Yes, Master!”

nI’m getting the impulse to tease her seeing how cheerful she is.

nChino is also next to us, but she doesn’t seem interested at all in our conversation.

nShe has her pillow with her, and she appears to be very sleepy as she leans her head against the ship.

nIt’s fine though. She’s just a pet after all.

nIf it was Ellen behaving this way, I would’ve had her undergo rigorous training.

n“All pirates that enter my territory are to be annihilated. There are no exceptions to this rule.”

n“Yes, Master!”

n“Wait, I take that back. If it’s a beauty that catches my eye, you don’t have to be heavy-handed.”

n“Yes, Master!”

nI immediately regret the joke that I make after seeing Ellen’s eyes twinkling.

nWhat am I saying in front of a child?

nI should reflect on my behavior. I’ve been too lax recently.

nAmagi and Brian are staring at me with cold eyes.

n“Master, please consider the time, place and, occasion

nbefore speaking.”

n“This Brian hopes that Lady Ellen could grow up normally.”

nI try to laugh it off.

n“Hahaha! Anyway, annihilate pirates on sight! They’re the ones that bring me fame and treasure, so we must welcome them with open arms!”

nOutside the battleship, the fleet that came to retrieve me has launched a surprise attack on the enemy fleet.

nOur enemies outnumber us greatly, but my elites are tearing through them.

nAt the end of the day, pirates are just a bunch of riff raff.

nThe moment things start taking a turn for the worse, they scatter like ducks, allowing us to hunt them down.

nThe commander of my fleet delivers a message from the enemies.

n“Lord Liam, a message has arrived from the pirates. They’re saying that they’ll surrender.”

nWhat did I tell you?

n“Reject it. It’s their fault for intruding upon my territory. Oh, and also, call for the fortress class battleship that’s nearby. Have them take care of the leftovers.”

nOn a different note, we seem to be dealing with someone troublesome this time.

nSome fools have taken advantage of my absence to cause trouble.

n“We’ve also received a message from someone called Lord Burns who claims to be a member of the Cleo Faction. He wants us to stop attacking. He doesn’t look like he was captured though.”

nBurns? I know dozens of people with the same name, so I’ve got no idea who this one is.

nOh, I think there was someone with that name among the aristocrats of the Cleo Faction, but I’m probably mistaken.

nThere’s no way he’s here… and it doesn’t matter if he is!

n“Commander, are you insinuating that aristocrats are siding with the pirates? That’s a rather disrespectful thing to say, don’t you agree?”

nI warn the fleet commander with a smile.

nSeeing what I’m trying to get at, the commander shrugs.

nOf course, I won’t be punishing him for something of this level.

nAfter all, I’m forgiving towards those that follow me.

n“My sincere apologies. There’s no way the proud aristocrats would side with the pirates. I’m willing to bear the punishment for what I’ve just said.”

n“In that case, make sure that none of the enemies escape with their lives.”

nTruth be told, I know that some aristocrats are mixed in with the enemies.

nIt’s not uncommon for aristocrats to lend the pirates a helping hand.

nTo begin with, pirates and aristocrats are very similar beings.

nAristocrats of intergalactic nations are just well-behaved versions of space pirates.

nThey’re the same deep within, so there’s nothing strange about what’s happening.

n“This is the debut battle of my new ship, so make it flashy.”

nThe commander hands out orders to his subordinates.

n“Have the flagship move forward and prepare to engage the enemies!”

n◇

nThe coalition of aristocrats and pirates were being attacked by a fleet less than one-third their size.

n“Why aren’t they going down!?”

n“Our opponents are the elites of the Banfield Family! I-in addition, one of their ships is strange.”

nThe ship in question was comparable to a flagship class battleship in terms of its size, yet its performance outshone that of similar sized ships.

nNone of their attacks could reach this ship, yet a single blow from it was enough to penetrate dozens of their own.

nA battleship of such abnormal performance was rampaging on the battlefield.

n“Tell them that we surrender!”

n“That’s what we’ve been trying to do! H-however, the only reply we’ve gotten is ‘we will annihilate the shameless pirates that are impersonating the aristocrats. They’re not willing to accept any form of negotiation!”

nThe aristocrat swung his fist down upon the armrest.

n“Are those dogs of Liam’s intent on burying us here!? I’m an aristocrat! Keep calling them over and over again!”

nPirate ships and aristocratic ships alike were being sunk one after another.

nIt was so one-sided that it couldn’t be called a battle.

nThings only changed when Liam accepted the request for negotiation.

nHis fearless face soon appeared on the monitor.

nThe aristocrat whose hair was all over the place due to his previous display of impatience flashed a smile at Liam.

n“Liam-dono, it’s been a long time since we’ve met.”

n(Why is Liam here!? D-did His Highness Calvin trick us!?)

nAlthough he was startled by Liam’s sudden appearance, he quickly calmed himself.

nUnfortunately, Liam’s words were as cold as ever.

n“I don’t have any pirates among my acquaintances, and since you invaded my territory without permission, there’s no way that you’re an aristocrat. Hence, you’ll all be dying here.”

n“Sh*t will hit the fan if you kill me.”

nThe aristocrat wiped the smile off his face and glared at Liam, but to no avail.

n“So? That just means I’ll have to destroy your family as well.”

nThe communication was cut off, and the battleship that the aristocrat was on shook violently.

nThe ship’s operator let out a shout.

n“A fortress class has appeared! We’ve confirmed the entry of one fortress class battleship and 6,000 other battleships! They seem to be a part of the Banfield Family’s fleet, and they’re warping in one after another!”

nWith Liam’s return, the Banfield Family’s fleet was coming back together.

nThe aristocrat stared intently at the monitor.

nThe powerful fleet of the Banfield Family was effortlessly crushing their fleet of 30,000 ships.

nThe enemy fleet suddenly charged, and the battleship with monstrous performance was approaching quickly.

n“S-so this is the Pirate Hunter Liam…”

nSoon after the aristocrat finished muttering, he was hit by a blinding light which evaporated him into nothingness.

n◇

nWhile this was happening; the fleet led by Tia and the fleet led by Marie were confronting each other.

nBoth armies were utterly confused, but they were ready for battle.

nInside the bridge of a ship, a commander was questioning Marie.

n“Are we really going to fight amongst ourselves!?”

nMarie was grooming her nails and did not seem hesitant at all about fighting against her allies.

n“Yup. If I don’t destroy that minced meat woman, how am I supposed to sleep comfortably? All you have to do is follow my orders.”

nMarie’s goal was to kill Tia.

n(I’ll put the Banfield Family back together and present Lord Liam with a knight’s order that befits his status, but that minced meat woman will no doubt get in my way.)

nAs Liam was absent, she was thinking of pinning all the blame on Tia before silencing her.

nTia was of the same mind.

nTia’s face was projected on the monitor.

n“Fossil woman, the time has finally come. I can’t help but be excited imagining you on your knees begging for forgiveness.”

nMarie stood up from her seat, smiling with bloodshot eyes.

nOne of her eyes was open wider than the other, and her smile didn’t look like an actual smile.

n“A woman like you should just remain as a pirate’s toy. I’ll sell you to the pirates after you’re captured. A breeding room, was it? I’ll let you go back there.”

nTia’s face became blank.

n“… I’ll kill you.”

nMarie’s expression ceased as well.

n“Die.”

nThey hated each other’s gut, but they also recognized each other as a formidable foe.

nWith Liam’s absence, various forces had emerged, and it was as if the territory had entered the Warring States period.

nTia was leading a group of Liam supremacists, while the group centered around Marie had secured the safety of Lady Rosetta.

nAmbitious individuals, and those that simply wanted in on the fun, were also participating in the battles.

nCommon sense dictated that they crush the weaker forces first, but ironically enough, they saw each other as their greatest threat.

nAlthough they both knew how capable the other was, they didn’t want to voice it out loud.

nWhat’s more, their desire to get rid of the other person was genuine.

nThey had only been holding back because of Liam.

nNow, however, they were seriously about to start a civil war.

nTheir right arms were raised, but just as they were about to swing them down and start the battle, Liam’s face appeared on their monitors.

n“You dumb-asses.”

nLiam said in a low voice with his sword in hand.

nHe was on his seat and looking down, so his expression couldn’t be seen, but there was no doubt that he was furious.

nThe air in the bridge became tense, but the soldiers around Tia and Marie heaved sighs of relief.

nWith their wrongdoings exposed at the worst possible moment, the two could not keep their hearts calm.

nMarie straightened her back and saluted, but drips of cold sweat trickled down non-stop.

nOn her monitor, she could see that Tia’s face was pale.

n“Lord Liam, so you were safe! This Marie was so worried…”

n“So worried that you decided to go to war with my fleet?”

n“W-well, about that…o-oh, right! A young man named Isaac barged in and took over the planet claiming that he had the right because of his bloodline! I escaped from the planet with Lady Rosetta, but the woman over there labeled me a deserter and attacked us!”

nShe decided on the fly to push all the blame on to Isaac and Tia.

nTia’s expression on the other side of the monitor became like a *Hannya mask.

n* https:

/

/en.wikipedia.org

/wiki

/Hannya

n“FOSSIL WOMAN!! I’LL TURN YOU BACK INTO A STATUE AGAIN!”

nHowever, when Liam raised his face, he stared at them with cold eyes.

n“Hmmm, so you can’t even house sit properly.”

nThey had failed to protect Liam’s home planet, which meant they had failed in their duties.

nMarie shook uncontrollably.

n“W-we’re terribly sorry.”

n“I’ll deal with the two of you later, but before that… clean up the enemies that have entered the territory with your fleets. Don’t spare anyone.”

nThe communication was cut off, and the crew on the bridge stared at Marie.

nHer reaction was abnormal.

nShe had her hands joined together, and she appeared to be enraptured by the figure of Liam that she hadn’t seen for a long time.

n“Ahhh! Lord Liam looked so dignified today! Now, it’s time for work. We have to annihilate those pirates before that minced meat woman can. Everyone, I expect you all to work hard.”

n‘It’s a tad too late to redeem yourself,’ thought the military personnel on the ship.

n◇

nMany battleships were floating above Liam’s mansion located on the Banfield Family’s main planet, and Isaac was annoyed by this rude act.

n“Which idiot was it that had the battleships standby above the mansion!? Bring him to me immediately! I’ll decapitate him myself!”

nThe people around him distanced themselves after seeing Isaac pull out his sword.

nHowever, his colleagues and his head knight reacted differently.

n“Lord Isaac, Liam is apparently back.”

n“Liam? Hmph! What a lucky guy.”

nThere was a reason why he wasn’t flustered after learning that Liam was back.

nThis time around, the Banfield Family experienced a crisis because a successor had not been nominated.

nWith that in mind, Isaac was thinking of having Liam nominate him as his successor, saying that he would give way to Liam’s child if, and when, one was born.

nJust by becoming a successor candidate he would have an easier time as many people would be willing to suck up to a potential head of the Banfield Family.

n“Let’s get ourselves ready to greet him. It’s really a pain to have a brother who’s this uncultured. I find it disgusting that we have the same blood flowing through us. Also, where’s Norden?”

n“He ran away because he’s afraid of Liam.”

nIsaac didn’t think much of Norden. So, when he heard that the latter had run away, he didn’t think much of it besides labeling Norden as an idiot in his mind.

nHe was more concerned about Liam.

nIsaac had much to say to Liam who didn’t act like a proper aristocrat.

nHe didn’t think Liam was suitable as the head of the Banfield Family, an aristocratic household, that was on its way to becoming one of the Empire’s greatest noble houses.

nThat said; he was planning on feigning obedience for the time being.

n“I don’t like him at all, but the territory that he’s developing is rather desirable.”

nHe might get the chance to inherit this territory.

nFor that reason, he was willing to put up a front before Liam.

nHis head knight flashed a meaningful smile.

n“It turns out Lord Liam was just a temporary stop point, and he was waiting for someone who could truly act as the Banfield Family’s leader to appear.”

nIsaac felt good after hearing this compliment.

n“Now that you put it that way, I’m starting to feel grateful towards Liam.”

nIt was then that Isaac got a call from Liam.

n◇

nIt’s been a long time since I’ve come home.

nThe hall that we’re in was built for my harem, but due to a lack of beautiful women, it was renovated into an audience hall.

nI’m currently sitting on a chair and yawning in front of my subordinates that number in the hundreds.

nThe one smiling and talking before me is my younger brother who I’ve never met before.

n“Dear brother, I’m relieved to hear that you’re back safe and sound, but all this trouble was caused because of a lack of successor. What do you say to appointing me, your younger brother who’s related to you by blood, as the temporary successor? Of course, in the event that elder brother has a child… your child could have the higher priority.”

nI look closely at Isaac’s face.

nHe’s a typical ikemen with blond hair and blue eyes, but I can tell from his face that he’s rotten inside, just like me.

nThinking to this point, I feel a sense of intimacy with this brother of mine.

nBut my answer is no. My wealth is mine alone, and I don’t plan to share it with anyone, not even my immediate family members.

n“And why do I have to nominate you again?”

n“Well, for situations like this.”

n“Also, I see that the knights that have previously abandoned the Banfield Family are present in this meeting. It amazes me to see that you guys can keep your heads held high despite crawling back here shamelessly.”

nUpon hearing my words, the knights that have come with Isaac show bitter looks.

nMy knights are glaring at them with their sharp eyes.

nThese are the knights that left when the house showed signs of decline.

nChivalry-wise, they’re completely out of the picture, but it’s not like I don’t understand where they’re coming from.

nAfter all, I’m not the most trusting of others either.

nHowever, I have no intention of keeping traitors in my household.

n“By the way, I’ve heard that there were some fools that betrayed me for Isaac.”

nThe officials are shivering in fear.

nThe people around them are directing cold gazes at them and calling them traitors.

nOne of the officials’ steps forward to give his excuse.

nFeeling generous, I decide on listening to what he has to say.

n“Lord Liam, please allow me to speak!”

n“Permission granted.”

nKlaus who’s beside me exclaims in surprise when he hears me grant the permission.

n“Are you sure, my Lord?”

n“I’ll forgive him if he could come up with an interesting excuse. Hey, speak up before I change my mind.”

nHaving received my permission to speak, the official starts presenting his excuse while looking as if all the blood is rushing to his face.

n“The events that transpired this time highlighted the Banfield Family’s critical flaw. When Lord Liam went missing; the army was split up, and problems emerged in the territory’s management. All these problems could be traced back to the absence of a proper successor.”

nI mean he has a point.

nIt’s because I never nominated a successor that my territory became so chaotic.

nI applaud the official’s excuse.

n“You do have a point, but your excuse wasn’t interesting. Start over and try again in your next life.”

n“!?”

nToo bad for you.

nA benevolent lord might have listened to your opinion, but I’m an evil lord.

nHence, I’m not looking for that kind of opinion.

n