I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! - Volume 9 Chapter 13

Volume 9 Chapter 13 The Issen-ryu’s Enemy

A giant octopus suddenly appeared, saying things like ‘You can’t be allowed to exist’ to us.

More than that, what I want to say is―― What the hell is this thing?

Turning to look at my comrades, I see the figures of my shivering junior disciples.

They’ve instinctually taken up a stance, but the blades they’ve drawn are trembling.

Ellen has even plopped down on the floor, having lost all will to fight.

I’m unable to rebuke her state.

Kukri appears from my shadow.

“Liam-sama, please make your escape.”

Kukri’s decision to compel me to run is the right one.

However, something like escaping is impossible at this point.

“Stand down, you all.”

The normally composed Kukri gets flustered.

“But…!”

“Stand down, I said!”

As Kukri does so obeying my orders, Master, who’s staring at the giant octopus, piques my interest.

“Master?”

Looking at Master, I see not so much as a twitch on him as he fixes the giant octopus with a dignified gaze.

There’s no sign of fear or anger in his countenance.

He then sends me a question.

“Liam-dono, I wonder if you can defeat it?”

Is Master not going to take it on?

That’s what I had thought, but he probably wants to ascertain my strength.

The octopus heads closer, but Avid projects a forcefield around us in protection from behind us.

The giant octopus has an ominous appearance, and the structures of the governor’s mansion it touches corrode.

The black vapor it emits from its mouth looks poisonous.

“――Just barely, I think.”

In comparison to the likes of the Original Issen-ryu, the giant octopus is a formidable enemy.

I sense intuitively that my Flash falls just a little short of defeating it.

Master speaks.

“Then, I leave it to you. I am already―― no longer able to fight.”

“Huh?”

Master can’t fight, he said?

◇

Even as Yasushi outwardly exudes the impression of a philosopher, he internally holds on to the slight hope in his disciples.

(This monster suddenly appeared, but these guys aren’t human anymore, so they can defeat it, right?)

He sneaks a glance at Riho and Fuuka.

However, the two seem to be in fear.

And, aren’t they currently looking at him for help?

(Fools! I’m much weaker compared to you all! There’s no way I could win against an opponent that you’re afraid of!)

Looking at Liam, he’s making a strange expression.

It’s inevitable that the composed Liam is aggravating.

Avid had displayed overwhelming firepower earlier, but it looks like it’s doing it’s best just to use its forcefield to prevent the giant octopus from getting closer.

The forcefield is gradually being pushed down, and the giant octopus swells up further, becoming truly enormous.

“Issen-ryu!! All of you will end here!”

It holds great bloodlust towards them for some reason.

(What exactly have I done!? Sure, my life hasn’t been anything to be proud of, but I’ve never done anything to be hated like this!)

Yasushi, who told Liam earlier that he couldn’t fight anymore, was lying in the moment to escape from the danger to his life.

It’d be a terrible joke if they thought he was hiding his true strength and thus let him take this monster on.

If so, he should then say that he could no longer fight.

“Liam-dono, please show me your true strength.”

For now, he wants to leave it to Liam and escape from this place.

Even as Liam’s eyes open wide in astonishment, he makes a slight nod before walking out in front.

Yasushi prays in his heart.

(Oh Goooood!! I beg you, please aid Liam just for this one moment! Because if I can just get through this, I’ll rely on my own strength to escape!)

This is Yasushi, the man that thinks constantly of running away even if he survives.

◇

As Gudwar unveils his true form, the Guide looks on from above him.

“Way to go, Gudwaaaaaaaar!! You’re the beeeest!!”

He revealed his form to Liam and the others, and headed to attack them without reservation for his appearance.

That giant body seems to be held at bay by Avid’s forcefield, but in truth, Liam’s power is the one making it difficult to get close.

The feelings of his citizens.

And, the feelings of the citizens of the planets he’s saved till this day.

The prayers of this vast abundance of people, not forgetting the Holy Tree in the Banfield house, cover Liam with protection.

That protection moves into and amplifies Avid, the mass of gold called a mobile knight, and imbibes the forcefield with a divine power.

From the Guide’s viewpoint, it’s as if Gudwar is jumping straight into the fire himself.

The Guide would absolutely never do such a thing, or even consider it.

Even if Gudwar won against Liam, many years and months will be needed to recover from the injuries he sustained. In the worst case, he’ll end up bearing the pain forever.

And yet, there’s a reason for Gudwar’s deep intent to kill Liam.

“Whew~ At any rate, I didn’t think that he’d step into our domain from a misunderstanding. Although it’s slight, anything that can reach us won’t be allowed to exist!”

It’s truly slight.

It’s as slight as the touch of a fingertip, but Liam had stepped into the domain of Gudwar and the Guide.

That is also the result of misunderstandings being built up and his aspiration to greater heights.

“You’ve done well to grow it this much from a mere magic trick. But, it ends now! Well then, Gudwar, I’ll be lending a hand too so please win without fail!”

Black smoke flows forth from the Guide as well, moving in support of Gudwar.

Gudwar increases even further in size, then moves to forcibly engulf Liam and his party―― and at that moment.

“Wha-!?”

The Guide sees light converging behind Liam.

It transforms into the upper half of a gigantic person bigger than even Avid.

With a rugged body, the humanoid shape gives off an atmosphere that’s almost like a warrior god.

His upper half is shirtless, but his lower face is shrouded by an armored warrior’s mask.

He holds a katana in his hand.

The materialized giant of light glares at the Guide.

“Y-you’re joking. He’s noticed―― Hiih!?”

The giant of light has his blade drawn.

Below that figure, Liam too looks upwards at the Guide.

“He’s found meeee!!”

The Guide leaves Gudwar behind and flees from there in a panic.

◇

I see the disappearing figure of the Guide as I look upwards.

“――It’s my victory.”

Apparently this time, no―― everything has been done with the Guide’s support from behind.

With this astoundingly perfect after-sales support, I end up feeling a little apologetic.

The Original Issen-ryu, or the approaching fleet of ships―― with the Guide’s aid, I’ll win without fail!

Confident that everything has been settled, I pass the katana in my hands to Ellen.

Ellen seems unable to stand.

“M-Master?”

Without answering her questioning gaze, I look upwards at Avid.

“Avid, hand over my katana.”

I catch the katana springing forth from Avid’s cockpit with a raised left hand.

It’s my favorite katana.

The approaching gigantic octopus opens its large bloodshot eyes wide.

“That sword is…!”

It seems considerably panicked, maybe because it knows about this sword.

My gut told me that I’d be able to cut it down if I used this sword of mine, but apparently I’m completely unmistaken.

The katana that I dispossessed Goaz of is quite the fine article.

This too is thanks to the Guide.

“This is the best sword in my possession. If we’re together, I believe we could reach even you.”

I gently place a hand on Ellen’s head.

“Ellen, so far, I’ve never shown you the true Flash.”

“Huh?”

“Finally I too, have become fully-fledged as your master.”

I walk out, and hold my katana up to my eyes with both hands.

My eyes are reflected on its blade as I draw it thirty centimeters or so from its scabbard.

There seems to be a glow reflected in my purple eyes.

“I can’t yet say that I don’t need a sword, but.”

Seeing this, the giant octopus expands as if in a panic.

Swelling up, it moves to engulf the forcefield that Avid projected.

“As I thought, that sword is ‘God of Go-’――”

I’m not free enough to listen to the giant octopus’ words.

“FlashIssen.”

I send the katana back into its scabbard without drawing it, and its sound rings.

The giant octopus then splits into two halves from top to bottom, cut by my Flash.

Black smoke pours out from the bisected cross sections, and the giant octopus begins to shrivel.

“Igyaaagyaaaah!!”

Its shriek reverberates all around.

“I should’ve――killed――you――all――earlier”

The body of the giant octopus scatters into smoke in the skies, the black smoke disappearing, replaced by glowing motes of golden light.

――What is this phenomenon? It’s a little nice. No, wait, I really like it.

I affix the katana to my waist, then turn around.

Riho has a shocked expression.

“J-just now―― S-Senior Disciple, don’t tell me you…”

Fuuka lets go of her swords, plopping down on the floor teary eyed.

“Scaryyyy. What was that earlier. Such a thing, I’ve never ever seen it before. Senior Disciple’s amazing too, geez. I don’t understand anything anymore.”

Ellen looks at me with clasped hands and tears spilling from her eyes.

“M-Master. Congratulations. I couldn’t see Master’s Flash, but. It’s certainly seared into these eyes of mine.”

An invisible slash.

The true form of that isn’t a slash with a speed that no one can see.

It isn’t a blade created out of magic, either.

Supernatural phenomenon? ――That’s not far off the mark, too.

Only, it’s a technique that cannot be realized if even a single one of those were lacking.

The Flash is in the domain attainable from acquiring all those and further surpassing one’s limits.

“Master―― I’ve finally grasped the secrets of the Issen-ryu.”

With the battle over as well, I bow deeply to Master.

It certainly isn’t a secret that can be explained with words.

Without Master and the Guide around to show me the way, I’d probably be throwing the misunderstood Flashes around all the time like the Original Issen-ryu.

I can’t laugh at the Sword Saint that I once ridiculed now.

I’m someone exactly the same as him, having done nothing but train myself in the wrong manner.

Master receives such a person as I in a gentle way.

“Magnificent, Liam-dono. You’ve already surpassed me. I have nothing to say.”

“T-that can’t be. I still haven’t reached Master’s level.”

Master’s Flash that I saw as a child is still seared into my eyes even now.

That Flash is the very most genuine of articles.

“No, Liam-dono is the best!”
“No, I still can’t win against Master.”

“No, no, Liam-dono is already the best, you see!”
“Master is the best in my heart even now!”

“Liam-dono is the best, I said!”
“That’s why, Master is more――”

As I quarrel with Master, a display window opens up and Marie begins her report.

『Liam-sama, something serious has happened!』

“What is it? If you’re struggling, from now I’ll――”

『N-no. Some of the enemy have begun firing on their own troops.』

“Firing on their own troops?”

『Yes. They say that the mercenaries they brought along have turned on them.』

Seeing Marie’s troubled face, I can’t help but find it amusing.

It’s impossible for me to lose with the Guide following up after me!

“At times like this surely―― ‘Heaven’s favor is on our side’, was that it? Don’t look so surprised. I just win what I should be winning at. You go do your job too.”

『Y-yes!』

The communication cuts.

“Now then, I want to talk about various things, but let’s first evacuate this place, shall we. Master, I’ll send you to my mothership.”

“No, there’s no need for that. This planet is where my family――”

Seeing Master say that much, Ellen answers.

“Yasushi-sama’s family is currently being guarded by Master.”

“――Huh?”

In order for us to wage war if we needed to, we had Madam and Yasuyuki-kun evacuate to the mothership prior.

“Please be at ease, Master!”

As I speak, Master looks at me with distant eyes for some reason.

“I-is that so.”

◇

At that time.

The incognito ships led by Marie are fighting in space.

“What’s the current situation!”

Marie’s voice resounds across the bridge, but the crew aren’t able to grasp it either.

The operator reports.

“We can believe that part of the enemy has rebelled, but we don’t have the full details.”

The three thousand-strong group of what seem to be mercenaries are going wild around the battlefield attacking their comrades.

The governor’s father’s―― the count’s ship, too, is in panic after receiving an attack from their followers.

Marie feels cold sweat run down her back.

(Heaven’s favor is on our side―― It’s exactly as Liam-sama says.)

Even with the tide against them, it seems like the ever-victorious Liam has something beyond human comprehension looking out for him.

The operator shouts.

“Confirmed retrieval of Avid! We can withdraw at any moment!”

“Break through head on! Prioritize the escape of the flagship first! Protect Liam-sama alone, even if you have to give up your lives.”

Their lives are literally hanging on a thread.

They move to retreat with a sudden assault on the enemy.

Many of them will likely perish under fire, but it’s enough if Liam can be rescued.

“The enemy is falling apart. Assault formations!”

As Marie sends out a command, Liam’s figure appears on the bridge monitors.

『The flagship goes first. I’ll be sortieing too.』

At Liam’s boldly grinning figure covered in wounds, even Marie disregards the order.

“I’m unable to accept any more than this even if it’s Liam-sama’s order. Even if my neck is hung for this, I’ll have Liam-sama withdraw from this place.”

『――Who do you think you’re speaking to?』

Silence washes over the bridge at Liam’s chilling voice, but Marie continues speaking with the full belief in her devotion.

“As long as Liam-sama survives, the Banfield house will rise up any number of times. It won’t be able to rise for a second time if we instead lose Liam-sama here, won’t it. I have no intention of ignoring my own beliefs.”

Liam smiles.

It seems he’s taken an interest to Marie’s answer.

『I can acknowledge your loyalty. However, don’t look down on me so much. I haven’t decided that this is a losing battle, have I? I’m a man that will win without fail.』

Cutting into the display of Liam with his unwavering belief in victory is Chengshi, the leader of the mercenary group.

『It’s been a while, Liam-sama.』

Marie glares at the woman appearing in the display, who’s clothed in a Chinese-style outfit.

“Y, you are…”

『I’ve entered the battle leading the mercenaries. I thought to attack the side with the most enemies but―― On the contrary, I believe this might be a good chance to do battle with Liam-sama.』

Marie makes a face like she’s swallowed a bitter bug.

(Of all people, the most extreme of ours is turning against us.)

Marie can be considered a radical too, but the elite of the elite are the types like Chengshi who actually feel alive in the middle of battle.

For those who find bliss challenging the strong, they must find Liam to be a much sweeter opponent.

However, Liam narrows his eyes at Chengshi’s words.

『I have no need for a dog that doesn’t know how to play properly. Come at me already if you’re coming. I’ll crush you all flat.』

Hearing Liam giving no indication of even taking one step back, Chengshi blushes.

『Are you not going to request me to lend you a hand here?』

『I’ll win even without you around.』

Before Liam’s unwavering confidence, Chengshi seems to have given up.

『That’s why you’re interesting. ――Let’s enter under his command.』

As three thousand ships come under Liam’s direction, the operator reports the situation.

“They’re disguised, but all of them are using the standard equipment of the Banfield house!”

Hearing that, Marie immediately deliberates on a breakthrough plan out of this current state.

(The enemy’s numbers have decreased, and ours have increased. However, this difference in numbers is――)

At that point―― A new noble’s fleet appears.

The gigantic fleet of over twenty thousand ships bear a different crest from the Banfield house’s.

Seeing that, Liam’s earlier composure vanishes and his eyes open wide in panic.

『――H-how could this be?』

It must be unexpected, even for Liam.

A transmission arrives from the fleet.

『I’ve come to help, Darling!』

Bryan (´；ω；｀) “Heaven’s favor is on our side―― that’s not it, Liam-sama. Why do you always merrily throw down the gauntlet in an unfavorable situation? ――This Bryan is feeling painful from all the worrying.”

Sapling-chan ( ゜∀゜) “A crazy protagonist that will just gets by cutting down everything is terrible, isn’t it. But the protagonist of ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs’ is a late-blooming shy introvert, so it’s fine! He’s such a protagonist, but he puts out when push comes to shove. ――Because he’s the one that pushed the tower down first.”

Bryan (´；ω；｀) “For defending with all your might, thank you for the hard work. Please support ‘The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs’ as well.”