It just came true.



　Crono climbed over the steps and looked around.
　But everywhere he looked, trees, grass and ivy were all green.
　Crono had also enjoyed walking in the mountains at first, but by the third day, the fun had been blown away.
　The route that Crono chose for the trading route is easy enough to walk to and fro, even if you are not a mountain expert.
　But even so, if you don't have a strong body, it will be dark before you reach the rest stop in the middle of the trade route.
　That's the kind of route we're taking.
　But still, they're all tough, Crono was frankly impressed.
　The guide, Sue, is ahead of us and is on alert for the surroundings.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.
　Leonhardt is next.
　With Sue being the guide, Leonhardt is the actual leader of the caravan.
　
　The Minotaur and the Lizardman use backstraps and each carry a load of three hundred kilograms on their backs.
　By the way, they are not Crono's subordinates, but employees of the 'Sinner Trade Union'.
　The Minotaur and the Lizardmen are guarded by ten mercenaries.
　The one who unites the mercenaries is not Sif, but a bearded man.
　At first glance, he appears to be a tall dwarf.
　Fay is serving as Theon's escort in the rear of the caravan.
　Theon is surprisingly fit and healthy, perhaps because he has been trained by years of farm work.
　And Crono and his second-in-command, Shiro, and Hiilo are at the back of the caravan.
　No.........

Crono, why don't you give me a hand?
Why can't you help me?

　The tail of the caravan is Rio and Mr. Priestess.
　Rio has been stationed at the back of the caravan from the beginning, while Priestess has been inconsistent, being at the front of the caravan, in the middle, or, as in this case, at the back of the caravan.

'Let's both of you climb by yourselves,'
That's the way it is.
I don't have a choice.

　Rio and the priestess cowered their shoulders and jumped over the steps that Crono had struggled to get over.
　Crono's shoulders slumped as he wished he'd had a little more trouble climbing.

'Hooray, we're almost at the rest stop.
How can I walk uphill in those clothes?

　Crono tilted his head.
　The priest's clothes are not suitable for walking on the mountain path.
　It's a dress.
　And yet there is not a single stain on the dress.

'She's a demigod, to put it in Crono terms. You can't blame her for thinking about it, can you?　Well, I'm a little surprised that the Chronosphere is following me.
"The general is a tough guy." (Bummo~)
I'm confident in my endurance.
Stamina, you know?

　Crono said with his chest, and Rio smiled thinly.
　He didn't laugh through his nose, but it was a curious reaction.
　I always thought you were satisfied, but was Rio unhappy?　And a cold sweat runs down Crono's back.

''........Um, Rio?''
What is it?

　Rio nodded his head lightly.

'No, it's nothing.'

　Do you have someone to talk to?　Crono looked around, but the three people nearby were Mino, Shiro and Hiilo.
　It's a bit difficult to consult with them.
　While Crono was wondering who to consult with, the caravan arrived at a rest stop.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the next few days.
　They are enjoying a short rest.
　I'm not going to be able to relax too much, because I have to prepare for the camp now.

'Hmmm.'

　Crono looked around the rest stop and groaned.
　The resting place was a clearing about twenty meters in diameter.......it looked like the space had been carved out with something cylindrical.
　It might look like this if you use the 'Heavenly Cardinal Kagura'.

''Priest~!
What is it?

　Crono called out, and the priest raised his hand cheerfully.

'It's a rest stop, how did you make it?'
Of course you blew it up with your divine power.

　The priest said, as he should.

'Is it all right?　This way, in a toxic way.

　Crono stared at the ground.
　There wasn't a single weed growing on the ground of the rest stop.
　No matter how much he had blown it away with his divine power technique, how is it that there are no new weeds growing on the ground?

''Isn't it okay?''

　The Priestess doesn't seem to care that the grass isn't growing.
　Even though the advantage of the divine power technique is the fact that the surgeon can use the technique even if he doesn't understand the logic, it's quite unsettling.

''If you worry about too many details, you'll go bald.
Baldy!

　Crono held a hand on the side of his head.

'Lord, are you going bald?'
'No, I'm not bald. This is an old wound. I just remembered to do some errands, so if you'll excuse me.

　Crono pulled away from the priest, holding his head to the side of his head.
　He headed over to Theon's place, which was a short distance away.
　Sion was sitting with his legs stretched out.

'Mr. Sion, would you like me to massage you?'
Oh, could you help me?

　Elaine answered for Sion.
　Elaine was not dressed in a dress, nor was she dressed in an office clerk's style, but rather a plain traveling outfit.

'I'm so sore all over the place.
Didn't Elaine ride a backpack?

　Crono asked without looking away from Elaine's chest as she stretched her back to relieve the stiffness.

'Just being carried on your back can be surprisingly draining, you know?
You don't have to do that.
I'd like to do the same, but I don't have anyone under my command to fill in for me.

　Elaine let out a deep sigh.
　It seems that everywhere is still short on personnel.

''So, can I ask for a massage?''
I'll give you a massage, sir!

　Elaine looked at Faye, who interrupted her from the side, stinking up the side.

'Are you okay?'
It will be fine, sir!　The Chronos-sama has been very pleased with it!
Well, I'll take care of that for you.　We don't want to hurt you too much.

　Elaine seemed to have decided that it was nothing more than a massage.

'I'm going to take a piss,'
"Me too.
"I'm coming with you.

　Shortly after Crono left the rest stop with White and Hiilo, Pigiiiiiii!　And there was a scream like a pig being slaughtered.
　The bushes rustled and shook as Crono hid in the bushes and finished doing his business.
　

''Huh?　Hairo, did you go over there?
I'm here.

　When Crono turned around, Hiilo was standing behind Crono.
　As Crono tilted his head, the bushes swayed again and a wolf's head appeared.

'It's not White, is it?'
"Called in.

　White came out of the bushes behind Crono, wagging his tail happily.

'White and Hiilo are here. Then who are these people?

　When Crono returned his gaze, the two wolves stood up.
　He opened his mouth with a pout and looked up at the two wolves.
　Wolves are more than two meters tall, bigger than minotaurs and lizardmen.
　The most characteristic thing is the length of its arms.

''Ba, banded wolf!
"Master Crono, run.
"Lord, please.
'Both of you wait!　If I'm sure of my knowledge, it seems that a ravenous beast will instinctively attack the person it's fleeing from. When you encounter a beast of prey, you stare at it and...

　Crono stumbled.
　White and Hiilo tugged on Crono's shoulder.
　Immediately afterwards, the claws of the barbarian wolf passed in front of Crono's eyes.

''Te, retreat!''
"Run away, run away.
"Lord Crono, I'll carry you.

　Crono shouted, and White and Hiilo carried Crono up and began to retreat.

''What a fast one!''
We're working out! (GASP!)
I'm fast, I'm fast. (Gah!)
'Not that!　Barbarian wolf!　The barbarian wolf!

　Even though White and Hiilo were carrying Crono, the barbarian wolf was still chasing after them at a speed that was comparable to White and Hiilo.

''Hiiiiii!　There are more of them!
Hurry, hurry! (GASP!)

　The third and fourth barbarian wolves emerged from the bushes and chased after Crono and the others.
　The number of barbarian wolves increased from five to six, and finally to ten.

''Enemy attack!　Enemy attack!

　As soon as White and Hiilo arrived at the rest stop, they threw Crono off.
　Crono rolled around on the ground with a sense of deja vu.
　Crono quickly stood up and readied his sword.
　However, a barbarian sword wolf divided up and down on either side of Crono passed by.
　Leonhardt cut off both barbarian sword wolves that were in the lead.
　Crono looked around.
　His second-in-command was shouting a bullhorn and wielding a poleaxe, while Fei was overwhelming the barbarian wolf with his flowing bodywork and swordplay.
　White and Hiilo used their brilliant coordination to counter the Barbarian Sword Wolf.
　Suu's fight was also brilliant.
　Suu, with her imprint floating in the air, was toying with the Barbarian Sword Wolf with her slow and fast movements.
　Su danced as lightly as a butterfly, and when he got the advantage in the attack, he turned around and delivered a sharp blow.
　The mercenary troops formed a circle to protect the non-combatants.
　The air seemed to be wavering under the influence of the mercenaries deploying their 'field'.
　The barbarian sword wolf attacked the non-combatants.
　However, the Barbarian Sword Wolf was unable to even step inside the circle.
　The moment the mercenaries touched the 'field' they were developing, the barbarian wolf was engulfed in flames.
　His vision faded unexpectedly and Crono kicked the ground with all his might.
　The barbarian sword wolf landed on the ground.
　And in the next moment, the barbarian sword wolf's head turned into a spray of blood.
　It was Rio's arrow that blew the barbarian sword wolf's head off.
　Crono looked around again.
　The barbarian sword wolf has been wiped out.
　Crono silently sheathed his sword.



　After Crono and the others took care of the barbarian sword wolf's corpse, they began to prepare for the encampment.
　The mercenaries took turns standing guard, while the minotaurs and lizardmen set up their tents with unaccustomed hands.
　Sion was in charge of preparing the meals.
　However, since the resting place this time didn't have a watering hole nearby, preserved food.......hard bread and dried meat were the main items.
　The hard bread is casually useful, Crono said, looking vaguely at the campfire.
　Speaking of usefulness, the cloak given to him by his foster father is also casually useful.
　Crono narrowed his eyes....

'Ha, you haven't helped me at all since I left the territory.

　He looked up at the surprising new revelation.
　Crono had been working until he left the estate.
　He told the people he knew as a lord that he was going to be away for a while, asked his sitter to take care of Tyria, and then handed over the job to Tyria.
　Of course, I also wrote the script for the skit.
　But what about when he left the estate?
　I'll leave the guiding role to Sue and the leader of the caravan to Leonhardt.
　Crono isn't qualified to give orders to the minotaurs and lizardmen, and he hasn't contributed to the preparations for the encampment.
　Not to mention when it comes to the battle.

''This is like being with a priestess.
I am very useful!

　Crono muttered, and the priestess quickly rushed in.

''I'm the one who cleaned up the barbarian wolf's corpse,''
That was a scary sight.

　Crono shuddered as he remembered the time when the priestess had cleaned up the barbarian sword wolf's corpse.
　The priestess's shadow spread out and the barbarian sword wolf's corpse was swallowed up.
　If that was all it was, a sound like something being chewed up could be heard from the shadows.
　Considering the situation, the barbarian sword wolf's corpse was probably chewed up, but it was very curious what was lurking in the priest's shadow.

''No, let's think about things. Could it be used to dispose of garbage and human waste?　But how can we bypass it when we don't know where it's gone?
Indeed, you....you think of the Six Pillar God as a system. There's nothing to be in awe of then.

　Priestess shook her head without effort.
　Priestess should think of the Six Pillar God as a system, just like Crono, but the thoughts she had seemed to be different.

After all, you have to have faith to use the divine power technique?
What the f*ck are you talking about?

　The Priestess looked at Crono with a stink eye.

'How is it?'
''Hmmm, all I can say is that even if you have the talent to commune with the Six Pillar God, you can't commune with him if you don't have faith, and even if you have faith, you can't commune with him if you don't have the talent to commune.''
I'm not a religious person.
Don't you agree?　Hmm, what can I say?

　The priest crossed his arms thoughtfully.

'Attention, no, it's not like a consciousness.
Consciousness?

　Crono asked back, and the priest nodded hawkishly.

'Faith, well, you could say it's a trump card. Faith is the starting point, and you become aware of God. It's like, if you have a talent for it then you'll be in touch with God's presence.'
Do you ever lose the use of divine power?
Of course I am. Well, at my age, they're always in synch.

　Hmmm, Crono groaned.
　'I can't decide now whether it's like the radio or radio frequency isn't right, or like the instrument isn't tuned properly.

'How do you deal with it?'
I have no idea.

　The priestess stated flatly.

'In the case of that girl, the problem is solved, right?
I noticed.

　The priest seemed to know what was going on with Theon.

"So you feel sorry for that girl because she can't use her divine power, right?
Well, sort of.

　Crono affirmed vaguely.

'You are a meddler, aren't you? Maybe he doesn't mind, do you think?
'I think Zion-san is the type of person who cares~'
If I had to solve the problem by asking for advice, I would have solved it myself.

　Priests are surprisingly dry, Crono thought, but this time he decided to follow the priest.

*

　Three days after the barbarian wolf attacked.

We need to get out of the woods.
I know something about that.

　Crono nodded at the priest's words.
　The path continued to be flat and the density of vegetation was mind-numbingly thin.
　Even Crono, who was not used to walking in the mountains, could tell that his destination was close.

'Lord, have you been talking less?'
Yeah, well, you'll have to work with your fate.

　The Holy Argo Kingdom's collaborator is that General Ignis.

"Don't worry about it too much. "Don't worry about it too much," he said. "Ignis may be a bit of a fool, but when it comes to serving his country, he'll put up with a nasty surprise or two in the past.
Is that right?
If it bothers you so much, I'll take care of it. I've known Ignis for a long time.

　The priest said proudly.

'So what kind of fate do you have in mind?'
'Oh, no, it's no big deal. It's just that I blew General Ignis' right arm off during his first battle, and then caught him off guard during the parent conquest and stuck a dagger up to the base of his side.
"General, you are missing the matter of torture and killing of General Ignis' men.
Who summoned this guy?

　The priest called the person in charge (Leonhardt).

''I chose Lord Crono?''
You chose the wrong man!

　When Leonhardt came forward, the priestess said something supremely straightforward.

''Crono-dono is an indispensable figure in this operation,'' he said. And Lord Crono is missing an eye and a subordinate.

　'Mmm,' the priest shushed.

'What about you, Lord?'
It's pretty complicated.

　I don't need to be told what to do.
　Of course, I have my feelings about Ignis.
　He has killed my men.
　But it is also true that Ignis saved the lives of Crono and his men.



　Shortly after noon that day, Crono and his team made it through the Coma Forest, but from there it was rather goofy.
　Because they hadn't decided on a time and place to meet up, Crono and the others were stuck.
　The Priestess knew the location of Ignis' mansion, so they could move if they wanted to, but they couldn't leave the Minotaur and Lizardman behind.
　That's when the Priestess decided to go and call for Ignis.
　It would make sense for Leonhardt, the commander, to go, but that's where Crono's argument that splitting up the force was a subterfuge won out.
　In the evening, Ignis arrived in a carriage.
　He arrived with ten wagons for transporting goods.
　As soon as Ignis got off the wagon, he stared at Crono with a devilish look on his face.

''General?'' (Bum?)
I'll be fine.

　Crono replied to his deputy with a thin smile.
　Of course, the 'Mark' is ready to be activated at any time.
　By the way, I'm also clutching a dagger under my cloak.
　As Ignis stepped out, Leonhardt stood in front of Crono to check Ignis.

'General Ignis Fomalhaut, is this the first time you've exchanged words like this? I'm Leonhardt, the leader of the First Order of the Kingsguard. Behind me is Crono, Commander of the Thirteenth Kingsguard.''

　With that, Leonhardt held out his left hand.
　Ignis wordlessly squeezed Leonhardt's hand back.

''I've heard from Lord Crono. That Ignis Fomalhaut is an ideal soldier.''

　Ignis gave him a dubious look.
　That was just as well.
　Crono and Ignis had only exchanged words once.

I trust that Lord Ignis, described by my friends as an ideal soldier, will avoid unnecessary conflict.
"Thank you for your cooperation.

　Ignis said in a dossy voice.