*

　Oh~, Crono let out a voice.
　It wasn't the empty shore in front of him, or the lizardmen carrying cut down logs or the minotaurs hammering logs into the sea, but a completed harbor.
　What had once been a beach has been reclaimed and firmly pressed into place.
　Since the logs had been used as they were, it had a handmade feel to it, but the five-hundred-meter-long quay had the power to blow it out of the water.
　The same goes for the breakwater, which was built by throwing rocks into it.
　Suddenly Crono remembered the war with the Holy Argo Kingdom the bottleneck that led to the city of Canopus.
　There is a difference between natural and man-made.
　The difference in scale is also obvious.
　But it changed the terrain, albeit very limited.
　I wasn't really aware of it, but this is what being an aristocrat is like, Crono realized after all this time.
　With a single decision, they can change the terrain.
　With this much power, even if he lacks charm as a man, a woman will woo him.
　Crono was grateful to his mistresses for making a distinction between public and private when it came to relationships between men and women.

''Well Tilia was awesome.

　

''.......Maybe we should have a banquet or a ribbon cutting to commemorate the completion of the port?''
I don't understand the meaning of the word "tepukkat," but it's important to take care of everyone, isn't it?

　As he muttered as he walked up the stairs, the fey who had preceded him said loudly, perhaps to reach Crono's ears.
　The stairs..........The port is about two meters lower than the flat ground where the worker minotaurs and lizardmen settlements are located.
　It used to be bare dirt, but it has been piled with stones and stairs, albeit quite steeply sloped.

'There's something about the difference, isn't there?

　After climbing the stairs, Crono let out his thoughts as he looked at the port city.
　

'Well, it's not just that,'
...?

　Faye tilted her head curiously.

'How does the memorial building look like a whorehouse?'
It's a licensed establishment, sir. It's a whorehouse.
They built a whorehouse first!

　Crono bent his knees on the spot.
　No, he knew it was strange because the ground floor was shop-like.

''Well you're dealing with a sailor. Miles' shop looks upscale, so I guess he's aiming for a buying merchant, but I think he's too much of a gamble.

　Crono stood up and brushed the sand from his hands and trousers.

'Life is like a gamble, Lord Mino said.
I never said that!

　He said that the only way out of this life is to gamble.

The loser loses everything, the winner gains everything and the owner is enriched with shoba money regardless.
So the analogy makes me your boss?
Now I know exactly how Lord Myra feels. It was the right decision to bet on Lord Crono. Exactly!　It is.

　Faye smiled high on her chest.

'Yeah?'
I'm afraid we're in the red right now.

　Crono asked, and Faye sounded unsure.
　Apparently, it's best to refrain from playing bath.

'All joking aside, it seems that Mister Mino's family is winning the bet.
I'd like to go with you for a minute to talk about your future plans.

　When they got to the settlement, it was mealtime, as expected.
　As Crono went to line up at the back of the line with Faye, the Lizardmen approached Crono.

'Ah, now that the port is complete, we'll release you as promised.
"...trouble.

　The lizardman, who seemed to be the leader of the group, replied as he chittered his tongue in and out.

''Huh?''


　
　The Lizardmen are slaves to Crono, but they are paid a salary, and they take care of their food and housing.
　The meals are thrown to Aria and the others, though, and the housing was built by them themselves.

'So you mean you want to work here?'
.....

　The Lizardman nodded silently.

'....Wait a minute...'

　Crono, accompanied by Faye, distanced himself from the Lizardmen.

'What do we do now?'
I'm going to have to do something, sir.

　Crono looked at the 'union' office building and

I wish you were here.
It is, isn't it?

　He went to the 'union' to secure a new job for the lizardman.

*.

　The official name of this world's first joint stock company is the 'Sinner Trade Association'.
　I'm sure the person who governs it will be the 'union leader' since it calls itself a 'union'.
　When Crono entered the union president's office on the third floor of the company building, Elaine was looking out to sea.

'I thought it was about time you came in.
Yeah, hi.

　Elaine turned around and smiled lustily.
　She was still as exposed as ever, but her blood color seemed to be getting better.

'Quickly, though, would you mind hiring a lizardman and the minotaurs?
We haven't seen each other in a while and this is about work?

　Elaine held her temples with her index finger as if she were trying to endure a headache.

'It's been so long since we've had each other that I think we should talk about work?
That's true. 'I'm afraid I'm going to have to be brief, but the association is doing well. We've done a good job of recruiting the ex-craftsmen and, thanks to the help of our partners, we've managed to get through the old man's harassment. All we have to do now is hope that the goods arrive safely.

　Even with such an explanation, Crono has no idea what's going on.

'You don't buy a product cheap and sell it to the highest bidder.
It's not that simple.

　That's about it, Crono thinks.
　Well, it's true that the companies that are called major manufacturers in the other world had their own factories, so the idea is to enclose the craftsmen in this world.

''So, what do you think?''
''Well yes. I haven't made a profit yet, and I'm thinking that maybe I should hire you here as a favor to you.

　It's a doozy, Crono chuckles.
　It's easier to do when it's clearly stated as one thing you owe than a redundant bargain.
　But there are some things that bother me.
　Even though the port is complete, there is not a single stevedore in the 'union' company building.
　Perhaps Elaine had intended to hire the lizardmen from the beginning.
　But even if he hired them normally, he wouldn't be able to make a loan.
　

'That's one thing you owe me.
'Yes. It would be nice to owe you a favor.

　I stroked my right eye, saying that a bargain is a bargain even if it's not redundant.
　It's not a bargain to present benefits like Crono has been doing so far, but a bargain to operate your hand most effectively.

'Let's talk about the future, shall we?'

　I looked towards Elaine's attention and saw a bed in the next room.

'I don't know how far this is an act, but I don't want to talk about anything important in bed.
Oh, that's a shame.

　Elaine gives off a 'scent' similar to Myra's.
　

''Well, let's move downstairs.''

　Elaine leads me to the ground floor.
　It was cramped compared to Miles's, but it was reminiscent of an exclusive, members-only club.
　'I've never been there, though,' Crono added in his mind, and took a seat at the far, far end of the empty shop.

'I wonder how many lizardmen I should hire, fifty lizardmen and how many minotaurs?
Maybe ten?
Oh, is that all you got?

　Crono said, and Elaine's eyes widened in surprise.
　There are about two hundred Minotaurs, but there are about fifty pure laborers.
　And I want forty of them to do what I want them to do.

'Have you seen the Coma Forest?'
Yeah, that's a nice tree that got chopped down.

　Silva reports that they used 3,000 logs to build the harbor, and the actual number of logs cut down was more than that, as not only were the trees suitable for use, but they also had to be cut down for smooth transportation.
　It's a really rough calculation, but they cut down two hundred meters square of trees.

I couldn't just leave the land lying around, so I thought I'd better clear it out.
So you want them to make salt until the frontier is up and running.
Well, sort of.

　It is said that it would take 20 people to manage a field of 200 meters square, so another 200 meters of forest will be cut through and the cultivation will be done.
　Incidentally, the source of information was Zion.
　The reason I'm discouraged that one person can only manage about thirty meters square of land is because Crono knows about mechanized agriculture.

''Is there any reason not to let a lizardman farm?''
'It's a mutable animal. Even in the winter, if you wrap a warmed stone in a cloth and make them wear it, they can move normally.

　Crono replies, remembering the march.

'But?'
'We'd have to replace the stone, and I don't think it's good for winter farming.
Which means I'll have to get a winter coat, too.
Isn't it the union president's duty to provide a good work environment?

　Elaine said with a sigh, but Crono returned it flatly.

'That's true too,'

　Elaine nodded naturally, though she thought she would be denied.

'What, those eyes?'
I thought it was surprising.

　Exhaling a small puff of air, Elaine crossed her legs gracefully.
　The length of her dress was short, but it didn't look like it was visible.
　She suddenly felt a look and looked next to her and saw Faye staring at Crono as if she wanted to say something.

''No, it's just like a man's instincts,''
I didn't say anything, sir.

　When Faye nodded her head curiously, Elaine let out a sneaky laugh with a chuckle.

'Everyone says it's not their fault,'
It is deep, isn't it?
Women communicate with each other!

　I thought you two didn't get along!　And Crono exclaimed in his mind.

'And was I talking about the market rate for our whores?　Depending on your rank, if you want to take him around for the night, you'll get one gold coin. Of course, you have the food and drink.
That's surprisingly expensive.
We're an exclusive brothel. "We are a high-class brothel, where you can enjoy games and pseudo-romances with educated prostitutes. It's not like those brothels you see at the end of the market.

　Elaine proudly puffed out her chest and gave a cynical smile, perhaps sensing Crono's feelings.

'I think I know what you mean, but class is important. It's difficult for a mere prostitute to get a higher clientele, but if the shop itself has a high level of prestige, the clientele will also be in line with it, won't they?　That's why we try to differentiate ourselves from others and make it easier to grab the top customers.
...I see.

　I suppose it's the added value, or branding.
　Not with good intentions.
　Not with good intentions, but branding........the added value of being an educated prostitute should be an efficient way of earning money that Elaine discovered the hard way.
　It's true that if they did it systematically, the profits would be greater, but if they were made independent, the know-how would leak out.
　No, is there a need to do it systematically in the first place?　And Crono confronts a fundamental question.
　Cultivation is power.
　An educated whore will realize that she is the one being exploited.
　If that's the case, then it's better to let the whore remain ignorant, even if her efficiency drops.
　So isn't that a good intention?　Isn't it because you have compassion for others?　Crono thinks to himself.
　Elaine ruffles her hair.

That's not the only reason, but even with this, I think I understand the importance of the work environment and the conditions of employment.
....

　Crono didn't answer.
　It seemed dangerous to have a sense of camaraderie right now.



"Crono-sama, Faye-sama, come in." (Pumo)
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, sir.

　Sitting down on a log that was lying around, Crono and Faye accepted a bowl of soup from Aria.
　The soup, which contained chunks of fish, was scalding and salty.
　I remember hearing that people who work in hot places or engage in professions that involve sweating profusely take salt tablets, so this soup must be for lizardmen and minotaurs.

'Did they catch the fish themselves?'
"No, the lizardmen." (PUMO)

　I looked out to sea and saw that the lizardmen were sunning themselves near the quay.

'The salty taste is working, isn't it?
'Oh, yes!　''Thanks to Silva-san, I won't have to save salt.'' (Pumo~)

　When I looked closely at it, I saw that minotaurs were working in the Silva-type three-dimensional salt field away from the port.
　
　The fact that Crono was absent may have contributed to the low penetration rate, but the idea was too new.

'In the winter, lizardmen can't dive, so they also make salted fish?　

　Aria hung her head apologetically as she remembered that Crono was a nobleman.

'Salting, huh? I'm sorry, but could I have a barrel?''
"Yes, sir! (PUMO~)

　Aria's eyes sparkled with happiness.

'You guys have a lot on your mind, don't you?

　To be honest, I never imagined I'd be making salted fish.

''Well if we plow now, we should be able to get it in time for the winter wheat harvest, and it looks like we have a lot to do.
Hatake? (PUMO?)

　When Crono looks at the Coma Forest, Aria looks in the same direction.

'I made a promise to Mino-san. Tomorrow might be a better day than today. He said he'd make sure we could have that kind of expectation.

　He had been rooting around through his deputy, but apparently, the story hadn't gotten to Aria.
　It's a little hard to determine if Crono simply doesn't trust them, or if he kept quiet with Aria and the others because he would discourage them when the conversation fizzled out.

'I'm sure it's your first time working in the field in earnest, so I'll assist you as much as I can.

　When Crono said it, Aria's eyes welled up as if she was impressed.
　A light thumping sound sounded, and that was the moment Aria opened her mouth to say something.
　The sound could be heard from the harbor.
　Crono gulped down the remaining soup in one gulp and headed towards the port.
　At the top of the stairs he could see what looked like a large fishing pole from what looked like a large fishing pole.
　Running down the stairs and taking stock of the whole thing, Crono realized what it was.

'Ooh, Crono-sama!
Goldie!

　Crono looks at it.
　It was reinforced in many places with metal, and at the root of it was what looked like a reel made of metal gears.
　Moreover, it even has a stopper attached to it.

'Could you possibly have built a crane?
"Master Crono is very knowledgeable. My brother Silva asked me to build a crane to make unloading more efficient, and I'm in the process of installing a prototype.

　With its wheels, this crane looks like it's mobile.
　Probably, it hooks the load from the tip of the crane, and then turns the handle to lift it up.
　After that, the dimensions would be to rotate the pedestal and turn the handle to lower the load.

'Speaking of which, where's Silva?'
Silva collapsed as soon as the harbor was completed, so he's in the work shed.

　A work shed?　When I looked around, I saw a leaning hut in a corner of the harbor.
　It's a hut that looks like it was built just for the sake of it.

'Isn't it too much of a hack job?'
Well, I'm not going to live here.

　It was a dwarven woman who answered.
　She was short, as all dwarven men are, but her width was incomparably narrow.

'By any chance, have you forgotten?'
...Paula, right?

　After a moment's pause, Crono said, and Paula patted her chest in relief.

'Good. There's no point in volunteering for this job if you're forgotten, right?'
You will talk to Lady Crono too much.

　Yes~, Paula replied in an appropriate manner.
　Is there a suitable topic?　As Crono was thinking, Silva jumped out of the work shed.
　

'Look at this port!
I've seen more than enough. Good job, Silva.

　Hmmm, just a word to Silva and Paula, who have worked themselves to this point, isn't it enough to say a few words to Silva and Paula.
　That said, a single golden seal is too cheap, and Crono looked at Silva.

'Is there anything you want me to do for you?'
'I'm ... if you let me continue to work as an architect, that's enough for me.

　It's a line that can only be described as greedless or workaholic (workaholic).

Mr. Silva's dream is to build a building that will go down in history.
That's right. I want to make history with my buildings. I want to leave a testament to the existence of the dwarven architect that I am.

　Silva follows Faye's words.

'Well, let's name this place the Port of Silva then. When it becomes a port city, we'll call it Sylvanian or something like that.
.....

　Silva looked up at Crono in surprise.

'No, I don't want you to burn out just because your dream came true.
Of course. That's my first step as an architect!

　Raising her fist high in the heavens, Silva collapsed on her back as it was.
　He had a look of contentment on his face, like he didn't have a shred of regret in my life or something like that.

'What about Paula?'
What, me?　Hmm, I'm in a bind. Well, I've always wanted to build a workshop in the future, but that would be too high a demand, and I'd probably get pushed up against it by my friends.

　Paula crossed her arms and roared.

'Yes!　So we're not just rewarding me, we're rewarding the entire dwarf race!　We could hold a fair once a month or so........oh, no. If you think it's worth it to Master Crono to hold a fair that's open to anyone, not just dwarves,

　Money, Paula muttered reservedly.
　She seemed to have an open mind, but she wasn't comfortable asking for money.

'Well, I guess that's okay then?　It's not that easy to build a workshop, so it's like budgeting.
That's enough!

　We have to export as well as import, Crono thought as he looked at Paula, who was gutted.
　The ship arrived eight days later.



　Surprisingly wide, Crono thought as he watched the cargo being unloaded from the 'union' ship.
　How many masts did the ship have in the comics he'd seen on the other side of the world?　And while fishing through his memory, he looked at the center of the hull and the mast protruding from the bow in turn.

'The sails on the bow... no, but that's a cartoon, and I don't know enough about them to compare them in the first place.
How's the 'union' ship?
It's a little awkward.

　Elaine's cheeks twitched as Crono let out his honest opinion.

''It's used, but it costs seven hundred gold coins?
I understand that, but just one ship?

　The boxes and barrels carried out to the deck with a sturdy netting are put together and moved to the wharf by a crane.
　The crane was operated by a muscular minotaur.
　As instructed, the lizardmen take the cargo to the 'union' warehouse.
　After that, they are supposed to take it to the union's shop in Hachel.

I've surrounded myself with craftsmen and experienced sailors, but the rest are amateurs, myself included. The rest of us are amateurs, including me, and we don't even know what to do with them. You didn't do everything right the first time, did you?
I'm not doing so well.

　I was complaining a little too much, Crono reflects.

''Well come to think of it, we didn't talk about the toll tax, did we?
Are we getting any tolls?

　

'Oh my, that story about abolishing the toll tax was true.
Did you know about this?
Of course I do.

　Elaine's chest heaved with pride as she pulled away from Crono.

''I abolished the incomprehensible taxes when I became a lord.
And isn't that what lords are for, to be able to overrule them with a single thought?

　Is this the general perception of the aristocracy?　And Crono looked at Elaine with more than a little disgusted.

''That's right, if it's to protect the industry of the territory, we'll put a toll tax on it, but if we take a tax every time we pass through the road, the territory will go round and round and decline.
For yourself?
'They say rational decisions are like kindness. Well, I don't think everything is rational.

　Crono stroked his right eye, "And some of it I got because I didn't make a rational decision.

'I'd better get going,'
Why don't you just take your time?
I've got plans tomorrow.

　I have to meet with the merchants of Hachel regarding the use of the port.
　Although, knowing this, Elaine is probably telling him to take it slow.



　The next day, the second shop of the 'Sinner Trade Association' in the commercial district of Hachel was crowded with many shoppers.
　Unlike the first store in Silva Port, the second store was a renovated branch of the trade association that withdrew from the Marquis of Erakis' territory.
　The location isn't good and the building has an old-fashioned feel to it, but the number of customers doesn't stop.
　Crono inspects the store in his normal clothes...although he spends more time in his military uniform these days.

''Mm, it's cheap, isn't it?
Faye wearing normal clothes is so refreshing.

　Normally Faye wears military uniforms, but today she is dressed in a lace-decorated blouse and tight pants.
　The fact that she wears a sword belt around her waist is typical of Fay.

But when it comes to buying it, the price is a bit steep.
Well, at least compared to some of the other restaurants.

　
　Perhaps it's because they don't go through any other fiefdoms.
　For example, let's say that to pass through one territory, a tax of five percent is charged based on the price of the goods.
　Then twenty-five percent of the price of the goods would disappear just by passing through five territories.
　Naturally, the merchant would reflect the tax collected in the price of the goods, so that even the highest price of the goods would be even higher.

The prices of the goods are written down in a kind way. And the way the products are arranged is new.
Really?

　Faye looked around the shop, and after a moment of silence, as if she couldn't find the right words, she said.

'This place with its clothes adorning it like sheet metal armour is new!
Oh, mannequins.

　It's not unusual for Crono, but mannequins - wooden dolls with clothes on them - seem to be unusual.
　It seems that Faye is not the only one who feels this way, and the customers stop and stare at the mannequin with interest.
　Then a female clerk in her late 30s or 40s calls out to the customer.
　It seems that her stance is to be proactive in talking to the customers and to be conservative in her suggestions.

It seems that they are more conservative in their suggestions.

　Faye looked somewhat depressed and headed for the shelves.

''Mmmm, it's cheap!
One gold and ten silvers.

　Faye said as she picked up the unadorned tunic.
　It seems too cheap to say that it didn't go through any other territory.

''Well you didn't do anything bad or anything.''
No, I didn't.

　When Crono reflexively looked next to him, Elaine was standing there with a mortified expression on her face.
　Unlike yesterday, she was much less revealing.
　Her hair was in a tight bun, and if she wore a tight skirt with it, she could pass for a modest office worker.

'What's the reason for the cheapness?'
It's what you do in your workshop.

　For a moment, the image of Goldie passed through my mind.

'In case you're wondering, I'm the one making the paper. I noticed that some of the kids were thrown out at the apprenticeship stage when we were enclosing the artisans and it just hit me.
I've incorporated line work into my dressmaking.

　Even if you've taken a break from your artisanal training, you'll get used to it as long as you know how to make clothes.

'I can't make you do complicated decorations, and I can't make you do it because of the conflicts with the other craftsmen, but maybe this will be your main focus in the future.
Hmm, I don't know.

　'If we had a mechanized spinning machine or a sewing machine,' Crono added in his mind, 'it would be possible to mass produce, though.

'I'm fumbling with everything, but I can't stand the feeling of being on the cutting edge.
....

　I'm glad I didn't touch you, Crono said, patting his chest as he looked at Elaine's expression.

*

　Everyone's face is pale, Crono looked at Nikola's face in the Pix Trading Company and had that impression.
　If you look at the price of goods from the 'Sinner Trade Union', it's no wonder they're pale, but I guess it was also poorly done to leave the territory open without issuing instructions about the permission to use the port, Crono rested his weight on the sofa in his office.

''Well Crono-sama, regarding the use of the port.
Yeah, that's the thing.

　Crono let out a deep sigh.
　We built a harbor, but I don't know how much to set a fee for its use.
　Last year, the slavers paid a thousand gold coins in taxes.
　They are collecting 10% of their sales as tax, but if we use this as a basis, I think Elaine, who is exempt from the harbor rental fee, will win alone.
　I don't know how you boiled the story down to realizing the port fee now.
　On top of that, I've even been taken in for verbal abuse... No, but since thirty percent of the profits are going to be mine as a shareholder, and since Lizardmen and Minotaurs will also be hired, there's no way I'm going to win alone, Crono regrets and quickly changes his mind.

''In other territories, how much is the fee for the use of the port?''
....

　Nicola's face visibly twitches.
　I've already heard from other merchants, so I have an idea of the market price.
　He's probably wondering if he should tell the truth or tell a lie.

'It depends on where you are, but on average it's about two percent of the goods you carry on your ship.
It's the whole ship.

　Is the monthly usage fee the drop-off point?　And Crono remembered the merchants' reaction.

'How about two hundred gold coins for a month?　The port and the use of the land on which the warehouses will be built, combined ... the land area is the same as the 'Sinner Trade Association'.

　Nicola patted her chest in relief.

''But isn't two hundred gold coins an inverse of an unbeatable price?''
Well, we're going to make that part of the deal a one-year contract.

　Not bad, Crono thought.



What do you think, Master Crono?
A little harder, please.

　Yes, Leila replies and presses her thumbs on Crono's waist.
　Her whole body starts to flutter as the finger pressure is applied, and she almost closes her eyes.

''Well are you used to guarding the streets?''
Yes, sir.

　Unlike Crono, whose riding skills haven't improved despite the fact that more than four years have passed since he came to this world, the eight people selected as archers have even mastered the art of archery.
　Among them, Leila's improvement is outstandingly fast.
　
　The second-in-command has also become more inventive since his actual experience and knowledge have been combined.

'How is the port, Master Crono?'
They must have decided that it was more profitable to pay two hundred gold coins rather than having to pay a toll tax every time they passed through another territory.

　Five merchant associations using the port, a thousand gold coins in a month, twelve thousand gold coins in a year.....This alone is equivalent to twenty percent of last year's tax revenue.

''Doing public works, building a school, increasing the donations for the 'Yellow Earth Temple' and developing it, buying horses and enriching our cavalry and archers........................Ah, a dream come true.
...about that.

　Leila rested her hand.

'If the Chamber of Commerce started using the port to transport goods, wouldn't that reduce the tax revenue of the territory that had been used as a transit point?
Yeah, I know.

　After all, they won't be able to collect the tolls.
　Not only will they not be able to take it, but if the merchants decide that there is no point in doing business through there, they will be in a very short time of decline.

Not only that, but I think the peddlers without ships will be at a great disadvantage.
No, it's not... what do we do?
'Oh, no, it was just an idea. And ... was it the guild?　If the peddlers unite with each other, they should be able to do the same thing as the Chamber of Commerce, so there's no reason for Master Crono to worry about it.

　Hmmm, Leila is so smart, Crono was reminded of her awesomeness once again.

'There's a chance she hasn't noticed, so I'll check in with Miles tomorrow.
Will he tell the truth?

　Miles is basically on Elaine's side.
　Leila must think that he would never divulge information that would be to Elaine's detriment.

'He wouldn't tell a lie because it would be to Elaine's detriment, would he?　You don't want to give out information like if the peddlers form a guild with each other... but worst case scenario, we'll secretly set up a new company to transport the goods on our behalf.
It's hard to put into words, but Master Crono is amazing.
You're giving me too much credit.

　While humbly saying, Crono broke the chemistry.
　I'm only throwing a stone and the rest is up to each of us to take it from there.
　I think so, but I'm still glad to be praised.