Chapter 16

※The next chapter of the side story will be the beginning of the original novel "I Am the Corrupt Lord of an Interstellar State! Volume 5."

It's around the time when Liam started living as a college student in the capital planet.

"I'm Klaus, the knight commander assigned to this mission."

"I am Lieutenant Emma Roddman!"

Emma, who had the opportunity to speak with Klaus after he quelled the fight, was performing a knight's salute while tense.

However, she didn't feel any fear towards Klaus.

(He doesn't have the same aura as my instructor, but is he really that amazing?)

The disrespectful feelings she harbored internally were strongly influenced by her instructor, Claudia.

She was a AA-class existence, like a cloud above, but Klaus was a B-class knight like herself.

Still, Klaus was probably more skilled.

However, she didn't feel an unbridgeable gap in skill.

Klaus looked at Emma with a slightly calm expression.

"You're the test pilot for the prototype experimental machine, right?"

"You knew about that?"

"As a superior, it's not good to be unaware of the information about my subordinates on a special mission."

In Emma's mind, Klaus was now seen as a serious and hardworking superior.

The major standing next to Emma looked disappointed.

"If that's the case, it's impossible to poach you."

The major shrugged, and Klaus looked at her with a slightly exasperated face.

"I've told you to stop poaching from other units, haven't I?"

It was hard to believe they were talking like this, but Emma could tell that the atmosphere within the unit wasn't bad from their conversation.

The major joked with Klaus.

"It's to strengthen our unit. Please understand the heartfelt intentions of your subordinates, who want to reduce your burden, Captain Klaus."

"But I'm the one who has to deal with the complaints from other units, you know?"

When the major poached or scouted, the complaints would reach Klaus.

The major clasped her hands together.

"I'm always grateful."

"---We're about to receive the new model. There will be training in the education capsule and conversion training, so don't play around too much."

"Understood."

The major, who gave the impression of a beautiful woman in disguise, showed a feminine charm towards Klaus.

She seemed to have grown quite a bit.

However, Emma was more interested in the new model.

If Klaus was talking about a new model, it must be a mobile knight.

"Are you receiving the new model from the Seventh? Does that mean we might get it too?"

Emma immediately turned to the wall.

There, displayed was the new model developed by the Seventh, the "Teumessa."

It was a sleek mobile knight with a head design reminiscent of a fox.

It had already been deployed to some parts of the Vanfield family and was rumored to be performing well, which Emma had heard about.

This mission included equipment updates, so the knights were hopeful that they might receive the new model.

With shining eyes, Emma listened as Klaus, without changing his expression, told her.

"Unfortunately, the production status of the Seventh is also a factor. It's unclear at this point whether your unit will receive the new model."

"Is that so?"

She had the Atlante, but she wanted the new model to be deployed at least to the same squad or unit.

Even that would significantly improve their survival rate.

(If we get the new model, everyone might be more motivated, right?)

As she thought about her subordinates, Chancy, who had been silent until now, approached Emma.

She got so close that their noses were almost touching.

"Huh? A-are you?"

Emma, stared at by Chancy's dark, murky eyes, was too scared to move.

(M-My body won't move!?)

Her body started shaking, and cold sweat broke out.

As a knight, she could sense the overwhelming skill difference, and her body trembled with fear.

What was most terrifying was that the strength of the other party was unknown.

Klaus stopped Chancy.

"Chancy, step away from the lieutenant."

Klaus must have sensed Chancy's danger.

However, the major couldn't interfere with Chancy.

"I don't want to cause a scene here."

Emma's mind was flooded with images of being killed, and she started shaking uncontrollably.

"A-a-"

At first, Chancy looked at Emma with interest, but when she saw her trembling, she stepped back, disappointed.

She put her hands on her hips.

"It seems I was mistaken. ---You're boring."

As Chancy walked away, Emma finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she had been holding her breath.

When Emma tried to sit down, the major supported her.

"To be glared at by her, you must be quite unlucky."

"Why me?"

"Sometimes there are knights who only know how to fight."

"Knights?"

"War-loving, head-banged-up people who don't care if they die. They seem to want to challenge anyone they think is strong."

"But I'm not strong at all."

To Emma, who was belittling herself, Klaus spoke kindly.

"She's a problem child, but her ability to recognize talent is genuine. She might have sensed something in you, Lieutenant."

Saying that, Klaus chased after the problem child, Chancy.

(Did I have talent?)

The first thing that came to mind was the piloting of the Atlante.

Being able to pilot a machine that no one else could was a reason for Emma, who had faced many setbacks, to believe she could be a knight.

However, she couldn't think of anything else.

(I don't have anything else besides piloting the Atlante. Nothing else.)

◇

Three warships were docked in the hangar of the Seventh Weapon Factory.

They belonged to mercenaries.

The name of the mercenary group was "Feet."

The leader was a beautiful woman named "Siren."

With black hair and red eyes, she was talking to someone from the Seventh.

"Could you please provide us with supplies and maintenance?"

The representative from the Seventh scratched his head, looking troubled.

"If you receive supplies and maintenance from us, it will cost more than elsewhere. As a mercenary group, it would be better to receive them elsewhere."

Though it was a semi-official and semi-civilian facility, it supported the military power of the empire.

If the customer was not the military or an imperial noble, they were treated poorly.

The representative from the Seventh, out of kindness, suggested they receive supplies and maintenance elsewhere.

However, Siren didn't back down.

"We can't afford to wait. Besides, this is a big job, so I want to have thorough maintenance. ---I'm willing to pay extra for the new model as well."

Hearing about the preparation for a big job, the representative from the Seventh sighed.

"Please don't be angry when you see the bill."

"Thank you."

Siren smiled and asked the representative from the Seventh.

"By the way, where can I see the new model?"

◇

In the mobile knight storage area of the Seventh Weapon Factory.

There, lined up were unsold products.

Among them, Emma and her team were looking up at one of the machines.

Emma commented frankly.

"---A raccoon?"

Unlike the Teumessa, the Raccoon was a heavy and robust mobile knight with a round form.

The Raccoon, completed before the Teumessa, was stored as inventory in the hundreds, not officially adopted.

The dwarf squad leader, Mag Ma, who had guided the third squad, began to talk about the Raccoon with a deep sigh.

"This is the latest model developed by the 'Mad Genius.' It may look cute, but its performance is on par with the Teumessa."

The nickname "Mad Genius" made Emma a bit uneasy.

Though a genius, the "mad" part made him seem dangerous.

Percy, who had come with them, frowned at the nickname.

"Ignoring trends is so typical of the Seventh. So, it's true that 'he' was involved?"

It seemed Percy knew the "Mad Genius."

Molly, who was interested, asked.

"Is he that amazing?"

"He's a genius, but a thin line separates him from madness. I thought you knew he was the Vanfield family's exclusive developer?"

When asked, Emma and Molly looked at each other and shook their heads.

They had never heard rumors about the Vanfield family employing such a person.

Percy folded her arms.

"I thought he was too difficult to work with nobles."

Hearing Percy's evaluation, Mag laughed, turning his face away.

"Is that how you were seen, little lady? ---Well, you are difficult, indeed."

While looking up at the Raccoon, Emma had a question.

"If such an amazing person made it, why wasn't it adopted?"

Mag scratched his head, looking down.

"---It's just bad luck."

"Bad luck?"

Mag began to explain the reason it wasn't adopted.

"It met all the required specifications. However, the Vanfield family's knights wanted a special machine that only a few aces could handle. The Teumessa is a machine that sacrificed the versatility of the Raccoon."

Hearing this, Molly looked sadly at the Raccoons stored in the warehouse.

"There would be demand for it as a mass-produced model, right?"

"It's cheaper than the Teumessa, but more expensive than the Mohave. We're praying your lord will buy them in bulk."

The representatives from the Vanfield family, especially the upper echelons, were currently discussing the equipment update.

Depending on the situation, the machines lined up here might be purchased by the Vanfield family.

While looking up at the Raccoons, Emma thought.

"If they come to us, everyone will surely be happy."

Thinking of Larry and Doug, who didn't come, Emma imagined that they might be more motivated if they received the new model.

Molly, who seemed to share the same opinion, spoke to Emma.

"That's a good idea. If that happens, we'll make sure to maintain them perfectly."

As they talked, Percy sighed softly.

She didn't seem to like their interest in other mobile knights.

"You have the Atlante, so you should stick with Nevan. It looks better, and the Vanfield family's main mass-produced model is the third Nevan."

The mobile knights supporting the Vanfield family were the third Nevan type from the third weapon factory.

The next-generation Nevan, which the earl adopted earlier than anyone else, was indispensable to the Vanfield family.

Mag approached Percy.

"The Vanfield family asked our little lady to develop a mass-produced model."

"---That Mad Genius really does unnecessary things."

As the conversation became noisy, other customers appeared in the warehouse.

The representative from the Seventh seemed to be leading a customer.

(Not from our side, so probably a different customer. She's quite beautiful.)

Even as a woman, she was mesmerizing.

When Emma turned to look, the black-haired woman noticed and smiled.

She then turned to the representative from the Seventh, who pointed to a special machine stored in the warehouse.

"Why is that machine golden?"

In the warehouse, there was a poorly designed golden Raccoon, which the woman seemed to be curious about.

She didn't like it.

---Rather, she seemed to doubt the taste.

The representative from the Seventh, looking confused, explained.

"That's a special model. It has 20% better performance than other models and uses rare metal special armor. It's a custom order."

"Even so, it shouldn't be gold."

"It was originally meant for a special customer. However, in exchange for the performance, the assist function is completely removed, and it's difficult to add it as an option."

"Is the performance higher, then?"

"Of course. It's a terrible wild horse, though."

"I like it except for the appearance and color."

Even though she said she liked it, the representative shook his head.

"We're not selling this one."

"---That's a shame."

Saying that, the woman left the warehouse.

Yokoki ( ゜д゜) "Finally, tomorrow is the release date of 'The Otome Game World is a Harsh World for the Subordinate! Volume 10.' It's quite impressive that it's reached double digits. ...I wonder how long it's been since the idol in the afterword, Seedling, appeared? I think she should have more screen time."

Claire ( ○) "The anime 'The Otome Game World is a Harsh World for the Subordinate!' episode 9 will be broadcast and streamed from today. Enjoy it too!"

Yokoki (#゜Д゜) "Don't get in my way!"

Claire ( ○) "The Otome Game World is a Harsh World for the Subordinate, but the spin-off manga 'The Otome Game Kindergarten is a Harsh Kindergarten for the Subordinate' will start in the July issue of Dragon Age. Enjoy it too!"