*

　Bailey's Chamber of Commerce the Chamber of Commerce, which gathered Myra's hatred all together, was quick to act.
　As soon as Crono sent the letter, they admitted to the mistake in the estimate and came to deliver the missing sustenance.
　However, it was only this time that he admitted.
　I wanted to push him a little more, but I couldn't push him any further because Gaul, the battalion commander, had stopped me from doing so.
　Whether we continue to do business with the Bailey Chamber of Commerce after next month depends on the estimate, so it might be a wise choice.
　If you just follow them because they are powerful, they will eat you up.
　I felt that I had caught a glimpse of the resilience of such merchants.
　Bag after bag of wheat was brought into the pantry one after another.
　It was confirmed that one hundred and fifty sacks were brought in, converted at sixty kilos per sack.......Leila checked with her eyes, calculated by rote as a reaffirmation, and ran up to Crono.
　The sub-humans and humans who were under Gaul's command looked enviously, while the heavy cavalrymen, who were also humans but from the noble class, looked at Leila as if they were looking at a rare animal as well.
　After all this time, the literacy rate in the Cepheus Empire was low.
　Since only those who can afford it have the opportunity to become educated, Leila will seem like a different world to the uneducated sub-humans and humans.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Crono-sama, we have confirmation.
It's Battalion Commander Gaul who signs.
'I'm sorry, Battalion Commander Gaul. I need your signature.
Yeah.

　Slightly puzzled... in fact, it would be the first time in his life that a half-elf would be asked for his signature.
　Gaul wrote his signature and returned the delivery note to Layla, also confused.
　Layla checked the signature firmly and ran to the person in charge of the Bailey Chamber of Commerce.

''Well that's a useful half-elf.
I'm not going to let Leila go.

　Crono glared at Gawl, wondering if he was going to recruit Leila to follow Faye.

'Don't look so scared. Neither do I intend to mess with someone else's mistress.
Are you on my left, sir?

　Crono dented as he imagined himself being discarded, saying that Leila was willing, but if she cheated on him or dumped him, he would have a serious distrust of people.

'But I've never seen a half-elf as intelligent as that one.
'I'm sure it was partly due to his qualities, but I taught him to read, write and do arithmetic properly, and he's still learning under Mr. Weissman.
...Weissman?　Oh, you're Assistant Teacher Weissman.

　Apparently Mr. Weissman didn't impress Gaul, even though he graduated from military school.
　Crono doesn't have many teachers he remembers other than Mr. Wiseman, but maybe this lack of bite on the topic is the difference between honor students and inferior students.

''You say you taught it, did you make that half-elf become educated?''
I'm just trying to be useful in the future.

　Hmmm, Gaul crossed his arms and snorted.
''Oh, you don't carry that miserable sword at your side, do you?

　That's when Gaul was about to open his mouth when he heard such a voice.
　The owner of the voice was Cecily, and the one being entangled was Fay.
　The stinging sword is probably a memento of Fay's father that was broken in the fierce battle with Robert.
　When Crono tried to stop him, Gaul controlled him with his hand.

'If a man can't see a man for three days, he has to scrape off his feet,' and that's exactly what he does.

　Does that mean he's grown up?　And Crono looked at Faye.
　It was the same Faye as usual to look at, but she seemed to be more dignified than usual.
　Remembering the incident in the bathroom, Crono's chemistry broke down.
　After finishing the fight, Crono dared to make a surprise attack against Fay.
　He broke into the bathroom just to return the favor in the morning.
　He then asked Faye to flush his back.
　Of course, he didn't ask her to flush his back in the usual way.
　Because now Faye is Crono's knight and mistress.
　When Crono asked, Faye froze as if shame and loyalty were playing a tug of war.
　In the end, loyalty won out, but it was only a victory for thin ice, a prelude to the next battle.
　Faye, while painstakingly washing Crono's back, stiffened as if she suddenly came to herself, and yet, she still did what she asked.
　Unfortunately, the battle that Faye had risked her entire life for was only a call for the next battle, and for now, there were no two words for the end of the war in Crono's dictionary.

''This sword is a memento of my master's wife, Elua-sama, who is also Crono-sama's mother.
You're calling it an antique, aren't you?

　Faye took a step forward, and Cecily retreated as if to match it.
　It wouldn't be a conscious act.
　Cecily's face was twisted in humiliation as evidence of this.
　As if she couldn't forgive herself for retreating.

'Huh, it's unpleasant!

　Spitting out, Cecily turned on her heel.
　From the side, though, it looked like she was pressurized and ran away.
　Crono felt a sense of deja vu at the sight.
　Where could it be?　I nodded my head.
　I knew the answer right away.
　He looks just like Crono, who met Leonhardt at the ball.
　Perhaps Cecily recognizes Faye's ability.
　But acknowledging Faye's ability was tantamount to admitting that she was lower in rank.
　That's probably why Cecily tries to undermine Faye.
　It's true that humiliating Faye might make her feel superior, but it's only temporary.
　Soon she would be brought back to reality and would have to repeat the same thing.
　Maybe that's why Cecily is so aggressive towards Crono as well as Faye.
　Well, in short, I guess it's just taking it out on her.
　Even if it was the same eight-grind, Sion-san's was prettier.
　At least he hadn't felt his life in danger because of Sion-san's eighteenth strike, and Crono looked up at the sky.
　So, is it because the only part of me that's winning is being a venerable old nobleman, that I'm the new nobleman, that you're loudly claiming aristocratic pride and looking down on me, the new nobleman, more than necessary?　And Crono analyzed Cecily's behavior in his own way.
　'Maybe it's just a bunch of inferiority complexes,' Crono smiled.

'Don't smile wickedly next to me,'
Rude.

　Crono gently covered his mouth with his hand.


I don't know.

　In the last war, the Twelfth Order also suffered heavy losses.
　They should need competent subordinates to rebuild the knights, so I don't think Count Piske will let go of Cecily.
　Well, I think that Count Piske would easily let go if there was no merit in retaining her.

''The barbarians will attack us again today or tomorrow. You and your men will be invited to join us in defeating them.
'I don't want it, just the other day,' he said to me, 'I don't want it, go home'?

　Gaul looked at the forest with his arms crossed.

'I've changed my mind,'
Are you on my left, sir?

　Gaul easily reversed his previous statement.
　I guess he took the fruit rather than the face.
　He said that Count Ernat was a fool, but not very foolish.

'My father ... what did he say about me?
'I was a good, honest kid when I was a kid,' he said in the past tense.

　'Gugu,' growled Gawl in displeasure.

'What do you think of me?'
'My first impression was horrible, and my current impression is that it's not very foolish...'

　As if expecting a better assessment, Gaul turned over and shook his shoulders as if he were enduring anger.

'What do you think I'm missing?'
'The ability to run the troops and care for them, and calcium by the way. Drink milk and eat lots of small fish.

　Gaul's trembling grew louder.
　His whole body was trembling, not just his shoulders.

'Then I have to get ready.'

　It was too much trouble to be yelled at, so Crono collected Layla, Faye, and Snow and ran away from the scene.

*Sigh.

And so we had to fight the barbarians.

　When Crono explained what had happened so far in the garden of the Crawford mansion, his subordinates had two different reactions.
　Those who tightened their expressions and those who looked at Crono anxiously.
　The former were those with actual combat experience, like Layla and Tyga, and those with a high appetite for battle, like Faye, and the latter were new recruits with no actual combat experience, like Snow.

''I think the faces here are new to fighting barbarians, including me. That's why I've invited people who have experience fighting barbarians as special lecturers. First up is my father, Baron Claude Crawford.

　Crackling, Crono clapped, and his men clapped to match.
　Welcomed by the applause, his adopted father stood in front of his men.

''Father, what do you need to be careful about when fighting the barbarians?''
It's the Marking technique. I don't really understand, but they use a spell called the Marking technique. It's a good idea to raise the level of your physical abilities and, well, I don't really understand this either, but it can cause magic-like phenomena. You have to be especially careful when the spear is covered in light.

　The subordinates nodded in unison at my foster father's words.

They are throwing spears wrapped in light. If you come close to the spear, a few seconds later, boom!

　The subordinates gasped as their foster father opened his clenched fist at the chest position to express the explosion.

So, if you're going to fight, it's at close range or a long distance. If you're at half distance, they'll blow you to pieces!

　Crono stood next to Myra at a slight distance.


"Share information and allay fears.

　
　For example, suppose a stone falls from an empty space.
　There are many scientific explanations, but even if there is no scientific explanation, human beings try to dispel their fears and anxieties by creating an imaginary creature.

Do you think the barbarians are human, little boy?
Are you human?

　Myra shuddered begrudgingly as Crono assured her.

'Little boy...'
Myra, it's your turn.
I'm sorry, sir.

　My adopted father stood next to Crono as he replaced Myra.

''Not a bad move. It's not a bad move. In a fight or killing each other, the one who loses is the one who has the wind of cowardice blowing against him. If we knew what kind of enemy we were, we wouldn't be more scared than we had to be.

　So my foster father cut off his words and smiled ferociously.

''Well, what's the use of knowing what kind of enemy you're dealing with if you can't handle it?
That's the problem, isn't it?

　The image of Faye passing through my mind after hearing her foster father's words.
　If it's Faye right now, it seems like she can fight the barbarians head on.
　Huh?　And Crono stopped moving.

'Why are the barbarians so strong?'
'What?　You're not listening to me. I told you it's because they want to use this Mark of Damocles magic.
'Oh, yeah, I remember that one,'

　Physical enhancements, exploding spears... maybe it's just a different name or method of activation.

You mean the Marking technique?
Oh, for God's sake, where did you get that conclusion?
''No, because they're talking about six-colored spirits and evil laws that assimilate with spirits, but that's the Empire's theory, right?

　Witchcraft is considered to be a crude imitation of divine authority arts. So what is divine wizardry, then, and what are the six pillar gods that are the objects of faith in the first place?
　It's something systemic that maintains this world, Crono glares at me.
　Well, it doesn't matter if it was flown in from outer space, created by an ancient civilization, or came into existence by accident.
　Shenwei-jutsu communicates (accesses) the six pillar gods (systems) and downloads a jutsu (program), and sorcery imprint (installs) the jutsu (program) created based on Shenwei-jutsu into the brain by means of a hypnotic drug and activates it by certain keywords.
　Just as the empire changed the divine authority art into magic, the barbarians changed the divine authority art into a form of imprinting art.
　It was also more like Divine Majesty Art.

''If all of them are all users of the Divine Majesty Art, then they should be strong. But if we know that they are all users of the Divine Majesty Technique, we can deal with them.''
Does it work that well?
Yeah, well, maybe.

　As soon as his adoptive father rammed him, Crono suddenly felt uneasy.
　The weakness of the Divine Majesty Technique was that excessive use would cause the surgeon to go insane.
　
　Maybe the imprinting technique has a similar weakness, but if I had to improve it and overcome the weaknesses, I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

'If it doesn't work I'll run away.
I don't know if you're a bad-ass or a good-ass. As long as you play the right cards, I don't mind.

　Crono is not going to risk his life for Gaul or Count Ernat.
　'Of course, for the sake of the barbarians.

'It's okay, maybe.'

　So Crono replied to his adoptive father.



　Night there were several flickering bonfires to light up the darkness.
　The only reason you can tell it's a bonfire, small as a sesame seed, is because you've been told of Gaul's plan.
　Gaul's plan is simple and straightforward.
　Form a formation and intercept the barbarians.
　It's a legitimate way of fighting, but that's like giving the enemy the initiative.
　This time, Crono's plan to participate as a detachment was to form a squad of five men, four infantry and one archer, and if the barbarians appeared, the nearest squad would hold them back while the other squads would join up and beat them to death.
　I'm not comfortable with stones, though, so I'm also setting a trap.

''Hey, Crono-sama?''
What is it?

　Sleeplessly, Snow moves next to him.

'You don't have to form up like they do over there?
I'm not.

　Currently, Crono is covered in a mud-stained cloth and hiding in the bushes near the corral.
　His men must be hiding in the bushes in disguise as well, but the disguise is too perfect for Crono, who knows the layout, to find them.

'Can you see the rest of the squad?'
"You can smell it, to some extent.

　I called out to the beastman next to me and he replied with a twitch of his nose.

'Master Crono, where is the fey?'
Hmmm, where is it?

　The light horsemen and archers are hidden by Faye's divine power art.
　It seems that the power of Faye's belief in the 'Goddess of Jet-Blackness and Chaos' can also distort the light and hide itself, so it's difficult to locate her.

''It looks like a battle has started over there.
I guess so.

　Snow told him, and Crono narrowed his eyes.
　A red and green light larger than a bonfire was running through the night darkness, and the soldiers were beginning to move in a hurry.

''........Crono-sama, they came from before.
Yeah.

　Ahead a red light lights up in the darkness of the forest a hundred meters away.

"Only one enemy?
'There are already two of them. One of them is about the same age as your mother and the other one is about the same age as me?

　Is she a woman if she goes out of her way to metaphorically refer to Leila and herself?　I remember Dr. Wiseman teaching me that barbarians are a matriarchal society," Crono stared at the red light.
　Leaping like a grasshopper, the red light grew larger in the blink of an eye.
　When she stopped about fifty meters away, a red light the barbarian woman stopped moving.
　Her feet are buried in the ground up to her calves.
　The trap Crono had set.....................was caught in the mud.
　The closest lurking elven archer stood up and fired arrow after arrow at the barbarian woman who had stopped moving.
　The red light that adorns the woman's body increases in brilliance and the arrows flare up.
　No, the arrows evaporated like the Ignis of the Holy Argo Kingdom.
　But the elven archers will not give up.
　I've already given them information about the barbarians from my foster father and Myra.
　They can't give up just because what happened as they were informed.
　The barbarian woman walks slowly through the mud.
　It seems that she can't evaporate the water in the mud, despite the insanity of vaporizing an arrowhead.
　No, she might be able to tolerate the flames and heat she gives off, but she might get burned by the hot steam and boiling water.
　d*mn, I don't understand the rules of the imprinting technique, Crono bit his teeth.
　The elven archers kept firing arrows, and arrows flew in to cover them.
　Leila.
　Leila was shooting arrows from over a hundred meters away from the barbarian woman.
　As the barbarian woman flashed her arm, fireballs rained down on Layla one after another.
　It was like an enhanced version of a fireball dance.
　But the fireballs failed to catch Layla.
　That's because Layla was riding a horse and not staying in the same place for a moment.

'Can we go?'

　The moment Crono muttered, a green light lit up the darkness of the forest.
　Not a leap, but a flight.
　The woman lifted up her kindred, who were trapped in the mud, and closed in on the bushes.

'It is a surprise!
.....

　Suddenly, Fei appeared from the void and swung a blade enhanced by the Divine Majesty Technique 'Celebration Holy Blade' at the two flying barbarians.
　It was a brilliant surprise strike, as if he had used an instantaneous movement, but in reality, he only disarmed the disguise with the Divine Majesty Technique the moment he jumped and attacked.
　Fei's blade stopped.
　The woman of the Red Marking Technique and the woman of the Green Marking Technique stuck out her arms and prevented the blade in some way.



　As if in response to Faye's will, the darkness that covers the blade explodes.
　As Faye forcefully swings the blade away, the red imprinted art woman is slammed to the ground, and the green imprinted art woman lands wobbling in the middle of the bushes.
　Dizzy, Green Marking Technique Woman the Green Marking Technique Woman.....................The Green Marking Technique Woman shook her head lightly.
　Then Taiga attacked her.
　The Midori imprinted martial artist's eyes widened in surprise and she flew backwards in a wide flight.
　Taiga's great sword cut through the sky, and the Midori imprinted magician unleashed a blade of wind.......not invisible, but shining in the green.......
　The grass flew through the air and the blade of wind cut shallowly through Taiga's body.
　But Taiga's eyes glowed brightly, and he attacked the Midori imprint artist.
　Honestly, it's scary, like a tiger attacking a human.
　
　The Green Marking Artist spread his arms and spun around.
　In the next moment, a wind of equal force to the blast blew the beastmen away.
　The beastmen immediately stood up and attacked the Midori Imprinted Artisan again.
　An arrow was shot at the Midori's Marked Artisan who had risen to escape to a safe zone.

''.........''

　Midori's imprint artist kicked the arrows away with a blast.

''I can do it!''

　This time, Crono clenched his fists, confident that he would win.
　He shifted his gaze to Faye.
　Faye had Leila's backup and was overwhelming the red imprinted martial artist.
　There was a difference in the level of attrition between the red imprinted martial artist who kept using the power of the imprinting technique to guard against flying arrows, and Faye, who only focused on the enemy in front of her.

''Crono-sama, what do you plan to do with those two?''
I'm trying to get him to stay alive, but

　It would be difficult, Crono judged from the combat power of the imprinted magicians.
　After all, they are the ones who can control fire and wind with a single swing of their arms.
　They would need a sturdy dungeon to restrain them, and they might even give themselves up rather than become prisoners of war.
　The red and green imprinted magicians-their imprint flickers violently and their movements are visibly slowed down.
　Crono raised his body to ask for a truce.
　It was then that the spear pierced the tip of Crono's nose.
　Tongue-tied, Crono grabbed Snow by the collar and kicked the ground as hard as he could.
　The beastmen next to him fled from the spot with a more vivid hand than Crono.
　Darkness exploded just as his feet touched the ground or not.
　Wasn't black just to enhance his physical abilities?　And Crono rolled on the ground with Snow in his arms.
　Shit, my head is gung-ho and I feel nauseous, Crono said as he got his upper body up, the girl was standing there.
　It was a girl of about fifteen years old.
　Her face was young, but there was a certain dignity to it.
　Sharp eyes, drawn back lips.
　Her skin is sallow and dark, and her hair reaches to her shoulders.
　A jet-black imprint shone as if to emphasize the immature body line.
　

''Crono-sama, run away!''

　Pumph!　And a light flashed in front of the girl's nose.
　Snow slashed at her with a dagger in one hand.
　But the girl leapt and leapt over Snow and carried Crono up.

''What?''

　Crono couldn't help but let out a voice.

''Ta, help me~!

　The girl leaped, carrying Crono.

'Master Crono has been kidnapped, sir!
"Ta-oh, my goodness! (GASP!)

　Fei and Taiga stopped their hands, and the Red and Green Marking Artist also fled from the scene.

*

　When I woke up, I had been rolled onto the dirt.
　The back of my head hurt so badly that I must have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the ground.

'Um, no arms.'

　Both the long sword and the dagger were confiscated and tied behind his back.
　They didn't take off their armor and cloak for a reason that only the barbarians could understand.
　The place was a cone-shaped space.
　In the center of the space, there was something like a hearth, and the walls were made from a combination of tree branches.

''A........pit dwelling?''

　When I came to this world, it was a bit of a culture shock, but there are no pit houses.
　The level of civilization has passed the Middle Ages and is in the Jomon period.

''Well, even if we don't have any weapons, we can still use magic to make a rope.

　Crono tried to activate the Heavenly Cardinal Kagura and quickly changed his mind.
　The Heavenly Cardinal Kagura is aimed and controlled by his eyes.
　Tied up behind his back..........If he fails, he's not going to lose his hands.
　What should I do?　And as Crono was at a loss, someone walked in.
　It is the girl who kidnapped Crono last night.
　Her clothes are covered with a band of leather across her chest and waist.

''........''
....

　The girl sits across the hearth, facing Crono, and gurgles and polishes the grass that was hanging there with a board and round stone.

'Oh, hello, would you like me to go home?
....

　I should have worn my magic item for interpreting, Crono regretted.

'I'm Crono, what about you?'
....

　The girl rested her hand and looked at Crono.

''Ole, Sue. Rouxian no-curse doctor.

　It's a double voice, just like when you're talking to your deputy.
　Why is that?　Crono nodded his head, but his doubts were quickly put to rest.
　
　Perhaps this clay tablet was a magic item for interpretation.
　The letters engraved on the clay tablet were not alphabetic, but a combination of vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines.

'Do you want to go home?'
"No. No. You, Yalkot, Al.

　Sue snuggled up to Crono on all fours like a beast.

''What is it?''
The seed is out.

　Sue stuck out her hand.

''Even if you ask me to give it out, it's not so easy to give it out. You have to be in a state of mind like this.
"Sawanaka?
Yes,

　Dr. Wiseman said it was a matriarchal society, but I wonder if it's an Amazonian-style culture?　And Crono raised his body.
　According to Crono's fuzzy knowledge, the Amazones were a tribe made up entirely of women, and when they had children, they would attack men, or throw them away if the child born was a man, or cut off one of their breasts to handle the bow.
　You're not a prisoner of war, you're a stallion. But they shouldn't be easily killed if they're worth using, right?
　Sue stared at Crono and grabbed the spear that was standing on the wall.
　The tip of the spear had a piece of black shiny stone attached to it, which looked more painful than an iron spear.

''Come. Chief, meet.''
All right.

　Sue held out her spear and ordered Crono to do the same.
　Leaving the pit dwelling, Crono looked around.
　
　The pit dwellings were lined up shoulder-to-shoulder in an area the size of a cat's forehead.

'It really is Amazons, isn't it?

　I look to my right and to my left, but all I see is women and no men.
　And, incidentally, there were no children in sight.
　It seems that the part about hunting and gathering that Dr. Weissman had taught me was correct, and there was no livestock.
　Instead, there was a skinny dog.
　Since it is said that dogs are mankind's oldest friends, it seems that the Roux people also have a tradition of keeping hounds.

'....walk.

　Sue speared Crono's back.
　He was wearing a cloak and armor, so it didn't hurt.
　There was a cone-shaped tent at the end of which he was taken away after being speared.
　The tent was made of leather and was larger in scale than a pit dwelling.

''........Chief.''
I'm in.

　When I entered the tent, a woman was sitting in a chair.
　She was probably about thirty years old.
　Her skin was dark and sallow, like Suu and the other women.
　Her hair was long enough to tangle around her upper body, and her eyes peeking out from between her bangs were razor sharp and glistening like a hungry beast.
　Although she was slender, she was well exposed where it came out and was a bit difficult to look at, partly because of the high level of exposure.
　Like Suu, he has a band of leather covering his chest and waist, but perhaps it's because he's a chief, but the leather at his waist is as long as a pareo.
　The chair the chief sits on seems to be made of wood and leather.

''Why did you come to Renrete?''
You are a roo. We need a new blood.

　The clan chief scratched his hair in frustration.

''My clan is stained with blood?
"We are vital. We need new blood. Lu, naknar.

　I'm not sure, but it seems that the Roux clan is on the verge of extinction and is in need of new blood.

'Mourai.'
"...I've made a mistake.

　Sue said in a voice tone that sounded like she was holding back tears and speared Crono's back.
　Returning to the original pit dwelling, Sue took the powder out of the earthenware vessel and began to knead it with water.
　Sue threw the finished product into the hearth, and when it was moderately cooked, she took it out and threw it to Crono.

''Foodie.''
I'd like you to untie me first.

　Mph, Sue stuck out her lower lip.
　After struggling for a while, Sue put the stone knife in her mouth and untied Crono's rope.
　Maybe she was going to cut Crono's head off if he got out of control.

'Ahhh, my shoulder hurts.'
....

　Sue sat down face to face again, and this time she took something in the shape of a stick out of an earthenware bowl and threw it to Crono.
　It seemed to be smoked or dried meat.
　Crono alternately nibbled on the biscuit and dried meat made from the mysterious powder.
　The biscuit was light and dry, and the meat was rather salty.

'How are these biscuits made?
"Crush the nuts. "Crush the nuts. Water, crush it. Crush it.

　I thought he would ignore me, but Su replied lawfully.

''You said that........the blood has lost its vitality, what do you mean?''
....

　Pui and Sue turned away.

'If you tell me why, maybe I can help.
....

　Sue glared at Crono and snarled like an animal.

'It's fine if you don't want to answer,'
....

　Sue finished her meal and began to grind the dried grass with a stone again.
　Since there was nothing to do, Crono scratched his head and asked Sue a question.
　As a result, the chief of the Roux tribe must be a woman.
　He found out that a spell doctor was the job of mixing medicines and poisons and applying imprinting techniques.
　It seems that the chief also has knowledge of medicinal herbs and the imprinting art, so this may be an aspect of not ceasing to have knowledge and skills.

''Omae, Oshaberi. Less, shut up.''
Yes?

　I had no choice but to rummage around, and a Roux woman was watching Crono from the entrance.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm curious ... maybe it's called curiosity since there are no men around.
　When I boldly waved my hand, the Roux woman hid herself as if surprised.
　After that, the Roux woman came to visit Crono.
　For some reason, Su's mood was getting worse at an accelerated rate.
　When the sun was setting, the Lou tribe's women finally stopped coming.

''.........Omae, Oreno, the prey.''
I see.

　For Sue, Crono is like prey.

'Night, Sleeping'
I knew it. You're gonna tie me up.

　With a familiar motion, Sue bound Crono's limbs and lay down on the fur.
　She was grateful for the presence of the cloak.

*

　The next day, Crono was woken up as the night was turning white.
　The rope was untied and Crono was tied to a tree as he was speared towards it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. You wait.
I think I could use another nap.

　Leaning against a tree, Crono watched Sue collecting medicinal herbs.

''I wonder if you'll be okay without your underwear on?''
Master Crono, you look like you have a lot of room to maneuver, don't you?

　Bosori and Myra whispered in his ear.

'You're well aware,'
"We know where the barbarians live at all times.
Don't cut the rope. I don't think even Myra could get away with it with me.

　I want to make killing Sue a last resort.

What's the situation inside?
'The civilization level is Jomonjidai, the chief is a woman, and there are no men in the settlement. They say that the blood has lost its vitality and that's why they kidnapped me. You'll have to ask Leila about the Jo-monjidai.

　'Jowls, jowls, jowls,' Myra repeated.

'I'll explore it some more. Maybe there's some room for negotiation.
'Master Crono, we've been killing each other for years.
I know. But I'm not risking my life in here.

　Myra's presence disappears.

"Next, salt, take it.

　Sue strapped a leather bag swollen with medicinal herbs to her spear and untied Crono's rope.
　Next they took him to a cave.

'You can get rock salt,'
You wait.

　Jet-black patterns emerge on Sue's body.

''I'm not tied up, but if I escape, I'll be in distress.

　Rock salt. Crono looked up at the sky, 'I suppose if we get on friendly terms with the Roux, my adopted father won't have to buy expensive salt, and I'll be able to trade with the Dorado Kingdom.

'I suppose I'm not a party to the idea that we should just get along,'

　Crono gritted his teeth as he recalled the events in the audience room.
　A war that had been set up from start to finish.
　Leo's head was blown off.
　An elf swallowed by the flames.
　Horus, who died with his eyes wide open.
　Rizad, who rode alone into enemy territory.
　Many died.
　Thinking of their deaths, Crono almost went mad with rage.
　I could have killed Alfort then.
　It's self-satisfaction.
　The dead want nothing to do with it.
　Still, even though he knew it was self-satisfaction, he wanted to remind them.
　Crono ruffled his hair.
　I know.
　You can't let your emotions get the better of you and throw it all away.
　I know that in my head, but my heart is easily gripped by hatred.
　If not for Count Ernat's restraint on my head at that time, Crono would have been destroyed by the collateral damage to his subordinates and the people of his domain.
　He is trapped in his own hatred, hoping that he will be able to put aside his past grudge and get along with them.
　Crono scoffed to himself at the contradiction.
　After waiting for a while, Su came back with a second bag strapped to his spear.

''Return.''
I'll take it.

　Sue was silent as she guessed the truth and untied Crono's rope. Then she removed one of the bags from the spear and pushed it to Crono.

''Susumu.''
You don't need to poke me with a spear.

　Good thing I've been working out, Crono said as he climbed up the mountainside with his sack.
　He didn't know the lay of the land, though, so he almost went in a misguided direction and was speared.
　When the Roux settlement came into view, Crono opened his mouth.

'Speaking of which, you said that the blood has lost its vitality, what do you mean?'
....

　When I looked over my shoulder, Sue looked down in a sour mood.

''........Long ago, man, Ita. You can't get rid of it. Bad wind. Men die. I'm the last child of my family.
Why?
"You don't understand. "You do not understand.

　Sue said in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.
　That's probably true, Crono thinks.
　People die.
　With sickness, with old age, with wounds, whether it's magic, divine power, or imprinting techniques, death itself cannot be overcome.
　The Roux are diminishing in number.
　Surely, the last one left behind will be the youngest Suu.
　Knowing this, Su is afraid of the loneliness that will eventually come.

'How have you been making babies?'
"A long time ago, all of us except the Roux were in contact with each other. Now, nai.
....

　What went through Crono's mind was the law of recessive inheritance.
　Recessive here refers to genetic traits that do not appear superficially, while genetic traits that appear superficially are called dominant.
　Rather than focusing only on the laws of dominant and recessive inheritance, there is a larger perspective... from the point of view of competition for survival, the rule is added that individuals with traits that are advantageous for survival will remain and individuals with disadvantageous traits will be eliminated.
　If it is a group with a large number of individuals, there will be no problem.
　But if the population is small, genetic traits that should be selected for are preserved, increasing the likelihood that traits unfavorable to survival will emerge.
　The closed environment of the Areos Mountains and the large number of deaths in the battle may have resulted in repeated incestuous marriages or similar actions, which may have prevented the Roux from having children among each other.
　However, this is only Crono's imagination, and it is possible that the Roux themselves have lost the ability to bear children.

Dakara, Sire, Decease.
'No, even if I help, it won't be the next or the generation after that, will it?
"The Roux, the End.

　Sue stopped and slumped her shoulders without effort.
　A painful sight.
　It's not my problem, so much so that I can't prod it.
　With a buzz, Sue shook her head.

''Mot, kidnap.''
'No, no, no, no. We just need to get along with the Empire.

　The spear swung around and was thrust into Crono's throat.

''.........you guys, take away our land!''
'But if we don't, the Roux will be destroyed. If we get along with the Empire and build up friendly relations, we won't have to kidnap a man, and the blood will restore our vitality.

　The tip of the spear wavered to indicate Suu's conflict.

''It's impossible. You can't do it, you can't say it.
I know it's hard, but we have to do it.

　Crackling, Su blinked repeatedly.

''........What, Sul?''
"Let's just see you get along for the ride. "and give me a magic item for my translator.

　There is self-preservation, and there is also an intention to cut down the Roux tribe.
　Crono smiled at Su while feeling a bit of self-loathing.