*

　Huh, someone made a voice behind me and stretched out a missing stroke.
　I know who was absent.
　The cavalry is early in the morning.
　To guard the streets with a limited number of people, they have to start moving early in the morning, and trying to look around to the edge of the territory would take several days just to do that, so the restraining time would be long.
　I'm not going to work with them or let them work with me, but if I'm going to be blindsided by every little thing, my men will be demotivated.
　On the other hand, if you don't pay attention, your subordinates will lose their sense of urgency.
　In short, it was a matter of degree.
　Now that I think about it, Captain Kane was good at spooning that kind of information to his men.

''Oh, the work of an archer-cavalryman is so hard!
We all work for a living.

　I looked behind me over my shoulder and saw Deneb and Alideed leaning back with what I would call exhaustion......although they hadn't actually been working that long.......
　The remaining nine subordinates didn't seem to be very tired.
　However, if they are complaining of fatigue, then one must assume that the other subordinates are also suffering from no small amount of fatigue.

I don't blame them. We'll take a break in the village ahead.
Yes, sir!

　It is probably because he is not as lax in character as he is in word and deed that he does not disrupt the ranks while replying cheerfully.
　After a while, we arrived at the village........a village that Captain Kane used to take care of.
　The villagers are friendly and have even prepared chairs and tables for us to rest on.
　When I sat down on the chair after dismounting from my horse, Deneb and Arido were biting into a piece of hard bread.
　The hard bread was adopted as portable food at some point in time......it is a bread-like product.

''Come to think of it.......the number of merchants coming from the Eastern Roads has decreased.
Leila said it was the port.

　'Baki, baki, baki,' said Deneb and Alideed in an easygoing tone as they chewed on the hard bread.

'Why, West Street,'
Can't you just focus on that?
It's not just about security, sir.

　Faye said with a bit of pride.

"What do you mean?
We're doing our job well, and that includes beating the crap out of you if you try to pull a lick.
I see.

　Whether they understood or not, Deneb and Alideed nodded.
　It wasn't until Faye had made a mistake that she realized what security meant, so she couldn't say anything great, but security was being maintained through steady efforts anyway.

'It's time to get back to work, sir.
Oh, almost!
You see, I didn't even finish my hard bread!

*

　The wooden sword is swung down.
　After a day's work and being educated as a cadet, fatigue has built up to a level that can't be ignored, but Faye has enough time to duck the wooden sword to the side.
　If you move back, you can easily be pursued, but if you duck to the side, your opponent can't immediately move on to the next attack.
　This is because you have to change the direction of your body.
　However, if Faye is serious, it's easy for her to leap into a position where she won't be chased, or to counterattack before her opponent changes her body direction.
　There is such a difference in ability between Fay and Crono.
　A slight, enough time passed for Fay to deliver a killing blow, and finally Crono released a sideways strike.
　His upper body swims.
　Just as Faye is exhausted after a day's work, Crono is also exhausted.
　Crono is weak.
　First of all, he has no strength.
　Secondly, he has no skills.
　Lastly, he has no talent.
　With all this pittance, it would be a good idea to give up, but he doesn't do that either.
　When I take a step back and duck the wooden sword, Crono, as if he stepped on an opportunity, lunges at me from his shoulder.
　I ducked Crono's body hit with only fluttering and footwork.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　Crono threw the wooden sword as he turned around.

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

　However, it was Crono who widened his eyes in surprise.
　This is because Faye flicked Crono's wooden sword with his own.
　Crono bends his knees lightly, and this time, he sets up a body strike from a low position.
　The real deal is the short wooden sword in his belt.
　When fighting Crono, you have to be careful where you do things you wouldn't normally do with impunity.
　The same goes for throwing a wooden sword at you, or having a short wooden sword hidden in your hand.
　Honestly, I don't think it's a good idea to do something like a deceitful maneuver, but this attitude is the only thing we should learn from.
　Faye lightly swung the wooden sword at Crono.
　The wooden sword struck his arm beautifully and Crono dropped the short wooden sword.

''I have won,''

　While pointing the tip of his wooden sword, he urges Crono to admit defeat.
　I'm not going to let my guard down.
　Because before, when I was caught off guard, Crono punched me in the face.

''........I surrender.
It's true, isn't it?

　With his hands raised, Crono spins on the spot.
　He indicates that he has no weapons.

'I surrender, sir.'

　This time, Faye let her guard down.

'I knew you couldn't win.
I'm troubled that I don't have a compliment to give. If I had to choose, I'd say...

　Faye clipped the words.

I admire your commitment to the art of swordplay.
You've waited a long time.

　Crono drank the water he had prepared without seeming to be offended.

'It's already September?'
Time flies, doesn't it?

　Crono looks up at the heavens.

'...............Swimming, I wish I could have gone.
It's a water drill, isn't it?
'No, it's not a water drill you'll be dressed in a light costume, and we'll do some water splashing and lounging on the beach.

　Apparently, swimming as Crono calls it is an obscene, decadent and unproductive event.

Well, it can't be helped.
I have no choice, sir.

　Crono wiped the sweat off his face and looked at Faye.

'You're sweating,'
'Yes, that's right. I'm ready to take a hot bath, so you can go and work up a sweat for the day.

　Crono shook his head.

'Excuse me. I broke a sweat.'
"I am ready for a bath, sir.


　Crono grabbed Faye's shoulder.

I was sweating.
Are you urging me to sweat it out?

　Crono laughed.
　It was a big smile.



　Faye greeted the morning in a refreshed mood, despite the fact that she and Crono had bathed in hot water together and her fatigue level was at its maximum and her fatigue had been shaken to the limit by the nighttime visit.

''It's a complicated feeling, isn't it?''
I'm trying to do my job and you're just sipping on fragrant tea!

　As Faye sipped her incense tea, Elena said grimly.

'What are you doing, sir?'
I'm just prepping the income statement.

　Elena stared at the pile of papers and spat out.

'Thanks to all the things that he does for us, our expenses are ... about three and a half percent. Quintuple.
Did you spend that much?

　Faye's voice flipped over in surprise.
　If you ask me, it seems like there's been a lot of work on building new barracks, old barracks, repairing the citadel, the war, building the port, etc.

''Our income has increased, so you don't have to look like that.
We do not wish to startle you, sir.

　Faye patted her chest, saying that if Elena said it, there was no doubt about it.

''I would like to see more cavalry if it would increase our income, wouldn't you? Also, I would be happy if you could allocate a little bit of your power to rebuilding the Murifine family.''
Cash. Well, I'm not averse to it, but that's the thing.

　'I wonder if I'm being brazen,' thinks Faye.

'Come to think of it, it was Faye's turn last night. How's it feel to have your wish come true?'
....

　A longing, indeed a longing, Faye recalled last night.

''When it comes to the nightlife... for some reason, it reminds me of a time when I was always making mistakes.
Yeah.

　Elena ministered with a subtle expression, as if she knew or didn't understand.
　'I thought I could do well back then,' she said.

''When we went to the imperial capital, you tried to show off your decency and got beaten up by bandits.
Yes, sir.

　It was a series of failures when I opened the lid. I thought I was doing a serious job, but I was just dragging my feet, and my last bastion of military strength wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
　Even the nightlife........he just closed his eyes tightly and clung to Crono.
　There is no room to enjoy Crono as much as Elena does.

''It didn't go as well as Elena-dono's.
I wasn't as good at this as Faye thought I was. I didn't have any work experience.

　Yo, it's not a nightlife story," Faye says, blushing at herself for associating anything with such a thing.
　Even outside of the nightlife, Elena is amazing.
　The fact that she was robbed of everything, sold into slavery, and yet has achieved her current position is worthy of respect.
　I have a feeling that Faye, when she was seventeen or eighteen years old, would not be able to imitate the likes of Elena and Crono.
　Mmmm, Faye stuck out her lower lip and looked at her palm.
　The skin of her hand was thick and the joints were knobby.
　These hands were Faye's pride and joy.
　But.

My hands are just like that.
You can read minds, sir?
Anyone who can't read your mind is a lost cause.

　Snapping lightly, Elena raises her hand to her chest to show Faye the ink stain.

'After all, regrets don't come first, do they? I tried to think about it now or something, but it was in vain. And I didn't have the aptitude for magic either, so I couldn't learn it.

　What's that for?　I don't ask. Because I know that Elena's family was killed and it was easy to imagine that she was trying to gain the strength to fight to avenge them.

'Let me tell you, I'm not giving up, okay?　I've decided to avenge it my way.

　Faye drank her incense tea and sat up.
　When she left Elena's work room, the Marquis' mansion was suddenly in a killing mood.
　
　When there's no more room, people's minds are in turmoil.
　The cavalry is also busy, but since the birth of the new military branch, the archers' cavalry, the burden has decreased.
　One of the reasons is the increase in the number of people, but the main reason is because the search range has increased thanks to the excellent eyesight and hearing of the elves and half-elves.
　As I stepped outside the mansion, the sound of hammering could be heard, Khan, Khan.
　Faye moves to her usual spot beside the dwarves in the workshop who are busy.

'Master, it's late,'
We were having a women's discussion.

　Hmm, the apprentice nodded disinterestedly and resumed his bare hands.
　Faye sat down on a nearby wooden box and checked his apprentice's movements.
　Although he may do randori and kumite, Faye focuses on kata practice.
　This is because he believes that you have to learn the basics properly.
　It's time for them to practice horsemanship, but we don't have enough horses.
　It's better to get them used to the weight of seriousness first, said Faye, patting the handle head.
　It was when Faye stood up that the carriage entered the Marquis' mansion.
　It's a box carriage, just like a crono would use for an excursion. For some reason, it has about twenty horses with it.
　The one who came down from the carriage like a deep-windowed daughter was Cecily...Cecily Hamal.
　She was not dressed in a military uniform, but in a dress like the one you would wear to a ball.
　It was white in color, open at the chest, and perhaps padded, with more volume in the chest than Faye remembered.
　Her hair is up to her waist, not because it has grown out, but because she is wearing a wig.

'Master, do you know each other?'
A colleague of mine from my time in the Kingsguard, sir.

　As if she hadn't noticed, Cecily accompanied her squire to the Marquis' mansion without even looking at Faye.

''It's best not to get too close to them, sir.
I wouldn't go anywhere near a nobleman if you hadn't told me.

　Faye stared at her apprentice, "I was approached when I first met you," she said.

''It's safer to stay away from aristocratic aristocrats like that, you know.
I was not a nobleman, was I?

　The apprentice looked up at Faye and crossed his arms thoughtfully.

'Well... but that's not what I mean. I'm sure you're aware of the fact that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　'Mm-hm,' the apprentice nodded repeatedly, as if to say he'd expressed himself well.

'It's not just the nobles, but those things are relentless and scary, you know. Stray dogs might be resistant, but you wouldn't feel bad about killing bugs or cleaning up food scraps, would you?　It's more like, hey, we're doing good?　The people who try to buy us are better off than the ones who try to buy us.

　The apprentice spat, and Faye felt her face strengthen.
　They were healthy and alive, he thought.
　But on second thought, he could see that.
　Abandoned children.
　If the three of them worked together, they might have managed to eat.
　But what if one of them got sick?
　What if you work but can't get food?

...Master, living isn't a pretty sight, you know.
Does Master Crono know of this?

　The apprentice let out a big sigh.

'I'm sure he's heard it from someone else.
.....

　Faye was at a loss for words.
　While he was proud of the fact that the young man he looked up to as his sovereign was conducting good government for his people, he was even angry with himself for acting like a master without trying to know anything about it.
　To the disciple, swordsmanship was not only a means to rise to the top, but also a way to protect himself from unreasonable demands.
　That's why the apprentice followed Fei and continued to practice swordsmanship to protect the other two.
　Regret would not come first.
　No, even if he had realized it, he must not have been able to give up on the Murifine family's rebirth and resolve to raise the three orphans.

''........Master.

　The apprentice looked up at Faye as if clinging to her.

'Tony. The least I can do is to teach you how to fight, which is what I have been and will continue to do. It's up to you to defend yourself with those skills, or to beat up someone weaker than you, Tony.
You remembered my name.
Is that what's so amazing?

　The apprentice.........Faye pouted as Tony rolled his eyes in surprise.

'I at least remember my apprentice's name. The other apprentice is Matthew and the girl is Sophie.

　Faye clears her throat.

'I'll be glad if the skills I teach you can brighten Tony's future.
"Master,

　Just as tears nearly spilled out of Tony's eyes, the door to the mansion opened with a force that almost blew it open.
　Cecily stomped wildly on the ground, even in anger, and was screaming hysterically.

''........It is ruined.''

　Cecily approached Faye with a provocative smile, though she may not have noticed, but she approached Faye with a provocative smile.
　Sensing the danger, Tony hid behind Faye.

'Faye, it's been a long time since we've seen you.
How are you doing on the southern frontier, sir?
I quit.

　Pui turned away, and Cecily's lips twitched like a child's.

''Locking myself away in a mountain stronghold is a job I don't deserve. On top of that, I'm not kidding about being a barbarian pleaser.''
Is that correct?

　I had some thoughts, but before I decided to transfer to seek better treatment, Faye just nodded.

''What can I do for you today?''

　'Master,' said Tony, tugging at Faye's clothes.

'Your brother has asked me to say hello to the Marquis of Erakis.
Sir Brad?

　Faye couldn't help but raise her voice.
　Cecily's brother........Viscount Brad Hammar is the Commander of the Fifth Order of the Kingsguard.
　He is known for his gentle nature, but I can't see any connection with Crono.

''Even though it's only in name, you've joined the Kingsguard Order. It's a heartfelt offer from your brother to prepare your forces with this.
Do you have one?

　Nodding, Faye was confused by the drop between rumor and reality.
　No, Faye reminded herself that the drop-off was just because she was going through Cecily and that she really cared for him.

'Isn't it ridiculous that you're away when your brother has taken care of you?
Master Crono is busy, sir.

　Faye said, and Cecily's eyes narrowed in displeasure.

'You're a new aristocrat, after all.
....

　

''I'll come back tomorrow. And then, would you mind taking care of the horses?

　It's like asking, and it's a command to take care of the horses, or to look after them.

'All right, sir.'

　After wondering what to do, Faye nodded.
　Since she had come to greet him, she decided that she should be welcomed as a guest, and that she shouldn't be displeased now that she didn't know Viscount Brad Hammar's intentions.
　Although he said, "I understand," etc., it was impossible for Faye and Tony to take care of twenty horses.
　With the help of Matthew and Sophie and Silva, who had returned to the Marquess of Erakis after a long time, I cleaned the vacant horse stalls and laid down straw.
　Of course, that's not the end of it.
　After moving the horses to the stables, water and fodder had to be arranged as well.

...The holiday is over.
You should have just ignored what that woman said. You're Crono-sama's subordinate now.

　When I said that while looking at the sunset, Silva said in a dumbfounded manner.

It's a good thing that you are a customer of Crono-sama. I'm not going to be able to do that indefinitely.
Yeah, well, I don't want to get you in trouble, Crono.

　Silva poked his fork into the ground and said with a mortified look on his face.
　He didn't want to bother Crono, but he didn't want to work for Cecily.

'Master, we're going back to the Rescue House,'

　Tony walked out of the Marquis' mansion with Matthew and Sophie.

'Did you buy those boys some clothes?'
It's an investment in our future.

　In five years Tony will be a fine young man, and Matthew and Sophie will grow up to be fine.

''They're ... good kids,''
I'm very proud of them.

*

　The next day, Cecily seemed to be angry.
　It was not unreasonable.
　Anyone would be angry if they were kept waiting in the parlor until evening.
　Even if they didn't get angry, they would be irritated.
　And Cecily is an old aristocrat.
　In the old aristocratic sense of the word, Crono was an upstart.
　Cecily's irritation is not only due to the fact that she is waiting, but also due to the awareness that the new aristocrat, an upstart, is despising her as a historic old aristocrat.
　
　However, the extent to which it is used as a criterion for judgment depends on the environment and family style in which one was raised.
　It looks like he's going to slash at me at any moment, Faye thought as soon as she entered the parlor.

''Crono-sama wants to see you, sir.
A word of apology wouldn't be nice, would it?
Master Crono said he was sorry to keep you waiting.

　Cecily's expression grew grim.

'I would like you to come to the Oval Office, sir.

　Faye leads Cecily to Crono's office.

'Master Crono, I have brought Lady Cecily with me,'
.....

　Cecily stiffened for a moment as she opened the door.
　Cecily managed to control her agitation and stepped into the office.
　Faye also enters the room and waits by the door.
　It's no wonder Cecily is surprised.
　In addition to Crono, there was one other person in the office........Princess Tilia.
　Even though she had lost the right to succeed to the throne, there was no nobleman with a higher rank than Princess Tilia.
　And that's where Crono and Princess Tilia stood.
　Crono is sitting on a chair in the office, and Princess Tilia is standing beside him.
　To Faye, it is not too much of a stretch to call it normal.
　But what about Cecily?
　Princess Tyria, the highest ranking woman in the empire, is standing up a chrono for some reason.
　It should appear that way.
　Secondly........why is Princess Tyria standing up for Crono, who is only an upstart?　You would think that.
　The answer to this question will soon lead you to the answer.
　The port.
　The completion of the port will bring enormous profits.
　This much thought would explain why Cecily's brother, Viscount Blood Hamal, gave twenty horses to Crono.
　No, it would explain it.

''I came to greet you in my brother's name.
Yeah, I've heard about it.

　Crono leaned back against the back of the chair and folded his hands on his stomach.
　Cecily's face is pale.
　It's no wonder she's pale when she realizes that her role was not charity, but asking for a good mood.
　What is the actual situation?　Faye thinks.
　It is true that the number of merchants coming from the direction of Viscount Hamal's territory is on the decline, but the port of Count Caddo's territory.............................Silva Port has just opened.
　Even if Cecily was mistaken, I don't think there is no need for Viscount Brad Hammar to humble himself to Crono at this time.
　Rather, the timing of this time would be such that an equal relationship could be established.

''From now on, well, I'd like to get along with a lot of things. Let bygones be bygones.''
Yeah, of course.
...Crono.

　It was Princess Tyria who turned on the water.

''Why should you get along with them?''
Yeah, well, you got a horse.

　When Princess Tilia asked curiously, Crono slurred her words.
　Princess Tilia turned away meekly as if she were thinking.

'Surely we must get along for twenty horses. But how well do you get along with twenty horses?

　For example," said Princess Tilia, looking at Cecily. She didn't look at him, or stare at him, but saw him as he behaved after he turned away from the mere mortals.

'For example. If we were to make a kind of alliance, wouldn't twenty horses be too cheap a price to pay?
'Tilia, you don't have to be such a foot soldier.

　Princess Tilia's lips twitched in frustration.

''I'm not looking at my feet. I'm not looking at my feet, I'm saying that in order to have an equal relationship, there must be an appropriate price to pay. If you think you can make a relationship of equality with twenty horses, then you're being ridiculed.

　Crono sticks his cheekbones out and taps his right cheek with his forefinger as if in thought.

'I wonder what Viscount Hamal thinks?'
.....

　Cecily gasped, as if she hadn't thought that she would be talked out of it here.
　Cecily was only an agent of Viscount Brad Hammar.
　In light of the fact that he hadn't correctly grasped the purpose, one should assume that Viscount Brad Hammar had sent Cecily to greet him verbally.

''I don't know what your brother's thoughts are.
Yeah?　Well, I hope you'll come back next time when you've boiled the story down a bit more.

　'It's not a child's errand,' said Crono, not going into it.

'I'm not feeling well, so I'll have to excuse myself.
Faye, take her home.
No, thank you.

　Cecily quickly left the office.
　Faye looked at Crono and Princess Tilia as the signs moved away.
　Ah~ and Crono plopped down on the desk.

''That girl has a short temper and isn't very good at it.
And you summoned Princess Tyria?
Because of his personality, I thought he would be vulnerable to authority.

　It was certainly what Crono had in mind.

'You mean as we discussed?
I didn't do that.

　Princess Tilia leaned back against the desk and crossed her arms to emphasize her ample breasts.

'I'm just saying what I thought. Aside from the alliance, twenty horses are cheap if you want to ask Crono to do something for you.
It's more than enough to make change if you just want to say hello.

　Princess Tilia let out a disgusted sigh.

''If I give you a pardon over there, you might only need twenty horses.
Well, it's a game, isn't it?

　'Yes,' nodded the Princess Tyria with satisfaction.
　It was hard not to wonder if this much tact could always be demonstrated.

''I wonder what Viscount Hamal thinks?''
''With the completion of the port, the logistical pathways have been split in two. Maybe Viscount Hamal is trying to strengthen his relationship with Crono to secure his profits?

　Crono looked at Princess Tilia in surprise.

'What is that look on your face? I've been going to the commercial district to try and gather information, you know.'
So what do you think is going to happen to Dr. Tilia?

　Hmmm, Princess Tilia tilted her head.


On what basis?
''It's because the minotaur who worked at the quarry in Baron Bowties' territory is gone. That's one of the most important marble production areas in the Empire. If the workers, who have worked there for generations, are gone, the output will certainly decline.

　Princess Tilia glanced at Crono, saying, "Those workers are engaged in pioneering in Count Caddo's territory.

''Mm, we should purchase the marbles while we still can.
''I don't have the confidence to win against merchants from a thousand and one seas and mountains. I'll work diligently to manage my territory.

　Then Crono let out a sigh.