I'm the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! Vol 12 Chapter 6

Published at 1st of November 2023 07:45:03 AM

“Not only has the Empire failed to reciprocate the Banfield Family’s loyalty, but they’ve even sent a subjugation force after us! Is this justice? Nay, I say!”

The Banfield Family’s home planet boasts a spacious plaza where we host outdoor ceremonies.

It is here that I, Liam Sera Banfield, am currently delivering a speech.

Beneath the blue sky, I address my citizens, enhancing my speech with gestures that empower my words.

The message I’m trying to drive home is that we’re in the right and that the enemies are in the wrong.

Humans, being the curious creatures that they are, can conduct even the cruelest act if they believe they are in the right.

That’s why I’m here trying to justify what we’re about to do.

“Think back to our war with the Kingdom of Dominion! We gave it our all and showed our devotion to the Empire without expecting anything in return! Yet how did the Empire respond?”

Without waiting for an answer, I continue my speech.

“They did nothing! Not even a word of praise for our valiant efforts. Instead, they began treating us like traitors and accused us of staging a rebellion! Is this justice? Who do you think is in the wrong!?”

The citizens respond in unison to my question.

““The Empire!””

Satisfied with their response, I stretch my arm out, signaling my citizens to quiet down before continuing.

“We helped Cleo become the Crown Prince, yet we were betrayed the moment he rose to power. Indeed, he had bitten the hand that had fed him. However, I chose to endure. Even when the Empire had us dispatch troops to fight against the Kingdom of Dominion, promising nothing in return, I endured.”

I clutch my heart, pretending to be deeply hurt.

Upon seeing this, people begin comforting me and raising their voices in support.

None of this is Lord Liam’s fault, they say. The Banfield Family’s not in the wrong, they say.

I desperately hold back my laughter.

Not in the wrong? That’s absurd.

After all, I began preparing for war the moment they picked a fight with me.

The Empire might be evil, but so am I.

Now that I’ve directed the people’s anger toward the Empire, I raise my head and make a declaration.

“The Empire has dispatched an army of 6 million against us. However, there’s no need to fear! This is the Banfield Family’s territory, our backyard! We won’t let them do as they please! I promise to defeat the Empire’s forces and bring home victory!”

The audience gives me a standing ovation.

—Naturally, this is all a result of a setup.

I had Sakura hide among the crowd to influence public opinion and ensure that no one speaks out against me.

As Kukuri’s subordinate and a member of the Black Ops, this is nothing more than child’s play.

I switch places with an official, leaving the stage with my cloak fluttering behind me.

The official gives a detailed report, telling the citizens what’s about to happen and what their roles are.

I head backstage, where Marie is waiting. Standing beside her is Kukuri.

Removing my cloak, I hand it over to Marie and continue walking.

The two follow behind me, and as usual, Marie showers me with words of praise.

“It was a wonderful speech, my lord.”

“The result would’ve been the same regardless of who delivered the speech. It’s actually concerning how easy it is to manipulate the people of this territory.”

They’re too stupid to even realize that they’re being controlled.

I sense an awkward pause from Kukuri just as I’m having such thoughts.

“I have a report, Lord Liam.”

“What is it?”

Unlike me, who’s in a good mood, Kukuri appears troubled.

“Sakura, who’s hiding amongst the crowd, has reported that she hasn’t done anything.”

“—Huh?”

I stop to look at Kukuri and ask for a more detailed explanation.

“Apparently, she didn’t have to manipulate the crowd at all. The people were supportive of Lord Liam from the very beginning.”

“But why?”

While I’m trying to wrap my head around what’s going on, Marie places her right hand over her cheeks and speaks as if she’s entranced.

“As to be expected of the planet that Lord Liam rules over. The fact that everyone’s willing to follow him is proof of Lord Liam’s virtue as a wise ruler.”

I can’t help but shake my head at the delusion that she’s having.

—If I were as wise and competent a ruler as she claimed I was, we wouldn’t be in this dire situation in the first place.

Strictly speaking, all of this is happening because of me.

I’m waging war against the Empire because I don’t like how it’s run.

Cleo’s betrayal doesn’t change anything. It just means I have one more enemy to mow down.

“Not only are my citizens stupid, but my subordinates are as well. —Sigh, Kukuri, proceed as planned.”

“As you will.”

After replying, Kukuri sinks into the ground and disappears from sight.

Marie, who continues to follow me, reports on her fleet.

“Lord Liam, my troops and I will be departing from our main planet tomorrow. I swear to uphold my duty and guard the base that I have been entrusted with.”

Although Marie has a lot of issues, she’s a gifted commander capable of leading a large fleet into battle. Hence, I’ve given her the task of protecting one of our important bases.

“Was your fleet able to make it in time?”

“—Yes.”

Marie replies with a smile, seemingly satisfied with her elite fleet.

The fleet that I established while traveling incognito has now been converted to Marie’s.

“Make sure you take firm command over the local troops as well.”

“Please leave it to me, Lord Liam. Also—”

I can roughly tell what it is that she wants to request, so I reply before she could finish her sentence.

“If you return victorious in this battle, you’ll be allowed into the Numbers.”

It seems I wasn’t off the mark, as Marie’s fighting spirit begins to burn fiercely.

She must be competing against Tia, her rival. Just in case, I give her a firm reminder.

“—I know you’re competing with Tia.”

“Y-yes.”

Marie flinches when I mention her relationship with Tia.

These two tend to spiral out of control from time to time, so I must give them regular warnings.

“But make sure you obey Klaus’s orders. Don’t pull on each other’s legs or get in Tia’s way. —I’d be much disappointed if you do.”

I don’t intend to lose this battle, and I don’t want my victory to be stained by their petty rivalry.

Marie’s expression turns serious, and she braces herself for what’s to come.

“Yes, sir!”

“Good. —Also, visit Rosetta and Edward before you leave. It seems Rosetta wants to see you.”

“T-thank you, Lord Liam.”

The subjugation force that departed from the Capital grew bigger in size as it approached the Banfield Family’s territory.

They had stopped several times along the way on planets that were under the Empire’s jurisdiction, and they had taken most of the supplies that were stored there.

Since the fleet was composed of over 6 million battleships, countless more spaceships had to tag along to provide logistical support, and Cleo was in the midst of being welcomed at one of the planets that they stopped by.

“It is our family’s greatest honor to be of service to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“That so.”

Sitting on a luxurious chair, Cleo sipped on the glass of sake that the Viscount had prepared.

The sake was of the finest quality, and the price of a single glass was equivalent to the amount of money the viscount’s people would earn throughout their entire lives.

The aristocrats and military officers that supported Cleo were emptying bottles upon bottles of such premium sake without even tasting them properly.

Cleo downed it all at once as well, but Hampson, who was sitting nearby, savored it as he drank.

This didn’t seem to suit his character, which made Cleo curious.

“I thought you would be more unrestrained, Hampson.”

With a troubled smile, Hampson glanced at the Viscount, whose face had grown pale.

The subjugation force was devouring all the expensive food and drinks he had in store.

And things didn’t end there. Though the Empire was paying for it, they were taking the supplies that the Viscount had painstakingly stockpiled in his territory.

The more diligent and honest the lord was, the more damage they’d receive from the plundering.

Although it was possible to buy back the supplies from elsewhere, prices were skyrocketing within the Empire, so a net loss could result if one wasn’t careful.

Hampson, who knew this, pointed his glass at the Viscount.

“We appreciate your hospitality, Viscount. We won’t forget your sacrifice.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Cleo watched on with wonder as the Viscount performed a deep bow.

“It seems Your Highness lacks understanding about nobles residing in the countryside. Did Banfield never teach you what it’s like out here?” asked Hampson.

Cleo became displeased at the mention of Liam.

“He was already filthy rich by the time I met him.”

“Is that so?”

Hampson chose to end the conversation there.

He knew better than anyone that the Empire wouldn’t change even if he told Cleo about the difficulties that nobles in the frontier faced.

That was when Toraido decided to join the conversation.

“A fleet of 6 million heading towards its destination is a sight to behold. We end up clearing out all the supplies of the planets we pass by, and it seems some people have been acting rather violently as well.”

Toraido gave General Cosmo a quick glance.

Cosmo, however, feigned ignorance.

“We live in a difficult time, after all.”

Cleo was also aware of the looting that was occurring on the planets that they visited.

“General Cosmo, don’t lose sight of your goals just for immediate returns.”

However, it seemed she had no intention of pursuing the matter any further,

Cosmo, who was in a great mood, finished his glass of sake.

“As Your Highness commands!”

He had been filling his pocket a bit, but it appeared he wouldn’t be punished for it.

Dustin, who was nearby, was politely eating the food that had been served to him.

“—Your Highness. This one would like to ask for a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Liam may be beyond this one’s ability, but this one would like to claim the head of his disciple. This is the perfect opportunity to spread the fame of the Roman school of swordsmanship throughout the world. —Please let this one know if we encounter a swordswoman by the name of Ellen Sera Tyler.”

He was planning on advertising the Roman school of swordsmanship as a school that defeated the One Flash.

Cleo agreed to this request.

“Very well. If you succeed, I’ll even nominate one of your disciples as a Sword Saint.”

The Roman school of swordsmanship would become mainstream if that were to happen, pushing aside the other two schools and laying claim to the title of the strongest school.

Dustin licked his lips.

“When the time comes, please nominate this one’s number one disciple.”

At the Banfield Family’s spaceport, people are boarding [Argos], our flagship.

Avid, my mobile knight, is also being loaded into the ship, and the time for departure is drawing near.

Amagi, Brian, Rosetta, and Edward are here to see me off, with Amagi and Brian standing behind the other two.

Rosetta gives me a hug and wishes me well.

“May fortune be with you.”

As I consider giving prayers to the Guide, I notice Edward hugging my leg.

“Father, may fortune be with you.”

It seems he’s trying to imitate Rosetta. I doubt he knows what he’s saying or where I’m heading off to.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do in this situation, so for now, I place my hand on his head.

“—Leave it to me.”

I quickly separate from the two and board Argos as if I were fleeing.

Turning around, I look towards Amagi.

Brian, whose standing beside her, is bawling his eyes out.

Amagi, who notices my gaze, gives a slight bow.

Raising my hand in response, I gallantly board the ship.

———————————————————————————————————–

Brian (´；ω；｀): “LORD LIAAAAAAM! Lord Liam is in a pickle, it’s painful!!”

Wakagi-chan ( ゜∀゜)ノ: “Hear this, hear this! The anime for ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs!’ will be reaching the climax of the first volume. You can check it out as early as tomorrow, so please look forward to it! The cover for Volume 10 of the light novel has also been released, so go take a look! The story this time features Ange-chan. It’s a light novel original!”

Tsuraian (´；ω；｀)ｒ鹵~＜≪巛;゜Д゜)ノ: “BUT WHYYYYYYY!!”

Tsuraian (´；ω；｀): “Lord Liam’s in a pickle, it’s painful.”

Chapter end