*

　Late March of the imperial calendar four hundred and thirty-two.......I don't know, Kane thought about that as he rocked the boxcarriage.
　From a farmer's son to a deputy.
　I'm sure you'll find it hard to believe that, but when you think about the fact that I've been robbed twice, I feel like I'm living an incomprehensible life.
　The future always defies Kane's expectations.
　When he was a mercenary, he thought he'd be killed in the middle of his work one day, and when he was a bandit, he thought he'd be killed by a strike force or die in the wild.
　When he was a farmer's little boy, he would have thought he would work endlessly and die or something.
　Well, these guys are probably thinking the same thing, Kane said as he looked at the two men in the boxcarriage.
　The one sitting directly in front of Kane was Rona a former mercenary of the Free City State group.
　Her age is thirty. She has a smart body line.
　For a mercenary, he doesn't have a rough atmosphere and seems rather cold-hearted.
　According to the sitter, Rona seemed to be confused by the unfamiliarity of the job at first, but if you look at the entire training period, it seems that her work style was neither acceptable nor unacceptable.
　Wester, sitting next to her, was fleshy in contrast to Rona.
　Her hips and buttocks are not so much, but her breasts are huge anyway.
　Hey, hey, hey!　The breasts are so big that I say.
　Well, I won't tell you.
　I'm not in the carriage, but two more people I'm going to be joined by a former high-class prostitute who worked in the brothel Elaine runs.
　The paperwork will be left to Westa and Rona, and the two people introduced will be left in charge of reception.
　I knew it wasn't a pattern, Kane stroked his chin.
　It wasn't the feel of prickly stubble on his fingers, but a slippery touch.
　Kane noticed that Westa was looking at him.

'Do you have something on my face?'
You've shaved your beard.
It's not a good idea for a deputy to have stubble, is it?

　Kane said, scratching his neck, and Wester chuckled at what was fun.

'Oh come on, are we about to laugh?'
I knew you were a serious person, just like Elena said.

　Kane poked his cheekbones, wondering if his attitude had softened a bit.
　Since then, Kane had been talking to Westa every spare moment he could find.
　His steady efforts had finally paid off.
　One thing he didn't understand now was Rona.
　It didn't seem to be a quality of shyness, but Rona didn't try to relate to others and would occasionally let out a deep sigh.
　It's probably difficult for Rona to accept the situation of being a slave.
　Now, what to do, Kane stroked his chin.
　Kane is also aware of the fact that his own vessel is not big enough to be dependent on him, and his own naivety to not be able to shun him once he knows the circumstances.
　So it's not a good idea to step in too far.
　What suddenly passed through my mind was my boss........Crono.
　Or rather, that guy doesn't think about it that much.
　It's just that in his case, he feels supported by his mistress.
　No, am I crazy to think that I'm supporting him?　And Kane crossed his arms.

*

　It was Silva who greeted Kane when he arrived in Sylvania.
　Silva proudly puffed her chest out with her back to the House of Delegates.

'Look, this is my masterpiece ... the House of Delegates.
Hmm. Isn't the harbor your masterpiece, Mr. Silva?

　Faye asked, and Silva smiled as she said she was glad he'd listened.

'Every time I build one building, I progress. I learn from the old architecture and create a new one. That's what an architect does.
I see.

　Normal for a masterpiece, Kane looked up at the deputies' office.
　The depot was built on the eastern edge of Sylvania.
　The site was large, with plenty of room for three buildings.
　One was a three-story brick building, the second was a two-story building, also made of brick...a building that looked like it had been built somewhere else, and this one was long and horizontal.
　The last one was the stables.
　Why were they so far apart?　Kane looked alternately at the deputies' office and the port.
　Sylvania is a city that is developing from the port.
　One day shops and houses will fill the space between the agency and the port, but at the moment there is a lot of empty space.

Hey, Faye. Why are you here?
The guardhouse serves as a resting place for the cavalry.
'Oh, so that's why it's so long on the side.

　No wonder you feel like you've seen it somewhere.
　The horizontal building behind the deputies' office looks exactly like the cavalry's quarters in the Marquis of Erakis.

''I would be grateful if the Count of Caddo had facilities to stay in his territory.
I won't have to bother the people in the village.

　Kane nodded at Faye's words.
　The guards on the roads could last for several days, and when they did, they stayed in the villages along the way.
　Of course, they had talked it through beforehand and paid the price, but aside from the farming season, preparing a bed and meals must have been a burden for the villages during the farming season.

''........So now Captain Kane is the master of one castle in one country.
I don't get paid enough to be a landlord.

　Faye looked at Kane with envy.
　
　There was no use in raising the amount.
　That's why he didn't actively negotiate his salary.

'Nevertheless, sir,'

　Saying that, Faye lowered her eyes painfully.
　It wasn't hard to understand how Faye felt.
　Even Kane feels hazy when he sees a family that seems to be close, or a farmer working the fields with sweat on his forehead.
　He is envious and frustrated that others have what he has lost and what he wants.
　And they also feel disgusted with themselves.
　What should I say to them?

'Oh, come on, what are you talking about? Not long ago, I was a horseshoe maker and you were a stable cleaner. Now you are the lord's architect and the captain of the Kingsguard's cavalry. We've come a long way, too.
Silva-san is right. You should never forget your original intentions.

　When Silva told her to admonish her, Faye looked up as if she had regained her composure.
　When he was a member of the Twelfth Konoe Order, Faye was a cleaner in the stables, so it could be said that he had risen in the ranks.

''No... well, you should forget your initial thoughts for a bit.''
Why is that, sir?
That's because you're so naive at first. Besides, if you're lucky, you'll be able to rebuild your house in one go, right?

　Kane smiled bitterly when Silva looked at him as if asking for his consent.
　He would be carrying Crono's child and reestablishing the Murifine family.
　If this doesn't have a physical relationship with Crono, it can be just a black stomach, but Crono and Faye are firmly male and female.
　Faye neatly accomplishes her original goal, despite the fact that she says she'll never forget her original intentions.
　I'm sure you'll be amazed at how well she's holding up.

I didn't understand anything at the time.
I don't mind that, but don't dump the rest of the story on me.

　Kane said witlessly, and Faye tilted her head in wonder.

'No 'why' and no 'why'. If you were a man, I'd ask you for advice. You're a woman. I don't want a woman to broach that kind of topic.
....

　Faye turned over in silence.
　I can almost hear the sound of a "dizziness".
　I feel a little sorry for you, but it's better than being broached on that kind of topic.

''If it's okay with me, I'll talk to you about it, okay?
No, sir!
I'm sorry.

　I turned around at the sound of a less disappointing voice and saw Elaine standing there with a smile on her face.
　Two women are waiting behind Elaine.
　They were both in their late thirties or so in age.
　One has red hair and the other has chestnut hair.
　They both have pale skin and a little heavy makeup.
　It may be prejudice, but both of them have normal facial features for having been high-class prostitutes.
　They wouldn't make an impression even if they ran into each other on the street.
　Perhaps there is more demand for a face that makes people think it's within reach.

'The redhead is Mary and the chestnut is Kate. Both of them are educated like aristocrats and are good at cleaning, washing clothes and cooking. And I can dance, too.
Aristocratic.

　When I looked at her, Faye stared back at Kane with a pouting face.
　I felt even when we ate, but I wonder if Elaine overestimates the nobility.
　Well, it seems likely that the aristocrats close to Kane are substandard.

''Faye, are you good at dancing?''
I am not very good at this.
What's the etiquette?
I am not very good at this.
How's your education?
I'm sure Lady Leila can do better than you.
What are you good at?
"I'm good at swordplay and horsemanship.

　This guy is a nobleman, Kane felt the urge to grab Faye's head and offer it to Elaine.
　Of course, he wasn't going to go through with it.

''Mr. Kane!

　Westa leaned out of the window of the deputy's office and shouted, as if he had been cleaning up.

'What's up?'
Master Crono is on the line.

　For a moment, Kane didn't understand the meaning of the words, but he quickly remembered that the Ultra Long Distance Communication Magic Item was now available.
　The Ultra Long Distance Communication Magic Item connected the Marquis of Erakis and Count Caddo's territory.
　To be precise, it's between Chrono's office in the Marquess of Erakis and the Count of Caddo's office.
　There are several sets of communication magic items, each with the ability to send, receive and relay messages.
　Crono focused on the relay function...if the number of communication magic items were arranged in a straight line, wouldn't it be possible to communicate over long distances?　I thought to myself.

'I'll be there in a minute!'

　Kane went to the Substitute's office.

*

"Hello, can you hear me?　Hello!

　When Kane reached the second floor of the deputy's office, Crono's voice echoed from the sphere placed on the pedestal.
　
　Except for the magic item for ultra-long-distance communication and the pedestal on which it was mounted, there was only a desk and chairs for three people.

'You don't have to shout that loud to be heard,'
"Good. "The magic item seems to be working well.

　Crono said, sounding relieved.
　Even though the objective includes technological development and job creation through public works projects, Crono is investing a lot of money.
　It would be a quandary if it 'failed'.
　I don't know what the technicalities are, but it's convenient, Kane thinks.
　You can get in touch with them in an instant without having to run your horse.

'How's it going there?'
"Elaine's here with a girl she hired at the deputy's office to say hello. I didn't tell her anything because she called me right away. Come to think of it, I didn't hear that you were going to have a barracks attached to the deputies' office?
"...because I forgot to tell you...
Well, I don't mind.
"And there's one more thing I forgot to mention: I've hired a new maid to work at the agency. Her job is cleaning, laundry, cooking......well, a maid all-works.

　I see," Kane countered suitably.
　To be honest, I'm not sure how I'd react if someone told me they hired a new maid.

''You don't seem to be interested.''
We're not done.
'I think Kane would love it. First of all I'm in my mid-twenties, unmarried.'

　'If you're in your mid-twenties and you're not married, that means there's something wrong with you,' said Kane, sitting in the chair and crossing his legs.

'He's tall and has a large chest.'

　Hmmm, Kane stroked his chin.
　From Crono's words, what Kane imagined was a thin, beautiful woman.

''With chestnut hair and dull eyes...''
The dull-eyed one?
"The Minotaur.
The Minotaur!

　Standing up, Kane shouted.
　The thin, beautiful woman he had imagined quickly turned into a minotaur in a maid's uniform.

'Is that statement racist?'
No!
'So who do you like?　Rizako, the cool kid with the black eye win?　Adorable and amiable Warren?
You have a thing for beastmen!

　With a flash of his arm, Kane shouted.
　Sure, the Lizardman is a black-eyed winner, but not if it's cool.

'I received a letter from a listener the other day asking if there are any beastly women under Master Crono.
Who are the listeners?
"...I'd like to do some radio stuff in the future, what do you think?
What's a radio?　What's a radio?

　When Crono said something incomprehensible to him, Kane shouted in desperation.

''Well, all kidding aside...''
Are you sure you're joking?
''Oh, no, I'm not kidding about that last part. I'm seriously thinking that even commoners should be able to use magic items for ultra-long distance communication.''
It's not easy, is it?　It's not always possible for them to talk when we want to talk, and after all this money and effort, the only two people who can use it are the two people on the edge.

　Could it be military?　Kane asked himself.
　'If we put them on the border, even if it's at the border, we can get the word out faster and more accurately than the wolfsbane when an enemy nation takes action.
　In that sense, it seems to strike a good balance between investment and effectiveness.

''Hmm, how about writing down the contents of our conversation over here and carrying them over there like a letter or even if not carrying them, how about keeping them in storage?

　It should be useful for the military, but Crono doesn't seem to think that far ahead.
　Maybe he's missing out on the process due to his understanding of completion.

'Not bad.'
'You don't seem to be very interested in it, but whatever.'
Hey, I have a question for you.

　Kane stared at the clear sphere on the pedestal.

What do you do when you're not using it?
What?

　Huh, Kane let out a sigh and put a hand to his forehead.

Oh, come on. You're just saying it's all over the news.
It's all so tense all of a sudden, isn't it?

　I didn't want to sound that serious, I thought, but Kane didn't say anything.
　'I have no taste for poking around in the bushes when there might be snakes out there,' he said.

'Why don't we just put a cloth over it for now?
'Then put it on you. I'll basically stay in the office until evening, and if I hear voices at night, the maids will let me know.''
Oh.

　There wasn't a suitable cloth, so Kane took off his jacket and put it over the pedestal.
　Exhaling through his nose, Kane sat down in a chair.

'You're good together, aren't you?'
It's not bad.

　When I looked up, I saw Rona standing there.
　When Kane poked her cheekbones, Rona looked down awkwardly, as if she thought she was in a bad mood.

'I'm not mad at you, Rona. I was just embarrassed to have that stupid conversation overheard.
Yeah?

　Rona seemed a little relieved, though she wasn't convinced.

'Did they look so close?'
Yes, they're really close brothers.
...a brother?

　When Kane asked back, Rona's eyes widened in surprise.

'Aren't Kane-sama and Crono-sama brothers?'
We don't have any blood in our veins.

　Kane quipped.
　If he had been Claude Crawford's biological son, he might have had at least a drop of blood in him, but Crono was a man from another world.
　Crono is not blood related to anyone in this world.


It's not every day you get along with your half-brother, is it?

　Saying that, Kane gave a bitter smile.
　It seemed more likely that a half-brother who was close to him would be more likely than a lord who had a former bandit as his deputy.

''Master Kane is amazing.''
No way. That's about as good as it gets.

　Rona seemed to think that Kane was appointed as a deputy on merit, but Kane doesn't overestimate his own abilities to that extent.
　His arm strength is adequate, and his ability as the leader of a mercenary group is also adequate.

The only thing that's left to do is to get the job done.

　Kane stood up slowly.

*

　Let's get the job done quickly............................but the equipment is already being brought into the barracks and the deputy offices.
　Unlike Westa and Rona, who have to organize the equipment and keep track of where they are stored, Kane's work is not much.

''........You seem to have a lot of time on your hands, don't you?
Well, you know.

　In my spare time, I was wandering around the deputy's yard - a mere empty space surrounded on three sides by the deputy's office, the barracks and the stables - when I was approached by Faye.
　Apparently, Faye doesn't have a lot of time on her hands either.

How's your handiwork?
You're getting tired of killing time, aren't you?
There are two wooden swords in here.

　Faye picked up the wooden sword that was propped up against the wall of the barracks and threw it at Kane.
　There was an option to not take it, but Kane grabbed it as it flew in a straight line.

''Well come to think of it, this is the first time I've fought Captain Kane, isn't it?
That's what I'm talking about.

　Faye distanced herself from Kane and slowly held her wooden sword at mid-level.

'Why is that, sir?'
Win or lose, you looked like a pain in the ass.

　'Mmm,' said Faye, her lips twitching in frustration.

'It is going!
Oh!

　I tried to be enthusiastic, but the first blow numbed my arm, and from there it was a defensive battle.
　I'm not sure if I have one chance to counterattack after surviving five of Faye's attacks.
　For the umpteenth time already, a shock is felt in Kane's arm.
　He's too fast and can't react in time.
　Shit!　Kane cursed in the back of his mind.
　At one point, he could see Fei's attack, but he couldn't react.
　Therefore, Kane was using the wooden sword as a shield ... an obstacle to block the attack.
　You'll be disgusted," Kane said, as he tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
　I learned to fight to survive, to avenge my family.
　The only thing he was made to understand was that there is an upside to being an upside down fighter, and that Kane didn't have the talent for overcoming barriers.
　The Fae are strong.
　Even when they met, Faye's skills surpassed Kane's.
　Kane felt that the skill was perfected at a high level, but Faye is still growing.
　He didn't react to the feint.
　He would do something bargaining-like to confirm Kane's skills.
　You clearly understand the difference in ability, but you don't let your guard down.
　Is it because you're dealing with Crono-sama?　Crono's willingness to change hands, change products and somehow pick up a win is worthy of goodwill.
　Well, if he was being accompanied by himself, he would feel differently.
　Kane staggered as Faye attacked him.
　Deciding to take a chance, Faye attacked like a rage.
　Fay's wooden sword snatched Kane's arms and shoulders.
　Somehow, Kane managed to keep his distance from Fay and repeated his breathing with his shoulder.

''Captain Kane is defending himself!
Okay, go for it!

　I noticed that the twin elves the archers and light cavalry were gathered together.
　It's a relief that the stakes aren't high, at least.

'Shut up for a minute!'

　Faye set it up at the same time Kane finished yelling at her.
　He could have set it up while he was yelling at her.....................Anyway, it must be an opportunity.
　Faye closed the distance and swung her wooden sword down.
　It's fast, but the stab Kane unleashed is just as fast.
　The wooden sword held by Faye stopped just short of touching or not touching Kane's forehead.
　In the same way, Kane's wooden sword also stopped just short of touching or not touching Faye's neck.

''Fii, you're getting tired of the quicksand.''
Mmm, is it an act?

　Kane exhaled grandly, and Faye raised her eyebrows quizzically.

'It wasn't an act that I was defending myself. It was an act, though, when you breathed on my shoulder and all that.

　If you were in a situation where you could expect your friends to support you, you could focus on getting past the attack, but unfortunately, you can't win a game by playing defense.

''Did you make them attack while leaving them with enough energy to deliver the best blow?
It's not that big of a deal, is it?

　It's one of those little tricks to beat a higher-ranked opponent.
　Even though it's a small trick, it has a pretty high success rate, but there's no need to explain that much.
　When Kane drew his wooden sword, Fei drew his wooden sword to match it.

''So, who wins?''
There's no way I'm going to end up with a vague idea of what happened.
''Faye won. It's a draw without a divine technique.

　'Don't make me say it,' frowned Kane.

'Mmmm, is it?'
'Convince me. Well, I don't want you to be overconfident in your abilities.

　It's not unusual for a guy who was unbeaten in training to easily die in his first battle.
　Faye has experienced real battles, though, so I'm sure she'll be fine in that area.



　Evening the white light of magic items illuminates the barracks mess hall.
　Around the table are Kane, Westa, Rona...........................and a bunch of cavalrymen.
　The reason why they are in the barracks is because there was no mess hall in the deputy's office.
　There may be other reasons, such as it's less complicated or more efficient to set up a place to live in the barracks, but all the facilities that are considered necessary for life are in the barracks.
　I'm not complaining, though," Kane said, scooping up a spoonful of soup ingredients.
　It's just like country cooking, but it doesn't taste bad.
　It's probably one of the better dishes I've ever had.

''Do you like it? (PUMO?)
Yeah, it's not that bad.
It's good, isn't it?
It's not that bad.
It's too pretentious.

　Aria ... apparently the sister of Crono's second-in-command Mino ...' question was answered by Kane, followed by Faye, Deneb and Alideed.

'So what do you guys think?'
Like I'm just happy to have a hot meal!
Hard bread is good, but it's like that!
How is it, hard bread?
It's super good!
Or the despair you feel when you've eaten all the hard bread!

　Kane said with a scowl on his face, and Deneb and Alideed leaned forward and shouted.

''Just you guys, three meals of hard bread?''
What harassment!
A feeble-minded child would cry!

　Apparently, Deneb and Alideed didn't like the three meals of hard bread either.
　Afterwards, they enjoyed a reasonable conversation and Kane headed to his room in the barracks.

*

　The next day, Kane was awakened by a violent banging on the door.
　Master Kane!　The voice calling out "I'm sorry," was Rona's, and she seemed to be in some kind of hurry.
　Kane jumped out of bed and opened the door, though he was awake in his sleep and his thoughts were hazy.
　No matter how hard he had been banging on it, he opened the door and Rona jumped in.
　Kane reflexively held Rona in his arms.

'Master Kane!'
Shouldn't there be time for work to start?
"Well the people of Sylvania would like to say hello to Master Kane.

　Kane said, biting down on his absenteeism, and Rona replied, turning her head away.

'Can't you get her to leave?'
It must be difficult.
Well, I guess so.

　I didn't go to the trouble of barging in to say hello, so there was no way I was going to leave with a straight face.

'All right. I want you to work with Wester and hand out papers with numbers on them.
In that order, sir?
You're right. I don't know if there's going to be a little bit of a mess, but you came in here when I wasn't ready. They're not going to complain too hard about it.
I understand.

　Looking over at Rona, Kane stroked his chin.
　This one would be bad if it wasn't shaved properly.



　Afternoon.........Kane leaned his weight on the back of the couch and exhaled heavily.
　He felt a twinge of unease at having a reception room in the deputy's office, but right now he was grateful for the presence of the couch.

'Oh, are you on break?'
What did you bring us?

　Leaning his weight on the backrest, Kane stared at Elaine as she came in without knocking.
　Elaine was dressed very plainly, as if there was some kind of standard.

'I'm empty-handed. If you want a souvenir, I'll have it ready for you in a minute, though?
I don't want it.
Yeah?

　Elaine sat down on the sofa facing her.

'So, have you received your gift?'
I don't think so. Besides, they know I don't take bribes.
You knew I was trying to bribe you, didn't you?

　Elaine said dismissively as Kane spat it out.
　Without needing to be pointed out by Elaine, Kane had expected them to come to bribe him.
　But I'm from the xxxxx business association, and my name is ●●.

''Don't you think about a little bit or something?''
I don't think about it.

　Kane sat up and scratched his head with a crunch.
　In my experience, corruption and poverty among officials is a breeding ground for crime.
　And it's not easy to restore deteriorating security.

'You're really serious,'
That's my nature.
Does that mean she has something to make you work harder?

　I told you it was in your nature, Kane said, poisoning his mind.
　But, well, he owed Crono a debt of gratitude for saving his life.
　I have an obligation to take care of my business, and I owe him a debt of gratitude for making me clean up my mismanagement.

''You don't have much of a big deal to say what it is.
'Good. I'd be questioning my sanity if you told me that the girl had a crush on me.
It's not as bad as it sounds.

　It's true that Crono isn't the kind of charismatic person to enthrall others.

'But, well, I thought for sure...'
What are you talking about?
I'm talking to you.

　Last February, Crono made one proclamation in the halls of the Marquis' mansion.
　Let's make it a nation of equal value and meaning, where sub-humans, commoners and nobles are not separated," he said.
　I felt shown the way at that moment.
　A third way, not only to live with sadness and anger, but also to live a life that is not dominated by hatred and driven to ruin.

'Grin and grin, that's weird,'
Let it go.