*

　Kahn, kahn.
　It's the sound of the dwarves in the workshop hammering.
　At first I found it depressing, but now I don't care.

'I knew it would take some time.'

　Tilia got out of the covered wagon and stretched out.
　Arididid and Deneb had left Sylvania before noon, since they had to work tomorrow, but the sun was leaning heavily on them.
　I looked behind me over my shoulder and saw that Arididid and Deneb were holding their knees in the corner of the wagon.
　Something about the area around them looks dark.
　They look very tired.
　''Let's leave them alone,'' he said, gazing at the western sky, which was tinted in reddish brown.

'....Sunset....

　He squinted to himself and squinted.
　It was probably when he was enrolled in military school.
　Crono had said that the sunset made him feel nostalgic.
　I let it slide lightly at the time, but now that I think about it, that must have been a reference to the world he was born into.
　Tyria doesn't feel nostalgia, but looking at the streets of Hachel in the twilight, she feels a bit sentimental... a mixture of desolation and weariness.
　No, I wonder if there is also a little bit of anticipation involved.
　It's sad to see the day end, but there's also relief that the day has ended successfully.
　And then there's the anticipation of what tomorrow will be like.
　It's obvious, but standing in the same world and seeing the same things doesn't necessarily mean we'll feel the same emotions.
　Rather, they will be less likely to be the same.
　So what do the dwarves working in the workshop feel about the sunset?
　Cahn, cahn, cahn, a somewhat prolonged sound.
　Perhaps they are taking it as the end of the workday.

'I knew we'd be home.
You ruin our day off and now you're giving me that kind of feedback!
Like I should say it was a worthwhile tour, even if it's a lie!

　Tyria muttered softly, and Aridid and Deneb leaned out of the covered wagon and shouted.
　They looked tired, but they seemed to be in better spirits than I expected.

'Alright, alright. It's been a very worthwhile visit.
'You're reading too much into it!　It's such a stick figure that it doesn't feel significant at all!
Like, "I'm getting a bit of a stinker vibe in the first part!　I'm sure he's got a tongue-lashing or two in his mind!
Tsk.
'Geez!　And I really did get my tongue out!
It's like you don't have a very good tongue, really!

　Tilia clicked her tongue and they scratched their heads.

'Start over!　Like, you're asking for a redo!
'You're going to cluck your tongue at any moment!　And I'm willing to rub salt in my heartbreak!

　They banged on the back of the wagon with a bang.

''.........''
Jeez.

　When Tilia was silent, the two men made an aloud appeal to her as they gaped at her.

'All right. Let's start over.'
Like I want you to stare into the sunset and scratch your hair out!
Just be like, "Whew!

　They were a real pain in the ass.

It was a very, very good tour, indeed.

　Tilia stared at the sunset and ruffled her hair.

'And it's pointless for us, who get to go to Sylvania so often!
"There's so much more to it than just enjoying the holidays!
....

　Tilia silently grabbed their heads.

'Meh, like a blindingly fast move!
'Oh, Ironclaw is like a super grip!

　I'm grasping at it rather seriously, but there's still plenty of room for more.

''I'll shout out a name like a special move if you guys want it. You know what a special move is, right?

　A special move is a concept that appears in a picture book drawn by Crono.
　It is mainly used at the end of the story to blast enemies to death.

'Or, like you're always going to die!
''Yes, in picture books, they call it a special move, but often they only need to seal it!
Fool, it means I'll kill you.
"Aggressive!

　He said in a low, stifled voice, and they both exclaimed in an impressed tone.

'Is there anything left to say?'
In my room, I have a record of my time with Master Crono. You wanted me to complete the proof of my life.
Hey, Lisa. It's just, that's a bunch of spelling errors. I don't want to go down in history as the idiot's sister.
Like an idiot!

　Alideed escaped from Tyria's hands and furiously challenged Deneb.
　There's a saying about the power of stupidity in the fireplace, but to be hit by an elf.......

''Hugo, my head!''

　But it seems that the stupidity of the fire didn't last long, and Alideed squatted on the back of the cart with his head in his hands.
　He let go of Deneb.
　Then Deneb got down on all fours and repeated his rough breathing as if he had run out of energy.
　How does Crono and the others get these two to do what they say they're going to do?　And Tilia crossed her arms.
　'Especially the cavalry captain, Fei, doesn't seem to be very good at controlling people's minds....

''Are you guys always like that?''
That's impossible. We are an airhead.
Like how to live longer by not making enemies.

　Apparently, the two of them are willing to let Tyria become their enemy, or not be the one to determine their fate.

''Huh, that's sweet. I'm the woman who will be Crono's wife.
Sweet is like a princess.
Master Crono doesn't mix business with pleasure.

　I wonder where their trust in Crono comes from.

You seem to forget that we're elves, don't you, Princess?
When the princess gets older, we'll still be young.

　'Genu,' grunted Tyria, realizing something.

'No, being an elf doesn't necessarily work to your advantage, does it?
Okay, that's sour grapes.
I'm looking forward to it.
...Crono is getting old.

　They stared at Tilia with a guffawed look on their faces.

'It's said that elves have a lifespan three to five times that of humans, are you planning to work that hard?'

　Of course, a long life expectancy means you have to work that much longer.

'Yeah, oh, we're going to save our money and go into business,'
Yeah, yeah.

　'Mmmm,' growled Tilia.

'Why, why, do you want to snarl?
I'm a little nervous.
'What kind of business lasts that long?　Running a fiefdom is also a business in the broadest sense of the word, but you're using the land as collateral. The stability is unparalleled. Wouldn't it be better to serve Crono as a vassal rather than run a business yourself?
"...and...

　Tilia patted them both gently on the shoulder.

'I think me and the Crono boy will get along with you two, don't you?
Or maybe you want me to think about it.
Well, we've got a long life ahead of us.

　They gently dismounted from the covered wagon and, for some reason, headed for the Marquis' mansion.
　I felt a deep sense of satisfaction at their shio-like demeanor, but I had a feeling that they would soon return to their original attitudes.

''You two have done a great job.
It's impossible to get away with just one word.
We need to see some good faith!

　The two of them packed up at a great pace.
　The premonition was true.
　In the blink of an eye, they were back to normal.
　Surely, their previous lives must have been chickens.

"..........

　Tilia silently grabbed their heads.

'Do you two have anything left to say?'
I'm just super happy to have the princess say goodbye to me.
So, you don't want me to chastise you for it.

　When Tilia let go of his hand, they headed back to the Marquis' mansion.

'Wait. Why are we heading to the Marquis' mansion?

　When Tilia asked, they both jolted, as if they were dependent on an empty stomach.

''Like it's nothing!
I'm not thinking about drinking to relieve stress or anything!
You both drink from the Marquess's house, and that's from the Chronosphere.

　Tilia let out a deep sigh.

''We're not going to do anything to disappoint Crono-sama, and...''
It's like hiding distilled liquor in the basement.
Well I'm not so sure about that either.

　The distilled liquor is probably the 'Elf's Strange Medicine'.
　The name comes from the place where it stops festering when poured over a wound, but if it was truly recognized as a medicine, it wouldn't have been available in such a short period of time.

''But even so, how can you remember where it is?

　The basement holds a large amount of liquor collected by the former Marquis of Erakis.
　No, I should say it's in a dead storage facility.
　Crono seldom drinks alcohol.
　He must think of liquor as a gift to his men.

He must think of it as a gift to his men.
....

　Unusually, there was no matching hand.

'Deneb, like you drew your mark properly?
....

　Deneb doesn't answer.
　He's getting down and lazy and sweating.

'Like I don't want you to be angry, so I want you to be honest with me.
Well, I didn't draw it.

　When Alideed asked in a cat-stroking voice, Deneb said in a low, stifled voice.

'Why, like you didn't draw it!　
You said you wouldn't be mad!　And it's not just hard to find, it's not gone!

　They began to argue with each other, gabbing and arguing.

'Like how many of them think they have the same barrel!
'You didn't ask me to draw a mark!　I mean, you don't have the right to blame me for throwing it all away, sister!

　Their previous life could be a squirrel, not a chicken.
　Not just any squirrel, but a dumb squirrel who forgets where he's buried his acorns.

Calm down, both of you.
"I want the princess to stay out of this!　Like it's time to settle the score!
'I'm going to beat my sister and establish a new personality!　And with Master Crono.........!

　Tilia's mediation was empty, and the two began to fight in a grappling match.
　It was getting somewhat troublesome, so they headed to the workshop.

''Goldie, is Goldie there!
How can I help you, Princess Tyria?

　Tilia shouted, and Goldie came running up to her.

'Get the shpa out,'
Shupa?

　Goldie asked back curiously.
　Maybe Shupa was the name Aridid gave him on his own.

'It's a loom. I hear you've made a groundbreaking invention?'
'Oh!　You mean the jumping shuttle!

　Goldie clapped her hands as she finally got the point across.

'It's been a pain in the ass to get Master Crono's ideas to take shape.
Let me see that shuttle and any other inventions you have in mind...

　I swallowed the word "want" as quickly as I could.
　The sun has already gone down and the sound of hammering has stopped.
　The sun had already gone down and the hammering had stopped.

I want you to show me the jumping shuttle and your inventions tomorrow.
I know all about it.
I'll be sending you to Sylvania soon to work on that shuttle.
I understand.

　Goldie answered after a pause.

*

I wish you'd let me know your plans when you go out. I almost missed making one for you.
.....

　What awaited Tilia when she visited the dining room was the landlady's sarcasm.
　The Sylvania deputy's office and the Marquis' residence's office are connected by an ultra-long-distance communication magic item, but there is a disadvantage of not being able to send and receive information if there is no one there.
　However, it's no use saying that.
　The landlady is a cook.
　If she makes a poor excuse and is served a messy dish until Crono returns, she can't even look at it.
　You have two choices: admit your fault and maintain the status quo, or make excuses and spoil your good mood.

''........the landlady's food is delicious.

　Viscount Saldomelik gulped down his roast duck and muttered to himself.

''Well, it was worth the effort.
.....

　Tilia moaned again.
　Normally, she would put her pride first, but right now she was struck by an unbearable hunger.

''.........''
What?

　The landlady deliberately asked back.

'...............'
What?　I can't hear you.
'I said I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was going to do on the tour!　How about that!　I'm sorry!

　Tilia puffed out her chest.

'Ah, yes, yes. Sit down quickly.'

　He didn't seem to care about the tone of the conversation.
　He waved off the landlady's back and took his own seat.

'Excuse me.
Hmm, Cecily.

　I looked behind me over my shoulder and saw Cecily standing tall in the doorway of the dining room, perhaps to report the completion of her mission.
　Her hair was damp and her face was pale.
　Perhaps she had taken a dip.

'Okay, come in.'
Ha!

　Cecily stood face-to-face with Tilia and saluted gracefully.
　Should I praise the former Knight of the Kingsguard for his quirky style?

''Cecily Hamal, I have returned after completing my patrol of the territory.
You can go easy on yourself.
Ha!

　Cecily opened her legs and put her hands behind her back.

'What's going on?'
The wagon was stuck in the mud.
Hmm, so you took a dip in the water.

　They must have been short on manpower to join the work.
　It seems that she used to do whatever she wanted with her position as Viscountess Hamal, but she seems to have mellowed out considerably.

''I'm sorry,''
I don't blame you. I see that life in the Marquess' house has been your bread and butter.
....

　Cecily was silent.
　She moved her mouth to mug.
　Her cheeks were stained with vermilion.
　They were pale, which made them even more noticeable.

''Oh, it's just as you say. You are right, you are right.

　Recalling the humiliating experience that Crono had done to her, she became prone and said in a trembling voice.
　It's not that I don't think that such an experience fed me, but....

''I'm hoping that you will continue to be a cavalryman after Crono comes back.
...Is that a decision?

　Cecily raised her eyebrows, as if puzzled.

'In my mind, you know. Crono's battalion has too few cavalry. If they take the cavalry.......captain and deputy captain classes with them on every mission, not only will the security of the streets be neglected, but the burden on the remaining ones will be greater.''
What are you going to do when Master Crono comes back?
I'm thinking of putting you in charge of training our cavalry.

　We could re-organize the cavalry, but that wouldn't solve the problem of low cavalry numbers.

'I've never taught riding before, sir.
It's your job to establish the know-how.

　Cecily looks anxious, but Tilia is optimistic.
　There's time to prepare, and with the help of Kane's men and the knights transferred from the imperial capital, it should be relatively easy to train the cavalry.

''I understand.
'We can talk business, though. Now it's time for dinner.

　Immediately after Cecily nodded, the landlady roughly placed the food on the table.

*

　The next day, Tyria looked at the inventions brought out of the workshop - a loom, a box with a handle, iron thorns wrapped around a barrel, and what looked like a bow.
　Tilia stood in front of the loom.
　It was smaller than the one in Elaine's workshop, perhaps because it was for the purpose of developing technology, but it was smaller than the one in Elaine's workshop.

''........So this is a Shupa, or rather a jump-jetting shuttle?

　A string hung from the top of the loom.
　When I pulled the string, the shuttle moved from right to left.
　When he pulled again, it moved from left to right.
　'Hmmm,' groaned Tilia.

'How's this for work efficiency?
I'd say it's a 30 percent increase.

　Tilia asked, to which Goldie replied absent-mindedly.
　''Besides increasing the efficiency of the work, it will also allow one person to weave the cloth that was being woven by three people.

'.........a revolutionary invention.
I know how you feel. I wondered why no one else thought of such a simple thing when I made the thousand tooth sledge.
Yeah.

　Tilia gave a small nod.
　Even though it took a lot of trial and error, if Goldie could make it, that meant the technology to make it was in this world.

'Was this box Crono's idea too?'
That's right.

　

'What's the purpose of this one?'
We'll use it to separate the brown wheat from the chaff.

　'Huh,' Tyria let out an exclamation of admiration.

'There's a four-winged board in here!

　Goldie pointed to the snail's shell.

He moved the wings to create wind, and then filled the top with brown wheat and chaff and sorted it by weight.

　In the same way, if you compare it to a snail, it has two holes in the side of its body and one in its head.

This one's going to take a lot more work.
You had a rough night.

　Goldie replied with a sigh.
　Well, even if you understand the logic, it will take some trial and error to actually make it.

''Next, iron thorns?''

　The iron thorns are not the thorns themselves.
　They seem to be made by twisting short iron wires around a long piece of iron wire.
　The reason they are wrapped around the barrels is to prevent them from becoming entangled, I guess.

"We developed this to keep livestock from escaping when they were released into fallow land. It's just....
You mean there wasn't much demand for it?
That's right.

　Goldie hung her head helplessly.
　After setting up the support pillars, it must be easier than building a normal fence, because all you have to do is put up iron thorns in place of the horizontal boards.
　However, Crono's territory is not primarily based on cattle breeding, and even if there was a demand for it, they couldn't provide the amount that could surround the pasture land for free.

''Why don't we use it to build a camp?''
It could certainly be used for that sort of thing. But is it practical?
'I'll leave it to Knight Arthur the Wiseman teacher to identify the problems as well.

　Teacher Arthur Weissman is an experienced and flexible thinker.
　I'm sure he'll find a way to make it work.

...and the bow at the end.

　Tilia picked up what looked like a bow.
　It looks like a machine-made bow combined with a frame made of metal and wood.
　I don't know what it's used for, but it has a ring attached to the tip.
　I tried pulling the string, but it was quite hard.

It's pretty hard.
...Princess Tyria.
Well, wait ... God!

　Tilia strengthened her muscles with her divine technique and pulled the string.
　There was a curved metal plate where she pulled the string.
　Apparently, this would hold the string in place.

''How about it!''
The string is to be pulled by the foot on the loop.
What do I need to do with this?
Now take a stance and pull the trigger.

　When Tilia handed him the bow, Goldie held it up to hold it and pulled the trigger.
　Then the strings were released to be plucked.

'Is this another chrono?'
I made this one myself. I had made a bow before that had a strong string that could not be pulled. I had to find a way to pull the string with the same strength, and I made this.

　Goldie beamed proudly.

'This bow is capable of producing the same power to anyone!
Of course you do.

　This bow has a specific position to pull the string to.
　It relies less on intuition and experience than a traditional bow.
　It would require proficiency to hit a moving target, but the training period should be shorter than that of an archer.

''But why haven't they been deployed to the battalion?
Your range is too short.

　Ah, Tilia couldn't help but shout.
　The machine gun bow has a long range and is powerful enough to pierce armor.
　Furthermore, it has a high continuous firing ability.
　In other words, this bow is an inferior weapon to the mechanic's bow.

''No........''

　Tyria gave a small shake of her head.
　It was an inferior weapon for a trained soldier, but what about for those who weren't?
　It seems that Crono intends to use the people of the Bethel Mountains as a fighting force in a time of need, but only a very small number of them can actually be counted as a fighting force.
　No matter how excellent their qualities are, they can't show their true value without training.
　However, with this bow, they can become an asset.
　It would not be impossible to turn a commoner into a soldier.
　Of course, if he has the will to fight.

"Did you name this bow?
I didn't name it.
'Then I'll be your godfather. How about a crossbow?
I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that. But...
I know, right?

　Tyria interrupted Goldie's words and heaved his chest.

'Then, for starters, make me a hundred meters of iron thorns and ten crossbows.
I understand.

　Goldie answered after a short pause.

'I'll let the Weissman teachers study the operation before deciding whether to mass produce it. If we get it right, it will change the way warfare is conducted.
I didn't expect that much.

　Goldie gulped and cleared her throat from nervousness.

'So don't give out information about the iron thorns and the crossbow. And of course, the flying shuttle. You can spread the word about this snail thing.
I hear it's called 'taini'.
Hmm, so it has a name.

　Since it's from the world Crono was in, it's only natural that it has a name.

''In Crono-sama's world, they called the iron thorns barbed wire and the crossbow a crossbow.

　Gunnu, Tilia grunted and stared at the ground.
　Then I feel like an idiot for saying I'm going to be your godfather.

''Be-it's not like I didn't know his name, so I don't think it can't be helped?
You're right. When I finished the crossbow, I thought I was a genius, but when Master Crono said to me, 'Oh, a crossbow,' I was severely depressed.
"...push through with iron thorns and crossbows.
Are you sure?
Hm, even if the same thing exists in another world, you made it. I reserve the naming rights to this world.
....

　Goldie is silent.
　He looks at me as if he wants to say something.
　Maybe I have the naming rights?　He's probably thinking something like.

'Princess Tyria, may I have your permission?'
Mm, Alyssa.

　Thank God, Alyssa bowed reverently as Tilia turned around with her fists clenched.

''The head of the 'Sinner Trade Union' union, Elaine Sinner-sama, is here. What can I do for you?
Where is Elaine?
He is waiting for you at the gate, presumably to ask about Princess Tyria's plans.
I was promised to Elaine.

　Tilia turned to Goldie.

'Leave the loom and return it to the workshop and hang up the cloth, just in case!
I know what I'm talking about.

　The dwarves began to move in unison.

*

　Alyssa came back with Elaine a few minutes after the cleanup was over.
　Today, Elaine was in high spirits.
　The other day she had been dressed as plainly as a clerk, but today she was wearing a black dress.
　The skirt was about calf length and a pearl necklace adorned her chest.
　It was the kind of dress she would wear for a formal occasion, but not in accordance with it.
　Alyssa paused at a slight distance and bowed reverently.

''Princess Tyria, I have brought Lady Elaine with me.
Thank you.

　Tilia said shortly and looked at Elaine.

'I can't thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule for someone like me.
Don't worry about it. I made you a promise.

　Tilia moved next to the loom and pointed to a jumping shuttle - a piece of string, to be precise.

'This is the Shupa, the jumping shuttle.

　When I pulled the string, the jumping shuttle slid from right to left.
　I pull again and this time it moves from left to right.
　Elaine's eyes widened lightly.
　I'm sure she feels the same way as Tilia.

''With something like this, you have a face that says?''
I'm afraid.
I know how you feel, but it's the ideas that matter.

　I felt his eyes on me, but I dared to ignore them.

''I'm sorry. I'm just ashamed of my shallowness.''
You should know. But don't forget that the shuttle is a revolutionary invention. And that's why I entrusted you with an invention of that magnitude.
I understand. I will do my best to keep this information to myself.

　Elaine nodded with a divine look on her face.

'I'd like to send a technician to add a jumping shuttle to the loom, when would that be convenient for you?'
"With all due respect, I would like to ask for a day's grace to help my men understand the situation. I will be back tomorrow, and at that time I would like to leave for Sylvania with my engineers.
All right. Well, I'll take care of the carriage and lodging over here.

　It's going to be a little busy, Tyria thought about what she was going to do now.