“IYAAAAA!”
Black hair inherited from his father and blue eyes inherited from his mother.
The short-haired boy, [Edward Sera Banfield], also known as [Ed], raised his wooden sword overhead and struck down at his opponent.
He was up against a female knight with long, lustrous red hair, tied up in a ponytail. With narrow, slanted eyes, she exuded the air of a cool beauty.
The female knight was dressed in a red knight uniform, with a white cloak over her shoulders.
The number ‘3’ was embroidered on her white cloak, and both her uniform and her cloak were decorated with gold and silver threads.
They weren’t overly flashy, but they were enough to indicate that she was a high-ranking knight.
She was wielding a toy sword, and although its blade was made of soft sponge-like materials, in the hands of [Ellen Sera Tyler], a successor of the School of One Flash, the toy became a weapon capable of reaping the life of its enemies.
“You aren’t stepping in hard enough.”
She flicked Ed’s wooden sword away, leaving a scratch on the back of his right hand in the process.
Ed’s left hand slowly turned red before eventually oozing out blood.
Ed fell to his knees with tears in his eyes as he held his injured hand.
“That hurts, Ellen.”
Ellen was technically Ed’s vassal as the latter was the sole heir to the Banfield Family. Hence, it wasn’t out of line for him to call her casually, but Ellen still reprimanded him for this behavior.
“You mustn’t speak to your master as you would a friend. Ed, while you may be Master’s son and the heir to the Banfield Family, when it comes to teaching you One Flash, I’m your master. From now on, refer to me as ‘Master’.”
Ed raised his head, his eyes still containing tears, and glared at Ellen.
“But you were fine with me calling you ‘Ellen’ until now.”
“Now that we’ve formally established a master-disciple relationship, I won’t allow you to be spoiled.”
Ellen’s attitude remained stern, prompting Ed to turn his face away.
Ed was seven years old.
He had already entered an educational capsule once when he was five. After spending half a year inside the capsule, he spent the other half in rehab.
By the time he had recovered enough to lead a normal life, his swordsmanship master, who had been kind to him before he entered the capsule, had become strict.
“I liked the way things were before,” Ed said with puffed cheeks.
Ellen narrowed her eyes upon hearing Ed complain about the harsh training.
“That won’t do. I’ll be training you very rigorously from now.”
Angered by the knight’s disobedience, Ed stood up, fists clenched, and raised his voice.
“In that case, I’ll have Mother and Father scold Ellen!”
Ed’s father was Liam, and his mother Rosetta.
As the Duke and Duchess of the Banfield Family, they were among the very top nobles in the Algrand Empire.
As their son, Ed not only had doctors and nurses attending to him but also magicians, priests, maids, and knights watching over him.
In addition, there were children of the same age as him present at the scene. These children were to be raised as his future vassals, and they had been assigned to him as part of his emotional education.
The children came from diverse backgrounds, including nobles, people of the Banfield Family, and even Kukuri’s subordinates from the Black Ops.
Naturally, the involvement of Black Ops personnel was meant to be kept secret, but Ellen seemed to have noticed somehow.
At the mention of Liam and Rosetta, the people around them became momentarily flustered, but that wasn’t enough to shake Ellen.
“—Did you think that mentioning the names of the Lord and Lady would make me change my mind? You’d better abandon such naïve thoughts.”
Ed despaired when he saw how firm Ellen was with her decision.
Although there was a smile hanging on her face, her eyes revealed a different emotion, one which filled Ed with terror.
Ellen spoke in a gentle yet firm manner, conveying a strong determination that allowed no room for compromise.
“Now, pick up your wooden sword.”
◇
I, [Liam Sera Banfield], am looking down at the courtyard of the mansion from the window of my office.
There, I see Ellen teaching Ed the techniques of One Flash.
From afar, I quietly observe as the young child undergoes rigorous training.
To be precise, what I’m watching is merely a video being reflected on the window.
If I were to open the window, the figures of Ellen and Ed would vanish.
—I can’t help but be a bit curious about Ed’s training.
“She’s being too lenient. But then again, if she’s too strict, hmm…”
How pathetic of me. I’ve entrusted Ed’s to Ellen, yet I find myself constantly worrying about various things.
It seems it was the right choice to leave Ellen in charge of Ed.
As I’m staring out the window, I sense several people’s presence outside the office.
The knight standing guard outside seeks permission to enter.
“Lord Liam, Brian-dono has brought Lady Serena over.”
“Let them in.”
Soon after, the door to the office opens, and the two enter.
Brian is in his usual tailcoat, whereas Serena is wearing casual clothes.
Serena greets me with an elegant curtsy as I take my seat, gracefully drawing back one of her legs and bending her knee while maintaining a straight back.
“I’m honored to have been of service to you until now.”
The reason for Serena’s visit is to say farewell as she’s leaving the Banfield Family.
“The servants have learned to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the name of the Banfield Family, and for that, I have you to thank for.”
Serena reveals a bitter smile when she hears this.
“Unfortunately, Lord Liam’s sharp tongue never saw any improvement until the very end.”
“Well, I never had any intention of fixing it.”
Brian looks on sadly as we exchange banters.
“I was hoping Serena would stay in this mansion.”
“I have a family back home. Besides, my role here is over.”
Serena’s been of great help in instilling court etiquette in the Banfield Family.
Though I wish for her to stay, it would be rude to force the matter.
“Tia will escort you to the Capital.”
“Oh, but I wouldn’t want to trouble Lord Liam that much.”
Serena tries to show restraint, to which I respond with a meaningful smile.
“Help me say hello to the Prime Minister.”
Serena’s eyes flicker for a moment.
It’s unclear whether Brian is aware of the nature of our conversation or simply uninterested, but he diverts the topic.
“Lord Liam, you have bags under your eyes.”
“—Shove it.”
“As expected, the battle with the Kingdom of Dominion must have put a strain—”
“Shut up, Brian.”
“U-understood.”
Several years have passed since the war with the Kingdom of Dominion, but a deep scar remains in my heart, and I’m still being tormented by nightmares.
I could easily have it treated, but it would seem as if I’ve lost to the Overlord, so I refuse.
I refuse to be defeated by the Overlord!
The conversation puts me in a foul mood.
Brian, who notices Ed reflected in the window, smiles.
—Crap, I forgot to turn it off.
“Was Lord Liam worried about Young Master Ed? Despite telling us to raise him in a strict environment, it appears Lord Liam is also concerned.”
What should I do with this butler of mine that can’t read the atmosphere?
“Enough, go accompany Serena to the spaceport.”
I shoo them away with my hands as Brian and Serena leave my office.
When the door closes, Kukuri suddenly appears in the room and confirms my decision.”
“Lord Liam, are you certain that you wish to let her go? Serena’s a spy that the Prime Minster sent.”
Kukuri is aware that Serena’s been passing information about the Banfield Family to the Prime Minster.
However, by my discretion, she has been allowed to roam freely.
“She’s been of use to us after all. Make sure she arrives safely at the Capital. —And make sure that there aren’t any idiots that misunderstand my intentions.”
Kukuri bows, having accepted my orders not to touch Serena.
“Acknowledged.”
And with that, he disappears, sinking back into the floors.
I immediately stand up from my seat and approach the window, just in time to see Ed being blown away by Ellen’s toy sword.
“That’s overkill! Wait, hmm, I guess I would’ve done the same in her shoes.”
The training ends as I’m muttering to myself.
Ed collapses on the lawn of our courtyard, and doctors and nurses rush over to treat him.
The scene reminds me of how Amagi and Brian used to treat my injuries when I was young.
I was fortunate enough to learn One Flash at a young age, which was what allowed me to climb to where I am today.
“Instead of having me, a villain, teach him, it should be better to leave it up to Ellen and Klaus.”
If I were to try and raise Ed myself, I might influence him negatively.
Who knows how he’ll grow in the future, but he had the misfortune of having me as his father.
I lightly tap on the window, prompting a small tab to appear on it. Amagi’s figure can be seen inside the tab.
‘How may I help you, Master?’
Amagi’s as blunt as ever, but I pay it no mind and tell her what I need.
“Ellen and Ed have just finished training. Ellen must be tired, so prepare some tea and snacks for her. —Oh, right. There are other children there as well, so prepare something sweet for them.”
I order Amagi to take care of Ellen and prepare sweets for the children.
Amagi reveals a small smile.
‘Understood. Snacks for Lady Ellen and Young Master Edward, is that correct?’
“—Yes.”
‘I will have them promptly arranged.’
The call ends.
Even though I know no one’s watching, I cover my face with my right hand.
“This should do…I think.”
I should’ve been able to preserve my dignity as an evil lord.
I think.
———————————————————————————–
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “This reminds me of Lord Liam’s childhood.”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “We’re happy to see you all back.”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “A quick announcement: the anime for ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs’ is now on air. Please check it out!”
Not Tsuraian (｀・ω・´): “Also, Volume 5 of the light novel ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ will be released April 25th. They come with lots of extra content, so please consider purchasing a copy!”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “I have a feeling that Lord Liam will have more heroines soon! I have high hopes.”
“IYAAAAA!”
Black hair inherited from his father and blue eyes inherited from his mother.
The short-haired boy, [Edward Sera Banfield], also known as [Ed], raised his wooden sword overhead and struck down at his opponent.
He was up against a female knight with long, lustrous red hair, tied up in a ponytail. With narrow, slanted eyes, she exuded the air of a cool beauty.
The female knight was dressed in a red knight uniform, with a white cloak over her shoulders.
The number ‘3’ was embroidered on her white cloak, and both her uniform and her cloak were decorated with gold and silver threads.
They weren’t overly flashy, but they were enough to indicate that she was a high-ranking knight.
She was wielding a toy sword, and although its blade was made of soft sponge-like materials, in the hands of [Ellen Sera Tyler], a successor of the School of One Flash, the toy became a weapon capable of reaping the life of its enemies.
“You aren’t stepping in hard enough.”
She flicked Ed’s wooden sword away, leaving a scratch on the back of his right hand in the process.
Ed’s left hand slowly turned red before eventually oozing out blood.
Ed fell to his knees with tears in his eyes as he held his injured hand.
“That hurts, Ellen.”
Ellen was technically Ed’s vassal as the latter was the sole heir to the Banfield Family. Hence, it wasn’t out of line for him to call her casually, but Ellen still reprimanded him for this behavior.
“You mustn’t speak to your master as you would a friend. Ed, while you may be Master’s son and the heir to the Banfield Family, when it comes to teaching you One Flash, I’m your master. From now on, refer to me as ‘Master’.”
Ed raised his head, his eyes still containing tears, and glared at Ellen.
“But you were fine with me calling you ‘Ellen’ until now.”
“Now that we’ve formally established a master-disciple relationship, I won’t allow you to be spoiled.”
Ellen’s attitude remained stern, prompting Ed to turn his face away.
Ed was seven years old.
He had already entered an educational capsule once when he was five. After spending half a year inside the capsule, he spent the other half in rehab.
By the time he had recovered enough to lead a normal life, his swordsmanship master, who had been kind to him before he entered the capsule, had become strict.
“I liked the way things were before,” Ed said with puffed cheeks.
Ellen narrowed her eyes upon hearing Ed complain about the harsh training.
“That won’t do. I’ll be training you very rigorously from now.”
Angered by the knight’s disobedience, Ed stood up, fists clenched, and raised his voice.
“In that case, I’ll have Mother and Father scold Ellen!”
Ed’s father was Liam, and his mother Rosetta.
As the Duke and Duchess of the Banfield Family, they were among the very top nobles in the Algrand Empire.
As their son, Ed not only had doctors and nurses attending to him but also magicians, priests, maids, and knights watching over him.
In addition, there were children of the same age as him present at the scene. These children were to be raised as his future vassals, and they had been assigned to him as part of his emotional education.
The children came from diverse backgrounds, including nobles, people of the Banfield Family, and even Kukuri’s subordinates from the Black Ops.
Naturally, the involvement of Black Ops personnel was meant to be kept secret, but Ellen seemed to have noticed somehow.
At the mention of Liam and Rosetta, the people around them became momentarily flustered, but that wasn’t enough to shake Ellen.
“—Did you think that mentioning the names of the Lord and Lady would make me change my mind? You’d better abandon such naïve thoughts.”
Ed despaired when he saw how firm Ellen was with her decision.
Although there was a smile hanging on her face, her eyes revealed a different emotion, one which filled Ed with terror.
Ellen spoke in a gentle yet firm manner, conveying a strong determination that allowed no room for compromise.
“Now, pick up your wooden sword.”
◇
I, [Liam Sera Banfield], am looking down at the courtyard of the mansion from the window of my office.
There, I see Ellen teaching Ed the techniques of One Flash.
From afar, I quietly observe as the young child undergoes rigorous training.
To be precise, what I’m watching is merely a video being reflected on the window.
If I were to open the window, the figures of Ellen and Ed would vanish.
—I can’t help but be a bit curious about Ed’s training.
“She’s being too lenient. But then again, if she’s too strict, hmm…”
How pathetic of me. I’ve entrusted Ed’s to Ellen, yet I find myself constantly worrying about various things.
It seems it was the right choice to leave Ellen in charge of Ed.
As I’m staring out the window, I sense several people’s presence outside the office.
The knight standing guard outside seeks permission to enter.
“Lord Liam, Brian-dono has brought Lady Serena over.”
“Let them in.”
Soon after, the door to the office opens, and the two enter.
Brian is in his usual tailcoat, whereas Serena is wearing casual clothes.
Serena greets me with an elegant curtsy as I take my seat, gracefully drawing back one of her legs and bending her knee while maintaining a straight back.
“I’m honored to have been of service to you until now.”
The reason for Serena’s visit is to say farewell as she’s leaving the Banfield Family.
“The servants have learned to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the name of the Banfield Family, and for that, I have you to thank for.”
Serena reveals a bitter smile when she hears this.
“Unfortunately, Lord Liam’s sharp tongue never saw any improvement until the very end.”
“Well, I never had any intention of fixing it.”
Brian looks on sadly as we exchange banters.
“I was hoping Serena would stay in this mansion.”
“I have a family back home. Besides, my role here is over.”
Serena’s been of great help in instilling court etiquette in the Banfield Family.
Though I wish for her to stay, it would be rude to force the matter.
“Tia will escort you to the Capital.”
“Oh, but I wouldn’t want to trouble Lord Liam that much.”
Serena tries to show restraint, to which I respond with a meaningful smile.
“Help me say hello to the Prime Minister.”
Serena’s eyes flicker for a moment.
It’s unclear whether Brian is aware of the nature of our conversation or simply uninterested, but he diverts the topic.
“Lord Liam, you have bags under your eyes.”
“—Shove it.”
“As expected, the battle with the Kingdom of Dominion must have put a strain—”
“Shut up, Brian.”
“U-understood.”
Several years have passed since the war with the Kingdom of Dominion, but a deep scar remains in my heart, and I’m still being tormented by nightmares.
I could easily have it treated, but it would seem as if I’ve lost to the Overlord, so I refuse.
I refuse to be defeated by the Overlord!
The conversation puts me in a foul mood.
Brian, who notices Ed reflected in the window, smiles.
—Crap, I forgot to turn it off.
“Was Lord Liam worried about Young Master Ed? Despite telling us to raise him in a strict environment, it appears Lord Liam is also concerned.”
What should I do with this butler of mine that can’t read the atmosphere?
“Enough, go accompany Serena to the spaceport.”
I shoo them away with my hands as Brian and Serena leave my office.
When the door closes, Kukuri suddenly appears in the room and confirms my decision.”
“Lord Liam, are you certain that you wish to let her go? Serena’s a spy that the Prime Minster sent.”
Kukuri is aware that Serena’s been passing information about the Banfield Family to the Prime Minster.
However, by my discretion, she has been allowed to roam freely.
“She’s been of use to us after all. Make sure she arrives safely at the Capital. —And make sure that there aren’t any idiots that misunderstand my intentions.”
Kukuri bows, having accepted my orders not to touch Serena.
“Acknowledged.”
And with that, he disappears, sinking back into the floors.
I immediately stand up from my seat and approach the window, just in time to see Ed being blown away by Ellen’s toy sword.
“That’s overkill! Wait, hmm, I guess I would’ve done the same in her shoes.”
The training ends as I’m muttering to myself.
Ed collapses on the lawn of our courtyard, and doctors and nurses rush over to treat him.
The scene reminds me of how Amagi and Brian used to treat my injuries when I was young.
I was fortunate enough to learn One Flash at a young age, which was what allowed me to climb to where I am today.
“Instead of having me, a villain, teach him, it should be better to leave it up to Ellen and Klaus.”
If I were to try and raise Ed myself, I might influence him negatively.
Who knows how he’ll grow in the future, but he had the misfortune of having me as his father.
I lightly tap on the window, prompting a small tab to appear on it. Amagi’s figure can be seen inside the tab.
‘How may I help you, Master?’
Amagi’s as blunt as ever, but I pay it no mind and tell her what I need.
“Ellen and Ed have just finished training. Ellen must be tired, so prepare some tea and snacks for her. —Oh, right. There are other children there as well, so prepare something sweet for them.”
I order Amagi to take care of Ellen and prepare sweets for the children.
Amagi reveals a small smile.
‘Understood. Snacks for Lady Ellen and Young Master Edward, is that correct?’
“—Yes.”
‘I will have them promptly arranged.’
The call ends.
Even though I know no one’s watching, I cover my face with my right hand.
“This should do…I think.”
I should’ve been able to preserve my dignity as an evil lord.
I think.
———————————————————————————–
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “This reminds me of Lord Liam’s childhood.”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “We’re happy to see you all back.”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “A quick announcement: the anime for ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs’ is now on air. Please check it out!”
Not Tsuraian (｀・ω・´): “Also, Volume 5 of the light novel ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ will be released April 25th. They come with lots of extra content, so please consider purchasing a copy!”
Not Tsuraian (＊´ω｀): “I have a feeling that Lord Liam will have more heroines soon! I have high hopes.”
