*

　Only people who can believe in God without any doubt can enjoy the happiness that seems to have fallen, Rio thinks.
　Normally, he doubts.
　Whether it's real or fake, whether it's going to disappear soon or forever, it's normal to wonder.
　Then it's normal to accept it.
　But some people doubt it relentlessly.
　As a result, what was happy becomes a wreckage.
　We look down at the wreckage of happiness, curse our folly, regret, and yet feel a deep sense of relief.
　There is no way to save it.
　I can't believe it.
　I have an image of happiness, but I can't believe that I can be happy.
　Happiness is something that has nothing to do with me.
　If such a thing is so easy to get, then what has life been all about?
　I'm sure it's just a convenient dream.
　The real misery is that the have-nots get it by some mistake.
　At least that's what Rio Chiron thinks.

'Well, I suppose you'd call it a happy affair.

　When Rio finished his lengthy consideration, the deputy opened the boxcarriage door as if he had timed it correctly.
　I've known the deputy for a long time.
　Originally, he served the Countess of Chiron.
　I don't know about his background before that, and I'm not interested in it, but given the fact that he holds a knighthood, I'm sure that he was standing on the battlefield as a knight.
　Being an old type of knight, he was inflexible and did not get along with Rio's father.
　However, Rio liked his inflexible personality.
　When Rio became a Knight Commander, he was his second in command.
　If it wasn't for him, Rio would have been removed from his position as Knight Commander long ago.
　Rio got off the boxcarriage and stretched taller to relieve the stiffness in his entire body.


I don't have to dress up like I did last year.

　Rio replied to his second-in-command, biting off a lack of expression.

'Then again, it seems like it's been a long time since you've been to the Aldermiran Palace.

　The Alderamin Palace, on the outskirts of the imperial capital of Alfirk, is a building of morbid symmetry.
　The last time I was there was probably during the funeral of King Ramal V.
　If anything, the ball was more memorable, and for Rio, the leader of the Kingsguard, the impression was that it was the venue for a banquet that took place once or twice a year.
　I wanted to set up a suitable excuse to skip it, Rio said as he headed to the old castle building.

''Hey, can you open it up for me?
"Ha, Count Rio Chiron!

　As if they were practicing, the kinsman knights standing on either side of the door replied at exactly the same time and opened the door with a single, seamless movement.
　A deep melancholy tone greeted Rio as he opened the door of the East Wing, which was the venue for the banquet, after passing through the old castle building.
　Eating food in a standing-room-only style, drinking to the point of not exposing the abomination, and indulging in pleasantries is the way this banquet should be.
　Unfortunately, the reality is different.
　Many of the Knights of the Konoe Order commanders come from famous historical families, and as such, there are many ties to them.
　Even if it is too obvious to find a marriage partner for your child, you have to maintain a relationship with them to the point of not being isolated.
　And this banquet has another meaning for the knights who accompany the Commander of the Kingsguard.
　It's the perfect opportunity for a knight of low family status to sell himself to a nobleman from a prominent family.
　Even in such a situation, few Kingsguard knights would approach Rio.
　There is no doubt that the incident of chopping his colleague to death has a strong influence on him, but his relationship with Crono must have had no small effect on him.
　He doesn't want to be hired even if it's to sell himself.
　However, it's not uncommon for a man with special tastes to be sunk by his second-in-command before he even gets close to Rio.
　
　First, it's Leonhardt of the First Kingsguard.
　As soon as he met eyes with Rio, he approached in a straight line.
　The shortest distance he can travel is because the Kingsguard Knights avoid Leonhardt.
　In my heart, I would like to be close to the Palatium family, but I'd say that I'd feel uncomfortable selling myself to Leonhardt, who is called 'The Holy Knight'.

''........Didn't you wear a dress today?''

　Last year, Rio attended the banquet in a dress, and Leonhardt is probably referring to that.
　Right now, Rio is wearing a white military uniform.

"Even so, I'm a strong man.

　Yeah?　Leonhardt raises one eyebrow dubiously.

''I can't use my eyes on another man when I have a lover, can I?
That's good to hear. Because I don't want to see the shenanigans between the leaders of the Kingsguard.

　Leonhardt swam his eyes for a moment and said, mending them.

'If Crono was coming, I would have dressed up and escorted him out.
'I'm sorry, but he needs his rest. He's hard at work for the Holy Argo Kingdom, the southern frontier and the Empire.

　He certainly needs a rest.
　Crono is too reckless for his weakness.
　Again, he almost died.
　It's not hard to understand how Crono feels.
　However, Rio thinks that he should value his life a little more.

'Hey, what are you two talking about?
I was just catching up with a friend, Viscount Hamar.

　Why would he talk to me?　Rio replied to Viscount Hamal.
　Viscount Brad Hammar, Commander of the Fifth Order of the Kingsguard..............He is a young man with a soft face, contrary to his bloody name.
　His temperament is also gentle, and he is also someone who is difficult to imagine fighting.
　The Fifth Order of the Kingsguard is a battalion built primarily of cavalry.
　In wartime, they are expected to play an active role as heavy cavalry, but in peacetime, they make use of their mobility as light cavalry to guard the roads that connect the imperial capital, Arifilk, to the Free City States.
　Although Brad is not a skilled swordsman, he is the most skilled cavalryman in the Cepheus Empire.
　The term "one man and one horse" might be for him.

''I wish you wouldn't do that, Viscount. I just inherited the viceroyalty, and I haven't been able to return to the territory because I've been prioritizing the work of the Kingsguard knights. In fact, I've left the management of the estate to my father, so he's a viscount in name only.

　Brad said with a sigh.

'I'd rather spend my time on the estate taking care of my horses, though.

　Brad's character is evident in the fact that he doesn't say he wants to work as a lord, or that he wants to work as a lord.
　He loves horses.
　Many people of the Viscount Hamal family are fascinated by horses, and the Hamal Viscount's estate is famous for its good horses.

''It's a good thing your father is alive and well.
Oh, yeah?

　Brad replied with a subtle look on his face.
　The expression on his face was because he knew that Rio and his parents had a bad relationship.

''Uh, um, do you mean your two friends, the Marquis of Erakis?''
You're also my girlfriend.

　When Rio replied immediately, Brad swept his eyes in a grand manner.
　Apparently, he's not as tactful as Leonhardt.
　That's odd, Rio thinks. The fact that Rio is dating Crono and Leonhardt is close to Crono is a well-known story, so there is no way Brad wouldn't know about it.

''Well, it's not something I'm too concerned about, but...lately, yeah, it's really recent, but the number of merchants passing through our territory has been decreasing.

　You know what?　As if to say, Brad looked at Rio and Leonhardt with downcast eyes.
　Ah, I see, Rio finally understood why Brad was talking to him.
　Viscount Hamal's territory was located to the east of Crono's territory.
　Brad thought that because of Crono, the number of merchants passing through his territory had decreased, so he came to inquire.
　Although he didn't tell us the specific number of people, since he went to the trouble of coming to inquire, the number must have decreased considerably.

I remember hearing that you are building a port.
I know that.

　I can see Brad's point.
　He doesn't think that the number of merchants passing through the territory will decrease visibly just because a port is built.

''...I think he said something else...''
Do you remember?
As I recall, he said something about starting a business or investing in a union or something like that.

　I think he said something about being this world's first turnip-geisha, or gunning for public works, or creating a school for the people of the territory to attend, or something else.

''Since you're Crono-dono, wouldn't you have made the port available to everyone?
I'm sure the merchants will jump at the chance.

　If anyone could use the port, a merchant who was intelligent in his interests wouldn't bother paying a toll tax to pass through Viscount Hamal's territory.
　Looking at his face, Brad's face was visibly pale.
　Anyone, or rather, any nobleman who was seriously thinking about the territory, would be like this if they were told that the tax revenue of the territory was going to drop drastically from now on.

''Even if a decline in tax revenue is inevitable, we can still take the next best step.
What do I do?
It's easy. We'll just eliminate the toll tax.

　When Rio said that, Leonhard nodded as if to say that he was right, and Brad retreated as if he was dizzy.

''But what's the point if they tax us when we leave the Marquis of Erakis' territory?
'Lord Crono is a disciplined man, you see. If we promise not to tax the cargoes that pass through each other's fiefdoms, he will keep it as long as he can.

　It's difficult to align with all the nobles who govern the fiefdoms between the Free City States and Viscount Hammar's territory.
　Even if they knew in theory that not charging or reducing tolls would lead to protecting their interests in a roundabout way, if one of them betrayed us, that was the end of it.
　Compared to that, it is more realistic to make a promise to one Crono to open up a new trade route.

I'll give it some thought.

　'If it's a gift, it's a horse,' Brad muttered, heading towards the balcony.

''Hmm, if it's a horse of Lord Brad's choice, Lord Crono will be happy with it.
I don't think someone who doesn't like to ride would be bothered by a gift of a horse, though.

　Leonhardt's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Rio.

''.........Lord Crono....
Crono is not good at riding.

　Brad is the best connoisseur of horses in the Empire, as well as the best horse handler.
　There is no doubt that he will give the best horse, but there is a chance that Crono will not understand the value of the horse.

'I'll tell Lord Brad,'
I don't think we need to go that far, though.
It's my nature, you know?

　As soon as Leonhardt started walking towards the balcony, one of the girls saw him tackle her furiously.

''Leonhard-sama...''
Hmm, Lady Aina.

　Leonhardt took the girl ... Aina and stroked her head with an eagle.
　It's not a surprise attack.
　Only the Silent Killing Myra in its heyday could surprise Leonhardt.
　In other words, Leonhardt did not avoid the girl knowing that she was approaching him.

''Oh dear, Aina. You're bothering Leonhardt-sama.

　A woman with a slow pace and a soft smile walked up to Leonhardt.

''Baroness Nam Korne. It's been a while.''
Yeah, it's been a while.

　Baroness Nam Korne, Commander of the Tenth Order of the Kingsguard, tilts her head lightly and her smile deepens.
　Her long blonde hair, which reaches her waist, is gently waved, and her horizontal hair bounces inward, framing a thin outline.
　His eyes are blue, almost black.
　His limbs, wrapped in an off-color priestly uniform, are fleshy, and his face is rather young and droopy-eyed.
　Her age should be in her late thirties, but for all intents and purposes, she looks like she's only in her twenties.
　It is rumored that she retains her youthfulness because she was stripped of her 'ageing' due to being in too deep a communion with the gods, but the truth is not certain.
　Baroness Nam Korunu is the priestess of the Goddess of Blue and Life, and is the guardian of Emperor Kai's direct domain to the west of the Imperial City of Alfiruk.
　Emperor Kai's Territory is a land where the belief in the Goddess of Blue and Life is flourishing, which is probably the reason why she was chosen for her appointment.
　The Empire doesn't allow temples to interfere in politics, but it doesn't prohibit them from being used for politics as well.
　Aina is fifteen years old, with a physique so skinny that I doubt she is really Nam's daughter.
　Her blonde hair is cropped around her shoulders and her eyes, the same color as her mother's, have an innocent light in them.
　She's not a kinsman knight, but she has a crush on Leonhardt and frequently shows up at banquets.
　Well, I guess her mother (Nam) has an intention to have Aina marry Leonhardt.

''Leonhard-sama... I want to go visit Leonhard-sama's mansion next time...''
That's a very flattering offer, but after the feast is over I have to return to my post.

　Ehhh, Aina's lips twitched in frustration.
　Incidentally, Leonhardt's place of appointment is Justia Castle and its surroundings, which is about half a day's ride away from the imperial capital by carriage.

'Aina, you mustn't be reckless.
So when would you be available to meet?

　She seems to be chiding her daughter, and in fact, Nam is on her daughter's side.
　It's a small play, knowing that Leonhardt can't treat women in an evil way.
　'It's about time,' says Rio, stepping out.

'I think you had something important to say to Lord Brad, didn't you?
Are you sure, Master Leonhardt?

　Aina looked like she was about to start crying when Rio said it.

'If you have something important to talk about, it can't be helped.

　But it seems that Nam has chosen to retreat gracefully.

''I'll make this up to you eventually.

　You could have just walked away without saying a word, Rio said bitterly, looking away from Leonhardt with a bitter smile.



　Once Leonhardt and I parted ways, I was finally alone in earnest.
　I used to enjoy wearing dresses and behaving strangely, but...

'Well, I suppose that's a luxury affair too.

　Once you get to know the warmth of people, it's a lot harder to be alone.
　Rio watches the party while tipping his wine by the wall.

''..............................Little boy.
What can I do for you?

　The second-in-command announces in a whispered tone of voice, wondering how long he's been here, or if he's been near Rio since the beginning.

'There is someone named Philip of the Eighth Kinsman Guard here to greet you, sir.
Of course you said no, didn't you?
Of course I do.

　Rio leans his back against the wall and turns his gaze to the center of the hall.........Count Lucas Lesato, the leader of the Eighth Order of the Kingsguard.
　There is a huge hunk of meat there.
　It would look great if this were muscle, but it is a mass of flabby flesh.
　It smells when you're near it, and it makes a weird pupi~ sound if you talk to it.
　His hair is thin and always wet and shiny.
　He has just turned fifty and counting, but he feels as if his health is failing and he is going to die in the near future.
　Not only does he look like a man, but he is also irredeemable inside.
　Count Lucas Lesato openly accepts bribes.
　That's why the Eighth Kinsman Knights led by Count Lucas Lesato has a reputation for being weak and undisciplined.
　The reason why such a person is the head of the knights is because of the bribes and the contacts he has developed through them.
　It's strange to say that he hasn't had any scandals in his long tenure as the guardian of the mining city of Kinza, southwest of the imperial capital of Alfirk.

''Oh, Lord Rio,''
Count Ernat, it's been a long time.

　The one who approached with a glass of wine in hand was Count Ernat, a large man who is also known as the Minotaur.
　Count Ernat is still the guardian of the territory directly under the Emperor Nauji after signing a peace treaty with the Holy Argo Kingdom.

"Fofo Fofo, don't you have a greeting for me?
Hello, old man. You're still alive, aren't you?

　Laughing ruefully, Count Ralph Libra, the old man, handled his white beard.
　He had a skinny dwarf physique and a balding head with long eyebrows and a long beard, as if trying to make up for it.
　Count Ralph Libra was a military commander in the imperial army during the civil war, and is now the head of the Seventh Order of the Kingsguard.
　Although his reputation as a military strategist is not good, he is not incompetent, as he did not let the imperial army at that time fall apart.
　He is now in charge of the security around the imperial capital, Alfirk.
　It's a delicate position that although he has the ability, he can't afford to treat a person of low reputation in the world so generously, nor can he casually despise them.

''I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you, Rio-dono.
It's just I'm a dedicated guy. No need to thank me.

　
　I think it would have been enough for Leonhardt and Count Ernat alone, but Rio also cooperated with that.

''I've heard there's been a lot of noise in the palace since His Majesty's death,''
'Oh, old man's ears don't get any farther with age, do they?

　I wonder if that rooting around was grandfather's way of putting things in place.
　It wasn't much of a force, but Count Ernat and Grandfather, who was hurting from the civil war, probably wanted to pick up the uncertainty.
　No, they said something about the palace being noisy or something they hadn't heard, so Rio's eyes narrowed as he tried to get one problem out of the way before the mess started in earnest.

'I would have liked to live on the road, but that's not going to happen if the Empire is in turmoil.
Oh, you think your grandfather can regulate his own mortality?
I'll be a piece of cake in my time.

　Ralph bared his teeth and laughed when Rio made a light comment.

'And yet, Miss Eryl hasn't come?　I don't see the third Argena, the fourth Roy, or the sixth Neige coming either?
'Eril is at Crono's. I don't know about Arjena and Roy, but I think Neige is feeling down.

　You don't have to be there because they're troublesome guys, Rio added in his mind, and the sound of a wine glass shattering echoed the moment Rio added in his mind.

''........Are you trying to pick a fight with me?''
Now, it looked to me like you were trying to pick a fight, didn't it?

　When Roy, the young man with the red hair upside down.......the leader of the 4th Kingsguard Order, said, the young man with glasses......the leader of the 3rd Kingsguard Order, Argena, smiled a smile that could be considered gentle.
　Both of them are tall, muscular and yet slender.
　It's the leader of the 4th Kingsguard, Roy, who has a similar physique, but has a bad edge.
　Roy is good at fighting with a spear.
　Of course, he is strong even with his bare hands, but with his bare hands, Argena is stronger than him.
　It's a good thing that Rio is a pain in the ass because when they meet, they both fight, but they quickly make up and drink together, and when they get along, they start beating each other up again.

'You two are having a party today to deepen your friendship, though.

　Leonhardt, perhaps finishing his advice to Brad, interrupts them.
　In a one-on-one, Leonhardt would be the one to go, and in a two-on-one, Roy and Algena would have the upper hand.

''You're really a goody-two-shoes since you're even interrupting the joke.
This is the way of Mr. Leonhardt, and I have no desire to imitate him. But if another good fellow joins us, we can make it.

　Count Ernat, who had been ridiculed as another softie, grabbed Roy and Arjena by the collar and lifted them lightly.

'I know how you feel. When I was a young man, I too was a lively man. But a general does not swing his fist lightly.

　When Count Ernath smiles, the quintessential Roy and Arjena also become meek, as if they have been drained of their venom.
　Leonhard silently salutes Count Ernat.
　It sounds like a well-done play, I think.

I guess this makes the Commander of the Kingsguard look like a full complement.
'Except for Viscount Eryl Sardomelik and Count Neige Hyades. No Count Piske in sight. I doubt we'll ever see each other again.
'Eryll will be hard to do,'

　Originally, Eril was from a commoner's background.
　Even though he was a governor, the Viscount Saldomelik family was a family of court scholars and didn't have much wealth.
　In the first place, it was reckless to have led the Eleventh Order of the Kingsguard when he had never even been enrolled in a military school.
　It was Ramal V who had let that recklessness pass, and now that Ramal V has collapsed, it's only a matter of time before he's dismissed as the head of the Knight's Order.

You're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. If that's true, that's quite a story.

　A little research will reveal Eril's background, and it's also brutal.
　Eril was welcomed as an adopted daughter.
　But if she was welcomed as an adopted daughter and took over the family, she should be able to take in the family.
　Why wouldn't she do that?
　The answer is simple.
　Eril was sold to the family.
　As a test animal for testing new magic.

'I was a little curious. Adding artificial attributes to a sorcery-controlled virtual persona is a terrible idea. What's even more inescapable is that the person who went that far is jealous of the talents of the experimental animal, so he or she cut off the life of the animal, so I can't see what's going on.

　Maybe it was just a lab animal, or maybe it wasn't, so he couldn't go back to his family, but anyway, Eril had nowhere to go.

''Well you talk about people's misfortune so happily, Lord.''
No, no, no, no. I have a certain amount of sympathy.

　Ramal V must have been trying to protect Eril.
　When you're the Emperor's favorite, you won't be subjected to unnecessary scrutiny.
　But.

'What's really going on?　Maybe Her Majesty wanted it to happen. Or maybe he didn't know it was so and admitted it.

　My imagination wouldn't be far off, Rio thinks.
　Everything has been taken away from him, and he will lose even the position of Commander of the Eleventh Kingsguard that he gained in exchange for it in the near future.
　All that's left is a tattered sack and a position of nobility.

''........A life of being taken advantage of? It's nauseating.
I don't think that's a given.
If it's still there, they'll use it to their advantage.

　Rio tilts his wine glass, though if he stays with Crono, he'll be able to avoid only the worst, he says.
　But it's beyond that that Rio is interested in.
　Whether he'll accept the good fortune that has fallen, deny it and destroy it, or try to be happy of his own accord, he's curious.

'But, well, may I pray for you?　Please give that girl the blessing of the Six Pillar God.

　Rio lightly raised his wine glass and placed it on the table, now empty.
　A silence descended as if on cue.
　The playing stopped.
　After a slight ... obviously deliberate silence, what is played is a heroic tune.
　A strong, strong sound, strong enough to inspire morale.
　In the midst of it all, the incoming Emperor Alfort walks with his heart pounding.
　His mother, Fana, Count Piske, followed by the imperial chief of the army, the treasurer, the shogun, and the chief of the palace.
　But there was no sign of Vizier Alcor.
　That's a bad move that's close to the worst, Rio said, struggling to hold back a laugh.
　For Alfort, he may feel to the extent that he was left out of the group, but it's like he's brawling with Vizier Alcor that he can't come to terms with Vizier Alcor.
　The knights of the Kingsguard will naturally try to get the other nobles to join Alfort.
　After that, there will be a power struggle.
　Ramal V might really have been a great monarch.
　Ramal V had suppressed the factional warfare by delegating full power to the Vizier of Arcol.
　If the administrative structure became subject to outside influences, it would be difficult to maintain its current functioning.
　Alfort smiled a drawn-out smile as he stood in front of the Konoe Guards as he dragged his luxurious cloak behind him.

''..........Yo, Yo, I'm glad to have met a kinsman knight who is loyal to me.

　I haven't sworn an oath, though, Rio pouted in his mind.
　Rio's loyalty is only to the Empire.
　He has no intention of swearing allegiance to Princess Tilia or Alfort.

The other day, I founded the 13th Kingsguard. I appointed you to head it, the Marquis of Erakis, who is recovering in his estate.

　There's a murmur.
　Crono is a new nobleman.
　Although his rank is high, he is a lowly nobleman.
　It's hard to decide whether to take it as Alfort's heavy use of those with ability regardless of their rank or as a dark lord who decides on his own.

''Pi, Count Piske?''
"Ha! My sword and my armor are for your highness!

　Don't dump it on me!　I'm sure you can hear such a voice in your mind," exclaimed Count Piske with a sense of desperation.
　Count Piske is very good at finding weaknesses.
　In other words, it means that he can accurately gauge our abilities.
　If you give Alfort the benefit of the doubt, you'll get some good soup in your own right, but you're sure to get yourself into an awkward situation.
　Count Piske doesn't think he can handle that awkward situation by himself.
　But that doesn't mean he can't leave Alfort.
　It's because I don't know what they will do to me if they judge that I've been betrayed.

Yes, I want to make the Empire a great country. All of you, can you help me?

　True flat-headedness!â Rio poked one knee in the air while thinking, "I'm sorry.
　It's fine to be ruined for Crono, but I don't want to get caught up in a child's tantrum and die with my men.
　Crono sounds dumber, but he's more convincing, Rio bites down on a laugh.
　I'll build a port to increase our income, I'll use it to build a school, I'll gum up the public works, I'll improve the status of subhumans.



　Your Highness, Your Highness, and Alfort was surrounded by kinsmen knights.
　I wondered if he was happy to be pampered by such people, but Alfort seemed happy.

''I wonder if he's happy to be pampered by those guys?''
I wish you wouldn't ask me that question.

　When asked by Fana, Rio cowered lightly.

It's kind of a messy one, isn't it?
It's not that they look messy, it's just that they're messy.

　Fana didn't seem to like the current situation and spat it out.

'She's on a roll, and no one's going to chide her.
Isn't that what mothers do?
I'm chiding you.

　Fana said, a little unhappily.

'What do you think?'
I think you should have been on good terms with Vizier Alkor.
Yeah.

　Alfort has made the worst bad move of all, but Vizier Alcor has a hand left to play.
　He will bring Princess Tilia back to life.
　Although he will almost certainly be punished, the ideal scenario for Viceroy Alcor is to use his political power to survive, to retain his influence and to step down.

If there's any room for error, we should try.
'Of course I'm trying to do that. So is Count Piske.

　Apparently, Count Piske is thinking of repairing the relationship between Alfort and Vizier Alcor.
　It will be impossible, but Rio immediately decides that it will be impossible.
　Even though he has played out so many blunders in the parent conquest, Alfort doesn't seem to be afraid of failure.
　Perhaps, to Alfort, the dead soldiers are just a number.
　That's why he doesn't feel that he has sent more than 5,000 generals to their deaths.
　As long as he doesn't have any real feeling, he doesn't feel sorry for his failure.

''The Marquis of Erakis.......I'm sure he'll resent what was done to him by his lord.
....

　Maybe Fana doesn't understand it either.
　Crono hates those who have used up the lives of his men for such a thing, a war with a prepared ending.
　No, Rio denies it in his mind.
　Maybe Crono sees his former self in Vizier Alcor and Alfort.
　That's why Crono's hatred is so caustic.

'I feel like I'm inexplicably missing you,'
....

　Now it was Fana's turn to shut up.
　The party was not yet over.