*

Hey, here we are.
... hmm?

　Tina opened her eyes and rubbed her dreary eyes.
　Dry mud spills out of them in a flurry.
　Consciousness is scary.
　She can't understand where she's arrived.
　I look up to see the donkey looking up at Tina.
　I treated her carelessly, but she seemed to be following me properly.
　Oh, you've reached Linor, Tina said as she raised herself up and leaned out of the cart.
　How long she had slept, the city was dusk the colors were tinted with a certain languor and loneliness.
　Linor is an old city.
　The buildings on the main street are old and look like ruins waiting for the day to decay.
　Of course, it's just an impression - that's how I felt, and in reality it's not that desolate.
　It's only natural that it would lose its popularity in the evening, and it's rare for a store to eagerly try to attract customers from this time of day.

'It's just down the road, you know, the square.
....

　Before I knew it, Cole, who had moved next to me, pointed to the end of the main street.

'Tomorrow we're going to open up shop in the square,'
Is it that easy to open?

　Tina pointed out, and Cole grinned.
　It's a bit of a nasty smile.

''You're a traveler, but you don't know anything. You'll have to go through a bit of formalities, but anyone can open a stall in Viscount Hamal, Marquis Erakis, and Count Caddo's territory.''

　Tina was a little miffed that she felt like an idiot, but the animosity quickly faded.
　Cole was proud of himself.
　He was like a child bragging about a special toy.
　Trying to tell him innocently that it was amazing, amazing.
　Tina can't understand Cole's feelings.
　Tina can't understand Cole's feelings, because she thinks that the system of opening a stall for anyone to open a stall was created for the lord's convenience.
　Cole is different.
　I'm sure that Cole sees his own unique value in a system created for the convenience of his lord.
　I was jealous of that, and I wanted to be a little mean to him.

''I think there's a toll tax when you move between territories, right?
'The three territories you just mentioned don't need a toll tax, right?
''Then it's easy to make money by checking the market prices of the three territories.
Unless someone else is thinking the same thing.

　Tina's meanness came up empty.

'Let's go to the inn for a good night's rest today.
Ugh, but I'm broke.

　Tina was at a loss for words.
　The lodgings that could accommodate a carriage are pricey.

I can see that. I know it's not easy for me. I've got my own set of circumstances. I've got plenty of money in my pocket, and I don't want to be a sleepyhead for a while.

　Apparently, Cole didn't help me out of the goodness of his heart.

'See, you'd die if you left me alone, wouldn't you?

　Rude!　Tina thought, but she didn't say it.
　Because there was no doubt that she would have been miserable if Cole hadn't picked her up.

''Thanks for your help,''

　Tina bowed her head to Cole with a pitying feeling.

*

　The inn was more magnificent than Tina had imagined.
　The building was two stories high and the dining room was cramped, as if it were for guests only.
　Inside the building is a storage area for peddlers like Cole to store their cargo, while outside there are solidly built stables and space for vehicles.
　Cole seemed to be very familiar with the place, and after completing his reception, he quickly went to the tavern.
　The place where they handed him a change of clothes was thorough.
　Tina felt a pang of apprehension, but she headed to the bathhouse in the other wing.
　The bathhouse seems to be the type where they take turns using it one at a time.
　As she took off her clothes in the changing room, the dried mud fell in pieces to the floor.
　Tina entered the bathroom, looking like she was born, and was disappointed.
　The bathroom wasn't as magnificent as she had hoped.
　There was a large barrel filled with hot water, along with a hand tub and a large tarai.
　A small window high up is the only source of light.
　Tina entered the tarai and covered her head with the hot water she had drawn from the hand tub.
　Muddy water, or rather, muddy water, runs down Tina's skin and collects in the tarai.
　She covered her head with the hot water several times and changed the hot water in the tarai.
　When the hot water in the tarai becomes clear, she leaves the bathroom.
　Tina wiped herself with a cloth and looked down at her body.
　Her skin was white and the lines of her body were thin.
　Her chest was a bit full, but she had the body of a boy.
　He changed into the clothes Cole had given him and folded the extra sleeves and hem.
　The dirty clothes and underwear seem to have been collected by the inn's employees.
　When we returned to our room, Cole was lying on the bed.
　The inn's room only has two beds.

'Oh, you're back?'

　Cole picked himself up and sat back down on the edge of the bed.

'You're fast there too,'
Hmm, well, there's not much to go on.

　Apparently, Cole had gone to the tavern to gather information.
　'Then you should have told me so,' said Tina, sitting down on the empty side of the bed.

'You're looking pretty neat, huh?
I am a man.
I don't have any manly hair either.

　Cole said grimly as Tina checked him out.

'Mr. Cole...'
I don't need a "san". And just say it.

　Talk to me?　Tina nodded her head.

'Tame-talking is the kind of language I use like I'm talking.
All right. Has Cole been, well, a peddler for a long time?
Yeah, I've been doing this for over a decade.
What?

　Without thinking, Tina asked back.

'For the record, I'm eighteen this year, man.

　Hmm?　Tina tilted her head.
　'If you're eighteen years old this year.......that means you're seventeen now, doesn't it?

''Why do you say it in such a confusing way?''

　Tina asked, and Cole clicked his tongue.

'Well when you're young you get licked.

　Then it would seem that he should just tell a lie, but maybe Cole has his own beliefs.

'So, how old are you?'
Fifteen.

　'Oh,' said Cole, nodding.

'You're awesome Cole. He's a fine peddler, even though he's only two different things.
Praise doesn't get you anywhere.

　As he says this, Cole doesn't seem to be full of it.

"Hey, man, am I a good merchant?
Yeah, that's great.

　Tina nodded and Cole rubbed his nose to hide his embarrassment.

'Well, well, I've been through a lot of shenanigans, too. I'm sure that's why. I've had my share of run-ins with bandits.
'What!　How did you survive?
No, I was being tactful there.

　Cole used gestures and told an amusing story of what happened at the time.
　The conversation continued late into the night.

*

　The next day, Tina looked at the square and rolled her eyes.
　Stalls filled the square.
　At first glance, they seemed to be arranged in a haphazard fashion, but upon closer inspection, she noticed a regularity to them.
　This must have been the result of trial and error to contain the many stalls.
　Many of the products on the stalls are preserves.
　Cheese is not much of a rarity, but dried and salted fish is rare.
　The Barony of Hamar and the Barony of Sheraton are not that far from the sea, but in the days of the former Marquis of Erakis, tolls were high and fish from the sea was the food of the wealthy.

Wow, that's great!
It's becoming a familiar sight to me, though.

　Cole deftly assembles the stall.
　The stall is simple, just a wooden frame with a cloth roof.
　There are several other wooden boards.
　The edges are uneven, so they will be put together and used as display shelves.

It's really awesome.

　Tina said with a sigh.
　The state of the square was a surprise in two ways.
　One was because it was so different from his own territory, and the other was to get to know the former Viscount Hamal's territory.
　The impression he had had yesterday was misplaced.
　A ruin waiting for the day of decay is a ridiculous thing.
　It was as if the city was claiming that it could continue to grow and develop more.

'Why is that?'
That's right, you have a supplier, you can travel safely, and you don't have to pay a toll tax. On top of that, it's easy to set up a store. Anybody can get in.

　Cole rested his hands and counted on his fingers why Linor's square was so crowded.
　Tina looked down in embarrassment.
　She didn't realize that she, as a lord, understood even a mere peddler.

''Even so, Viscount Hamal would do something so drastic as to get rid of the toll tax, wouldn't he?
That's how desperate you were, right?
Desperate?

　Tina tilted her head.

'Back then ... about a year and a half ago?　Well, anyway, there was a lot going on when the port had just been established in Count Caddo's territory. That's why Viscount Hamal was desperate to not get left behind in the flow, I guess.
What do you mean by "a lot"?

　Cole stared at Tina with a look in his eyes, as if to tell her not to interrupt him too much.

'There's the Sinner Trade Union, the big trade associations no longer use the trade routes they used before, the peddlers' union... well, you know, things happen.
Yeah,

　Truly amazing, Tina admired Viscount Hamal in her heart.
　Viscount Hamal noticed that the number of merchants passing through his territory had decreased, and he took immediate action.
　That's probably why the city of Linor is so crowded.
　Huh?　Tina nodded her head.
　Viscount Hamal noticed that the number of merchants passing through his estate was decreasing.
　So why hadn't his father taken action?
　At least, there was no indication that his dead father had done anything about it.

''Hey, you have business at Viscount Hamal's estate, right?
Hmm?　Yeah, it was.

　Tina shelved her doubts and headed to Viscount Hamal's mansion.

*

　The chalk pavilion was in the corner of my eye.
　The trees in the garden were shedding their leaves, but even in that state, the gardener's careful work and what Viscount Hamal wanted from the garden seemed to be palpable.
　Tina stood in front of the gate and let out a breath of relief.
　She had been intercepted by her uncle on the way there, but thanks to Cole, she had made it there safely.
　I must thank Cole for his help.
　No, Tina laughed, saying that she had to reveal her identity before that.
　It was possible that Cole would be angry, but she laughed at the thought of him getting flustered.

''........You, what do you want in the mansion?''

　When I looked at the direction of the voice, I saw an old man standing there.
　He must be quite old.
　His waist was bent and his hair and beard were yellowish white.
　His clothes were stained with mud, but he did not look dirty.
　A servant from the mansion must have come to check on him.

''You, what do you want in the mansion?''

　The old man repeated the same question.
　His eyes were sharp, but that was not all.
　There was a light in it, like looking at a poor child.

''You.........''
Oh, excuse me. I'm ... I'm an errand boy for Viscount Sheraton.

　Tina interrupted the old man's words and held out the letter.
　Her luggage was stolen, but she kept only the dagger and the letter for self-defense by herself.
　However, this letter is a backup.
　If nothing had happened, the servant who left earlier as a decoy would have delivered a letter with the same contents.

'I'll deliver it to your wife.
Oh, um, former Viscount Hamal it's nothing.

　Tina turned over as the old man stared at her.
　To be honest, the former Viscountess Hamal was not good at this.
　The former Viscount Hamal has a gentle temperament, but the lady has a fierce temper.
　The old man received the letter and started walking towards the mansion.

'But that's it.

　
　Tina smiled as she dreamed of a bright future.



"...Huh?　Strange?　I see the sunset.

　Funny, funny, Tina rubbed her eyes, but the setting sun didn't go away.
　Of course it was.
　It had been hours since she had left the old man.
　The sun was moving the same way it always had.
　Nothing strange was happening.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
No, no, not at all!　I'm not waiting!
We've been waiting a long time for you, haven't we?

　Tina turned around and said, and the old man gave her a bemused look.

'So, how did it go?'
Mm, I got a letter for you from your wife.

　The old man handed the paper, folded in two, to Tina and went back to the mansion.
　Tina hurriedly opened the paper and read the text.

''My master has gone to the Marquis of Erakis..................Too much!

　Tina broke down crying on the spot.
　It was too much of a response.
　Making her wait for hours was awful, and using paper in an exchange between noblemen was also awful.

''Ahh, by the looks of it, it looks like we didn't achieve our goal.

　I looked up and saw Cole standing there with an awkward expression on his face.

'Cole, did you come to see me because you're worried about me?'
Dude, it's not like that.

　Cole turned red in the face and denied it.

'Yeah, I know. Cole has a job to do, you know.'
....

　Tina laughed through her tears, and Cole scratched his hair in frustration.

'I came to see you because I was worried about you!　So don't make that face!

　Cole said loudly and took the paper from Tina.

''So ... the Marquess of Erakis?''

　Cole made a reluctant face.

''It can't be helped. I'll drive you back to the Marquess of Erakis.''
Are you sure?
He's going to kill me if I leave him alone.

　Tina couldn't help but drool.

*

　Early the next morning, Tina and Cole left the city of Linor.
　On the way, they rested their horses and took a meal together.
　The menu consisted of hard bread, dried meat, and lukewarm water, but it was strangely delicious.
　It was that evening when we arrived in Hachel.

'Ah, well, we'll have to wait.
What's going on?
No, it's obvious.

　Tina leaned out of the cart and understood the meaning of Cole's words.
　The line of people and carriages stretched to the castle gates.
　There were nearly a dozen soldiers watching the line, as if there was trouble.

We'll have to wait.
We can't let that happen. You wait here. Let me show you what a merchant does.

　Cole dismounted from the carriage and approached a soldier standing at a slight distance.
　It was a tiger beastman carrying a magnificent great sword.
　Apparently, Cole looked at the equipment and decided that the tiger beastman was in charge of the scene.
　Cole approached the tiger beastman with a rubbing hand and spoke to him in a friendly manner.
　I don't know what kind of talk they were having, but the tiger beastman seemed annoyed.
　Cole touched the tiger beastman in a friendly and familiar way.
　The next moment, the tiger beastman twisted Cole's arm up.
　Tina tried to run away as quickly as she could, but she couldn't.
　Because the moment she moved to escape, an arrow pierced the guru's seat.

'Co, Cole, what did you do?'

　Tina held up her hands with tears in her eyes.
　A soldier with a spear at the ready was inching closer and closer.



　Tina and Cole were taken to the soldier's stuffing station just outside the castle gates.
　The stuffing station was a sturdy-looking brick building.
　
　Judging from the fact that soldiers are coming and going, the second floor must be a resting place.
　There is no way to be sure what the second floor of the stuffing station is like, but I understand the purpose of the first floor.
　The first floor also serves as an interrogation room.
　There is a table in the center of the first floor, a desk at the back and a chair against the wall facing the street.
　Cole and the elven woman are facing each other across the table.
　The Elf woman is also at the desk in the back.
　Tina was seated in a chair by the wall.
　Cole is exhausted and drooping.
　If only the elven woman was the other party, she might not be so exhausted.
　You are going to be able to find out the best way to get the most out of your newborn baby.
　Both of them have the atmosphere of a soldier of the past.
　Well, even without that vibe, most opponents would be deflated by the sight of their log-like arms.
　The elf is at his desk, taking a statement.
　Incredibly, the elf is writing the letters.
　Elves the sub-humans have been taught that they are inferior to humans.
　How did this elf come to be able to write when there are only a few humans who can read and write?
　The questions are endless, but now they are being interrogated.
　Tina can only sit in a chair by the wall and stare at Cole, who is being interrogated.
　There is a knocking and tapping sound.
　The elven woman is tapping on the desk with her fingertips.

'Again, I ask you... why do you sound like you tried to bribe me?

　The elven woman asked Cole in a gruff tone of voice.
　By the way, the bribe was what Cole was referring to as 'merchant's business'.

Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. I was just trying to impress my guy, and I got carried away.

　Cole replied in a voice that sounded like he was about to cry.
　It's not an act.
　We've already passed the stage of acting.
　This exchange has already been done dozens of times.
　At first, Cole had the luxury of being emphatic, but after a process of toughness, uptight remorse, recrimination, and sulking, he finally broke down.
　Cole, who had seemed so dependable, now looked small.
　'Huh,' the elven woman let out a deliberate sigh.

'Well, I'm going to ask you one more time, why did you try to bribe me?
Excuse me.

　Cole just hung his head and apologized.

''If you're ... sorry,''
Oh, and look who it is, Cole.

　The next time the elven woman raised her willow eyebrows in the opposite direction, an out-of-place, calm voice echoed through the packed room.
　When I looked at the direction of the voice, I saw a man standing there with a gentle smile on his face.
　He was probably over fifty in age.
　He wore modest but well-tailored clothes.

''You know Nicola-san, like, you know her?''
'Yes, I have a reasonably good relationship with the Peddlers' Union. Well, I mean, what has Mr. Cole done?

　The man called Nicola said refrainedly.

'It's like he tried to bribe Tyga.
Yeah, it is.

　Nicola frowned.

'I'd like to take it back for good. Like I'd like you to come and get the wagon later. And a donkey, by the way.
Yes, Mr. Cole and you're coming with us.

　Nicola laboriously touched Cole's shoulder.
　Then Cole stands up and walks off in a daze.
　Tina hurriedly followed Cole.
　Nicola is with her.
　She catches up with Cole and the three of them continue on their way.

''Cole-kun, this is my first offense, so I was tolerated, but bribery is not legal in Crono-sama's territory.
Is that it?

　Nicola gave a wry smile.

'I suppose that served as a warning to those around him.
What?　So that means that's it, I've been exposed!

　Having regained his energy, Cole turned around and glared at the stuffing station.

'Mr. Aridid and Mr. Deneb were just doing their jobs. It's not reasonable to hold a grudge against those two.
Yeah, that's true.

　Cole clammed up.
　I know it's right in theory, but I guess you could say that my emotions haven't caught up with me.
　Nicola stopped and looked at the stuffing station.

''Well this area used to be very unsafe.
Oh, well, at least that.

　Cole bristled.

''The security in this area has improved considerably since Master Crono became lord, but that wasn't achieved overnight.

　Nicola's tone was calm.

'I almost ruined their efforts, you mean?
No, that's not all. This time, Cole has made a number of mistakes. At the very least, it's a blemish on Mr. Cole's career.

　Uggh, Cole grunted.

'Mr. Cole, as I'm sure you, who were 'there', would understand, we have to make an effort, too.
I know, sir.

　Nicola gave a self-mocking smile.
　Maybe Nicola had made the same mistake as Cole when she was younger.

'Mr. Cole, have you decided on a place to stay tonight?'
No, not yet.
If you want, I can arrange it myself.

　Cole looked at Tina and Nicola in turn.

Nice to meet you.

　He bowed his head.

*

　Huh, Tina let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the bed.
　It wasn't very classy, but there was no one to blame.
　I'm sure Cole in the next room would have collapsed on the bed as well.
　He had been accused for hours of being high pressure.
　How could an elf be able to write, I wondered.
　Regardless of whether sub-humans are inferior to humans, the essence of culture is affordability.
　Only those who can afford food, clothing, and shelter, and have the time and money to afford it, can become cultured.
　The magic item for lighting emitted a white light as he lay on his back.

''..........................Magic Items for the Inn.

　Tina muttered softly.
　The accommodation Nicola had arranged for them was near the center of town.
　There was no room for stables and vehicles.
　The grade of the inn is below that of the one Cole and I stayed at...maybe not, but magic items for lighting have been installed in the inn.
　Magic lighting items are relatively cheap, but they cost about ten gold coins.
　It is only because they belong to the cheapest category of magic items.
　Is this also an indication of affordability?

'....Crono...

　I first heard the name at a ball two years ago.
　He was the only son of the Baron Claude Crawford, the only son of the Baron Claude Crawford, who had the second name of Slaughter (Slaughter).
　He was rumored to have been accused of embezzlement by the former Marquis of Erakis.
　He's a good backer, but he's not the type of person you want to get close to.

I'll see you in a minute.

　Tina slowly closed her eyes.