*

　It was late January, four hundred and thirty-one on the imperial calendar, and if it was as usual, it wouldn't be surprising to see snow, but this year was the first dry winter in years.
　Every time the wind blew, the dead grasses made a sound like a tidal wave, and the water surface of the man-made pond, half-closed to the ice, rippled.
　It is not impossible to transform a desolate garden into one brimming with vitality if you use the divine power technique, Activation.
　It is said that some noblemen and merchants donate a lot of money to the "temple" in order to boast of their financial power and make it bloom with flowers in winter.
　It's not bad to admire flowers in winter, but this is quaint, and Leonhardt was walking alone in the gardens of the Palatium mansion.
　Spending time alone and aimlessly.
　It was a luxurious use of time for Leonhardt, who had the heavy responsibility as the leader of the First Kingsguard.

''d*mn it, I'll have it!
....

　Leela, who was plumper than she remembered, as if she was wearing thicker clothes, tucked up the hem of her apron dress and walked up to Leonhardt in a zippered manner.

'I'm wearing light clothes, I'm cold.
....

　Leela stood on her tiptoes and rubbed Leonhardt's cheeks from side to side, as if she were trying to warm him up.
　Her fingertips, overworked by household chores, didn't convey a flattering, comfortable feeling, but it wasn't unpleasant.

'd*mn it, Master Leonhardt is an old man. It's a good time to be on vacation, so why don't you go out and have some fun, instead of holed up in the house?
'Is Leela out on her day off?'
"I just spent some time in the new city a couple of days ago to relax. A traveling entertainer was putting on a play, and Master Leonhardt was in it.
I'm not in a play, though, am I?
Is that the part of the play that I'm talking about?　You sure you want to play the role?　I mean, there was Master Leonhardt in the role.

　When Leonhardt asked, Leela proudly puffed out her chest.

I didn't know how Leonhardt-sama fought, so I was surprised. I almost cried when I saw him standing up against a huge army to protect Master Alfort.
...I see.

　Apparently, the outcome of the war has been arranged and played out in a way that suits someone else's needs.

''It's ... too soon.''

　It's not unusual for a traveling performer to put on a play about an actual incident, but it's been less than a week since Leonhardt returned to the imperial capital.
　There was no way that a mere traveling entertainer could reach the level of writing a script, rehearsing and performing in such a short period of time.
　If that were the case, it would be the Military Affairs Bureau or Prime Minister Alcor's plan.
　With very few exceptions, Imperial subjects have no direct influence on politics, but if the people are unsettled, the economy will be in turmoil, and if Imperial soldiers are judged to be weak soldiers, security will deteriorate.
　Humans are strange creatures, and even the bravest knights and soldiers have a propensity to be swept away by the atmosphere around them.
　If anxiety is propagated, they will act as weak soldiers, if the will to fight is high, they will act as strong soldiers, and if military discipline is relaxed, they will act accordingly.
　In short, he is trying to reassure his people by creating an atmosphere, a play that is easy to understand.
　Of course, he weaves in information that is convenient for him.
　If Prime Minister Alcor is only trying to reassure his people, it would be easier for me too, Leonhard narrowed his eyes.

'....Leela, was there a man named Crono in that play?
Crono?

　Leela tilted her head in wonder.
　The play was Vizier Alcor's plan, Leonhard was convinced.
　If a mere traveling performer was going to play, he would choose Crono.
　Because the audience is not the nobility, but the commoners.

*

　Why did Rizad go to his death?　Crono looks up at the ceiling and thinks about that.
　What passes through his mind is Rizad's last moments.
　While receiving countless spears, Rizad did not stop walking.

''A........token.''

　His last words were too short to get into Rizad's mind.
　Numerous deaths pass through his mind.
　Leo's head was blown off by a spear.
　The female elf who was burned to death.
　The elves and beastmen who were killed by spears and by divine magic.
　Horus who died with his eyes wide open.



　Flashback after flashback of the battlefield scene, Crono clenched his fists and endured a wave of raging emotions.

''Crono-sama!''

　The door to the room was opened and Deneb and Alideed dived into Crono, who was struggling in his bed.

'Look, look, get up and get up,'
'Yes, yes!　And if Crono-sama doesn't wake up, we won't be able to get our work done.

　Crono slumped to his feet as Deneb and Alideed, dressed in apron dresses, knocked him off the bed.
　Crono was in his own room at Crawford Manor in the fourth district of the imperial capital, Alfilk.
　He's postponing his return to the Marquis of Erakis territory because he has to go through various formalities.
　There was no way I could miss today's argumentation award at Alfilk Castle.

''........Deneb, Arididid.
"What?

　Deneb and Alideed rested their hands and looked at Crono.

　Why is Rizad........

　He tried to ask such a question, but he couldn't say anything as the two of them stared at him.

''No, it's nothing.''

　With that, Crono left the room and headed to the dining room.
　When he entered the dining room, the deputy and his foster father were eating across from each other.
　The deputy is staying at the Crawford mansion as Crono's bodyguard.
　'I'll be in the stables,' the deputy had said, but his foster father had prodded him and prepared a room for him as a guest.

'General, are you feeling well? (Bum?)
Don't you worry my men too much.

　As they approached the table, the deputy and his foster father approached Crono.

'How would you like to eat, little man?'
...lightly.

　'Yes, sir,' said Myra, bowing reverently and returning to the kitchen.

'You still haven't regained your appetite?

　Yeah, Crono gave a small nod.
　'I don't have an appetite, and when I force myself to eat, I throw up.

'Don't fall over in the middle of an argument.
I think it's okay.
Little man, here's your soup.

　When I took a mouthful of the soup offered to Myra, the iron-smelling taste spread.
　It tasted and smelled like blood.
　It's an illusion, Crono told himself, and he poured the soup down his stomach.

'Little man, prepare to climb the castle.
Okay.

　When I returned to my room, Deneb and Alideed were not there.

'If it's those two, I'll have them clean the stables.
How are they doing?

　Hmmm........Myra let out a long, long sigh.

'I've been training maids for a long time, but I've never seen maids that poorly. If you clean them, they turn over the tub, if you cook, they pick at you, if you let them do the shopping, they cheat on their change, and if you let them shop, they try to sneak into your little boy's bed at night.

　Myra pressed her fingers to her temples as if to endure a headache.

'Oh, oh my God, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah!
....

　From a human perspective, she is a fine grandmother, but I guess there is a kind of female psychology at work in that area.

Yes, that's right, I'm a 60 year old grandmother!　We've been having sunshine for the past 20 years!　I know people, and I have grandchildren.　And, but you were busy settling the southern frontier, so what choice did you have!
Is Myra the one who wants to get married?
No, no.

　When Crono asked, Myra turned to a straight face.

'Just in case you're wondering, what are the conditions of your marriage?'
'I'm not particular about my age, but a yearly income of two thousand five hundred gold coins would be helpful.

　What a hurdle to overcome.
　Two thousand and five hundred gold coins per year is the level of a lower class aristocrat with land.

''Come to think of it, little man.''

　Glinting, Myra's eyes shine like a hungry beast.

''........tch.''

　As Crono hurriedly put on his military uniform, Myra blatantly scowled and clicked her tongue.



　Alfort's emissaries, the Twelfth Knights of the Twelfth Order, came to greet Crono in a two-horse box carriage.
　It was the first time that an imperial-owned carriage had ever driven through the Fourth City District, and the area around Crawford Manor was filled with onlookers.
　Deneb and Alideed were happy to see him off, but Crono was not in a proud mood.
　When the carriage arrived at Alfiruk Castle, it was the job of the mistress to guide them from there.
　Led by the twinkling, clear-eyed lady, Crono finally arrived at the audience chamber.
　During the audience room, Leonhard, Count Ernat, Rio, Count Piske, and the surviving battalion commander were standing in front of that door.

Hi, Crono.
"Oh, Marquis Erakis!

　Pushing away Rio, who was about to walk up to him, Count Piske squeezed Crono's hand.

'Thank you for that, Count Piske.
No, no, no, I'm just keeping the promise I made to the Marquis of Erakis.
No. You've been very helpful.

　This was an untrue feeling.
　Even though it wasn't included in the promised category, Count Piske had arranged for doctors and medicinal herbs to be sent to an outpost in the territory directly under the Nouzi Empire, so his men could receive proper treatment.

''Count Piske, would you please not interrupt the meeting between lovers?''
Hey, sweetheart!

　As Rio nuzzled Crono, Count Piske retreated with his hands on his hips.

'I don't mean to interfere with people's love lives, but shouldn't you have a little sense of place?
I know.

　Leonhardt pointed out, and Rio pulled away from Crono with a disgruntled quirk of his lips.

'Lord Crono, you look pale, don't you?
I'm not hungry.
"Hm, if you like, I can have my favorite fragrant tea brought to you.　It has a calming effect on me. It's great for calming the mood.
Just a feeling.

　Leonhard laboriously patted Crono on the shoulder and returned to his original position.

'Count Ernat,'
"Lord Chronosphere.

　Crono saluted, and Count Ernat responded with a salute.

'Thank you for that time,'
Don't thank me.

　Count Ernat patted Crono's head and gave him a gentle smile.

''May I?''

　Count Piske nodded, and the guards pushed the door to the audience chamber.
　The door opened with a heavy thud.
　The audience room was bleak.
　It was large enough to fit Crawford's mansion in the Fourth District, but all that was present was a crimson carpet that stretched out in a straight line and a throne that was placed on a higher level.
　However, the floor is polished like a mirror and the throne is so finely crafted that it might be a fortune in itself, so there is no smell of poverty.
　
　The remaining two hold the left and right sides of the throne.
　One was a woman about the same age as the matriarch, and the other was a bald-headed old man.
　Again, this was just a guess, but the woman would be Alfort's mother and the bald-headed old man would be Vizier Alcor.
　Surrounded by the heavyweights of the empire, Alfort sat deep on his throne, a drawn-out smile on his face.
　The term "papier-mâché tiger" easily comes to mind.
　Well, he didn't expect to be carried by the contents.
　He proceeded on the carpet and propped himself up on one knee at a reasonable distance from Alfort.

'Count Piske, report,'
"Ha, Prime Minister Alkor.

　
　The facts are quite distorted, since he can't report that Alfort was devastated because he was scared of a bonfire, so the facts are quite distorted because he can't report that Alfort was devastated because he was scared of a bonfire.
　Even so, the reason why it's not being rammed through is probably because the roots have been put in place.
　

"Yes, those who have done exceptionally well must be rewarded.

　Prime Minister Alcor looked at Crono and narrowed his eyes.

Therefore, I confer upon you the Count of Caddo.
Ha, thank goodness for that.

　Count Caddo's territory is west of the Marquess of Erakis.......less than half the area of the Marquess of Erakis, not as much as the southern frontier of thirty years ago, but it is a backwater area dotted with only small fishing villages.
　You can't afford to play the big game in a losing battle, nor can you casually deny them rewards.
　It seemed that such a true intention could be seen through.

''Well, we've just finished the battle.

　'The next war,' said Crono, tensing up.

'We have just signed a peace treaty with the Holy Argo Kingdom.

　Vizier Alcor's words made Crono's mind go blank.

　What did he say?

As you all know, we've had countless skirmishes with the Holy Argo Kingdom near our borders. It's safe to say that this war is a demonstration of our displeasure with them.

　It was impossible for a peace treaty to be signed less than two weeks ago.
　But if the negotiations were going on without Crono and the others' knowledge, it would explain the true nature of the uncomfortable feeling they had on the battlefield.
　War is a series of humble harassment.
　There are countless other things to do, such as getting the right number of soldiers, training them, and so on, but we were only given a month or so to prepare.
　The accumulation factor was too little.
　We know now that we had no intention of taking over the city of Markab from the start.
　Even if they had occupied the city of Markab, they would have created a situation in which they would have been forced to retreat by cutting off supplies under an appropriate pretext.
　The reason is that Viceroy Alcor's objective was to make peace with the Holy Argo Kingdom, not a mudslide war. In addition, he even created the achievements necessary for Alfort to succeed to the imperial throne by having the peace treaty signed.
　Everything was just as the old man wanted it to be.
　We were fighting desperately, not knowing that we were pawns on the board.
　We pushed down our fears, covered our guilt, and concocted a plan with the sole intention of not letting our men die.
　Still, he continued to let his men die without reaching out and letting them die.
　The nails that clenched the carpet came off and blood red tears flowed.

　Let's kill them, let's kill these guys.

　A large hand clamped down on Crono's head as he tried to stand up.
　It was Count Ernat's hand.

'Endure, Lord Crono.
.....

　What passed through Crono's mind was the image of his subordinates in the Crawford mansion, waiting for Crono's return at the estate.

''Well, Marquis Erakis, what do you think of this peace?''

　Crono looked up at Alfort quietly and smiled, desperately.

'And I'm sure the subjects will thank Master Alfort for his wisdom.

　It's a travesty.
　My men died for this travesty.

'Wow, my men must be proud to have been a cornerstone of peace.

　It can't be.
　You must want to live.
　You shouldn't want to die.
　How can you be proud of yourself for being used and discarded like that?
　Crono hung his head and kept shaking his shoulders.



　His memory was vague until he returned to Crawford Manor.
　It was Crono's realization that he found himself standing in the front yard of Crawford Manor.
　How stunned was he?

"Mr. Crono, welcome back!

　Crono stumbled as Deneb and Alideed hugged him.

'Crono-sama, I'm fine,'
You've been out of shape for so long.

　They separated their bodies and looked up at Crono.

'Look, Crono-sama I know you're worried about everyone else dying, but...'
I don't know about these new recruits, but we're here for Master Crono.

　Don't listen, something whispered in the corner of my head.
　I'm sure if I heard it, I wouldn't be able to go back.

'I'd die for Master Crono and...'
"You know, Crono-sama will do the 'Sekaijin Kensengen' for you.

　Hee!　And with a small scream, Crono pushed Deneb and Alideed away.

'Ouch!　Annihilate!
We were trying to be cool.

　Oh, yes.
　All along, I kept turning away from it.
　I've kept turning away from the influence of the 'Sekaijin Kensengen' that I said back then to keep Leila around.

　Why did Rizad go to the land of death?

　It's that simple.
　Because I've shown them the ideal world where everyone can live equally well.
　That's the one time I've ever uttered a single word that sent a man to his death.
　No, it even made Deneb and Alideed decide to die.
　Just like Tilia said, Crono.......Kurono Hisamitsu mixed into this world was poison.
　It's a sick poison that contaminates other people's thoughts and causes them to die.

''Crono-sama?''


　Crono let out a strange cry and ran away from Deneb and Alideed.

*

　I don't remember where I ran, I don't remember how I ran.
　I ran and ran and ran and ran with the sole intention of escaping this nightmarish reality, and then the goons caught me, beat me to a pulp and threw me in a back alley.
　He even had his wallet stolen.
　Instead of escaping the nightmare, I couldn't even get out of the Imperial City.
　Crono laughed at his own diminutive size.
　He couldn't stop crying that his men had died for him like this.
　He cried with laughter.
　Would he be able to die if he just lay there?　And when he looked up at the sky, he saw someone looking down at Crono.
　A boy, or perhaps a girl.
　Probably not more than fifteen in age.
　He had sallow skin and his eyes were bush-eyed beyond sharp.
　Her dark brown hair was short like a boy's, the clothes she wore were tattered and her body lines were sharp.
　Kneeling down, the girl explored Crono's clothes.

''Well I just had my wallet stolen and I don't have anything of value for money.
What? You're alive?

　The girl clicked her tongue and moved away from Crono and came back as if she had come for something she had forgotten.

'Why are you sleeping here?'
...I failed to escape reality.
I don't know what's going on here.

　The girl sat down on the ground with Crono on the ground instead of her back.

'Well, I don't see why you'd want to run away,'

　The girl clicked her tongue.

'Are you a military man?'
...yes.

　Crono replied, and the girl nodded disinterestedly, even though she'd asked him himself.

'And you?'
Orphans, orphans.

　The girl looked up at the sky in silence.

''You don't have to feel sorry for me. There are plenty of kids like me if you look for them in the imperial capital, and being pitied doesn't change anything.

　The girl ruffled her hair and let out a sigh.

'I could have given you the money if they hadn't stolen my wallet.
....

　The girl punched Crono silently.

'I told you not to feel sorry for me!　I'm still earning my own food!
Sorry.
Wow, that's really sweet.

　The girl didn't expect Crono to apologize honestly, or maybe she didn't expect Crono to apologize honestly, but the girl kept her mouth shut.

'Hey, what's the reality you wanted to escape?　Yeah, you don't have to answer the question if you don't want to.
My man is dead.

　Hmmm, the girl nodded disinterestedly.

'Is that something you would care about?
.....

　His mind went blank, and the next thing he knew, Crono was grabbing the girl by the chest.

'I, I killed her!　

　Crono let go of the girl.

''Well my surviving men are willing to die for me too.
I don't know, but that's not something you should be worried about, is it?

　The girl corrected her disheveled clothes and said in a mortified tone.

'You didn't ask me to die for you, did you?　If that's the case, then your men died for you of their own volition.
'If I hadn't spoken of my ideals, he might not have died. If I hadn't died, married, had kids and ... lived.
"...you liked my men.

　Crono looked up at the girl's words.

'No?'
No different.

　I ... liked Leo, Horus and Rizad.
　Can't you tolerate being discriminated against for being a subhuman?
　That's not true.
　I just didn't like the way the people I love were treated.
　Yeah, I did.
　When I saw Leila smiling sadly at that moment, I knew I had to stop it.
　Wasn't the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an excuse to do that?
　Tears spilled out of my eyes.
　I missed Leo, I missed Horus, I missed Rizad.
　I wanted to see my dead men.
　I wanted to see them and tell them I loved them.
　But they were gone.
　They were dead.
　My heart ached.
　Crono picked at his hair and cried out loud.

　How long had he been crying?

　When Crono looked up, the girl's eyes were bright red.

''I didn't get a tear in my eye!
I know.

　Crono wiped his eyes wildly with his sleeve and slowly stood up.

'I don't know what to say, I'm too stupid to know what to say.
Yeah, I can kind of see that.

　What can I do for them that I love?
　They wanted a world where everyone could live without division.
　That's what Crono wanted, too.
　Then there is only one answer.
　Crono dragged his aching body out of the room.

My name is Crono. What's yours?
I'm Verna. I'm just Verna.

　He didn't ask to see her again.
　Crono walked as if he were dragging himself along, slowly increasing his speed.
　His body hurts.
　But strength, heat, floods from deep within his body.
　The dingy city looks beautiful.
　The air, pregnant with the smell of the set-up, felt fresh.

*

　When I returned to Crawford Manor, I found Deneb and Alideed standing at the gate looking shabby.

'Deneb, Alideed!'
Master Crono!

　Crono hugged him as hard as he could, and Deneb and Alideed opened their eyes in surprise and put their hands on Crono's back as if to say fearfully.

'I'm sorry about earlier,'
You don't have to apologize.
Like, "Let me fix your wound.
I finally realized. I've realized that I like you guys.
"Whoa!

　Deneb and Alideed made a strange noise and moved away from Crono.

'Tu, finally, this is the time!
.....

　Alideed slumped and Deneb looked at Crono with an expression on his face as if he was about to cry.

''General, you're back?'' (Bum?)
Welcome home, little boy.
Mr. Minot, Myra, I love you!
"What?

　Crono shouted and tried to hug his deputy and Myra as they stood in front of the door.
　BUMO!　And the second-in-command jumped back with a scream that couldn't be converted even by magic items.
　Eh?　is the voice of Deneb and Alideed.

Although there is a difference in age, I have no way of refusing if the little boy asks me to do so. Please forgive me, sir. Myra is a weak woman.
I won't blame you if you don't say anything.

　As if he was dependent on me, his adoptive father came outside and said, looking away from Myra.

'Dad!'
Well you don't have to give me a hug either.

　Pulling away from Myra, Crono looked up at his adopted father.

You look like you're back on your feet.
Maybe ... but I think I'll continue to worry about it.

　His adoptive father looked at Crono with nostalgic eyes, as if he was reminiscing about the past.

It's a good thing that when you're trying to accomplish something, you have a certain amount of trouble. It's even more so when there are other lives involved.

　His adoptive father stroked Crono's head roughly.

'To tell you the truth, I thought you were going to run away. You know, I thought you were going to run away, because you think of your men like they are your friends. I thought you couldn't take your men's deaths. The values you've developed in your world it's a plague in this world. It's not just the people around you, it's also the ones who are going to eat you.
Master Crono isn't sick.
And we decided to die for Master Crono ourselves!

　When Deneb and Alideed shouted, their adoptive father scratched his head as if to say he was annoyed.

You can't get rid of him, and he doesn't even know it. You're not going to get rid of him.　My son is just following his values. It's not an ideal. He never wanted to think about it in the first place.
"......

　Deneb and Aridid stared at Crono as he clung to them.

'We can turn back now, eh?'
....

　Crono's answer was already in place.

*

　In February of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty-one, the city of Hashel.......Leila was waiting for Crono at the gate.
　She was not informed of when he would return.
　Nor did she promise to wait.
　And yet, Leila's feet found themselves facing the city gates, waiting until the sun went down and the gates were closed.

''...Snow?''

　Leila looked up at the leaden sky, saying that if it fell, it would be too late for Crono-sama to get home.
　But as the snow fell one after another... and covered the ground in a thin layer, Leila's eyes caught sight of a box carriage.
　A thump and a heartbeat jumped up.
　Gulping down the urge to run to the carriage, Leila waited for the moment.
　The carriage stopped in front of the gate and slowly, slowly the crono descended to the ground.
　He was wearing a black military uniform with a frayed cloak with a frayed hem.

''Master Crono!''
Leila?

　When Layla hugged her, Crono hugged her back, confused.

''I was........worried,''
I'm sorry. I just wanted to get home a little earlier.

　As Crono turned his gaze, the boxcarriage started to drive towards the Marquis' mansion.

''Shall we take a short walk?''
Yes, sir.

　Crono's arm is slowly put around Leila's shoulder as she snuggles up to him.
　With that alone, Leila's heart quickens to beat like an early bell.
　Leo, Horus, Rizad...she is happy for Crono's return, knowing that there are many others who have died, and many others who are grieving.
　Though she felt shallow, Leila couldn't contain her joy.

''I have something to apologize to Leila for.
What, sir?

　Leila noticed that Crono's hands were shaking.

'Do you remember the first time we met?'
Yes, sir.
That time I tried to ... hold you guys accountable.
Yes, I've noticed.

　Crono's eyes were full of dark joy at that moment.
　Leila had noticed that this was a feeling similar to the relief that the weak felt when they found someone weaker than they were.
　So she decided on the spur of the moment that she could just apologize.

'If you've noticed, why?'
'Since Master Crono loved me enough to wonder if the look he gave me at that time was some kind of mistake.

　'No,' said Leila, shaking her head.

'Maybe I was simply scared.

　They say there is a bargain in love, but this isn't even a bargain.

''Is Crono-sama testing me?''
No, no. Maybe I was scared, too.

　What?　I don't ask.
　Leila realizes that her current relationship is the result of her own rushing through without considering Crono's feelings.
　Both she and Crono were cowardly and distracted from the fact that it was inconvenient for them.

'I'm sorry, Leila. I love you.
'Yes, I love Master Crono as much as you do.

　Khan, Khan, the sound of hammering echoes through the Marquis' mansion.

'Leila, will you stay by my side?
Of course.

　In the halls of the Marquis' mansion stood the deputy, Deneb, Arididid, Goldie, Taiga, Shiro, Hiilo, Kane, Faye, the landlady, Elena, and Theon.
　Crono stood in front of them and repeated a deep breath.

''I have something to tell you all.

　He could feel Crono's nervousness through his moist, sweaty palms.

'I love the Cepheus Empire, but I also hate it.

　The hall, which had been quiet for the most part, is dominated by more silence.

'I, you know, I hate it. I hate the empire that despises me because I'm a subhuman or a commoner. I don't like slavery either.

　'So,' continued Crono, 'I'm going to change this country.

'I'm going to change this country. I'm going to make it a country where sub-humans, commoners, and nobles are not separated, but of equal value and meaning.
Are you crazy?
Unfortunately,

　Crono replied to Kane's question with a wry smile.

'It's easy to say you're going to change this country, but what are you going to do about it?'
'The basic line remains the same. We will enrich the territory with agricultural reform and trade. A revitalized industry will create jobs, and a stable livelihood will improve the status of sub-humans and commoners alike.
You know, it makes me feel like it's easy to do.
'No way!　Simply put, no matter how hard you try, you're just a frontier lord, there's no way you're going to change this country!　And even if it works, your grandchildren will be back in business!

　Elena folded her arms in a pompous manner and turned away from Crono.

''........If you're serious about changing this country, you have no choice but to become an emperor.
Yes, I think you could aspire to be an emperor.

　Crono said in his usual tone of voice.

''We are going to take a number of steps. One of them will include participating in the war and gaining military merit.''

　The hall was silent again.
　There is no guarantee that the empire will change even if you give your life. I would rather live comfortably under Crono's protection than scatter my one and only life on the battlefield.
　But, I think.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

"...Lord Crono.

　Leila pulled away from Crono and prodded him on one knee.

'I will be by your side at all times.
They beat us to it!

　Faye poked one knee in the spot, followed by her deputy, Deneb, Arididid, Taiga, White and Hiilo.

''Oh shit. I should have slept in if I'm going to listen to this kind of talk. Oh, f*ck it.
You need to decide whether you want to whine or laugh.

　Elena said in a disgusted tone of voice as Kane poked one knee in the air, cursing something.

'So what are you going to do about it?'
I'm not interested in the ravings of changing the country. But I'm his property now, and I'm not interested in giving up my job in the middle of the road, and I don't have a choice. I'm a bit of an a**h*le if you know what I mean.
I'm just waiting to pay off some debt.
I ...

　Elena and the landlady maintained the status quo, while Theon couldn't give a clear answer.

'What we're about to start is a battle with no way ahead of us. We have no idea how much effort we will have to expend or how many sacrifices we will have to make. You don't know if it will be worth it. We don't know if it will pay off, and we don't know if we can expect God's blessing.

　It's an all-out war. In the first place, it's not even clear if it's a fight in the general sense of the word.
　Leila thinks as she looks up at Crono.
　We are sheltered by Crono-sama, and we are fighting to get away from that shelter, right?