The Banfield Family has a lounge prepared for the Numbers, and they’re accessible 24-7, with sofas arranged in a circle.
Klaus, who’s the leader of the Numbers that I’ve nominated, has brought along Chengshi.
She’s allowed to be here as she’s accompanying Klaus, but she seems disinterested in the matter at hand and is instead grooming her nails while sitting on the sofa.
I’m surprised that Klaus has managed to tame this unruly knight. This once again proves how competent he is.
I shift my gaze to the other members in the room.
I’ve appointed Kukuri, the leader of the Black Ops, as Number Two, and Ellen as Number Three.
There’s also Emma, a.k.a Number Four, sitting on the sofa with her back straight.
These four are the only ones that I have nominated for the time being, but I can’t exactly exclude Tia and Marie who are core members of the Banfield Family, so I’ve had them tag along on this occasion.
“It seems the Empire plans on sending a subjugation force our way. I want to hear each of your opinion regarding this.”
I say so in a casual manner, eliciting a response from Emma, who carefully raises her hand while looking nervous.
“U-um, I’ve heard rumors that their army exceeds six million in number. Is this true?”
Tia, standing diagonally behind me, answers her question in my stead regarding the size of the Empire’s army.
“It is.”
“Such a massive army is rarely seen even in international wars. Is it possible that they’ll split up later and be sent to deal with the other nobles in the frontier?”
In other words, she’s asking if the army of six million will eventually split up to eradicate the nobles that once belonged to the Cleo Faction — my faction.
This time, Maries steps forward to answer her question.
“No, the subjugation force will come at us with full strength. To put it bluntly, they don’t think much of the other nobles.”
I thought this would make Emma even more unsettled than before, but my expectations were off as she immediately gets to work contemplating ways of getting over this situation, putting her right hand over her mouth as she does so.
“The Banfield Family has around a million troops, is that correct?”
For decades, we’ve had to forcefully develop the territory and expand to accommodate a large number of troops.
This time, the battle will be fought in our territory, so we could muster up an even bigger army.
Hence, I tell Emma and the rest of the group how many troops Klaus and I are considering.
“1.5 million, that’s our limit at the moment.”
What a sorry state we’re in. Even if we did our best, our army would still be outnumbered four-to-one.
Oh, I should take into consideration the time it would take them to arrive as well.
“There’s still some time before we’re attacked. We should be able to increase our army a bit more by then.”
The difference in strength is fourfold.
It would be difficult to win in a direct confrontation against such overwhelming numbers.
Quality matters, but quantity is often the deciding factor in war.
Since the battlefield will be fought in the Banfield Family’s territory, we have a strategic advantage when it comes to terrain.
What’s more, we’ve been making preparations for defense, so if we were at a slight numerical disadvantage, we wouldn’t have any trouble repelling them.
Heck, if the Empire’s army was around three million strong, we’d easily drive them back, but with six million…
We’d have to push ourselves as well.
Ellen states her opinion while resting her fist on her chin.
“Even if we somehow manage to defeat the subjugation force heading our way, the Empire can easily dispatch a second and third one. They have enough resources to do so.”
Ellen’s analysis is on point.
The problem wouldn’t end with us driving back the first subjugation force. Even if we cause some damage to their army, the Empire can easily organize and send a second one.
We might be able to repel them once or twice, but we’d be the ones to ultimately suffer as the territory would be ravaged by war.
Normally, it would be considered a total victory on our part if we could annihilate 20% of the enemy troops.
However, the Empire has enough national strength to shrug off a few losses.
That’s why… I inform everyone present of my decision.
“I don’t have time to deal with them multiple times. I want the subjugation force obliterated. —Draw them into the territory and make sure that they’re thoroughly crushed. As for the strategy, I’ll leave it up to you guys.”
And with that, I stand up and leave the lounge by myself.
◇
A while after Liam left, Klaus found himself looking up at the ceiling.
He was reining it in, but the scene before him frustrated him to no end.
(For goodness’ sake, an army of six million is coming for our heads! What’s wrong with them!?)
In front of him, Tia and Marie were grabbing each other by the collar, pressing their foreheads against one another as they argued.
“You should just shut up and follow my plan! If you wish, I’ll gladly send you and your lackeys straight into the heart of the enemy army and have you vaporized.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Minced Woman! I’d rather move on my own than follow your insidious orders.”
Overall, they had agreed to welcome the subjugation force in a defensive stance and launch a counterattack when they least expected it, but who would be in charge of the commands?
Although Klaus was their leader, he had entrusted the finer details to Tia and the others, which had led to the current argument.
Emma, who had become one of the Numbers, tried to stop Tia and Marie.
“Please, both of you, calm down!”
However, this was to no avail.
As Tia and Marie continued to bicker, Ellen, who was sitting on the sofa, interjected, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.
“You two are as quarrelsome as ever. You haven’t changed one bit since I left Master’s side,” she remarked.
Her words caught Tia and Marie’s attention simultaneously.
They were irked after being told by the young Ellen that they hadn’t improved at all.
They released their hands from each other’s collars and glared at Ellen with murderous eyes.
Needless to say, Tia wasn’t pleased at all by Ellen’s attitude.
“What bold words you’ve come to spout. You were much cuter before.”
Marie didn’t bother hiding her hostility either.
“You’re just a little girl who was allowed into the Numbers because of Lord Liam’s mercy. Come back when you’ve actually racked up some achievements.”
As Liam’s disciple, Ellen had joined the ranks of the Numbers, but in terms of achievements, she was far behind the others.
Although she was an elite among the elite whom Liam had personally raised, it didn’t change the fact that she was still young and lacked experience.
However, Ellen merely sneered when she heard this.
“You may be veterans that have served the Banfield Family for years and racked up a fair bit of achievements, but with personalities like yours, it’s no wonder the two of you failed to join the Numbers. In fact, I doubt you’ll ever be accepted.”
Ellen wasn’t afraid to point out their unbearable personalities.
Seeing the expressions fade from Tia and Marie’s faces, Klaus decided to step in and prevent the situation from escalating.
“That’s enough. We’re here to decide what to do from now on. If we continue to argue like this, it would only make life harder for our subordinates.”
They were in a fight against time. They couldn’t afford to waste it on meaningless quarrels.
However, this only made him the next target as Tia and Marie stared at him with a gaze mixed with jealousy and hatred.
Tia let out a dry laugh.
“As expected of Head Knight-dono, whom Lord Liam has recognized as his right arm. What an exemplary knight you are.”
Marie was more direct than Tia, who mocked him in a roundabout way.
“Mark my words. I’ll replace you one day and rise to the position of Head Knight.”
The two openly expressed their murderous intent.
That was when Chengshi, who was sitting beside Klaus, stood up.
She stood in front of Klaus and gave the two women a provocative smile.
“Oh, you wish to fight? —You’d have to first deal with me if you want to take his life.”
‘Chengshi is trying to protect Klaus!?’
It wasn’t just Tia and Marie, the Numbers were surprised as well by this development.
Even Kukuri’s eyes widened for a moment.
“— It seems the traitorous knight has had a change of heart.”
Everyone present was astounded by her behavior.
Chengshi, on the other hand, remained unfazed.
“You see, I very much adore Klaus.”
The person who was most shocked by this revelation was none other than Klaus himself.
(But why!!! What did I do!?)
Being confessed to by Chengshi, a highly volatile and dangerous knight, left Klaus deeply confused, but he didn’t let it show on his face.
◇
After leaving the lounge, I’ve called upon my junior disciples to train with them.
While parrying their strikes, we discuss our future course of action.
Fuuka, wielding two swords, launches an endless wave of attacks.
“We’re fighting the Empire this time, right? Senior Brother, can we really win?”
“We will.”
“I can’t imagine Senior Brother losing to anyone, but aren’t wars different?”
After deflecting Fuuka’s blades, I avoid the strike coming from behind, courtesy of Rinho.
“Damn it, I was pretty confident with the blow just now.”
“You still have much to learn.”
The two of them are smiling, as if they find it fun to train with me.
We’re using real swords, but we’re just horsing around without the intention to kill.
As that’s the case, we’re banned from using techniques from the School of One Flash.
After all, if we don’t impose such a rule, I might end up accidentally killing my junior disciples.
— The only problem, or shall I say, weakness of the School of One Flash is that its techniques are all highly lethal in nature.
That’s why we’re simply checking each other’s moves without doing anything serious.
“I’ll have you guys work for me this time around as well.”
They’ll be participating in the war alongside the rest of us.
The Empire’s not a force that I can beat by myself.
Depending on how I go about it, I might be able to pull it off, but the problem is what comes after that.
The territory would be in tatters and the army would be pretty much destroyed, making it impossible to govern.
Rinho and Fuuka stare at each other before shrugging and looking over at me.
“Senior Brother is strong, but he has too many responsibilities. Look at us, we live an unfettered life.”
Rinho doesn’t seem to understand my way of life.
I put my sword back in its scabbard.
“I like being in a position of authority. There are many things that one can only do when they’re in a high enough position.”
As an evil lord, I need both status and military power.
Fuuka sheathes her swords and puts her hands behind her head, not fully understanding what I’m saying.
“Can’t we just kill the Emperor and the traitor Cleo? Want me to do it? Just give me the word and I’ll go assassinate them.”
I let out a deep sigh as Fuuka proudly declares that she’s willing to undertake a mission to assassinate the crown.
I slowly approach her and grab her chin with my hand.
“You think we’re here to play assassins?”
“S-sorry—”
Fuuka immediately apologizes, realizing her mistake.
I set her free and turn towards Rinho, who’s busy laughing at Fuuka.
“You too, Rinho. Don’t try anything funny.”
Under my intense gaze, Rinho stops laughing and nods.
However, being the strong-headed child that she is, she pretends to put on a brave front.
“Unlike the idiot over there, I’m a sensible person. If it were me, I’d swoop in and finish the job before anyone notices — as a swordswoman, of course.”
I find it cute how she tries to act tough, so I decide not to pick on her.
If she’s willing to act in the capacity of a swordswoman and invade the capital, taking the heads of the Emperor and Cleo in a fair-and-square manner, there’s nothing for me to say.
Nevertheless—
“Sorry, but the Emperor’s mine.”
After wrapping up my conversation with Rinho, I focus my attention back on Fuuka, who’s lamenting her mistake.
Fuuka can also be stubborn at times, but unlike Rinho, she has a relatively straightforward personality.
Simply put, she gets easily depressed over failures.
Although her appearance is flashy, even more so than Rinho, she’s quite delicate in her own way.
That’s why I decided to follow up on her.
“Fuuka, don’t try to imitate what assassins do. Don’t forget that you’re a proud swordswoman of the School of One Flash.”
“R-right.”
Seeing how crestfallen she is, I roughly stroke her head.
Fuuka reveals a relieved expression, having realized that I’ve forgiven her.
If it was any other knight, I would’ve beaten them up without any mercy, but these are my cute junior disciples we’re talking about.
Not only are they from the same school of swordsmanship, but we’ve also learned from the same Master, so even I, an evil lord, would spoil them a bit.
“So in the end, how are we going to fight?” asks Rinho.
And to that, I give a very evil-lord-like response.
“I’ve left everything up to my subordinates.”
———————————————————————————————–
Brian (´；ω；｀): “It’s painful. The subjugation force is on its way.”
Wakagi-chan (゜д゜): “Even so, it’s our job to promote the novels! Volume 5 of the novel and Volume 2 of the manga for ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ are scheduled to be released on April 25th! You can look forward to them!”
Brian (´；ω；｀): “Please consider making a pre-order! Oh, and the details of the benefits will be posted in the activity report. Please check that out as well.”
The Banfield Family has a lounge prepared for the Numbers, and they’re accessible 24-7, with sofas arranged in a circle.
Klaus, who’s the leader of the Numbers that I’ve nominated, has brought along Chengshi.
She’s allowed to be here as she’s accompanying Klaus, but she seems disinterested in the matter at hand and is instead grooming her nails while sitting on the sofa.
I’m surprised that Klaus has managed to tame this unruly knight. This once again proves how competent he is.
I shift my gaze to the other members in the room.
I’ve appointed Kukuri, the leader of the Black Ops, as Number Two, and Ellen as Number Three.
There’s also Emma, a.k.a Number Four, sitting on the sofa with her back straight.
These four are the only ones that I have nominated for the time being, but I can’t exactly exclude Tia and Marie who are core members of the Banfield Family, so I’ve had them tag along on this occasion.
“It seems the Empire plans on sending a subjugation force our way. I want to hear each of your opinion regarding this.”
I say so in a casual manner, eliciting a response from Emma, who carefully raises her hand while looking nervous.
“U-um, I’ve heard rumors that their army exceeds six million in number. Is this true?”
Tia, standing diagonally behind me, answers her question in my stead regarding the size of the Empire’s army.
“It is.”
“Such a massive army is rarely seen even in international wars. Is it possible that they’ll split up later and be sent to deal with the other nobles in the frontier?”
In other words, she’s asking if the army of six million will eventually split up to eradicate the nobles that once belonged to the Cleo Faction — my faction.
This time, Maries steps forward to answer her question.
“No, the subjugation force will come at us with full strength. To put it bluntly, they don’t think much of the other nobles.”
I thought this would make Emma even more unsettled than before, but my expectations were off as she immediately gets to work contemplating ways of getting over this situation, putting her right hand over her mouth as she does so.
“The Banfield Family has around a million troops, is that correct?”
For decades, we’ve had to forcefully develop the territory and expand to accommodate a large number of troops.
This time, the battle will be fought in our territory, so we could muster up an even bigger army.
Hence, I tell Emma and the rest of the group how many troops Klaus and I are considering.
“1.5 million, that’s our limit at the moment.”
What a sorry state we’re in. Even if we did our best, our army would still be outnumbered four-to-one.
Oh, I should take into consideration the time it would take them to arrive as well.
“There’s still some time before we’re attacked. We should be able to increase our army a bit more by then.”
The difference in strength is fourfold.
It would be difficult to win in a direct confrontation against such overwhelming numbers.
Quality matters, but quantity is often the deciding factor in war.
Since the battlefield will be fought in the Banfield Family’s territory, we have a strategic advantage when it comes to terrain.
What’s more, we’ve been making preparations for defense, so if we were at a slight numerical disadvantage, we wouldn’t have any trouble repelling them.
Heck, if the Empire’s army was around three million strong, we’d easily drive them back, but with six million…
We’d have to push ourselves as well.
Ellen states her opinion while resting her fist on her chin.
“Even if we somehow manage to defeat the subjugation force heading our way, the Empire can easily dispatch a second and third one. They have enough resources to do so.”
Ellen’s analysis is on point.
The problem wouldn’t end with us driving back the first subjugation force. Even if we cause some damage to their army, the Empire can easily organize and send a second one.
We might be able to repel them once or twice, but we’d be the ones to ultimately suffer as the territory would be ravaged by war.
Normally, it would be considered a total victory on our part if we could annihilate 20% of the enemy troops.
However, the Empire has enough national strength to shrug off a few losses.
That’s why… I inform everyone present of my decision.
“I don’t have time to deal with them multiple times. I want the subjugation force obliterated. —Draw them into the territory and make sure that they’re thoroughly crushed. As for the strategy, I’ll leave it up to you guys.”
And with that, I stand up and leave the lounge by myself.
◇
A while after Liam left, Klaus found himself looking up at the ceiling.
He was reining it in, but the scene before him frustrated him to no end.
(For goodness’ sake, an army of six million is coming for our heads! What’s wrong with them!?)
In front of him, Tia and Marie were grabbing each other by the collar, pressing their foreheads against one another as they argued.
“You should just shut up and follow my plan! If you wish, I’ll gladly send you and your lackeys straight into the heart of the enemy army and have you vaporized.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Minced Woman! I’d rather move on my own than follow your insidious orders.”
Overall, they had agreed to welcome the subjugation force in a defensive stance and launch a counterattack when they least expected it, but who would be in charge of the commands?
Although Klaus was their leader, he had entrusted the finer details to Tia and the others, which had led to the current argument.
Emma, who had become one of the Numbers, tried to stop Tia and Marie.
“Please, both of you, calm down!”
However, this was to no avail.
As Tia and Marie continued to bicker, Ellen, who was sitting on the sofa, interjected, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.
“You two are as quarrelsome as ever. You haven’t changed one bit since I left Master’s side,” she remarked.
Her words caught Tia and Marie’s attention simultaneously.
They were irked after being told by the young Ellen that they hadn’t improved at all.
They released their hands from each other’s collars and glared at Ellen with murderous eyes.
Needless to say, Tia wasn’t pleased at all by Ellen’s attitude.
“What bold words you’ve come to spout. You were much cuter before.”
Marie didn’t bother hiding her hostility either.
“You’re just a little girl who was allowed into the Numbers because of Lord Liam’s mercy. Come back when you’ve actually racked up some achievements.”
As Liam’s disciple, Ellen had joined the ranks of the Numbers, but in terms of achievements, she was far behind the others.
Although she was an elite among the elite whom Liam had personally raised, it didn’t change the fact that she was still young and lacked experience.
However, Ellen merely sneered when she heard this.
“You may be veterans that have served the Banfield Family for years and racked up a fair bit of achievements, but with personalities like yours, it’s no wonder the two of you failed to join the Numbers. In fact, I doubt you’ll ever be accepted.”
Ellen wasn’t afraid to point out their unbearable personalities.
Seeing the expressions fade from Tia and Marie’s faces, Klaus decided to step in and prevent the situation from escalating.
“That’s enough. We’re here to decide what to do from now on. If we continue to argue like this, it would only make life harder for our subordinates.”
They were in a fight against time. They couldn’t afford to waste it on meaningless quarrels.
However, this only made him the next target as Tia and Marie stared at him with a gaze mixed with jealousy and hatred.
Tia let out a dry laugh.
“As expected of Head Knight-dono, whom Lord Liam has recognized as his right arm. What an exemplary knight you are.”
Marie was more direct than Tia, who mocked him in a roundabout way.
“Mark my words. I’ll replace you one day and rise to the position of Head Knight.”
The two openly expressed their murderous intent.
That was when Chengshi, who was sitting beside Klaus, stood up.
She stood in front of Klaus and gave the two women a provocative smile.
“Oh, you wish to fight? —You’d have to first deal with me if you want to take his life.”
‘Chengshi is trying to protect Klaus!?’
It wasn’t just Tia and Marie, the Numbers were surprised as well by this development.
Even Kukuri’s eyes widened for a moment.
“— It seems the traitorous knight has had a change of heart.”
Everyone present was astounded by her behavior.
Chengshi, on the other hand, remained unfazed.
“You see, I very much adore Klaus.”
The person who was most shocked by this revelation was none other than Klaus himself.
(But why!!! What did I do!?)
Being confessed to by Chengshi, a highly volatile and dangerous knight, left Klaus deeply confused, but he didn’t let it show on his face.
◇
After leaving the lounge, I’ve called upon my junior disciples to train with them.
While parrying their strikes, we discuss our future course of action.
Fuuka, wielding two swords, launches an endless wave of attacks.
“We’re fighting the Empire this time, right? Senior Brother, can we really win?”
“We will.”
“I can’t imagine Senior Brother losing to anyone, but aren’t wars different?”
After deflecting Fuuka’s blades, I avoid the strike coming from behind, courtesy of Rinho.
“Damn it, I was pretty confident with the blow just now.”
“You still have much to learn.”
The two of them are smiling, as if they find it fun to train with me.
We’re using real swords, but we’re just horsing around without the intention to kill.
As that’s the case, we’re banned from using techniques from the School of One Flash.
After all, if we don’t impose such a rule, I might end up accidentally killing my junior disciples.
— The only problem, or shall I say, weakness of the School of One Flash is that its techniques are all highly lethal in nature.
That’s why we’re simply checking each other’s moves without doing anything serious.
“I’ll have you guys work for me this time around as well.”
They’ll be participating in the war alongside the rest of us.
The Empire’s not a force that I can beat by myself.
Depending on how I go about it, I might be able to pull it off, but the problem is what comes after that.
The territory would be in tatters and the army would be pretty much destroyed, making it impossible to govern.
Rinho and Fuuka stare at each other before shrugging and looking over at me.
“Senior Brother is strong, but he has too many responsibilities. Look at us, we live an unfettered life.”
Rinho doesn’t seem to understand my way of life.
I put my sword back in its scabbard.
“I like being in a position of authority. There are many things that one can only do when they’re in a high enough position.”
As an evil lord, I need both status and military power.
Fuuka sheathes her swords and puts her hands behind her head, not fully understanding what I’m saying.
“Can’t we just kill the Emperor and the traitor Cleo? Want me to do it? Just give me the word and I’ll go assassinate them.”
I let out a deep sigh as Fuuka proudly declares that she’s willing to undertake a mission to assassinate the crown.
I slowly approach her and grab her chin with my hand.
“You think we’re here to play assassins?”
“S-sorry—”
Fuuka immediately apologizes, realizing her mistake.
I set her free and turn towards Rinho, who’s busy laughing at Fuuka.
“You too, Rinho. Don’t try anything funny.”
Under my intense gaze, Rinho stops laughing and nods.
However, being the strong-headed child that she is, she pretends to put on a brave front.
“Unlike the idiot over there, I’m a sensible person. If it were me, I’d swoop in and finish the job before anyone notices — as a swordswoman, of course.”
I find it cute how she tries to act tough, so I decide not to pick on her.
If she’s willing to act in the capacity of a swordswoman and invade the capital, taking the heads of the Emperor and Cleo in a fair-and-square manner, there’s nothing for me to say.
Nevertheless—
“Sorry, but the Emperor’s mine.”
After wrapping up my conversation with Rinho, I focus my attention back on Fuuka, who’s lamenting her mistake.
Fuuka can also be stubborn at times, but unlike Rinho, she has a relatively straightforward personality.
Simply put, she gets easily depressed over failures.
Although her appearance is flashy, even more so than Rinho, she’s quite delicate in her own way.
That’s why I decided to follow up on her.
“Fuuka, don’t try to imitate what assassins do. Don’t forget that you’re a proud swordswoman of the School of One Flash.”
“R-right.”
Seeing how crestfallen she is, I roughly stroke her head.
Fuuka reveals a relieved expression, having realized that I’ve forgiven her.
If it was any other knight, I would’ve beaten them up without any mercy, but these are my cute junior disciples we’re talking about.
Not only are they from the same school of swordsmanship, but we’ve also learned from the same Master, so even I, an evil lord, would spoil them a bit.
“So in the end, how are we going to fight?” asks Rinho.
And to that, I give a very evil-lord-like response.
“I’ve left everything up to my subordinates.”
———————————————————————————————–
Brian (´；ω；｀): “It’s painful. The subjugation force is on its way.”
Wakagi-chan (゜д゜): “Even so, it’s our job to promote the novels! Volume 5 of the novel and Volume 2 of the manga for ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ are scheduled to be released on April 25th! You can look forward to them!”
Brian (´；ω；｀): “Please consider making a pre-order! Oh, and the details of the benefits will be posted in the activity report. Please check that out as well.”
