*

　Kane slowly opened his eyes.
　This isn't Hachel's, Kane stood up and put on his pants, which he hung over the headboard.
　The structure of the cavalry barracks adjacent to the deputy's office was the same as the one in Hachel, and the room layout was the same.
　No, there are two differences.
　One is that the furnishings provided are new, and the other is that there is a rule that the men use the rooms on the ground floor and the women use the rooms on the second floor.
　I don't need to think about why.
　Except when you can't afford it, you should value decency and discretion when you can afford it.
　Kane left the room, biting down on his absent-mindedness.
　An appetizing smell wafted through the air.
　
　However, Aria's cooking suited Kane's taste buds.
　It was more nostalgic than delicious.
　Kane resisted the urge to go straight to the dining room and walked out into the garden of the deputy's office.
　Quanto was wielding a wooden sword in the garden of the deputy's office.

''.....　.........!

　Kane leaned his back against the wall of the barracks and stared at Quanto.
　Three days had passed since Quanto had rolled into the deputies' office.
　Quanto locked himself in his room on the first and second days, and on the third day he couldn't stand his hunger anymore and came out of his room.
　Today, on the fourth day, Quanto is working hard on his swordsmanship training.
　He looks like he is hurting himself beyond encouragement.

'Hey, Quanto,'
'......　.........!

　Even as Kane called out, Quanto was still swinging his wooden sword.

'Why are you doing the bare swings?'

　When Kane spoke again, Quanto interrupted his pretense and stared at Kane.

'I'm trying to get your father to disown me. As I grow into a warrior, I'm sure he will change his mind. If you understand, then don't speak to me again.

　Kane thought it was childishly shallow, but he didn't say it.
　Quanto resumed his pretense.

'Are you a virgin?'
'......　Hey, hey, what do you say, you!

　Quanto interrupted his bare body, turned red and shouted.
　Apparently, at this rate, Quanto is a virgin.
　Well, in a s*xual sense.

'Don't get me wrong. I meant, have you ever killed someone?
No.

　Quanto looked down in frustration.

'I see.'
I'll be giving up my virginity soon!
'No, no, keep your virginity. I mean, if you're too busy throwing away your virginity, you'll die in your first battle.
I'm a warrior!　Warriors are not afraid of death!
...you idiot.

　Kane spat.
　Fortunately, Kane's muttering didn't seem to be heard by Quanto.
　Kane picked up a nearby broom and walked over to Quanto.

'You up for it?　I'll take that!　I'm going to beat you this time!
Wrong. I told you to pay for three days' lodging and one day's food before you train in swordsmanship.

　Quanto snorted grimly as Kane held out his broom.

''Well I'm a warrior.
What about it?　I'm not sycophantic enough to feed a guy who doesn't work. Yeah, no, I wouldn't think twice about it if I said, 'Please give me food and a place to sleep.'
Give me that!

　Quanto took the broom roughly from Kane.

'Leave the wooden sword behind,'
I know.

　Quanto shoved his wooden sword at Kane and took a wild step toward the doorway of the deputy's office.

'Well, let's get started,'

　Kane grabbed the wooden sword and began to swing with his bare hands.

*

　Kane finished his bare hands and went to the bathroom to wash off the sweat.
　Even though it was spring, the air in the bathroom was cold.
　Kane thought that he should have had hot water prepared for him, but he quickly reminded himself that luxury was the enemy.
　There was only one maid in the deputy's office.
　It felt bad to put the burden on her just to have Kane alone to bathe in hot water.
　When Kane shaved and went to the dining room, Westa and Rona had taken their seats.
　Quanto was also chuffed to be seated.
　Kane took his seat.
　Then Aria brought the food to him at the perfect time.
　Aria was the first to place the food in front of Kane. It was white fish soup and barley porridge.
　Kane ate the food in silence.
　A table without conversation is lonely.
　Even Kane knows that, but he doesn't know what to talk about.
　It's easy to talk about if you're a woman in a cheap inn, tavern, or brothel.
　It's a business, so as long as you don't talk about something too crazy, they'll be on board.
　In the end, Kane finished his meal without saying a word.

''Kane-sama, how was the food today?'' (PUMO?)
Yeah, it's not bad. But it's still too salty.

　According to Crono's story, Aria was cooking for the workers during the construction of the port.
　Therefore, Aria's food is probably seasoned for manual laborers.

''I'll try to reduce it a little more.'' (Pumo)

　With that, Aria put the plate on the tray.
　Aria, the miscellaneous maidservant (maid all-works) at the deputy's office, is a hard worker.
　At first Kane thought it was impossible when he heard that a minotaur was going to serve as a maid, but he came to believe that this could be the case.
　The Minotaur's Aria can do cleaning, laundry, cooking, and even heavy lifting.
　This ability to do the heavy lifting is extremely useful as a miscellaneous maidservant (maid all works).
　Aria collected Rona's plate and stopped next to Westa.
　A bit of barley porridge remains.
　Westa came from a wealthy, albeit fallen, merchant family.
　Westa's palate would be suitably discerning, so perhaps Aria's food was not to his taste.
　Rona is worried in the opposite way to Westa.
　Rona eats all the food served to her, but does not say anything about her preferences or flavors.

Hey, Rona, how was the food? Did you like the food?
What?

　When Kane asked curiously, Rona looked at Kane with a puzzled look on her face.

'Just to get a free meal,'

　Rona looked down in embarrassment.

'Master Crono doesn't take rent or anything, you know.

　Crono does not deduct from the servants' salaries the cost of utilities, food, or clothing worn in the house.
　There are special leave and special allowances for the end of the year and the beginning of the year.

'Hey, there!　Don't try to leave the dining room so quickly!
Why?　Did you finish your breakfast?

　Kane stopped Quanto as he was leaving the dining room.

'If you've eaten, help me wash the dishes.
'From what you've just told me, this Crono guy is just going to feed you, right?
Wrong. Master Crono is very kind to his men and servants. Are you Master Crono's subordinate?　A servant of Master Crono's?
No.

　Quanto replied grimly.

'But I'm a warrior. I demand to be treated like a warrior!
All right, warrior. Would you mind washing the dishes in lieu of paying for your stay with the hand that always holds the sword?　Cleaning the front door of a government office isn't even enough to pay for a meal.

　Uguguugu, Quanto let out a strange roar.

'....All right. Aria, teach me to wash the dishes.
"Yes.
'It's Mr. Aria, Mr. Aria. I'm your senior.
I hate you.

　With that, Quanto walked out of the dining room with Aria.

'Mr. Kane, don't you think that's a bit of an exaggeration?'
Kids like that will take advantage of you if you're nice to them.

　Haha, Westa laughed dryly.
　Kane poked his cheekbones and checked Westa's plate.
　The plate was empty.
　Apparently, Aria's barley porridge was good for Westa's taste.
　Although it's possible that Westa is holding back.



　Kane went back to his room and changed his clothes.
　He checked in the mirror to make sure he wasn't unshaven and chuckled.
　It had been almost two years since Kane had become Crono's man.
　During that time, he had neglected to take care of his beard.
　As soon as he became a deputy, he was concerned about his unshaven beard.
　It's a bitter smile.
　Kane went to the deputy's office, and on the way there he ran into Quanto.
　Quanto stared at Kane evasively.

'Quanto, did you wash the dishes properly?'
I did.

　Quanto spat and turned to leave.
　Kane thrust his hand against the wall, blocking Quanto's path.

'What do you need yet?'
"When the dishes are done, you will clean the barracks and do the laundry. When you're done cleaning and washing, you'll be ready for a bath.
I'm a warrior!　I'm not your slave!
You should work like a slave before you say anything like that. Besides, you're a warrior, you're only half human, and you can't even feed yourself.

　Quanto stared at Kane with a devilish look on his face.

'It's all right as long as you earn it?'
Yeah, you pay me and I'll treat you like a customer. Well, as long as you make your own money.
Don't forget those words!
I won't forget.

　Quanto brushed Caine's hand away and walked away with a rough gait.
　Well, I guess I can't, Kane scratched his neck.
　Kane stopped at the dining room.
　In the dining room, Aria was wiping down the table.

'Well, Master Kane!' (PUMO!)

　Aria looked at Kane and rested her hand on the table wiping it down.

'Yo, how was Quanto?'
...?

　Aria tilted her head as if to say she didn't know what it meant.

I'm just wondering if Quanto is a serious worker.
''Oh, yes, Quanto-chan was working diligently.'' (Pumo, pumo~)

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.
　It's no wonder that Aria is ten years older than Quanto, so it's not surprising that she's attached to the 'chan'.

''.........just'' (........pumo~)

　Aria put her hand to her cheek and let out a melancholy sigh.

'Just what?'
''It seems that Quanto-chan had never done much housework before.'' (Pumo Pumo)

　Apparently, Quanto wasn't very good at washing dishes.
　It's not surprising that he's not a good washer and dryer, considering he's the son of the chief.

"I'm sorry, but can you teach him a few things?
"...that's fine, but...

　Aria looks confused.

''I don't know how serious Sif is, but there's no harm in remembering that. You can't just fight, no matter how much you're a mercenary.

　Combat skills are important to mercenaries, but housekeeping skills are also important.
　Housekeeping in general is a newbie's job in any mercenary group.

''Yes, if it's okay with me.'' (Pumo)

　I asked for it, Kane said as he left the dining room.
　Kane stopped in the middle of the courtyard.
　He suddenly felt uncomfortable.
　In any mercenary group, general housework was a new job for the newcomers.
　And yet Quanto was not good at washing dishes.
　Kane easily assumed that Quanto hadn't done any housework because he was the child of the Chief, but would Sif treat his own child in a special way?
　If Sif gave Quanto special treatment, there would always be complaints from his old subordinates.
　It wouldn't be Sif who didn't notice that.

''.......................Quanto doesn't have any common sense as a mercenary?　Yeah, no, maybe they were going to educate you from now on, right?

　Kane rustled and scratched his head.

*

　Naturally, Mary and Kate, the receptionist, were at the reception counter.
　The first floor of the agency is the waiting room.
　The waiting room is a drab room with only a row of long chairs.
　Merchants who sign a contract with the Mercenary Guild are supposed to fill in their names at the reception desk and wait their turn, but there's no need to wait in the waiting room.

''Yo, how's it going?''
I'm afraid I'm going to be fired with so much free time on my hands.
I was just thinking about getting a job.

　Mary and Kate let out a gloomy sigh.
　They have rented their own room, so they must have some thoughts about the current situation.

'I don't think they're going to fire me out of the blue, though.
I have some reserves, but it's just 'in its own way.'
At my age, there are places that will hire me.

　Huh, Mary and Kate let out a depressed sigh again.
　Kane couldn't say anything to make them feel better and went upstairs to the second floor of the deputy's office.
　On the second floor of the House of Delegates, Westa and Rona were working on cleaning.
　Westa and Rona were cleaning all the time, so there was no trash that looked like trash.
　Kane took his seat and poked his cheekbones in the air.
　The work of the deputy office basically depended on the activities of the mercenary guild.
　Since mercenary earning is not considered a regular occupation in the Cepheus Empire, it might be natural for the deputy's office to be bored.
　Kane poked his cheekbones and watched as Westa and Rona cleaned up.
　Westa's handiwork was poor, as if she had been raised by a young lady.
　Rona's was a quick and efficient cleaner.
　The cleaning of the upstairs was done in a little over an hour.

'Master Kane, we have work to do.
Oh, excuse me.

　Mary's voice echoed from the communication magic item on Kane's desk.
　The communication magic item on Kane's desk was dedicated to a very short distance between the first and second floors.
　As Sif and the merchant entered the room, Rona took the contract and placed it on Westa's desk.
　Westa reads the contract and checks with Sif and the merchant to see if there are any discrepancies in the contract.
　Kane signs the contract as a witness and the job is done.

'Sif, stay behind for a bit.'
Okay.

　Sif had a brief meeting with the merchant and the merchant left the room first.
　Sif stood in front of Kane's desk.

'Um, would you like me to take it off?'
I don't have much to say to you.

　Kane answered Westa and looked at Sif.

'It's about Quanto, though.
I disowned that one. Bake it, boil it, peel it, do whatever you want.
You're a demon.

　Kane rammed into Sif, who said it without changing his face.
　Well, I guess Sif is sure that Kane won't give Quanto a terrible time.

'Hey, why did you bring Quanto with you, rather than disowned him?
Quanto is one of the candidates for chief. But I don't know where he was raised wrong, and it turned out that way.

　Sif crossed his arms and let out a sigh.

''Even though he's one of the candidates for Chieftain, the future of my clan is bleak with that.
Well, yeah.

　Kane nodded at Sif's words.

'We can't talk about this in the Boar Warriors.
So you disowned me and retrained me?
'That's what I mean. Not that I don't want you as a parent to see the wider world.

　'Which is it?' said Kane, shoving it into his mind.

'By the way, where's Quanto?'
What the hell, he's a parent. He's out there making money as a warrior or something. Well, he'll be back when he's hungry, won't he?

　'Hmm,' said Sif, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

'Then I guess I wasn't looking at it wrong.
Oh, you look like a serious businessman.

　Kane chuckled as he imagined Quanto looking for a job.

'Yeah, he was in a cage. Apparently, the slavers have caught him.
'You're not 'yo-yo'!　You're not just in the big world, you're in a small cage!

　Kane stood up and slammed the desk.

'You seriously abandoned your own child, what are you doing?
That's what disowned is all about.
You're a real demon, aren't you?

　Kane ran out of the room.
　He ran down the stairs and opened the door vigorously.

It's dangerous!

　Elaine's angry voice slammed into Kane.

'If you're complaining, I'll hear about it later!　Quanto is...........................Quanto!

　Kane noticed that Quanto was next to Elaine and peeled his eyes away in surprise.
　Quanto was wearing a rag.
　Underneath the rags, he seemed to be completely naked, or close to it.

'Instead of earning a bite, you're being stripped of your wrapping, aren't you?
.....

　Kane patted his chest inwardly, but also sarcastically at Quanto.
　Quanto was about to burst into tears.

'Hey, that's not the way to put it, is it?

　Elaine stepped up to defend Quanto.
　Kane couldn't hide his surprise at Elaine's uncharacteristic behavior.

''Would you two please step back?''

　Sif's voice echoed from behind Kane.
　As Kane cleared the way, Sif passed in front of Kane without saying a word.

''........Father....''

　Quanto called out to Sif in a voice sound that invited pity.
　But Sif did not answer.
　It was as if he hadn't heard her voice.

'....Father.

　Quanto said in a stronger tone than before.
　Don't abandon me, father, Quanto said, his eyes pleading with him.
　Sif looked at Quanto.
　It was not the reaction Quanto wanted, however.
　Sif looked at Quanto as if he were looking at a bug.
　That broke Quanto's heart.
　Quanto turned over and let out a polo tear.

'Oh, what the hell, go back to your room. I'll have your clothes delivered to you later.

　Quanto obeyed Kane's orders honestly.
　He walked dizzy and unsteadily to the barracks.

'You don't like children?
I'm more surprised that you like kids.
Do you like children?　Though I'm not much for happy families.
That's a little distorted.

　Kane muttered sincerely and stared at Elaine with half-lidded eyes.

'So you don't like children?'
A cheeky little brat like that, you know?

　You have no power, but you're chic, and you can't do anything but talk.
　You can put up with it if you're not near yourself, but when you're near it, you get irritated.

'By that logic, did I say Elena?　Is that girl one of them?
He's got a lot on his mind when it comes to being aggressive, don't you think?

　Hmmm, Elaine gave Kane a meaningful look.

'It's not the cocky kid you don't like, it's the old you.
Maybe.
Oh, you're not mad?
If I was a little younger, I'd be angrier.

　Kane cowered his shoulders.
　'If you think you're going to piss me off, don't bother saying it,' he said.

'I'm going back to work, man.
Yeah, I have to get back to work.

　With that, Elaine ruffled her hair.



　When Kane finished his work, he headed to the barracks.
　He called out to Aria, who was drawing water from the deputy's well.

'Where's Quanto?'
"After that, he didn't come out of his room." (Pumo, Pumo)
Okay, all right. I'll go check.

　Kane headed to Quanto's room on the ground floor of the barracks.
　He knocked on the door, but there was no response.
　Kane let out a sigh and walked into Quanto's room.
　Quanto's room was just as bleak as Kane's.
　In the dimly lit room, Quanto was curled up in bed.

''Don't ... don't come.''
I know you're holed up in there and I'm worried about you, so I came to see you.

　Kane approached the bed where Quanto was curled up and sat up vigorously.
　Quanto freaked out and shuddered.
　Kane didn't speak to Quanto.

''Well I looked for a job after that.
Okay.

　Quanto's voice trembled miserably.

'They offered me a job, and I drank some incense tea, and the next thing I knew I was in a cage.

　Kane scowled.
　In addition to slave trading and prostitution, Crono also takes care to make sure that the lordship does not become a slave.
　Outwardly, it's because he doesn't want to reduce the productive capacity of the territory, but his true intention is to protect the people of the territory as a lord.
　The merchants who have been with him for a long time should know that, right?　So does that mean the economy is improving and the poor quality people are pouring in?　Kane ruffled his hair.

'Father and everyone else knew I was in a cage.
Oh, come on, you're a real demon.

　Quanto sobbed as if he couldn't stand it anymore.
　Neither Sif nor Sif's men could help outwardly because Quanto had been disowned.

'I can't do anything about it,'

　As Sif expected, Quanto's heart is broken.
　Quanto must have painfully realized that he would be powerless without the backing of the mercenary guild and his position as the child of a chieftain in this case.
　I have a feeling that he felt the pain so much that he even lost the pride of being a warrior.

''You know, children can't do anything.
....

　Kane patted Quanto's head.

'I can't really do anything about it, really.

　If he had the strength, if he had the wisdom, if he had some kind of talent... if someone kind had reached out to him, his sister would still be next to Kane today.
　But neither the power nor the wisdom was there for Kane back then.
　The talent is still absent today.
　Nor was someone kind enough to reach out to her.
　That's why my sister is not next to Kane.
　Kane let out a breath.

'Quanto, I'll keep you safe until you're ready to stand on your own.
....

　Kane tapped Quanto's head lightly and left Quanto's room.
　He closed the door behind him and exhaled once more.

'Um, how did it go?'

　Kane looked at the direction of the voice and saw Wester standing there with a worried look on his face.

'It's going to be okay, maybe.'
Um, I was just telling Elena about the slavers.
Don't worry, we'll take care of it.

　Kane tapped Westa on the shoulder and headed for the deputy's office.
　To report this incident to Crono with a magic item for communication.

*

　It was late at night when Crono led his men and arrived in Sylvania.
　The number of people is not that many.
　The number of people is around one hundred, and the ratio is two elven archers and eight beastmen.
　The entire command is led by Mino, the second in command, the elven archers are led by Nasr, and the beastmen are led by Shiro and Hiilo.

"As usual, your footwork is light.

　Kane looked at the wagons that lined the streets.

'They say that soldiers are honoured with god's speed, and I wonder if it's important not to let them prepare for it~'

　Crono said in a tone that didn't show an ounce of tension.
　As a boiled-down Kane, he had to chuckle.

'Does the selection of people mean anything to you?'
'The commander of the sniper squad is Nasr, and I chose White and Hiilo because of the process of elimination... the Minotaur and Lizardman are not small enough, and Taiga's gain is a great sword.

　Crono cowered his shoulders.
　I was told that I was brought here by the process of elimination, and Shiro and Hiilo would be looking at Crono with lonely eyes.

''General, what's going on?'' (Bum?)
'It's just like we talked about in the carriage. I'd take them alive if I could, but if they're resisting me, that's not the limit.

　Crono pulled out a communication magic item.

*

　As it turned out, the merchant who tried to kidnap Quanto was easily captured.
　The merchant didn't have an escort that looked like an escort, and it seems that he had little experience in roughing things up.
　Even if the merchant had some experience, there was no way he could beat Crono's men.
　Many of Crono's men were experienced in actual warfare and had been trained hard.
　The merchant might have been wise.
　After all, the merchant surrendered as soon as White and Hiilo went in with his men.
　That's why the merchant and his four companions, who tried to kidnap Quanto, are pulled up to a clearing in Sylvania and tied behind their backs.

'If you're going to behead him, you might as well get on with it, right?
Hmmm, I thought it was a good time to put a nail in the coffin.

　Crono sat down in his chair and crossed his legs.
　He looks like a pudgy lord.
　

''.........Elaine, Elaine Sinner?　Is this the man Kane is protecting ... the one who tried to kidnap Quanto?
Yes, I do.

　Crono stood up like a billionaire.

'I mean, though?'
I am a good merchant, sir. I am very, very good at kidnapping people.

　Crono asked, and the merchant who seemed to be the main culprit shook his head.

'White, finger,'
Oh, no way.......hi!

　White walked behind the main culprit and did something about it.
　White ran up to Crono and held out the blood-stained merchant's finger to him.

''I was going to say break?''
I failed.

　White threw down the merchant's fingers and came around behind him again.

'Stop, stop!　I did, I did, I did!
Aren't you sweet, White?

　There was an intermittent dry sound of beck and call.

'So how do you get rid of it?'
Yeah, well, it's my first offense.

　Crono smiled at Elaine and replied.
　His tone was calm, but his eyes were not smiling.
　Crono walked up to the main criminal merchant.
　In the next moment, Crono's toe was impaled on the face of the main criminal merchant.
　Crono slowly pulled out his toe, and the main criminal merchant, who had lost his support, fell to the ground.

''Well since it's your first offense, I'll only save your life. However, all of your property will be confiscated!　If you don't get out of my territory by the end of the day, I'll kill you.

　Crono turned to Elaine and the others.

'It's fine to go about your business, but we don't want lawlessness. I think we all know that.

　Crono cowered his shoulders.
　And that evening the merchant and his companion who had tried to kidnap Quanto returned to Sylvania as a corpse.
　The corpse was severely damaged, as if it had been attacked by a beast.



　I want you to open this box after I leave.
　I'm sure you'll find what you need for Kane, Crono said as he left Sylvania.
　Incidentally, Kane left the box that Crono had left him with Aria.
　The next day, Kane went to the doorway of the deputy's office, biting off a lack of growth.
　There is a sign on the entrance of the deputy's office that says 'We are witnessing the contract'.
　Quanto's case could be taken to the extreme, but there would be a lot of trouble as Sylvania developed.
　The reason Kane thought of undertaking to witness the various contracts at the deputy's office was to prevent trouble.
　Of course, he also got Crono's permission.

''.............................We need to read out the contracts too.
"Good morning, Master Kane." (Pumo~)

　Kane looked at Aria.
　Aria was standing with a broom and chili picker in her hand.
　For some reason, Quanto was hiding in Aria's shadow.

''Quanto-chan, say hello.'' (Pumo)
.....

　Quanto remains in Aria's shadow.
　Quanto may have been broken and asked Aria for a place in his heart.

'Quanto-chan?' (PUMO?)
Okay.

　Quanto slowly stepped out of Aria's shadow.
　Quanto was wearing a maid's uniform.
　The skirt was short.
　It was only slightly longer than Elaine's clothes.
　There were no sleeves and the chest was heavily exposed.
　Quanto's chest is beyond small and flat.
　Nearly perfectly flat.

'You were a woman?'
Oh, I was a warrior.

　Quanto shyly held her skirt down, squirming and sliding her thighs together.
　Perhaps it was the shame, but Quanto is red to his ears.

''Wait, where were those clothes?''
"In the box that Master Kane left for me." (Pumo)
Don't just leave me with a bad word to say!

　Kane shouted and suddenly came to his senses.

'Bah, a**h*le!　Don't come out looking like that!　If Sif sees it....
Father, don't look.

　Quanto said, looking like he was about to burst into tears.
　When Kane turned at the word father, Sif was standing there, his face pale.
　Sif covered his face with one hand.

'Just in case you're wondering, though. That was Master Crono's hobby, you know?
From what I've been told, he's a legitimate guy.
Master Crono is generally a straight shooter.　There's a sharp edge to it. Didn't Elaine tell you that?

　Sif is on the verge of a stroke.
　But it was Sif himself who had brought the situation to the point it was now.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.