Epilogue
IN HOUSE BANFIELD'S MANSION, Riho and Fuka were dressed in maid
uniforms and sour expressions. Liam had special-ordered the outfits,
giving the two preferential treatment, but that hardly eased their
embarrassment. Normally, whenever the two wore skirts, they were more
chic styles. Instead, these cute, frilly maid uniforms made them flush with
shame.
"Why do I have to wear something like this?" Riho said, annoyed.
Fuka, on the other hand, lost her usual brazen attitude and simply
squirmed with discomfort. The fluttery skirt seemed to have her hopelessly
uncomfortable.
"C-clothes like this don't look good on me!" she cried out.
Serena, who was acting as their instructor, stood before them. Being
personally instructed by House Banfield's head maid was in itself
considered special treatment.
"You two really were born in the streets, weren't you?"
Yasushi had managed to drill some manners into them, but they
were hopeless as far as maids went. They thought of themselves only as
swordsmen, and their speech and actions were rough and uncouth.
Riho gave off a dangerous aura in response to Serena's comment.
"What was that? You think you're so much better than us? I may have had
my sword taken away, but I can still handle an old woman like—"
From a nearby hiding place, a young child watched Riho's
murderous outburst. Noticing their audience, Fuka elbowed Riho to cut her
off.
"Oww!" As Riho held her stomach, Fuka pointed toward the hiding
place.
"S-stupid! Look—Ellen's watching!"
Still holding her side, Riho plastered a fake smile on her face. Ellen
was watching them closely from the shadows, and because she spotted
Riho being furious with Serena...
"I'll tell Master!"
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The color drained from Riho's face. Keeping up her fake smile, she
said, "I-I didn't mean anything by that, Ellen, so please don't tell our
senior."
The two girls feared Liam because of how different he was from
Yasushi. Yasushi had always been even-tempered when dealing with
them. Even when scolding them, he had only ever yelled instead of
punishing them physically in any way. In contrast, not only was Liam
strict, but when the two of them were being too willful he would even
draw his sword. Liam acknowledged the two of them as swordsmen with a
high level of skill, so he didn't feel the need to go easy on them. The
young women knew that if they defied Liam too much, he'd have them
spitting up blood in no time.
Now that they knew Ellen was keeping an eye on the two of them,
the girls put on friendly faces for Serena.
"Please teach us well, Head Maid!"
"I'm looking forward to it!"
Despite their quick change in demeanor, Serena predicted she'd only
have more trouble with these two in the future. She said, "Good grief. I
never would have taken the two of you on if it hadn't been a direct request
from Master Liam."
Serena felt uneasy, and she wondered if it would truly be possible
for her to give these two a proper education.
***
Beneath House Banfield's mansion was a place only a select few
could enter. There sat the headquarters for Kukuri's underground
organization. Visiting this facility today, I looked down at a row of coffins
before me.
"Thirty, eh?"
Thirty of Kukuri's men had died in the chaos on the Capital Planet. I
had no complaints about the cost I had paid. After all, they did plenty of
damage to Calvin's underground forces themselves.
Kukuri stood beside me, looking remorseful. "I apologize...but they
fulfilled their duties, so their deaths were not in vain."
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I narrowed my eyes at him. "Obviously—they died for me. That
could never be a waste."
The dead don't betray you. These people had given their lives for
me in the ultimate demonstration of loyalty, and that was priceless. It was
the living I couldn't trust. Having heard that the men's funeral would be
held today, I came down here to pay my respects.
"What will you do with their bodies?" I asked Kukuri.
"They shall be neatly disassembled, since our bodies are
amalgamations of our unique technologies," Kukuri replied. "Nothing will
be left behind. It is the fate of those who work in the underbelly of society
to disappear without a trace."
I could understand the logic of that, but it still struck me as a shame.
I would have liked at least to have buried them, but I couldn't even do that.
They would leave behind nothing to prove they had once lived. It was very
thorough, but it didn't sit right with me.
"Kukuri, I want to give you a reward."
"Hm? We're already being paid quite handsomely."
I treated those in my inner circle favorably. With the help of the
alchemy box, I was freed from financial concerns, so I felt I could pay
anyone whatever I wanted. I was an evil lord, though, and part of that
involved being a miser. I spent as much money as I wanted on myself, but
I was only generous with other people depending on how much effort I felt
they put into their work and depending on my whims.
I was in a good mood today. It pleased me that Tia protected me
without a thought for her own safety, and that Kukuri's men followed my
orders to their last breaths. These people risked their lives for my sake, so I
wanted to reward them for it.
"I'm feeling charitable, so I'd like to give you a special bonus this
time. Name your price. If it's in my power, it's done."
The key here was that I didn't say I'd do anything. The request had
to be something I could reasonably fulfill.
Kukuri and his men were silent for some time, but eventually he
asked, "Would it be possible for us to have our own planet, then?"
"A planet?" I cocked my head, not having expected that request, and
Kukuri went on to explain himself.
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"We lost our home planet, you see. If there is one that suits us, I
would like to make that our new home."
As I listened to his explanation, I realized there was a planet within
my domain that suited his needs. Colonists already lived there, but only a
few million, which was considered a low population in this context.
Kukuri knelt before me. "My dearest wish is for the revival of our
clan. I would like the land to make that possible."
A hidden ninja settlement, eh? That sure had appeal. Increasing
Kukuri's clan would only be a good thing for me too.
"Very well. There are already people living on the planet I have in
mind, but I'll push them out, so give me some time."
Kukuri shook his head. "There is no need to go that far. It is actually
more convenient for us if there are others living there already."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed."
"Got it. Well, I'll get together whatever you need right away."
The operatives all knelt before me to show their thanks, but I told
them to rise so we could continue with the funeral. Taking turns, we all
placed flowers into the coffins.
I gave some words to honor the fallen. "The dead won't betray me.
You all didn't betray me. The next life you're born into, I want you to find
happiness, all right?"
I didn't know if they'd be reincarnated in this world, but if they
were, I hoped they'd have nothing to do with me and that they'd obtain
happiness—just like I did in my second life.
***
Now working as a maid in House Banfield's mansion, Ciel recalled
her busy days on the Capital Planet.
"I couldn't find anything..."
She hoped to expose Liam's true nature, but she wasn't able to
accomplish anything of the sort. In fact, all she herself had seen was Liam
working diligently. He was sent to a faraway government office for his
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training where he cleaned up all the corruption he found. Then, he
supported the expeditionary army from behind the scenes while throwing
parties every day so he could network for Cleo's faction. She did her best
to find flaws in him, but...there simply were none to find.
"What is he? What's up with him? He's a completely capable ruler,
so why does he feel like such a little punk to me?"
Whenever she asked around about him, all anyone ever said was,
"Lord Liam's a wonderful ruler!" No one had glimpsed a darker nature of
any sort. And not only that, but as someone who worked as Rosetta's
personal maid and was close to Liam as a result, Ciel always got jealous
looks from other people.
"I'm not in some enviable position! Everybody here totally has the
wrong idea about him!" She couldn't understand how everyone could be
so devoted to the man.
While she was cleaning one of the mansion's many rooms, Rosetta
entered.
"So this is where you were, Ciel." Apparently, Rosetta had been
looking for her.
"Lady Rosetta? If you'd called for me, I would have come right
away." Ciel was mystified why Rosetta would go around looking for her
servant in person.
"I wanted to see you working. Unlike on the Capital Planet, here it's
my job to make sure you're getting on all right."
Ciel was the daughter of a baron who directly served the Empire.
Thus, she had a higher position than any of the other children of Liam's
vassals and was the first young person House Banfield had accepted for
noble training. Her being here wasn't the same as educating the children of
Liam's subordinates. If Ciel's noble training went well, it would establish
House Banfield as a reliable place to prepare noble children in the future,
and they would receive countless requests to train others like her. In return,
this would give House Banfield more opportunities to form ties with other
noble houses.
This place is as rural as our territory, Ciel thought, but they're as
strict about etiquette here as they are on the Capital Planet. I'm getting a
good education, so it really is a great place for training, but...
The head maid Serena was quite strict, but she'd served as head
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maid in the Imperial palace for many years. Liam's butler Brian had his
issues too, but he did good work. Rosetta was strict in her own way, and
yet she was fundamentally kind, always concerned about Ciel and
instructing her patiently. It truly was the ideal environment for learning. If
there was any problem here, it was Liam.
Rosetta was happy to have discovered Ciel working so diligently. "It
doesn't seem like you have any problems working here in the mansion
either. At this rate, you'll be able to finish your training and return home
quite soon. I have to say though, I'll be a little lonely when that happens."
Rosetta looked sincerely regretful as she said that.
She's such a good person... Why did she fall for someone like Liam?
The other people don't bother me as much, but I wish at least she would
catch on to the truth.
It was Ciel's wish that Rosetta would eventually come to her senses.
***
In the United Kingdom of Oxys's territory, the Henfrey Company's
convoy moved through space. One of its ships was a luxury cruiser, and
aboard it, Thomas Henfrey was dealing directly with Count Pershing.
Having lost his position in the United Kingdom, Count Pershing was
trying to flee the nation with the merchant's help. Thomas had volunteered
to escort him personally.
At the moment, Count Pershing sat in a stateroom, drinking in an
attempt to steady his nerves. "This is all your fault, Thomas!" he fretted.
"You'd better get me to a safe place! You have a responsibility to me!
Goddammit... Why did this happen?"
His eyes cold, Thomas contacted his bridge crew to confirm that
they were about to enter imperial territory. "Count Pershing," he called
out.
"What is it?"
"The Henfrey Company serves Lord Liam as his personal merchant
firm. We are headquartered in his territory. I'm not sure how wise it was to
ask us to help you escape the United Kingdom after your betrayal."
Frankly, Thomas was surprised when the count contacted him.
Count Pershing's attitude grew more condescending. "What's wrong
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with that? That's why I chose you. You should be able to deceive House
Banfield easily. Plus, I paid you to take me somewhere safe, didn't I? So
get me somewhere safe. Good grief... Are you trying to tell me a merchant
cares about loyalty? You're all just money-grubbers."
"You're burning my ears. True, we merchants do place a high value
on money...but I have honor and compassion of my own. Lord Liam has
done more than a little to help me out. You can see how it would be bad
for my business if I helped you after you double-crossed him."
Count Pershing scoffed back. "No one will know a thing if you just
keep your mouth shut. Everyone does things like this, don't they? You
should just come out and tell me what amount it will take for you to betray
him."
For having betrayed the United Kingdom, Count Pershing was no
longer considered a noble. He left his home and family behind, fleeing on
his own. All he had on him was a large sum of money he received for
turning on Liam. Still, he couldn't rid himself of the mindset of a noble.
Therefore, he didn't think a merchant was any threat to him, and he had
hired guards with him too. He left behind his family, but took his knights,
and because of that he retained an arrogant confidence.
The reason Count Pershing had gone to Thomas for assistance was
because no merchant from the United Kingdom would lift a finger to help
him. If it got out that they helped a traitor like him just for money, they'd
never be able to do business in the United Kingdom again. The only other
contact he had was Thomas, based out of the Empire, so he'd reluctantly
turned to the Henfrey Company for his escape.
"I am not the only one who's upset about this, Count Pershing."
"Huh?"
A moment later, Thomas's ship shuddered.
Count Pershing leaped to his feet. "Wh-what was that?"
The former noble and his knights looked about anxiously, and a
report came in from the bridge that an intruder had boarded the ship.
Seconds later, there was a commotion outside the room, and then the door
was kicked in.
Into the room stepped a female knight wearing a purple powered
suit. In her hands, she held two swords with edges of pure energy. Energy
rotated along their blades like the teeth of a chainsaw.
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"I heard there was a traitor here...so here I am."
The female knight's visor opened, and then the entire helmet folded
away and stored itself behind her neck. With her head exposed, the woman
wore an ecstatic smile on her face. Flanking her were several more
knights, all exuding an air of bloodlust.
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Count Pershing's guards rushed at the intruders, but this new group
of knights instantly cut them all down. While Count Pershing gaped in
horror at what was occurring, the female knight—Marie—expressed her
gratitude to Thomas.
"I appreciate you coming to me, Lord Thomas, and not that ground
meat woman, Tia. You really do have a discerning eye!"
Marie had been holding down the fort in Liam's domain, but she
took a few hundred ships out to meet Thomas and take care of this little
problem.
Thomas handed over Count Pershing with a wry smile. "Your
delivery, miss."
Marie's blades made a shrill, ear-piercing noise as they spun even
faster. "Pershing! The sin of betraying Lord Liam is a heavy one, and I'll
take my time helping you understand just how heavy it is. Don't worry...
we brought plenty of medical supplies with us, so you won't die too
easily."
None of the knights accompanying Marie moved to stop her. In fact,
they seemed to feel the same way she did.
"Death to the traitor!" one cried.
"Lord Liam's enemies will be destroyed!"
"Let's get this party started!!!"
Count Pershing looked to Thomas for help, but the merchant was
already hastily leaving the room. "H-help meee!" the man screamed as the
knights pinned him down.
Marie smiled. "I...don't...think...so!!!"
***
Having lost the war, the United Kingdom was scrambling to figure
out who to blame for their circumstances.
"Wait... Come to think of it, whatever happened to Pershing?"
Reclining on a couch in his room, Liam had been checking out the
news on his tablet. Reading an article on the United Kingdom's troubles,
Liam suddenly remembered Count Pershing, so he asked Amagi about him
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while she prepared tea for him.
"We've received a report from Lord Thomas that Lady Marie has
disposed of him."
Liam yawned. "I was wondering where Marie went. Taking out a
traitor, eh? Well, good. I like that's she's taking some initiative."
The maid set out tea and sweets for Liam and he sat up, enjoying the
fragrance. "Mm, the smell of Amagi's tea."
"Other people also make use of these tea leaves, so I imagine it
smells the same as their brews."
"It's different when you make it."
"Is it?" she asked.
Could Liam detect some subtle difference when it was she who
prepared his tea? Amagi couldn't imagine that was true. In any case,
watching him enjoy himself caused her to think back to the day she
encountered that supernatural being.
That creature that shouted Master's name... What exactly was he?
He had looked like a human, but clearly wasn't. The strange being's
true nature had been shrouded in static to Amagi's senses. The only thing
she was sure about was that he had intended to cause Liam harm.
He was undoubtedly after Master. In that case...
Though Amagi was worried that this incomprehensible creature was
out to get him, Liam was just as calm as always.
"Hey, I haven't seen Brian today."
Amagi followed Liam's lead and behaved in her usual manner.
What else could she do?
"He is taking the day off," she said. "I believe he is having a meal
with his grandchildren."
"His grandkids, eh? Have the meal billed to me, then. It's good to be
charitable...just as long as he knows he owes me."
"Very well."
***
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As the Guide's top hat drifted through space, tiny arms and legs
sprouted from it. A mouth soon followed, grinding its teeth in frustration.
"Dammit... Dammit..." it cried despondently.
The Guide wasn't dead, not yet.
"I can't beat him..."
It seemed he couldn't even get near Liam anymore. Both inside and
outside of his own domain, Liam projected and attracted immense
gratitude. He was only human, but the energy he gathered had given him
tremendous power. As weakened as the Guide was now, there was nothing
he could do to stand up to the young man. At this point, he wasn't sure
he'd be a match for Liam even if he possessed his full strength. Still, the
Guide couldn't bring himself to admit defeat.
"I will not give up on my revenge! I will kill Liam—I swear it!!!"
He would bring down Liam no matter what he had to do. This latest
failure only renewed the Guide's determination.
Nearby, a ghostly dog watched, sight unseen, as the Guide
regenerated. The dog seemed displeased that the Guide was still alive, but
apparently decided there was nothing to be done about it for the time
being, because suddenly the dog simply vanished.
"I'll accept my loss for now," the Guide shouted. "But I'll be back,
Liaaaaam!!!"
Spinning as he drifted in space, the Guide let his momentum carry
him away through the void.
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