*

　Early February, 43rd year of the imperial calendar - by the time she thought it was bad, it was too late.
　Gina was pushed off her ass by the man.
　She moaned softly at the dull pain crawling up from her lower abdomen.
　The man had a surprised look on his face.
　He was followed by a streetwalker in the dark of the Twelfth Ward, and the alcohol had gotten the better of him.
　It wasn't an unusual story.
　Rather, it's more unusual for him to push the street prostitute away and look surprised.
　Gina chuckled inwardly.
　The sucker came to me when I was in trouble for running out of money.
　Now we can get money for lodging.

''...Oh, that hurts.''

　Then I press down on my lower abdomen.
　It hurts, yes, but it's half an act.
　He figured that if he showed them it hurt, they would pay him.
　Normally, it bleeds on its own, but not at a critical moment, he spat in his mind.
　It's a shame, because if you bleed, you have a better chance of getting the money.

''........What are you doing?''

　Just as Gina was about to open her mouth, an interesting voice sounded.
　The owner of the voice was a female soldier a silver-haired elf.
　Is it a half-elf?
　She was dressed in black military uniform and accompanied by an armor-clad beastman.
　He's a soldier who was recently assigned to guard the Twelfth Street District.
　Don't just come out of the woodwork even though it's a great opportunity," such a line rises to your throat.
　It was in late January that the guards of the twelfth block were replaced.
　It seems to be the thirteenth Kingsguard, after all.
　The reputation of these men is not bad.
　They don't take bribes and catch criminals fairly.
　But they don't like Gina.
　No matter how trivial the matter they would get involved in any quarrel.
　A mere quarrel is enough to get you detained and questioned about the details.
　They don't care that they will be earning that little.
　The Twelfth Street has its own rules.
　And yet, people from other places are imposing their own rules on us.
　Gina didn't like that.

''What are you doing?''
...actually.

　When the silver-haired elf asked again, the man explained the situation with obvious relief.
　He was walking around with a drink when he was approached and was so persistent that he couldn't resist.
　He figured it would be less damaging to be honest with him.

''I see....

　The silver-haired elf raised his eyebrows in difficulty.
　He couldn't decide whether he should be taken to the stuffing station or end it with a stern warning.
　If it was the former, there was a good chance that Gina would be taken away as well.
　Then we won't be making any money.

'I'm not injured!　Get the hell out of here!

　As he said this, the silver-haired elf called out a couple of words, and the man rolled his back and walked away from the scene.

'Are you alright?'
Yeah, I just hit my ass.

　The silver-haired elf reached out to her as if he cared, but Gina stood up on her own.
　She thought about brushing her hand away, but it was the guards she was dealing with.
　I have no choice but to express my dissatisfaction by not helping them.
　Still, I don't like the woman.
　Despite being a subhuman, her hair is shiny and she's dressed in a clean outfit.
　She must be using perfume or perfume.
　You can even smell the lavender scent.

What are you looking at?
Are you Gina, by any chance?

　Gina said hoarsely, and the silver-haired elf sounded unsure.
　Suddenly she remembered someone, but the person she remembered and the silver-haired elf didn't match up.
　That woman was dressed in a dingy outfit and had a gloomy look on her face.

''Is it.......Leila?''
Yes,

　The silver-haired elf ... no, the half-elf Leila nodded.
　She wasn't in the mood to celebrate their reunion after a long time.
　On the contrary, I'm feeling angry.
　This one is in such a state that we can't even afford to pay for today's lodging, but Leila is smelling like lavender.
　It's a good thing that you've joined the army and seduced a foolish nobleman.
　It's not a bad idea to have a good time with the company, but if you're dealing with a fool like that, you won't have much trouble.
　I'm not liking it any more.
　I didn't like the beautiful outfit, the lustrous hair, the pitying look, or anything else.
　How much difference could it make to us who had grown up in the same slum?
　If there was a difference, it was only luck.
　He looked at Gina with a pitying look, even though she was just lucky.
　No, he's looking down on her.

'....Gina, here...'

　Leila grabbed Gina's wrist and placed two silver coins on her hand.
　What the hell is this?　I don't need to ask the question.
　Almsgiving.
　I can give you two pieces of silver.
　それだけの立場にあるのだと言いたいのだろう。
　この銀貨を叩き返せればどんなに気持ち良いだろう。
　だが、銀貨を叩き返したら宿を追い出される。
　そうなれば凍死する確率が上がる。
　強盗に襲われる確率も上がる。
　プライドよりも金を取るしかない。

「あ、ありがとう」
「……いえ」

　震える声で礼を言うと、レイラは小さく頭を振った。
　腸が煮えくりかえるとはこのことか。
　見下し、勝ち誇り、プライドまで踏み付けた。

「では、失礼します」

　レイラはジーナの横を通り過ぎた。
　唇を噛み締める。
　鉄臭い味が口に広がる。
　血の味ではない。
　敗北の味だった。

※

　二日後、ジーナは十二街区を歩いていた。
　太陽は大きく傾いている。
　普段は陽が沈んでしばらくしてから動き出す。
　暗がりならば多少は外見を誤魔化せるし、酔っ払って判断力を低下させている男に買って貰えるかも知れない。
　もっとも、後者はあまり期待できない。
　十二街区の酒場では女給が娼婦を兼ねているからだ。
　こんな時間に十二街区を歩いているのはレイラを探すためだった。
　貰った銀貨は手元にない。
　宿代を払った後、酒場に繰り出したせいだった。
　むしゃくしゃして酒に頼らざるを得なかったのだ。
　久しぶりに飲んだ酒は美味かった。
　気分が良かったので、意気投合した男に酒を奢ってやった。
　ただでやらせてやろうと思ったのだが、下腹部の痛みが酷くて断念せざるを得なかった。

「……施しのつもりならもっと寄越せってんだ」

　ジーナは小さく吐き捨て、口角を吊り上げた。
　レイラにとって銀貨二枚は大した出費ではない。
　余裕がなければ他人に施そうという発想は出てこないし、自分を犠牲にして他人に施しをするヤツなどいない。
　少なくともジーナはそう考える。
　しばらくしてレイラを見つけた。
　そこは四つの街区を隔てる十字路だった。
　大声で名前を呼ぼうとしたが、できなかった。
　レイラは男に付き従っていた。
　マントを羽織った男だ。
　His face is innocent, but a large scar runs down the length of his right eye.
　I bite my lip.
　They laugh ticklishly.
　It turns out that their relationship is not based on interest, but on affection.
　Gina spun on her heel and started to run.
　A dull ache crawled up from her lower abdomen.
　Passersby give her strange looks.
　But she didn't care and kept moving her feet.
　He collapsed into the narrow alleyway and repeated his ragged breathing.
　d*mn it, d*mn it!　And hit the ground.
　Why is Leila happy when she's fallen so far down in the world?
　It's too unfair when you've crawled to the bottom and experienced the same misery.
　Oh, so that's how it is, Gina sneered.
　Leila hadn't taught her how to live her life.
　Even if he did, he's distorting the facts to suit himself.
　What would happen if that man found out about Leila's past?
　I don't even have to think about it.
　Of course he would abandon Leila.

''........It's boring to simply teach, isn't it?

　What if I threatened to spill the beans to that guy?
　I'm sure he'll beg you to keep your mouth shut.
　I'm going to squeeze as much out of him as I can out of him and expose him.
　I'll mess it up and remind you of what you are.
　Gina looked up to the heavens and laughed like a madwoman.



　Leila finished bathing in the hot water and eating and left the mansion with Crono.
　Their destination is the base of Nicole's group in the west of the Twelfth Ward.
　Although the officials involved in corruption were expelled from the Book Office and illegal gambling was legalized in order to secure a budget for the relief of the poor, Crono still has many things to do.
　He reports to Count Piske, attends meetings of the guard captain, and goes to show his face.
　Crono makes up a suitable reason to go and show his face.
　At first I wondered if it was necessary to go that far, but considering that Nicola from the Pix Chamber of Commerce was doing the same thing, it would be necessary to see each other frequently to foster trust.
　If Crono was busy, then Leila, the next in line, would be busy as well.
　No, I should say that I've added the task of accompanying Crono myself.
　I stepped into the Twelfth Street District and after a while I felt a gaze.
　I moved my gaze only to check my surroundings.
　Then he found Gina hiding behind a building.
　Gina was smiling, wondering what she was thinking about.
　I have a bad feeling about this.
　No, it was close to a sure thing.

'What's wrong?'
''I'm sorry Crono-sama, I'm sorry. I just remembered something. I'll catch up with you in a moment, so would you please go ahead?

　Crono's eyes widened lightly and he made a pretense of thinking.
　Had I done something to make him suspicious?
　His heart beat faster.

''All right. I'm just going to show my face to Nicole's group, so if it's going to take too long, go back first.'
I'm sorry, sir.

　Crono turned away.
　Leila patted her chest as she watched her back move away.
　I looked at Gina and she motioned with her finger for me to come over here.
　I had no choice but to follow her and found myself in a back alley.
　It was dimly lit, even though it was still noon, and I could feel the buildings closing in on me from both sides.
　Not only that, but the stench of vomit, excrement and decomposition mixed with the smell of vomit, excrement and decay was in the air.
　Frankly, I don't want to linger.
　Gina turned to Leila as she advanced to the middle of the back alley.

''...Gina, what do you want?''
You have an idea of what that is, don't you?

　Gina gave a disgusting smile.

'I have no idea,'
'Ha, that's clever. Well, I'll tell you.

　Gina's face contorted ugly.
　Of course, I know what they're going to say.
　She was trying to beg for money.
　But I wasn't going to go at their pace.

"I've run out of silver. "I've run out of silver, so I thought I'd ask the sweet lady to do me a favor.
....

　Leila stared at Gina.
　But it wasn't anger or hatred in her chest; it was sadness.
　How had we become like this?
　What had distorted Gina?
　No, I know.
　Our paths parted when we refused Gina's offer, and the harsh experience had changed her.

'I can't give you the money,'
What are you talking about?　You're a nobleman's mistress, aren't you!
"I did not receive any money from her.

　Leila withheld Crono's name.
　'You'll find out if you look it up, but there's no reason for me to bother telling you.

'Well, I'll take it that way, then. But you've got the money, right?
I'm not going to answer that. Goodbye, Gina. Please don't come in front of me again.

　Leila turned on her heel.
　I know it's a cold-hearted response, but if you give them money that doesn't make sense, they'll follow you around endlessly.
　I shouldn't have given him the silver.

''Haha, how can you say that when you see this?''
....

　I stopped and looked behind me over my shoulder.
　Then Gina took out a flimsy cloth.
　It seemed to be wrapped in a stick-like object.
　When she unwrapped the cloth, it revealed a knife smeared in mud.
　His whole body was in a general furry state and he turned to Gina.

'Doesn't that look familiar?'
Well, no way.

　My heart leaps.
　It can't be.
　I buried that thing with my mother's body.
　Now, to see it.

Did you expose the graves?

　Leila shouted hoarsely.
　Her vision flickered.
　It was almost a miracle she hadn't pulled out her dagger and slit Gina's throat.

'You killed her, didn't you?'
No!

　I shout reflexively.

'I know, okay?　Your mother's not getting any customers. Her belly was hard as a stone. You had to feed your sick mother.

　Gina said as she fiddled with the knife.

'She's a scary woman. I always thought she was a cold-hearted woman, but I didn't expect her to kill her mother to save herself the burden.'
No, no, no!

　Leila covered her ears and tried desperately to deny it.
　No, I didn't.
　I didn't really kill her.
　It was true that my mother was no longer able to get customers.
　It was a heavy burden to bear, that's for sure.

'Who would believe such a thing!
No!

　'No, no,' Leila repeated.

'I hope the nobles surrounding you believe it, too?
...Oh, he's...

　They will believe you.
　They'll believe it.
　But will they really believe it?
　It will break. It would destroy my happiness.
　The moment she was aware of this, Leila was vomiting.
　My stomach is about to turn over.
　Leila looked at Gina with her tear-stained vision.

'Well you know what to do, don't you?'

　Gina's voice was kind.
　Surely the demon would whisper to her like this.

*

A-ha-ha, dry run!

　As Gina raised her wooden mug high, the two men seated face-to-face raised their mugs in a reserved manner.
　It was only a few minutes ago that I met the two men.
　I didn't know their names or their identities.
　One was a man of medium build with no distinctive features, and the other was a huge man with a stutter.
　The common denominator was that both men seemed to be in need of money.
　It is an appropriate race for a bar at the end of the day.

Thanks.
Oh, boy, am I glad to see you.
It's okay, it's just that I was lonely.

　Gina nodded hawkishly and slurped her drink.
　She drank the barleywine (beer) to the middle of the bottle and took her mouth off the mug.
　The other day she would have preferred to drink the piss, but not today.
　It's so good, I can't help but smile.
　I gulp down the remaining half of the drink and lift the corners of my mouth even more.
　Leila's expression was great.
　Although I only managed to get five silver coins, just remembering that expression of despair on her face is enough to make an indescribable pleasure run through her entire body.
　I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing.
　I knew that Leila's mother was sick and couldn't take customers, but other than that, I put a kama.
　The knife that Layla mistakenly thought she dug out of the grave was also just a substitute for a suitably muddled one.
　Even if the knife was real, it doesn't prove that Leila killed her mother, so she should have just shut it out, but she admitted her guilt herself.
　She's an idiot.
　The stupidity of it is so endearing.

'Bring me another drink, or maybe three!

　Gina shouted, and the wench put three wooden mugs and the food on the table.
　She was an unsympathetic wench.
　Her face was covered in spotted spots and her style was not very good.
　Yet the man of medium build gave her a licking look.
　The man is looking at the buttocks unrepentantly even when the woman-maid leaves the table.
　I almost stuck my tongue out at him.
　It is a good thing that I bought the drinks for him, but he is using his eyes on the woman without gratitude.
　It's really not funny at all.

You're a little pent-up, aren't you?
Yeah.

　Gina said, leaning forward, and the man hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
　She may have thought she was mending things, but her gaze was glued to Gina's chest.
　The reaction made me squirm a little.

'I'll pull it out for you.
Are you sure?

　The man swallowed raw.

'Omo, omo,'
I'll take a second look at you. Of course you don't have to pay me.

　The giant man was sloppy and out of harmony.
　He looks weak, but he's a cute guy.

'You're a lucky man,' he said. 'You're lucky,' he said, 'but I used to work in a high-class whorehouse. You must have seen it at least once.　It's a place with a big sign.
Yeah, that's a good one.

　The man looked uncomfortable.
　Maybe he was already holding Gina in his head.

'I'll take the upstairs!
Take the front room.

　The owner, who was inside the counter, held up two fingers.
　He handed her the two coppers and the owner held out a candlestick.
　Gina borrowed a candle from the wall of the store and stuck it into the candlestick.
　She climbed the stairs with the man and opened the door to the room.
　There was only a cloth-covered bed and a wooden box in the room.
　As I placed the candelabra on the crate, the man rubbed up against it.

'I'll pull it out properly, don't be in a hurry.
Yeah.

　The man pulled away from Gina, breathing raggedly and repeatedly.
　Gina slowly took off her underwear to fuel the man's lust.
　As she did so, a sloshing sensation traveled down her thighs.
　A few moments later, there was a potty, potty sound.
　The sound of a man gasping for breath could be clearly heard.

''Are you........sick?''
I'm just a little banged up.
I'm going home.
You don't like blood?　Then I'll do it with my mouth.

　The man clicked his tongue in an abominable manner.
　His attitude made me angry.

'Who do you think you are?　I thought you were on the ball a moment ago!
You're kidding me!　I can't hold a sick person!

　Gina yelled at him, and the man yelled back in frustration.

I'm not sick!
Tell me!

　The man turned on his heel and left the room with a wild gait.

'You've got to be kidding me, you bastard!　If it's true, I'm not the kind of woman you can f*ck!

　Gina screamed out loud and sat there.
　Tears spilled out of her eyes.
　Miserable.
　Why did I have to be so miserable?
　Surely my happiness had been scraped out of me with my child.

'Ah, d*mn it!

　Suddenly, I remembered Leila and scratched my head.
　That guy must be in the arms of a nobleman right now.



　When I looked up, I saw the huge man staring at me from the hallway.
　Haha, Gina laughed without effort.
　I had to laugh.
　Finally, I realized.
　I would never be able to float up again.
　Instead of floating up, it would only sink down.
　There were no more men who wanted to buy this body.

I'm going to let you have this body. Now drop your pants.

　The giant man approached with his hand on his pants.

''Well yes.''

　A good idea struck me.
　If we can't float up no matter how hard we scramble, let's sink Leila too.
　If we sink to the bottom, we'll be able to get along like we used to.

'Come to think of it, I haven't heard your name.
Oh, hands, Deke.

　Yeah," Gina sneered.



　Gina has been asking for money every two or three days.
　Two or three days is just an estimate.
　Sometimes it was the next day after I gave her the money that she asked for money.
　He might be satisfied if I give him enough money to get his life back on track.
　Although I thought such a thing was impossible, I had faint hopes.
　But by the time the number of silver coins I gave him exceeded twenty, I was convinced that Gina would never be satisfied.
　It seemed that Gina had no intention of rebuilding her life.
　The stains on her clothes were no longer noticeable, but instead she smelled of alcohol.
　The money I gave her must have disappeared to pay for the booze.
　But there was no way he could admonish her to change her life.
　ジーナの要求に応えている内に少しずつ感覚が鈍っていった。
　目に見えるものは鮮やかさを失い、音はくぐもって聞こえるようになった。
　何かを食べても砂を食んでいるように味気ない。
　思考も胡乱だった。
　どうして、こんなことになってしまったのか。
　どうすればこの状況から抜け出すことができるのか、と胡乱な思考で考える。
　それでも、表面上は何事もないように動けているようだった。
　スラムで襲われた時やエラキス侯爵に呼び出された時と一緒だ。
　心を切り離してしまえば殴られても、罵られても傷付かない。
　クロノに出会うまでそうやって生きてきたのだ。
　一人になった時に涙が零れることを除けば自己制御は完璧だった。

「……あ」

　レイラは財布の中身を確認し、小さく呟いた。
　財布の中には真鍮貨一枚すら入っていなかった。
　それで我に返ってしまった。
　クロノに言えば貸してくれるだろう。
　だが、そんなことをすれば何に使うのか聞き返されるに決まっている。

「……ああ、私は」

　レイラは喘いだ。
　金策をしようにも手は限られている。
　絶望感が押し寄せてくる。
　クロノの傍にいられなくなる。
　どうして、こんなことになってしまったのか。
　それは自分の過去をクロノに隠したせいだ。
　自分の過去に今の幸せを壊されてしまった。
　どうすればこの状況から抜け出せるのか。
　ああ、簡単だ。
　クロノに本当のことを打ち明ければ良いのだ。

「……クロノ様」

　レイラは我が身を掻き抱き、涙に濡れた声で呟いた。

※

　ジーナは一気に大麦酒を飲み干し、ジョッキをテーブルに叩き付けた。
　すると、対面に座っていたデクは怯えたように体を竦ませた。
　何もかも面白くなかった。
　あれほど絶望感に溢れた表情を見せてくれたのに今のレイラは人形のようだ。
　よくよく思い出してみれば昔からそういう所があった。
　抵抗しても無駄だと分かった途端、抵抗を止めるのだ。
　まるで人形だ。
　目の前にいるデクもそうだ。
　どいつも、こいつも気に入らない。
　この酒場も気に入らない。
　There's always a stench in the air and the tables are sticky.
　The booze is bad, the food is bad.
　It was really bad booze.
　It may have been diluted with water, but I can not get drunk at all.
　The female worker is also the worst.
　The woman's salary is also the worst.

It's the alcohol!　Bring me a drink quickly!

　Gina shouted, but the woman's paymaster was talking to another customer and didn't even look at us.

'I told you it's booze!'
What are you doing?

　The woman's paymaster raised his voice as he threw his mug at her.

'I said alcohol!　We're guests!
'I'm doing my job!　I can't be bothered with you all the time!
'Ha, you're just making eyes at the guy!
Oh, shit!

　The woman's wages start to hit him, but one of the customers pushes him away.
　His face turns red and his anger drops as he looks at her.

'You're a sick man, don't be a guest!
I'm not sick!
"If you're not sick, then what?　Rotten blood, or something that looks like flesh, scattered all over the place!　It stinks after you guys use the bed!　I don't want to be the one who's forced to clean up!

　The woman's wages said as she wound up.
　The customers buzzed.
　Some customers were even rushing out of the store.

I used to work in a whorehouse!　I'm not in the same league as you!
Now you're just a tramp!
You little shit!
Stop!

　Just as Gina was about to pounce on the female wage, the shopkeeper's angry voice rang out.

'I'm sorry, but you need to get the hell out of my shop.
I'm a customer!　Do you know how much money I've spent so far!

　The owner shook his head emphatically.

'I've certainly earned my money from you. I don't mind treating you as a customer if you're a bad customer, as long as you're willing to be quiet. But hey, if you're going to cause a problem, you need to leave.
Oh, no.　Do you think I'm a bad customer?

　The owner shook his head emphatically.

Even I can tell from your outfit that you're making a lot of money doing bad things.
This is money from someone I know!
It doesn't matter if I got it from someone I know or not. I just know that I'd be in trouble if I had anything to do with you. That's all I'm saying.

　Gina bit her lip.

'I don't want your money, just go home.
"...God d*mn it, remember that.

　Gina spat out a discarded line and ran out of the bar.
　After running for a while, I felt nauseous.
　I could run into the alleyway and splatter the vomit all over the place.

'Why?'

　I didn't know why I was getting myself into this mess.
　I thought they would take care of me if I had money, but they're treating me like I'm in the way.
　Why, why, Gina kept muttering.



　A pota, pota sound.
　When Gina woke up, she found herself in a room at a cheap inn.
　It was a shabby inn with just a dirty bed and a small tub.
　She sat up and looked in the direction of the noise to see Deke standing there, his upper body naked.
　Deku was holding something wrapped in cloth in his hand.
　Apparently, the sound had originated there.

'What have you got for me, Anta?'
Good job with your hands.

　Deke thrust something out.
　The cloth unraveled and the sphere rolled off.

'Heeeeeeeee!'

　Gina screamed.
　The sphere was a human it was the head of a female wage.

'Chi, d*mn it!　Why are you doing this?
Yeah, I want you to be happy.
"f*ck you, you piece of shit!

　Gina shouted at Deke.

'You numbskull, you're an afterthought!　I'm going to be the one to blame for this!
Well, okay.
Get out!　Get the hell out of here!

　Gina yelled out, and Deke walked out of the room, looking flustered.
　The female warden stared resentfully at him.

'd*mn it, d*mn it!　Why is this happening to me?

　He's seen walking out with Deku even though he's trying to cut the shira.
　If you're in the imperial capital, it's only a matter of time before you're caught.

In this situation, we have no choice but to flee somewhere!　Yes, the money!

　Gina pulled her purse out from under the pillow.
　Shaking it upside down, she pulled out a few copper coins.

'I just got them yesterday... d*mn you, Deke!　How long do you want to drag me down?

　No, he shook his head.
　There's one more purse left.
　It's Leila.
　If I tell her it's the last one, Leila will be happy to give me the money.

'Well yes. I'll have to give her one last present since we won't be seeing each other again.

　Kukkuh, Gina cleared her throat.

*

　Leila finished her lunch and slipped out of the mansion.
　She wandered around the Twelfth Street District in search of Gina.
　She should have figured out the inn, but she didn't have time to think about that at the time.
　After walking for an hour or so, I was lucky enough to find Gina.
　Maybe Gina was also looking for Leila.
　When Gina noticed Layla, she beckoned her to follow her.
　Declining was not an option.
　Leila followed Gina.
　They passed through the narrow alleyways of the Twelfth Street District, crossing the larger streets and approaching the walls that surrounded the Imperial City.
　She passed through a crack in the city walls.
　The inhabitants of the slum invade the imperial city through these cracks.
　They do this to earn money and to buy food and supplies.
　As they passed through the cracks, the smell of rotten mud rushed in.
　A short distance away, houses - huts that were about to collapse - stood leaning against each other.
　The inhabitants were washing their clothes and washing themselves in front of the huts.
　The ground was so muddy that it almost took them off their feet as they walked.
　Gina didn't mind and walked on without a care in the world.
　The slum roads were intricate and full of dead ends.
　It's no surprise that they're building shacks at random.
　Rapes and murders are commonplace, while others are doing business and others are profiting from renting out their shacks.
　Gina stopped and slowly turned around.
　Surrounded on three sides by huts, it was where Leila's team had gathered.
　No one was there, whether they were at work or had been crushed by another team.

'Layla, get your money out of here,'
....

　Leila slowly pulled out her purse.
　Gina took the wallet from him and shook it upside down.
　But no matter how many times she shook it, no money came out.

'Money, what happened to the money!
The money's gone.
Bullshit!

　Gina's face turned bright red and she grabbed Layla's chest.

'I need a clump of money!　Go get some money from that man!
I can't.
'What can't you do?　All you have to do is spread your legs, pant, and tell them you're a little bit in need of money!　Why can't you do something like that!

　Leila replied, and Gina shook her violently.

'You useless piece of shit!'

　Leila was pushed off by Gina.
　The mud takes her feet off the ground and she falls on her ass.
　Gina's toe stabs her in the pigeon tail.
　She chokes violently at the unexpected attack and gets kicked some more.

'Huh, you've got to be kidding me!　You've got to be kidding me!　You're a half-elf!　You're half-witted, half-human, half-elf!　You're just lucky you didn't get pulled out of your mother's belly and you don't look down on me!

　Feeling better, Gina stopped kicking.
　Leila slowly raised herself up.
　Blood ran down from her forehead and into her eyes.
　Her whole body is hot.
　Her mouth smells like iron.

'I was going to leave you this once and for all, but if you're going to do that, I have an idea, too!　Come on out!

　Gina shouted, and three men came out of the hut.
　They were dressed in outfits that let you know at first glance that they hadn't washed themselves in days.

'Impressive face-to-face?　You remember, don't you?
.....

　Leila gasped.
　Her back teeth clashed and clattered together.
　It can't be.
　I don't think it's possible.

'He wants to check on you for the first time in years.
.....

　Leila crawled away on the ground, but was quickly caught.

'Haha!　I got you!
Get her to look up!　I need a good look at your face!

　The man forces Leila to look up.
　I thrust out my arms to push the man away, but I couldn't muster the strength to push myself away.
　I started to cry.
　I should have joined the army and gained strength.
　I decided that I was going to manipulate Crono.
　I would rather die than be raped by another man.
　You must have been prepared to do that.
　Where did that resolve disappear?

Mr. No, Mr. Crono!　Master Crono!

　I shout in excruciating tones.

'No one will come to me if I call them!
'Hahaha!　You call it the Chronosphere?　I'll throw you in the stuffing room when I'm done!　Think of an excuse for this Master Crono!

　Gina laughed like a madwoman.

'You know what ... what, are you messing with someone else's girl?'
Huh?

　A chillingly cold voice descended, and the man who had been holding Layla down picked himself up.
　A shadow passed over Layla and pierced the man's chest.
　Just a kick.
　But how much power was put into it?
　After being kicked in the chest, the man flew through the air and rammed head first into the wall of the hut.
　It was Crono who kicked the man.
　A jet-black glow colored his body like a barbarian's war makeup.
　The remaining two people hurriedly moved away from Leila, or rather, Crono.

''........Why are you here?''

　Leila sat up and looked up at Crono.
　However, Crono didn't answer while looking forward.

''That means my brother's eyes aren't knot holes!

　Johnny touched Leila's shoulder, wondering where she was hiding.

''Well, it's thanks to the intelligence network that we were able to track them down.
If you noticed, why?
'It's my brother's kindness that I'm afraid I'll get Leila-san in trouble if I go out myself!
Johnny, shut up.
Yes, sir!

　Crono said in a low, snarling voice, and Johnny slapped his chest.
　Maybe it was meant to be a salute.

'Oh, there's only one of them!

　The two men drew their knives.

'....Should I kill him?'

　Crono said troublesomely.
　Then Crono's shadow slowly grew upwards.
　It stretches out like a tentacle.

'Ya, I can't do this!'
Me too!

　As one of them dropped his knife, the other followed suit.
　They tried to scrape past Crono's side to get away, but they fell unceremoniously.
　They were caught in Crono's shadow.
　Huh, Crono let out a deep sigh.
　The sound of bones breaking could be heard.
　Perhaps Crono's shadow had broken their bones.

''Hiiii!''
"d*mn it!

　Shadows wrapped around their bodies and there was a creaking sound of something creaking.
　Crono is about to crush them both and kill them.
　It doesn't even change its expression.

'Ta, help me!　I didn't rape her!
Oh, me too!　He asked me to be on the wrong side of his mouth!　I ain't lying!
So?

　Crono said with a sigh.
　The sound of their bodies creaking grew stronger and stronger.

''Ta, help me!　I will pay for my sins!
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry!　Please!　Just save my life!

　Even though the two of them desperately begged for their lives, Crono did not try to make the shadow disappear.
　When they could no longer hear him begging for his life, the shadow disappeared.

'Can we help?'
Soon he'll be saying he'd rather be dead.
Way to go, bro!

　Crono let out a sigh and looked at Gina.

Do you have any idea what kind of woman Leila is?
No, please don't.

　Leila pleaded.
　I don't want people to know the story of my time in the slums.
　I know best what kind of life I've had.
　She wanted to show Crono a beautiful version of herself, even if it was only a false image.

'Stop, please stop, Gina!
There it is!　He's been raped multiple times!　No, when they attack you, you stop resisting because you don't want to hurt them!

　Leila covered her face.

'....So?

　He looked up at Crono.

'How's this guy?　That woman stabbed her own mother to death with this knife!
So?

　Gina shouted, sticking out her mud-covered knife, but Crono seemed uninterested.

'He stabbed his mother to death, remember?　He killed his mother because she was a liability to him when he couldn't work!　Doesn't she look like an ogre?
It's up to me to decide if she's a demoness or not, and I'm not stupid enough to take the word of someone I've never met before.

　Crono said in disgust, and Gina opened and closed her mouth like a fish washed ashore.

'Master Crono!'
I'm sorry, I should have moved a little sooner.

　Crono knelt down and gently hugged Leila.
　Tears welled up in her eyes.
　Why did she think Crono would leave her?
　This man is so considerate of me.

'Oh, d*mn it, d*mn it!　What a travesty this is!　You just wanted a woman of convenience, didn't you?　You used it because it happened to be close by!
Brother, that's a horrible thing to say for a guy you just met.

　Johnny said dumbly.

''Well Gina, was it you?　You've been trying to embarrass Leila for a while now, but if you embarrass Leila, you'll still be Gina, won't you?
Uh, shut up!　You're a hard-working little shit!

　Gina screamed and threw the mud-stained knife at Crono.
　But the knife stopped in the void.
　Johnny plucked the knife with two fingers.
　It wasn't a move that would have made him faint in agony from a blow to the crotch by Crono once.

'Ah, that's the knife that killed my mother, isn't it?

　Johnny stared sullenly at the knife.

'This knife has never been used before.
Don't you dare lie to me!
Bullshit?　But how do you know they're lying?　If it's a knife you dug up, how do you know if it's been used or not?　I mean, it's weird to find out that he stabbed her to death when all he did was expose the grave and the knife came out. He could have strangled her to death.

　Johnny said as he wound up, and Gina's face turned red and she shushed him.

'It would be better for you if you were to admit your guilt quietly, wouldn't it?
Shit!

　Gina turned on her heel and slipped into the gap in the hut.
　That was the reason she had made this place a meeting place.
　At first glance, there was no place to escape, but there were several gaps.
　And beyond that, the path was intricate and maze-like.

''Brother, I want you to leave it to me!

　Johnny said and jumped onto the roof.
　Like the fact that he picked the knife in the air, he seemed to have grown up a lot after not seeing me for a while.

'Master Crono?'
Go home.

　Crono picked Leila up lightly.

'I can stand alone!'
I did this. We're gonna get you fixed up when we get home.

　Leila gave a small nod and leaned closer to Crono.

*

'd*mn it, d*mn it!　How could this happen to you!

　Gina ran through the intricate streets of the slums.
　She didn't know why she was doing this to herself.
　She had sold her body to be happy.
　She had snubbed a cocky newcomer, and she had tricked her rival into it.
　I did everything I could to be happy.
　Just when I thought I could finally be happy when the nobles liked me, they scraped my children out of my life.
　I didn't have to do that, I would have agreed to an abortion as long as they paid me.
　As long as he treated me reasonably well as a nobleman's mistress, I was satisfied.
　I've lost everything.
　I couldn't stay in the Imperial City because of Deke's murder of my wench.
　If he was caught, he might not only be accused of threatening Leila, but he might even be accused of killing the wenches.
　A man named Crono would do that much with impunity.
　As I turned down a few alleys, I saw a figure.
　He's wearing a cloth over his head as if he has an epidemic or something.

Step aside!

　The cloth-covered figure approached Gina with a flurry.
　Then a fever developed in her lower abdomen.
　The heat turned to pain and Gina fell over.
　The cloth-covered figure looked down at Gina.
　It looked like a child.
　The face looked familiar, but she couldn't remember who it was.

''Geez, geez!　Oh, God d*mn it!　What are you doing!
...and you just bullied your mother.

　The words reminded me of someone else.
　Snow.
　He was a half-elf child who was always with Layla.

'Yeah, I didn't mean to!
....

　As Gina raised her hand, Snow flashed her knife.
　Three fingers of her left hand fell to the ground.

'Who's there!　Somebody!

　I tried to crawl away on the ground, but this time the heat generated on my back.
　The knife is squishy and scratching the flesh and guts.

'Die, baka!'
Heeeeeeeee!

　The next time Gina screamed, the cabin exploded.
　Snow was blown away and rolled on the ground in a rumble.

'....ta, help.
So, Deke!

　It seems it was Deke who blew up the hut.
　He couldn't help but smile at the appearance of his savior.
　Deke picked up Gina and started to run.



I lost track of it after all those grand gestures.

　Johnny stopped and looked around.
　There was nothing around him.
　I can only see the silhouette of the Imperial City.

''........Hmm, is that a person?''

　It was as if he could see a figure under a large tree.
　Johnny approached the figure, touching the dagger at his waist.
　As the distance grew closer the details became clearer.
　The figure was a man.
　Big as a minotaur or a lizardman.

'Can I ask you a few things?'
Oh, well, I'm busy.
It's obvious.

　It's hard to judge, Johnny looked at the man.
　The man was playing with the woman's corpse.
　He hoped to avoid causing her some pain, but the sight of her painfully contorted face, bloodied body, and limbs pointing in a different direction makes you wonder if he would have committed a crime that would have resulted in such a tragic death.

Hmmm, well, is there a problem with leaving a murderer unattended?

　You will have to fight as the best dagger-wielder in the Empire.

*

...here?

　Leila looked up at the ceiling in a daze.
　She could tell that she was lying on the bed, but the memories that led up to it were missing.

'....being picked up by Crono-sama...'

　As I sat up, every part of my body ached.
　I felt a tightening sensation and it seemed to have been treated.

'Are you awake?'
Lady Crono!

　I looked to the side and saw Crono sitting in a chair beside the bed.

'How long have I been asleep?'
'You must have been really tired for a whole day. Now that White has taken over, you don't have to worry about your shift.

　Crono stood up and gave Leila's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
　She wanted to get to the communications command center right away, but she took Crono's word for it.

'What happened to Gina?'
You would have been killed.

　Crono said as he let out a sigh.

'The body was so badly damaged that we've already buried it and Johnny took care of the killer.
Okay.

　Now it was Leila's turn to let out a sigh.
　Where did we go wrong ourselves?

''Crono-sama, would you please listen to me?''
Is this about your mother?

　Leila nodded and slowly began to talk about her mother.
　That her mother had been a streetwalker.
　That her earliest memory was of her mother being a spring breaker.
　Still, that she was kind.
　He didn't hide his own story either.
　About life in the slums and the team.
　What they did and what they did to her.
　And how his mother had become ill and couldn't take customers.

"I hated my mother for that.

　Leila bit her lip.
　She would have to spend her life supporting her sick mother.
　It was excruciatingly horrible.

'One day I came home and found my mother dead with a knife to her throat.

　He remembers the blood stained cabin and his mother.
　The scars on her neck show that she was afraid of death.
　Despite this, he held the knife to his throat.

'....My mother laughed.

　She remained a kind mother to the end.
　She remained a good mother to me.

'I am a terrible woman.

　My vision was blurred with tears.
　Gina was right, she's an ogre.
　It's always been selfishness.
　She killed her mother.
　She did the crime and hid the fact that she was a mistress.
　She sought her own happiness.

"I spoke to the priest before...

　After a while, the bed sinks in.
　Crono must have sat on the bed.

'According to the priest, human ... human love is an imperfect thing that can only be established in a relationship.

　Crono placed his hand on Leila's forehead.

'But I don't think that's the only imperfection in affection. If someone I love dies, I'm going to regret it. I couldn't do this, I couldn't do that. Why couldn't I do the things I could have done while they were alive?

　Human love is only possible in a relationship, and humans are not even capable of fulfilling that imperfect love.

'I think I regret it because Leila loved her mother so much.
But I'm not very fond of my mother...
You haven't been neglectful in the past, have you?　I know you blame yourself, but you can't deny that Leila even liked your mother.

　Crono's words strangely sunk into my heart.
　However, that didn't make the regret disappear.