Chapter 3:
Trouble
THE MEETING ROOM where Calvin's faction gathered was fan-
shaped and multi-leveled. Many of its seats were filled, and enlarged
holographic documents were displayed at the front of the auditorium-like
room.
The current topic of discussion was the protests occurring within
House Banfield's domain. Calvin's faction received detailed reports from
the spies they sent to incite the protests. Their discussion was based on
information collected from these spies, and they even had a line of
communication open with one of their operatives during the meeting.
The video call showed a large-scale protest underway behind the
spy. It was a pleasing sight for the nobles of Calvin's faction, but the spy
himself didn't look too happy about it. In fact, he appeared rather nervous.
"The democratic movement has grown far beyond our original
plans, so in that sense, we've succeeded. However, the movement's too big
for us to control now."
Their plan to nudge the Union immigrants into staging protests that
would disrupt the functionality of Liam's domain proved so successful that
the nobles gathered for the meeting were surprised by the spy's news.
Calvin couldn't hide his own astonishment. "This is a lot more than
I was expecting. Frankly, I didn't think there could ever be protests of this
size in Liam's domain."
No one would have expected the democratic movement to grow so
large in Liam's domain, which was generally considered to have a very
well-liked government.
The astonished nobles all exchanged looks with each other.
"The citizens really didn't need much to inspire them, did they?"
"It disgusts me how arrogant and demanding these spoiled people
are."
"Well, surely this will teach that brat Liam his lesson."
Considering the results, their plan had been a resounding success.
Page 51
Calvin complimented the spy. "Good work. Looks like there's no need for
us to interfere any longer. Just monitor the situation from now on and
report to us if there's any change."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Calvin cut the call and stood before his faction, smiling. With these
huge protests occurring in Liam's territory, there was more than enough
justification for them to criticize Liam freely. At this point, their objective
had been more than met.
"Liam's ability to rule will now come into question. We could easily
condemn him, but there's still his military might to consider. What should
we do?"
They could openly call attention to the fact that Liam wasn't ruling
his territory properly, but war with the United Kingdom was still on the
horizon. Calvin's faction needed Liam to exhaust the United Kingdom's
forces, so they were unsure when it would be appropriate to condemn him
for the protests in his domain.
One of the nobles of Calvin's faction spoke up. "We should wait
until his forces either lose or narrowly win against the United Kingdom.
As it is now, Liam's forces shouldn't be underestimated."
"It's not as if we couldn't take them down in the long run," said
another noble, "but it's dangerous to fight them on equal footing. Liam
himself is a skilled enough fighter to have defeated a Swordmaster. In fact,
we should probably increase the crown prince's guard. Better safe than
sorry."
"Could we make use of the Swordmasters of the two major styles?"
The nobles knew it would be foolish to take Liam on in a fair fight,
so it was best to avoid direct conflict with House Banfield. After all, Liam
had taken down the infamous pirate nobles all on his own. He had a habit
of coming out victorious against incredible odds, so the nobles of Calvin's
faction were rightly wary of him. In order to defeat Liam, they knew
they'd have to let the United Kingdom deplete his forces first. In the event
that he returned from that fight alive, they could then use the protests in his
domain to defame him. And in the event that Liam turned to violence
against Calvin in retaliation, it was best to increase Calvin's personal
security.
Calvin already had his assassins and spies, but Liam still frightened
him. By sheer brute strength, Liam had defeated a man who had reached
Page 52
the rank of Swordmaster in a fair fight. Mulling over the subject of his
personal safety, Calvin decided to gather as many top swordfighters as he
could.
"Summon the top swordsmen of the Ahlen style and the Kurdan
mixed fighting style. I'll put some skilled guards on the two Swordmasters
as well. All of you should make sure to keep yourselves guarded as well."
Part of Calvin's success was that he didn't forget to look out for the other
nobles in his faction.
The two styles he had mentioned were the Empire's major close
quarters combat styles. The Ahlen style emphasized swordfighting, and the
Kurdan mixed style made use of a variety of weapons. Most of the knights
in the Empire were trained in one or the other. When an individual became
the top fighter in either of these two styles, they were awarded the title of
Swordmaster.
However, there was a political component to the title as well, which
made the designation Swordmaster less than perfectly accurate. After all,
there might be a problem controlling powerful fighters who reached the
status of Swordmaster on their swordplay alone. Fighters who were strong
but untrustworthy couldn't be given the important jobs that Swordmasters
needed to take on. The practice of giving the title to the top fighters of the
two official styles was a way to keep the reputation of the Swordmasters
clean. If a Swordmaster should misbehave, it would call into question the
authority of the Empire that gave them that title. For that reason, it was
best that the two styles appointed trustworthy people for the position. Of
course, the most powerful fighters of the Empire's two major styles still
had to possess the skills to back up their positions. They also needed to be
good leaders with master swordsmen under them as apprentices.
"Explain the situation to the two Swordmasters," Calvin instructed
his people. "Make sure they know that if they ignore the rising style
known as the Way of the Flash, their positions might be in danger down
the line."
If the Way of the Flash caught on, it could replace one of the two
major styles, displacing a current Swordmaster from their position. Calvin
knew that if he made the masters of the two styles concerned about their
futures, they wouldn't be able to ignore the Way of the Flash. He was sure
that once he made them properly concerned, the leaders of the two major
styles would give everything they had to crush the Way of the Flash before
it gained any more notoriety. Damaging the emerging fighting style's
Page 53
reputation would diminish Liam's reputation as well.
Calvin planned on cornering Liam in every way he could, and this
latest idea proved well-advised. As soon as the Swordmasters of the
Empire's two official sword styles were advised about the Way of the
Flash, they acted right away.
***
Soon, the mass media was reporting on the new sword style known
as the Way of the Flash in such a way that it reached even neighboring
nations.
On one channel, a guest explained that he was the very person who
had introduced Yasushi to Liam. Originally, this man had been chosen to
teach young Liam martial arts, but back then, House Banfield's reputation
had been poor, so he had declined the position himself and volunteered
Yasushi.
"Yasushi's a third-rate swordsman at best," the man said to the
interviewer. "He's barely better than an amateur—more like a street
performer than an actual fighter. That's actually how he used to make his
money."
"What's the true nature of the Way of the Flash, then?" the
newscaster asked.
"I'd say it's made-up party tricks. In the first place, it's impossible
to strike someone without drawing your sword. It's obviously some sort of
sleight of hand."
On another channel, an analyst gave commentary on the Way of the
Flash. It wasn't clear how he got his information, but he was discussing
the sword style's basic moves. It was the analyst's claim that Yasushi
simply copied the moves of other sword styles to create his so-called
original style.
"This move, supposedly original to the Way of the Flash, is just a
technique from the Kurdan style. And this one here is from the Ahlen style.
Basically, it's all just cobbled together from other styles."
"Meaning?" asked his interviewer.
"Meaning that the Way of the Flash is just an imitation of others.
Page 54
There's no basis for its claim of being a unique style."
Every program that discussed the Way of the Flash lambasted it—
and glued to his screen, watching these programs, was Yasushi. The
programs relentlessly disparaged him and his Way of the Flash.
The man himself was thrilled. "Good...good! More! Say more!
Prove to everyone that the Way of the Flash is totally fake!"
People had started calling Yasushi a Sword God due to all the lies
he'd told Liam, but Yasushi had made up the Way of the Flash entirely. He
was indeed only a third-rate swordsman who couldn't perform an actual
move like the so-called "Flash." Yet because of his association with Liam,
he had been harassed by his reputation of being a Sword God.
Yasushi was elated at the thought of finally being freed from the
deceptions he himself had perpetrated and began crying with relief.
"Finally! The weight will finally be lifted!"
The sword school born of his lies would disappear from this world,
and with its extinction, he'd be released from everything that troubled him.
***
Elsewhere, in a cheap eatery, two people sat slurping noodles. On
the restaurant's mounted wall screens, the pair listened to a special news
program titled The Way of the Flash—Exposed! Programs of that nature
seemed to be airing everywhere lately.
"The Way of the Flash, which has been the subject of much
discussion lately, has recently been exposed as a complete sham," said one
commentator.
"It has. If what the Count said was true, then it makes no sense that
such an amazing style would have been unknown all this time. It's lies, all
lies."
All the other diners listened excitedly to the discussion. Apparently,
they had their doubts about this so-called Way of the Flash and enjoyed
seeing it torn down.
"Yeah, all the nobles want to do is show off," a customer said.
"The Way of the Flash is totally fake," another added.
"Only the Ahlen style and the Kurdan mixed style are the real thing.
Page 55
They're the best."
On the program, the commentators began speaking with some
instructors of the two major styles, who also strongly disparaged the Way
of the Flash. They claimed the style didn't truly exist, and that there must
be some trick to the supposed "Flash" move.
The quiet pair finished their noodles, left some money, and exited
the eatery. They wore sandogasa straw hats low over their faces and
Japanese-style clothing. Swords sat at their hips in their scabbards. Once
outside the eatery, the two stopped to chat.
"Which one do you want?" one of them asked the other, though the
other seemed disinterested in the question. While they didn't show it in
their words or attitude, the two of them were actually quite angry.
"I don't care. I could take either of them."
"You're right about that."
The two parted ways at the eatery and walked off in separate
directions.
***
I'll kill them.
Each time I watched one of those news exposés, I felt as if I was
being boiled alive. Loads of people associated with the two major sword
styles—including the strongest of both, who each held the title of
Swordmaster—mocked the Way of the Flash day in and day out. They
called it phony, nonsense, nothing but copied moves. I swore to cut down
each and every one of them someday, but right now, the timing was just
too bad for me to do anything but suffer the humiliation.
As I fumed with rage, Ellen stepped before me.
"Master..."
Seeing my anxious apprentice there, I couldn't help taking out my
frustration on her. "What? Do you doubt the Way of the Flash too?" I
asked, acting completely immaturely.
Ellen shook her head emphatically, then looked me straight in the
eye. "I believe in your sword, Master! I don't understand all this
complicated stuff, but I know that your sword is real. To me, you're the
Page 56
best swordsman in the universe, Master!"
When I saw my apprentice looking up at me with tears in her eyes, I
felt as though my heart was being squeezed in a vice. I was embarrassed to
have a child comfort me, but at the same time it felt as if I could see
Yasushi standing behind Ellen.
I knew I was just imagining it, but it seemed like my master was
smiling and reassuring me.
"Lord Liam, when you are in turmoil, you must reflect on yourself.
Though your heart may burn hot, keep your head cool. You mustn't forget
what's truly important."
Page 57
Page 58
After all, Master Yasushi said such things to me when I was young
and practicing the Way of the Flash every day.
I shook my head and covered my face with one hand, chuckling.
Since gaining an apprentice, she'd repeatedly helped me see what was
really important. Even though I was now training a successor, I was
humbled and reminded that I was nowhere near Master Yasushi's level.
I was still immature as a teacher.
"You're right," I told Ellen. "There were no lies in Master's sword.
What I saw with my own eyes was the truth, and the truth won't change no
matter what anyone says about it."
I thought back to what I saw that first day. Master Yasushi's Flash
was the real deal. I knew that for a fact, didn't I? I felt stupid for letting
other people's words get to me.
"Master?" Ellen looked up at me uneasily. She was confused.
"There's something I need to deal with right now," I said to her. "I
can leave crushing the other styles for later."
The more pressing matter I needed to address was those protests in
my domain. The problem was, Prince Cleo had been dragged into a war
between two intergalactic nations at the same time. Since I had to use my
own army to assist him in the war, I wasn't even sure if I could maintain
order in my own territory. I needed more people. I had an overwhelming
labor shortage on my hands, and taking in refugees hadn't solved it.
"Ellen, when you're feeling frustrated...train. Work up a sweat, and
—"
Ellen smiled at my words, but I was cut off by an emergency
transmission notification. I opened the call and saw it was from Brian, who
was minding my territory for me while I was away.
"T-terrible news, Master Liam!!!"
***
In House Banfield's mansion, Brian had broken out in a cold sweat.
"I can't believe the protests have spread all the way here!"
He had just called Liam to report that the protests had progressed so
Page 59
far that the entire domain was about to be plunged into chaos. At the
moment, House Banfield was just barely holding things together. It
seemed that if they took a single misstep, they ran the risk of completely
losing control of the populace, and then chaos would reign.
Serena, the head maid, came to Brian just then with another bomb.
"Brian, I have here a petition crafted by the mansion's staff. Over eighty
percent of the staff have signed it."
"Nooooo!!!" Brian cried, shaking his head wildly. He gripped his
stomach, feeling as if he were being physically crushed by the extreme
situation they found themselves in. "O-over eighty percent?!"
"You can't overlook daily inconveniences. It seems like they've
gotten caught up in the energy of the protests and are taking the
opportunity to make demands."
Even the servants who worked in Liam's own mansion worked
themselves up enough that they created a petition. Just the thought of the
protests infiltrating the very heart of House Banfield worsened Brian's
stomach pain.
"I-I only just told Master Liam about the situation! Why? Why do
things like these keep happening?"
Brian fell to his knees.
***
The Guide was skipping with glee, even humming a little tune.
"Mhm-hm-hm. I didn't think it would have such a potent effect!"
Not only was Liam's domain on the verge of anarchy, but people
were trashing the Way of the Flash left and right. Liam was furious about
it. Things were only getting worse for House Banfield, and the Guide was
so thrilled that he could hardly contain himself. The delight he felt was all
the more intense due to the decades of suffering he had to endure up until
this point. Right now, the Guide was experiencing the most joy he'd felt in
his entire existence.
"For some reason, whenever I help Liam, it hurts him. It's amazing!
It's perfect that my interference is indirect too. This is exactly the way I
like to do things."
Page 60
Due to the influence of the Guide's powers, waves of immigrants
had flooded into House Banfield's domain. It seemed like great news for
House Banfield at first since they needed labor and had plenty of
developed territory to fill, but the immigrants brought plenty of problems
with them too. In the end, Liam's good luck had turned into bad luck.
It delighted the Guide to be able to affect events indirectly and
watch his target suffer from afar. He was the lowest of the low, but this
was why he was missing something crucial.
"I'll keep giving Liam all the help I can! Oh no, my support's not
over with yet—and that means Liam's troubles aren't over either!"
***
There were traitors all around me.
"I never imagined the servants in my own mansion would betray
me."
My servants were elite workers, handpicked from my domain. They
were selected not just for their abilities, but for their loyalty as well. And
yet they still betrayed me. Of all things, they came to me with a petition. It
was just so unthinkable that I refused to read it.
Comforting me in my irritated state was a worried Rosetta. "Calm
down, Darling."
"Oh, I'm calm. I'm calmer than I've ever been. In fact, I'm excited
thinking about all the ways I'll punish everyone who's betrayed me once I
get back to my domain."
I should start coming up with torture methods. I'll let them all know
what happens when they underestimate an evil lord like me.
I must have been wearing one hell of an evil expression, because
Rosetta gave me a sad look. "Darling..."
I averted my eyes from Rosetta and spoke directly to Ciel, who
stood beside me. "Have you heard anything from Baron Exner, Ciel?"
Ciel's reply seemed emotionless, but I sensed the hostility she
directed toward me. She was trying to hide it, but her feelings regarding
me were written all over her face. It was clear she hated me.
"Both my father and brother told me to support you as much as I can
Page 61
through all this, my lord," she said stiffly. "My brother seems to be
particularly worried. He contacts me every day...and every day, he asks
about you."
She emphasized the words "every day" very clearly. She must be
feeling frustrated about her brother's devotion to me as a friend, but she
still managed to keep herself outwardly composed.
This is quite interesting. I like her. I was intrigued that Ciel was by
my side not because she liked me, but because she was obligated to be.
"I'm sure Kurt's busy fulfilling his military service. Maybe I'll
contact him later. Right now, is there anything you need?" I asked her this
in a gentle tone, but Ciel's stony expression didn't change. She wouldn't
yield to any kindness from me.
"No, nothing. Everyone here treats me very well. I'm thankful to be
learning so much."
From this exchange, you might think I was looking out for Ciel—
showing concern for a young noble girl training away from home with
House Banfield. Ciel and I didn't have a genial relationship though, and
she didn't hide her animosity toward me. Rather, it was that she couldn't
hide it, at least not from me.
Her father Baron Exner was a fellow evil lord, but she herself had to
be a fluke, raised to be pure and upstanding, unlike the rest of her family.
It must be frustrating for her that she didn't have the ability to take down
an evil lord like me. She had no personal fighting ability, and she didn't
have the brains to outwit me either, so there was nothing she could do
against me. What all this amounted to was that she was nothing more than
a fun toy for me.
She wasn't a pushover like Rosetta, but a girl with a true steel will.
She certainly couldn't be swayed by a few kind words. She was a fun girl
who openly showed her disgust for me whenever I talked to her. The only
problem was that she was Baron Exner's daughter, and I couldn't be too
cruel to Kurt's sister. I wanted to tease her, but I'd have to strike a good
balance so I didn't go too hard on her.
"That's good to hear," I told her. "It's been so hectic lately that I
worried your training was being affected."
"You needn't worry about that. As I said, I'm learning a lot every
day."
Page 62
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll always
make time for you."
"Thank you very much..."
Rosetta then injected herself into our conversation. "Don't worry,
Darling, I'll keep a close eye on Ciel!"
In her enthusiasm, Rosetta thrust out her chest so fast it jiggled a
little. Have a little more modesty, would you? It was amusing how Ciel
gave Rosetta's bosom a jealous look and then glanced down bitterly at her
own chest, but since Rosetta interrupted my fun, I was cold toward her.
"You will, will you?" Read the room, Rosetta! Don't get in the way
of me teasing Ciel. Well, I guess I should leave her alone for now.
In any case, if there were traitors even within my own mansion,
there were sure to be more of them spreading through my domain. It didn't
take a genius to realize that Calvin's faction would use this chance to
sabotage me. I was sure they were up to all sorts of mischief in my domain
at that very moment. I realized I should probably assume that anyone who
might even dream of betraying me was already a traitor.
Dammit! Can't the Guide help me out this time? If he can't, that
means I need to get through this all on my own... Hmm?
I stopped there for a moment and realized that there was a way for
me to get out of this situation and emerge victorious in the end.
"Oh? Maybe this situation isn't as bad as I thought..."
Page 63