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nA month after the battle had finished, the territory had finally started to calm down.

nThat’s not true, my subordinates were still busy.

nBut at least I was able to relax.

nInside of the mansion’s reception room, I was currently meeting with my Echigoya-no, Thomas.

n“Thomas… if this is a joke it isn’t funny.”

n“Hmm, but I thought I gave a fair price? Didn’t I?”

nHe was showing me his buying prices for the precious metals, antiques, and various other treasures I acquired.

nThe amount was so high it was laughable.

nThere were more digits displayed there than what I’ve ever seen in my life.

nEverything I’ve saved up until now was just spare change in comparison. For example, if you used a ten-dollar bill, you wouldn’t really care about the few dimes you received as change, right? It gave off that kind of feeling. The amount of money was so large I couldn’t really process it. It’d be more weird if I wasn’t so conscious of it.

n“Nevermind, that was just something I wanted to try saying.”

n“I see, but are you sure you’re okay with selling everything?”

nI had sold off the majority of the precious metals and treasures I obtained.

nThe reason? It’s because I need money.

nI was able to reduce the debt by a significant amount with this.

nBut even this much didn’t fully pay it off.

n-How the hell did my family manage to spend this much money?

n“But I didn’t sell everything? I still kept a few things, like this sword.”

nWhen I presented the sword I had taken a liking to, Thomas made an impressed expression.

n“You seem to have obtained a quite valuable blade.”

n“Really? How so?”

nI thought that it just cut a bit better than others, but it looks like it’s actually worth something.

n“I’m not a specialist, so I don’t know the details. Do you want me to bring in an expert for an appraisal?”

n“I’m fine.”

n“Oh yes, and the items you ordered will be delivered immediately.”

nI had purchased medical equipment from Thomas recently.

nOver the past month, I started arranging for various things to come together.

nI was getting the treatment ready for the people we saved.

n“Can I also leave the selection of doctors to you?”

n“Just leave it to me.”

nIt was really convenient to have an exclusive merchant contracted to me.

nAfter all, he could arrange connections with various people for me.

nHowever, there’s no doubt that he’s making a huge profit off of my name.

nI’m not that angry though.

nThomas continued to speak,

n“So when are you going to leave for the Imperial Capital?”

n“I think I’ll go before I reach adulthood next year?”

nIn this universe, you were only considered an adult once you reached the age of fifty, and if you were a noble on top of that, things became far more troublesome.

nI’d eventually have to leave for the Imperial Capital, where many days of training would be waiting for me.

nI was required by law to attend an academy sponsored by the Empire.

nVery troublesome indeed.

nFrom here on, I thought that I’d be able to do many nefarious deeds as an evil lord, but it looks like I’ll be away for a while.

n“I’ll make sure to be here for the ceremony, I’ll bring lots of ‘yellow candies’ then as well.”

n“Echigoya merchants truly are the source of all evil!”

nI really do love those who remember to bring me bribes.

n◇ ◇ ◇

nThe Seventh Weapons Factory is a factory located on a former resource planet.

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n

nThe resource planet had already been completely mined out, so they refurbished it to hold their facilities instead.

nThey produced weapons, but they did many other fields of work as well.

nThe research they do on the weapons of foreign powers is one of them.

nNias was thrilled because she was promoted to technology captain after the mass acquisition of pirate ships the Banfield house brought in.

n“I wouldn’t have thought these were pirate ships, though they’re definitely not military ships. Once again, I have to say that remodeling armour is a lousy hobby.”

nThe junior workers were inspecting the ships that were brought in, and they seemed to be of the same opinion.

n“What were they thinking, remodeling them to be this flashy? In anycase, this is a big catch for us. We’ve received a large amount of materials.”

nNias sighed,

n“Because I went and bought all these so recklessly, our budget is in dire straits. When will another large commision come in?”

nNias, who wanted Liam to buy more ships, was wondering what kind of colour scheme he would have liked.

nHer subordinates started to laugh,

n“Are you thinking about the colour scheme again?”

n“Hey, why are you laughing? Why’re you people laughing at me?!”

n“Who knows? Still, you brought in a really good customer.”

nThe Seventh Weapons Factory had quite the small budget, considering it’s constant losses in the Imperial Army’s recruitment inspections.

nHowever, they had a reason why they overdid it and bought all the weapons and materials Liam acquired.

n“Next time we won’t lose. If we can develop the next-generation of battleship, we’ll have a chance to make a comeback.”

n“I can’t develop something like that that quickly.”

nNias got up to continue work while angry with her subordinates who watched over her with warm gazes.

n◇ ◇ ◇

nIt was about a year later when I had finally arrived at the imperial capital for the awards ceremony.

nI had heard that the capital was a hideous place, and it was true.

nAs to why- first off, picture something enveloped around an entire planet.

nNow imagine that the ‘thing’ wrapped around the world was a giant metal sphere. It was something like that.

nApparently it was a device that regulated the whole planet.

nIt controlled everything down to the weather while doubling as a powerful wall in defense.

nWhen I first saw it, I couldn’t help but think that whoever thought of it was a total fool.

nFrom the spaceport, we rode the elevator down to ground level, and once we finally reached the surface, we were greeted by a concrete jungle- not. The imperial capital wasn’t built of concrete, there were grey buildings everywhere, but they weren’t made of cement.

nIt was a planet of machines.

nIn any case, there were skyscrapers everywhere, fitting for a planet whose total population was in the hundreds of billions.

nIt’s no wonder why people thought this place was ugly.

nIf someone asked me if I wanted to live here, I’d fervently deny it.

nOn the day of the ceremony.

nTwo couples had approached me.

nBoth pairs consisted of people who looked like they were still in their twenties, Earthwise.

nI was busy checking out the clothing I was supposed to wear in the waiting room, so I was quite wary of the sudden intruders.

nOne of the men smiled at me,

n“It’s been a long time, Liam.”

n“…who are you?”

nAfter I said that, the waiting room was suddenly wrapped in a very awkward atmosphere.

nThe man continued on with a somewhat crooked smile,

n“O-oh, I guess that makes sense. It has been quite a long time since we’ve seen each other, or is it that I just look too old?”

n“No, really, who are you?”

nI was wondering if it was one of those self-proclaimed relatives that would suddenly appear around famous people. I’ve heard instances of that happening in my past life.

nThough in my previous life all my close relatives had abandoned me…

nWhen you’re down on your luck they’ll avoid you like the plague, and when you’re living it good, they’ll gather like moths to a flame.

nThese people are probably like that as well.

nI couldn’t help but feel like I’ve seen them somewhere before, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on it.

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n

nAll four of them had complex expressions on their faces as I tilted my head in wonder.

nI turned to Amagi,

n“Amagi, do you know who they are?”

n“Master, these are your parents in front of you, and behind them are your grandparents.”

n–my parents? Come to think of it, those people did exist, didn’t they?

nThey were pitiful people who were deprived of both their status and their territor- no, wait. These people… didn’t they push their debt onto me?

nI could feel my anger flaring up.

nMy father– Cliff, forced out a cough.

n“It looks like you finally remember. Even if we haven’t seen each other in more than forty years, for you to not recognise our faces. I’m a little shocked as a father.”

nNo, it’s because I can’t remember you doing anything even remotely fatherly.

nMy mother– Darcy, started to laugh,

n“Oh Liam, stop joking around, and speaking of jokes, you’re still using the android that I bought you all those years ago? You know you’re not supposed to bring those things into the palace.”

n…what the hell is she saying?

nThe man and woman who were apparently my grandparents went on to agree with her,

n“This is the first time we’ve met, but it makes me sad to see my grandchild bring an android to the palace. You’re practically an adult, so you should throw it away already.”

n“Yes, you’ll bring shame to the Banfield house like this.”

nThe grandparents that I’ve just met for the first time look like they’re supposed to be in their twenties, so I can’t help but feel like this is all some kind of joke.

nBut it was considered normal in this universe.

nAs anti-aging technology advanced, more and more people were able to retain their youthful appearance even after they aged.

nAmagi lowered her head and tried to leave,

n“I will stand by in a separate room.”

n“Ignore them. Stay by my side. Now then, what do you want from me?”

nMy parents and grandparents present their request for me, ignoring my agitation.

n“We’ve heard that you’ll be receiving some considerable rewards soon, and you should have some power over where those accolades go, right? You see, we’ve run into a little bit of debt over here as well.”

n“Life in the imperial capital costs a lot of money. If you can afford it, we’d like it if you could raise the amount of money you send us annually.”

nLiving life in the imperial capital is expensive, so they want me to send them more funds.

nIt felt like they were children asking their parents to increase their allowance.

nThe positions were reversed, though.

n“I’ve already purchased a considerable amount from merchants, so I’m counting on you to cover the payments.”

n“Your grandmother here is so happy to have such a good grandchild.”

nMy grandparents added on selfishly.

nAs I thought about how they were the cause of the territory’s decline, I felt incredible resentment towards them.

nIt’s my money.

nIt’s my territory.

nIt has nothing to do with you people!

n“Amagi, once we return home, we’re cutting them off.”

n“But Liam1, these are your parents!”

n“I know.”

nBut in the first place, the only people I considered my parents were the father and mother of my previous life.

nI don’t know these people.

nIn any case, it was wrong of them to try and appeal to my sense of ‘familial love.’

n–because I’m the villain here.

nWhile in the presence of the palace’s ladies in waiting, I had publicly denounced my family.

nIn the room that was once again surrounded in an awkward air, I turned to Amagi,

n“Will their debt have to be paid by me?”

n“I don’t think you do, but you might get a visit from an angry merchant or debt collector, Lord Liam.”

n“…that’ll be annoying.”

nThe people around me gasped at my words.

nAmagi made a proposal,

n“We should probably reconsider the amount currently being sent, and break all connections from here on. Master’s name will be damaged otherwise.”

nI’d like to erase this connection as soon as possible, but it looks like it’ll take a while.

n“Prepare the documents immediately.”

n◇ ◇ ◇

nOutside the ceremony venue.

nThere was a man tiredly walking with one hand against the wall,

nIt was the guide.

n“This is all his fault… this is all because of Liam.”

nHis voice was weak and barely leaked out of his mouth.

nBecause of the situation with Goaz, the guide had used too much power and had to escape to another dimension.

nHe was currently being afflicted by Liam’s gratitude, which was getting stronger every day.

n“Just how did he defeat Goaz? He should’ve been uncuttable. Why was he able to find that sword at that time?”

nOriginally, it should’ve been impossible for Liam to obtain it.

nThe guide was like this not only because he used too much of his power, but also because Liam’s gratitude was draining what little he had left.

n“I won’t forgive him. I will never forgive him.”

nWith clenched teeth, the guide headed towards the room Liam’s parents and grandparents were at.

nThe guide limped brazenly through the palace, but no one noticed him.

nOnce he finally reached the room, he found four people scowling at electronic documents.

n“This is all because you didn’t raise him well!”

n“Don’t screw with me! This has nothing to do with me!”

nThe documents that Liam had Amagi prepare said that they must never be involved with them again instead of increasing the amount of funds sent.

nBoth Liam’s parents and grandparents were only thinking of parasitizing money from their decendant’s newfound fame.

nTo say it clearly, they were trash.

nWith four such people in front of him, the guide started to smile despite the pain,

n“…I can use these four. From ancient times, there have always been power struggles within families in monarchic societies. Liam, your family will deprive you of everything. Your family will be your downfall.”

nBlack smoke emanated from the guide and enveloped the four.

nThe guide who couldn’t check Liam’s situation only had a few options available to him.

nHe was that weak now.

nLiam’s grandfather suddenly brightened up,

n“That’s it, let’s go through the lord changing procedure again. Then everything that Liam has built up will be mine.”

nThe grandmother clapped her hands in joy,

n“That’s a wonderful idea. I’ll ask for a favour from an acquaintance in the palace so we can proceed immediately.”

nCliff was also smiling,

n“Let’s also prepare a new heir. Liam is already useless for us.”

nDarcy had an expression on that seemed to say it couldn’t be helped.

n“Well, if it’ll get us more money and territory, then I’ll cooperate. So what do we do about Liam?”

nCliff darkly smiled,

n“Once we have the money, we’ll start hiring assassins and the like. We shouldn’t do it right after the ceremony though. We’ll have Liam quietly disappear after everything dies down.”

nListening in on the four’s conversation, the guide was satisfied.

nThen, right after he disappeared from the room.

nManifesting into one of the room’s corners- a small light escapes through the door.

n◇ ◇ ◇

nAmagi stood by in a separate room as Liam attended the award ceremony.

nThe Empire was a country cold towards androids.

nAmagi understood that it was impossible for her to attend the ceremony, and waited in the prepared room.

nThat’s when she saw something strange.

n“What’s that?”

nThere was a small light floating in front of the door.

nThe light disappeared through the door as Amagi approached.

nScanning the room’s insides, she could detect four biological reactions.

nIt was Liam’s parents and grandparents.

nShe touched the door and listened in on their conversation.

n“What should put as the reason for the transfer?”

n“It doesn’t matter, having an android by his side is inappropriate for an imperial aristocrat. The moment they hear of this, the palace will consider the transfer immediately.”

n“In that case, as for the assassination arrangements-”

n“The perfect time to do so would be-”

nAmagi, who had listened in to the four’s conversation, immediately left the palace grounds.

nIn her thoughts,

n(It would probably be best if I left Master as soon as possible.)

nLiam’s reputation was damaged just with her being by his side.

nTo Amagi who realized that- couldn’t help but feel disgusted with herself.

n◇ ◇ ◇

nThe ceremony venue was outside!

nWith bright sunlight and a clear blue sky, it was the perfect weather for it.

nUnbelievably, it was all artificial.

nAnd beneath this perfect weather and temperature, I was currently kneeling in front of the Emperor.

nThe Emperor was standing a bit of a distance away, and I couldn’t really hear him.

nLuckily, everything that his majesty said was broadcasted through the huge stereo projected in the middle of the sky.

nIt was a very long ceremony where they asked me many things, and after answering all of them, I received the medal.There were many nobles present in the surrounding area.

nAn uncountable amount of them!

nI couldn’t help but wonder if there were too many.

nAnd so the ceremony proceeded with its solemn atmosphere, finally ending with a word of thanks.

nWhat I was waiting for though, were the parties that seemed to happen everyday.

nIf you asked around, there always seemed to be a big party held somewhere on a daily basis.

n-as an Evil Lord, isn’t it my duty to slack off and play around? I thought as much as I participated in as many as possible.

nAs long as they invited me first, I didn’t have to pay a participation fee.

nI spent everyday hecticly in the Imperial Capital, though Amagi always seemed to be busy with something and couldn’t join me.

nShe didn’t tell me what she was doing, and whenever I asked she always just responded with, “Don’t worry about it, please go ahead and enjoy yourself.”

nAs long as she said everything is fine, then things should be okay. Thinking that, I headed towards another party today as well.

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