Volume 6 Chapter 11. The Battleship, Decapitated

Theres a planet near the Empires border with the Gudwar Kingdom of Dominion.

I say near loosely here as its only in respect to the sheer size of an intergalactic nation.

In actuality, the distance between them is very far.

However, its in a position that can be easily reached using warp technology.

As such, the planet where I was dispatched to is considered a strategically important base, especially now that the front line has moved.

It used to be one of the planets behind the front lines, but its importance has increased after the Imperial Army was pushed back.

-On the bridge of a battleship-

The floor beneath us has changed into monitors, showing us the planet which will be developed into an important base.

It feels really nice to look down from a high place.

To think theyd dispatch me to build such an important base. The Empire must be seriously lacking in manpower.

Wallace, whos been forced to tag along, yells at me after seeing me grin.

I brought him with me since he was trying to finish his training at the Capital without doing any form of actual work.

From his perspective, its like being banished from the safe confines of the Capital and being sent to the front lines.

If I were to draw an analogy, its like being demoted and moved from the company headquarters to one of its remote branch offices.

Whats more, its a branch office without any infrastructure to work with.

Liam, you moron! You shouldve refused this sort of work! You have enough authority to do so, do you not!?

I do. In fact, I could slap it away whenever I wish to.

Then why!?

Just cuz. Now, dont get so upset. I was getting bored of the Capital anyway. Its not a bad idea to sit back and watch how Calvins doing here.

The planet beneath us doesnt have a ruler as its former lord was an aristocrat that fell to ruins.

The Empire has been thinking of dispatching a deputy in his place, but truth be told, developing such a remote planet doesnt bring much benefit to the Empire.

Theres no need to bother with such remote places as there are a lot of other undeveloped planets under the Empires direct control.

Even if the Empire acquires a planet thats already been exhausted, they dont stand to gain much.

I was dispatched here this time around to act as a civil officer so that this planet can be developed into one which could support the front lines.

To this end, the Imperial Army has dispatched 3,000 of its battleships.

Not only that, theres a transport fleet containing the materials which would be used for the planets development with a Major General leading this fleet.

Im a civil officer at the moment, but if I were to return to the army, Id be a Lieutenant General. Wait, no, I think Im a General now?

Either way, not only am I a future Duke, I hold a high position in the military as well.

The Major General has no right to tell me what to do as Im essentially the highest ranking officer here.

I get contacted by the Major General while Wallace is complaining, and a 3D image of him saluting gets projected into the air.

He seems to be in his mid-twenties, but whats his actual age?

The thing about living in an intergalactic nation is that its difficult to determine peoples age with their appearance alone.

Substitute Deputy Officer, the transport fleet has arrived safely.

I see. Wait until given further orders.

U-understood.

The call ends there, but Wallace seems to feel sorry for the Major General.

He looks like he wants to say something.

Out with it.

Usually, its the military officer that gets to act all high and mighty. It just feels weird that hes behaving like your inferior.

Even if Im an aristocrat, Im probably just another brat who hasnt finished his training in the eyes of the military officer.

The Major General is supposed to be in command, but Wallace must be feeling sorry for him since hes being led around by a kid like me.

Theres a reason for this.

Not only do I frequently give the army bribes and by that, I mean the usual greetings. I also purchase weapons from them whenever theyre selling things.

Due to these reasons, the Imperial Army has a favorable opinion of me.

As such, the Major General wouldnt want to accidentally offend me.

Whats more, since I knew that Id be coming all the way to the frontier, I came prepared.

In contrast to the 3,000 Imperial troops, Ive brought with me 30,000 of my own ships from my private army.

Even if the Major General tries to put up a front, hed have no choice but to shut up in front of such a massive difference in numbers.

Ill crush you if you complain! Thats the message that Im trying to convey.

Oh, and I also brought Avid with me this time.

That goes to show that Im pretty serious about this mission.

More importantly, the planets situation is a bit

I brush aside whatever Wallace was about to say midway, prompting him to say, Youre just going to ignore this?

See, the problem on our hands isnt the military officer.

Its the planet that is beneath our feet its in a really terrible condition.

Its a desolate place, probably because the former lord was incompetent.

Im alright with him trying to be an evil lord and squeezing his citizens dry.

The problem here is that the territorys been exhausted and is on the verge of collapse.

Thats just no good at all.

The art of squeezing citizens dry is to leave them in a state where they could neither live nor die.

Since the former lord couldnt do something so simple, hes worthless in my eyes.

Villains must be strong.

All else is worthless.

The planets in a horrible condition. This will take a while.

Wallace draws back after seeing me look down at the planet with a grin.

He must be wondering how I could act so cheerful after being sent to the frontier, but Ive brought my fleet with me, and within that fleet is the huge Fortress Class Mobile battleship.

Thus, I can enjoy a luxurious life even if Im in the countryside.

Wallace droops his shoulders and looks at the data of the planet that weve been assigned to.

Are we really setting up base here? The populations less than a hundred million, not to mention that the territorys already exhausted.

The former lord apparently portrayed aristocrats as gods.

If I were to reference my previous life, the people on this planet are living like those from the Middle Ages.

It seems the former lord was a fan of watching people struggle, leading to this travesty of a territory.

Nobody would be willing to develop this kind of territory.

In fact, no one even bothered to lay their hands on this planet before we got dispatched.

It wouldve been fine to leave things as is if this was any ordinary territory, but we must make sure this planet is equipped to support the front lines.

This is quite the responsibility.

Worry not, for we have a good chance of succeeding. Ill get some things done before that person arrives.

Hearing me mention someone else, Wallace tilts his head.

Someone other than us was dispatched here?

Yeah and theyll be here soon.

Liam had been sent to a remote planet.

He had left with such hurry in the midst of his training that Rosetta, who was left behind in the Capital, became somewhat suspicious of what was going on.

However, Rosetta couldnt raise a fuss as Liam had happily accepted the transfer before heading to the distant planet.

As a result, the Cleo Faction was lacking someone that could bring the people together.

On the other hand, those who had laid low due to Calvins absence saw this as an opportunity.

The same was true for Rosettas senior.

She deliberately sat down on Rosettas desk while the person in question was busy working.

Ive heard that your fianc was sent to the frontier. What kind of mistake did he make?

For those working as officials inside the Capital, being sent to the frontier was seen as a form of punishment.

Not a single aristocrat would willingly head there unless theyre guaranteed a decent position along with the promise to be welcomed back to the Capital.

Being sent to the frontier was essentially a form of demotion.

I was told that its an important task where he provides His Highness Calvin with assistance. Are you implying that thats a demotion?

Her seniors face turned bright red after being told that Liam was there to wipe up the mess that their leader had made.

Is that all you have to say for yourself? Now that your fianc isnt here, were no longer scared of you.

They hadnt been too blatant about how they got about doing things because of their fear of Liam.

There were few aristocrats left in the Capital that dared pick a fight with Liam after his previous display of power.

However, that wasnt to say that there was no one left within the Empire.

Some knights were eager for duels, and there were some aristocrats that havent heard of Liams name.

Because of how huge the Empire was, many people were unaware of the happenings inside the Capital.

Just as her senior was about to get off from the desk and yank Rosetta off her chair, one of the female knights guarding the floor called out to her.

Lady Rosetta, you have a visitor.

Me?

Rosetta ignored her senior and left the office, only to find Marion waiting there.

With a friendly smile on his face, he waved his right hand.

As they were standing in the hallway, Rosetta brought him into one of the rooms where they sat face to face.

Youre one of Darlings colleagues, right? Why have you sought me out?

Marion flashed a fearless smile, afterwhich he stood up from the sofa to approach Rosetta.

Rosetta was hesitant at first about being approached so casually, but ultimately decided not to resist.

Marion lift her chin with his fingers.

Ill soon be chasing after Liam-senpai who has left the Capital. Even so, to leave behind such a beautiful fiance If you were mine, you wouldnt have to experience such a thing.

Rosetta was somewhat bewildered by Marions sudden advances.

Im sure Darling has his own ideas. Now, if theres nothing else, Ill be heading back. Im quite busy, you see.

Marion let out a light sigh before distancing himself from Rosetta.

Thats a shame Now then, to the matter at hand. Id be heading to where Liam-senpai is at, so I was wondering if theres any message that you want me to deliver.

In other words, he hadnt come here for any particular purpose.

If Rosetta wished to speak with Liam, she could do so easily through her terminal.

So, whats your realreason for coming here?

Youre slower than I thought. I came to seduce you.

Rosetta maintained an indifferent expression against Marions provacative smile.

Please stop with the jokes.

Fine, for now that is. Leaving that aside, Liam-senpai might lose his life if nothing is done.

And what do you mean by that?

Marion played with his bangs using his fingertips and pretended to be clueless.

Thats a secret, but if you accept my invitation, I might tell you.

There was no way she could do that.

Disgusted, Rosetta left, leaving Marion alone inside the room.

Seeing her leave, Marion simply shrugged.

After leaving the room, Rosetta leaned against one of the walls of the hallway, casting a shadow beneath her.

From her shadow, one of Kukuris masked subordinates appeared.

Rosetta handed down an order.

Can you investigate that person?

However, Kukuris subordinate refused.

Lord Liam has ordered to leave him alone.

Leave him alone?

Yes. If it wasnt for Lord Laims order, I would have subdued him the moment he approached Lady Rosetta.

Kukuri had assigned a female subordinate other than Kunai to her.

If Lady Rosetta is displeased with him, should I give him a stern warning?

Nevermind, I wouldnt want to disrupt Darlings plans.

Understood.

Kukuris subordinate faded back into the shadow.

Marion was speaking to someone inside the room where Rosetta had left.

Yes, it failed Shes a tough nut to crack. I didnt have to be too serious about this, right? Especially since our main goal lies somewhere else.

The other partys voice couldnt be heard, and the small screen floating in the air was pitch black as well.

Marion continued his monologue.

As planned, Ill keep an eye on Liam. Have you ever seen me fail before? Theres no need for worries Yes.

He had harassed Rosetta a bit, but he didnt think it would succeed anyway.

When the call ended, he loosened the area of the shirt near his neck.

It doesnt matter either way, but its been a while since I was rejected so flatly.

He was slightly bothered that Rosetta didnt even bat an eye to his advances.

He was confident in his androgynous appearance that looked like an idols, and he had never failed to get a woman before.

Its slightly frustrating Ill make Liam-senpai pay in full for this grievance.

Marion laughed with a smirk and left the room after fixing his appearance.

Brian (): Volume 1 of Im the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire is doing so well that this Brian cant stop crying. Its popular enough to get reprints! Eh? Marion-dono? Oh, hes

Wakagi-chan (): Im the idol of postscripts! Volume 6 of The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs will be on sale soon! Please look upon it favorably as well!

Brian (): For how long will this plant freeload here? Its painful.