*

　As Crono changed into his snuggly tunic and left the mansion, Goldie, the dwarven centurion, approached him with his armor.

''Oh, Master Crono!　The new armor... well, it's a prototype, but it's done.
This is Goldie's armor?

　Crono looked carefully at the armor he had received from Goldie.
　The armor was a standard fantasy breastplate.
　It was a shiny black color, much thinner than the armor of a heavy cavalryman.
　A number of deep grooves ran across the surface, perhaps to increase its strength.

''It's a new design.''
'It's not all about looks!　I mean, the material is different!　The iron is forged by wrapping it in charcoal and then heat-treated during the forming process!　This treatment dramatically increases the hardness and toughness of the steel!

　Goldie, foaming at the mouth, gave a tour de force on the making of steel.

'Well, I've already done the endurance test, sir!

　Huh?　And when Crono looked at his armor again, there were what looked like marks from receiving arrows and swords.

''Attacks with swords were fine, and bows could be prevented from being received at close range if they were conventional, but the arrows fired with the machine tool bow penetrated...''

　As Goldie hung her head helplessly, another dwarf carried the armor, which was full of holes, to the back of the workshop.

''Well, the armor itself is excellent, just because the mechanic's bow is bullshit, so let's switch to this armor.
Oh, thank you.

　Goldie squeezed Crono's hand, half happy, half disappointed.

'You got the result, so no need to thank me. Well, I'm sorry I didn't understand how great your armor is and all that.''
No, thanks to you, Mr. Crono, I've been able to live out my dream since I was young.

　Goldie wiped her tears away.

Master Crono gives his permission.

　Oh!　And the dwarves responded with authority.

'Which way do you think Master Crono will go?
I'm sorry I upset Tilia again. I thought I'd take a wander around town until the heat dies down. Oh, and speaking of which, how's the paper?
I have 50 more for you.
I'll just take the ten cards. All right, try not to work too hard.

　Crono received the washi and left the workshop.

*

　Moving from the Marquis of Erakis mansion to the commercial district, Crono wandered around the stalls.
　The shops in the city of Hachel are mainly stalls, with surprisingly few items.
　It seems that the only ones that deal in a wide range of products are the large merchant associations like the Pix Chamber of Commerce.

''...We don't sell 'potatoes' or 'corn'.

　Come to think of it, I haven't seen potatoes and corn since I came into this world.

''Master Crono!''

　As Crono walked around eating the dried fruit he bought from the stall, the twin elves - Deneb and Arididid - hugged each other.
　I couldn't tell which one was Deneb and which one was Arididid.

''Huh?　We're both....
I went to take out the bandits the day before yesterday!
The Chronosphere has given you the day off.

　With that said, Deneb and Alide brought the dried fruit that Crono was holding to his mouth.

''Sweet!''
Do you want one?

　When Crono held out the dried fruit, Deneb and Alideed chewed on it without saying thank you.

''Well Leila is off too, right?

　Crono pulled out a communication crystal and stopped to think.

'You should have called them.'
Leila must be tired, and it's a bit of a stretch to call her out of the blue.
I don't think so, do you?
'Yes, yes!　He doesn't mind if you call out to him out of the blue and push him down!
You're not such a monster.

　Crono said, and the twin elves tilted their heads in wonder.

''Leila is Crono-sama's mistress, isn't she?''
Yes, but you can't do that.

　Deneb and Alydead looked at each other and raised their eyebrows in difficulty.

''Why?''
Because I love you.
"Is that love?

　Deneb and Alideed questioned him back with a straight face, and Crono felt uneasy about his love, but he convinced himself that pushing him down was definitely not the way to go.

'It may not be the kind of love you guys and Layla want, but I really want to take care of Layla. Then we'll hang out some more.
"Hey, Master Crono?

　Deneb and Alideed let out a sweet sound and hugged Crono's arms.
　They intertwined their arms and gingerly pressed their breasts together.

'We're bored,'
'Yes, yes!　I hope you play with us!
It's not purely for fun, but if that's what you want.

　Yes!　And Deneb and Alideed gave a big smile.
　Crono looked around the stalls, with the two elves in attendance.

'Master Crono, buy that one,'
Master Crono, I want one as well.

　The two of them dragged him away and Crono paid as he was told.
　He was going to refuse if they begged him for expensive items, but he was delicately calculating in choosing cheap food, like grilled chicken legs, dried fruit, or fruit juice.
　As their bellies began to swell and they were begging less and less, Crono stopped in front of one of the stalls.

'Dried radish?'

　There were several bundles of dried daikon radish on the floor.

'No, it's a beet,'

　The woman who was sitting on the wooden box smiled at Crono.
　The woman's age would be somewhere in her mid-twenties.
　Her skin was a healthy wheat color and her dark brown hair was cropped at her shoulders.
　She is wearing a loose ochre robe, but the waistband accentuates the slenderness of her waist.
　His pouty eyes are happy and loose, and looking at him like that makes me feel irresistibly guilty.

''Look who it is, it's the priest of the Yellow Earth Temple.
Mr. Deneb?
'Boo!　I'm Aride and that's Deneb.

　Deneb and Alideed hide behind Crono, and after spinning, they return to their original positions.

'Now, which one of you is Deneb and which one of you is Arididid?'
Is this Mr. Arideide?
'Boo!　I'm a Deneb!

　When the woman pointed unsurely, Deneb raised her arms and said.

''You do understand Crono-sama, don't you?''

　They turned away from Crono again and whirled around in place.

'Now, which one of you is Deneb and which one of you is Alideed?'
You're Arideide.
'Boo!　I'm a Deneb!

　Huh?　And Crono crossed his arms.
　I just gave him a name, even though he said they were twins.
　I don't think I could have made a mistake by simply going around.
　Crono put his hands on their heads, gently stroking their hair and playing with their pointed ears.

'Ehehe.'
....

　The one who called himself Deneb laughed ticklishly and the one who didn't looked up to hold back the tears.

'The one who laughed is Aridid and the one who almost cried is Deneb, so it's right.
"......

　Crono pointed out, and Deneb and Alideed's eyes widened in surprise.
　Well, in short, they took advantage of the fact that they were twins and couldn't tell them apart and told a lie.

'Um, Crono-sama, are you mad at me?'
'I'm not mad at you. But you have to apologize to the priest.

　Crono smiled bitterly at Alydead, who looked up and said.

''I'm sorry!''
No, no, I'm the one who doesn't recognize them.

　Looking at the priest who seemed to be in a hurry, Crono was honestly impressed.
　Apparently, this person has no prejudice against sub-humans.

''This, Beat, was it?''
My father spent decades breeding this fruit according to the teachings of the 'Mother Goddess of Yellow Earth and Fertility'. These are dried to preserve them, but they are very sweet and nutritious.
Yeah, but that's cattle feed.
Yeah, you don't have to sell that stuff.

　It was definitely sweet when I bit into the tip of the beet.

''Upper, Crono-sama!　That's cattle feed!
'Yes!　It's not for humans to eat, you know?
Master Crono?　.........!　I'm sorry, too!

　Bam!　And the priest tossed his robes and flattened himself with a tremendous force.
　In the Cepheus Empire, the theory that priests are free from worldly power does not apply.
　After all, the first emperor suppressed them as thoroughly as Nobunaga did.

''I'm not great enough to be flattened, but... eh, Priestess?
My name is Theon.
Sell me this beat, please.
Yes, that will be one copper.

　Crono held out a copper coin, and Theon took it with both hands.

''You don't have to be so jittery, Crono-sama isn't a terrible person.
Oh, really?
Yeah, yeah, rumors are a crock.
What rumors?

　Deneb and Alideed's faces twitched.

He has the ability to captivate even the most discerning of thieves after he joins Kane.
I don't have a single one of those.

　If I had just one of those things, my life must have been different.

''I heard that someone from the Yellow Earth Temple is running a soup kitchen, is that you, Zion?
Well yes it would be a shame to just ask for donations.
But what about selling livestock food to people?

　'Huh,' said Sion, his body shaking like a puppy in the rain.

''Alideed. The only reason Sion-san is opening a stall is to help the poor.''
"If you're poor, why don't you just work?
Yeah, like you and me, we're going to be soldiers.

　Crono could only let out a sigh at the value of the two men.

'....Deneb, Alideed.
We didn't do anything wrong.
'Yes. But even Mr. Zion isn't wrong.

　Crono knelt down and squeezed Sion's hand.
　Her palms, which were too hard to be a girl, were probably due to the fact that she did heavy work on a daily basis.

''Sion-san, I'll revive the Rescue and Poverty Institute in a while. I have a lot of other things on my mind, but since I'm going to make the Salvation Poverty Institute a priority I want you to be patient for a little while longer.
Mister Crono.

　Theon looked at Crono with moist eyes.

*

You're a priest, but you're not a woman of color.
It's not funny.

　He looks disgruntled, but Deneb and Alideed don't want to leave Crono.
　It's hard to walk because they are holding the beat they just bought, that's the most difficult thing to do.

'Could it be, Crono-sama.......that I'm going to pay you and let you do what you want with your body?
I won't.

　Letting out a sigh, Crono looked up at the Pix Chamber of Commerce building.

''Should I stay here?''
It's okay, I'm not trying to keep it a secret.

　As Crono entered the building with them, Nicola walked up to him before anyone else.

'Master Crono, what can I do for you today?'
Is this just a business thing?
Right this way, then.

　At Nicola's urging, Crono moved to the back office.

'Vel!　Hurry up with the incense tea!
Yes!

　There was a slamming sound and Crono smiled bitterly.

'What can I do for you, sir?'
Today I'm here to sell you this.

　Crono held out a bundle of washi paper, and Nicola took it with a serious look on her face.

'What's this?'
It's a piece of paper I was testing in my workshop.
May I try my hand at writing?

　When Crono nodded, Nicola wrote the words with a quill pen.
　The washi paper in the early stages of development had caught the nibs, but the improved washi had cleared up that problem.

"Huh, it's very comfortable to write with. The drawback is that it's thin, but that's not a problem if you fix it to the board.
How much would you sell for, Nicola?
Since the market price of parchment in the Cepheus Empire is three coppers for one piece of parchment I thought a single copper coin would be appropriate in terms of opening up the market.
So how much are you willing to give me?

　When Crono asked, Nicola fell silent with a greasy sweat on her forehead.
　It wasn't a tactic, but because Nicola was thinking about Crono's physical appearance.

'I'm sorry, that was not fair to ask. Over here, a sheet of paper is one brass coin, and if you can get them to buy a thousand pieces of paper, you won't lose money. But that's on a labor cost basis. If we switched our raw materials from gathering to cultivation the price would probably jump by more than double.
Incense tea for you!

　Ban!　And Vel put down the cups for the four of them and walked out of the office.
　Nicola took the cups with trembling hands.

''If the amount of money that Master Crono first mentioned, we would make four gold and ten silver coins a day just from selling them... Why did Master Crono reveal the cost?''
I felt that if I didn't explain it properly, Nicola wouldn't cooperate with me.
Well I see, Master Crono isn't very good at business.
That's why I'm here.

　Nicola drank the incense tea in one breath and put down her cup.

'Then, for the time being, I will buy the paper made in Crono-sama's workshop for five brass coins. Is it correct to say that we will set a new price when we build a new workshop?
Okay, then.

　Crono wrote two consent forms with the same text and gave one to Nicola.

*

　After a business meeting with Nicola from the Pix Trading Company, they had a light meal at a brothel run by Miles.
　Surprisingly, Miles didn't show any difficulty with Deneb and Alydead's presence, and it was a harmonious dining experience.

'Master Crono worked rather well,'
I hate this Miles guy.
They don't seem like the popular type. I'm going back to the house, but you two...
"Take it to bed.

　Crono compared the two men with Beat.

Do you know any magic tricks to manipulate the cold air?
We're elves. We have all kinds of resources.
Then we'll go to the kitchen together.

　Crono accompanied them to the Marquis of Erakis mansion.
　This time it's the elven twins!　Passing over the gazes of the targeted vassals, Crono stepped into the kitchen on the first floor of the Marquis' mansion.
　The kitchen of the Marquis of Erakis residence is so large that a private home could fit into it.
　There was a huge table, shelves on the wall were lined with polished pans and pots and pans, and something that looked like a stove was installed in the fireplace.

''Oh, geez, Crono-sama.......how did you end up here?
I was wondering if I could borrow the kitchen for a moment, and I think you have the eggs and milk, right?
Yeah, that's right.

　Crono plunged a bunch of beets into the pot and poured the water over them until they were soaked.

'What are you doing?'
It's a bit of an experiment.

　I put a pot on the fire and let it simmer.

What are you going to do with all that cattle food?
I was wondering if you could make sugar.
"Sugar!

　Deneb and Alideed peered at the pots and pans from either side of Crono, an obviously disappointed look on their faces.

'Stand back, it's not safe,'

　I'll just boil it for an hour or so, Crono thought, and put the lid on the pot.

You're a very knowledgeable man, aren't you, Master Crono?
It's all I've read about and heard about.

　Crono doesn't know how far that knowledge can go, either.
　After about an hour or so, Crono separates the juice from the beet in a colander and cooks the juice further.
　It becomes more viscous, and a faint smell of burning can be heard in the air.

'Crono-sama, isn't it burnt?'
It's getting pretty slimy.

　It turned out to be quite sugary, but it would burn if it didn't.

Why don't you fry it in hot water?
Hot water?

　When Crono asked back, the landlady filled a new pot with a small amount of water and put it on the fire.

'I mean to warm up the container with a pot of hot water,' she said. You don't even know how to do that, after all, you are a boy. Come on, I'll do the rest.

　The proprietress transferred the burnt broth to a small bowl and began to 'boil' the water.

'It's getting a little rough,'

　The landlady stirred the broth with a spatula, and after a while it turned into brown sugar.
　The landlady picked up the brown sugar with her fingers and

Yeah, it's definitely sugar.
"Sugar!

　Deneb and Alideed leaned forward and stuck their fingers into the pot.

'Hot!　But it's sweet!
This is the sugar of legends!

　Come to think of it, sugar was a valuable commodity too, and Crono shielded the sugar from them.

'Master Crono, are you trying to keep it all to yourself?'
We're halfway through milk and eggs, landlady, milk and eggs!
Yes.

　Crono put the sugar, milk, and egg yolks in a new container by eye, and whisked lightly.

''Oh, the sugar!''

　Holding the container, I moved the metal bowl from the wall shelf to the table.

Freeze the bowls, both of you.
''Good, but........ice dance!''

　Sizzle!　And the air creaked, and frost covered the surface of the bowl.

'One more shot, just in case,'
"...ice dance!

　Geez!　and the frost thickened and the cold air flowed.
　Crono held the frozen bowl at his side and poured the contents of the container in one go.

'It's cold!'

　Whisking wildly, the sugar, milk and egg yolk mixture turned into a sorbet-like liquid.

'So this is how it is,'

　Crono divided the sorbet onto a plate and offered it to Deneb, Alydead, and the landlady, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity.

''Eat "'Yummy~!''

　Quicker than Crono could say, Deneb and Alideed were eating the sorbet.

'It's delicious. I've never tasted anything so good in my life.'

　The landlady's face broke into a childlike smile.

'What's your name?'
"...ice cream.

　After a short pause, Crono replied.

'Crono, "There you are, Crono!

　I looked at the direction the voice came from and saw that Tilia had pushed Leila away and was about to come into the kitchen.

'Yeah, I was just about to call you both,'

　Crono divided the ice cream into plates and placed them on the table.

'What's this?'
Thank you, sir.

　Tilia and Leila ate their ice cream at the same time.

"......

　He stopped moving.

'This is ... my God, no, you can't fool me with this stuff.
It's cold, sweet, and delicious.

　Tilia was firmly tricked, and Leila, with tears in her eyes, brought the ice cream to her mouth.

'Crono, how did you make it?'
"Secret.
That again!

　When Crono smiled, Tyria said in frustration.

'Will you promise not to be angry?'
"Mmm, I swear it in the name of the First Princess of Cepheus.

　Tilia nodded hawkishly, her chest heaving.

'First, I'll take the juices from the livestock feed and simmer them in a pot.
'You fed me that stuff!

　Standing up suddenly, Tilia shouted.

''Well it's over because I broke my promise.
"Uh, wait ... uhh ... uhh ...

　Tyria snorted as if conflicted.

I don't eat livestock feed.

　I said, looking at the ice cream unceremoniously.

'Crono, come to my room when you're done eating.
The princess is so bold.
.....

　Deneb and Alideed teased, and Tilia's eyes widened in surprise.

'Nah, no!　I was going to talk about the future!
How many children do you want to have?
Move out!　Elves!　Huh, disrespect!

　The two of them teased her, and Tilia shouted, her face turning red.

''Crono-sama, please follow up~!

　Carrying the container of ice cream, Deneb and Alideed ran out of the kitchen.

*

What the hell is up with those twins? The Crono and I had no idea that we had this... this... child.

　When Crono entered the office after finishing his meal, Tilia's cheeks were blushing with embarrassment.
　The occasional slackening of her mouth........I wonder why.

''I'm here.''
'......　Guffaw, guffaw.

　Tilia cleared her throat awkwardly.

'What's this?'

　As Crono put down the vial and Japanese paper, Tilia held up the vial curiously.

'It's sugar made from livestock feed. And the paper is a recipe for ice cream.
Sugar!

　Tilia puts the sugar in her palm and licks it tidily.

'Well it's really sugar. Sugar is only supposed to be made in the south, right?'

　Tyria stared at Crono with swift eyes.

'Crono, who are you?　It's the same with the machine gun bow, the paper, and this sugar!　I should have realized that when we defeated the bandits, no, I should have realized that when I first spoke to you!
For what?

　Tilia grabbed Crono's chest and slammed him against the desk.

''Well you weren't even an inferior student. I ask you again, who are you?　Where did you come from?　What did you sneak into the Cepheus Empire for?
What if I told you I'm from another world?

　You're tired, Crono expected such words, but any expression disappeared from Tilia's face.
　The white blade gleamed.
　Tilia pulled out her dagger for self-defense.
　Well, this is bad!
　Crono desperately resisted, but Tilia swung her dagger down at once.
　Dang!　And the white blade sticks out in front of Crono's eyes.

'Crono, did you tell anyone else what you just said?
I know you think I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt in front of my people.

　Whew, Tilia let out a dumbfounded sigh and removed her hand from Crono.
　Gulping and shaking his knees, Crono sat up.

'Crono, don't talk about that again.
Can't I ask why?
"...the first emperor of the Cepheus Empire was a dark-haired man from another world. Using his knowledge of the other world, the man conquered the surrounding nations and built an empire in a single generation.

　Tilia ruffled her hair and said grimly.

'Same as me?'
Yes!
Why are you trying to kill me?
Don't you get it?　You ... could be a banner bearer as the reincarnation of the first emperor. Besides, your knowledge of the other world could be poison to the current empire.

　Tilia sat down in her chair and turned over in distress.

'Utterly adding to the messiness,'
I didn't like coming to this world either, but... come to think of it, what happened to the first emperor?
Of course he impregnated a normal child and died a normal death.
Oh, I can usually have kids.

　Crono patted his chest, forgetting that he had almost been killed.

''No way....''

　Tilia hugged herself warily.

'If you're from another world, how can you expect to have children?
?

　Tilia tilted her head as if to say she didn't understand why.

'What are we going to do now?'
''Tomorrow I'm returning to the Imperial City, but I'm going to leave ten or so vassals who are good at paperwork behind. I'm going to have them report your actions.
Is it safe to assume that there will be no restrictions on behavior?

　'Hmmm,' said Tilia, letting out a heavy sigh.

'Do what you want. However, don't betray me.'
I won't betray you.
You're a really, really stupid person.

　Tilia narrowed her eyes dazedly and muttered softly.

*

　The next day.

...Crono, you're good at this.
Tilia, take care of yourself.

　After exchanging a brief greeting, Tilia rode into the luxurious carriage without being escorted.
　There were more than ten carriages and fifty cavalry in the escort...............Tilia's vassals didn't seem to be willing to part with anyone.
　
　The twenty ex-military maids were being beaten up by Tyria's maids to work, so there was no way they were going to miss the remnants, and the other faces - the centurion, Leila, the landlady, and Elena - had no contact with them themselves.

''Kuh, Crono, if you insist, you can stay behind for a little while longer, okay?
Come on home.
Enough! Let me out!

　When Crono responded immediately, Tilia's face turned red and she exclaimed.
　So long, Crono gave a small wave to the carriage as it started to run.