Chapter 13

【I'm the Wicked Lord of an Interstellar Nation!】

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Hydra, the home planet of the Banfield family.

Claudia, who came to Christiana's office, was seeking permission for a certain electronic document.

After reading the content, Christiana sighed softly and smiled.

"Are you aware that even elite officers are observed for a few years at C-rank before being promoted to Knight-rank?"

In the Banfield family, even elites are treated as C-rank for several years.

There are no exceptions; only those who survive in combat can see a path to B-rank.

A rapid promotion like Emma's is unusual.

"Hmm"

Claudia's response made Christiana slightly pleased.

She was delighted to see signs of growth in a subordinate who had brought in a troublesome procedure.

"I didn't expect you to recommend Emma Rodman for B-rank, Claudia."

"---It was just a mistake in my evaluation."

To the blunt response, Christiana's mischievous side emerged.

The details of the incident in Aelias had been reported, and she pointed out issues with Claudia's report.

"The only one who recognized her talent was that person. You don't need to blame yourself. More importantly, I heard you decided not to pursue Merea's escape. I thought you would have everyone discharged for this reason."

Shooting the colonel, the commander responsible, and discharging the rest without question.

Claudia had wanted this before, but this time she chose differently.

"I didn't count them as combatants. It's my responsibility."

"Yes, if you had used them more effectively, the outcome might have been different."

Facing her superior's chuckle, Claudia asked about her responsibility.

"Is that all?"

"If you're seeking punishment, I'm sorry, but you'll have to give up. I said I don't have the luxury to let you off. You'll continue to work."

From a military discipline standpoint, the result was unsatisfactory, and the serious Claudia showed her disapproval.

However, Christiana was unyielding.

And she decided on the handling of Emma, whom Claudia had recommended.

"---I approve Emma Rodman's promotion. However, I cannot change her assignment."

Hearing that Emma couldn't be transferred from Merea, Claudia narrowed her eyes.

Why was she left in a demotion position?

"Why? If she's a lieutenant now---"

"Knights who can only operate with special equipment can't be assigned just anywhere. Besides, the Third Weapons Factory has requested her. They want to send a development team to her unit."

Christiana informed Claudia that the Third Weapons Factory had offered to send a special team to work with Emma, who had demonstrated the Atalante.

Considering Emma's unique talents, Claudia reluctantly accepted.

"For a while, she'll be a test pilot for the new model."

"Merea itself will be used as a test unit. However, it will be a bit troublesome."

Christiana sighed softly, and the details of the experimental unit with Merea as the flagship appeared before Claudia.

Claudia frowned.

The reason was that there were plans to modify Merea for technical testing.

The issue was who would be asked to do the modification.

"Merea was made by the Seventh Weapons Factory, right?"

"---Through that person, we intend to obtain the technology of the Third Weapons Factory. That's why we've offered to modify Merea."

For technical testing, the light carrier needed to be modified.

"Is that acceptable? Using that person is not allowed."

Claudia showed her displeasure, but Christiana shook her head.

"That 'Lord Liam' has given his permission."

Hearing that Liam had given the permission, Claudia fell silent.

Christiana decided on Emma Rodman's promotion right there.

"Lieutenant Emma Rodman will be promoted to captain, effective today. Regardless of her first battle, her contributions in this operation were significant. ---She is also a knight who has been given hope by that person."

Claudia, slightly surprised, thanked Christiana.

"Thank you for the promotion."

"It's fine. You'll continue to work as a captain. It's like an advance on your reward."

After the incident in Aelias, Emma had achieved a career beyond that of an elite.

However, Christiana was concerned about Emma's future.

"The hard part is just beginning."

◇

In a natural park on Hydra.

Emma, who had come to a place with a good view, was sitting on a bench, looking at the scenery of Hydra.

It was the same view she had seen before heading to Aelias.

She had been informed of her promotion and rank advancement, but Emma was thinking about justice.

"What is my justice?"

After hearing Liam's statement that he was evil, Emma began to deeply consider the justice she was pursuing.

The person she had been chasing called himself a criminal.

This troubled Emma.

She had become a knight to protect the weak.

That resolve hadn't changed.

However, the person embodying that justice, Liam, recognized himself as evil.

The person she had been chasing was a criminal. ---Was it right to chase him?

But, that criminal seemed more righteous than herself.

Looking at the peaceful scenery of Hydra, Emma was troubled about what was right.

An elderly man, an acquaintance, sat down next to her.

Emma was surprised by the sudden appearance of the old man.

"Grandpa!? If you came, you should have called out. You scared me."

"That was rude of me. However, it's a problem if a knight can't notice when a civilian approaches."

"Well, that's true, but---"

Seeing the dejected Emma, the old man smiled.

"I'm glad to see you returned safely."

"---Yeah."

"It seems you have some troubles. If you don't mind, I can listen to your problems."

To the old man, Brian, who offered to listen to her troubles, Emma looked up at the sky and spoke her true feelings.

"I was aiming for justice, but the person I admired turned out to be a criminal. He said he was a criminal himself."

"Ah, I see."

The old man put his fist to his mouth, as if deep in thought.

Emma continued her consultation.

"I always thought he was on the side of justice, but he said he was a criminal. I didn't know anything, and I couldn't see anything."

Emma couldn't believe that the person who had created the peaceful scenery before her was a criminal.

But he called himself a criminal.

She didn't know what was right.

Most of all, she was embarrassed by the resolve Liam had taken to become a criminal to create this scenery.

"Was I wrong?"

"---That person is a kind person. Therefore, he understands his actions the most."

"Huh?"

The old man, looking down, spoke about kindness.

"He had to become strong to protect this planet. Stronger than anyone else. And he had to stain his hands with blood."

"Grandpa?"

"If you think of that person as a criminal, you're not wrong. However, if you feel even a slight sense of wrongness, listen to that small voice. If there's even a faint cry in your heart that says it's different---"

Hearing this, Emma stood up and put her hand on her chest.

She listened to the voice of her heart.

---Liam is evil.

When she told herself this, she heard a voice from deep within that said it was different.

It was the voice of the young Emma.

The girl who had decided to become a knight after seeing Avid that day was shouting loudly that it was different.

Look at the scenery in front of you, it said.

I believe in you, it said.

The young Emma spoke to her with straightforward eyes.

Feeling as if she had been scolded by her younger self, Emma smiled through her tears.

Wiping away her tears.

"---I don't think he's a criminal."

Seeing Emma's reaction, the old man touched the corner of his eye with his finger.

He seemed pleased with Emma's answer.

"If you think that, he will be saved."

The old man stood up.

"The future will be tough. Receiving a special unit means that they expect you to work hard."

"Okay."

With the old man's words, Emma made a new resolve.

(I don't have time to be depressed. I've decided to continue down this path.)

What would she see by chasing after that person?

Emma couldn't even imagine.

The old man left.

"I have high hopes for the young knight's future."

He said to Emma before leaving.

But, Emma realized something.

"Huh? How does Grandpa know about Atalante? Huh? Could it be---Grandpa is rich!?"

Emma couldn't imagine who Brian was connected to.

Liam (；・∀・) "…It's a bit of a horror that the people close to me don't understand me at all."

Tenchou (・∀・) "Sir, it's time for promotion."

Liam (#´∀｀) "I'm not the one who does promotion just because a bonsai says so."

Tenchou (・∀・) "Sir, that's not Lord Brian's bonsai. He said he's being parasitized and is troubled by it."

Liam (#・∀・) "—If I find that thing, I'll burn it."

Emma ( ；∀；) "Waaaah!! 【The World of Otome Games is Harsh for the Villain 9th Volume】 will be released on 【November 30th】! The new chapter starts from this volume, and many new characters will appear, so please purchase the book and check it out!!!"

Brian (*´ω｀) (Emma-sama, fight! Indeed.)

※This concludes the 【Side Story Chapter 1】.

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