*

　In the Marquis of Erakis mansion the former accounting officer's room Crono listens to the exchange between Elena and the landlady.
　He's really just listening, though, lying on the sofa and looking at the stack of papers on the table.
　I tilt my gaze up and look at Elena.
　Her bruised skin has regained its translucent whiteness, and her blood and dust-stained hair has regained its original color.......dark blonde.......
　He's more skinny than smart, his eyes look cocky, and the freckles around his nose make him look like a hated character from a long ago cartoon.
　Elena has spent the morning devouring the ledgers in order to keep track of the financial situation of the Marquess of Erakis.
　Her eyes sparkle with the same gleam in them as the landlady's when she seduced Crono, and frankly, she's scared.
　I guess she's thinking about revenge or something, Crono let out a heavy sigh.
　If so, one could wickedly guess that the collar that Elena voluntarily wore had some kind of intentions as well.

''........What is this hearth tax and firewood tax?''
'It's just like you read it. There's a tax here for the hearth, for the firewood, for the bridge, for the newlyweds to have their wedding night.

　Elena asked with a dubious look on her face, and the landlady replied with a look that said, 'What's the norm?

'How could you not revolt like this? Taxes, taxes, taxes, taxes from cradle to grave, it's disgusting, lord of this place.'
They didn't pay so much money they didn't have to revolt. But for some reason, I don't know why the number of customers has been dropping. Now I'm in debt to the tune of 100 gold coins.

　The landlady let out a deep sigh as she remembered the time it took to pay off the debt.

If taxes are raised, consumption will be suppressed, and if consumption is suppressed, the income of producers will also decrease. If everyone can't afford it, customers won't come back.

　Crono said to the landlady while remembering the sales tax and cigarette price increase.

So what are you going to do about it?
I'll repeal taxes that don't make sense, and I'll lower other taxes if they're too high.
Why didn't you become my lord earlier?

　Crono said, and the landlady bit her teeth in frustration.

''Then ... your tax revenue will be reduced by thirty thousand gold coins, just over sixty thousand.

　Elena is staring at the ledger with serious eyes, but she doesn't seem to be too unhappy about it.

'It's July now and the wheat is being harvested, and the taxes will be paid in October, so as long as it's not too much trouble, we'll be fine.
Hopefully, we can get the handover done by the end of the month.

　Crono picked up the paper prototype and held it up for no reason.

''........I mean, is paper that rare?''
'Nope. I made the paper in our workshop, so I figured out how to mass produce it.

　Huh?　And Elena hurriedly approached Crono and picked up a sheet of paper on the table.

''..........Shh, I can't believe it!
There's a lot of paper in here.

　Elena's eyes widened in surprise, but the landlady didn't seem that interested.
　Still, perhaps curious enough to walk up to Crono, the landlady also picked up the paper on the table.

It's just a matter of time before you get the chance to see it.
'The paper process is supposed to be kept secret, but a dwarf made this?
'I gave you a very simple explanation but that doesn't fall within the description, so it's all the centurion's fault.

　The paper is made by jabbing the plant's boiling water.
　Crono isn't shameless enough to take credit for such an explanation.

'But how?'
'The centurion said you steamed the bark from the tree, or dipped it in water, peeled it off, and then boiled it in water mixed with wood ashes... all sorts of things, and then mixed the cottony bark into the water, and then zabbed it in a wooden frame, and that's what you got?

　The dwarven centurion has given me a detailed explanation of the process, and I've saved it on paper, but this is about all Crono can explain without looking at anything.

'Huh, I didn't know paper could be made from tree bark.
But it's expensive, isn't it?
'I don't think so. If I employed ten men for a single daily silver coin, if I could make two thousand four hundred pieces of paper, I could get my money's worth for a single brass coin.
Not a third of a parchment.
If you miss a note, you can easily remake it, so that's more convenient than parchment.

　With Elena at his side, Crono took the paper from the table.
　It looks and feels just like washi paper.
　Crono has never had anything to do with washi, no matter how many times it is said that he came from Japan.
　Since such a me is having Washi made in another world, there was a strange connection.

'An........not, what is Crono-sama thinking about?
'As a lord, he wants to enrich his domain, and as a boss, he wants his men to be happy.
Little man ouch!

　Elena said in a disdainful tone of voice, and with a pop, the landlady poked Elena in the head.

'Why, you're hitting me!'
'Don't listen to Master Crono.　What's the matter with you, my lord who's this good-looking, what's wrong with you?
'It's not this guy ... it's Master Crono's lack of ambition that frustrates me!　Even 'paper' is a product that can make huge profits!

　Elena shouted, pointing at Crono.
　As an avenger, Crono, who had little ambition, would be a difficult opponent for Elena to use.
　If he had put a little more of his vengeance in his teeth and hid his vengeance, he might have been made to be a part of the revenge, but from Crono's point of view, the current Elena is a very easy servant to handle.
　It was at that moment that Leila's voice sounded from the communication crystal.

''Crono-sama!''
I'd rather let Leila handle the food, okay?

　She must have been smart to begin with.
　In just one and a half months, Leila is able to read and write simply and do first grade level arithmetic.
　If she keeps this up, she might be able to acquire an elementary school graduation level of academic ability in half a year.

''No, it's not!　A peddler was attacked by thieves!　It looks like it was only a superficial wound, but Princess Tyria's vassals are at the filling station right now, asking about the situation.'
I'll be there in a minute.

　Jumping up, Crono ran out of the room.

*

　I told him I would be there soon, but the stuffing station on the outer edges of the city was too far away.
　For some reason, the stables of the Marquis' mansion are devoid of horses.
　When Crono arrived at the filling station, a merchant was coming out of the filling station looking exhausted and exhausted.

''Oh, Master Crono!''

　As soon as he saw Crono, the merchant knelt in place.
　Not many merchants knew Crono's face.
　The merchant who had sold the Marquis of Erakis' property, the man involved in the Pix Chamber of Commerce, Miles the brothel owner, and the slave-trader who was now clutching Crono's hand and weeping.

'Master Crono, all of our goods have been taken by the bandits!　Please, please, please get your goods back!
Yeah, yeah, I'll do my best.
"Stolen slaves...

　Crono could only give a vague answer to the slaver who described the characteristics of the stolen slave with gestures. It's difficult to explain that her tits are big, her ass is big, and so on.
　Still, the reason Crono can't treat it indefinitely is because the slaver is a straightforward merchant.
　As someone who knew Elena, who was ripped to shreds, it's painful for me, but this man follows the laws set by the empire and pays his taxes properly.
　''Please, please,'' the slaver said repeatedly before wandering off in a huff.

''........Master Crono.''
"Thank you for reporting back to me, Leila.
No, no, it's my duty.

　When Crono stroked her cheek and played with her pointed ears, Leila's eyes narrowed in comfort.
　The gap between the cool exterior and the delirious interior is unbearable.
　I would have liked to play with her ears forever, but Crono removed his hand from Leila's ear.
　The twin elves were looking at Leila enviously from the shadows of the building.
　Immediately Leila came to herself and looked down in embarrassment.

'Are there a lot of bandits around here?'
Since I was assigned to the Marquis of Erakis, the bandits have only been defeated once.

　Crono crossed his arms, saying that it was rare for merchants to be attacked outside the city.
　As far as his reputation was concerned, the Marquis of Erakis didn't seem to have a good government, and there was probably a predisposition for a bandit gang to be born.

''After all, is the matter of the Holy Argo Kingdom also a factor?
What do you mean by that?

　The question was returned with a question, and Crono chuckled.

'They were defeated once, and I think the reason the bandits didn't form a clique until now is because they were wary of the army. But then the Marquis of Erakis escaped, so maybe the bandits' vigilance was loosened.

　Crono cowered his shoulders, "It's only an expectation, though.

'You're late, Crono!
I didn't have a horse.

　He turned around with an excuse and saw Tyria resting her ample breasts on the crummy window sill of the stuffy room and glaring at Crono.

'It looked like you were talking to that half-elf over there?

　Leila turned her head down as if she was frightened when Tilia gave her a swift look.

'Leila, I'm sorry I stopped you,'
Oh, excuse me.

　Crono called out softly, and Leila bowed and ran to the twin elves.
　Why was he hitting Leila so hard?　Crono nodded his head.

'What are the details of the case?'
We'll talk about it when we get inside.

　The eyes of Tyria's men focused on Crono as he entered the stuffing station.
　It wasn't a friendly atmosphere, but Crono pretended not to notice it and sat down on an empty chair.

''My men interrogated them and they said the merchant was attacked by cavalry. Yeah, and when I say cavalry, I don't mean heavy cavalry. They said he was wearing dirty leather armor.

　Tilia didn't even check herself, but her heart was pounding in her chest.
　Burrrrr!　The boobs dazzle as they assert themselves.

'Are you a mercenary crumbling, or are you faking it?'
Why would you need to fake it?

　Crono muttered, and Tilia tilted her head curiously.

'My colleague was missing. Worst of all, I thought he might even be duping himself into a bandit.'
'Shouldn't we assume the bandits attacked us rather than think they were disguised as thieves?
'Yeah, but ... maybe Tilia doesn't know what happened to my colleague?'
I don't know. I had my hands full organizing my own vassals.

　Tilia said as if it were someone else's business.

'Huh, I'll have to ask the Marquis of Erakis?
He's dead.

　Huh?　Crono couldn't help but ask back.

I said that the Marquis of Erakis took poison to die. A so-called suicide by poisoning.
I wish I didn't have to embezzle public funds before I killed myself.

　Crono could only let out a sigh, "That was a surprisingly fragile place, wasn't it?

'Totally. Well, thank goodness it saved me a lot of torture.
It was probably a good idea to kill yourself.

　Crono crawled a finger over the wound in his right eye and muttered softly.

*

　When Crono returned to the former accountant's room, he found Elena struggling alone with the ledger.
　There was no sign of the landlady, perhaps preparing lunch.

'What happened to the bandit?'
Actually....

　Crono briefly explained the situation.

You're not gonna like what you did to me after all those times you beat me up!　Slave-traders, yikes!

　That's Elena's reaction.
　Suck it up!　Bummer!　Crono plopped down on the sofa with a sideways glance at Elena who repeated, "I'm not too happy about it.

'As for me, I'm not too happy about it.
Why?

　Elena raised her eyebrows grimly and glared at Crono.

'The flow of goods and money would be slowed down if word got out that bandits were going to be on the streets.
Hmm.

　Elena let out an impressed voice and sat down on the sofa where Crono was lounging.

''Are you really an aristocrat?''
An aristocrat.

　'Adopted, though,' Crono added in his mind.

''To be honest, I can't see how Crono-sama is a nobleman. It's not like a nobleman to treat both commoners and sub-humans equally, and I can't believe that he would buy me, who was such a wreck, to have a half-elf as his mistress.

　Elena leaned forward and looked at Crono.

'Here, I still think I'm grateful to you for this. So ... you know what I mean?

　Elena whispered in a flirtatious, seductive way.
　But Crono didn't miss the moment when Elena's eyes lit up.

'It's enough that you do the accounting work for me.
'What?　You're messing with a half-elf and you don't want to f*ck me!

　Elena grabbed her by the chest, and Crono made her body tense up.

''Even if a woman with an apparent ulterior motive makes a pass at me I'm going to be deflated.
It's okay.　You'll get to f*ck me, a quasi-aristocrat, without a second thought!

　Women are so scary, Crono held such an impression as she rocked back and forth.
　Hah, hah, Elena pauses, breathing in her shoulder.
　Through the gap, Crono raises his body and lays Elena on top of him.

''.....　What?

　Elena's eyes are black and white in surprise, but it's not that difficult.
　There is simply too much of a difference in strength between Crono and Elena.

''What do you want?''
I was just trying to show my gratitude.
Didn't I tell you that I can see the ulterior motive?

　Elena let out a small scream as Crono lightly pulled on the collar.

'Kuh, you can pull the collar, but please don't hit me. Hey, hey?
　For a change, a color of fright comes into Elena's eyes.

　Being so blatantly frightened like this, on the contrary, stimulates my sadistic desires.

'I won't hit you,'
...Hi!

　Elena screamed exaggeratedly and shuddered as Crono traced his index finger down her neck to her navel.

'But I'll bite. Olesama, omaha, markajiri.


　When Crono bit into her neck, Elena let out a scream without a trace of s*x appeal.
　It was only a sweet bite, but it was too much of a reaction, probably due to her experience of being ripped to shreds by the slavers.
　At first, Elena was about to push Crono away, but soon enough, the strength left her arms.
　When Crono let go of her body, Elena was breathing raggedly.

'When you learn from this, don't provoke me too much.
Okay, okay, okay.

　Hey, here, you pervert!　And Elena stood up to push Crono away, and before she had taken three steps, she was on her ass.

'Are you okay?'
Oh, you bit me and I'm losing my shit!

　Did I scare you too much?　And Crono once again laid down on the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.

''Well you're a bandit, you're going to be in trouble.
　Crono's fears were right on target.

*

　
　They had testified that they had been attacked by cavalrymen in flimsy leather armor as they rode down the street, so it was safe to assume that they were the same culprits.

'Why!　Why can't you catch the thief?

　When Crono was summoned to the office, he shook his beautiful blonde hair and looked at Tilia, who was reprimanding her subordinate with a sigh.
　Tilia had a big picture view and abilities that far surpassed Crono's, but when it came time for her to become a party to the situation, her vision suddenly narrowed.

''Tilia, calm down,''
I am calm!
'You're on the verge of fire?

　Tilia seemed to regain her composure as Crono made a light comment.

''Well that was a little too emotional, forgive me.
Ha!

　Tilia looked mortified and sat back in her chair deeply.

'Crono, do you have an opinion?'
I've been waiting to hear that for a week.
'And I don't blame you!　The cavalry are my men, and you've been running around the people like a busy man!

　Crono let out a sigh, 'I guess that's what we're doing now, going up to the shipyard with more boatmen, I guess.

'Thanks to you, I'm ready to take over, and it looks like I'll be able to start the paper workshop.
I don't know what you're talking about, but what would Crono do?
First, I'd start by reinforcing the patrol on the streets.
I've already done that.

　Tilia said as she spat out.
　Well, he knows that he can't cover the entire city road with his limited men.

''If that doesn't work, we'll find a bandit stronghold.
How?
'As you know, taking care of a horse is a lot of work. They need stabling, they need food, they need clean water.
Hmm, so there are only a few bandits in the area.

　'That's what I mean,' Crono smiled.

'As soon as we find out where the bandits are based, we'll take care of it all at once!　Crono, get ready now!
It's all set.

　Huh?　Tilia blinked at him in surprise.

'I'd heard about it from an old soldier and had my sights set on it. I didn't know where the bandit's spies would be mixed in, though, so it took me a while to get ready for it.
Are you really a chrono?

　Unbelievable, Tyria looked at Crono.

*

　Crono's men and Tyria's vassals left the city of Hachel under the shade of night.
　Their destination was an old fort about a hundred kilometers from Hachel.
　According to the deputy, the fort was built on a tree-covered hill and there was a small village at the foot of it.
　
　In order to save time and conserve strength, Crono's men are divided into ten carriages.

''Hmph, it's getting cold at night, isn't it?
I'm not cold.
'I'm cold!　You're keeping warm in your half-elves!

　Tilia called out in the back of the covered carriage.

''Well Master Crono, I'm not cold either.''
It's warm, but it's cold inside.

　Crono and Leila are both wrapped in one blanket, and the twin elves are wrapped in the same way.
　Aside from the larger lizardmen and minotaurs, the two human-sized sub-humans are using one blanket together.

''........Crono-sama, may I come a little closer?''

　Before Crono could reply, Leila pressed her body close together.

'Ku, Crono!　Yep, that half-elf looked at me and smiled!

　Crono checked Leila's expression, only to see her cheeks stained with embarrassment.
　Woo~!　And Tilia snorted in frustration and wrapped herself in the blanket alone.

'Crono, do you think we have too few people to attack the castle?
''I'm not going to attack you. This time there have been no deaths, and I'm going to suggest that you surrender.
You're too soft!

　Tyria shouted and jabbed a finger at Crono.

'If sinners are not brought to justice, no one will follow the law.
"Your Highness.
"Shut up, half-elf!
'Your Highness, Lady Crono has advised you to surrender.

　Leila met Tilia's gaze squarely on her without taking a step back.

'What do you mean?'
If you won't surrender, we'll give you food. According to my lieutenant, there is only one gate to the fort. Of course, I've been preparing to fight it, too.
By "ready," you mean the bow?

　Tyria looked at the bow held by Leila and the twin elves.
　The bow was shaped like a 'Σ' and had a pulley attached to the tip called a rim.

''It's a strange bow. I've never seen a bow with a pulley on it before.
I made a synthetic bow, but I couldn't pull the strings with my elven muscles.

　It nearly drove the dwarves to the brink of overwork, but thanks to the pulley, a new type of bow with long range and high power that could be drawn down even by elven muscle power was perfected.

I think I'll call it a machine-gun bow.
Get a jacket.

　Crono chuckled.

'How much do you think I invested in making a single machine-building bow?
Wow! I'm the princess. Give it to me.
"What's wrong with the princess is wrong with her.

　Tilia snorted and turned away in a huff.

'Leila, get some sleep,'
　As I held Layla in my arms and stroked her hair and ears, the twin elves looked at Crono and the others with envy.
'Eh~ What is it?'
I'm so cold inside, I'm afraid I'm going to freeze to death.

　They hummed beautifully and closed the distance between them and Crono on all fours.

'So, I hope you guys can pet us too,'
If that's what you want.

　Crono stretched out his free arm and gently stroked one's head.

'Mi, pet their ears and ... their names.
That's not fair, Deneb!　Oh, I'm Aride!　I'm next, so I'm next!

　The one you're stroking now is called Deneb, apparently.

"...Deneb.
....

　He called out softly and played with his ears, and Deneb turned away from the meekness to hold back his tears.

'Next, me!'

　Alideed pushes Deneb away.

'....Ariddead.
Heh.

　Unlike Deneb, Alideed smiled ticklishly.
　After a round of stroking, they returned to their original positions, seemingly satisfied.

'Master Crono, your hand has stopped.
Oh, I'm sorry.

　That night, Crono continued to stroke Leila's hair and ears until she was satisfied.

*

　Early the next morning, the strike team arrived at the village.
　It was a remote village with only about fifty houses.
　You can see the silhouette of a fort at the top of a tree-covered hill in the back.

I'm not sure what to expect.
"Mr. Minot, Leila, stay here, and be flexible in case of bandits.
Isn't that a toss-up?
Yeah, I'd say so. Rizad, Deneb, and Arid, follow me. Tilia doesn't look like she's going to wait.
Of course.

　Tyria, clad in white and silver armor, nodded hawkishly.
　As Crono led the way into the village, the villagers hurriedly closed the door panels.
　In the blink of an eye, there was no one left, and Crono stopped in the center of the village.

'What do we do now?'
'Crono, you had an idea, didn't you?

　Crono looked around, "In an RPG, it's where the village elders come out," he said.

'Master Crono, someone's coming up to you?
Kill?　Or do you want them alive?
I don't see that talking is an option.

　Controlling the two men who held their bows, Crono walked up to the old man.

''As for which nobleman,'' he said, ''I've heard a rumor that there are bandits around here?''

　When Crono interrupted the dialogue and said, the old man looked blatantly surprised.

'Can you tell me a story?'
Come to my house.

　The old man led them to a leaning house...more like a hut...more like a hut....
　With Rizad and the twin elves waiting outside, Crono and Tyria entered the house.
　When Crono and Tilia sat down on a crude chair, the old man also sat down on the chair, as if reluctantly.

''Well it was two months ago that the bandits came to that fort.

　When Crono smiled, the old man began to tell the story of what had happened so far.
　It seems that right after the bandits took over the fort, the villagers were wary of them.
　Some villagers had tried to appeal to the lord, but they decided to remain quiet rather than get angry and get everyone killed.
　They figured that since the robbers hadn't taken any food or taken any of the village girls away, they would leave after a while.
　A month passed and a change occurred.
　The bandits on horseback joined them.
　Again, the villagers did nothing.
　None of them did anything that could be called real harm, and they paid us properly to buy fodder for their horses.
　One day, the bandits brought a group of young women with them.
　This was the only time the villagers were upset.
　But the bandit asked them to leave the women in the village.
　If you ask them, they said they were daughters enslaved against their will.
　They couldn't afford it, but the villagers decided to hide the girls.
　It is a remote village.
　Once, some villagers would have sold their daughters to slavers.
　That guilt made them hide their daughters.

'I understand the situation, but we have to take out the bandits,' he said, 'and in some cases you are guilty of it. 'I understand the situation, but we have to take out the bandits. But I don't want to do that. So, would you mind giving me a chance to talk to the master of the bandits?
Yes.

　The old man dropped his head helplessly.

'Will you give us a chance to talk?　That was a threat.

　As they left the old man's house, Tilia mimicked Crono's lines.

Anything unusual?
'No, girls in this village have big breasts, don't they? And her ass, too.
I mean, we've gotten a little bigger, but we're still a little insecure.

　Crono chuckled when he heard their impressions.
　A few moments later, the old man came out of the house.
　The old man looked at Crono for a moment and started walking towards the fort.

'Mino-san, Leila you need to move the troops to the bottom of the hill.

　Taking out the communication crystal, Crono gave the order.

*

　Crono positioned himself to block the road connecting the gates of the fort from the foot of the hill.
　The vanguard was a sub-human led by Rizad, and the rear guard was a mixed force of elves and half-elves led by Leila.
　Tyria's men are waiting further back in case they are left out.
　The old man came back from the fort when he had finished his brief lunch.

''Well if you're coming with a small group, I'll listen to you.
Crono, it's a trap.
If you don't go into the tiger's den, you won't get any help from the tiger.

　Just as Crono looked around, Leila stepped out.

'Crono-sama, please take me with you.

　Crono almost stuck his tongue out at the thought.
　If this was a trap, a small group of people would be left stranded inside the fort.
　Crono, being a man, would only be able to get killed, but Leila wouldn't be able to just get killed.
　So, even though they had decided not to take any female soldiers with them.

'I understand Master Crono's concern, but I've been prepared for it since I left the city of Hachel.

　Leila drew her dagger and addressed it to her neck.

'This body belongs to Master Crono, down to a strand of hair. I would rather die than be defiled by someone else.

　Leila said matter-of-factly, without even a hint of euphoria.
　Crono struggled to control his anger.
　It wasn't anger at Leila, but anger at his own inability to force her to make such a determination.

'Layla, put the dagger away.
Ha!

　Crono traced a finger over the wound in his right eye.

Leila, Lizad, follow me.
Ha!
Yes, sir.

　He led them up the hill.
　The road that stretched to the fort was finally wide enough for two horses to pass.
　The slope is quite tight, and even large sub-humans could be blown away if a reverse drop is set up.
　When Crono and the others arrived, the gate opened with a creak and a creak.
　The inside of the gate was wide, and about fifty horses were eating tame leaves in the crude stables.
　Gazes tinted with hostility and excitement stabbed at Crono and the others...the former at Crono and Rizad, the latter at Leila.
　He spotted a familiar face among the bandits, but Crono ignored him.

It's a small group, just like we promised!

　As Crono raised his voice, the door of the fort in the center - which was only one stone building - opened and a man came out.
　The man walked up to Crono with a large stride and smiled wildly.
　His age may or may not reach the age of thirty.
　He was a head taller than Crono, and his steel-like muscles covered his entire body.
　His red-copper-colored skin was etched with many scars, as if to tell the number of shuras that he had gone through so far.
　No matter what kind of vicious face he had, his eyes were sharp, but his overall appearance was refreshing.

''I'm the head of the bandit gang, Kane. I'm actually a mercenary as well........You've got something to talk about, come inside.

　At Kane's urging, Crono and the others stepped into the fort.
　The inside of the fort was not separated by walls, just a large table in the center and a bed at each end.
　Perhaps they had restored a fort that had been discarded in a much older era.
　With a single glance, Kane evicted his men from the table and sat down in a plop.

'Why did you come here?'

　Kane said, folding his hands.

'It's a surrender notice,'
An ordinary nobleman would just go at it without a word. An ordinary nobleman would attack without saying a word. A cunning nobleman would say, "Give me your money so I can let you off the hook," but you're the first nobleman to say that.

　Grinning, Kane smiled.

'Why?'
'I don't want to kill anyone. So I'm willing to mitigate my crimes if you're willing to surrender here.
What, you think you've already won?
That's right, you've lost.

　Crono said, and the expression disappeared from Kane's face.

'All we have to do is watch the entrances and exits of the fort and wait for you guys to starve to death. You know that, and that's why you agreed to discuss it, right?
They were just pretending to get you to come along, you know?

　Face to face, Crono and Kane laughed.

'You weren't as dumb as I thought you were. You're right, we're done when we're hardened in the foothills.''

　Kane cowered his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.

'But I've got to convince my friends to come, so give me time until tomorrow.　Of course we won't make you wait for free. I'll make it worth your while.
All right.

　Exhaling, Crono sat up.

'I'll be waiting for you at the gates of the fort tomorrow, this time.
Yeah, I'll pick her up on my own.

　Looking over his shoulder at Kane, Crono walked out with Leila and Rizad.

'....Crono.
Yeah, you.

　Crono stopped in his tracks when his name was called.
　

''I heard you drove away the Argo Kingdom Army...''
How did you... become a thief?
"When the Marquis of Erakis fled, I realized that the nobles of the Cepheus Empire were no longer capable of defending their country. I realized that the nobles of the Cepheus Empire were no longer capable of defending their country.

　'You're a nobleman too,' Crono muttered in his mind.

'Hey, even Crono realizes that, right?　This country is screwed. So it should be rebuilt anew. A country where hard work is rewarded.
What's the point of raising money for that?
''It's a tiny bandit group now, but if you help me out... Oh, no, you're in charge of the Marquess of Erakis, aren't you? But will you think about it?
If you just think about it.
　Outside the gate, Leila leaned closer to Crono.
'Do you want to get on that story now?'
I'm not getting in.

　Crono replied, and Leila let out a breath of relief.

'What did Leila think?'
'Compared to that man's story, I have more faith in Crono-sama's story that he came from another world.
I didn't believe it.
Oh, it was such a rash thing to say.

　Leila looked down apologetically.

'Well, I have to get ready for tomorrow.

*

　The next day, Crono started up the hill of the fort at the appointed time.
　The formation of the strike force remained the same as yesterday, but they had decided how to handle the emergency.

''Yo, I've been waiting for you,''

　When Crono finished climbing the hill, Kane was standing alone at the gate.
　He was dressed in a clean-cut outfit, with his stubble shaved off, as if he had made up his mind to do so.
　The gates were opened as if to show their intent to surrender, and many of the bandits were staring at Kane with a divine look on their faces.
　However, about twenty bandits were dressed in heavy equipment and mounted on horses.

''Don't worry about those guys on horseback. They're just in case you don't keep your word.
Yeah, well, if I break my word.
Yeah, and if you don't get enough of my head, they're going to fight you.
And you're ready to run away, aren't you?
What....?

　Faster than he could say, Crono stood to protect Kane.
　In the next moment, the arrows fired by the cavalrymen pierced Crono's chest.
　Taking that as a signal, twenty cavalrymen rushed to the gate.
　Unable to understand the situation, Kane's men were leapt off.

''d*mn it!　I didn't give you this order!

　Kane tried to stop the cavalry with one body, but the weight was too much for him.
　The assault spear closed in on Kane.
　Crono grabbed Kane's arm in the nick of time and jumped into the bushes.
　They tangled together and rolled down the slope.



　After all, Master Crono's prediction was correct.


I'm coming.

"Lads, get your shields up!　You're ready to go, Leila!'

Of course.

　Leila stood in front of the shield ... in the front row and quietly waited for the moment.
　The bandit's horse is a warhorse trained to not be frightened when it hears loud noises.
　From what I saw yesterday, they were well cared for, and if they used their momentum down the hill, they could easily break down the enclosure the large sub-human was building.
　The cavalry galloped down the hill and

Flame Dance!

　The spell imprinted on her brain unpacked.
　The letters slid down her vision like a waterfall, and the completed spell converted Leila's magic into a physical phenomenon.
　Explosions and crimson flames blasted out from right below the warhorse.
　No matter how well trained they are, a horse is a horse.
　The sudden sound and flames caused by the sudden sound and flames caused them to panic and rampage as if they wanted to shake off their riders.

''Crush it!''
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

　Following the orders of his second-in-command, the large sub-human rushes forward with his shield at the ready.
　Losing speed, the rampaging horse was pushed by the shield and turned into a pole.
　As the large sub-human pushed the shield in, the horse lost its balance and fell with its rider on top of it.
　But only five horsemen were knocked down.
　The following horsemen tried to scrape their way through the turbulent enclosure, but the next moment, one was blown off his upper body, and the next the entire head of his horse was crushed to the bone.
　He was hit head-on by his second-in-command, Paul Axe, and by Rizad's mallet.

'Wind!' (BUMO)
"....thunder.

　A blade of wind arising from the poleaxe cut through the remaining cavalry, and the lightning born of the mallet pierced the cavalry.
　The ten horsemen turned into corpses in the blink of an eye, and the remaining five horsemen ran up the hill, forgetting what they had even done.

''Got it!''

　Deneb and Alideed rose up from the bushes and fired arrows at him.
　The cavalryman didn't take any evasive action and was shot straight through and fell to the ground.
　If the arrows fired by the two of them had not been from the machine gun bows, the armor they wore would have prevented them.
　The remaining three planes were blown up the hill by the countless barrels that rolled down the hill in a heap.




I thought I was going to die.
Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

　Crono walked down the hill, lending a shoulder to Kane, who had hurt his leg.
　Both of them rolled down the bushes and were covered in scrapes, but their lives were not in danger.
　As we descended the hill, the battle - a one-sided killing spree that it was ridiculous to call it that - had already ended, and three men were surrounded by sub-humans.
　One was the man who had called out to Crono, and the other two seemed to have met face to face at the Marquis of Erakis mansion.

''Master Crono, ya, the arrows!
Oh, this?

　Crono pulled out the arrow sticking out of his chest.

I'm not hurt.

　The arrow was pierced at the tip, but thanks to the armor and the chainmail underneath it, Crono is unharmed.

''Crono Crawford!　You're going to have to take me on!　If I win, you'll miss me!
Rizad, get him.

　The enclosure cracks as Kane is pushed against Rizad and Crono raises his hand.
　Crono confronted the man and pulled his sword from his waist.

'Before we duel, I need to ask you something. Did you mean what you said yesterday?
Yes. The day the Marquis of Erakis fled, I realized. Aristocrats, those pompous aristocrats, they don't care about the people, they just want to exploit them. I'm not going to die for them!
How far were you planning to run with the money you stole?
Free city-states. If only they had the money, they could live in the lap of luxury. The other guys were thinking the same thing!
...Archers.

　Crono raised his hand, and all at once the archers raised their bows.

''Crono, you promised wrong!
...shoot to kill.

　The arrows that were released rushed into the three men.
　The man writhed with a desperate look, but still, he couldn't duck and was shot through by the arrows.

''Crono, you, you.

　Crono calmly looked down at the man who was spouting curses in a pool of blood.

''Well Crono, I'll be waiting for you in hell.
I'm a Buddhist. I'm going to a different hell than you are.

　Crono sheathed his sword and looked at Kane.

'It's not tight, but I'll give you my head. I'll give you my head, but I'll give you my neck, and you can spare my men's lives. I'll give you my head and my men's lives. They lost their homes, their families, got robbed... yeah, but they were the ones who got robbed.

　Pulling away from Rizad, Kane knelt and hung his head.

'How did you become a bandit?'
It's a common story. When we couldn't pay our taxes because of a bad harvest, my dad and my mom went to the lords to ask for a tax break.
Is that ... the Marquess of Erakis?
No.

　Kane shook his head.
'They killed my dad and my mom. I heard they were speared to death before they could ask for tax relief. Me and my sister ran away from the village, she died on the way, and a group of mercenaries picked me up, and I was a mercenary and a bandit, collecting guys in similar situations... I knew I was being tricked.
Caine, can you ride your horse?
I told you I'm a mercenary too.

　Crono undid his sword belt.

Kane, look up.
.....

　He threw his sword belt and sword to Kane.

What are you doing?
If you're going to die, you should come to me. It's where I wanted someone who could ride a horse, and if you're familiar with the backwoods business, I'd like to have you come to me for advice.
I'm a filthy bandit.
You're my man. You got the sword.
This......

　Kane looked at Crono alternately with the emperor's coat of arms engraved on the hilt of his sword.

''Oh, I heard that was given to the first Marquis of Erakis by His Imperial Majesty.
What do most noblemen consider a treasure, Crono?

　Crono cowered his shoulders as Tilia, who had arrived before he knew it, prodded him.

'Can I hear your answer now?'

　A long, long time passed, and Kane nodded.

*

　The next day, Crono, after finishing the after-action, retreated to his room and tipped his glass.

Yes, Crono-sama. Your landlady has come to keep it with you.
Do you mind if I have a drink by myself?
These things taste better when you're alone with them.

　The landlady poured the wine into the glass in her hand and drank it down deliciously.

''Puha~, as expected of a nobleman!　You're drinking some good wine!

　The landlady poured a glass of wine and rested her weight on the desk.

'Well - are you bothered?'
''I think I know I shouldn't be bothered,''
Hey, sweetheart, let me cheer you up. Come on, come here I said come here!

　The landlady suddenly lost her temper and hugged Crono by force and smiled happily with a kerfuffle.

''........Are you possibly drunk?''
A little bit.

　The landlady stroked Crono's head lightly, as if she were petting a child.

'Sometimes men need to be pampered too, don't they?　That's what makes a good woman a good woman, is to figure that out and spoil her.
It seems to be endlessly indulgent.
That's what makes me a good woman.
Sometimes a night like this isn't so bad. Isn't it?
Yes.

　That night, Crono was spoiled by the landlady in plenty.