Chapter 148 V9 Chapter 6. A Journey For Reforms [1]

How many does this make now?

Weve landed on yet another planet thats in terrible condition, and Im walking alongside Rinho, Fuuka, and Ellen while dressed in a kimono like a ronin [2].

The city were in feels lifeless, which speaks volumes to the governors management skills.

Are they all stupid? They seem to know nothing other than how to squeeze their citizens dry.

At first, I was like Excellent work, but after seeing it so many times Im starting to get tired of it.

Only knowing how to exploit others is a sign of someone thats below second-rate.

Fuuka turns to face me after observing the citizens expressions.

As I thought, Senior Brother is amazing.

Huh?

The citizens living in Senior Brothers territory look different, theyre livelier. Weve visited other planets, but the people there all have dead eyes.

Their eyes are dead because they understand that theyre being exploited.

This is why second-rates are no good.

My citizens, on the other hand, are too dumb to realize that theyre being exploited.

Their stupidity somewhat terrifies me, but I can say for certain that Im doing better than this planets governor.

Rinho is on her terminal, playing a game as we walk.

So, whats our plan now? This place is our last, right?

This is the last place were visiting on our journey to find Master because Amagi got angry with me.

Master, how long do you intend to be on this journey?

Im not returning until I find Master!

Amagi, who was taking care of me in my room onboard the ship, had not stayed back in the territory as her presence was apparently no longer necessary.

It wont do to leave everything up to Klaus-dono. Please head back immediately.

Amagi was firm with her words, but I was determined to show her that I wouldnt meekly obey her any longer.

I meaaaan, I guess it wouldnt hurt to head back soon.

Please stop misbehaving.

Although she remained expressionless, I could tell that she was staring at me with eyes that an adult would have while scolding a spoiled child.

No, I refuse.

Please return to the territory, and marry Lady Rosetta. Wasnt Master planning on becoming a Duke?

I only want the title.

That will not do.

Is there really no other way? Like really really?

Master, please consider you position.

Amagi wasnt willing to compromise, so I decided that the next planet will be our last.

Fine, Ill return after visiting the next planet.

I will relay this information back home.

And thats how the journey to search for our Master is about to come to an end.

I want to get ahold of a clue at the very least.

I let out a heavy sigh as we walk towards our destination, which is a dojo of the School of One-Flash.

It seems like theres an imposter claiming to be the original One-Flash, and his disciples are reputed to be extremely powerful, to the point where theyve been called upon by the governor to be his knights.

After finishing her game, Rinho stretches her back.

Hey, how bout we decide who gets to fight next? Theyre going to be fakes anyway.

Neither Fuuka nor Rinho believe our real Master will be there.

I doubt Master would accept so many disciples; its probably a miss this time as well.

Weve traveled between many planets, but weve only met imposters along the way.

We didnt get to meet any authentic members of the School of One-Flash other than ourselves.

Our school dictates that each member should have at least three disciples.

Since Master Yasushi had a master as well, it wouldnt be that strange to come across a fellow member of One-Flash, yet for one reason or another, we havent met one until now.

I was really hoping to meet someone from the same school.

If were fellow members of One-Flash, it wouldnt be a bad idea to exchange pointers with one another.

Rinho also appears interested in the idea.

Ive also never met anyone from the same school beside Senior Brother and Ellen.

Fuukas eyes are filled with expectation.

Sounds interesting. I wonder how others have interpreted their One-Flash. What do ya think, Senior Brother?

What a foolish question to ask.

Considering how noble Master is, wouldnt others of the same school also exude a similar air of nobility and elegance? We might not have come across any of them since theyre busy training inside a mountain.

Even now, theyre probably practicing and honing their skills.

I feel ashamed just thinking about it.

After looking around the city for a while, Ellen notices something.

Master, that buildings a little weird.

Mm? Youre right. The colors a little different.

I look closely at the wallthe colors are indeed slightly different.

For a moment, I wonder if its simply a design choice, but theres a diagonal line that runs across the building, past which the color slightly shifts.

Fuuka observes the ground while Rinho checks our surroundings.

The listless citizens seem fearful of us.

More precisely, they seem fearful of our swords.

I put my hand on the wall to check what mightve happened.

Its as if the walls been repaired after being cut down.

No way.

This is the last planet that were visiting, but we might be onto something.

A child jumps out with a stone in hand while Im still in thought.

Return my dad!

He then throws the stone at me, but Ellen steps forward and cuts down the stone.

Fuuka applauds.

Well done! From the looks of it, Ellen might be ready to perform One-Flash one of these days.

Rinho has her hands on her sword.

Thats beside the point right now. Throwing a stone at Senior Brother. This child needs some discipline, dont you agree?

Although my Junior Disciples are rather hotheaded, they refrain from drawing their swords on the child.

I glance around to check how the people around us are reacting.

Did you see that just now?

Are they also the governors knights?

We shouldnt get involved, or we might get killed.

Why did they come to the conclusion that were the governors knights?

Also, while Ellen hasnt matured yet, her swordsmanship isnt one that an ordinary person can see through.

Why arent they surprised by Ellens invisible slash?

I approach the child that threw the stone at me.

Oi, why did you throw a stone at us?

Because you guys took my dad!

He replies with a quivering voice, annoying me to no end, but I must admit that hes pretty brave.

Besides, this child may have some valuable clues.

Ellen glares at the child that threw the stone at me.

He threw a stone at Master. Unforgiveable.

Then should we kill him?

Ellen looks up in surprise at my question before looking away.

N-no.

As I thought, shes too kind-hearted.

If I tell her to kill innocent people, Ill be inflicting unnecessary wounds on her heart.

Also, Ellen has grown so much, albeit in a sheltered environment.

Making her fight against ordinary opponents wont serve as training for her anymore.

Its become difficult to find a suitable opponent for Ellen.

I turn to Rinho and Fuuka, and tell them to ask around for information.

We might have stumbled across some clues. Go ask around. Meanwhile, Ill be questioning this kid.

They seem like they have something they wish to say, but they eventually leave without saying anything.

I stare at the boy with sharp eyes. He looks like hes ready to cry, making me feel troubled as to how I should deal with him.

I dont know how to handle boys.

I had a daughter in my previous life and Ellen, who Im taking care of at the moment, is also a girl.

Ill pardon your crime of throwing a stone at me if you can provide me with some answers.

Although Im being a bit forceful, I drag the kid along to hear his side of things.

We arrive at the boys house, which is located inside a small apartment building.

Despite interstellar travel being a thing in this world, the quality of life feels slightly lacking in comparison to my previous world.

Restrictions seem to have been placed on the people of this planet.

Yasuyuki! Why did you throw a stone at Sir Knight! Im terribly sorry, sir. Please, please spare this childs life!

Nina-san, who is the boys mother, has just come back from her part-time job.

Hearing that her son [Yasuyuki] has thrown a stone at me, she apologizes while looking extremely pale.

Normally a beheading would have been in order, but since Ive come across some clues on this planet, Ive decided to prioritize gathering information.

Instead of accepting your apology, Id like to ask you some questions.

Questions? Well, if its something we know

Nina-san appears rather haggard.

It probably has something to do with Yasuyukis dad being taken away.

Your son told me to return his father when he caught sight of us. Whats the story behind that?

Nina-san lowers her gaze before looking back at us, trying to measure our true intentions.

Theres no need for worries. Were travelers that just arrived on this planet yesterday.

Im sorry.

After realizing that we have nothing to do with his fathers case, Yasuyuki looks down and mutters an apology.

It really was a misunderstanding after all.

Nina-san opens her mouth with a heavy heart after hearing about our situation.

A few days ago, my husband was taken away by the governors knights.

By the knights of this planet? But why was your husband targeted?

Thats

Nina-san hesitates to speak, but Yasuyuki stands up and explains whats going on with a loud voice.

Dad was taken away by those bastards from the Original One-Flash!

Ya-Yasuyuki!

His mother tries to stop him, but to no avail.

Master, could this Original One-Flash be part of our school? Ellen asks.

Theres a possibility.

Ive investigated the trace of the slash on that store, and there were many points that aroused my suspicion.

Is a branch of the School of One-Flash on this planet?

Yasuyuki asks us for help while wiping his tears away with his arms.

Th-they took my dad away. They were saying How dare you trick us all.

They were tricked? Was your dad doing something he shouldnt have been doing?

I turn towards his mother for answers, and I get a slight reaction out of her.

I hint at the possibility that he was captured by the knights after doing something to the governor, but Yasuyuki denies it the next moment.

My dad didnt do anything wrong! He has his share of shortcomings, but hes a kind father to me!

Then why was he taken away?

While Im still wondering what reason there could possibly be, I manage to get a vital piece of information from Yasuyuki.

When they saw dad, they said, To think the Sword God would be in such a place.

Sword God?!

Blood rushes to my head, furious that someone dared lay claim to the title of Sword God which should belong to Master.

But theres something strange about what hes said, and its quite obvious once you think about it.

I dont see any trace of a swordsman inside this room.

Its an ordinary household no matter how you look at it.

Would a Sword God really live here?

Questions start popping up in my head.

They were calling dad Yasujirou. I told them that my dads name is Yasushi and that theyve got the wrong person, but they took him away happily when they heard what I said.

It takes a second for me to realize that Ive stood up from my seat.

Ellen, whos next to me, stands up from hers as well and looks towards me.

Ellen, call Rinho and Fuuka.

U-understood!

Meanwhile, Rinho and Fuuka, who had been asking around for information, learned that there were people claiming to be from the School of One-Flash on this planet.

Rinho observed her surroundings with keen eyes.

I didnt think wed meet someone from the same school at the very end of our journey.

Fuuka was eating a dango as she walked around appearing relaxed.

Yeah. The Original One-Flash, was it? I wonder what kind of connection we have with them?

She was curious about the relationship between them, who learned under Yasushi, and the so called Original One-Flash.

Rinho grinned, and came to a stop.

We just hafta ask them.

When she turned back, a man with a sword at his waist was standing there.

Donned in a fancy kimono, the man stared at Rinho and Fuuka condescendingly, confident about his skills.

Behind him were his henchmen.

They all gave the impression of being thugs and scoundrels.

Are you the ones that are sniffing around? Seems like we have ourselves some cute ladies.

The men had vulgar smiles on their faces.

The citizens around them all scurried away.

It was still morning, but the city became awfully silent.

Are you a member of the Original One-Flash? Rinho asked.

Thas right. Im a senior disciple of the Original One-Flash.

Senior disciple was a term used to describe disciples with excellent skills.

Fuuka munched on her dango, then tossed the skewer into a trash can.

Finally, someone from the same school. But I have to say, ya have some bad taste, leading your lackeys around.

Isnt it unbecoming of someone from the School of One-Flash? was what she was trying to say.

The senior disciple crossed his arms and said, These are my disciples. Theyre all young members of aristocratic and merchant households.

Fuuka closed her mouth when she heard that whereas Rinho raised her eyebrows.

Youre using the School of One-Flash for profit.

The two became indignant when they learned that the man was teaching the rich for monetary gains.

They had high hopes for someone from the same school of swordsmanship, but it turned out he had fallen and forsaken his pride of being a member of One-Flash.

Since that was the case, the two decided to help him move on to the next world.

The senior disciple was shocked when Rinho suddenly unleashed a One-Flash towards him.

However, Rinhos attack was blocked, and sparks flew in front of the senior disciple.

The seniors disciples were surprised by this.

One-Flash?!

Are they also disciples of the Original One-Flash?

But Ive never seen them before.

Sensing that his disciples were getting unsettled, the senior disciple roared at them.

Do not be swayed! A senior disciple of the Original One-Flash will not lose to the likes of them! Girls, you will come to regret making me pull out my sword.

Rinhos expression became blank.

You speak too much. Although were both from the School of One-Flash, you have fallen.

Fuukas eyes were bloodshot.

Kill.

The next moment, sparks began to fly between the three.

However, as it was two-to-one, the senior disciple was quickly put at a disadvantage.

Kuh?! Theyre stronger than me?!

The senior disciple was slowly being cornered.

Nevertheless, Rinho and Fuuka both took some distance from him in a hurry.

The moment they jumped back, numerous slashes flew their way, wrecking the ground and buildings near them.

Fuuka looked up at the roof of a certain building.

Theyre all members of One-Flash?

The ones on top of the roof were knights dressed in kimonos, and they all had their swords with them.

They stared down at Rinho and Fuuka, ready to unleash their One-Flash.

One of the knights called out to them.

I didnt think Id see other members of the School of One-Flash in such a remote location. You sure you want to continue this?

Rinho was ticked off by how the man stared down at them. The way he spoke suggested their side would win if they continued.

Youre overestimating yourselves. Come. All at onc

Fuuka stopped her before she could continue.

No. We stop here.

Rinho was ready to kill Fuuka for stopping her.

Huh? You telling me to run away with my tail between my legs? Youre telling a member of One-Flash to show her back to her enemies? Ill kill you too, you know?

Although they were sisters that grew up together, she was ready to kill anyone that tarnished the name of One-Flash.

However, Fuuka did not falter.

Senior Brother has ordered us to return. I told him about our situation, but he insists on our return.

Since it was Liams order, Rinho decided to withdraw despite her thirst for blood.

Ill definitely come back to claim your lives.

The two disappeared from the spot in an instant, prompting the senior disciples to chase after them.

Dont let them escape! We must kill them!

-

Brian (): Its painful. Lord Liams so busy making reforms away from his territory Its painful. To be honest, its preferable to have him stay in his territory acting as an evil lord, or whatnot.

Brian (): That aside, Volume 2 of Im the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire will be on sale starting this week. Please look forward to Lord Liams success, one which transcends even the Web novel!

[1] People think that Liams wandering around the Empire making reforms, and making sure that people in the Cleo Faction are up to his standards. I used the word reform here (the raw says ), but if you have a better word for it, please let me known down below in the comment section.

[2] Ronin: a wandering samurai who had no lord or master.