*

　The story goes back to before Crono and Leonhardt shook hands with each other.

*

　Crono held up the parchment that arrived from the Imperial City and let the sun see through it.
　He turned the parchment upside down, sideways, turned it over, and roasted it in the fire... He didn't soak it in water, but he tried every way he could to decipher the text.

Another battle, that it is!

　Crono admitted that there was no message hidden in the parchment and screamed in his office.
　He was prepared to improve the status of sub-humans and to realize the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but he was still afraid of what he was afraid of.

''............Ugugu.

　Crono grunted with his head in his hands.

'No, think positive. This time it's not a battle between armies. There's Rio, and Lord Leonhardt, but... oh, I can't think positively. Uggh, I hate religion.

　Crono can't understand the situation of the "temple" trying to crush the nation at the moment.
　But even if Crono is not convinced, the Holy Argo Kingdom's Temple has great power and authority comparable to that of the king.

''Well, let's agree. That's just the way it is.''

　But how do we trigger a civil war?　And Crono thought about the plan.
　Invade the Holy Argo Kingdom and cause a civil war while pretending to cooperate with the king.
　Leonhardt seems to be trying to block the East-West Road and weaken the 'Temple' by blocking the East-West Road and securing new trade routes to increase the king's power, but would that be enough to cause a civil war?
　The king will do everything in his power to avoid civil war, so he may end up supporting the king.
　If you're not good at it, you'll be defeated as a bandit, and if your intentions are noticed, you'll be driven out before your mission succeeds.

''I mean, isn't it impossible to manipulate when you reveal your identity?　I know it sounds obvious, but is there another agenda?

　Crono stopped thinking about it after a while.
　There was too little material to speculate on Vizier Alcor's intentions.
　But it's not all bad.
　This operation has a lot of freedom.
　It's also possible to take advantage of this situation to profit from it.
　If we do it well, Crono lifted the corners of his mouth.
　It was at that moment that Tilia walked into the office.

''What are you planning to do!''
You sound awful as soon as you walk in.

　Crono thrust his cheekbones at Tilia and said back.

'You say that, but you had an erotic look on your face earlier.
A dirty look?
'Yes. Shortly before you do something horrible to me at a night out you look like you're imagining how I'm going to react.

　Crono asked, and Tyria answered in a strangely specific way.

'So, what's up?'

　Tilia walked up to Crono and leaned against the desk.
　Apparently, Tilia heard Crono's exclamation and ran over to him.

'It's another fight,'
Fighting I'm getting to that point.

　When Crono tilted his gaze, Tilia folded her hands and rubbed her thighs together in embarrassment.
　Tilia's face was faintly upbeat and somewhat happy.

''So you want to hold me for the last time?''
'No, not the last!　I'll definitely come back alive!

　When Crono protested, Tilia looked at Crono with pitying eyes.

''Isn't that the death flag thing you explained to me before?
'No!　And the death flag is a fiction!　So-called narrative promise!　You can't mix up real life and fiction!

　Crono tried hard to dismiss Tilia's death flag theory.

''Nah, it's okay. I survived the first battle, the retreat, and even the ordeal of death.''
'The punchline is that there's no fourth time. Up and up, up and down, one more up and down. Poor quality.

　Heeeeeee!　And Crono screamed.

'Calm down, Crono. You're the one who says you shouldn't mix things up, but you're the one who's messing things up.

　Tilia tapped Crono gently on both of his shoulders.

'Is it really that dangerous?'
There isn't a fight that isn't dangerous.

　Crono held out the parchment to Tilia.
　Tilia took the parchment and nodded with a huff.

''Tilia, do you know what Vizier Alcor's aim is?''
I know.
'What?　Oh, but,

　Crono almost sat up at Tilia's unexpected words, but he quickly reconsidered and sat down in his chair.

'But what?'
Tyria, who lost her right to the throne because she couldn't realize the true intentions of Vizier Alkor, doesn't have much credibility.
'Nuh-uh!　Goofing around about what's gone wrong!
'It's a bad idea to make the fact that you've been deprived of your claim to the throne a thing of the past.

　While making an irreparable mistake, Crono thought.
　On the other hand, he was also impressed that the matter of the succession to the throne had been brought to a close in Tilia.

''Well, no matter. Tilia, what do you think Prime Minister Alcor is thinking?''
'It's just buying us some time to stabilize the Empire.

　Tilia answered immediately.

'Stalling?'
''It's been almost a year and a half since I was deprived of my right to the throne. It's been that long and my brother-in-law Alfort hasn't become the emperor. Maybe Vizier Alcor has a lot of problems he wants to solve.
'Well, I don't know if you want time. I'm not sure how effective this operation is going to be. If I were Prime Minister Alcor, I wouldn't throw people and money into an operation that I didn't even know would work.

　Crono said, and Tilia crossed her arms thoughtfully.

Wouldn't Crono do the same thing if he were in the position of Vizier Alcor?
I wouldn't do that.

　Crono couldn't help but retort.

'With enough money and personnel, wouldn't it be lazy not to try a strategy that might work?
Oh, I see.

　Crono almost clicked his tongue.

'That's what I mean. 'I'm sure Vizier Alcor has other plans.
I see. I see.

　Depending on how you do it, you mean it's a delicious story, Crono smiled.
　The next moment, Tilia shuddered as if she was scared.

'Crono, stop laughing like that.
'I'm not bothering Tyria,'
'Annoying!　When you laugh like that, it makes my back crawl, like this.

　Yes, yes, Crono sat back in his chair.

*

　In the early afternoon, Crono accompanied Tilia to the conference room of the Marquis' mansion.
　

'Should I stand up too?'
....

　Rio showed no sign of standing behind his words, and Sue was asleep, propped up on her desk.

''Hmm, they're not my guys, so stay tuned.

　The line of desks and chairs in the conference room is school-style.
　Crono is seated at the teaching table.
　Tilia is next to Crono.
　Hmph, Tilia turned her provocative gaze to Leila and Rio.

''Sit down!''

　The subordinates obeyed Crono's orders and took their seats.


'Ew!　Another war?
Like you don't want another war!

　Aridid and Deneb plopped down on the desk.

'First of all, please take a look at the documents you have at hand.
"All hands, please look through...

　As he said this, the second-in-command picked up a stack of documents.
　The documents described two operations.
　The strategy sent by the imperial capital and the one Crono came up with together with Tilia.
　The strategy Crono and Tilia came up with is similar to the amendment to the original plan.

''Crono-sama, why don't we act on the basis of Crono-sama's strategy?''
I've been thinking about it.
Excuse me, Princess Tyria.
I guess I'll have to settle with you for once.

　Leila apologized nonchalantly, but that did not seem to amuse Tilia.

I'm sure it's easy to understand that you want to secure a new trade route, General, but why do you want to use the "Sinner Trade Association"? Bummo?
Boo, you can't just hand your money-making skills to someone else.
Blah, blah, blah, like the more money we make from trade, the better off we'll be.

　Alideed and Deneb took advantage of his second-in-command to complain.

'I can do whatever I want with the funds, but unfortunately I don't have any men who know anything about commerce. Besides, my purpose is to trade, not to monopolize the profits.

　It wouldn't be a monopoly, and Crono cowered his shoulders.

It's not a monopoly, it's a monopoly. I'm sure that if the Sinner Trade Association is profitable, other merchants will follow suit. And the money the merchants make from their trade will come back to me in a roundabout way.

　Crono made a ring with his thumb and forefinger.
　It was a gesture to represent money.

'Mmmm, it's Crono-sama's signature strategy of pressing down on the root.
It's a reminder of the difference between the haves and the have-nots.
Like the people who can create these structures make money.

　Faye, Alideed and Deneb seem to be in denial about capitalism.

'Well, well, it's in everyone's interest. The Holy Argo Kingdom is a landlocked country, so we can sell salt, and salted fish. And it'll give the mercenary guild more work to do.
"That'll please everyone in the frontier villages.
Finally, it's Silva-san's turn to use the 3-D salt field. However, if the 3-D salt field is increased, Silva-san will work too hard.
I'll ask Kane to oversee it so Silva doesn't work too hard.

　If they found out that they could make money from salt, the people of Count Caddo's territory would want them to build a three-dimensional salt field~ and Crono had a feeling that Faye's worries would come true.

''Crono-sama, one of your strategies is 'cookout', are you taking Sheela-sama with you?
"Shelah?

　Leila said, and Alideed and Deneb nodded their heads curiously.

'You mean the landlady, the landlady. No, I thought I'd ask Zion to help you this time.'
To Master Theon?

　Leila tilted her head curiously.
　Even though she said curiously, the change in Leila's expression and the tilt of her head was minuscule.

''Yes, I thought Zion-san would be more popular with the public than the landlady.
Is this for the public?

　Leila looked puzzled, but she didn't say anything more.

'General, what's this skit and handing out leaflets?' (Bum?)
I thought the people of the Holy Argo Kingdom might enjoy it.

　The deputy crossed his arms and tilted his head as if to say he didn't understand why.

'What's the real story?'
No, no, no. I've explained it to you.

　Rio smiled mischievously, seemingly aware of Crono's true intentions.

'Crono, what do you really want?'
I just thought I'd get some serious work done.

　Crono gave up and explained what the purpose of the soup kitchen, skits and leaflets would be.
　He did not explain the details of the skits, though.
　The three who nodded with a mysterious look on their faces were the deputy, Leila and Rio, and the seven who were pouting were Aridid, Deneb, Faye, Taiga, Shiro, Hiilo and Goldie.
　Crono wanted Faye to understand.

''General, I think it's new, but...'' (Bumo~)
Mr. Crono.
'Hahaha, I think Crono is some kind of demon, don't you?'

　Tilia had a similar reaction to the deputy and Leila.

'I thought it was a good idea?'
That's the one thing you're afraid to say.

　Tilia said in a dumbfounded tone.

''Well then, that's it for the explanation of the operation. Following that, I will announce the members who will participate in this operation!
Disengage!　Off!
God!

　Alideed and Deneb were praying earnestly.

'Eh~, Rio is confirmed.'
Well, I've been slacking off for six months. I'll work my ass off.

　Rio said, cowering his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.

'Next, Faye,'
I will do my best again!

　Faye stood up and gutted.
　The blockade of the East-West Road was left to Leonhardt's subordinates, while Crono and the others were in charge of crafting with an elite few.
　If it's a small elite, Fay's presence is indispensable.
　It's also necessary in terms of casting.

''Next, Mino-san.
"General, I don't think I'm good for anything.
'I'd rather have Mino-san around. White and Hi-lo too!
I'm on it! (GASP!)
Me too, me too! (Gulp, gulp!)

　White and Hiilo stood up and wagged their tails.
　Crono felt a little guilty at their willingness to do so.

'And then, Aridid, Deneb I want you to lead your own squad and take care of the blockade of the East-West Highway!
Deeeeeeeeeee!　Well, again!
'Master Crono's trust is heavy!　And it's too heavy!

　Alideed and Deneb screamed.

''Hmmm, the knights sent from the imperial capital will be in charge of blocking the East-West Highway.
I know!
It's like I've read the material!

　Aridid and Deneb slammed the desk in protest.

'They don't have any real combat experience, do they?
Uggh, there's no such thing as a good luck charm.
And, besides, a nobleman I don't think he'd be a good fit.

　Alideed and Deneb writhed on the desk.

''Master Crono, if we pull out this many centurion classes, won't there be a problem with maintaining the security of the territory?''
Taiga and Nauru will be in charge of the city's security. And then Aridid and Deneb's hole...

　Just as Crono was about to mention the person's name, the door to the conference room opened.
　It was Cecily who opened the door.

'What do you want?　I have a lot of work to do.
''Eh~, I'll have Cecily fill in the holes for Arididid and Deneb at any cost. Cecily, I want you to lead the cavalry on a temporary basis while Arididid and Deneb are gone.
You finally realized my value.

　Crono said, and Cecily smiled triumphantly.
　'Ooh-ho-ho-ho,' you can almost hear the high laugh.

'Isn't she out of the army?'
It's been taken care of.

　Crono replied to Leila with a dubious expression.
　Once a person has placed himself in the military register, he can be invited if necessary.
　I've sent a letter to Count Piske, so there should be no problem.

''Then who is the acting lord?''
Kane has some work to do in the deputy's office, so Tyria will be acting lord.
Mm, I can handle it.

　Tilia nodded hawkishly.

''Bu, Princess Tilia is the acting lord or something.
Blah, blah, blah, I'd like to make a good case for a lack of people.
....
"Aridid, Deneb, shut up!　Half-elf, if you have a problem with that, say it!

　Tilia said contradictorily.
　Well, emotionally, it wasn't contradictory at all.

''Finally, Suu, please guide me through the Coma Forest.
...minutes.

　Sue sat up with a munchkin.

''Did you hear me correctly?''
"I'm your wife. "I'm your wife, of course.
I don't want you to say no.

　Sue has gone into the Coma Forest to gather medicinal herbs.
　We need the help of someone who knows the forest (Sue).

''Well then, each of you should take over before Leonhardt-dono arrives.......dismissed!

　The men rose in unison and saluted Crono.

*

　In the evening, the area lined with stalls was becoming quiet.
　Many store owners are preparing to close their doors.
　Some of them are trying to stick around a little longer to increase their sales, but they are in the minority.
　The stalls will be busy again tomorrow.
　Crono felt a little bit of desolation as he looked across the stalls.
　The festival is over.
　It's such a lonely feeling.
　The delicious smell that drifts out of nowhere highlights the loneliness.
　The food of the stall is delicious, but home-cooked food is exceptionally good.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.
　The 'Jet Black Temple, Marquis of Erakis Sub-Branch' looked strangely sooty.
　It had only been a few days since the priest had set up his shop.
　The Priestess was propped up at her desk as if to indicate the current state of quietness.

''........Priestess-san.
Oh, you're the master.

　When Crono called out to him, the priestess sat up.

'Is it paying off?'
Do I look like I'm making a profit?

　Crono shook his head as the priest asked him back.

'Mmmm, I can't give the money back to the fey at this rate.

　Crono was surprised that the priest was trying to give the money back.
　No, I'm surprised that he's trying to give me my money back for this job.

'Maybe you should work diligently,'
I'm a straight shooter. I'm a straight shooter.

　Crono snorted.
　I can't help but wonder if he's going to give his all to a job that turns his back on the word "productivity" with all his might.

'What did you do in the Holy Argo Kingdom, Priestess?'
I'm a high priest. I don't have anything to do. I've been drinking all day.
No, you need to work!

　Crono plunged in with all his might.

'Priestess... what is the role of the 'goddess of jet black and chaos'?'
Mmm, I think it's an acknowledgment of existence.

　The priestess grunted.

'Approval of existence?'
The work of the Goddess of Blackness and Chaos is the recognition of existence. I suppose you could call it loving a daredevil.

　The priestess poked her cheekbones and smiled.
　It was a smile like a compassionate mother's.............a smile that made me think it was okay to stay.

I believe that love is an affirmation of existence. But human love is imperfect. Love is found only in relationships between parents, children, lovers, friends, and so on. But God's love is infinite.

　Crono clenched his fists.
　The Six Pillar God was not the kind of god humans imagined him to be.
　What could the system possibly love?

I know. I know what it is, and I know better than anyone else that it is not a god. And yet, don't you think it's necessary?　Something to affirm your existence...
'Yes. We need God.

　Crono naturally affirmed the priest's words.
　Surely, that wouldn't change in the world Crono was in.

''........Priestess, I have a good job to allocate?''
Huh, beauty is a sin.
Not that way.

　Crono shoved the priest who ruffled his hair.

'Then what do you want me to do with the eagle?'
'I'm going to the Holy Argo Kingdom, so I wanted directions and to convince the subaltern to come to the Marquess of Erakis.
Hmm, you intend to develop your domain by taking in sub-humans. I don't mind, but how many people can you take in?

　Crono roughly calculates that Mino-san's pioneer village receives two gold coins per person.

''........as a pioneer, well, about a thousand people.''
Thousands!

　The priest's eyes widened in surprise.
　If he forced himself to, he could accept three times as many ... three thousand people, but he wouldn't be able to devote his budget to anything else.
　It's a dilemma.
　I want to do something about the sub-humans of the Sacred Argo Kingdom, but Crono is stuck with his feelings alone.

''When are we going to start?''
Why don't we talk about the details after dinner?
Do you need anything else?
I had to run an errand to the poorhouse. Actually, there's something I need to ask you to do for Mr. Zion.

　Hmm?　The priest nodded his head curiously.

'Please?'
I was thinking of doing a soup kitchen in the Holy Argo Kingdom.

　Hmm?　Hmm?　And the priestess seems to be wondering.
　Apparently, the priestess doesn't understand the significance of Zion holding a cookout in the Holy Argo Kingdom.

''Well, then, that's the way it is,''
I'll be home ahead of you.

　Crono looked away from the priestess as she whispered, "I wonder what's for dinner today.



　Perhaps it was the result of Sion's devotion, but the poorhouse was noisier than it had been a few days ago.

'The Marquis of Erakis,'
Hi, Dino.
He chose the men who would make him a soldier.

　As Dino looked around, ten boys and girls lined the aisle.
　There were three boys and seven girls in the formation.
　Crono didn't ask about the criteria for selecting people.
　When there are seven girls you can tell that they're either potential mistresses or they've been chosen to reduce their mouths.

''.........Is it that thing where boys are also casually cute types?''
What are you talking about?

　You think I'm good for boys?　Crono swallowed the plunge.
　Crono looked over at the boys and girls........and then looked at one girl.
　What can I say, she was a girl who looked listless.

'What about that girl?'
...a girl from another settlement.

　Ah, Crono nodded.
　Perhaps the girl had been attacked by the settlement and only one person had survived.
　I should have at least learned a magic trick.
　That's the best I can do for now, Crono said as he walked up to the elven girl.
　The elf girl looked up at Crono in a daze.
　When Crono tried to stroke her head, the elf girl tried to avoid her.
　Crono grabbed the girl's head and shook it back and forth, and after a moment, she let go of her hand.
　The elf girl opened her mouth like an idiot and looked up at Crono.

'My name is Crono, what's yours?'
Shah, Ulla.
That's a nice name.

　It shouldn't be a problem if I praise her, Crono smiled, thrilled.
　

'I'll be waiting for you to come back.

　Shaura gave a small nod to Cocoon.

'What about you, Sion?'
Master Theon is upstairs.

　Upstairs means you're at work, Crono tapped Dino on the shoulder and climbed the stairs.
　Sion's room - properly, the room he used to work in as the director of the Salvation Hospital - was at the end of the second floor.
　When Crono knocked on the door, there was an immediate response.

''........Crono-sama....

　Theon opened the door and his eyes widened in surprise.

'Come in, come in. I'll be roasting some incense tea in a moment.''

　Crono sat down on the couch and stared at Theon's back.
　Sion placed two cups on the table and sat down shallowly on the sofa.

'Master Crono, what can I do for you today?'
'Actually, I'm going to the Holy Argo Kingdom and I'd like Zion-san to do a cookout there...'

　Theon nodded his head curiously.

''Of course, I'll top up the donation and we'll have the cost of the soup kitchen.
What kind of danger is that?
...quite a bit.

　Crono uttered an honest prediction.
　If the 'Temple' of the Holy Argo Kingdom realizes Crono's intentions, they will start eliminating Crono and the others.

''I know I'm being selfish. Even if Zion-san refuses, we won't do anything to cut the donations or the budget of the Salvation House.

　That's a cowardly way of putting it, Crono thought.
　If Crono mentioned the money, it would be a bargaining chip.

'If you help me, I'll protect you as far as I can,'
What happens when Master Crono is out of control?
I think I'm going to die.

　Huh~, Crono let out a sigh.

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

　Theon turned over, occasionally looking up to probe Crono's reaction.
　There was a heavy silence for a while.

I understand. I'll work with Master Crono.

　Theon said in a strained voice.

*

Well that's why I need you to tell Elaine what's going on.
Well, that's okay.

　Kane's voice echoed from the transparent sphere the terminal of the magic item for ultra-long distance communication.
　Crono leaned back in his chair.

'You're in big trouble, man. Hey, are you sure you don't want me to come back?
I'd really like to have him back, but without Kane, the deputy office.

　Once trade with the Sacred Argo Kingdom is on track, the mercenary guild's turn will increase.
　As the mercenary guild's turnout increases, so will Kane's work.

''Can you come back before that?''
"Oh, sorry.

　Kane said with a grunt.
　Ever since contract witnessing was added to the job, the workload at the deputy's office has increased significantly.
　For the merchants, contract witnessing was a welcome system.
　After all, for a small fee, they are left with proof of a mutually acceptable transaction.
　The number of witnesses for building lease agreements is also increasing, so the agency is likely to be even busier.

''As usual, we're short on manpower. It's also a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Tilia wants to be my equal.
"What?　What's that?
You have to work for me when I'm not around.

　Oh, but I might be ruining it by enjoying my freedom too much, Crono thought with a hint of concern.

'Make sure you take over,'
Copy that.

　Crono had a meeting with Kane and ended the communication.

*

　June of the Imperial calendar four hundred and thirty-two.......Crono received a report from his subordinates and waited for Leonhard and his group outside the mansion.
　He did as much as he could in the past month.
　The most difficult part of this was the trade route through the Coma Forest...........................choosing the route and making a rest stop.
　If it wasn't for Su, who was a mountain expert, and Priestess, who had a sense of being a quitting human, they wouldn't have been able to accomplish these two things in a short period of time.
　As Crono recalled the month's hard work, Leonhardt's figure on his horse could be seen near the gate of the Marquis' residence.
　Leonhardt passed through the gate, followed by the men on horseback.
　All of Leonhardt's men were supposed to be knights with knighthoods, but they were not dressed like knights.
　Leonhardt is also dressed in an old traveling outfit.
　Did I get a little too enthusiastic?　And Crono plucked at the collar of his military uniform.
　He had intended to put on the cloak he had inherited from his father, but it seemed he was right not to.
　Leonhard dismounted from his horse and approached Crono.
　The clothes are old, but the air that Leonhardt wears is the same.
　The air around Leonhardt seems to be tinged with light.
　Crono exhaled lightly and brushed off the impulse (...) shot.

''It's been a while, Mister Crono.
Yes.

　Crono squeezed back the hand Leonhardt had offered him.