*

　Kaaah!　Kaaah!　and the sound of hammering echoes from a corner of the Marquis of Erakis' mansion - one of the towers surrounding the Marquis of Erakis' mansion........
　There is a furnace there, an anvil, a pile of coals, and dwarves walking around in a hurry.

'Oh!'　Master Crono, we've been waiting for you!
Centurion, can I ask you a question?

　Crono looked up at the tower, wondering where to start asking.

'Master Crono has built a wonderful workshop for you!
That's what happens when you spend a thousand gold pieces.

　Hahaha, Crono and the dwarf laughed.

''So, how's the synthetic bow?''
I've got the right ingredients, but the actual construction.
I'm not asking for quick results, but I didn't build the workshop for fun either.

　Crono looked at the centurion, wondering if he was being a little harsh.

'I'll certainly try to live up to your expectations.
I'm counting on you.

　This is my untrue intentions.
　If we can make weapons and armor in this workshop, it will save us a great deal of money, and if we develop weapons and armor of better quality than we have now, we might be able to save our men from dying.

''Crono-sama, actually I had an idea for armor when I was younger.
'No problem. Of course, it's a matter of life, so we'll do a thorough endurance test and if that doesn't hurt, we'll switch to that new type of armor.
'Yes!　I'll get right on it!

　'You're so motivated,' said Crono, looking away from the dwarven centurion.

'Crono, you've gotten better with sub-humans before I've seen you for a while.
What, Tilia?
It's my fault!

　Tilia stood next to Crono with a mortified expression and turned her dismayed gaze to the workshop and Crono.

"You're giving sub-humans magic-impregnated weapons, building them a workshop, well, as is, taking that half-elf to bed every night, you're spoiling the sub-humans too much, aren't you?
I only have a subhuman under my command.

　Speaking of which, where did Marquis Erakis' men my colleagues and human soldiers go?

'And especially not the half-elf. I don't know what you think you're doing indulging in b-, b-, and lewd acts with a half-elf, but a half-elf is a half-elf who can't be a human or an elf. I'm sure he's going to whisper his love and pick back his fortune. Do you hear me, Crono!
Sorry, I didn't hear half of it.
I'm saying this for your own good!

　Have you ever been duped by a half-elf marriage scammer or something?　And Crono looked at Tilia.
　'But if this is the normal feeling towards half-elves, then they are too unrewarding.

'When you understand, give that half-elf a handout and get rid of him.
"...Tilia, I'm not going to get rid of Leila.

　Huh?　And Tilia's eyes widened in surprise.

'Sure, I think Leila has a little bit of a head start. But I've given up a lot of things because I'm half-elf, and now Leila wants me. I think that was a very brave decision.
That's just your imagination.
'Yes, maybe. Even if Tilia was right and Leila was deceiving me, I promised Leila I'd believe her.
...you are...

　Tilia's face contorts.

'You're an idiot!　Stupid, I thought I was an idiot, but I'm a huge idiot!
Hey, Tilia.
Don't touch me!

　Tilia hit him and Crono punched him in the ass.

'Good?　I'm busy. I can't stay away from the imperial capital forever. Hurry up and hire a new servant and send me back to the imperial capital!
　Turning her back on Crono, Tilia walked wildly back to the Marquis of Erakis mansion.
''Crono-sama, is it alright?''
I feel like I cut my mouth open.
You have a cut lip.

　Crono frowned at the iron-smelling taste that spread in his mouth.

'Truly, Crono-sama loves Leila, doesn't he?
In my own way.

　Wiping the blood off his military sleeve, Crono stood up.

'Where are you going, sir?'
Tyria wants to return to the Imperial City, so I thought I'd go find a servant.

　No guesses, though, Crono said, looking up at the sky.



　If accounting is essential, how many people do you need to manage the Marquis' mansion?
　He tried to remember his foster father's mansion, but he couldn't remember a thing.

''In the meantime, let's ask Mino-san if there are any soldiers who want to change jobs. We're supposed to be training outside the city today, is this not a good look for you?

　Although I told him I was going to look for a servant, Crono didn't think he could easily hire a servant without any connections.
　If that's the case, I changed out of my military uniform and into normal clothes to combine it with an inspection of the city.
　I'm wearing a commoner's style tunic and linen pants.
　However, since I'm small and clean for a commoner, I might have the impression that I'm a rich man's bonbon if people see me.
　I bought some dried fruit at a stall, and after wandering aimlessly, I negotiated with a peddler to have it placed on the back of a carriage.
　The commercial district from the Marquis of Erakis mansion seems to be reasonably safe, but there are also vagrants, vagrants, and women who look like prostitutes.

'....There are a lot of vagrants, aren't there?
The Marquis of Erakis ruined the poorhouse. But those guys aren't trying hard enough, so there's no need to feel sorry for them.''

　Crono muttered, and the peddler didn't even try to hide his contempt as he said.
　'Spit it out,' is the best way to describe it.

'I see,'

　Of course, if people always thought like that, there would be no decrease in vagrants and vagrant children.

"I heard the priest of the Yellow Earth Temple has been offering them food, but if you beg for food, they'll just get lazy.
Well, he's a religious man.

　Not wanting to be kicked out of the carriage, Crono matched the conversation appropriately.
　
　The others are 'Crimson and the Goddess of Destruction', 'Blue and the Goddess of Life', 'Green and the Goddess of Currents', 'Pure White and the Goddess of Order', which was worshipped by the commander of the Argo Kingdom, and his wife 'Jet Black and the Goddess of Chaos'.
　The reason why they are called by such long names is that it is forbidden to call them by their god's name without good reason.
　In addition, it is said that only those who have mastered the art of divine authority are able to know the name of the gods as their representative.
　Although the Six Pillar God is also worshipped in the Cepheus Empire, the political influence of the temple is not great.
　This is what the first emperor of the Cepheus Empire said, ''Don't let the temple get involved in the mundane world! And because of the thorough suppression of the situation.

That's enough.
Bye, Bon!

　As Crono jumped down near the gate, the peddler spoke his parting words in a violent manner.

'Well, the one I was using for training.

　Crono relies on his memory to get to the parade ground.
　Fortunately, the training grounds........just a wasteland with wooden stakes to target.......were quickly found.
　Since they had just been discharged from the hospital, it seems that today they are practicing kumite, sorcery and archery for each race.
　In training that assumes actual battles, they form troops in units of a hundred men, but that's not possible with no cavalry or archers.

''Hmmm, this is really powerful.

　Werewolves and man lions teaming up is powerful, but the dangling ones are minotaurs and lizardmen teaming up with each other.
　I would never want to duplicate a fistfight with a wooden stick like a log.
　He must have noticed Crono.
　The second-in-command leaves the supervisory role to the lizardmen and walks up to Crono.

''General you have a cut lip.
I fell down.
The general has a tendency to be devious. Did you come to see Leila today?
'I'm thinking of hiring a servant, but I was wondering if there are any of my men who wish to retire.

　The second-in-command exhaled through his nose.

It's a good thing that the treatment has improved, so we don't want anyone who can move and wants to leave the military. It's just that some of my subordinates were slow to heal and had residual injuries.
How many?
"Elves and dwarves, 20 of them in all. Well, the dwarf men were all trained in blacksmithing, so we had to reassign them to the workshop, but not the dwarf women and elves.
I'm sure it will pay less than the military, but I'll hire them all.
Are you sure?
I can't just throw him out. Where's the elf by the way?
"I'm a woman only.

　Crono glared at his second-in-command, "It's true I wanted to ask you about the ratio of men to women," he said.

'General, who built the workshop?'
I wasn't thinking about it as a move, so it's a happy miscalculation.

　I would have increased the budget if I had assumed that much from the beginning.
''General, aren't you going to see Leila?　Hey, we're just in there.
　When I looked in the direction that the second in command pointed, I saw Leila drawing her bow.
　
　In view of the points that the other elves missed, Leila seems to be an excellent archer.

Leila is very good with a bow.
It's not just a matter of time before you're ready to go. I've been a beneficiary of Leila's magic many times, and if it were up to you, you would be my second-in-command.

　Crono's eyes narrowed as he wondered if it was because he was a half-elf.

''Of course, I.......the people here also take it for granted that Leila has become the commander of the Fifty.

　So that's why you kept Leila around, Crono felt strangely satisfied.

'I should be happy,'
"Absolutely.

　In the end, Crono left the parade ground without meeting Leila.

*

　Feeling a bit peckish, Crono decided to stop by the diner and inn that Leila used to recuperate in.
　The diner was deserted.......there were no customers except Crono, and the landlady was wiping the counter with a rag, as if she was used to this situation.

''Ah, Baroness ... what's that outfit?''
I'm on a sneak tour of the city.
Huh. Then it would be better if I didn't call you Baron.
Right. Now, Black, "Boy!

　Crono sat down at the counter, wondering if he looked so effortless.

'We only have bread and soup, would you like some?'
''Mm, Ting, "No, you can't, you're a little boy now.

　I'm just touring the city, not playing rich bong play....

'I don't want to keep acting like a pompous brat and all that - landlady, bread and soup!
Hey, little man.

　The proprietress nodded with a theatrical motion and placed the same black bread and boiled vegetable soup on the counter as before.
　It was a little lacking in saltiness, but Crono sipped the soup without complaint.

'How's the economy, landlady?'
It's not good. Lately....well, there's been some strange taxes since the Marquis took over. The furnace tax, the firewood tax, and a small shop like mine is losing money because I finally set up a shop with my dead husband, and we're in debt.

　It was heavier than I thought it would be, so Crono bite down on his bread in silence.

'It's not your fault, little man, so don't look at me like that. Yes, I have some good news. I heard that the Marquis of Erakis was caught for embezzlement, and a new lord is coming.''

　Hmm, Crono pretended to be unconcerned.
　They say that you can't build a door in a person's mouth, but they say that a certain amount of secrecy is maintained.

''Come to think of it, what about that half-elf's daughter?''
Leila is fine.

　Heh," said the landlady, smiling like a mischievous child.

'The boy was obsessed with that girl, you know.
Frankly, I've got a mistress.
Oh, you don't mind admitting it, do you?

　The proprietress said in a disappointed tone.
　The more angrily you deny this kind of thing, the more you become a figurehead.

If I were ten years younger, I'd run for mistress.
....

　With a glare and a hungry beastly stare, Crono hastily gulped down his soup.
　His feeble-mindedness made him sensitive to threats.

Hey, boy.
　Letting out a rather indulgent voice, the landlady sat down next to Crono.
　That pampered voice sounded to Crono like the snarl of a predator.
　Even though it flashed across his chest, it was only like he was sharpening his claws.
　I'm here to eat, Crono said, taking the bread... and failing to take it, dropping it.
　He grabbed my outstretched arm to take the bread.

"...Hey little man?
What is it?
You're embarrassing a woman, aren't you?
Why do you want to sit on me?
...You can do what you want with it. So, Pat, "That, I can't.

　Huh?　The landlady nodded her head as if she didn't understand.

'So, Patro, "So, you can't,

　'Whew,' said the landlady, returning to her seat next to him in a blank stare.

''You're an aristocrat, kiddo. So I thought I'd help.
He's a nobleman.

　There are more than 23,000 gold coins left in the vault of the Marquis of Erakis' mansion, and to some extent it could be used at Crono's discretion.......but since this is what the Marquis of Erakis squeezed out of the people of his domain, it cannot be used lightly.
　As a matter of fact, Crono receives a salary as an officer, but he also receives money sent back from his adopted father, so he has money at his disposal, but

I don't like being a dirty old man, you know?
You don't mind that I don't mind!

　Crono looked at the landlady with a lick and leaned forward.

'I'd do horrible things to you if money got me into that kind of relationship.
...if it's going to save the store.
I'll put him in the dungeon first.
Scary!　What are you thinking about?

　The landlady hugged herself with a pale face, as if imagining it.

'Landlady, what is the total amount of your debt?'
No, I don't want you to do that!

　'Tsk,' said Crono, rather seriously, clicking his tongue.

'So, what do you owe?'
"....a hundred gold pieces.
I can't be a patron, but I can put you in touch with a good paying job.
What's it like?　Oh, and I'm not going to have a job where they keep me in the basement!

　The landlady drew back her body to warn Crono.

'The cook of the Marquis of Erakis' mansion.
"Don't be stupid," he said.　I'm just trying to protect my husband's store!
'I suppose working as a cook and paying off debts is an honorable way to protect your restaurant, too.

　'Ugh,' the landlady choked out.

'Will you let me think about it for a moment?'
'Good, but I'd like an answer by tomorrow or the day after. When you have an answer, come to the Marquis de Erakis Mansion. Tell him I've been summoned by Chrono Crawford and the gatekeeper will send him for you.
Okay, okay.

　The landlady replied quietly.

*

　The landlady may have hated her, Crono said as he walked home.
　It was the landlady who seduced him, and since she tried to prey on Crono, she should at least be forgiven for that.

''The landlady is supposed to be here, so the problem is accounting.

　Munching on the dried fruit, Crono slumped his shoulders.
　Considering the literacy rate of the Cepheus Empire, it's going to be difficult to secure people who can be haphazardly left in charge of accounting.
　I don't have any connections to pull from elsewhere, and I don't want to do anything that would make me an unnecessary enemy.

It's not realistic to train them yourself. I don't want to owe you anything, but maybe I should talk to Nicola-san about it.''

　As I was thinking about this, I spotted a girl selling flowers sometime ago.
　With a wobbly, feverish gait she tried to sell the flowers, but she was not taken seriously at all.
　After being rejected by several opponents, the girl wandered down the street, where a carriage came crashing in at a terrific pace.

''What?!''

　Crono ran to the girl as fast as he could.

'Uriyah!'

　Too much enthusiasm, woo hoo!　but Crono caught the girl diving just before she was run over, rolling around on the ground and escaping to safety.
　I'm sorry for the head bang.

'Are you okay?'
'......　Oh, my!　Oh, the flowers!

　Escaping from Crono's arms, the girl scrapes up the flowers that have been trampled on so cruelly.

'Dangerous!'
But the flowers I have to sell them all.

　Rattling, the flower-selling girl shuddered and bit her nails as if she were in some kind of withdrawal.
　What passed through Crono's mind was Andersen's fairy tale, The Girl Selling Matches.

'I'll pay for the flowers and the basket,'

　Crono didn't wait for an answer, but pulled the girl closer.
　Her skin peeked out of her collar, sickly white, and her body was so skinny that her collarbone floated.
　Her legs, coated in mud and blood, were also painfully thin.

''Oh, Master Crono!''

　When I turned towards the direction of the voice, I saw that Nicola was about to jump down from the carriage.
　Apparently, the carriage that tried to run over the girl belonged to the Pix Chamber of Commerce.

''I'm sorry, Crono-sama,''
Yeah, I'm not too badly hurt.

　Crono smiles to reassure Nicola.

At least we can fix the wound on his lip and his forehead.
Well, then, can he be with us?

　Nicola stared at the girl and narrowed her eyes sadly.

'Yes, of course.'

*

　With branches all over the Cepheus Empire, the Marquis of Erakis branch of the Pix Chamber of Commerce is built in the equivalent of a prime location in the commercial district.
　Although the size of the building is inferior to the other merchant associations, the customer service of the employees is a step or two above the others.
　Crono had secretly decided that this was the place to go when it came time to buy Leila's clothes, underwear, underwear, and so on.
　The office of the Pix Trading Company was very cozy as Nicola showed him around.

'Well, Crono-sama,'
You might want to get her patched up first.
Goodbye. Vel, Vel!　Bring the first aid kit!

　Yes!　And Vel ran into the office with a first aid kit in hand.

'Vel, you need to treat this girl.
Yes, Manager!

　Vel makes the flower-selling girl sit on a chair and treats her with an awfully familiar motion.
　But it's only a treatment that involves pouring water on the girl and applying a bandage.

''Yes~ Next, Baroness.

　Vel wrapped a bandage around Crono's head and quickly went back to work.

'You're a clean girl in a way,'
'I'm sorry. Vell hasn't been a merchant member for very long and his manners are not perfect. Ah, how about some tea and refreshments?
Yeah, nice to meet you.

　She expected a golden confection, but unfortunately it was just ordinary tea and confectionery.
　The girl fearfully sipped on the tea and devoured the pastry.

'You can have some of mine.'
Oh, thank you.

　Slowly, Crono sipped his tea, this time while watching the girl eat the pastry in a reserved manner.
　When she looked at the top of the desk for some reason, she saw a bundle of paper on it.

''........Paper?''
'It must be unusual around here, but Master Crono is very knowledgeable.
I've seen them at the Marquis of Erakis' house, but are they so rare?
Yes, they're imported from the Free City States of the North and the production process is kept under wraps.
Can we make it in the workshop?

　If it could be made within the Cepheus Empire, it would be cheaper for the lack of transportation costs, and the Marquis' territory of Erakis would be enriched.

''Crono-sama, what do you think of our work?
The soldiers' food situation has visibly improved, and the workshop is fine for now.

　Huh, and Nicola let out a breath of relief.

'This is going to be a personal ... territory management issue, is there anyone who can do accounting?
'When a person is educated enough and trustworthy enough to do accounting,'

　That's right~, Crono looked up at the ceiling.

'If you don't mind the means, there is only one way.
Like what?

　'Gohon,' said Nicola, coughing awkwardly.

'We are in slavery. However, we don't deal in slaves, so we have to be an intermediary.'
What kind of an educated slave is that?

　For the life of me, I can't connect the two, cultivation and slavery, in Crono's mind.

''Slaves have their own set of circumstances.
Well, I think I'll let you be the go-between.

　Crono wasn't keen on the idea, but it doesn't look like Nikola is too keen on the idea either.



　The sun was setting as we left the Pix Chamber of Commerce after our detailed correspondence.

'Where do you live?　Can I walk you home?
Over there.

　The girl took Crono's hand and started walking away.
　She didn't pay, so maybe she's trying to keep Crono from running away.

'Who do you live with?'
Mom.

　Crono asked, and the girl answered shortly.

'Why are you working?'
"...because my mother is sick. I work so hard, but I'm just trying to eat, I'm just trying to make ends meet.

　The girl realized that Crono was a nobleman, and she hurriedly reiterated it.
　The girl took him by the hand and Crono went to the outer edge of the city.

''Brother........but are you a nobleman?''
You can be my brother. And he's a nobleman, for one thing.

　Mu," the girl said, wrinkling her brow and stifling her silence.

'You don't like the nobility?'
'I hate.........　And, but I like my brother, he bought me flowers.

　As the girl struggled to make up her mind, Crono could only smile bitterly.

'Why do you hate the nobility?'
'Mother, I used to work for the Marquis of Erakis, but I got sick and he kicked me out.

　If you talk to people in town, all you'll hear is bad words about the Marquis of Erakis.

'I don't like the soldiers either. But I love the dog soldiers, they are white, fluffy and always ready to help. They're white, fluffy, and always willing to help.

　Good job, my man!　And Crono admired his men in his mind.
　When the sun had gone down, Crono finally reached the girl's house.
　It was a shabby house, worthy of being called a barracks, and the houses around it were similar.

''It looks ... unsafe.''
Hey, bro.

　In less than three seconds, my fears were proven true.
　A hooligan-looking man called out to me.

'Stop it!　I don't have any money to give you!
Godd*mn it, you little shit!

　Why do I have to add fuel to the fire!　And Crono shielded the girl from the old man.
　A dull shock hits the chest.
　If it's an opponent of this level, you could subdue it with your bare hands, but it's impossible to do so while protecting the girl.

''Hey, is there anyone out there?

　It wasn't just a thug, or maybe it was just a thug, but people were coming out of the darkness in a sluggish manner.
　While defending the girl, Crono bit his teeth at the inability to use the magic he had acquired.
　The Heavenly Cardinal Kagura has too much killing power.
　The next moment after the old man raised his arm, a single arrow stabbed at his feet and a white wind passed right by Crono's side.
　White fur, the werewolf centurion.
　The werewolf centurion overpowered the old man in the blink of an eye, threatening the men who came out of the darkness.
　The men tried to stamp out, but

General, shall I kill them all?
'I don't have to kill you, if you'll just leave without doing anything.

　The huge body of his second-in-command and Crono's words made me run away from him.

'Master Crono!'
Leila. Thank you for saving my life.

　Wary of her surroundings, Leila leaned in close to protect Crono.

''Crono-sama, this area is one of the least safe areas in Hachel.
I have experienced firsthand.

　A cold sweat runs down my spine, as if it's too late now.

''Mino-san, Leila I have an errand to run, so can you wait for a moment?''
That's right. The general's orders.
I will risk my life to secure the exit.

　These two would be able to handle a bunch of thugs hanging on to them.

'Would you mind letting me meet your mother?
Okay, but why?

*

　The girl's mother was doing needlework in bed, but as soon as she saw the bandages wrapped around the girl, she jumped off the bed.

'Ariston!　What's wrong with you if you're late getting home?
'I almost got run over by a carriage, and my brother saved me.

　Quickly, Alyson's mother looked at Crono.

'I don't know who you are, but thank you for helping my daughter.
No, I was just doing the obvious.

　After that, the conversation stopped and Crono looked around.
　The house has dirty walls and a leaky ceiling, and it lacks even the bare minimum of furniture.
　
　There are even those who try to steal money from the children, just like the man before.

'Now I am looking for a servant.
I'm very, very grateful for the offer, but I'm sick at the moment.

　Tightly, Arisun clings to her mother.



　Alyson's mother seems to be confused by the unbeatable treatment, but there's no other way but to have her trust Crono for this.

''........I understand.

　After a few moments of thought, Alyson's mother accepted Crono's suggestion.

*

　Quickly packing up, Crono took his second in command, Leila, the werewolf centurion, Alisun and her mother to the Marquis' mansion.
　Crono pulled Alisun's hand and the deputy dressed to pick up Alisun's mother.
　Leila looked enviously at Alisun as she and Crono held hands, but she didn't complain.
　Leila was the one who noticed the oddities in the Marquis Erakis mansion the earliest.

''Lady Crono, someone is making a scene at the gate.
Is it the landlady?

　Crono's premonition was true.
　The landlady and the gatekeeper were engaged in a shoving match at the gates of the Marquis of Erakis' residence.

''That's why I said Master Crono called you here!
'Don't lie to me!　Baron Crawford wouldn't have summoned a woman of your caliber!　Get the hell out of here!
Well, at least give Mr. Crono a call.

　The landlady was an aggressive person, Crono revised his first impression of her, including today's incident, significantly.

'Ahhh, you guys,'
Baron Crawford!

　Snap!　And the gatekeeper straightened up.

'The lady is right. I'm sure Tilia has told you that I'm looking for a servant.
I told you!　I was sent here by Master Crono.
May, woman!
'What?　How about one word of apology!

　'Well, well, well,' said Crono, interrupting between the landlady and the gatekeeper.

'Any answer, landlady?'
'I'd save your husband's shop, I'd be his cook or his mistress.

　You!　And while quieting the excited gatekeeper, Crono let out a sigh in his mind.
　Well, how should I put it......It seems to be a long way ahead.