*

　We continue on the road by horse.
　The sun is directly above us and the village we have designated as our resting point is ahead.
　We could stop here for an extra rest.

I think it's time for a break, don't you?
....

　I looked next to him silently and saw Count Rio Chiron smiling at me.
　It's not an order as a nobleman, it's just a suggestion.
　Leila has the final say.

''I understand. We'll take a short break here.''

　Is Count Rio Chiron interested in me?　He dismounted from his horse, remembering his (...) actions.
　The ten men ... the light cavalry in seven and the archers in three ... took the leather bag in their hands and sipped the warm (lukewarm) water.
　Unlike Kane and the Fae, Leila's responsibility is a small area with Hachel in the center.
　The one who decided on the range was Kane, and I don't disagree with that decision.

'Did you have fun with Crono last night?'
Yes, Your Grace.

　Count Rio Chiron dismounted from his horse and walked over to Leila.

He said, "You needn't be alarmed. ─ Don't be alarmed, I'm interested in you, but as a fellow Chronosphere lover.
So, you're saying he followed you around to security?
Yeah, yeah.

　Count Rio Chiron nodded with a theatrical gesture.

'But I'm not sure what to say. After all, the only thing we have in common is that we both love the same person.
'I suppose we also share some of the weapons you're good at and the fact that you ride horses?

　Count Rio Chiron's eyes widened in surprise and he laughed like a child.

''Hahaha, maybe we have more in common than I thought. Well, then, and this is my advice as someone who is leading a subordinate as well, you had better figure out yourself and your subordinates.''
I think I know what's going on, sir?

　That's why I was thinking of taking a break in the village down the road.

'I suppose so. But your job is to guard the roads,'' he said, "and you can't pace yourself without leaving some extra energy in the event of a battle. But your job is to guard the roads, and you can't pace yourself without leaving some extra energy in the event of a battle.
...I think you might be right.

　Apparently, the title of Knight Commander of the Kingsguard is not an honorable title.

''Is there anything else you have noticed?''
To tell the truth, the advice I'm getting now is from my second in command. It's a very old-fashioned type of knight, but experience is not to be underestimated. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're looking for it.

　Leila gave a small nod. 'I've left Teacher Wiseman's lecture on paper, so if I read it carefully again I might discover something else.

''So ... did you have fun with Crono?''
Didn't I tell you?

　'Mm-hm,' said Count Rio Chiron, nodding repeatedly.

'I've won your favor' is not the answer. What I wanted to ask is whether you enjoyed it.
....

　Leila doesn't answer.
　It was certainly pleasurable and spiritually satisfying, but even though they were mistresses, Count Rio Chiron was a man.

'Don't stare at me like you're so scared.
I'm not staring.

　Count Rio Chiron raised his hands in surrender.

Are you sure you don't have something to ask me?　Like ... aren't you curious how Crono would love me?
No, not really.

　Leila replied without raising her voice.
　It was Leila herself who told Crono that she didn't mind being one of his mistresses.
　Although she has a monopoly, their status is different to begin with.
　Even though he came from another world, Crono is a nobleman in this world.
　It's also a nobleman with two titles and a fiefdom.
　In the future, he will inherit Baron Crawford's territory and will have three barons and estates.
　Leila is a half-elf from the slums.
　Lives that would not normally intersect intersect, and Leila is by Crono's side as his mistress.
　And that too, with an advanced education comparable to that of a nobleman.
　Even if she can no longer handle a bow, she can choose another way of life now.
　Just like Nicola from the Pix Trading Company said, Crono gave me the possibility.
　It might be arrogant, but Leila exhaled quietly.
　I want to take some of Crono's pain away.
　If that's not possible, I'd like to make him forget it, even if it's just for a moment.
　I suddenly look at Count Rio Chiron.

'What is it?'
Mr. Crono has informed me that the Earl of Chiron has written a letter of recommendation for you.

　Count Rio Chiron crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly.

''It's nothing to be thanked for.
But still thank you very much.

　Not used to being thanked, Count Rio Chiron gave an awkward smile.

*

...the light.

　In response to a whisper, a magic item mounted near the ceiling lights up and illuminates Leila's room.
　The magic item for lighting is Leila's personal item.
　When I bought it, I was very unsure of what to do with it, but now I'm glad I did.
　The white light feels cold, but it doesn't smell like tallow and doesn't produce soot.
　I need to review my lecture, Leila said as she collapsed onto the bed, hugging her notes.
　The eyes of others or the nightlife would keep her on her toes, but without either, it was hard to keep her on her toes.
　Even more so if it was after a day's work and an officer's education.

''........back then.''

　Leila's eyes narrowed and she patted the white sheets.

'Leila, are you coming in?'
You could have at least knocked.

　Leila ran into Deneb and Alideed, who were already in the room.

That's us against Leila.
Oh, yeah, we've been friends since I started here.
'I think we should be polite, even if we're close to each other.

　Leila straightened up and stared at Deneb and Alideed.

'What do you want?'
Uh, no, I'm not here for you.
It's my free time, so I figured I'd take a crack at it.

　Even though they didn't answer, Deneb and Aridid brought in what looked like chairs, jars, and nibbles from the hallway.
　Apparently, they plan to have a drinking spree in this room.

'So what was Leila minding her own business?
I heard a voice say, "That was a long time ago.

　'Huh,' Leila let out a sigh.

'I was thinking back to when I was assigned,'
Yeah, that was my day.
We were doing pretty good on two meals a day, weren't we?

　Deneb and Alideed crossed their arms and nodded repeatedly.

'You know, watery broth and hard bread was a staple on the menu. I felt like I was getting something out of it just because it had meat in it that looked like muscle.'
'Right now it's a soup with meat and veggies strewn about, and the bread is soft. I'm happy to see fish on the menu.

　Deneb and Aridid poured a clear liquid from one jar and then a cloudy liquid from another into a cup.

'What's that?'
Yeah, we're working on a steady stream of alcohol and...
"the juice of dried fruit soaked in water.

　Leila fearfully took a mouthful of what looked like liquor that was handed to her.
　The sourness and faint sweetness stimulated her tongue.
　Deneb and Aridid clinked their cups and vigorously stirred the liquor.

''Speaking of which, during the war against the Holy Argo Kingdom. Yeah, this year, not last year, this year.'
'I saw some of the guys from the other squad, and they were thin and had bad hair.
'I'm sure we were similar last year,'

　Leila looked at Deneb and Alideed in turn.
　Last year ... her treatment had changed so dramatically that she wasn't sure of the continuity of her memories.
　The events of only a year and a half ago felt like a long time ago.
　As far back as I can remember, a year and a half ago Deneb and Alide.......Leila herself was thin.

'You said it was tight around your chest and buttocks or something.

　She plucked at her collar and peered at her breasts, which were more voluminous than they had been a year and a half ago.

'How was Leila?'
I've had a few.

　It was Master Crono who noticed first, Leila added in her mind.
　And if it hadn't been for talking to Deneb and Alideed, she wouldn't have known what Crono was thinking about when he wanted to touch her breasts and ass.

'Some, right, some,'
Growing up is no match for the landlady and the princess.

　Deneb and Alideed laughed with a kleptomaniacal smile.
　If they could catch up with the size of the landlady and Princess Tilia, even if the food situation improved, that would be more of a threat.
　That's how big the landlady and Princess Tilia's breasts are.
　Among Crono's mistresses, the two of them are at the top of the list, and after the third place, they are greatly separated from each other.
　After the third place........Leila, Faye, Deneb, and Alideed form the second group, with Elena, Rio, and Su forming the lower group.
　However, considering the fact that Count Rio Chiron is a man and there is still room for Sue to grow, it must be said that Elena is by far the lowest of the group.
　Layla brought the cup to her mouth.
　Perhaps it was a result of her research, but the liquor made by Deneb and Alideed was easy to drink.

''Speaking of the proprietress.......''
You're not very aggressive, are you?

　The landlady always takes a step back in the meetings that determine the number and order of nightmares.
　It's probably because she feels sorry for her late husband, maybe.
　If you're talking about taking a step back, so are Deneb and Alideed.
　Perhaps noticing their gaze, Deneb and Aried looked at each other.

''We ... well, we like Crono-sama, but ...''
Buuuuut, I'm willing to deal with Master Crono on my own.

　By Crono standards, Aridid is the one who is on a roll, and Deneb is the one who is a little more thoughtful.
　If that's the case, it would be Arididid who spoke up first and Deneb who followed.
　They've known each other since they were deployed, but Leila can't tell them apart.
　Although they seem light, Deneb and Arididid have a way of not letting others (people) step in.

''Ugh, traitor!''
I'm not cheating.

　Alideed leaned forward and shouted, and Deneb said with a pout of frustration on his lips.

'I think this is the first time I've ever seen Deneb and Alideed at odds with each other.
We fight when it's just the two of us.
I mean, we've got our own problems.

　Deneb and Aridid poured the drink into a cup.

'We were born in a settlement near the border and, well, you get the idea.
In a place like that, in the midst of all that, pretending to be each other... not that it changes anything.

　Deneb and Alideed looked down at their cups, wondering if it was a little easier.
　Alideed must have come to tell Deneb that he wasn't the one who had been treated badly by pretending to be Deneb and Deneb pretending to be Alideed.

'I don't have anything like that now. Master Crono is erotic, though.
Yeah. Men get carried away so easily, but Lady Chronosphere's unflappable stupidity is like a gift.

　This is the first time I've heard of Deneb and Alideed's experience, but they don't seem to have much in the way of decent male company.

'Was Leila ... there was no one else but Lady Crono?
Oh, that's what it means, sweetheart.
No, sir.

　When Layla responded immediately, Deneb and Alideed stoked their drinks with a subtle expression on their faces.

''Ugh, it's not very exciting and...''
Now that we're working with Chrono-sama, we can't seem to get excited about our love story.

　Deneb and Alideed chewed on their crisp, hard bread.

'Um, business?'
We're all the same to you. What about Leila?
The Earl of Chiron has pointed out to me that I should take stock of myself and my men's condition.
Hmm, surprising.

　Deneb and Alideed spoke up.

'And that you should listen to the old soldiers,'

　This didn't fit with their own vision of Count Rio Chiron, either.
　Deneb and Alideed snorted thoughtfully.

'Surprisingly, to say the least,'
Like the knowledge and experience of the old guard is important.
So I'm thinking of re-reading my notes.

　Leila stared at the notebook on the bed.

'Oh, Leila, you know, I've grown to love studying.
Yeah, I miss the days when you were whining about not being able to win Lord Crono's favor.
'It was ... because I didn't understand the love of Master Crono.

　Uhehe, Deneb and Arid laughed.



　On the day of the ordination ceremony.......when I entered the entrance of the Marquis' mansion, Crono was waiting for me in his military uniform.
　No, Crono wasn't the only one who was waiting.
　Princess Tilia, Faye, Count Rio Chiron, and Viscount Brad Hamal stood on either side of Crono.
　Why am I here?　The expression on his face said, "I'm sorry," and Kane stood a little further away.

''I'm late. Crono-sama what are those clothes?
I'm now the commander of the 13th Kingsguard.

　Crono is wearing a tattered cloak, and the military uniform he's wearing underneath it is more elaborate in design than that Leila remembers.

''We're just in time!''

　When I looked behind me, I saw Deneb and Alideed almost running in.

''Ugh!　And Master Crono is wearing new clothes!
Yeah, I'm now the commander of the Thirteenth Kingsguard.

　Deneb and Alideed approached Crono and stared at the military uniform with a gaze.

''Did I hear that the Kingsguard has white military uniforms?''

　Deneb and Alideed looked at Count Rio Chiron and Viscount Brad Hamal, then back to Crono.

''Harassment?''
Yeah, I have a feeling that's what I'm doing.

　Crono gave a drawn-out smile.

'Well, well, that's why you're like Crono-sama?
Black suits Master Crono better.
"General, we're late.

　For a moment, the sunlight is blocked by a large figure.

''........General, what are your clothes?'' (Bum?)
No!　I'm a Knight Commander of the Kingsguard and it's forbidden to stay black!
'And Master Crono is being harassed and hurt!

　Deneb and Alideed dived at Mino.
　However, it's Deneb and Arideed who are doing a mane like rubbing salt into the wound.

''We're late, that we are,''
"We're here.
I'm afraid you're the last one standing.

　Taiga, White, Hiilo - finally Goldie arrived and the door was closed.

'Well, let's get started. All of you, in a line there, side by side.

　Leila and the others lined up in a line where Crono had pointed.

'Fay, the darkness.'
Please, God, I beg you.

　As I pray, the shadow of the fey stretches out.
　No, denser than the shadow, it was darkness.
　The darkness overflowed from underneath Faye's feet and enveloped the entire hall in the blink of an eye.

''........Tilia.''
Just as we discussed. Light.

　With the voice of Princess Tyria, a light is born.
　The light illuminates Crono.

''First, Mino-san,''
"Hey, hey.

　The light extended. The light created a narrow path from Crono to Mino.
　Following that path, Mino knelt at Crono's feet.
　'Ritual, this is a ritual,' he said.

'In May of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty, I assisted my commander in the northwest of Hachel, the Marquis of Erakis, and prevented the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom. In January of 4301, he assisted his commander in the Holy Argo Kingdom, killing and wounding a large number of enemy soldiers and leading a detachment of troops to prevent the enemy from retreating. In recognition of his service, I confer upon him a knighthood.

　After receiving a parchment from Viscount Eryl Sardomelik, who had been waiting for some time, Crono held it out to Mino.
''Oh, thank you, I'm happy.'' (Bumo~)
　As Mino took the parchment and returned to his original position, the path of light was broken and a new path was created between Crono and Goldie.
　Staggeredly, Goldie approached Crono and knelt at his feet.

'In May of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty years, in the northwest of Hachel, the Marquis of Erakis, we stopped the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom Army. After that, he continued to move the battlefield to his workshop, indirectly saving the lives of many imperial soldiers and killing or wounding many enemy soldiers. In recognition of his service, I confer upon him a knighthood.
We'll give you more, better weapons and armor.

　Goldie took the parchment tearfully and returned to her original position.

'....White.

　Gah!　And White barks.
　He's quiet, but he must be happy because he's wagging his tail with a pat on the back.

''In May of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty years, in the northwest of the Marquess of Erakis' territory of Hashel, you halted the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom Army. In recognition of that achievement, I confer a peerage on you.

　Waving his tail in a thousand pieces, White received the parchment.

''........Hairo.

　Wordlessly, Hiilo walks up to Crono.
　After all, he's wagging his tail with a pat on the back, so he must be happy.

''In May of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty years, you stopped the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom Army in the northwest of the Marquis of Erakis' territory of Hashel. In recognition of that achievement, I confer a peerage on you.

　Hiilo looked at Crono and accepted the parchment.

'Taiga,'
....

　Taiga approached Crono with a jerky motion and knelt at his feet.

''In May of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty, in the northwest of Hachel, the Marquess of Erakis, I prevented the invasion of the Holy Argo Kingdom. In January 431, he killed and wounded a large number of enemy soldiers in the Holy Argo Kingdom and led a detachment of troops to prevent the enemy from retreating. In recognition of his service, I confer upon him a knighthood.

　The moment I received the parchment, Taiga's drooping tail stretched out.

''I'll continue to do my best to meet your expectations, that I will do my best to live up to your expectations.'' (Gau-gau)

　Tyga proudly threw out his chest and returned to his original position.

'Deneb, Alideed,'
I've been called together!
In May 430 of the year 430, in the northwest of Hachel, in the Marquis of Erakis, he survived an onslaught of enemy troops and killed or wounded a soldier defending an enemy commander, and in January 431 of the year 431, in the Holy Argo Kingdom, he killed or wounded a large number of enemy soldiers and prevented them from pursuing the enemy forces when they retreated. In recognition of his service, I confer upon him a knighthood.

　Deneb and Aridid received the parchment from Crono and broke his face.

'Keep up the good work, Knight Deneb.
The same goes for you, knight Aridaid.

　Deneb and Alideed looked at each other and exchanged a few words.
　Finally, a path of light connected Leila and Crono.
　Crono seemed to be smiling.
　He took a step forward on shaky legs.
　He suddenly remembered his time in the slums.
　No, I don't really want to remember.
　But I step out.
　I think of my dead mother.
　I think of my mother, who sold her body, broke her body, and died in a leaning hut.
　I think about the days when she was trampled.
　She thinks of the pain of being beaten, the pain of being raped by force, the bond with her fellow slumlords.
　She thinks of the battle.
　She thinks of her dead comrades, those who went to the battlefield with Crono and never came back.
　I think of Crono.
　I think of the day I visited Crono's room trembling, the time we were united, the day I was frightened because I couldn't understand Crono's love.
　With an all-encompassing feeling in her heart, Leila stands in front of Crono.

In May of the 430th year of the imperial calendar, in the northwest of the Marquess of Erakis's domain of Hachel, Leila escaped the onslaught of the enemy army, approached the enemy commander and seriously wounded him, causing him to be defeated. In recognition of this achievement, I confer upon him a knighthood.

　Leila took the proffered parchment with a trembling hand.
　It was only a few lines ... just a few lines, but the Empire recognized Leila.

　The light disappears and a hole arises in the darkness.
　A crack runs around the hole, and the darkness that covered the entire hall is lifted.
　The darkness flutters like a sheet blown by a powerful wind and is sucked into the shadow of the fey.
　Seconds later, the hall was back to its usual form, as if the events of the past had been a dream.