*

Thank you for everything.
'No, I'm just following the teachings of the 'Mother Goddess of Yellow Earth and Fertility'

　Smiling, Sion handed the dirty-dressed man a bowl of vegetable broth and hard bread.
　Sion didn't break into a smile when he touched the man with his fingers, the tips of his fingernails discolored to black, nor did he break into a smile when he smelled the man's body odor, which seemed to be concentrated in sweat to the extreme.
　It was always the same.
　A cookout on the outer edges of Hachel would naturally bring him into contact with people like that.
　It's better to just say thank you, many people just accept the food without saying anything.
　It's only natural, of course, because they are only interested in today's meal.
　The Mother Goddess of Ocher and Fertility is an incarnation of the earth, and has been worshipped as an agricultural god since ancient times.
　The priests of the Temple of Loess are tasked with spreading agricultural knowledge and skills, but Theon began to question such a system.
　It seems unbelievable to question the existence of the God and the temple, but seeing the palms of his hands tattered by the daily work in the fields makes him unbearably uneasy.
　I wonder if I'm dying like my father, who devoted his life to improving beets and died without any recognition, without any regard for anyone.
　The gun and the dirty looking man kicked the cauldron, and Theon smiled again.



　A week after Tilia's departure, the sound of hammering echoed today in the Marquis of Erakis' mansion as new muscular men moved between the workshop and the tower.
　Some were hauling wood, some were carrying bricks, while others were being scolded by a man who seemed to be in charge of the site for trying to skip out.
　The men were building a workshop for the production of washi paper a paper mill.

''At this rate, it should be completed in another two months.
'The tolerances, yes. I'm going to get some people to work for me now, teach them the techniques, and by then I'll have a stockpile of materials...

　I counted down the things I had to do.

Goldie, I hope you don't die of exhaustion.
Ha, ha, that's all there is to it.

　Crono said, and Goldie slapped his chest as if to say he'd leave it to him.

'But was it a line?　I've never heard of you splitting up the workload.
I thought this would be less of a procedure to learn.

　I suggested that the line method would be easy to learn and efficient, but when told by a skilled craftsman like Goldie, I was a bit shy about it.

'No, the idea of a line is a wonderful one. It's an unknown experiment, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out what the problems are if you try it out on a simulated line before the workshop is completed.
Well, that's good to hear.

　If we get it right, we'll recoup our investment in a year and a half, but I'm sick to my stomach now thinking about what will happen if we don't get it right.

'So, I told you to give me the paper!

　Hysterical voices rang out, and Crono and Goldie looked at the workshop.
　There, Elena was crowding the dwarf.

'Really, it's useless!

　Noticing our gaze, Elena spat out, and this time, she crowded Goldie.

'You dwarf there, give me the paper!
There's paper in the workshop.
It wasn't there!

　Mookie!　Elena exclaimed, turning red in the face.

Chop!
Ouch!

　When Crono lightly chopped his brain, Elena let out a scream that wasn't typical for a quasi-aristocrat.

''Hey, what are you doing!　Speaking of the original, you're the one with the spare paper!
Elena.

　Saying quietly, Crono tugged on Elena's collar.

''Wait, don't ... oh, I'm sorry, don't hit me.''
You've never hit anyone in your life.

　If she wanted to resist, she could, but Elena's previous attitude was a lie as she showed her frightened attitude.

'Goldie, go find me some paper,'
I think I get it.

　Leaving Goldie to explore the paper, Crono looked down at Elena as she picked at her collar.

'It's not a good idea to talk out of turn,'
He's covering for the dwarves!

　With a quick pull of the collar.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being so cocky!　Please don't slap me, please don't slap me, okay?　Right?

　Elena begged desperately, as her heart seemed to be broken from the beginning.

'What is your job?'
Accounting and administration and accepting business licenses for brothels and slave trading.

　Elena looked at Crono with a flirtatious upward glance.
　Until now, there were no restrictions on prostitution and slave trading in the Marquis of Erakis territory, but from next month onwards, neither prostitution nor slave trading will be allowed without the permission of the lord, Crono.
　Prostitution is only allowed in whorehouses that meet the conditions, and street prostitution is basically prohibited.
　The sale of slaves will also be legal only for licensed slave traders, and slave fairs will also require prior application.

''Isn't it your job to prepare the paper?''
Yes, yes, that's right.

　For some reason, Elena looked at Crono with moist eyes and rubbed her thighs together sadly.

'In the future, don't speak out against dwarves ... sub-humans.

　When Crono removed his hand from the collar, Elena poked her buttocks on the spot.
　As if she had stepped on a pebble, Elena sat up and shook her body with a bimble.

'There it is,'
Thanks.

　Elena took the paper from Goldie and went back to the Marquis' mansion inwardly.

''What are you going to do now, Crono-sama?''
I'm going on a tour of the city.
I think I get it.

*

　Changing into a tunic, which was becoming an everyday outfit, Crono went out into town.
　The number of vagrants was still the same, and the number of women who looked like street prostitutes had visibly decreased.

Maybe it just looks like less.

　His innate weakness........or rather, his sense of responsibility as a lord spurred his negative thoughts, and he couldn't help but have a hunch that he had a backstory.
　As usual, Crono chewed on the dried fruit he bought at the stall.

''I can't wait to reopen the poorhouse.

　I thought lightly that all I had to do was call the director and his staff back and give them the money, and that would be the end of the matter........ ...It's not the same, apparently.
　According to Leila, they are fed once a day, given a dirty blanket to sleep on, forced to sleep on the floor, and not only forced to work without pay, but also forced to take what little money they have.
　Not only were they forced to work without pay, but they were also ripped off for their miserable money and goods.

'We'll have to hire a new director, won't we?

　What suddenly crossed my mind was the smile of Zion, the priest of The Yellow Earth Temple.

''I want you to teach me how to grow beets, and if you can read and write, I want you to teach my men how to study, and I want you to teach me about farming around here... if I make you work this hard, you might collapse from overwork...''

　Crono looked around, "We had a stall around here a week ago," he said, looking around.
　Fortunately, Theon was soon found.
　Sion was sitting on a wooden box just as he was a week ago.

'Hey, Sion.'
...Oh, Mr. Crono.

　Looking up at Crono, Sion hid the sleeves of his wet robe shyly.

'Can you buy me another beat today, sir?　No, no, we don't need livestock feed, do we?
I don't need it at the moment, but "'Yeeeeeeeeeee, yay!

　He was pushed off and Crono rolled on the ground.

'Beat it, sell it, sell it all!
'It's a buyout!　Buy up!　The three of us are going to buy everything!
"...Deneb, Arididid, please calm down.

　It seems that it was Deneb, Arididid, who pushed Crono out of the way.
　Apparently, Leila is with him.

''Um, bi, beet, uh, um, a week ago you said not to sell livestock fodder.
What?　I told you we're buying the beat!　I don't care if you buy up the whole field!　Are you going to sell it?　You're not going to sell it?　If you say you're not going to sell it, I'm going to beat you to death!

　Theon let out a small scream as Deneb and Alideed crowded in on him.

''If you don't sell it, I won't be able to come and buy it until the next holiday.

　Leila added apologetically.

''Well you guys are robbers.
""Master Crono!"

　Crono said as he slurred and blood flowed from his forehead, and Deneb, Arididid, and Leila's eyes widened.

But who did this to you?
We can't allow that!
You guys pushed me away.

　Deneb and Alideed are pale in the face.
　Both of them are usually familiar with each other, but they should understand what it means to have a nobleman hurt.

''Be more careful next time.
"Yes!

　Deneb and Alideed grabbed Zion's arm and thrust it out to Crono.

''Look, you're a priest, you should use your Divine Majesty Technique to heal me!
Yeah, yeah, hurry up!
Oh, um, I... I...

　Theon is about to start crying now.

''Neither of you would let him use the Divine Majesty Technique with a wound like this.

　After all, you're at risk of being crippled.

'Master Crono, please bend over.
.....

　As Crono bent down, Leila crawled her tongue over the wound.

'Um, Leila?　Does elven saliva have a therapeutic effect?
I don't know.

　Leila continued to lick the wound for a while.

I think we're going to be okay.
Oh, thank you.

　My cheeks are hot with embarrassment, but Leila is also looking down in embarrassment.

''The two of you look hot, but we're extremely cold, right?''
Well, what about me?

　Deneb and Alideed took their hands off Theon as if they had lost interest.

''Sell me the beat and you can leave, and-''

　

''There's something I want to discuss with Sion-san, so I don't want her to leave on her own.
"Because,
I'll buy all the beats, by the way.
"......

　Deneb and Alydead looked at each other and shrugged at Crono.

'Hey, Master Crono?　We need a beat, too.
You can take it home to your room if you want, Beat.
'You can think about it if you carry Mr. Theon's things to the mansion.
Yes!

　Clenching their fists, they began to pack up.
　Once they had finished loading, they began to pull the cart.

Mr. Crono.

　Leila gave her a pestering look, and Crono silently held her close.

'Shall we go then?'
Oh, yes.

　Crono walked along, looking here and there for anything unnatural.
　His steps naturally slowed, opening up the distance between him and the cart.
　But after a few moments of walking, he caught up with Deneb and Alideed.
　It was because Deneb and Alideed were staring at the billboard curiously.

'What does it say?'
Um, this is a public announcement that prostitution and the slave trade are moving to a licensing system.

　Leila was faster than Theon was able to read it out.
　He may have gone to the restroom, or to eat, but there didn't seem to be a person in charge of reading out the public announcement.

''So........was it good?''
Correct.

　Crono stroked Leila's head and ears gently as she said anxiously.
　With a shake, Leila shook her body comfortably and shook her head lightly to bring her back to her senses.

'What do you mean?'
As of next month, no one can engage in prostitution and slave trading unless they are authorized by Master Crono.

　Leila glanced up at Crono, confidently.

Why?
It says that prostitution is to prevent the spread of venereal diseases and the slave trade is to prevent problems after the sale.

　Seemingly unable to understand the meaning of the public announcement, Leila tilted her head in wonder.

''........Crono-sama, what does it mean?''
'I mean that literally, half-elf lady.

　I looked at the source of the voice and saw Miles standing there with a thin plank in his hand.

'Master Crono has ensured that all gentlemen can use the brothels with confidence by only allowing prostitution in the brothels where regular medical examinations are conducted.

　Miles broke off the words.

'It is an undesirable situation for a purchaser to pay a large sum of money to purchase a slave and not keep it for more than a few days before it dies. Master Crono says he will only grant permission to slavers who properly control their slaves in order to protect the interests of the purchaser.

　Incidentally, Miles explained the part of the construction that Crono was desperately trying to twist out of his mind. Well, Miles seems to have seen through that part.

'Hey, did you get the green light?'
I'm sure Master Crono knows better.

　Miles chuckled and indicated a thin plate with a permit stretched over it in Crono's handwriting.

'Thanks to you, I have the honour of being Permit No. 1. Now, then.

　With that, Miles turned away.

''...maybe you had dinner with him?''
"Secret.

　The more you eat, the more you eat, the more you get to know each other, the more rumors you get to hear.
　At such a time, if Miles told them that whorehouses and the slave trade would be permit-based, they would believe him when they heard it.
　Well, he also convinced them to agree to the permit system.
　By the way, the quid pro quo that Miles asked for was that he wanted the convenience of being the first one to be a permit.

''Master Crono you always have very difficult things on your mind, don't you?
Not really.

　When he looked over, he saw that Theon was hanging his head helplessly.
　Crono walked off again, not needing to worry about it.

''Ice cream!''

　Back at the Marquis of Erakis mansion, Deneb and Alideed ran off with all the beats they could carry.
　Apparently, they had no intention of buying their own eggs and milk.

'I hope the landlady doesn't get mad at us but do you want to go too Leila?
No, let me stay with Master Crono.

　Fine in the parlor, Crono led Sion up to the third floor and sat down on the couch.
　Leila sat down on the sofa with reservations and squeezed Crono's sleeve.

''Sion-san, please sit down.''
Oh, yes.

　Unaccustomed to it, Sion sat shallowly on the sofa and stared at Crono with an upward glance.

''Ah, um, today ... what can I do for you?''
''I have a few things to discuss with you, but I was wondering if you could tell me about the farming practiced in this area... the Marquis of Erakis?''
'Yes, yes, I understand. Well, the Marquis of Erakis operates a three-plot system.
"Three field system?

　When he asked back, Theon stiffened with a jolt.

''This is a farming method in which the cultivated land is divided into three parts: the first year is for spring crops, the second year is for winter crops, and in the third year the land is left fallow to restore the ground power and moisture in the field, where livestock are raised. Well, land power is the ability to grow crops, yes.
'If you want to restore ground strength, I think you can spread fertilizer, and if you want to restore moisture, I think you can draw water from an irrigation canal.
Hi, is it fertilizer?
'Yeah, maybe we could spread human and livestock dung, food residue, and ashes to nourish the fields so they don't have to rest.

　They're supposed to spread cow dung in the fields, and the tailings were buried in the vegetable garden by the next-door neighbors, and I think a cartoon introduced them to the idea that spreading ashes is good for the soil.

'Oh, um, where do I get that much feces from?'
Collecting in the streets, or collecting cow dung?
'It's difficult to transport, and no village has enough cattle to cover all the fallow land,'

　'We'll have to start with more cows,' Crono let out a sigh.

It's going to take a lot of money and time to grow the irrigation canals... Oh, um, my dead father told me that growing clover will help the ground to recover its moisture content. People didn't believe me, but, you know, I've proven it by plowing the fields myself and releasing the cows...

　Zion's voice was shrill at the bottom, and at the end it sounded like a mosquito buzzing.

'Then let's grow clover in the fallow ground.
What?

　When Crono decided easily, Theon made a barefaced sound.
　Is it difficult to implement it all out of the blue, Crono quickly reconsidered.

''........For now, let's cultivate clover in ten percent of the fallow land. If we get results, we'll gradually expand the scope of the project. At that time, I'd like to ask you to give me some technical guidance, is that okay?
Wow, do you mind if I do?
'And....Zion-san did a soup kitchen as well, didn't he?
Yes, sir.

　For some reason, Sion nodded with a face that looked like he was about to cry.

''Actually, I'm going to ask Sion-san to be the director of the Salvation Poverty Institute. Of course, unlike the previous Rescue Poor House........
　Crono's mind suddenly went back to the washi workshop under construction, and he said what he had in mind.
''Unlike the past relief and poorhouse, I'm going to give you a proper job placement and pay you a salary so that you can rebuild your life. Then there's the beet that Mr. Zion's father grew, and we found out that he can make sugar. And in the future, sugar...oh, Mr. Zion?

　Suddenly, Sion stood up.
　Crono looked up at Sion, wondering if he had talked too much in one direction.


?

　Sob-like words escaped from the gap between my clenched teeth, and tears spilled out in rags.

'This isn't going to work!'
　Sion screamed as if he couldn't stand it anymore, and began to cry, covering his face.
''Um, Sion-san?''
Your father and I worked so hard, and then you did what we couldn't do, so easily!

　In front of the crying Sion, Crono could only be confused.
　As he looked around for relief, he met eyes with Leila.

'I don't think Crono-sama needs to be bothered.
But...
'Master Crono is a very kind man. But that kindness can be poisonous to those who are less fortunate.

　Maybe so, Crono accepted Leila's words with shock.
　Crono's kindness was nurtured by a blessed position ... an ongoing affordance.
　Crono doesn't know about Leila's past.
　He doesn't know how hard she was hit and how desperate she was.
　Crono doesn't know what Theon has been through.
　He doesn't know how much he was troubled and distressed.

''Wow, I ... how rude.''
Leila, stop!

　Theon went to the window with an abruptness that could only be described as paroxysmal.
　Crono shouted, and Leila soundlessly walked around to the front of Sion.
　Thump!　and Leila's fist, and Theon's body floated away.
　Sion crumpled to the ground and

.....

　She let out an unfashionable sound, Kehu, Kehu, Kehu, with tears and drool smeared across her face.

'Ki, I didn't faint, Leila!
I just shot my diaphragm.

　Leila came around behind Theon and cooed and tightened her neck ... maybe her jugular.
　Immediately, Theon stopped moving.

*She was not moving.

　He carried Theon to the bed in the guest room and visited the kitchen on his feet, where Deneb and Arididid were enjoying their ice cream.

''Yum!''
Oh, they're really greedy. Oh, Master Crono?

　Crono sat down in the empty seat and let out a sigh that couldn't have been deeper.

'Meh, you're depressed?　Well, here's something to eat and relax about.
Thanks.

　Crono took the proffered ice cream and spooned it into his mouth.

'I used cream instead of milk, how do you like it?'
I feel like ice cream.

　Is it the difference in ingredients or the difference in skill?
　The ice cream the landlady had made was not like that of the Chronos' sorbet-like one, and it was properly solidified.

'What's wrong this time?'
I made Mr. Theon cry.
What have you done, Master Crono?

　Putting down the empty plates, Deneb and Alideed leaned forward.

'He said that if I decided to make farming more efficient and reopen the Rescue House, he couldn't have done it even if he tried. Leila says my kindness is ... well ... hurting people or something.
Master Crono is too kind.
'Yes, yes, you're too kind to expect it.

　Deneb and Alideed crossed their arms and nodded repeatedly.

'It's partly because of your upbringing that you're so kind. The poor man's life can be a bit heavy at times. But I like your kindness.
...landlady.

　When Crono stared at her, the landlady looked away, as if embarrassed.

''Huh, you two, when did that happen?''
I mean, that was about a week ago. I was just trying to comfort you at first, but then I got burned.

　The landlady crossed her arms and said with a blush on her cheeks.

''What I'm trying to say is I'll comfort you if you fail, so go ahead and be kind to yourself!
　Bashin!　The landlady patted him on the back and Crono stood up.

*

　When I returned to my room, I found Leila sitting in a chair, staring at Sion.

''You look ... quite tired.''
Yes.

　Leila stood up silently and Crono sat back in his chair to replace her.

'I'm sure it must have been hard for you.

　Crono looked at Sion's hand and muttered softly.
　He remembered the feel of her hand, which was so hard that he couldn't believe it was a girl.

''........hmm...''
Are you awake?

　Unexpectedly, Sion opened his eyes and Crono called out to him as gently as he could.

'......　Lord Crono!　I'm sorry, too!
I'd be lying if I said I didn't care.

　Theon sat up and clenched his fists to hold back the tears.

'Is there something you want to tell me?　Whether it's a struggle or a complaint, I've come back with the intention of hearing it right.
....

　Sion stole a look at Crono's face and looked down in frustration.

''........My father was a junior priest of the 'Yellow Earth Temple'. The temple he was finally appointed to was located about three hours' walk from the city of Hashel, surely Crono-sama didn't know that, right?　It's a place that's so battered and ragged that even bandits wouldn't look at it.
Sorry, I don't know.

　Theon clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as if in pain.

'All along, my father has been working on breeding beets. If the breeding is done well, I'm sure it will enrich us all. He said that for years and years... but now that he's finally made some progress, he's wondering how he'll ever be able to eat livestock feed. Even the clover thing my father was doing so well for everyone.

　What was contained in Theon's words was roughly an emotion unbecoming of a priest ... anger and hatred.

''Even I, even I, have tried my hardest!　We had a soup kitchen and we worked so hard for everyone and yet...

　Theon reached for Crono's forehead the wound that had been created by Deneb and Arididid pushing him away....

''Mother Goddess of 'Ochre and Fertility', healing miracle.

　There was no light, no sound, and no divine healing miracle manifested through divine majesty arts.

''No way?''
Yeah.

　At Leila's question, Sion gave a broken smile.

''You worked so hard, and now you've even lost your Divine Majesty Technique!　Still, keep the cookout going for everyone!　And then nothing!　We couldn't do anything about it, and you... you!　As if they would sneer at us just for being lords!
Master Crono...!

　Crono controlled Leila, who was about to pounce on him, with his hand.

'Nah, why don't you just hit her!　If you pitied me like that I'd be even more miserable.

　Theon folded his hands in prayer and let out a sob.
　It was a burden, Crono said, holding his trembling knees.
　Had she achieved results, her life as a priestess would have made her proud.
　But without any accomplishments, living as a priestess had become a burden.
　Living as a priestess was so painful that she couldn't throw it away and began to hate someone else.

'If it's so hard, I'll take over for you,'
.....

　Sion stared at Crono with a demonic look on his face.
　However, Crono didn't miss Cion's lips parting for a moment.

''I'll spread the cultivation of beets and let you plant clover in the fallow land instead of Sion, so Sion-san can figure out how to reform agriculture instead of me, and you can serve as the director of the Rescue House.
No, no, no.

　Crono smiled and closed the distance between him and Theon.
　He poked his hand and the bed creaked in protest.

'You can do it, I'm the lord of the Marquess of Erakis.
Because if you do that...
I'm not going to deny everything we've done, but you can't do it all on your own.

　Tears spilled from Sion's eyes.