*

"Whoa!

　Deneb and Alideed ran into their room, screaming.

'New furniture!'
Brand new sheets!

　Deneb stood in the center of the room and stared at the new furniture ... a bed and a set of desks, a bed, and Alideed rubbed his cheek on the brand new sheets.
　They weren't the only ones who were happy.
　Gau gau, bumo~bumo~, sha sha sha~, and other voices filled with glee echoed through the new barracks.
　No wonder they're happy.
　In the old barracks, second-in-command had a private room, the centurion had two rooms, and ordinary soldiers had six rooms, but in the new barracks, the centurion and above had a private room, and even ordinary soldiers had two rooms.
　Since the retreat a month ago, the five hundred soldiers who have become Crono's subordinates have been sleeping in the old barracks, but with rooms for two, and new furniture installed, no one has ever complained outwardly about it.

''I can't believe we're allowed this kind of luxury!
Master Crono, you're the best!

　Crono said something like a public works project as well, but even with that, ''Master Crono, you're the best! It is.

I've had this luxury.
We'll never get our lives back, will we?

　Five years ago, when I was posted to the Marquess of Erakis, it was terrible.
　The multi-bunk beds made a pounding sound when you turned over, the sheets were tattered and covered with insects, and the only meals we had twice a day were hard bread and soup as thin as water.
　That seems awful now that the treatment has improved, and at the time we were content to have guaranteed food, clothing and shelter.
　Well, it was only satisfying to the extent that it was better than playing vagabond or being taken care of by the Rescue House.

'Speaking of which, where did Master Crono go?
Hmm?　It looks like he's gone to visit Caddo.
Well, it doesn't look like it's worth it.

　Count Caddo's territory is located to the west of the Marquis of Erakis, a territory given to Crono, who was successful in the war a month ago.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do with it.

'What do you mean by use value?'

　Deneb and Aridid looked at each other.

"I could eat fish every day!

　A menu will be added, Deneb and Alideed rejoiced as they raised their hands in the air.

* *

　The wagon pushes north and north along the seafront road.
　The hoods keep the wind from blowing in from the sea, but they can't hope to travel as comfortably as the box carriage.
　Tilia and Leila scowl uncomfortably at the smell of the shore.
　The same goes for Silva and Faye, who rides her horse and is wary of her surroundings.
　The only exception is Viscount Eryl Sardomelik, who is quietly reading a book, but in her case, she seems to be blocking out outside information by immersing herself in the book.

''So this is Count Caddo's territory. It's an appallingly empty place.''
'Isn't the ocean enough for you?　If you have the ocean, you can catch fish and make salt fields. And, of course, the port. Eventually I'd like to try my hand at pearl farming.

　As Tilia pointed out, Count Caddo's territory is an empty place, but since he doesn't have to go through another territory, he should be able to get fish and salt cheaply.

''... wait, Crono. Are pearls something that can be farmed?
According to the books I've seen on the other side, when impurities are mixed in with the shell, they are coated and created.

　Oh," said Tilia, nodding admiringly.

No, that's not right. If pearls can be made with just a few impurities, there is no need to farm them. Even if this theory were correct, wouldn't it take decades to establish a method of cultivation?

　He said as he reconsidered.

'Hmm, it won't happen overnight. We'll have to establish a way to farm the shellfish, and it's going to be a long road to get there.
Master Crono, what is a salt field?
"It's like making salt. I would repeat the process several times to collect the sand. Pour seawater into the collected sand and boil it down in a pot to get the salt out.
''With the method Master Crono mentioned, won't the seawater just seep into the sand?''

　When Crono explained the content of the history of manga Japan as he recalled it, Leila tilted her head and said.

'Crono, your knowledge is missing a crucial point.
Uh, I'm sorry.
Then you should be able to prevent seawater from seeping in.

　It was Silva, who was sitting in the guru's seat looking out to sea.
　He's Goldie's brother, an expert in architecture ... a fledgling architect, but a veteran stonemason with more than a decade of experience in his career.

''........What exactly do you do?''
We could build a concrete frame and that would be the end of it.

　Hmmm, Tilia groaned.
　Could it be that simple?　I'm not sure what to say.

'Silva, did you find any terrain that looked good?'
'I have no idea. It would have been nice to have a bay or an estuary, but it's only a gentle curve at best. We'll just have to rebuild the terrain.

　According to Silva, the best way to build a harbor is to have a concave terrain surrounded on three sides.

That's going to cost a lot of money.
No, it shouldn't cost that much.

　Silva moved to the back of the pack and took out a washi paper and began to draw a diagram.

We'll start by driving wooden stakes along the shoreline to prevent gaps. We'll start by driving wooden stakes along the shoreline, drain the water, harden the ground and reclaim the land, and then we'll have a quay. Then we can build a breakwater by throwing stones into it one after another, and it will take shape, right?
'How do you drain the water?　A tub?
It uses a pump. It's kind of like a spiral staircase with an elongated tower. It's not fixed in place. The spiral staircase is designed to rotate. When it is turned like this, the water is drained out of the spiral staircase.

　Tilia asked, and Silva replied with a gesture.

''The logs can be cut down from the trees in the Coma Forest, and the stones.......I think we can make it work if we cut down the rock pile that was near the Ochre Temple.
I just don't have enough people to do it.

　Ahhh, Crono grunted.
　

''Hmmm, can't we ask our men to do the work?''
That would be difficult, wouldn't it?
　Let's talk to Mr. Mino, Crono thought of his second-in-command's face.

*

　Night.........Crono returned to the Marquis of Erakis and called out to his deputy, who had just finished Zion's class.

''General, that's impossible.'' (Bumo~)
Yeah, I know.

　When Crono consulted with him, the second-in-command replied without a word.
　Currently, there are just over one thousand three hundred and seventy soldiers in the Marquis of Erakis territory.......Five hundred of them are new subordinates who fought together in the retreat battle, and out of the remaining eight hundred and seventy, three hundred and fifty are new soldiers who have been assigned less than half a year ago.
　Even if Kane's men were included, less than forty percent of them could be called old soldiers.
　Of course, Crono knows that training should be a higher priority than building the port, too.

'Mino-san, do you know anyone who is unemployed or something?
...I've got an idea, but I'm not sure if he'll listen to me honestly.
We'll deal with that in person.

*

　Baron Bowties' territory was three days' drive south from the Marquis of Erakis' territory by carriage.
　The settlement where the deputy's acquaintance lived existed half-buried in the forest at the foot of a mountain to the east of the Baron Bowties' territory ....
　The size of the settlement was estimated to be about fifty houses at most.
　There were no wells, but there was a stream running nearby, so they didn't seem to have to worry about water.
　The houses are like huts, but they are strangely large in size.
　The windows, incidentally, are also high.
　Since this is a settlement where the deputy's acquaintance lives, the residents are likely to be minotaurs.
　Considering that, the size of the door and the height of the window are not unnatural.
　To the east of the settlement there are several mountains........not too high, but the slope is so steep that the white surface of the mountain is bare and scary.......

"General, we're here." (Bumo)
'I'm tired of travelling in a carriage every time.

　Dismounting from the covered wagon with the help of his second-in-command, Crono stretched out to relieve the stiffness in his body.

'What about lodging, sir?'
We've got plenty of preserves on board, and we'll have plenty of time in the field.

　It was already evening, and if they bothered to return to the city, the sun would be setting.
　'Hard bread, dried meat and a barrel of wine will not be a problem,' Crono replied to Faye.

'I hope you'll be relieved to know that I'll be taking a sleepless night.

　Dismounting from his horse, Faye said with a proud smile.

''Well it's a lonely village, isn't it?''
"This is what a subhuman, beastman community looks like.

　The deputy said as if to let out a sigh and stared at the village.
　The village, dyed in the dusk, looked somehow languid.

For generations, my family has worked at the stone quarry........When we say we work, all we do is quarry and carry stones from morning to evening, that's all we do.

　It's called "just a job", but I got the feeling that something more than just that was included in the words of the deputy officer.

''........I joined the military because I didn't want to live like that'' (bummo~)

　Would it be an insult to him to say he could tell?
　Cut down the rock pile and carry the rocks.
　It's a dangerous job that could result in death if it's done poorly.
　You work from morning to evening and then suddenly you die in an accident.
　You work and work and work and work, and then you die.
　He was tired of his father's and grandfather's work, which had been repeated for generations.
　As I wasn't sure what to say, I heard the sound of something falling over.
　I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a minotaur standing near the doorway of the hut.
　There is a tub lying at his feet.

'Brother!' (PUMO!)
"Aria." (BUMO!

　As the deputy rushed out, a minotaur woman called Aria ran out a little later.

''........Brother!　Why, why, why did you leave?' (PUMO~)
"I'm sorry, Aria. I'm.......no, I'm.......

　The deputy hugs Aria and utters an interrupted apology.

'It's an emotional reunion, isn't it?'
...Yeah, it's impressive.
"Mom!　Brother Mino is back!' (PUMO!)
"Mi minos! (PUMO~)

　Aria shouts, and an old.........................minotaur woman appears from the hut.

'Mother!' (BUMO!)
"I was worried about you, Mino." (Pumo)

　The deputy hugged his old mother and tears spilled out of his polo ralph lauren eyes.

'It's an emotional reunion, isn't it?
....

　When I gently looked at her face, Faye's eyes were moistened.

''It's Mino!'' (BUMO)
"Minos? (More~)

　The minotaurs jumped out of the hut, buzzing and screaming.
　It seems that their work at the quarry was finished, but after a while, a group of minotaurs appeared from the mountains, and a corner of the village was filled with minotaurs.

'Lord Mino has adorned his hometown with brocade, has he not?
Yes.
Mino! (BUMO!)
"Dad! (BUMO!)

　The one-eyed minotaur scrambled through the other minotaurs and walked up to them and slammed his fist into the deputy's side.
　Glari and the deputy's body shook.

''Father, where's my brother?'' (Bum?)
"He's dead. Shortly after you left home, I got caught in a rock fall." (Bumo)

　Oh, no," said the lieutenant, stumbling.

"Where the hell have you been hovering around all this time? (Bum?)
"I work as a soldier in the Marquess of Erakis." (Bumo)

　'Soldiers, soldiers ... bumo bumo and the minotaurs repeated.

'Fay, bring the bags in the wagon. We'll keep the food intact.

　Crono scraped through the minotaur and stood next to his deputy.

''What the hell, you are.'' (Bumo)
''I am Mr. Mino's superior, the lord of the Marquess of Erakis, and my name is Crono. I've always been indebted to my second-in-command, Mr. Mino.

　Deputy?　

"My son ... is not a man." (Bummo Bummo)
Yes, but he's been my second-in-command for a long time, and he's been there for me.
Let us through.

　Faye scraped past the Minotaurs and the others and placed a pile of luggage on the ground with a don.

''Well it's not much, considering what Mino-san did for me. Faye.
I understand, sir.

　The minotaurs let out a gasp as Faye opened the package. What they found there was an antique, magic items for lighting, and hair ornaments for women.

''Well Mino-san, I'm sure you have some stories to pile up, so why don't you take it easy with your family today?
May I? (Bum?)
Yeah, I don't want you to worry about it, so we'll be sleeping in the carriage.

　When he returned to the covered wagon with Faye, the deputy was surrounded by minotaurs and met with a barrage of questions.

'To even prepare a gift for you, Master Crono, you are so concerned about Lord Mino, aren't you?
That was just in case the recruiting failed.

　I tried to catch him with things because he wouldn't be living a very good life.

...Crono-sama is a bit of a thing.
I would too if it was just words. I wouldn't be able to cut you off from your current life without a handout.

　Crono cowered his shoulders, "And I can't promise you any profit.

''What does Master Crono intend to have your acquaintance do to you, Lord Mino?
Port construction... when the port is complete, we'll move the cargo from the ship to the warehouse, leave the transportation to them, that sort of thing.

　And I'd like to leave the salt field to you as well," Crono said, slurring his words.
　After all, the bottleneck is that we can't promise a profit.
　It's not clear how far Crono's knowledge can be used to build a salt field.

''Crono-sama is thinking too much on his own,''
'If someone else's life is at stake and you don't think about it, it's irresponsible.
I said, "You're thinking too much by yourself.

　Faye cut off the words.

'Master Crono is weak.
That's weak.

　Crono's abilities are not even close to the feet of the fey. He can manage to win against dwarf and elf recruits, but with beastman recruits, there's too much of a difference in strength to win.

''Crono-sama can't do everything by himself, sir.
Well, you know.

　It's like the security of the territory is kept up because Kane is patrolling the streets, and the security of Hashel is kept up thanks to Shiro and Hiilo.
　Without Elena, the accounting would have been a monkey, and without the officials, the slaves and brothels couldn't be licensed.
　Without the landlady, without Alyssa, without Theon, without Goldie...the more I think about it, the more I am reminded that I can't do anything by myself.

The reason for this is Crono-sama, but when he was told about it, Mino-dono also thought about many things. He thought about what was important to his family and decided that he wanted them to come to the Marquess of Erakis.
'Well you're right.

　Crono narrowed his eyes and looked at his second in command, surrounded by his acquaintances.

*

　
　Declaring herself to be on sleepless duty, Faye devoured a piece of hard bread, rehydrated herself with grape wine, and set off into the world of sleep.
　If you're just going to fall asleep, why not use your escort target's thighs as a pillow?　Crono's gaze is glued to Faye's chest as he says it.
　He regretted that he should have messed with Faye during the war or something.
　Just as Crono twisted a cryptic argument to say that it had been a slip of the tongue, Faye woke herself up.

'Faye?'
I think I feel people.

　Faye reached for her sword.

''........Are you awake?'' (PUMO?)
I'm coming.

　When the curtain of the wagon was opened, the one standing there was Aria holding a pot.

''Um, I heard from my brother that he only brought preserved food with him.......I don't think it would suit the palate of a nobleman.
No, I'm glad.

　When Crono received the pot, Aria happily returned to the house.
　
　Crono scratched his hoof to hold the pot and grabbed the soup with his hand to eat it,.

Master Crono, you have no manners.
I don't have a spoon.

　Apparently, Aria is a bit of a goofball.



　The next day Crono woke up to a clamor.
　Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he crawled out of the covered wagon and found his deputy almost blown up by his father, who beat him to the ground.

''........Father, listen to me!'' (BUMO!)
"You're kidding me!　You're back after a long absence, and you're going to sell us out... you're going to sell out your family! (BUMO!)

　A chattering and angry voice shakes the atmosphere.
　'What's going on?' the minotaurs lean out the window.

'It's not!　I'm ... I'm going to think about everyone else!' (BUMO!)
'Isn't that what you're thinking about, a career? (BUMO!)
"Dad! (BUMO!)

　The deputy shouted, but the one-eyed minotaur started walking towards the mountain as if he wouldn't listen.

''........Don't let me see your face again.'' (Bumo)

　A minotaur slithered out of the hut, followed by his deputy's father.

'Mr. Mino,'
"I'm sorry, General. I tried unsuccessfully to convince you.
It's the injuries I'm worried about?

　As Crono pointed out, the second in command wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

''This much doesn't count as an injury.'' (Bumo)
'I'm sorry. I could have decorated my hometown with brocade because of me.
"No, it's not the chief's fault," Bumo said.

　The second in command stood up and stared at the mountain.

''General, can't you leave the persuasion to me?''
Okay.

　Crono wasn't sure if he should let his second-in-command take the brunt of the arrows, and decided to respect his decision.

*

　It should be said, of course, that the deputy's persuasion was not a straightforward process.
　He was repeatedly beaten, cursed, and reloaded.
　Even the villagers, who had been friendly at first, were beginning to turn on the deputy, as if dragged by their father's swordsmanship.
　Even in the midst of all this, there were a few who remained friendly, or were interested in the deputy's story.
　It was Aria, his mother, or the relatively young Minotaur.
　Though they seemed unable to support their deputy outwardly, though.
　

''Mino-san, are you alright?''
"This is nothing,

　Despite the fact that his face was deformed from being beaten so much, the deputy replied in the same tone as usual.

''........Mino-san, let's give up now.
"General, at least that's something I'll make sure to convince you of!　So just give me a little more time!' Bum!　(Bumo!)

　I think that reaction is the opposite.　And Crono looked at his pleading deputy.

'I'm glad you're so desperate, Mino, but I'm not sure it's hard to get you to do that much.
I'm not trying to persuade you just for the sake of the general. General, take a look at this village.

　Crono looked at the village.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for," he said, "because as you can see, this village is poor. Even if you work hard in the morning, you can't even eat.
But you have a stonecutting job?
"Of course, stones from the mountains are used as building materials, but not all of the lords are people like Lord Crono and Lord Claude.

　Does this mean that no matter how much profit they make, they don't give back to the minotaur?
　No, maybe they don't even take care to make sure they can work safely.

One in four children will die of disease before they reach adulthood. They are sold into slavery or die from injuries.
I can't promise you a profit.
"I don't want the promise of profit. "I don't want the promise of profit, I want my dad to dream. Tomorrow could be a good day. It doesn't matter if it's just a dream.

　Tomorrow could be a good day.
　It's more of an expectation than a dream.
　But I can't even have that kind of expectation.

I can promise you that.
That's right! (BUM!)

　I looked towards the mountains and saw a lone minotaur about to run into the village.
　He was frantically going around the houses, calling out to them.

'What's going on?'
"Fallen rocks! (BUMO!)

　Crono started to run with his second-in-command.

*

　When Crono and his second in command arrived, the quarry had turned into a hell no less than a battlefield.
　A mighty minotaur lay on the ground and a bum~, bum~ scream for help echoed through the quarry.
　As soon as he saw the huge plate-like rock, Crono could easily imagine what had happened in the quarry.
　Perhaps he had tried to cut out the rock above and failed.
　The plank of rock fell to the ground, and the shattered pieces of stone struck the working minotaur like a shot.
　The result was a nightmarish chain of accidents.

'Calm down!　All those who are safe, bring the seriously injured to the hospital!　Minor injuries must be evacuated to safety on their own!

　Crono shouted to the minotaurs that they should prioritize rescue now rather than trying to figure out the cause of the problem.
　The Minotaurs stopped moving and started to follow Crono's instructions.
　Normally there is no reason to follow Crono, but the panicking Minotaurs don't have time to think that far.

''Mino-san?''
'....Dad!　Dad! (BUMO!)
Mr. Mino, calm down!

　Crono called out to his second-in-command while almost being blown away.

''........Ta, General.'' (Bumo)
'Calm down. If Mr. Mino freaks out, you won't be able to save what you can save. You know that, but my command skills are full of holes.

　The second-in-command repeated a deep breath and looked around again.

''General, I'm fine now.'' (Bumo)
I'll help you.

　Hey," the deputy nodded emphatically.
　The rescue operation turned into an orderly affair as the deputy regained his composure.
　Although there was some friction, the deputy would say that the people of the village trusted him.

''Well you shouldn't have sent Faye out to buy something.
"It's a little late for that, isn't it, Chief?

　Crono blurted out, and his second in command said comfortingly.
　A group of severely wounded minotaurs lay far away from the rock pile.
　The minotaurs, who appeared to be family members of the seriously injured, were nursing them, but they could only suppress their visible wounds.

'I hope the rescue is over,'
Mino!　Your father!' (BUMO!)

　When I went towards the voice, I saw the deputy's father a one-eyed minotaur trapped underneath a huge rock.
　A rock ... a piece of rock that had been hewn into a slab.
　Perhaps it wasn't a direct hit, but was caught in the falling rock.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

I'm sure you'll be able to get away from it. The rock fall is still going on.

　When I looked up, I saw pebbles falling.

''........General, please.'' (Bumo)
I can't just let Mr. Mino's father die. Everyone step aside!

　Celestial Kagura, Crono muttered quietly.
　It activates the magic multiple times, just as it did when it destroyed the Breaking Hammer in that war.
　In the blink of an eye, your vision is filled with letters, and your brain screams as it is forced to operate beyond its limits.
　My vision turns red and my nose bleeds with a throbbing noise.
　I am aware that I am putting my life in danger.
　It's not only a headache, but it's also accompanied by bleeding.
　If you think this is nothing, you're either a true idiot or an optimist.

''.........Heavenly Cardinal Divine Music!

　Crono shouts, and the jet black sphere moves to the rock.
　As the soap bubbles disappear like a pop, the rock that should have been there is also gone.

''Thank you, General!''
Don't thank me. Just get the hell out of here.

　Crono stepped out and bent his knees.
　Huh?　A goofy voice leaked out.

''General!'' (BUMO!)

　Moving only his eyes, he looked up and saw that a rock was falling towards Crono.
　The rock wasn't that big, but a direct hit would kill him.
　I was prepared to be killed on the battlefield or die on my stomach, but I wasn't prepared to be crushed to death.

'God, bless my blade!

　The jet-black blade cut through the rock that was about to crush Crono.
　The rock split off to the left and right and rolled down the slope, avoiding Crono.

'Thank you for your help, Faye.'
I've come back with a bad feeling about this.

　Crono stood up, borrowing Faye's shoulder.

*

　
　It is said that the divine power art of the "Goddess of Darkness and Chaos" is not suitable for healing, so we have no choice but to rely on the person's energy.
　By the time the transportation of the dead and seriously injured was finished, the sun was leaning heavily to the west.
　The Minotaurs had gathered in the square in the center of the settlement without having indicated it.

''Everyone, listen to me.''

　It was the second-in-command who initiated the conversation.

''Right now, I'm........working for Crono-sama here as his second-in-command. The reason I came back to the village is because Crono-sama needed manpower to build the port.'' (Bumobumo)

　When the gaze of the Minotaur's group was directed at them, Fay stepped out to protect Crono.
　But Faye looked like she was about to fall down from the recoil of using her divine power art to the limit.

''Of course, that's not all. If you stay here, there's no way to go.'' (Bumo~)
'If I go to that person, will I be better off than I am now? (More?)
'Yes, doesn't that just make life more miserable than it is now? (PUMO?)

　The second-in-command met the gaze of the objecting minotaurs head-on.

'I can't guarantee a profit. After the port is built, it's a gamble. That's right, I'm sure Crono-sama will do everything in his power. But there is a possibility that he may not be able to reach his power.'' (Bumo, Bumo)

　'Betting is irresponsible,' the minotaur rasps.

'Let me ask you the opposite. Do you think you can get out of this situation without making a bet?　One in four children born will die. They can be sold into slavery. They can die in a falling rock accident like today.' (Bummo, bummo~!)

　At some point, the second-in-command's voice had reached a fever pitch.

'You have to bet that we're going to get out of our lives now.' (Bummo)

　The image of Myra with a high smile passed through Crono's mind.
　Maybe Myra had told him about her views on life at the Crawford Mansion in the imperial capital.

''I bet on Crono-sama. On top of that, I want to support Crono-sama to the best of my ability.'' (Bumo)

　A silence descended.
　There is no way to stay here.
　I can't make a decision even though I know that I will only be forced to live on the edge and be used up as a labor force.

''........I'm willing to bet on it.'' (Bumo~)
"Dad! (BUMO!)

　When the deputy called out, the ship-eyed minotaur turned away, looking embarrassed.

''Even if you have an ulterior motive, there........Crono-sama tried to save us instead of running away. Isn't that alone worth the bet?'' Bummo?

　Slowly, the one-eyed minotaur spoke to the inhabitants of the settlement.
　Silence descended again, and

"Yeah, you bet.

　As one minotaur raised his voice, it spread throughout.



　The next day, the three seriously wounded died without waking up, and the seven woke up.
　It was just after the three had finished burying the three men that the lord came to the settlement with his guards.
　The lord.........Baron Bowties was dressed in frilly and decorated clothes.
　His age was in his mid-forties, and his kaisel beard was aristocratic if you could say that he was aristocratic.

''I heard there was a stone fall accident and came to inspect, but for that, it's no problem. Go back to work at once.''

　Baron Bowties said as he looked down at the Minotaurs from his horse.

''Please ... wait.''
Who are you?
I'm Crono, the ruler of the Marquess of Erakis and the Count of Caddo.

　Baron Bowties' eyes narrowed in satisfaction as Crono poked his head down on one knee and hung his head.

'And what is this Marquis of Erakis like for me?'
As a matter of fact, I need a favor from you, sir.

　Crono gestured and talked about the plight of the territory.
　He lied about the chronic shortage of labor and the lack of progress in cultivation, and he also remembered that an upstart like himself would be humbled if he didn't have the help of the old nobles.

'Huh, you seem to have a lot of dignity for a new nobleman. Very well, I promise to help you as much as I can.
'Thank you. Now, I'm afraid I've only just received your kind words, but I'd like to ask you to give me the Minotaur of the land.

　'Hmm,' said Baron Bowties, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

'I don't claim it for free. 'Fay.'
I understand, sir.

　Faye places the box she took out of the covered wagon on the ground and crunch!　The sound echoed.
　Crono opened the box and tipped the box so that Baron Bowties could see the gold coins contained within it.

''There are ........four thousand coins, albeit insignificant.
"Oh, oh.

　Baron Bawties' eyes lit up.

'Very well, I will give you the Minotaur for four thousand gold pieces.
Thank you.

　There are less than two hundred minotaurs living in this settlement, and the price of slaves is around twenty slaves each, and the only thing we can expect as a labor force is five or sixty people, so it's calculated that we're paying a sufficient amount of money.
　However, if you consider the added value, it's about as cheap as it gets, but Crono didn't dare to point it out.



　The journey with less than two hundred minotaurs lasted seven days.
　The minotaur who had been severely injured was recovering well with the Fey's divine magic, but even so, they couldn't maneuver him to walk.
　When they finally reached the Marquis of Erakis' estate and ducked under the gates of Hachel, a slaver ran up to Crono.

''Oh!　Master Crono, we've been waiting for you!
Oh, it's been a while.
'When I heard that Master Crono was in need of labour, I gathered the slaves.

　Crono tilted his head, wondering where the story had leaked from.

'See,'
No, I'm watching.

　A slaver ordered his men to remove the planks of a box carriage.......not a passenger box carriage, just a slave transport carriage with a small window......and a lizardman was staring at Crono.

''It was an urgent matter, but we have gathered about fifty lizardmen. Of course, I didn't assault them, and I've had a medical certificate written up at the hospital in Hachel.
What if I don't buy it?
You'll be sold as a mine slave.

　Crono asked, and the slaver replied with a big smile on his face.

'How much?'
I'd like to say 30 gold coins per head, but since I collected them without asking Master Crono, how about 25 gold coins, minus the nuisance fee?

　Hmmm, Crono grunted. He needed labor, so it might be true to say that he was crossing over, but he didn't like the fact that he was apparently being pushed around. If you don't buy it, it's going to have a bad aftertaste.......

Okay, I'll take it. But next time you do something you don't want to do.
Of course, sir.

　How much do you know, the slaver answered immediately.