*

　I heard the sound first.
　It resembled the sound of ears of wheat swaying in the wind.
　The sound gets louder and louder as we continue down the main street.
　Eventually, they realized it was a clamor.
　Tina excitedly stepped into the stall area with Cole.
　In the next moment, voices came rushing in with pressure.
　Come, come!
　It's a fish just brought in from Count Caddo's estate!
　How about a stone that will bring you happiness?
　Your love life is....
　Move!　Move!
　Mother?
　It's stuck. It's stuck!
　I got three coppers in that store!

'Whoa...!

　Tina couldn't help but exclaim.
　The stall district of the Marquis of Erakis Hachel gave Tina such a shock.
　As she looked around, various stalls jumped into view.
　This was different from the square in Linor, where food was the main item.
　There are stalls selling medicinal herbs, stalls dealing in beautiful stones, fortune tellers with a mystical atmosphere, and even a store that offers life advice.
　The impression I got from the stall area was 'chaos'........the stall area of Herschel was so chaotic, obscene and had a unique heat to it.

'Don't scurry around too much, they'll think you're a redneck.
Because it's so rare.

　Tina paced the stall area at a fast pace and stopped.
　A delicious smell, she twitched her nose.
　If she looked closely, she could see people walking around, eating sausages on skewers and sausages on bread.
　Apparently, there is a shop that sells food.


Thanks, Cole.

　He looked like he looked like he wanted to eat that much, and Cole held out a sausage on a skewer.

'How am I supposed to eat it?'
What do you mean?　You just have to wear it on your head.

　Tina looked at Cole, who was gnawing on the sausage, beside her, and fearfully gnawed on the end of the sausage.
　The skin of the sausage tore with a crunching sound and the juices splashed out.
　The taste of the sausage was not as good as the sausage he had eaten in the mansion, but the crispy texture and hot gravy more than made up for it.
　Tina finished the sausage in a flash and stood there with a skewer in her hand.

'Trash in the trash, huh?'
....

　Cole smiled a cynical ... maybe he believed it, and threw the spit into a large wooden box in the corner of the stall area.

'Soldiers will scare you if you throw your garbage in the street.
Yeah, okay.

　Tina dumped the spit into the crate and looked at Cole.

'Why are you doing this to me?'

　Cole said in a high-pitched voice.

'Is that an imitation of me?'

　When Tina miffed back, Cole cowered his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.
　This kind of gesture should be done by a good-looking person.
　If it's done by someone else, it could destroy a friendly relationship.

'Isn't that why you dump your trash in a certain spot?　Isn't that because it's more efficient?
Hmm.
"No. Black disease prevention.

　Reflexively, she turned around to see a sallow-skinned girl sitting on a patch of fur on the ground.
　Several strands of grass lay on the fur, but Tina's attention was focused on the girl's clothes.
　Only a single piece of fur covered her swollen chest, and the lower half of her body was similar.
　And the clay slab held from her neck........

The barbarians of the Areos Mountains!

　Tina hid behind Cole's back.

'You know, Tim. The Areos Mountains ... the Roux have long since made up with the Empire, haven't they?
Because they're barbarians!

　Even Tina knows that Count Ernat's son Gaul has made the Roux people reverent to the Empire, but only a short time ago they were enemies.
　It was strange for Cole to immediately let his guard down.

''I know what you mean, though. I know what you're thinking, but didn't the Roux run rampant in the days before we were born?　What's the point of bringing up a story that long ago?
A long time ago?　It's only been a little over thirty years!

　Tina shouted loudly.
　The people around her slowed down.
　Some of them looked at her curiously, but that didn't last long.
　People quickly lost interest and started walking towards their respective destinations.

'Alright, alright. But if you talk to them, they might be good guys, right?　I talked to the Bethel Mountains mercenaries too... no, I didn't talk to them much, but they were serious guys.

　Mmmm, Tina groaned.
　The values are too different.
　It's hard to decide if these are Cole's values or those of a merchant.

I'm not going to talk to you. Work, get out of the way, go.''
Oh, you sell herbs.

　Cole crouched down as if nothing had happened and stared at the medicinal herbs laid out on his fur.

'I've seen these herbs before. They help with headaches, right?'
"Headache, no. Abdominal pain.

　The girl said in a blunt tone.

'Huh?　I remember drinking when I was a kid, which is funny.
"knowledge, half, no.
Well, do you have a headache?
Wrong.

　Cole confidently pointed to another herb, but this time he was wrong again.
　Apparently, Cole was not familiar with herbs.
　Tina watched Cole and the girl's interaction with Cole in a disgusted mood.
　Before long, it became like a game of guessing the effects of the herbs, and the girl's attitude softened a bit.
　It was only on the level of more than at the beginning.
　When the game had settled down, Cole scratched his head as if to say he was cured.

'I guess the Raw Art of War is the best way to get hurt, huh?
"Dakara, the curse-maker, needs
Yeah.

　'Good,' said Cole, standing up.

'Do you always sell herbs here?
"It's me, no.
Well, I'll see you next time.

　Cole grinned.

*

　Do you think Cole has a point?　And Tina walked through the stall district with that thought in mind.
　Glancing over to steal a glance next to her, her eyes locked with Cole's.
　When Tina hurriedly averted her gaze, she

Hey, girl, you're in trouble.
.....

　Suddenly, a voice called out to me and I shuddered with a bleep.
　There was a bewitching beauty.
　Her glossy black hair reached her waist, and her skin was as white as snow.
　The bosom of the dress was wide open and a deep slit in the side of the skirt, as if she was very confident in her proportions.
　However, you can be a bewitching beauty if you didn't look around you.
　No matter how beautiful she is, if she's sitting on a wooden box in the corner of the stall district, or if there's a sign that says 'Life Advice' nearby, she'll have to revise her first impression downward significantly.
　To put it bluntly, she's a strange woman.

'Don't be fooled, Tim, don't be fooled. Making people feel insecure is a common practice of vicious Tsuji fortune tellers.
That's a cool line, but it's a reflex, isn't it?

　Cole stared at the bewitching beauty and then scratched his head, looking bummed.

'You two are rude!　I am, after all, the High Priest of the Jet-Black Temple!　By the way, it's affectionately known here as the Priestess.

　There was a puffing sound.
　A beautiful woman of strange age the fortune teller who had a shop next to the priestess couldn't hold back her laughter and blew out.

''Shh, you're a rude fellow!

　The fortune teller ignored the priest and began to deal with the guests.

''Well, how did that High Priestess get here?''
So, this is just a random act?

　The priest muttered sincerely.

'Don't you need more life advice that way?
We don't need it!

　The priest tapped the wooden box that served as his desk and stood up, and crossed his arms in a pompous manner.

'I'll show you what I can do!

　The priest covered his face with one hand and grinned.
　A gurgling sound seemed to come from nowhere.
　Well, such a sound didn't come from anywhere.

''This, after this, oh my lord,''
...after this.

　Cole gulped and swallowed his spit, perhaps because of his nervousness.

'You're going to get hit over the head after this.

　Boom!　The sound of "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," echoed, and Cole squatted down on the spot.
　Just as the priest said, he was hit on the head.
　It was a bald-headed man who had struck Cole from behind.
　He was tall and had a beard.
　Deep wrinkles were etched around his eyes, though they were difficult to see due to his red-burned skin.

"Cole!
Ugh, Dad!

　Cole's eyes peeled back in surprise as the man yelled at him.

'Why, Dad?'
Of course it's because of the protests from Lord Crono.

　'Utterly pathetic,' the man said, covering his face.

'No, there are circumstances to this,'
I'll hear your excuses on the way home.
No, no, no, now listen to me!

　The man silently grabbed Cole's chest and began to walk away.
　He could shake it off if he really got out of control, but he didn't seem to have any intention of doing so.
　The man and Cole's figures quickly disappeared into the crowded streets and were soon out of sight.

'Teem!　Don't follow a stranger!
I'm not a kid!

　Tina's face turned red and she shouted back.

"Mm-hmm, nice advice as you leave. I'll give you some advice as well.
I don't have any money.
You'll never get any advice that goes unqualified!

　This is the normal reaction, Tina rolled her back and moved away from the priestess.

*

　Tina left the stall district and headed towards the center of the city.
　The inn that Nicola arranged for me yesterday was near the center of the city the section called the commercial district, so it's a form of coming back.
　The commercial district is not so far away from the stall district, but the atmosphere is very different.
　First of all, there are no touts.
　Secondly, the products they carry are different.
　Secondly, the goods sold in the stall area are different.
　The streets are sophisticated and the shops facing the street are all elegant.
　Some of them are branches of merchant associations that are familiar to anyone in the Empire.
　The other shops have competed with such branches of the Chamber of Commerce and survived.
　It's natural to feel a sense of style.
　What particularly caught Tina's eye was the 'Sinner Trade Association'.
　It was the name of the shop in Cole's story.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on some of these items.
　The display style is unique, with human-sized dolls dressed in clothes.
　I'd like to stop by if this wasn't the case," said Tina, walking slowly with a sideways glance at the Sinner Trade Association.
　If you pass through the commercial district, the Marquis' residence is right there.

''.........My lady.''
Who is this?

　Tina stopped and turned around.
　Then a woman was beckoning to her.
　It was a woman she recognized.
　She was a maid, recently hired by Sebas and one of the members he had sent out in the boxcarriage as a decoy.

'Come here, miss,'

　Tina wandered for a moment and quickly followed the maid.
　The maid leads Tina through an alleyway and towards the less popular one.
　The maid stops.
　It was the outer edge of the city.
　It was dim even in the daytime because the city walls blocked out the sunlight, and the ground was wet.
　No way, Tina turns around and sees two men come out of an alleyway.
　They are big enough to look up.
　Their arms were as thick as logs, and there were countless scars etched into them to show their familiarity with violence.
　One of the men grabbed Tina's wrist.
　She tried to shake him off, but the man didn't even give a small shake.

'Why, why!　Doing this?
....

　The maid does not answer.
　Instead, the corners of her mouth lifted in a nymphet.
　Whose orders was she working under?
　The simple answer is Sebas.
　But Sebas had no motive.
　If that's the case, he was bribed by his uncle.
　But now that the mastermind is known, what will be the point?
　Tina's been caught.
　It's a dead end.
　You won't have a chance to redeem yourself.

"So!

　Cole's voice echoed down the alley.

'I told you not to follow a guy you don't know!

　The man's grip on Tina's wrist loosened for a moment.
　Cole made the man take a jumping kick.
　Tina shook off the man's hand and ran towards Cole.

'This way.........!

　Cole's words were cut off.
　The man's back fist caught Cole in the face.
　Cole was blown away and rolled on the ground in a rumble.

'Cole!'

　Tina ran over to Cole.

'Oh, crap, it's good, I got it.'

　Cole floated up to get up, but he flopped down on his butt.

'Cole, why?'
I knew they were out to get you, so I swept my dad off his feet.

　I suddenly remembered the events at Viscount Hamal's mansion.
　At that time, Cole said he was going to be killed if I left him alone.

How did you know?
If you'd asked around and asked around to see if anyone other than yourself had seen anyone who looked suspicious, you'd be an idiot.

　Cole straightened up and stared at the two big men and the maid.
　The two big men approached slowly.

'So you've been spreading false information?　It's been a pain in the ass.
That's good for my sleep. You're just so lousy at it.

　Gulp, the maid chokes on her words.

'And you think I haven't done anything about it?

　When Cole grinned, that's when

It stinks over there! (GASPS!)
I'll get him! (GASPS!)

　Voices and footsteps approached.
　The maid made a momentary pretense of hesitation and then fled with the two large men.

I guess my job is done for now.

　With that, Cole collapsed as if he had run out of steam.

*

It's not the end of the world.
But this time, we're going to the Marquess's house for the interview.

　Tina quieted Cole, who was complaining as she walked.
　Last night, according to the information Cole had gathered in the tavern, the maid and the two big men had caused trouble at the gates of Hachel's castle.
　

'But hey, it's a bit like being surrounded by soldiers.
Why?　You can count on it.

　The tail of the beastman walking in front of Tina was swaying from side to side.
　Apparently, this beastman was happy to be praised.
　I heard a kern, kern.
　I looked next to it and saw a high wall.
　It was the wall surrounding the Marquis' residence.
　The sound was coming from the other side of the wall.
　Tina ducked through the gate of the Marquis' mansion and was taken aback.
　The garden of the marquis' mansion was not what you could call a garden.
　A brick building is located near the gate, and commoner-like people are working there.
　Although there are some plants planted, it is obvious that they are not cared for.
　The four towers that rise around the Marquis' mansion also seem to be used for a different purpose than they should be.
　In one tower, a dwarf was wielding a hammer, and in another tower, a group of sub-humans were gathering around to do something.
　The door to the Marquis' mansion opened and a figure an old gentleman with a gentle smile came out.
　It was Mr. Bond, the former head of the Viscount Hamal family.
　Mr. Bond was wearing black trousers and jacket, a hat of the same color, and a cloth covering his neck.
　Oh, I've finally met him, Tina said as she started to run.
　I thought they would seize her, but no one tried to seize Tina.

'....Oh, you...
Tina!　I'm Tina Sheratan!　I'm here today to ask a favor from Master Bond!

　Tina spoke earnestly of her uncle's misdeeds.
　Then Mr. Bond looked as if he was deeply sympathetic.

'The promise you made then!　You have my back!
Yeah, that's a tough one.
'So!　By all means!
I'll get back to you after discussing it with my wife.

　Huh?　And Tina froze.
　Mr. Bond got into the box-carriage that had arrived before he knew it, and left.

'That's not very helpful!

　Tina broke down crying on the spot.

'Crono, do you know him?'
I heard you knew Mr. Bond.

　Crono!　Tina looked up.

*

So, Tina ran out of the house to ask for help from the former Viscount Hamal?
I didn't jump out at you.

　Cole's attitude didn't change after Tina revealed herself.
　Cole was sitting on the sofa in the parlor where he had been led, eating the baked goods on the table at a terrific pace.
　It's not unreasonable. The baked goods that Crono had prepared........the biscuits are made of sugar.
　Sugar is a luxury item.
　Nobles and great merchants may not have the opportunity to eat it, but commoners probably have no chance to eat it.

''Ugh!''

　The biscuit got stuck in his throat and Cole picked up his cup and drank it down in one go.
　Cole exhaled with a puja and reached for the biscuit again.
　He might have refrained from doing so if Crono was there, but he wasn't here, as if he had to get ready.

'Look, since when did you realize that I'm a woman and not me?'
Who do you think is in charge of your underwear?

　Ugh, Tina moaned.
　She was almost in agony from the embarrassment.
　The clothes and underwear she had washed at the inn were not with Tina.
　That's what I mean.
　The next moment Tina opened her mouth, the door to the parlor opened.
　The one who entered the parlor was the Princess Tilia.
　Her heart was beating loudly.
　The Princess Tilia, whom I could only stare at from a distance at the ball two years ago, was right in front of me.
　Her ample breasts are pushing up her white military uniform.
　Her long, lustrous blonde hair was tied up in one bun, perhaps in favor of ease of movement.
　Huh, Tina let out a sigh.
　Princess Tilia was just as beautiful as she was two years ago, or even more so than two years ago.
　Princess Tilia sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs gracefully.
　Then, a little later, Crono came in.
　It's not like the image, Tina thought to herself.
　Crono's height would only slightly exceed that of Princess Tilia.
　She is neither too fat nor too thin.
　Her hair and eyes are black.
　If he didn't have an old scar running from his right forehead to his cheek, he would pass for a good-looking young man.
　Crono sat down next to Princess Tyria with a chock-full of people.
　He was forced to do so because Princess Tilia was sitting in the middle of the sofa.

''Oh, it's nice to meet you for the first time. I'm........
The daughter of Viscount Sheraton, I believe. I remember seeing you at a ball.

　Tina gasped.
　Princess Tilia remembered her.
　That alone was enough to make her feel like she was in heaven.

'You must have come for some reason. 'Tell me.'
Actually....

　
　I told him honestly that I was trying to solve the problem with a powerful nobleman behind me.

'What do you think?'
I understand. There's only one thing I can tell you.

　Princess Tilia crossed her arms and took a deep breath.

'You can at least take care of the problems in your domain yourself, that's all.
What?

　Tina couldn't help but ask back.

'Was it hard to understand?　Now, let's get this straight, shall we?

　Princess Tyria cleared her throat.

Don't rely on others.

　I pushed Tina away as hard as I could.
　In fact, I felt like I'd been pushed into the abyss.
　The damage was as great as I expected.

''........Tilia.

　Crono, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth.

'Tilia, isn't that too much of a response?'
Mr. Crono.

　Tina was on the verge of tears.
　Kindness is the more heartbreaking when you're in a difficult situation.

''Crono, the lord solves the problems that arise in his domain by himself, so he doesn't have to be interfered with by the state.
'Sure, it's too much of a bugger to ask me to just help out and not interfere. So what if I can't solve the problem myself?
'Depends on the degree. I'll help you if it's in the best interest of the Empire, and I'll even take over your territory by chipping away at your authority little by little in the name of aid.
'Oh, I'm rather serious about that. But since a girl like this came all the way to ask for help, I don't think we should turn her away, do we?
....

　Princess Tilia was looking at Crono with a stinking eye.
　Or rather, it's a look that doesn't believe Crono's words at all.

''No, we're next door neighbors, that is, we're neighbors, and as for me, I'd like to take care of my neighbors.
....

　As I thought, Princess Tyria is silent.

'I don't think it's right for people to abandon those who need help.
Did you mean it?
I mean it.
Her eyes are swimming.

　Crono huddled in the corner of the sofa as Princess Tilia crowded in.
　He seemed to be holding Princess Tilia's gaze directly in front of him, but he subtly averted his gaze.

'Crono, if you don't have a dark spot behind you, make eye contact.
No, no, no, not in the dark, okay?

　

''..............I surrender.

　It was Crono who broke first.
　Crono raised his hands in a clownish gesture.

'That's right, I have an ulterior motive.

　Completely reopened, Crono sat back down on the sofa in an imposing manner.

'Tina, you don't have to have anything behind you, do you, Mr. Bond?
Yeah, well,

　Tina nodded vaguely, calculating whether Crono would be useful as a back-up.

''Surprisingly, I think I'd be useful. The title of Commander of the Thirteenth Konoe Order might not be useful, but I know a Konoe Order Commander.

　Tina gasped at the statement that seemed to see right through her thoughts.

'But it's not free, is it?'
I know, sir.
''I'll give you a backing, and I want you to introduce the stall system that we have in the Sheratan Viscount's territory, as well as in my territory and in the Hamal Viscount's territory.
Is that all?

　Tina couldn't help but ask back.
　I expected to be asked for something bigger than that, so it's a good place to be beaten down.

''The other thing I want you to do is to eliminate the toll tax in the direction of Viscount Hamal's territory. However, this is just a promise between me and Tina. I'll talk to Brad-dono over here.
Yes, I can do that.

　Tina stopped speaking mid-sentence.
　Cole's hand touched Tina's.
　Their eyes suddenly met.
　Cole's eyes pleaded with her to think more before making a decision.
　Tina examined Crono's request.
　I have no problem with the stall system.
　Eliminating the toll tax would make up for the loss if the city is as busy as Linor and Hachel.
　Why is this a promise between Master Crono and me?　Tina tilted her head inwardly.

'Ah!'

　Tina realized Crono's intentions and raised her voice.

''Crono-sama is planning to use me as a check on Viscount Hamal, isn't he?
I didn't mean to.

　Crono cowered his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.
　Viscount Hamal's territory was sandwiched between the Marquis of Erakis and Viscount Sheratan's territory.
　If Crono's idea came to fruition, Viscount Hamal would be able to seize the trade routes.
　Of course, that's an unlikely assumption.
　Even if Tina did as Crono instructed, Viscount Hamal would not accept a proposal that did not benefit him.
　And Viscount Hamal would no doubt think that after his rejection, Tina was putting a lot of weight on his relationship with Crono.
　Making her think that way is what Crono wants.
　The moment he understood that, Crono looked like the devil.

''The matter of the toll tax is something that should be discussed between me and Viscount Hamal.

　Tina assured him.

''Then, Viscount Hamal ... well, it looks like his wife, not Mr. Bond, is the actual acting lord, so...''
Isn't the Acting Laird a Mr. Bond?

　Crono made a puzzled expression.

I'm sure you'll find that Bond-san is only the acting lord, but it seems that his wife is the one who actually does the work. Even before he handed over the reigns to Brad-dono, did he leave it to his wife?
Oh, no.

　It's too much, Tina swallowed a whine.
　On second thought, it was my fault for taking the social call to heart.

''I don't know who I'm going to be negotiating with, but I'll leave the negotiations to you anyway. Afterwards, I'd like to have a nice dinner with the three of us.

　Ugh, Tina moaned.
　I've been forced into a nasty situation.
　In this situation, I even feel that Crono was making a play to avoid the nuisance.

'I understand the matter of abolishing the toll tax and introducing a stall system. So, I'm assuming you can get behind it, right?
Of course, I'll write a pledge if I have to.
Please.

　Tina held back a breath of relief.
　She looked next to her and saw Cole giving her a thumbs up.

'We're not done talking yet,'
.....

　Tina straightened up.

'Is there anything else?'
'Tina, did you forget that they were after you?　Well, we're not irrelevant here either, and we don't want you to get killed or anything, even though we've got the story straight.

　Crono leaned his weight on the couch and folded his hands behind his head.
　He let out a loud sigh and began to explain an incident that had happened a few days ago.
　A few days ago, a box carriage had visited Hachel.
　The boxcarriage itself wasn't unusual, but the problem was the load....properly, the passengers and Gosha's possessions.
　They were in possession of poison.
　If the gatekeeper hadn't been a beastman, it must have been overlooked.
　The passenger and the goner can no longer be excused and attack the gatekeeper.
　The passenger and Gohja were a handful, but thanks to the soldiers in the cramped area who came to their aid and the two excellent priests, no one died from the poisoning.
　However, they couldn't take them alive and allowed some of them to escape, though.

''Ah~, Crono-sama?''
Mr. Cole, who tried to bribe your man, if you have a statement to make.

　When Crono spoke in disgust, Cole looked like he'd bitten down on a bitter bug.

I hear they're skilled at it, but are they that good?　I've outsmarted them a few times.
' ...Me too. Oh, I was kind of a temporary rag-tag.

　When Tina raised her hand modestly, Crono stroked his chin thoughtfully.

''Hmm, an assassin being outsmarted by an amateur? Yeah, I just associated assassins with poison, you know. Anyway, that's weird.''
I don't think it's weird.
Tilia, what's going on?

　'Don't you understand,' said Princess Tyria, and she doesn't seem to be full of it.

''Crono, assassins are the ones who belong to an organization, remember?
Oh, so there's a division of labor.
I'm sure the assassin was either in a situation where he couldn't be backed up by the organization or was a remnant of a group of assassins.

　Princess Tilia nodded her head as if to say my intentions.

''If you ask me, the bandits in the period drama also shared a role, so it's not surprising that a group of assassins would share a role. But isn't there a problem with assassins being outsmarted by amateurs?
Well, that's... too much division of labor, isn't it?

　Princess Tilia's answer wasn't very convincing.

''Well, well, whether the assassins have a role to play or not, there is no doubt that they are skilled. That's why I've prepared an escort.

　The door opened and a woman walked into the parlor.
　The woman was dressed in the same white military uniform as Princess Tyria and carried a fine sword at her hip.

''It is Fay M'Refine!

　

''Among my subordinates, ah, he's the one who seems to be suitable for a case like this one.
I have anti-poisoning measures in place with my divine power!
Nice to meet you.

　Tina hung her head, feeling a bit uneasy.

*

　Tina discussed the future with Crono and left Hachel in Cole's carriage.
　The outward journey had been troubling, but the return trip was peaceful itself.
　The assassin must have been wary of the escort.

''Mm, we have arrived at our destination without taking an active part.
I'm just relieved.

　Faye shook her fist regretfully as she arrived at Tina's mansion in Viscount Sheratan's territory.
　Cole gave such a shove to Faye and let out a loud sigh.

''Even though Crono-sama gave me the opportunity to play an active role, both me and the Black King are incomplete.
''Well, I don't think that's what Crono-sama meant by having Fay-san as your escort.

　It's a shame, said Faye, stroking the Black King my beloved horse's neck.
　It's an attitude and statement that is typical of a guard, but Faye's character is grasped in two days of travel.
　As Tina and the others entered the mansion, Sebas came running up to them.

''Miss!　Good luck!

　Sebas knelt close to the wagon and looked up at Tina.
　His eyes were moist with tears and he seemed to be truly happy for Tina's safety.

Miss, who are you two?
This is Mr. Cole, and the other is Miss Fay Murrifine.

　Tina got out of the carriage and introduced them to Sebas.

'Sebas, where is your uncle?'
Well, the thing is, the young lady disappeared just as she was leaving the house. How was the young lady?
''I couldn't get the former Viscount Hamal to back me up, but Master Crono has backed me up instead.

　Tina replied proudly.
　Finally, I was able to fulfill my job as a lord.
　Such a feeling of satisfaction dominated his chest.

''What, my God, with the son of Slaughterer Claude.

　Sebas turned over and shook his shoulders.
　He was probably pleased with Tina's growth.

'Sebas, would you mind showing the two of you to your guest rooms?

　As Tina commanded, Sebas stood up with age-defying movements and hung his head apologetically.

''My apologies, Miss. We are currently short on manpower and are not in a position to receive our guests to their satisfaction. Please bear with me as I thank you in a small way.
''It can't be helped if you're short on staff, can it? You don't need to worry about me since you've received roadside silver from Chrono-sama.
I don't care if it's a dusty room.
'Well then, Mr. Cole, you'll be staying at the mansion and Sebas, Faye, you've been very helpful to us. So could we at least have dinner together?
Ha, that's cool.

　With that, Sebas hung his head reverently.



　
　After removing the innards of her journey, she changed into her dress with the help of her maid and returned to her room.
　Perhaps it was the relief of being back in the mansion, but the feeling of exhaustion hit me with a thud.
　She was aware that this was an act typical of a nobleman, but she couldn't overcome the fatigue.
　Tina lay down on the bed and let out a sigh as she remembered the bustle of Linor and Hachel's crowd.
　She had Crono to back her up.
　She couldn't help but feel that the results she had won after all her adventures were puny.
　I received mercy.
　No, I shouldn't say I received mercy, but I should say I was given a sense of defeat.
　He could argue that the Sheratan Viscounty was not defeated by the two territories.
　They can even provide an excuse.
　But they can't wipe away the sense of defeat.
　What triggered it was the smell.
　A faint stench of decay mingles in the air of this city.
　The two of us have not neglected our feet while developing the city.
　Am I frustrated?　Tina asked herself and fell asleep.

*

　Bang, bang, bang!　There was a loud noise.
　I don't know how long I had fallen asleep, but it was dark in the room.

'Light!'

　Tina shouts, and the magic item for lighting emits a white light.
　Tina!　Tina!　Cole's voice said.
　I rushed to the door and opened it to find a pale faced Cole standing in the hallway.

'Tina!　We need to get out of here, now!
Cole, why?
I'm trying to explain...

　Suddenly, Cole collapsed.
　Blood spreads to the floor.
　The blood flowed from Cole's head.
　Hee, hee, Tina repeated her shallow breathing.
　I don't understand.
　I can't keep up with it.
　Cole is lying on the floor with blood pouring from his head.
　Has someone attacked him?
　If so, who attacked Cole?

"...my lady.
Sebas!　Please call a doctor!

　Oh, what a fool I am, Tina ordered Sebas as he stood in the hallway, poisoning his chest.
　There was a popping, popping sound like a raindrop.

'Sebas!　Can't you listen to my orders!
....

　Sebas is silent.
　His attitude is frustrating.
　I know.
　The truth is, I know.
　No matter how hysterically I try to command him, he just won't budge.

"Come, miss," he says. I don't want to be rough with you, sir.

　Sebas lifted the blood-soaked blunt object and smiled thinly.



　Tina was surrounded by maids and led to the basement.
　
　There is a sly, sly sound.
　It's the sound of Sebas grabbing Cole's motionless collar and dragging him along.
　Magic items for lighting were even set up in the basement.
　A long passage led to an open space.
　×There was an x-shaped crucifixion table and a man was bound.
　His face was doubled in size, his upper body was torn to shreds, and all of his nails had been removed.

Oh, Uncle!

　Tina tried to run to the crucifixion, but was blocked by the maid.
　As Sebas made it to the center of the room, he let go of Cole and slowly turned around.

'Don't worry. He's still alive.

　A geeky sound came from behind them.
　One of the maids closed the door.

'Sebas, what are you going to do to me?'
Nothing.

　Sebas replied flatly.

'Only, you will bear a child. A child of the Viscount Sheratan and a nobleman of commensurate rank, a child of two noble bloods.''

　Sebas said matter-of-factly. His tone of voice stirred anxiety.

'If you're a child, you don't need Sebas to tell you that.
You're in my way.

　Sebas pulled his chin back as he glared at Tina,.

I stand corrected, miss. You don't need a moving limb to bear a child. Rest assured. We don't mean to cut off the limb. I just mean to sever the tendons. Oh, and you won't need to use your voice. I'll have the throat-crushing agent mixed up later.

　No eyes, no ears, no need, Sebas continued.
　At that moment, Reid, who had been crucified, screamed like an animal.
　Blood bubbles gurgled and flooded out of him.
　Flesh was gouged out and blood splattered with every movement of the limb.

'How vile. So he's just a man who couldn't take over the family business?
Why do you want to kill your uncle?

　Sebas let out a slow breath.

'This man seemed to think he was protecting the young lady. I don't know what he was trying to protect her from, though.'
Oh, Uncle.

　Tina knelt in place.
　Her uncle had been protecting her from Sebas.
　It must have been to keep the maids out of the house and to keep Sebas from gaining more allies.

'Sebas, why?　What has happened to you?
Well yes.

　Sebas pressed a hand over his mouth as if in thought and began to tell the story of his life.

*

　Sebas was born the younger brother of the previous head of the family.
　However, he is only half blood related.
　Sebas was the half-brother of the previous head of the family the son of Tina's great-grandfather and a servant.
　A lord can mess with a servant.
　A servant could impregnate the lord's child.
　Whether to abort it or to have it born is determined by the lord's three breasts.
　If born, the child would often be highly educated to be an excellent assistant to the lord, but Sebas was different.
　His great-grandfather did not recognize Sebas as his son, and he did not even allow him to mention that he was of the Viscount Sheratan bloodline.
　He treated him only as a servant.
　Still, Sebas believed that his father loved him.
　Until he was chastised in this crypt.
　His great-grandfather chastised Sebas at every turn.
　By the time he was ten years old, Sebas had come to the truth.
　He said that he was unloved because he had the blood of a lowly commoner in his veins.
　From then on, Sebas began to act as a loyal servant, but the unreasonableness never ceased.
　When he joined the war as his grandfather's squire, he was deprived of his military honors and his first love was his grandfather's wife.
　Sebas attributed the unreasonableness that had befallen him to the blood of a lowly commoner.
　If he hadn't thought that way, he wouldn't have been able to bear it.
　Sebas experienced such unreasonableness countless times and developed his own ideas.
　Humans are divided into two categories: noble and lowly bloodlines, and those born into lowly bloodlines must serve those born into noble bloodlines.
　It was a belief in bloodlines.
　Sebas acted as a loyal follower even after Tina's father became a lord.
　Until an incident occurred.
　Tina's father had tried to run the estate for the benefit of the lords.
　That was unacceptable to Sebas.
　He knew that the commoners would consider it their right if they received alms, and would forget the fact that they received alms over time.
　Then an incident occurs.
　Tina's father began to want to discuss the management of the estate with Crono.
　The head of the Viscount Sheratan family discusses it with the son of an upstart.
　It was not an acceptable thing to do.
　Sebas had made careful preparations and killed Tina's father.
　To his relief, Tina now decided to use the former Viscount Hamal as her backbone.
　The former Viscount Hamal had to be dealt with as well.
　For Sebas, the Hamal barons who had succumbed to the son of an upstart were no longer a noble bloodline.



You're crazy. You're crazy!

　Tina screamed, but Sebas didn't seem to feel anything.
　Sebas is broken.
　Viscount Sheratan had broken Sebas.

'First, let's cut the tendons in his right arm.

　Just as Sebas stepped out, the door to the basement blew open.
　The door repelled half of the maids surrounding Tina and slammed into the wall.

'Just when you thought no one would come for you, it's a shura!

　The one who blew the door to the basement.......Faye slowly walked up to Tina.

''Mm, Lord Sebas. Why are you doing this?
For the sake of the precious bloodline. I am...

　Sebas uttered the same story as before.

So that's why.
I'm afraid it doesn't really matter, does it?

　Sebas's face twitched.

'Ki, kisa, ko, this........!

　Sebas pointed at Faye and crunched his mouth.
　He didn't expect to be denied his entire life this straight away.

''This, kill this woman!''

　Sebas shouted hysterically, and the maids who were safe drew their daggers in unison.

''The maids here are former assassins of the 'Arm of Death'!

　The maids muttered something.
　Then the maids' figures disappeared as if they were melting into the air.

''.........Mmmm, it's the 'Open Yang Corridor', isn't it?''

　Faye touched the hilt of her sword and let her gaze wander.
　Something is moving.
　It's probably a maid who has disappeared and is trying to thrust her blade at Faye.
　Faye swings the sword, still in its sheath, into empty space.
　There was a dull sound and the sword stopped in mid-air.
　The space shook and the maid appeared.

''If you show her where she disappears, the effect of the 'Open Yang Corridor' will be halved. It is not very effective even against opponents who can read your presence.

　There was a dull thud with each random swing of Faye's sword, and the maids appeared.
　The maids were wiped out in less than a minute.

''Ko, ko, this is ridiculous!　Get up and get up!　Get up and fight!

　Sebas scolded the maids as they fell to the floor, but no one could get up.

'Now, I am going to give up.
Contemplation?　Fu, hahahahahaha!

　Sebas was laughing like a madman.
　He was laughing and crying.
　And then blood gushed out.
　Sebas slit his own throat with the blade in his hand.



　A few days later, Tina was staring at Faye and Cole as they prepared to leave in the garden of the mansion.
　Her uncle is with them.
　Her uncle had been severely tortured, but thanks to Faye's divine art, he had recovered to the point of being able to walk.
　According to the doctor's assessment, though, he wouldn't be able to give up his cane for a while.
　Sebas is dead.
　The maids in the basement also took poison and committed suicide.
　The only people left in the mansion are those who have served for a long time.
　When Faye finished loading the Black King, she turned to Tina.

The message is from Mr. Chronosphere. He asks for your kind attention to the abolition of the toll tax and the introduction of the street market system.
Yes, I understand. By the way, Mr. Fay. Where did Master Crono see it all going?

　The messaging immediately after returning to the territory was at Crono's direction.
　Did Crono realize that Sebas was the culprit?

'Master Crono sent me to deal with every conceivable case. In other words, he had no foresight.
Oh, really?
　'I'm no match for you, sir, but one day,' said Tina, her heart pounding.
''Don't you have anything to say to me?''

　Cole said in a sultry tone.

'Thank you, Cole. Please set up shop when we have a stall system in place.'
Hmm, well, that's something.

　Cole scratched his head and got into the carriage.

'I'll see you later.'

　With that, Cole let the carriage move forward.
　Tina stayed where she was until Faye and Cole were out of sight.
　When she looked to the side, her uncle turned away awkwardly.