*

　Leonhardt throws his arms through the sleeves of his military uniform.
　The military uniform, which is based on white, is the proof of a Kingsguard Knight.
　The uniform of the newly established Thirteenth Kingsguard Order is black, but regardless of that, Leonhard has been trying to be a person worthy of being a Kingsguard Knight.
　No, I should say that he has struggled to learn how to motivate his subordinates.
　Leonhardt doesn't understand the feelings of others.
　He can guess from the situation what kind of emotions they are feeling, and he can read the air.
　According to Leela, Leonhardt's words are white.
　She also said it was especially noticeable in words of comfort and sympathy.
　I had an idea.
　Leonhardt was blessed with a family background and talent, and his ability to empathize with others was low because he had never experienced any major failures or setbacks.
　If Leonhardt had been a mere knight, his low empathy ability would not have been a problem.
　But for the Knight Commander, it's a fatal flaw.
　In order to bring out the abilities of his subordinates, the element of understanding is essential.
　Well, that is, if Leonhardt's prediction was correct.
　Leonhardt made up for his lack of empathy by carefully observing his subordinates and listening to them.
　So far, no problems have arisen.
　At best, Leonhardt's jokes are not funny, or at best, they are ridiculed.
　Crono-dono........that's an unobtainable quality, Leonhard chuckled.
　Looking at Crono, it made him feel like a commander could be supported by his subordinates.
　Leonhardt strapped on his sword and left his room.
　He must now ascend the castle and meet with Vizier Alcor.
　Considering the rearrangement of the Kingsguard and Count Piske's malaise, I don't have a good feeling about it.
　When Leonhardt left the mansion, Leela came running up to him.
　Leela is still as chubby as ever.

''Leonhard-sama!　I want to go back to the country!
'Leela, I'm going to be on duty now, aren't I?

　Leela had said this morning that she was going to take a break in the new city, but going out didn't seem to be a good way to relax.

'A knight's job is to protect the weak!
There's no denying it, though.

　If the weak were meant to be the people of the Empire, then Leonhardt must protect them within his authority and ability.

''Leela, what's going on?''
I went shopping in New Town. I went shopping in the new town, and some drunk guy attacked me.　I can't shop without worrying about people fighting, and I can't feel safe!

　Hmm, Leonhard stroked his chin.
　Perhaps the drunk who was involved with Leela was a mason involved in the construction of the mausoleum.
　The construction of a mausoleum is a project that should be left to those who can be trusted.
　Secure the budget and entrust the work to people you can trust.
　It's simple logic.
　However, in reality, things don't go according to logic.
　The price of marble, the building material for the mausoleum, had skyrocketed because Baron Bowties had sold the minotaurs working in the stone quarry.
　It was impossible to secure the required amount of marble under these circumstances, while entrusting the construction of the mausoleum to someone reliable.
　It might have been a different story if the officials of the Finance Bureau had been persistent in their negotiations.
　But the Finance Bureau officials solved the problem by cutting the cost of building the mausoleum ... the cost of labor.
　The quality of the laborers they could hire for odd sums of money was beyond question.
　The bill for this is showing up in the form of worsening public security.

Hmm, I'll talk to the department in charge about the security situation.
Really?　I'm going back to the States if you're lying to me.　I'm in the country, and if I go home, Master Leonhardt won't be able to sleep well, will he?

　Hmm, Leonhard nodded.
　Honestly, Leonhard could get a good night's sleep without Leela.
　It's not that Leela is absolutely necessary when it comes to relieving s*xual desire either.
　In the first place, Leonhard is not a person with a strong s*x drive.
　But if Leonhardt said here, 'I don't mind going back to the country,' Leela would be offended.
　Lies are necessary for a smooth relationship.

'Leela needs it for my restful sleep.
Oh, Leonhardt, you don't have to lie to me.

　'Mu,' grunted Leonhardt.

'It was a joke, a joke. I was joking when I said I wanted to go back to the country and I was also joking when I said I was going home. There's no place for me to go anyway.
....

　Leonhardt couldn't say anything.
　Leela is the daughter of a poor farmer.
　My father took Leela in as a servant.
　Ostensibly.
　He played with Leela when he took her in as a servant, and when he got tired of her, he gave her to Leonhardt.
　Leonhardt doesn't know what his father had in mind when he gave Leela to him.
　Maybe he was worried about his son who wasn't interested in women forever, or maybe he thought he was trying to get ahead of the game so that he wouldn't get into poor quality women, or maybe it was both.
　Either way, it's a bullshit story.
　I'm the one who's a dumbass, Leonhardt mocked himself.
　I don't even know what to say to him.

I'm just joking. "Just kidding," he said, "I just wanted to embarrass Master Leonhardt a little.
It's a joke.
Yeah, I know. I'm sorry I said that. I'm not saying it again.

　I see, said Leonhardt, patting Leela's head.

*

　As I thought, Rio-dono's absence was a big deal, Leonhardt had that kind of sentiment as he headed to Vizier Arcol's office.
　The Ninth Kingsguard is in charge of the castle's security.
　As the leader of the knights, Rio was not allowed to enter the castle even if nobles who were not scheduled to come up to the castle came.
　It was to ensure the safety of the nobles, ladies and the royal family working inside the castle.
　But now, even nobles who have not completed the formalities of climbing the castle will be allowed in if they spare some effort.
　Even if the Ninth Kinsguard Knights abided by discipline, not all the nobles working in the castle would respect discipline.
　Vizier Alcor's office was guarded by two Kingsguard Knights.

''It's Leonhardt, Commander of the First Kingsguard. I have been summoned by Vizier Alcor.
What? Come in!

　Leonhard entered Prime Minister Arkol's office and opened his eyes lightly.
　It was because there was an earlier guest in Vizier Alcor's office.
　It's Count Piske.
　It was probably due to heartache.
　Count Piske's expression was dull.
　When Leonhard stood in the center of the room, Vizier Arcol stopped reading his documents and looked up.

''Today, I have to consult with you about the Holy Argo Kingdom.

　Gulp, Count Piske clutched his stomach.

'Last year, our country signed a peace treaty with the Holy Argo Kingdom.
Yes, sir.

　Leonhardt replied matter-of-factly.
　He knew now that Vizier Alcor had been working for peace even before the pro-peace treaty, and that the pro-peace treaty was only a means of negotiation.
　If a peace treaty would have reduced the expected damage, it would have been the right choice for the Empire.

I've been in personal contact with King Magnus of the Holy Argo Kingdom. I've heard that King Magnus is troubled by the relationship with the Temple.

　Prime Minister Alcor let out a deliberate sigh.
　I know the power struggle between the Holy Argo Kingdom's royal family and the Temple, even if you don't explain it to me now.

I wish to solve King Magnus' problems.

　Leonhard was in the mood to chuckle at Vizier Alcor's blatantness.
　He doesn't use the words "we" or "Cepheus Empire".
　In other words, he is asking me to cooperate with King Magnus in an unofficial capacity.

''Why me?''
I consider you to be the most capable fighter and most loyal to the Empire of all the knights in my Kingsguard.
I'm honored to receive undue praise.

　Prime Minister Alcor's point is true as far as the former is concerned.
　But when it comes to the latter, it is somewhat off.
　The Cepheus Empire has a high priority in Leonhardt's mind.
　However, this is not caused by patriotism or loyalty, but by one's position.
　Leonhardt is the incoming head of the Palatium family.
　The stability of the Cepheus Empire is essential for the protection of his family and territory.
　That's why Leonhardt didn't move when he learned that Princess Tilia had been deprived of her right to the throne.
　If Leonhardt had ruled over Princess Tilia at that time, the country would have been divided.
　A civil war would have broken out, even if Princess Tilia or Viceroy Alcor had won, the country would have been devastated and many people would have died.
　If Prime Minister Alcor is assessing Leonhard's loyalty based on that, then it might be a correct assessment.

''But on my own........''
I've already selected the right man.

　I see, so you're saying that you've already secured personnel who have no problem with being used up, Leonhard nodded.

''........''
Leonhardt?

　When Leonhardt was silent, Vizier Alcor asked suspiciously.

It would be difficult for the commander to live up to expectations by himself. If you can get some trusted people to support you.
Well, I'd be happy to do as you wish, Leonhardt.
First of all, I'd like to see Count Rio Chiron in the Marquess of Erakis.

　Prime Minister Alcor smiled bitterly when he heard Rio's name.

''Very well. I want you to tell him to return to the imperial capital after this mission is over.''
Then the Thirteenth Kingsguard.
I wouldn't call it human resources.
We need him.

　Prime Minister Alcor tapped the corner of his desk with his finger as if in thought.
　The sound of knocking on the desk echoed in his office.

'....Very well.
"Thank you for your concern. This will help the Prime Minister achieve his true objective.
The real purpose?

　One eyebrow of Prime Minister Alkor's vizier raised.

'It will not be to our country's advantage if the problems of the Holy Argo Kingdom are resolved.

Once the issue of the Temple is resolved, the Holy Argo Kingdom will renege on the peace treaty and will once again be hostile to the Cepheus Empire. It's possible that they won't be hostile, but we shouldn't act based on optimistic judgments.

''What do you think, Lord Leonhardt?''
"Causing a civil war in the Holy Argo Kingdom. I thought it would be in the best interest of the Empire.
Yes, I'm aware of that.

　Prime Minister Arkol laughed with amusement.
　Although Prime Minister Arkol probably thought that Leonhard would arrive at a choice that would be in the best interest of the Empire.

You can't be sure of that. King Magnus doesn't believe that I am offering to help you in good faith. I've said that I'm open to cooperation in an unofficial capacity.

　Leonhardt nodded, 'You chose me so that I wouldn't be easily cut off.

'Count Piske will outline the operation.
Ha, I'll do my best to make you happy!

　Leonhardt straightened up.

*

　The explanation of the operation was to be held in Count Piske's office.
　Led by Count Piske, who was holding his belly, Leonhardt made his way to Count Piske's office.
　When he arrived in his office, Count Piske sat down in his seat as if he were collapsing.
　Leonhardt sat in a chair nearby and looked through the documents.
　Although, half of the material was the history of the knights participating in the operation.
　The operation focused on reducing the national power of the Holy Argo Kingdom.
　The forces of the Holy Argo Kingdom's royal family and the 'Temple' are opposed to each other.
　In order to do so, they will have knights in the guise of bandits attack the merchants who pass through the East-West Roads of the Holy Argo Kingdom.

''I knew it would come to this,''
For the record, they're volunteers.

　Count Piske said in an excusable tone.
　Leonhardt pointed out about the knights involved in this mission.
　

''Count Piske, I have no intention of letting them die.
I have no intention of letting them die.

　Count Piske said grimly.

'Why did they volunteer?'
They can't inherit a viceroyalty and they can't be knights of the Kingsguard. If you promise them a knighthood without a title, they'll be happy to volunteer for it.

　Count Piske said in a tone that told you not to listen to the obvious.

I understand why they volunteered. Then we must train them to come back alive.
...I'm not just the training part.

　Count Piske said with a sigh.

''By the way, why does Lord Leonhardt want the Marquis of Erakis?
I'm buying him, you see.
Well, I suppose it's worth a look.

　When Leonhard replied, Count Piske made a subtle expression.

''Of course, that's not the only reason, though. We need Lord Crono's help to reinforce the operation. King Magnus won't be convinced by simply attacking the merchants passing through the East-West Road. In order to convince him, we need to secure new trade routes.
...I see.

　Count Piske nodded honestly, as if he had noticed the holes in the operation.
　I wish you could tell me where the real landing place is, Leonhard added in his mind.



Mister, you need to wake up. Mister.
Ange, let me get some more sleep.

　With that, Duran turned over.
　The old bed creaked in protest.
　This old bed not only tossed and turned, but also rattled as he sat up.
　Duran was born the fourth son of the Landedge Barons, a family with a fiefdom north of the southern frontier.
　At the time of his birth, there was little or no chance that Duran would be able to take over the family's position.
　It was not a time of warfare, and his three older brothers were in excellent health.
　Like his three older brothers, Durand had been enrolled in the military school of the imperial capital.
　It was close to aristocratic custom to send a child to a military school.
　However, it seems to me that my father enrolled Duran in the military school not so much to observe the custom as to learn a trade.
　After Duran graduated from the military school, he became a guard of the imperial capital.
　Guarding the imperial capital is a difficult place to work that is hard to appreciate in exchange for being less dangerous.
　Duran scrambled.
　This was his life, and there was no way he could accept it at the age of eighteen.
　He was confident in his sword skills.
　His swordsmanship had always ranked high in military school, so he believed that his sword skills would open up his life.
　No, he dreamed that he could cut it out.
　With unfounded confidence, Duran took the exam to join the Order of the Kingsguard.
　The result was rejection, but Duran was not dented.
　The first year he was able to feed off of his frustration.
　The second year seemed to be the next.
　After three years, his heart broke.
　It was then that Duran met Angier.
　No, meeting someone was not a superlative.
　Duran had been drinking heavily, fighting for trivial reasons, getting beaten to a pulp and sitting on the ground when he was picked up by Angier.
　Angier had a reasonably good-looking face.
　It's only fair, a bit of a good-looking woman.
　However, it's hard to wipe away the poor smell.
　Her shoulder-length brown hair was disfigured to look at, and her hands and water work were rough from the fact that she was also working in water.
　Angel's job was to serve at a tavern and inn in the Twelfth Ward.
　The Twelfth Street is a pleasure district.
　It wasn't the kind of place Ange worked in, but the owner didn't blame the waiter for it.
　Waitresses are not paid well.
　Even the owner didn't want to keep the empty room.
　So that's what happened.
　When was the last time you remember, Duran might have been more productive if he had been a prostitute?　I asked him once.
　Angier's answer was, 'I didn't sell my body for the love of it.
　Duran rented a room in the new town and began to live with Angier.
　It's an ordinary day.
　Duran concentrates on his security duties and Angier concentrates on housework.
　It was only after a few months of living together with Angier that Duran heard of Crono.
　According to Angier, he'd been the talk of the bar for the last year or so.
　Duran didn't feel like he could congratulate Crono on his success.
　Duran had never even spoken to Crono, but he knew that Crono was a fall guy.
　On the contrary, Crono was such a famous fall guy that even Duran, who had no contact with him, knew about it.
　Duran felt sorry for his junior (Crono), who he had never even spoken to.
　Anyone would feel sorry for Crono because he had a reputation for not achieving results no matter how hard he tried.
　The man he once pitied was far ahead of himself.
　Duran was devastated by that fact.
　He couldn't help but feel miserable for himself.
　So, this time around I volunteered for an unofficial operation.
　I might die.
　But there's a chance you can get out of this situation.

I don't mind that. Is he going to be late?
.....

　That's right.
　Today is a training day.
　Duran jumps up and changes his clothes.
　He puts on his trousers and a jacket.

'Why didn't you wake me up!
I woke you up several times.

　When Duran accused her, Angier's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'.........sir.
Huh?

　Duran replied to Angier as he put on his boots.

'I'm good enough for the life I have now.

　When Duran looked up, Angel was wrapping his hair around his fingers as if he had no place to be.

'Hey, hey, if I move up in the world, I can live in a better place and buy you better clothes, you know?

　Duran stood up and looked around the room.
　The furniture was old, and not just the bed.
　The cheap room was drafty in the winter, and the door was poorly erected.

'The house and the clothes aren't worth risking your life for.

　
　Perhaps, Duran smiled as he realized why Angier wasn't supporting him.

'What's wrong, mister?'
''Haha~. Angel, you think I'm going to leave you, don't you?

　'You're a cute guy,' Duran stroked his chin.

'It's not like that,' said Duran, 'I just don't want my husband to die. I just don't want him to die. I don't want him to die. I just don't want him to die.

　Angier muttered sadly.

'I'll do well. I'll come back alive.'
'Mister, the Grim Reaper likes to talk like that, don't you?

　Duran clicked his tongue and ran out of the room.

*

　When Duran went to the training grounds on the outer edge of the imperial capital, a man was standing there.
　He was a man in a white military uniform.
　He looked like a gentleman, but there were more than twenty men lying at his feet.
　Among the men falling to the ground were some familiar faces.
　One of them was Bruno.
　Bruno is a huge man, as big as a large sub-human.
　Because of his wide width, his movements are slow and sluggish, but he's strong enough to be struck anyway.
　His arm strength is also quite impressive.
　The man in the white military uniform has beaten down more than twenty men.
　No matter how much the man was a kinsman knight, it's hard to believe that this is a sudden story.
　But the man in the white military uniform is Leonhardt the knight who is claimed to be the strongest in the Empire.
　It might be possible for the strongest knight in the Empire.

''.........What's your name?''
What?

　Duran was unable to answer Leonhardt's question.

'Oh, duh, Duran. My name is Duran.
"...Duran?　You're the fourth son of Baron Landedge, aren't you?
You know my name?
I knew it. He's one of my men, albeit a short one. I know your name, at least.

　Leonhardt pointed to his temples with his index finger.

''Normally, tardiness is a penalty, but today I'm not going to question it. Now, put your swords at the ready.''
Why?
'Hmm, others have asked me about that. You're too unreliable to be involved in an unofficial mission. Fortunately, you have some time before the mission starts. We just want you to be as strong as possible in the meantime.

　Duran was angered by Leonhardt's words.
　Duran is not human enough to be able to smile at being mocked up to this point.
　I'll do it, he said, picking up the wooden sword that had fallen to the ground.
　Duran readied his wooden sword and rushed at Leonhardt.
　Suddenly, his vision faded and he realized that Leonhardt was in front of him.

''Mister, reapers like that kind of language, don't they?''

　Duran lost consciousness, not realizing what had been done to him.



　Leonhardt's special training lasted for a month.
　The special training was rigorous, but Leonhardt was an effective teacher.
　After all, he could teach things in a theoretical way.
　Thanks to Leonhardt, Duran was stronger than a month ago.
　I think so.
　Duran sat in a chair and was being treated by Angel.

'Sir, could you stop grinning?'
Oh, bad, bad.

　Although he answered that, Duran couldn't erase his smile.
　Training is hard, but I feel stronger.

''What makes you so happy to be covered in fresh wounds?''
'I was able to prevent another blow from Master Leonhardt today. Not only that. After blocking the first blow, I was able to fight back. I couldn't block the second blow, though.

　I'm getting stronger.
　That was unbearably pleasing.
　Duran had worked hard to become a Knight of the Kingsguard, and he spared no effort.
　His efforts were not rewarded and his heart was broken once.
　It was because he realized his limitations.

''Are you training again tomorrow?''
Oh, no, I have tomorrow off.

　When Duran mouthed off, Angier seemed to realize what was going on and moved to the front of Duran and knelt down.

'Sir?'
"Tomorrow night we leave the Imperial City.
No!

　Angier let out a screaming voice.
　Finish saying goodbye to the one you love......I mean, that's what it was.

*

　The next night ... Duran took an unpopular road to the parade ground.
　On the way there, Duran looked at his right wrist.
　The ring was swinging on his right wrist.
　It was a ring woven from Angel's hair.
　This could be the farewell of this lifetime.
　Driven by these thoughts, Duran held Angier in his arms.
　It was the first time he had ever been so encouraged.
　Angier put the ring on his wrist as Duran left the room.
　When Duran arrived at the training grounds, about ten of his friends were already gathered there.
　Naturally, Leonhardt was there as well.

''Hmm, today is right on time.''
Master Leonhardt?
What is it?

　Leonhardt asked Duran back.
　Leonhardt wasn't in a white military uniform, but an old traveling outfit.

''No, it's nothing,''
I don't know.

　Duran was pleased with Leonhardt's thoughtfulness.
　He felt that he was showing himself to be their boss.

'Duran, have you finished saying goodbye to the one you love?
Yeah, well,

　No more juice, Duran couldn't say, and he slurred his words.

'Where's Master Leonhardt?'
Hate to say it, but I didn't have a partner. I've been spending time with my maid as usual.
You must be a beautiful woman.

　She is the maid to the Duke of Palatium's family.
　It's no wonder that a nobleman's daughter is a maid as an apprentice of etiquette.
　So Duran thought, but Leonhard stroked his chin thoughtfully.

'She's not ugly, but she's not pretty. Your language isn't quite as refined and cultured as it should be. Also, you're a bit bloated.

　Leonhardt drew the maid's bodyline into the void with both hands.
　Duran was pleased to see that he did this kind of thing too.

''Well, it looks like we're all here. From now on, we will be heading to the Marquis of Erakis. There, we will have a meeting with Lord Crono and carry out our mission.''
....

　Duran heard Crono's name and stiffened himself.
　He thinks he understands that he is harboring feelings similar to inferiority complexes and that this is a feeling that is tantamount to resentment in Crono's eyes.

'There's no need to be so defensive. Crono-dono is a man worthy of your trust.

　Leonhardt's words were off the mark, but Duran didn't say it.
　He knew it was a shameful sentiment, even for himself, and he didn't want Leonhardt to despise him.



　A little more than ten days after leaving the imperial capital, Duran and his team arrived in the Marquis of Erakis' territory ... the citadel city of Hashel without missing a single person.
　Neatly groomed, Duran thought when he saw the citadel.
　Duran let his horse advance, and after a while, he let his gaze wander to scurry around.
　The others were similar.
　Bruno and others are opening their mouths like idiots.
　The Marquis of Erakis territory is rural.
　No, because I thought it was rural, I was surprised at how busy it was.
　The closer we got to the center of the city, the more people we saw.
　The most crowded area was the section lined with stalls.
　Past that point, the popularity diminishes somewhat.
　Nevertheless, the shops were still crowded with customers, and there was a fair amount of wagon traffic.
　That's not all.
　There was no unpleasant smell in the air.
　It's a sign that the garbage and manure disposal is working well.
　Despite the fact that the town is so crowded, there are no street prostitutes or vagrants in sight.
　Aside from vagrants, a busy city has street prostitutes.
　At least that's the way it is in Duran's common sense.
　The equipment of the soldiers patrolling the streets was also astounding.
　It's better equipment than the guards of the imperial city.
　That's what the sub-humans are wearing.
　Moreover, all the sub-human soldiers are wearing the same level of equipment.
　It's an unbelievable sight.
　Wasn't the rumor about the fallen soldiers a lie?　Duran had his doubts.
　This is how much of a city they maintain.
　It was more convincing to think that Crono was not given the right reputation for some reason.
　There was a mansion with four towers in the center of the city.
　Led by Leonhardt, Duran and the others walked through the gate of the mansion.
　One of the four towers was a forge and the other was where the sub-humans gathered to do something.
　There were other buildings in the yard of the mansion where humans worked.
　A man stood at the entrance of the mansion.
　It was a man dressed in black military uniform.
　Perhaps this man was Crono.
　Leonhard dismounted from his horse and walked up to Crono.

''It's been a long time, Mister Crono.''
Yes.

　With that, Leonhardt shook hands with Crono.