Epilogue
FORTY-FIVE YEARS after reincarnating, I'd finally reached adulthood in
this world. I stood in front of a mirror and looked myself over, dissatisfied.
"I still look like this after fifty years, huh?"
The kid staring back at me looked no older than thirteen. I felt like I
was still in middle school. I was sure I would grow more eventually, but I
was still so short.
All my servants were crying, though the only one crying loudly enough
to weird me out was Brian.
"It moves me to see you all grown up, Master Liam!"
"Would you stop that? Amagi, what are my plans for the day?"
Amagi spoke dispassionately as usual. "Your coming-of-age ceremony
will begin in one hour. At noon, there will be a party, but it will be more of a
meet-and-greet than a meal. Then tonight there will be a banquet—"
Brian stopped crying and wiped his eyes, adding, "Incidentally, your
schedule is full tomorrow as well."
Since coming home from the capital a month ago, I had been busy with
work.
"Cancel all of it!"
"You cannot," Brian said, his face turning grave.
I winced, and Amagi started to hurry me along.
"You will not make it if you do not leave soon, Master."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't rush me," I grumbled as I left the room and headed
for the ceremony hall.
When I'd returned from the Capital Planet, I'd had a new mansion built
right away. I spent way too much money on it, and it ended up being more
immense than I could have envisioned. It was basically the size of a city from
my former life. I'd summoned well-known architects and artists and spared
no expense, but to give you an idea of how insanely vast it was, I had to use
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vehicles to travel through its halls.
When I left the dressing room, Christiana was waiting for me. She
stood outside in her showy blue-and-white knight garb. She'd been fully
restored to her true form, a peerless beauty identifiable with a single glance.
Her outfit included a white cape, and at her hip, she carried a sword
specialized for piercing—a rapier. I'd heard she was quite skilled with it too.
"You look wonderful, Lord Liam."
She complimented my over-the-top outfit for the ceremony. Hey, I love
flatterers. It's proof the person cares about pleasing me, after all. I decided
to tease her with a joke.
"I was just thinking I look too good for this ceremony."
"Yes! I'm sure anything would look good on you, Lord Liam!"
What is this? It almost sounds like she's being serious. Probably just
my imagination.
"Oh yeah? Anyway, are you really okay with starting to work so
soon?"
According to what I'd heard from the hospital, she'd undergone
rehabilitation so intense, it would have made any adult cry. Not only that, but
she'd finished it in just a year, then volunteered to serve me as a knight.
Everyone was singing her praises.
"Yes, it's no problem. However, in order to gain the qualifications to
be an Imperial knight, I'll have to leave your domain. I wish I could serve at
your side right now."
Christiana—or Tia, as she was called—was from another nation, so she
was unqualified to be an Imperial knight. In order to gain those
qualifications, she'd have to graduate from at least two schools, undergo
special training, and gain practical experience. In total, she'd be gone for
thirty years.
"Well, I'm gonna be busy now that I'm an adult too. When am I even
gonna be able to come back here, I wonder?"
We all boarded a shuttle, which set off as soon as we were seated. It
was a strange sight, this vehicle that looked like a carriage moving through
the wide hallway. Needing a taxi to move through your own house... Yeah,
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this is bizarre.
As I lounged on a luxurious couch, Tia chatted with me.
"I swear I will serve you well, Lord Liam."
"Okay, take it easy."
She seemed really pumped up, which was fine and all, but I'd only
hired her for her looks. I'd heard she was a famous knight back home, but all
I cared about was having a pretty woman serving me. After all, it was the
privilege of an evil lord to have beautiful ladies waiting on him, at least
according to my vision.
Brian, who had no idea of my true motives, was just emotional that I
was finally gaining a knight.
"At last, a trusted knight for House Banfield, Master Liam. We have
nothing to worry about now."
House Banfield's previous vassals had moved away, and for a long
time, no one had wanted to work for us. Now that I had made a name for
myself there were knights who wanted to serve me. I didn't have any interest
in tending to that, so I left the hiring to Amagi and Tia. I made the occasional
comment when one of them was good-looking, though.
We could finally see our destination up ahead, but it would still be a
while before we reached it.
"I made this place too big."
It was too late now, but I already regretted building my mansion this
huge. I basically just got carried away with showing off how rich and
powerful I was, but the thing ended up being so gargantuan that it left me
speechless. Clearly, I had underestimated the space age. I mean, it was
appropriately impressive for someone of my station, but the mansion I'd
lived in previously had been large enough. There was just some part of me
that felt I had to go to extremes if I wanted to be an evil lord. Bad guys just
had to live in big, gaudy mansions.
The road to being an evil lord is tougher than I thought.
***
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Among the guests in the ceremony hall, Thomas the merchant wasn't
quite able to hide his surprise at this newly built mansion.
"How should I say this... The count's taste is surprisingly subdued."
Nias agreed. "I like it—it's nice and functional. I was invited to an egg-
shaped mansion once. It's hard to be at ease in a place that unusual."
It was the grand coming-of-age ceremony, and everyone Liam was
acquainted with had been invited. It also served to show off his new
residence now that it was completed, but those who had been invited found
Liam's mansion rather modest. Not in scale, but in general appearance. It was
certainly splendid, and many well-known artists had lent their talents to its
creation, but in the Empire—where many nobles preferred novel designs—
Liam's mansion was rather utilitarian. Sure, it was immense, but there were
larger mansions, and its straightforward approach gave it a rather serene feel.
"It's just like the count to build something easy to live in like this. It's
funny... He hasn't changed much despite the vast fortune he's acquired. I
thought for sure he'd build this place out of gold!"
Thomas had been expecting Liam to tell him, "My mansion will be
built entirely from gold, so I want all the gold ingots you can find!" However,
it seemed that even Liam wouldn't take his love for gold that far.
"He did spend a good amount on it, but I'd say it was money well
spent."
Eyeing the faces around them, Nias shrugged. "What a crowd, though.
I guess the big merchants have all got their eye on him. There are people here
from other weapons factories too."
Most of the guests were locals: government officials and soldiers of
some standing in the domain. The rest mostly sought to do business on the
planet, given its newfound success.
Thomas's shoulders sagged. "There aren't a lot of nobles, though.
That's somewhat concerning."
Quite a few nobles from nearby territories had been invited, but many
of them were absent.
Nias didn't think there wasn't much that could be done about that.
"Well, I'm sure the neighboring nobles are a little uneasy about how he's
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suddenly gained so much power."
Rather than cooperate, many of the Empire's nobles actually fought
with each other. Some were in attendance, however. These were failed nobles
who didn't have the power to develop their territories and had come to try to
ingratiate themselves with Liam, so that he would consider looking after
them.
Thomas scanned these nobles' faces. "He's attracted plenty of poor
nobles, though."
As for the reasons for their poverty, some had brought it on themselves,
while others were genuinely deserving of pity. A number of them had
formerly been vassals to House Banfield, and now that Liam had taken over
the family and was reclaiming power, they hoped to be taken back under his
protection. Their presence was a clear acknowledgment of Liam's power, but
that didn't change the fact that they had come to take advantage of him.
Nias was rather indifferent to it all. "Well, the Empire can't take care of
every little planet out in the boonies. The minor lords have no choice but to
rely on the nobles with power."
While they were speaking, the ceremony commenced. The guests
around them looked nervous. Liam must have arrived.
Thomas smiled. "He's actually a very affable person, but I suppose the
rumors frighten people."
"I've always thought he was a good guy. He just bought a nice
battleship from us recently too."
"You're a brave one, Miss Nias. I think Lord Liam allows you to get
away with more than he would most people."
To be honest, I think these others are right to be afraid. That kind of
power at his young age?
Despite having his territory and peerage forced upon him by his parents
as a mere child, Liam had become a wise ruler. From the very beginning,
he'd launched straight into heavy reforms. He tolerated no corruption in his
court and had personally defended his people at the head of his army when
raiders attacked. He was strict and severe, but a reliable lord to his subjects.
He had invested most taxes back into the development of his territory, and
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the Empire valued him for properly paying his own taxes. On top of that, he
had been regularly making payments on his family's astronomical debt.
Even if House Banfield's reputation had long ago become a poor one,
Liam as an individual had slowly been building his own good reputation.
There were officials and soldiers in his domain who would lay down their
lives for him. The only things he had lacked were vassals and knights. But as
Liam entered the chamber, a newly appointed knight walked at his side.
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Thomas stroked his chin. "That would be Lady Christiana. I hear she's
the first knight Lord Liam has taken into his service. She's said to be quite
capable."
"Are you sure he didn't hire her just for her looks?"
"Well, I can't say that had nothing to do with it, but I've seen many
knights, and she really is something special. You might say it's her aura; I'll
bet she's a powerful one." Thomas then added, "I've heard rumors that she's
the Princess Knight—the one from that nation that Goaz destroyed."
Nias was familiar. "The famous one? Isn't she the wrong age, though?
The Princess Knight should be way older. She doesn't even look a hundred
years old. That can't be right, can it?"
Thomas understood her doubts. "Well, they're just rumors. But if he
really did have someone like that by his side, Lord Liam would truly have the
makings of a wise ruler, the likes of which one seldom sees."
Had Liam heard all this, he would've been hopelessly confused. After
all, he'd only worked this hard to develop his domain because if he didn't, he
wouldn't have anything to squeeze from his subjects later. He had only cut
down his corrupt officials because they'd personally pissed him off. He had
only faced off against the pirates because he was assured to win. He was only
paying his taxes and paying back his debt because it was beneficial to stay in
the Empire's good graces. And he'd only hired Tia because of her good looks
and loyalty, not because of comments he'd heard about her supposed rare
skill. There hadn't been any sort of deeper reason for his actions. The man
himself was under the impression that he was living selfishly as an evil lord.
The austere ceremony continued.
A tear spilled from Thomas's eye as he marveled at Liam's majestic
appearance. "I wasn't wrong about Lord Liam. I'm so glad I stuck with him."
Nias agreed, though she thought the merchant's emotion was a bit
much. "It's a relief for our factory to have a regular customer like him. I hope
he keeps up the good work from now on. If he bought just a little more from
us, I'd have no complaints at all."
Narrowing his eyes, Thomas warned her, "I think that'll be hard to
achieve unless your factory makes further improvements to outward
appearance and interior design. No matter how functional your ships are, if
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they're uncomfortable in form and operation, it's not going to win you any
points."
Nias just pretended not to hear him.
***
One month after the ceremony, I was puzzling over a rather difficult
dilemma.
"Would you say I'm living in luxury?"
It was Brian who responded to my question. "Hm? Well, I don't know
much about other houses, but compared to our previous lords, I'd say you
live rather frugally."
Seated at my desk with my chin propped up in my hands, I was starting
to realize something.
I assumed I was living a life of luxury, but the money in my accounts
isn't going down at all. No matter how much I spend, it doesn't really make a
dent.
"Frugally?"
"Yes, I believe so. Considering your position, I don't think there would
be any harm in indulging yourself a little more."
Right. I mean, I am a count. But I don't know what level of
"indulgence" befits a count.
I'd decided to hire musicians to play during my meals just to spend
some of my money. It was something I figured rich people would have done
in my earthly life. There was also loads of unused space in the huge mansion
I'd built, which led me to consider what to do with it.
I could install a nice big pool to use whenever I want. No, I'll put a
whole water park in here... Then I can have a wave pool, and a lazy river.
So I did, and the day it was completed, I amused myself by swimming
backward in the lazy river.
And now my bath is a hot spring too! But I'm still living frugally? I
really underestimated the standards in this world.
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"What is luxury, Brian?"
"I'm not sure how to answer that, sir." Brian shot Amagi a silent plea
for assistance, so she answered in his stead.
"According to my records, there was one count who turned an entire
planet into a private resort, a sort of tourist retreat for him alone."
"What's the point of that?"
A tourist retreat for just one person? What use did it serve when he
wasn't there? He could at least have let other people visit!
"If that is your reaction, you may simply not desire a great degree of
luxury, Master," Amagi said. "Your seeking meaning in such things is the
proof of the fundamental difference in your values. Luxury requires no such
meaning; self-satisfaction is its only purpose. Considering your personality,
perhaps it would be best for you not to strive for certain standards of luxury."
"Th-that's not true! I'm gonna live in luxury. I've got the money—I
can do whatever I want with it!"
Brian studied me fondly. "Of course, sir. What would you like to do?"
My eyes darted about as I tried to come up with something. I'd already
exhausted all my own ideas for indulgence. At the moment, no others
occurred to me.
While I floundered, Amagi supplied a possibility. "Might I suggest a
study abroad program?"
"Study abroad? I'm about to go for special training, aren't I? Isn't that
already studying abroad?"
"I do not mean you, but your subjects. If your people learn the ways of
the Capital Planet and in other territories, you will attain a populace with
more varied views and knowledge. You could say this is a form of luxury, as
it is not something you are required to do for your people."
Like, have people study abroad for fun? Is it luxury to use my money to
make other people happy? It's true that I don't need my people to be well
educated or anything; all they need to do is stay in line.
Brian seemed to agree with her. "I think that's a wonderful idea.
You've mentioned before that since your territory has only recently been
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developed, your people still have much to learn in the ways of the arts and
fashion. You could say that having them study abroad to acquire such
nonessential knowledge is a form of luxury."
I recalled this past conversation Brian was referring to. "That's right! I
know what they can learn abroad!"
The reason I still couldn't bring myself to pick up girls in my own
domain was that persistent fashion problem. None of the girls here really did
it for me. If people got out and saw more of the world, maybe things on that
front would improve. At the very least, they should figure out that going to
the beach in a wetsuit wasn't appealing. I'd never forget the day I found out it
was considered fashionable here to stick a little umbrella on your head when
you went out in the rain or bright sun. It had brought me to tears.
Art and fashion aren't things you need to learn in order to survive—
people just trying to eke out a living can't afford to concentrate on such
matters. I supposed it was a sort of luxury to be able to focus on them.
"Get things ready; I want to send as many people abroad as I can!
We've got plenty of money to pay for it."
Amagi immediately began preparations. "I will formulate a plan of
action and work it into your budget, Master. If we work quickly, we can
collect applicants and begin sending them abroad next year."
"Nice. Now that's what I call luxury!"
Brian was dabbing the corners of his eyes, but I ignored him. "Sending
your subjects abroad to study with your own money... It's just what I would
expect of you, Master Liam."
I could barely understand what he was saying, his voice was so choked
with sobs.
Anyway, I've just gotta make use of my money—as much as I can! I'm
after luxury here. Evil lords must indulge themselves!
I'd gotten my hands on a vast fortune, so I wanted to spend it in
whatever ways I could. I was on the right track to obtaining my ultimate goal.
One day, I'll be an evil lord who everyone will fear!
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