*

　When she visited Crono's room, Leila struggled to stifle her fears.
　She might be rejected.
　She might be disappointed.
　She might be raped by force.
　These thoughts were all that swirled around her.
　It took a long time to get to the act.
　Little by little, he closed the distance - and from there on, everything was new to him.
　She was happiest when her lover held her in his arms, according to her dead war buddy.
　Leila had come to realize what that meant, though.


　Even last night, Crono-sama did not love me.


　With such frustration, Leila shot arrows one after another.
　Even in this situation, the skills acquired through blood-soaked training did not dull, and the arrows hit their targets without fail.


　Since you are allowing me to share the bed, it shouldn't be inevitable.
　There shouldn't be any lack of attractiveness on my part, nor should there be any decrease in Crono-sama's s*xual desire.


　Finishing the arrow, Leila checked on her men.
　The three hundred elven and half-elven archers had been reduced in number to fifty in the battle of the Coma Forest.
　It was a frightening number of deaths, but if they had fought on the plains, a thousand of them would have been destroyed in less than a few hours.


　There's no doubt that the 'study' has become a great burden.
　However, Crono-sama doesn't seem to want me to stop 'studying'.
　What is the kind of love that Master Crono is talking about?


Captain Fifty has been pining for Master Chronosphere.
We've been going at it every night. We've been going at it hard.

　As Leila let out a deep sigh, the two elves next to her said mischievously.
　Both of them had blonde hair and blue eyes, the average characteristics of elves, and they looked exactly like them in the mirror.
　As it should be, they........Deneb and Alideed are twin sisters.
　They're one of the few friends I've had since the day I was assigned to them now, but that doesn't mean they don't want me to intensely seek them out, so I'm bothered!　I can't say back.

'Will you invite us too, Master Crono?
It would be a lot easier to be Master Crono's mistress, wouldn't it?
"...I don't think becoming a mistress is going to be easy. I've been under strict orders not to behave like a big shot to my colleagues just because I've become a mistress.

　Leila said, and Deneb and Alydead blinked at her curiously.

'It's not like my image~'
Yeah, well, it's like night and day are reversed, isn't it?

　Deneb and Aridid looked at each other.

"So, what's the real story?!

　I crowded Leila with a sense of curiosity.

'What do you mean?'
''So, since you get out of the barracks every night, every night, and come back in the morning, are you fierce, Master Crono?　Stubborn?　Or do you feel like you're going to come at me hard and not fit my face?
Well, you see, Crono-sama is very, very gentle and careful with me.

　Pressured by the two swordsmen, Leila replied with a hushed voice.

''... gently?''
...polite?

　Leila's words seemed surprising, and they looked at each other.

'After all, I want to be Crono-sama's mistress.
Yeah.

　They murmured sincerely, as if they were trying to get a glimpse of their past male history.

*

I've been feeling a little tight around my chest and butt lately.
Me too. The others have been saying similar things, but what about the Fifty-Man?
I don't need to.

　On their way back to their quarters after the morning's training, Deneb and Alideed mentioned such a thing.
　It was hard to tell because they both wore leather armor, and Leila wasn't aware that her breasts had grown, but it did occur to her.


　I see, that's why Crono-sama was staring at her breasts and wanted to touch her buttocks.


'I guess it's because I can now eat three meals a day?
'You've had two meals before. You've been paid your unpaid wages and stuff, and suddenly you're being treated better.

　The treatment has improved, and that's what every soldier must feel.
　When the Marquis of Erakis was alive and well, there was a clear difference between subhuman and human soldiers.
　However, it seems that human soldiers weren't as privileged as Leila and the others now, either.

''Even the dwarven centurion was happy to have his own workshop.
''I heard that was Crono-sama's own money. Do you know what it was for, Captain Fifty?
'I'm sure it was built to make a new type of bow but I don't know what Master Crono has in mind.

　Leila replied as she said to Nicola of the Pix Chamber of Commerce.


　I don't know what Crono-sama is thinking.
　If I continue to 'study' like this, will I be able to understand Crono-sama's thoughts?　And that meaning that he loves her in his own way, Crono-sama.......


''Isn't that guy from the Pix Trading Company?
What's he doing?

　They looked at the carriage parked near the barracks and said.
　From the looks of it, it looks like they came to deliver the food.
　Until now, the merchants had only left the food, but since the change to the Pix Chamber of Commerce, they started to check the actual number of food.
　Even though it's called checking, the soldiers can't read or even do rudimentary arithmetic, so Crono is doing it.

''Leila-sama, where is Crono-sama?''
I'm sorry, but I'll be with you in a minute.

　Asked by Nicola, Leila took out a communication crystal.
　

''Leila, can you do it for me?''
What?
'I just need to make sure that the delivery note and the actual numbers match. Oh, and I'm going to ask you to briefly explain it to me, so let Nicola take over.

　As he handed her the crystal, Nicola seemed to exchange two or three words with Crono.

'Now, Lady Leila I will explain the numbers to you and ask you to check the numbers.
Hey, Fifty-Five.

　Alideed sounds pathetic, but Leila feels the same way.

'This way,'

　Leila patted her chest as Nicola handed her the delivery note.
　Because all that was written on the delivery note was the name of the item and its number.

'Well, let's start with the barley first.
It's the one in the middle.

　The confirmation process wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, but it took more than twice as long for Crono to confirm it.

'Everything is there, I'm sure of it,'
Now, would you please put Lady Leila's name here?
Hey, hey!

　Deneb, or is it Aridaid?　let out a distressed scream.
　Nicola nodded in satisfaction as Layla finished signing.

''Hey, hey, hey, Captain Fifty!
What is it?

　Alideed, looking like he was about to cry, crowded Leila.

'When did you learn to read or do arithmetic or something?'
I'm interested, too.

　Apparently, Deneb had no intention of sending out a ship to help, so he and Alideed got together and crowded Leila.

''Well Master Crono told me about it.
What?　Huh?　Master Chronosphere is a busy place.　You're training during the day, too, and where do you have time for that?
Well, you know, every night in the Crono's room.

　Leila felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

'Didn't you go out and f*ck every night?'
Well, you see, I was going to do that, and I was going to do that, Mr. Crono.

　Leila replied sullenly.

'How many times have you f*cked her?　You didn't just sneak into the mansion and teach me to write, did you?
Well, there's only two times in two weeks.

　Slumping her shoulders, Leila held up her index and middle fingers.

''Less!　Did you even ask him out properly?
Come on, you're not asking me out.
Just answer the question!
I thought I'd asked nicely, sir, but... if you're going to teach me what I'm supposed to be doing ten years from now, or what we're supposed to be doing a hundred years from now... still, you know, I think I'd be more than happy to oblige if you put the squeeze on me. Please.

　Poppycock, and the two of them are dumbfounded.

I thought he was different, but it's like, I don't know, I've been rushed off the edge of my imagination.
Captain Fifty do you really think they love you?
'Master Crono says he loves me in his own way, but I'm a fool and I don't really understand the love of Master Crono.

　Slowly, my vision was blurred with tears.

''Leila-sama is deeply loved by Crono-sama, isn't she?
"What?　Why, after hearing what you just said, you're getting that impression!
'Do you know what Master Crono really meant!　Tell me about it!　What is it about Master Crono's love?

　The three of them crowded together and Nicola cleared her throat.

'It's only a guess, if that's all right?'

　Leila was straightforward, and Deneb and Alideed reluctantly backed away from Nicola.

'I think that Crono-sama is thinking of five or ten years after Leila-sama.
Why?

　The conversation was suddenly broken and Nicola cleared her throat.

''For example ... this is just an analogy, but let's say, for example, Leila-sama quits the army and looks for another job.
What?　There's no way we subhumans can find another job that easily.
'If you remain uneducated you will find it difficult, I must say. However, if you can read, write and do arithmetic, it's a different story. If you have the minimum academic skills, I can recruit you as an apprentice merchant member at the Marquis de Erakis branch in my custody.

　Nicola replied firmly to Alideed's accusatory words.

''It will be a struggle at first, but once you've achieved success, no one will be able to complain. It's not impossible for you to be entrusted with a branch office or to start your own business association independently. There is also the option of opening a private school.

　Deneb and Ariddead listened to Nicola's story as if they were dumbfounded.
　It was as if a dream-like choice was presented as a real problem.

'What will we be in a hundred years?'
''Well I'm being quite personal, but isn't Crono-sama trying to improve the status of sub-humans?''

　Huh?　And Leila, Deneb, and Alideed could barely hear back.

''If you are successful in business, your influence will naturally grow, and the students of Lady Layla who opened the private school might be active in various fields. It might not be possible in ten years, but in fifty years or a hundred years?　Maybe in a hundred years, sub-humans and humans will be on an equal footing.
What good would it do Master Crono to have that much trouble?
I guess it's love because it doesn't seek profit.

　Layla asked in a snatched voice, and Nicola answered with a serious face.
　Her knees trembled as she wobbled.
　Leila was even afraid of Crono's love, which was too grand.
　But her heart was hot.


　Surely, this is Crono-sama's love, isn't it?


　Leila put her fist on her chest and smiled a small smile.



　Even though the food situation has improved and his pocketbook has warmed up, the nights in the barracks are early due to his long life of poverty.
　As a rule, nighttime is not forbidden, but we are basically not allowed to go out.
　Because I'd rather have a cheap drink in my room than pay for it in a tavern and get sarcastic comments from the owner or get tangled up in other customers.
　As usual, Leila slipped out of the barracks with a brilliant hand and climbed over the high walls of the Marquis of Erakis' mansion.


　Her breasts and buttocks seemed to have grown, but her physical abilities themselves seemed to have increased than before.
　Is this also due to the improved food situation?


　Forming a fist, Leila ran along the walls and through the gardens of the Marquis of Erakis' mansion.


'Who's there!'
.....


　Only today, your instincts are very keen.
　It's not surprising since I've been playing chase for two weeks, but it's not me who gets caught by a soldier who's never been in battle before.


　Leila slipped into the tower where the door was open and tried to get past the soldiers.

'Oh, is it tonight too?'
Please be quiet because the soldiers will hear you.

　As he spoke, Leila glared at the dwarven centurion.

'They have no real combat experience, you know. I'm sure they'll go unnoticed.
It's just a matter of when.

　Just as the dwarven centurion had said, the soldiers on patrol went in a misguided direction without noticing Leila.

''After all, it seems that Princess Tyria's vassals have no real battle experience. Speaking of which........why aren't you returning to the barracks?
'A synthetic bow, new armour I don't want to waste time making paper.
Paper?

　When Leila looked at him, the dwarven centurion was happily soaking the branches and roots in a wooden vat.
　There is not one wooden vat, but more than ten.

'Isn't the paper ... made from ... animal skins?
Crono-sama said that you can make it from plants too. If you jab the juice from plants with a wooden frame, something paper-like will remain or not. Crono-sama himself seems to have a vague recollection of it, so that part was by trial and error.
I'm not sure, but good luck with that.

　Leila parted from the dwarven centurion and climbed up the trees and broke into the castle through the window.
　It's fine to guide the soldiers at random, but the trick to sneaking in is to change the infiltration method each time.
　The sound of footsteps in the castle increases the chances of detection, but it's easy to read the signs here too.

'Hey, what are you doing?'
.....

　When he turned around and unleashed his back fist, the person caught Leila's fist lightly.

''Madam ... why you?''
That's because I'm working tonight.
What are you wearing?

　Fufu, the landlady laughed like a girl and lightly lifted her short skirt.
　By the way, the chest was wide open, revealing about a third of her substantial breasts.

It's been a long time since I've worked for a castle, so I got into it. I'm going to set up a night crawl for Crono-sama with this outfit, but is it ok?
How old are you, landlady?

　Pow!　And instead of a reply, he was slapped.
　I was quite wary, but it seems that this landlady is more skilled than Princess Tilia's vassals.

''I'm.......I'm still only just over thirty.
Why does your voice get smaller at your age?
It's fine. It's fine.

　'Mmm,' said Leila, glaring at the landlady.

'But with the first one here, I think we should stop for the day.
How did you know that?
Of course Master Crono told you.

　The landlady bit down on her absent-mindedness and easily withdrew.


　I don't think Crono-sama will fall that easily, but.......no, she will fall.
　I don't have any proof, but I judge that Crono-sama's defense is less than cloth clothing.


　Regaining her composure, Leila aims for Crono's room.
　


　Apparently, it seems that Princess Tilia is not there.
　I heard that they studied at the same school, but would an imperial princess visit the room of a nobleman with that much intimacy?　Now that I think about it, it's funny how they reacted when they saw a naked Crono-sama and me.


　Huh, and Leila smiled.


　Even if Princess Tilia had special feelings for Crono-sama, their positions are too different.
　Even if Crono-sama achieved a standing promotion, that was a long way off.......


　Sleekly, Leila crept into Crono's room and let out a breath of relief.

'Shall we start again tonight?'
Yes.

　Sitting in a chair, Leila listens to Crono's words and follows the words in the book with only her gaze.
　The book is a myth of the Six Pillar God.
　Once upon a time ... a story written about the age of the gods.
　Perhaps because he had read it for so long, Crono reached for his cup.

''Um, Crono-sama what do you think about a hundred years from now?
'I wish sub-humans were treated better than they are now. If you think about the history of the world I was in, I know that's a difficult path to follow, but if you could do it in that world, there's no reason you can't do it in this one... maybe.

　He added, unsure, because he himself wasn't sure.

''........Um, Crono-sama.

　Tightly, Leila clenched her fists tightly on her knees.

''Um, I........I finally understand what Crono-sama said about love. For a long time, I didn't know what it meant, and I was worried that I wasn't being asked for it, but after the Pix Chamber of Commerce told me about it, I really had to realize it on my own.

　Leila spun the words, almost crying at her own poor performance.

'You have given me, Master Crono, a future for us, haven't you?
I figured that if I could get a minimum level of academics, I'd have more options,
Lady Crono!

　Standing up, Leila jumped into Crono's chest.

''........I'm shallow. Crono-sama is thinking about a hundred years from now and I'm not happy that Crono-sama doesn't love me.
You're not satisfied?

　Leila muttered, and Crono said in a polite manner.

''Look I'm a lord, I'm serious about my future, but I'm not as respectable as Leila thinks I am. It's not like I'm petty or anything, I'm still in the Pix Trading Company today.
The dwarf centurion instructed me to make a paper.
'Nicola said it was imported, so I thought it would be profitable to make it in the Marquess of Erakis. Hopefully we'll reduce the number of vagrants but that's not all I'm thinking about, so if I make a mistake, or if I'm about to make a mistake, feel free to point it out.

　Leila was amused by Crono's humility, and she almost blew it.