I'm the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!

At a certain location inside the palace of the Imperial Capital, aristocrats of the Cleo Faction are gathering with their trusted knights and subordinates beside them.

There are numerous aristocrats, knights, and military personnel present inside the large conference room with steps leading down to the central stage. His Highness Cleo is sitting above them on a specially prepared seat.

We can see the rotating figure of Planet Charlow’s 3D holographic display at the central stage.

A man that goes by the name of [Theodore Sera Zack] was appointed as the meeting’s chairman

He’s a good-looking man, his short black hair shone brightly under the light, but the expression on his face can only be described as brazen.

“The one to control Planet Charlow will control the Empire! I want everyone here to understand how important this battle is.”

He isn’t saying it outright, but ‘You guys better understand‘ is the message I’m getting from his attitude.

Theodore hails from a family of Baronets, and he’s a court aristocrat without any territory.

Even without doing anything, the palace grants him an annual allowance, and though he can receive more benefits if he works, he stays unemployed all this time.

The only reason he can speak so confidently before us is because he’s a part of His Highness Cleo’s personal guards.

He’s dressed in a specially prepared uniform with the emblem of a lieutenant general attached to it.

He’s been appointed this rank as he was on special duty, much like back when I was a special staff member of the military.

Theodore gives us a description of Planet Charlow.

“Planet Charlow is a habitable planet where people can settle down without the need for prior development. However, it’s the rare metals that make Planet Charlow so attractive. Reports state that we can mine up a considerable quantity.”

Based on the information present in the handout, it’s certainly an attractive planet.

At the present moment, Charlow is a very beautiful planet, though this will probably change once rare metals start being dug up.

“A blue planet, much like Earth.”

I recall memories of Earth from my previous life, and Klaus, who’s sitting next to me, asks me about it.

“Earth?”

“It’s nothing. Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?”

Klaus studies the printout for a moment before giving a very honest answer.

“It’s a great planet that’s in good condition. However, if it wasn’t tied to the matter of succession, it wouldn’t have been a planet worth fighting over.”

—Exactly.

It’s certainly great, but Planet Charlow isn’t worth the effort of the entire Cleo Faction.

A man that goes by Baron [Gurin] is standing next to Theodore, and he’s precisely the man that’s saying that the planet is his.

Baron Gurin is a slender man with androgynous appearance. What’s unique about him is his long black hair, which almost touches the floor.

He’s wearing a suit, but everyone’s eyes are on his long hair, and his thin eyes give off the impression of a fox.

“I am grateful to the members of the Cleo Faction. Planet Charlow is a part of the Gurin Family’s territory, but Viscount [Maiat] is trying to take it away from us. I ask for everyone’s help so as to ensure that justice prevails.”

“Justice my a*s,” I mutter in a whisper.

Klaus asks for the reason behind my foul mood.

“Does Lord Liam believe Baron Gurin is in the wrong?”

“There’s no such thing as justice in this world. He simply wants it because it’s an attractive planet. That’s all there is to it. If they didn’t find any rare metals there, they wouldn’t have bothered to develop it.”

Until now, he only saw it as a planet where conditions are good for people to settle in, but now that he’s discovered rare metals, he’s trying to develop it in earnest.

The neighboring lord, Viscount Maiat, heard of this and wanted it for his own.

At least that’s the story. We don’t even know if this Gurin dude is speaking the truth.

From the perspective of the Empire, it doesn’t matter who the planet belongs to, so long as taxes flow in.

In other words, it matters not which side wins.

The only reason it matters right now is because of our conflict with Calvin.

The surrounding lords stare at Gurin with cold eyes.

“He can’t even protect his own territory.”

“If it’s really his territory, he should’ve developed it early on.”

“Just goes to show how incompetent he is.”

Gurin retreats after hearing all the criticisms, and Theodore steps forward.

“Quiet! I would like to hear Count Banfield’s opinion.”

Hearing my name mentioned, the aristocrats that have been rambling all close their mouths.

At the end of the day, I’m the top dog in this faction.

It feels really nice to see all these villainous-looking guys awaiting my orders.

“I’m not interested in your story. We’re here to discuss how we should beat our enemy.”

Theodore and Gurin’s mood become visibly worse, but they pretend like it’s alright, then Theodore subtly tries to chide me.

“Now, now, Count Banfield. It’s certainly important that we win, but Baron Gurin is our companion. I hear that his territory has been exhausted by the war, so we should arrange for relief to be sent.”

It’s all well and good to talk about matters that may sound pleasing to the public, but that kind of conversation doesn’t fly well at a gathering of villains.

Besides, it’s not like Cleo’s the one that is going to prepare the relief funds—it’ll be me.

Why the heck do I need to give Gurin relief?

“If you want to help him so much, do it yourself. We’re gathered here to discuss how we can defeat Calvin.”

When I tell them that I’m not going to help, Cleo, who’s been watching the meeting from the sideline, appears as a stereoscopic image.

Only his upper body is shown, but because of the size of his projection, we have to look up.

Having someone stare down at me from above feels kind of annoying.

Cleo expresses his disapproval of my decision.

‘Don’t be like that, Count Banfield. Baron Gurin is on our side, and I wish to leave matters related to him to Count Banfield.’

Cleo glances at his right arm which has been injured.

It’s as if he’s trying to say ‘I got injured because of you, so listen to me.’

I turn my gaze to Klaus, who shakes his head as if telling me that there’s no way out of this.

I glare at Cleo, not the image of him, but his actual person, who’s inside a room up near the ceiling.

“I’ll send relief supplies as soon as I can.”

‘Thanks. Viscount Maiat seems to have hit him pretty hard, so please send a lot of relief over. It would help if you could send people over as well to help rebuild his territory.’

—He’s throwing more and more trouble my way.

◇

When the meeting was over, Cleo summoned Theodore, who served as the head of his personal guards.

Theodore gushed out a series of complaints when he was called over.

“Your Highness, I can’t stand Banfield’s attitude anymore! He pretends like he’s the king even at meetings like this one!”

Lysithea, who was standing beside Cleo, reprimanded Theodore.

Despite being of royal descent, she was a woman who became a knight.

She had given up her inheritance to protect Cleo, who was once her sister and was now her brother.

From her point of view, what Theodore said just now was unforgivable.

“Are you forgetting the fact that we are all here thanks to Count Banfield’s support?”

Theodore understood the importance of Liam’s support, but he still didn’t back down.

“Lady Lysithea, this faction is His Highness Cleo’s faction. Isn’t it natural for aristocrats that belong to the faction to throw in their support?”

“When we were at our lowest, only Count Banfield stood forward to help us. What you’re saying is no different from biting the hand that fed you.”

Theodore closed his mouth grudgingly, only to have Cleo open his.

“Leave it at that, Sister. —Theodore, I’ll have you participate in the war as a military supervisor.”

“—Understood.”

Theodore, who had been dissatisfied until now, accepted his order obediently. He even seemed happy about it for some reason.

Lysithea found that a bit worrying.

“Cleo, I would’ve understood if it was to increase our battle potential, but what’s up with this supervisor nonsense? If you don’t participate in the war and just watch from the side, you’ll garner criticisms.”

Cleo didn’t change his decision even after hearing that.

“It’s already a done matter. It’ll be fine. —Count Banfield will surely win. All we have to do is watch and wait.”

Lysithea remained unconvinced until the end.

◇

After the meeting, I gather the main members of the Cleo Faction for a discussion.

The participants are Baron Exner, Kurt’s father; [Francis Sera Ganne], a slim white-haired man; and [Jericho Sera Goal], a muscular man with an eyepatch that makes him look like a pirate.

Jericho grabs a handful of snacks that’s been prepared ahead of time, throws them all into his mouth, and munches on them loudly.

“That sorry excuse of a personal guard thinks he’s hot sh*t.”

Francis concurs while drinking alcohol.

“It’s only with our tribute that His Highness Cleo was able to form a fleet of 30,000. I’m angry about it as well, but I believe Liam-dono is the one who has the most to say about this situation.”

Jericho and Francis look towards me for my reaction.

It seems they’re asking how we should treat Cleo from now on.

“I heard it was to help court aristocrats who couldn’t find a job? He’s done good, hasn’t he?”

Though I say this, I gulp down all the alcohol at once.

The three that are with me realize that I’m only bottling up my frustration.

Baron Exner reveals his worries about how we should deal with the personal guards.

“It seems his personal guards will participate as supervisors, and watch us fight from the sidelines. I wonder how that will end.”

That’s precisely what Jericho is mad about.

“Those cowards with no decent experience in war will only pull us down. Liam, can’t you refuse to have them participate?”

I could, but I currently owe Cleo a debt—or so the story goes.

In actuality, I very much welcome Theodore’s participation in the war.

“Let them watch if that’s what they want.”

The three of them look each other in the eyes, and Baron Exner asks me a question on behalf of all three of them.

“So…. What happened to Liam-dono’s wedding?”

Right. That.

Rosetta came to see me off when I left, but she never spoke a word about the wedding.

Even so, it felt like her smile was strained.

According to Jericho, wars of this scale will take time, so we should hold a quick ceremony.

“It might take decades if we’re unlucky. Just have a simple ceremony first. When we’re back, you can host a bigger one.”

Francis, on the other hand, seems to think it’s a pity, but advises to take things slow.

“The timing couldn’t have been worse, but there’s nothing we can do about it. The war will take years, even if it ends early. Since our enemies are backed against a corner, they’ll throw everything they’ve got at us. Liam-dono, enemies that are at their wits’ end can be terrifying. I feel sorry for you, but you should be prepared for a long battle.”

Baron Exner remains silent, but he probably agrees with them.

I’m fine with taking my time.

It’s a good excuse to not get married, so I can buy some time with this.

—Having said that, the sad expression that Rosetta showed before my departure flickers in my head.

“Don’t worry. We can talk about this after we win.”

It’s time to settle things with Calvin.

He’s put me in hot water before, so he’s not an easy opponent.

Let’s make sure he doesn’t pull a fast one on us.

——————————————————————————————————-

Brian (´；ω；｀): “Lady Rosetta is pitiful, it’s painful.”

Brian (｀・ω・´): “Volume 3, which is where Lady Rosetta meets Lord Liam, has been edited and had its length increased. Please show the much love.”

Brian (´；ω；｀): “—7 volumes have passed since their initial encounter, yet Lord Liam is still trying to run away from their marriage. It’s painful.”