I'm the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!

There is nothing worse in life than an act of betrayal.

I, [Liam Sera Banfield], suffered a terrible betrayal in my previous life, but was reincarnated as an Earl in an intergalactic nation known as the Algrand Empire.

Born to be a winner, I’ve climbed my way up to become a duke.

I’ve even seized victory in the succession battle and have reached the height of prosperity within the empire.

However, I’m currently planning the worst betrayal that the world would ever see.

I might be able to justify it in my head, but from the perspective of others, it would be nothing more than an ugly act.

Understandably, too, as I’m trying to betray the third prince Cleo, who I’ve been supporting all this time.

Much time has passed since I first started supporting Cleo in the race for the throne.

By providing astronomical amounts of resources and a powerful army, I’ve elevated Cleo’s status to that of the Crown Prince.

What do you think happened next?

Cleo, who had become the Crown Prince, judged that I was in the way and turned his back on me.

It’s an infuriating story, but I also see this as an opportunity, an opportunity to betray the Empire.

As someone that aspires to be an evil lord, betrayal is an everyday occurrence. In fact, Cleo’s betrayal was within my expectation.

That’s just the extent of the beings known as humans. Having learned this in my previous life, I’m not that mad about what Cleo did.

— Having said that, both Cleo and the Empire would have to pay for backstabbing me.

That’s why building up my strength is my top priority at the moment.

“Master, the colonization of pioneer planets is a bit behind schedule, but it is within acceptable limits.”

I frown while listening to Amagi’s report in the office.

To be honest, if it’s behind schedule by just a few percent, it’s nothing to worry about.

As she said, it’s within acceptable limits… but the problem is, I don’t have much leeway right now.

Since I’ve decided to go against the Algrand Empire, every little bit counts.

That’s why I can’t overlook even a few percent of delay.

That said, blindly rushing the colonization process won’t produce any good results, and even if it did, the effects would be negligible in the grand scheme of things.

What then, should I do?

— The answer is simple: Get our hands on planets that have already been pioneered.

“It’s not a bad idea to pioneer planets step-by-step, but it takes too much time. Amagi, bring me a list of incompetent aristocrats whose territories are in a mess.”

The incompetent aristocrats that I’m referring to are people who do not pay attention to developing their territories, instead drowning themselves in massive debts to live luxuriously.

Amagi whips out a list in no time.

I furrow my eyebrows after looking through it.

“–That’s a lot.”

“The Empire is a vast place, after all. Still, it is quite baffling. If the territories were properly managed, the Empire’s national power would’ve been several times what it is now.”

Because the aristocrats have been entrusted to rule, the Empire’s power has dropped. It’s quite ridiculous if you ask me.

Ironically, though, this has given me the chance to beat the Empire.

“The Empire’s not interested in the territories near the border. – Amagi, let’s take over this planet.”

“Master, doesn’t that planet already have a lord?”

I’m trying to lay claim to a planet owned by a viscount.

It hasn’t been developed much, and it’s a debt-ridden territory with very little appeal. However, the planet managed to catch my eye because the viscount in charge of it is living in the Capital.

In other words, the viscount doesn’t care an ounce about his territory.

“Let’s purchase this planet from the incompetent viscount. Rather than building it up from scratch, it’s better to acquire something that already exists.”

Development is possible as long as there’s a certain amount of foundation. My territory is proof of that.

“Master, are you planning on shouldering the viscount’s debt in exchange? Would he really give up on his territory for that?”

The more incompetent people are, the more pride they would have.

He probably won’t give up on his territory that easily.

“In addition to shouldering the debt, we’ll promise to give him enough money to spend his entire life without worry. I bet he’ll gladly agree to the deal.”

Even for me, preparing that much money would hurt my pocket a little.

Although I have the Alchemy Box, my budget is limited.

Honestly, the Empire has much more resources at its disposal.

Rare metals are constantly being collected from all over the nation, and large quantities of resources are brought in without them having to lift a finger.

Even with the Alchemy Box, it’s not something I can compare to.

I could feel Amagi’s concern through her expressionless face.

“–Master, do you seriously intend on fighting the Empire?”

“Of course. Mind you, Cleo was the one that betrayed me first. If I don’t win here, there won’t be a future ahead of us. Don’t worry, defeat is something I know not of.”

I have the divine protection of the Guide, so losing is simply impossible.

While I’m choosing which planets to purchase, Amagi brings up the matter of Ellen.

“I see. Onto a different topic, there is something I wish to say about Lady Ellen.”

“Ellen? I thought she was in preschool. Did something happen to her?”

“She graduated preschool a long time ago. She’s even finished her military training and is currently preparing for university admissions in the Capital. How about having her return to her home planet once?”

I’ve been so busy with various things that I’ve failed to notice that she’s already out of preschool and military training.

Amagi projects holographic documents that show how Ellen performed during her time on active duty.

Her final rank was a major, and she had even obtained several medals.

“Haa…Time really flies. It feels like I’ve sent her off just the other day.”

“Master was busy after all.”

After she reached adulthood, I sent her off to preschool as she was of age.

As Ellen wasn’t a noble, she shouldn’t have been able to enroll in preschool, but I used my authority and forced her way in as I wouldn’t be able to take care of her for a while.

I had my hands full with managing my territory, juggling between work and training.

Normally, as a successor of the School of One-Flash, she should’ve received strict guidance from me.

However, I didn’t have time for that, so I threw her into preschool as a last resort.

I would’ve liked her to train under Master, but unfortunately, he refused under the pretext that he wasn’t qualified to teach anymore, his injuries preventing him from unleashing the One-Flash.

The other candidates were Fuuka and Rinho, my junior disciples. Those two have been frequenting Master’s house.

They’ve become attached to Yasuyuki-kun, Master’s son, and they’ve been checking in on him. They’ve been slacking off, so I’ve judged that it wouldn’t be good to leave Ellen in their care.

–Once everything’s over, I plan on putting them back into shape on behalf of Master.

I mean, how dare they hang out at Master’s place without me? I want to visit him as well, but work’s been piling up.

It’s self-imposed work, so I’m not going to complain though.

“Leave her be and let Ellen attend university.”

Amagi appears dissatisfied with my dismissive attitude.

Her face remains blank, but her eyes convey a different message.

If you’re not going to take proper care of her, why did you take her in as your disciple?

“Are you not going to ask her for her opinion?”

“I’m busy. Send Ellen’s mother to the Capital instead.”

It’s been a while. Let’s give her some time alone with her mother.

Amagi appears fed up with my decision and speaks a bit sarcastically.

“Master, the one keeping you busy is none other than yourself. If you proceed with purchasing the planets and developing them, you’ll only be busier.”

“Do you think she’ll be able to help me with my work once she becomes a full-fledged knight?”

“–Master.”

Amagi narrows her eyes. In response, I return to work.

After completing the work in front of me, I reveal my true thoughts to Amagi.

“I’m only telling you this because it’s you, but the Banfield Family doesn’t have enough generals considering the number of troops we have. That’s one of the reasons why I have high expectations for Ellen.”

I originally wanted her to focus on learning the One-Flash, but we can’t afford that anymore.

Since I was able to do it, I’m sure she’ll be able to do it as well.

It seems Amagi shares my sentiment in regard to the number of generals.

“Even though we have many talented people, we only have a few top-class personnel.”

There’s Klaus, who’s capable of handling any situation, as well as Tia, Marie, and Kukuri, with the latter commanding the Black Ops.

But we lack in absolute numbers.

If we’re dealing with a single lord, it’s more than enough, but against the Empire, it’s nowhere close.

“Now then, where can we get more people?”

The problem is, this isn’t something that can be resolved by recruiting elites that have completed their education.

What we need are veterans with an actual track record, powerful individuals that have experienced real battles.

I don’t expect everyone to be as talented as Klaus, but I’d like to have more generals that are at or slightly below the level of Tia and Marie before we confront the Empire.

If I were to ask the Guide for his help, would he gather the necessary personnel for me?

–Then again, that would be too selfish of me.

I’m already indebted to him. I should do something about this myself.

◇

Around that time, the Guide was in the Algrand Empire’s Capital, squatting on top of a trash bin located in a dirty alley, grief-stricken.

“Damn it all. -I hate Liam. I hate him.”

The Guide had regressed to being only a hat, and he was shedding tears from who-knows-where.

He cursed Liam while crying.

Why was he here? Why was he crying?

It all went back to Liam.

The Guide tried to play a trick on him during his wedding with Rosetta, but it backfired, and the Guide was hit by a force hundreds of times more powerful.

He lost his body and arrived at the Empire’s Capital in tatters, where he could absorb negative emotions.

“This place really calms me down. Negative emotions keep flowing into me just by being here. It’s as if this wonderful planet exists for my sake.”

The Guide felt at home amidst all the negative emotions, and he started planning for the future.

A passerby happened to throw away his electronic newspaper, so he hurriedly picked it up.

Opening it, he realized it was news from a while ago.

“I have to get information from scraps like this. –How did I fall so far?”

In the past, he could access all sorts of information with a snap of his fingers.

Now, however, he couldn’t do anything as he was severely weakened and injured.

An article began to be played when the newspaper was opened, and a video was shown.

[Rumors say that the relationship between Crown Prince Cleo and Duke Banfield, who have supported him until now, have deteriorated–]

Even in the Capital, rumors of the disagreement between Liam and Cleo were spreading.

The Guide knew this already, but it seemed their relationship had completely crumbled.

However, there was nothing the Guide could do at the moment.

“I’d like to give Cleo all the help he needs, but I can’t do anything right now. How pathetic of me.”

Tears fell on the electronic newspaper. The Guide looked up at the sky above the Capital.

The Capital’s sky was but an illusion. The planet was completely encompassed in metal, and even the weathers were artificial.

The sky was nothing more than an image projected onto the shell that covered the planet.

——————————————————————————————————–

Wakagi-chan (°∀°): “Fuahahaha!! I’m back as well! I’ll be doing a lot of promotions from now on. First of all, ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ Volume 4 is will be released on October 25th. Have you pre-ordered it yet? Some readers might have already gotten their hands on it. Either way, I’d be happy if you made a reservation.”

Wakagi-chan ヽ(・∀・ )ノ: “Oh, but of course, I’d be happier if you actually purchased it! Now that that’s over, I should start thinking of how to promote Mob Seka~”

Brian (´；ω；｀): “It’s painful. A plant has taken over the postscript once again. It’s painful. –Leaving that aside, the first volume of the manga is being released as well. Please show much love to the original series!”

TN: If you enjoyed the chapter and wish for more, please check out my patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/LightFeathers! Thank you, and have a nice day~