*

　Late January, 43rd year of the imperial calendar--what's 'still okay', you're kidding me!　And McQueen runs with venom in his chest.
　The streets are deserted.
　The Twelfth Street area doesn't begin to come alive until later in the evening.
　It doesn't feel strange.
　It's stranger that the entertainment district is bustling with activity in the middle of the day.
　At least that's how McQueen feels.
　Shit, shit, why, why do I have to do this to myself!　I was just doing my job!　I moved my feet frantically.
　McQueen is a member of Nicole's gang.
　His main job is to collect money for shobas from the streetwalkers who take customers in Nicole's territory.
　Some of them don't want to pay their dues, but when they do, I just wave a knife at them.
　If they don't pay, they use a knife.
　Of course, when you use a knife, you choose who you're going to use it on.
　If he has the wherewithal to make money, we show him that we are serious.
　We kill streetwalkers who don't seem to be able to earn their money.
　We kill them right in front of them or show them a thoroughly destroyed corpse.
　If they still don't like it, we have no choice but to kill them, but if it's too much, they'll be deemed incompetent enough to collect shobha money, or a freak who enjoys killing.
　So McQueen thinks about the reactions of those around him, but the newcomers don't know that.
　Not only does he not know how to use violence, but some of them even try to get him to work as a streetwalker in the gang's brothel.
　They don't think they're in trouble and can't stay in the brothel anymore.
　The number of members of Nicole's gang has been increasing since the mausoleum was completed.
　But there are only a handful, or maybe a handful, that can earn their own food.
　My earnings are used to feed the incompetent newcomers.
　It makes me feel stupid to work when I think about it.
　However, I can't skip work.
　I was working diligently, but the beast guards found me.
　I was taken aback, as I had heard it was okay for today.
　I was twice as surprised when they prodded me with a bribe.
　I had no choice but to run away, but the guards chased after me.
　And yet, they didn't try to catch him.
　No matter how much armor they wear, they only chase after you from a certain distance, even though they should be able to catch you easily with the physical ability of a beastman.
　Have you given up?　He looked behind him over his shoulder.
　Then, there was a group of beastmen wearing armor.
　The number of them seemed to be increasing somehow.
　Screw them, I'll definitely get away with it, he vowed to himself.
　I know all about the Twelfth Street District, even the back alleys.
　
　Okay, I'm going to run into that alley, McQueen kicked the earth with force.
　Just then, a black panther beastman came out of the alley he was trying to escape from.
　He stopped in a hurry.
　That would have been a bad idea.
　I had to fall on my butt in a haphazard manner.
　He tried to pull out his knife, but the beastman was quicker to thrust the tip of his spear at McQueen's throat.

'All right!　I won't run anymore!

　McQueen held up his hands to show that he had no intention of resisting.
　The beastman who came from behind dragged McQueen to the ground and tied his wrists up.

'This is Edge, we have secured our target.' (Grul)

　



'This is Edge, we have the target.' (Grull)
Target secure!

　As Edge's voice came from the communication magic item, the elven woman in the stuffing room - the second floor of the stuffing room, to be exact - recited the communication.
　The elf woman is sitting at one of the desks by the wall on three sides.
　On the table are maps and communication magic items.
　In the center of the table is a table with a map of the Twelfth District spread out on it.
　
　There are five members: one commander, three in charge of communications, and one assistant.
　However, with the exception of the commander, the members change at regular intervals.
　Crono divided his subordinates into three groups and set up shifts in order to provide security for twenty-four hours a day, but it's a heavy burden to work without a break.
　So they decided to divide the group into four teams and take turns being in charge of the security and stuffing station.
　Crono stands near the door and carefully observes the situation in the communications command center.
　So far, it seems to be working well.
　Looking at the center of the room, Leila stared at the map spread out on the table with a mindlessly nervous look on her face.
　One red piece and three black pieces were placed on the map.
　The red pieces indicated the perpetrator in pursuit and the black pieces indicated the security team.

'Oka, not, Leila Centurion, we've got our target.
I understand. Move the pieces off the map.

　As Snow, the assistant, reported, Leila gave her instructions in a matter-of-fact manner.

'Move the pieces.'

　Snow moved the red piece that was on the map off the map.

'Leila, how do you like your new security methods?'
"...We've tested one of the criminals swimming in the water, and there were no problems.

　Crono asked, and Leila answered after a short pause.

'So far, I guess?'
'Yes, I think it's more about how the other two feel than it is about me.

　I see, Crono nodded.
　Leila, who was from the Imperial Capital, could make up for the deficiencies in the communications command center with her knowledge and experience, but that was not the case for Shiro and Hiilo, who were not from the Imperial Capital.

Master Crono, are you sure you're ready?
Have you made a new magic item for communication?

　Yes, Leila gave a small nod.
　The communication command center's communication magic items were made by Eril.
　It's cheaper than buying them through the Pix Chamber of Commerce, but they cost a good deal more.

''Hmm, I didn't make it for use in the imperial capital, I just made it for test operation in the imperial capital, so you can rest assured.
'To be introduced to the Marquess of Erakis and the Count of Caddo, sir?
That's part of it, though.

　Crono smiled bitterly.
　Of course, if I can get good results in the imperial capital, I'm going to use it in my own territory.......

''My apologies. Please forgive me for asking such an intrusive question.''
No, I think it's an obvious question.

　Leila must have decided that it wasn't something she wanted to talk about here.
　The experiment has just begun.
　First we have to find out how useful the communications command center is.

'Well, I'm glad to see that the command center works. It's nerve-racking to try something new, just as it was when we built the magic item for very long-distance communication.

　Crono patted his chest.

'Then why don't you go back to the mansion once?
Leila, I need your ear.

　When Crono beckoned to her, Leila gently put her ear to the ground.

''Do you look so sleepy?''
Yes, very much.

　Leila replied briefly and moved away from Crono.
　In order to meet Count Piske's request, she completed the handover in the night and morning rush to the chief of guards of the Twelfth Street District.
　He looked annoyed, but he didn't want to be forced to just vacate the filling station without taking over.
　The guards had a similar reaction.
　I felt sorry when I saw the guard's face turn pale, but it was to meet Count Piske's request.
　It can't be helped.

''........Where's Leila?''
I'm fine.

　Leila's eyes narrowed as she smiled, perhaps to reassure Crono.

''If you have any problems, call me immediately. Ah~ Is the magic item I always use for communication out of range?　If you're out of range, run a message.......and then record it!　And don't forget the statement.
I understand.

　Leila let out a creeping laugh.

*

　A week later--the communications command center was functioning without any major trouble.
　Perhaps thanks to Leila's suggestion to divide the Twelfth Street District into three blocks to prevent security bias, there were no criminals that had been missed at the moment.
　Considering that half of his subordinates were beastmen and that White and Hiilo had spared no effort to grasp the geography of the imperial capital, it was hard to be optimistic.
　Regardless, the Thirteenth Konoe Guards performed their security smoothly and diligently.
　If there's a problem with that it's that

'Unbelievable!　I can't believe we're letting a criminal we just caught go!
It's the War Office that makes the arrests, then the Bureau of Military Affairs that does the rest.

　Crono said hoarsely, and Rio said with a sigh.

'Third time, third time!　I got that McQueen guy!

　If every time they caught him, he was released, it would be a dream come true to restore security.
　You can't go up to the castle and protest to the book office, but they won't take you up on it.

''Crono, could you lower your voice a little more?　I'm trying not to be heard, though.

　
　The fact that they seem to be shouting loudly but can't hear their voices means that it's unnatural to the contrary.
　Crono guffaws at the desire to argue.

''Why do you think they're letting him go?''
It's not much of a crime to begin with. You just have to pay the fine and be done with it.

　Rio cowered his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.
　Apparently, the Cepheus Empire doesn't have the idea of cutting off the funding source of a criminal organization.
　Maybe they think that if something goes wrong, they can just bring in the army.

''What if they can't pay the fine?''
Forced labor in the mines and stuff. Well, it seems like a lot of people die before they get out of jail.
If you can't pay the fine, you're screwed.

　I just stole a loaf of bread to end my life because I was too hungry.

"...'Oh, heartless'?
You're very good at that.

　Rio chuckled.

'But then again, how is money the answer?'
"A bad law is a law.
'I don't know if it carries any weight or not when Rio says it.
What do you mean by that?

　Rio tilted his head cutely.

'I don't care if you're being punished according to a bad law, you're abusing it.
'Crono, it's not a crime to kill your opponent in a duel, is it?　There was too much of a gap between us, though, and it was a one-sided race.
Where's your manservant?
Oh, I said I fed the beast, I didn't say I killed it.

　Rio smiled, but his eyes were not smiling.

'What's the real story?'
'Is Crono a cat?'

　Do you want to die?　I felt like I was being told.

...Um, Mr. Rio?　In case you're wondering, am I Mr. Rio's lover?
I'm going to miss my boyfriend because he's prioritizing his work, don't you think?
Yes, I will make time for you.

　After all, it seems that Rio's personal life takes priority.
　Well, otherwise he wouldn't have been neglecting his work for more than ten months.

To return to the topic at hand, what are you going to do about the security?　As it is, it's like drawing water from a bottomless tub.
We're paying the fine and we'll keep catching them until they make a sound.

　Thoroughly desperate, Crono clenched his fists.

*

　A week later, in the dining room of Crawford House.

It didn't work.

　Crono plopped down on the table.

'I don't understand why you're saying that all of a sudden.
The criminals we caught were getting released one after the other, so we had to make a lot of noise while we compared ourselves with the criminal organizations.
Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out.

　Crono explained, and after a moment's pause, his adoptive father, seated face-to-face, said

'Do you have any solutions?'
Why don't you just go ahead and rampage until the big boss comes out?

　My foster father said, as he should.

'When I was young, there was an attempt on my life. I was returning assassins from one side to the other, and the mastermind came out. And then.... during the civil war, when they were licking their chops, I just kept on tightening up the right guy and that's how I got to the mastermind.
Well, it's a novel solution.

　'Yes,' his adopted father nodded with satisfaction.
　No.
　He had the wrong people to talk to.

'Who are those people?'
The one who tried to kill me was saying some incomprehensible things and I cut him down. The guy who screwed it up died on the battlefield.
The dead man on the battlefield, was he hit by a stray arrow?
Yeah, that's just bad luck, isn't it?

　Crono asked fearfully, and his foster father said in a low voice.
　He smiled, so the possibility that it was an accident was infinitesimally small.

'Um, well, wasn't the one who was trying to kill you trying to beat you to death?
You tried to kill me, and you can't even hit me, for f*ck's sake. Once a man betrays you, he betrays you twice, and once a man tries to kill you, he tries to kill you when he sees fit.

　Apparently, the word "tolerance" is not in my adopted father's dictionary.
　I don't know if I should be able to push through so far, but I'm reminded of my own lukewarmness when I said I was thorough.

'Sir, I'm afraid I'm being impertinent, but I thought times were different than when you were young.

　When did it come?
　Myra placed the incense tea in front of Crono and his adopted father.

'So it's limited to your father, not us?'
'Master Crono, am I still young?

　Crono said as he tipped his cup, and Myra said, in a nonchalant tone, "We're not going to change, are we?

'Times change, but people don't change, do they?
'Excuse me!　We've got a visitor!

　Just as her adoptive father smiled cynically, Johnny walked into the dining room.
　Myra put her hand on Johnny's shoulder.

'Sir, this is the time,'
What are you talking about?

　Johnny didn't seem to understand the situation.
　His adoptive father looked at Johnny and let out a deep sigh.

''It's ... times.''
Yes, it's time.

　My foster father and Myra muttered sincerely.
　'I'm not sure, but Johnny seems to embody a new era.


I threw it as fast as I could.

　Johnny said with an embarrassed look.
　Out of the corner of my eye I saw a young man dressed in a white military uniform sitting on a seat that no one had been sitting on earlier.
　He held a dagger between his forefinger and middle finger.
　Apparently, the young man had caught the dagger Johnny had thrown to him.
　He looks to be only in his late teens, but he seems to have skills worthy of a Kingsguard Knight.

''Are you a demon for trying to kill someone all of a sudden, you?''
Entering someone's house without permission is the same as burglary. It's not right to complain about it.

　The young man put his dagger on the table and stared at Johnny with accusing eyes.
　But Johnny said back flatly.

''........you've got some good nerve, don't you?
Mr. Claude, it's been a long time.

　The young man said in a tone of voice as if he were dealing with an old friend.

'Father, do you know each other?'
Yeah, during the civil war. This guy tried to assassinate a guy in Ramal. Four of us had to chase him off, but I guess they let us off the hook, huh?

　With Dad and Myra in their prime?　And Crono looked at the young man.

'How old are you?'
I think he's over 50, sir.

　'Hmm,' nodded Crono.

'You're not surprised?'
Well, it's not exactly a surprise.

　Myra is over sixty years old, and the priest is much older.

'I'm sorry for breaking off the conversation. Please continue.
He's really reckless.

　The young man cleared his throat with a cough.

''........Claude-san underestimates himself too much. Mr. Claude was really strong at that time. If we had fought each other like that, I would have been the one who lost.
I'm glad you did. Did you come to settle this case?
'You can't beat me now, Claude. I'm sure you've noticed that yourself.
Do you want to try it?

　Just as his adoptive father smiled ferociously, he heard the sound of clattering footsteps.

''Ta-da!　Don't go in there without permission!

　The Lord of Footsteps...............................Verna walked up to the young man and shook her fist as hard as she could.

''Ouch!''
'What's the pain?　You bastard!

　Verna poked the young man repeatedly.

''...........era?''

　His adoptive father muttered with a faraway look in his eyes.

*

I have come to consult with the Marquis of Erakis on an urgent matter.

　The assassin, who had more than evenly matched his adopted fathers in his prime, said as he sat upright on the floor of the dining room.
　Verna looked down at the young man with an irritated look.

''I'm Neige Hee, head of the Sixth Order of the Kingsguard........''
Knight Commander of the Kingsguard?

　The young man........Neige couldn't say his name until the end because Verna interrupted him.

''Huh?　Didn't I tell you?
I didn't say that!　When I first met you, you said you were an instructor at the training camp, and you even went by the name Ash Kilmer until now!
It's a lie.
I know!

　Verna shouted.

'What's today for?'
I have heard that the Marquis of Erakis is not happy with the Bureau's handling of the situation and I thought I might be able to help you.

　

''No, I want to avoid any trouble, but my subordinates........oh, not the subordinates of the Sixth Konoe Order. It's the men and their children from the Arm of Death era.
'Wait a minute!　You said the 'Arm of Death' was gone, didn't you!
'It's just that I've been quartered and can't work together anymore. My 'arm of death' is alive and well.
"Oh, my God, I'm so sick of this!

　Verna burbled and shook her fists as Neige explained.

'Anyway, my subordinates have a strong work ethic.......is this another era?

　Neige muttered sincerely.
　His foster father and Myra looked reluctant.

'It's nice of you to cooperate, but what good is it to you guys?'
My men report that the Bureau's officials have been taking bribes from criminal organizations.

　I see, Crono nodded.
　No wonder they caught him, he should be released sooner or later.
　At this rate, I doubt he's paying the fine.

'The post will be vacant once the officials involved in the corruption are gone, won't it?
You mean you want me to take on a grudge role to avoid any trouble?
Simply put, that's all. The Marquis of Erakis will do well and we will take the vacant post. Of course, I hope to have a long-lasting relationship with you.

　What do you think?　And Neige looked up at Crono.

'Write a stroke, please.'
...Yes?
So I need you to write one for me. Under your name and that of your staff.
'Um, I think we should communicate verbally about these things, don't you?
No. Please write a stroke.

　Crono kicked off Neige's suggestion.
　It wasn't the story of his adopted father just now, but there was no way he could trust someone who would try to bring others down for profit.

''........Can I discuss this with my subordinate?''
Come in.

　Neige let out a deep sigh and stood up.

'By the way, what are you really after?'
'I just thought I'd make sure that whatever happens in the future is okay. You've used your men for your own purposes, and I don't know what you're talking about.

　Neige chuckled.

'Is that your purpose?'
'I wanted to know. Why could someone who was so close to death smile in relief?

　Surely the person wanted to die.
　
　But Neige didn't even understand such a thing.
　Probably because he had been purely cultured as an assassin.

''Well then, if you'll excuse me.
See you later, Mr. Crono.

　Neige bowed lightly, Verna raised her hand lightly and walked out of the dining room.

*

　A few days later, Crono was confronted with an official of the Shoujo Bureau in the parlor of the ghost house.
　
　It's a copy of the statement taken at the filling station and a copy of the documents stored in the Shoujo Bureau.

'What do you want?　Money?
''I'm fine, I'm not in need of money. Well, I thought about prosecuting him, but I didn't want to send a man who worked for the Empire for decades to the execution table, and I didn't want him to kill himself like the former Marquis of Erakis.

　Crono leaned back against the back of the couch.
　The officials are busy moving their eyes.
　They may be trying to figure out a way to get out of this situation, but there is no such thing.

You'll save your life and honor if you resign your job?
....

　The official is silent.
　He hangs his head and bites his lip.

'I'm sure it's going to be a problem for your family.
Okay.

　The official said in a low, stifled voice.

'Thank you for talking so quickly.'
Do you mind if I go home now?
Yes, thank you.

　The official stood up and hobbled out of the parlor.
　Crono looked up at the heavens and let out a sigh.

''........It's a simple job of recommending the officials involved in the corruption to resign.

　Work is going well.
　It's not surprising.
　Given the choice between losing your life, honor and money, or resigning to save them, no one chooses the former.
　If that's the case, there's no need to go to the trouble of making things difficult.

''Well you said you'd take the vacant post.

　Just because the person who was in that position is gone doesn't mean that Neige's subordinates will be able to take that position.
　It would mean that they are in a position where they can target the vacant post.
　The current state of the Empire with the former members of the assassination group infiltrating it is horrible, but it's also horrible that they thought it was worth using.

'Is it too soon?'

　Crono let out a sigh once more.