*

　In the middle of June of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty-one, two weeks have passed since Crono overcame the 'Trial of Death'.
　
　Thinking about the future, the construction of the port, the spread of the new salt field, and the management of the joint-stock company can never be neglected.
　However, since Crono is an amateur, most of his attention will be focused on the progress.
　There are things that carry as much weight as those.
　Count Caddo's territory is a land that faces the sea.
　And Crono has his mistresses........Leila, the landlady (Shera), Elena, Rio, Deneb, Alideed, Tilia, and Faye.
　Even if Rio can't, as he's the leader of the Ninth Konoe Guard, he wants to go swimming!　I thought.
　I wanted to samurai my mistress and enjoy a lazy, decadent, unproductive swim in the water.
　I wanted to see the sight of wet cloths sticking to my eyes as we splashed each other with water.
　I wanted to enjoy the cackling, woofing and blazing bathing.
　And yet, instead of returning to his domain, Crono was now recuperating in his foster father's house on the southern frontier.
　Crono lay in bed and watched the smoke billowing into the room.
　When he sat up and looked at the source of the smoke, he saw Sue sitting on the floor burning some medicinal herbs.
　According to Su, the herbs he was burning had a calming effect.
　She was also given a decoction of other medicinal herbs that were said to have pain-relieving effects.

''Well it does relax me, but that's not a bad herb, is it?
I'm safe.
I don't want to be a drug addict when I survived my 'trial by death'.

　Geez!　And his muscles creaked, and Crono moaned on the bed.
　It hurt if he moved poorly, and it hurt even if he didn't.
　This unimaginable pain had kept Crono from leaving the bed for two weeks.
　On top of that, the imprint would activate at a moment's notice.
　Still, it's much better than the first week.
　The pain itself has eased, and the imprint doesn't activate on its own anymore.
　Dr. Wiseman taught me that the imprinting technique is a magic technique that allows you to control attributes based on color, but in reality, it's a bit different.
　The basic function of the imprinting technique is to enhance physical abilities.
　No, should I describe it as drawing out physical abilities to the physical limit?
　Naturally, if you draw your physical abilities to the physical limit, your muscles will be damaged.
　In other words, the true nature of the pain that has been plaguing Crono for two weeks is extreme muscle pain.
　Crono looked up at the ceiling, saying that he couldn't come up with a single reason for that now about the imprint.
　If you compare it to the magic of the empire, the imprint should be the equivalent of an art form, but it looks like something that could be imprinted on your brain using drugs.
　Crono twists the logic that seems to be the case, saying that the engraving might not be just a program, but something like a computer peripheral.
　Does the driver come with the engraving, or did Crono have something like a standard driver?
　That's what I'm thinking about.

Master Crono, it is time to eat.
Yes, sir.

　The door is opened and Myra and Faye enter the room.

I'm always sorry.
That's a promise I won't tell you, sir.

　She helps Faye up and gets Faye to bring the food to her mouth.
　Myra is at a slight distance, playing a supportive role for Faye.

'Omae, Akachan.'
So, who's to blame for all this?

　For the past two weeks, Faye has been Crono's caregiver.
　The reason is twofold: one is that Faye would be able to get through Crono's activation of the Mark unscathed.
　The other is because she is tall enough to support Crono.

''Ole, Omaeno, wife.''
Well, yeah.
"Me, wife, wife ... wife.

　Sue repeated, as if she liked the word "wife" as she ruminated.

'I have only eight other mistresses.
.....

　Sue looked at Crono in surprise.

''Omae, worthy nai.''
Yes, it's worth it!　Ouch!

　Pissed off, Crono shouted and moaned at the pain in his body.

'Master Crono is worthy,'

　Faye said proudly and proudly.

''Lady Crono is a nobleman with a fiefdom. Elena-dono has informed me that last year's tax revenue was sixty-five thousand gold coins, and when the port is completed in Count Caddo's territory we can expect further revenues.
You know your stuff, Faye.
Of course.

　Since he didn't seem to be interested in such things, it was surprising to say the least.

''........Crono-sama?''
Yes, Miss Myra?

　Myra smiled and nodded her head lightly.

'Do you want to surround yourself with another mistress?'
It's not too late.
Master Crono, you're in the middle of your meal.
I'm sorry.

　I feel like a period drama a sickly father and his filial daughter in a poor tenement.

"I will work hard, sir.
That's encouraging.

　He helped himself to a cup of soup with Faye's help.

'So I hope you will help me rebuild House Murifine.
What?
'What?　It's not.

　When Crono asked back, Faye said without seeming to be offended.

'A knight is loyal to his lord, and his lord is the one who protects the knight.
Yes, I feel like I've been given the same love and loyalty for a lifetime?
I do not ask a price for love, but I do ask a price for loyalty.

　'It wasn't a set,' Crono regretted now.

'Come to think of it, if Faye gives birth to my child, there will be inheritance issues, won't there?
Even if a child is born to Lady Crono and Princess Tyria, the issue of inheritance and title will still arise. I don't want them to fight with each other as half-brothers.

　That's a graphic expression~ and Crono finishes his meal.

''For your information, for Faye, the revival of the Murifine family.......or rather, what is the specific purpose of this?''
That's a difficult question.

　Faye raised her eyebrows thoughtfully as she stacked the dishes and handed them to Myra.

''To be honest, the Murifine family isn't a respectable one. You might be able to say that they have returned to their former ways if they can get a so-so position in the Kingsguard.
''We can make it work if we ask Lord Leonhardt or Count Ernat, but we don't want Faye to get out of it. Bright territory planning-wise.

　Leonhardt or Count Ernat's men would definitely allow Faye to re-establish the Murifine family.
　But it would be very difficult if Faye could get out of it. At the very least, Kane would be overworked and beaten down.

''Mm, I guess we'll have to leave the Murifine family's rebirth until my son's generation.
''So isn't that why you're a demon, 'I'll let you join the Kingsguard, and you'll have to work your way up from there?'

　Assuming that the Marquis of Erakis, Count Caddo, and Baron Crawford's territory will be my territory in the future, Crono thought of the territory.

''Hmm, is it in order to leave the Baron Crawford's territory, which will be an enclave?　Ahh, but even Kane can't be a cavalry captain forever, and I want all the cadets to be involved in running the territory, right?

　I can't tell you anything specific because we're at the stage where we have to figure out what kind of organization we're going to have rather than what kind of position we're going to get.

'The cadets will be direct vassals of Crono-sama, right?
I won't know if he's willing to be a soldier until he's sure he's willing, but he can't be a soldier forever, either.

　Even if you don't want to be my direct vassal, I'm going to fully back you if you want to do something.

''Hey, I can't make any concrete promises right now, but at the very least, I'll do my best to make sure that me and the Fey kids get into the Kingsguard, why not?''
Yes, sir.

　Faye patted her chest in relief, as if she had expected her demands to be rejected.
　I was about to spit out one of the coolest lines, but while I was thinking about it, Faye and Myra had left the room.
　When I looked at them, I saw that Su was decocting some medicinal herbs.

''Drink Me.''
Bitterness, isn't it?

　As he drank the dark liquid, the effect was immediate.
　It was as if he was buoyed by the heat, and Crono's consciousness gradually faded away.



　When he woke up, the smoke in the room had faded.
　His hair and neck were coated with sweat, and Crono frowned in discomfort.
　Curious, he looked at the floor and saw that Sue was asleep, wrapped in a cloth.

''Can I move if I force myself?''

　Gritting his teeth, Crono moved away from the bed.
　His body creaked and creaked, but he could manage to walk along the wall.
　Toilet, toilet, repeat.
　Even if you're a subordinate and a mistress, you don't feel comfortable having someone else (Faye) take you to the bathroom or let you change your clothes.

''It's not a knight's job, you know.

　He moved along the wall to the door with a slither and reached for the doorknob.
　But before Crono could grab the doorknob, the door opened.

'I'm glad to see you're well.'
"...Captain Gaul, what can I do for you today?

　'Hmm,' said Gaul, crossing his arms.

'There was something I wanted to discuss with you about the barbarians, or rather the Roux. I thought it was selfish of me, but I decided to hold a meeting with the chiefs to discuss it.
...when?
It's today. Yeah, don't get me wrong. Ostensibly, it's supposed to be a dinner party for fellowship. Well, you know what? It's called politics.

　The bottom line is that the parties involved are planning to pack up where they can before the Empire intervenes unnecessarily.
　Regardless of the reality, the fact is that he has freed the Empire from the threat of the barbarians.
　If we concede that achievement, I'm sure Gaul would be willing to divide his power for the Roux tribe.

''Actually I have two requests.
That's fine.
Excuse me. Please take me to the bathroom.

　I thought he was going to say no, but Gaul took me to the bathroom.
　He looked like he'd bitten down on a bitter worm, though.
　Even when Crono left the bathroom, Gaul maintained his expression.

'You ... I don't know if you're a big shot or just an idiot.
I was trying to go to the bathroom by myself and you were talking to me.
So what's your other request?
'I'm going to give away my achievements, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to give the Roux the benefit of the doubt... or at least not be at a disadvantage.

　'Mu,' snarled Gaul, looking at Crono.

'Are you an idiot?　Persuading them to hand over their accomplishments to me and protect the barbarians while risking their lives.
I'm thinking of myself, well, I'm thinking of myself but I'd rather have Captain Gaul in the line of fire instead of handing over my achievements.

　Gaul ruffled his hair as if to say he didn't understand.

'And what do you get out of it?
'Self-gratification ... rubbing the Chief's boobs hard enough to leave fingerprints on them, and then the harem man.

　Gaul let out a sigh of dismay.

''You ... you risked your life to rub the Chief's, oh, boobs and make a mistress?''
'You don't have to force me to say boobs or anything like that ... well, as it turns out.

　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of these things.

I'm going to take that story to heart and let you have a weak hand?
I don't like to talk about it that way.

　Grinning, Gaul smiled and Crono cowered his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.
　Crono didn't trust Gaul wholeheartedly, and Gaul would be no different.

'It's probably true. I'm sure your proposal has some merit, but it's also going to be a hardship. Or at least, more hardship than we have now.
What do you mean by "more"?
"While you were sleeping, I was not idle. I've been going to the Roux settlements to continue our discussions for today.

　'More and more like a fool,' Crono said, looking at Gaul.

'I'm glad the Chief listened to you.
He wouldn't listen to me at first. I had no choice, so I had to make my own arrangements with a Roux woman.
Why?
I didn't lose.

　When Crono asked, Gaul replied with a mortified look on his face.
　Apparently, Gaul was rooted in the fact that he had been beaten by the Roux tribe many times.

'So let me ask you... what did you do to Lara?'
Oh, I see.

　It seems that the Roux woman that Gaul has matched up with is Lara.
　She has a rather upright personality, so it seems possible.

''I tried to seduce Lara and Lili to divide the Roux tribe internally, but because of Suu, I failed big time... I honestly revealed my true feelings.
You're an a**h*le, aren't you?

　Gaul said without a pause.

''Well no, no, no, I tried to take down the Roux tribe myself to take credit for it!

　Maybe I'm a bastard, Crono almost admitted for a moment, but then reconsidered and argued with Gaul.
　

''I fought to win your father's approval, to free the Empire from a threat. I didn't do it shamelessly like you.
I wanted to minimize the damage, just in case.
Whatever the motive, it's not an action for a nobleman to take.

　Crono gave up trying to convince Gaul that it was going to be impossible to get another evaluation.

'So, do you accept my proposal?'
'Yeah, I'll accept that. At least they are trying to compromise with the Empire. If we can prepare for an invasion of the Kingdom of Dorado, they won't treat the Roux with impunity.
Wasn't the Kingdom of Dorado the country to the south of the Empire?

　Why is the Kingdom of Dorado relevant?　When Crono nodded his head, Gaul's shoulders slumped in dismay.

''The Empire and the Kingdom of Dorado aren't hostile, but they aren't friendly either. Then it's only natural to be prepared for hostility.''
The Roux know all about the Areos Mountains but you've finally made friendly relations with the Roux and now you're talking about the next war?
Without that war story, the Lu's will be treated with impunity.

　Is this supposed to be a card to negotiate with the Imperial City?　And Crono looked up at Gaul.

'Of course, neither of us has any intention of putting the Roux in the line of fire. I intend to win the advantage by demonstrating that the Roux are useful to the Empire.

　Unintentionally, Crono applauded Gaul. He had made up a plausible theory in just two weeks.

'Well, even if everything goes well, the Roux will still be in danger of perishing. They'll either fight and perish, or they'll perish without fighting, or they'll be taken in by the Empire, the only difference is the process.
'Yes, but I'm sure the outcome would be a little different if the process were different.

　Eventually they might be taken in by the Empire and disappear, but the Roux had the opportunity to leave their blood and culture to the next generation.
　Crono tightened his grip on his necklace, thinking that it would be a far better end than being destroyed and forgotten.

'Yeah, well, it's self-satisfying after all,'
I don't approve of your methods.

　Gaul muttered, and Crono looked up at him reflexively.

'But I have a feeling I can acknowledge your beliefs. Don't get me wrong. It's only your beliefs.
....

　Crono almost blurted out a little bit, "Are people in this world all tsundere?
　If all the people who spout the line "don't get me wrong" are tsundere characters, then the chairman of a certain boxing manga and a rival character in a world-famous fighting anime are also tsundere characters.

''........pfft.
Why are you laughing?
No, no.

　Gaul shifted his gaze to the window.

It's time for the dinner party. Let's go.
Am I in on this?
And who would do that without you, the guest of honor?
I still can't move my body, sir?

　Gaul picked up Crono in his arms, saying he had no choice.
　In the princess's arms.
　Ignoring Crono's cries, Gaul started to run furiously.



　When Crono and Gaul arrived in the garden, they were greeted with a cold stare.
　Lowered to the ground, Crono covered his face, unable to bear the shame.
　It was Faye who tapped Crono's shoulder as if to comfort him with a pop.

''With........Captain Gaul....
Who would do that?

　He didn't seem to be trying to comfort her.

'But,' he said, 'it hurts, it hurts!　I heard him scream, 'Gently, gently.'
I was shaking so hard it hurt!
That's a very vulgar expression, sir.
It's not indecent!
Oh, God.

　His adopted father walked up to Crono, scratching his head awkwardly.

'When you've lived on the battlefield for so long, you can't help but run to your manhood.
No one wants to hear about my dad's experience!
If I'm not mistaken, you had the Commander of the Ninth Kingsguard as your lover, didn't you?
Yeah, well, that's the way it is.

　I remember saying to Deneb and Arideed that since it's another world, they can be homos*xuals, but Rio is half woman, or rather, Crono is physically 'offensive', if not mentally, Crono is physically 'offensive'.

'.........Crono-sama.
"Leila.

　Gently, Leila gripped the sleeve of Crono's clothes.
　Ever since she had been given the imprinting technique, she had ordered him to stay away from it until she had gained control.

'I trust Crono-sama,'
'That sounds like a sign of disbelief to me, doesn't it?
I believe in you.

　Giggling, Leila tightens her grip on the sleeve of Crono's clothes.

"...when will we be ready to stand, son-in-law?

　The chieftain walked over to Crono leisurely, with Lara and Lili on either side of him.
　Crono thought that he had good guts, like grooming the person he sent to the edge of death, but he decided to keep quiet.

'Well then, let's go to the dining room.'
Wouldn't you like to use the cafeteria today?

　Crono said, and Myra interrupted him.

'Are we going to have a barbecue in the garden?'
'I don't know what the word means, but I'm going to roast a pig in the garden.

　Well, is that possible?　Crono thought. The Roux tribe ate by hand-grabbing, so perhaps a hearty meal was better than a meal that used different dishes.

''Well, let's get ready for a quick meal!

　The voice of the proprietress (Shera) is heard, and the taiga carry bricks and wooden sticks.
　
　I hope it will be a harmonious dinner party~, Crono thought, but it was only a fleeting thought, akin to a prayer.
　The smell of roasting meat wafted through the air, and the flames intensified as the fat dripped down and intensified.
　Myra, Myra, Gaul, the Chief, Lara and Lili are silent as they watch the scene.
　The air is especially tense between my adoptive father, Myra and the Roux tribe.

It's an atmosphere of a flash in the pan.
If you know that, put a damper on it.
Mmm, it's a tough one.

　Faye raised her eyebrows thoughtfully.

'Well, I'll tell you a little joke I had an old man living in the house next door.
There is no house next to the Marquess' house, sir.
'I'm making this up. Eh, you have to be nice to old people.
It's important to have the spirit of respect for the elderly.

　Crono waved the story around, and this time Faye read the air and matched it.

'Oh yes!　He had a cold one day and looked like he was in pain.
I put a choke on his neck and made him feel better, didn't I?
'No, no, he had a cold and looked like he was in pain, so I didn't make him feel better or have a shred of respect for him!　They're strangling me and being strangely specific!
Sometimes death is our salvation.
'That's a bleak and respectful spirit, that!

　It's a good punchline, and Crono poked at it in his mind.


Oh, I've been bedridden for two weeks with this whole 'trial by death' thing.

　Kusuri and the Chief let out a laugh, but his adoptive father returned it in a dossy voice.

'Father, don't you dare pick a fight!
Master Crono, he bit you.
You're very good at tsking, my knight!
I am delighted by your praise.

　Crono pointed out, and Faye responded with a salute.

'Myra, stop it!'
I wanted to support my master as a maid.
You have a time and place for this!
''To tell you the truth, although Crono-sama covered for me, I was chased to death by a few Markers and almost died.
'I'm sorry I'm not good enough!
No, Master Crono was fine.

　Myra writhed in embarrassment.

'But isn't it hard for us to suddenly get along when we were in a relationship that was actually killing and killing?
'Yeah, well, you know, that's true. If someone doesn't put up with it, the cycle of hate won't stop.
"...hmmm...my son-in-law, do you want to put up with me rubbing my breasts?
Screw you, b*tc*!　Of course you're going to rub it enough to leave a finger mark!

　Crono shouted out to himself. But he quickly regained his composure as everyone's eyes focused on him.

''Souka, Naraba thought, rub it in,''
'd*mn it, I'm rubbing you. I won't stop rubbing you when you cry and apologize!

　As he held and opened his hands, Crono thought about the cycle of hatred.
　Was this urge to rub the chief's chest a sign of hatred?
　The chief's chest swayed in front of him.
　Ah, boobs.
　Those hateful and unhappy, sinful tits.

"Ah, ah!

　Crono crawled on all fours like a beast and sobbed.
　I want to rub my boobs.
　I want to torment the chief.
　But if this urge is due to hatred, I will resist.

Master Crono, boobs and hatred are not the same thing.
Thank you, my knight!

　The rebooted Crono glared at the Chief's sinful boobs.

'One day, I'll rub it.'
"...Souka.

　The chieftain twisted as if he was trying to escape Crono's gaze.

'Silly son, is that what you want?'
It's all good.

　There is hatred for the chieftain.
　But none of my men died, and I survived the 'death ordeal' myself.
　I've lost nothing.
　It's arrogance for someone who has lost nothing to speak of hatred.

I don't understand the hatred between my father and Myra, or even the tribal hatred of the Lu tribe. I don't know, so I will stop the cycle of hatred.

　I suppose the ideal would be for someone who knows everything to stop the hatred, but if that's not possible, then it should be stopped by someone who doesn't know anything.
　Ideals, even if you spout bloodless logic and despise someone who lives with hatred.

Look, Master Crono, look!
Next time, I'll ride.

　When I looked at the direction of the voice, I saw Snow riding a bicycle.
　Sue is dutifully waiting for her next turn.
　The air flows softly.

You can also have a look at the following information Daga, we have not yet shown you our benefits.
'I've had a few conversations with Captain Gaul about that.

　Crono explained the contents of his conversation with Gaul.

It's a good thing that you are a warrior of the empire. You will be able to find out more about this by looking at the following information
I'm trying to win the loyalty of the Roux to the Empire. What the Chief said before, about winning the Luu over to our side.

　And," Crono said, cutting off the words.

"The southern frontier your father has the advantage of being on good terms with the Lou.
What's in it for me?
...salt.

　Crono says, and his adopted father's eyebrows jump for a moment.

'There are veins of rock salt in the Areos Mountains. We won't know the reserves until we get a closer look at them, but that's enough to benefit us, and I think it would benefit us to be able to harvest medicinal herbs.

　When Crono turns his gaze to her, Myra gives a small cough.

''As Crono-sama said, there are many medicinal herbs growing in the Areos Mountains. Also, although it's a very delicate matter, I thought that if we could obtain salt without having to go through Count Burkmeier's territory, we could be somewhat bullish on the center.

　Until now, the southern frontier had been suppressed by the Empire in terms of salt access routes.
　Cultivating new salt access routes should weaken the influence from the center.

''Hey, I don't have any intention of antagonizing the Empire. I also owe that bastard from Arkol some assistance in the settlement of the southern frontier. I don't want you to get the wrong idea.

　As he said this, his adopted father smiled ferociously.

''Well, not bad, though.''
It's one thing to have salt, but it's another to have a reasonable price for it.
I guess we'll just have to talk about that area until we're satisfied.

　I looked to the side and saw Gaul's expression as if he had bitten down on a bitter worm.

'Why didn't you tell me you had salt?'
They didn't ask. So what about Captain Gaul?

　Gaul clicked his tongue abominably.

'Gaul, eat.'
Lara.

　When did it burn, Lara held out a chunk of pork to Gaul.

''Do you want to compete today?''
'Of course. It's not settled.

　Gaul took the meat and looked down at Crono.

'What are those eyes?'
I just figured out why.

　Gaul clicks his tongue in displeasure.

'Answer me?'
My response is, 'If you eat poison, you get a plate'.

　Gaul bit into the pork with gusto.

*

I haven't had a full meal in ages.

　Crono lay down on the bed, which smelled of herbs, and looked up at the ceiling.
　His body ached, but his mood was strangely calm.

''After ... a full meal...''
I thought it was time to get horny.
Doesn't the idea of falling asleep ever occur to you?

　Crono looked up at Myra, who had been standing by the side of the bed before he knew it.

'No, sir, what is it?'
I'm not very good at controlling the mark.
...I see.

　Myra nodded somewhat unhappily.

'Then I'd like to know why you were sticking a stick up in the air in the middle of the field.
'I was just going to go home. See, I felt like I was floating when I came to this world, so I thought if I stuck a stick in the air, it would make a hole.

　It was an utterly futile effort, but I was serious at the time.

'After all, it's unrequited?'
We have family over there.
Would you like to meet him?

　Crono couldn't answer Myra's question right away.

'I miss you. I miss my dad, my mom and my sister.

　The back of my eyeballs go numb, and I feel like tears are about to spill out.

'Do you want to leave?'
I've killed a lot of people in this world.

　Running away from this world doesn't change the fact that I killed a man.

"I have a mistress. The ideal of a world where everyone can live equally has been raised.
I would like to ask you to give me one of the reasons why Master Crono cannot return.

　Where Myra held it is an eternal secret.

'No, the imprint. It's not stable, or rather, it's unstable.'
You don't mind if I leave Master Crono alone?

　I had a bad feeling about this.
　What a handful of premonitions.
　I didn't feel it at all with Tilia and it hurt, but if you have a premonition, it's a different story.

''However, if Crono-sama refuses, I have no intention of forcing you to do so.
What?

　Stopping her hands from moving, Myra said with a perfect maid-like expression.

''Crono-sama, you have a regretful look on your face...''

　What's the shame?　And Myra resumes the attack.
　I have a bad feeling about this.
　My survival instincts are sounding the alarm.

'Huh, fugue.'
''You sound lovely, but I'm not going to force you to do anything.

　Myra stopped moving as she waited for Crono's answer.

　And Crono.....

　He would later realize that his premonition and survival instincts had been correct.