*

　It's mid-April, 43rd year of the imperial calendar - even though it's already April, the air is cold and the plants and trees are exposing their lonely appearance.
　However, spring had arrived earlier in the mausoleum at the Aldemiran Palace.
　But it's not the plants and trees that are celebrating spring, though.
　There are two figures in front of the coffin that holds the body of Ramal V.
　One is the High Priest of the 'Pure White Temple' with a rich beard, and the other is Alfort.
　A large number of nobles - the nobles of the Alphort school and the seven kinsmen of the Kingsguard - watch over the two figures, who are dressed in glittering costumes.
　Fana wiped her neck with her handkerchief.
　A hot air enveloped the mausoleum.
　As it should be, today is the coronation day they've been waiting for.
　It's not as if he's nervous, but Alfort has been swallowing his spit frequently since a while ago.
　It may have something to do with the fact that this is a mausoleum.
　Although the mausoleum is airtight and unsuitable for holding rituals, Alfort wanted to hold his coronation ceremony here.
　Only by holding a coronation ceremony in front of the former emperor could he claim legitimacy.
　As I recall, he said something incomprehensible like that.
　A good-looking female priest knelt down beside the High Priestess and reverently presented the box to her.
　The High Priestess took the imperial crown from the box and held it high.
　Alfort slowly knelt down.

''O God of Purity and Order!''

　As the High Priest offered a prayer, a light shone into the mausoleum.
　The light of pure white created by the divine art the light of pure white created by a miracle made the imperial crown shine.

I crown you in the presence of the pure white God of Order and consecrate you as an emperor.

　The High Priest places the imperial crown on Alfort.

'Thou shalt embrace the sword, given by God, and make it thy duty to protect thy subjects.
'The God of Purity and Order'

　As the priestess prayed, the mausoleum was enveloped in light.
　The light was as soft as the spring sunshine.
　The seeds scattered on the floor sprouted, and in the blink of an eye, a large flower bloomed.

'O God, protect this one.
"God, protect him.

　The Priestess follows the High Priestess' congratulations.
　A vine grows from the base of the pillar, producing a brilliant flower.

'Emperor, make long life for us.
"Long live the Emperor.

　He continues to celebrate further.
　There was no visible change, and the attendees buzzed.
　After a slight pause, countless flower petals descended like snow.

''Glory to the new Emperor!　Light to the Cepheus Empire!
"Glory to the new emperor!　Light to the Cepheus Empire!

　A light is born.
　Seven colors of light poured down, shining as if the imperial crown were made of rainbows.
　Alfort slowly stood up and turned to the attendees.

I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you," he said. I believe that the confusion that has led to this day is due to the absence of the Emperor.
'Oh, His Majesty Alfort!　How merciful!

　Baron Bowties was the first to kneel.

''We have all endured the unbearable for this day!

　Then Count Burkmeier knelt.
　The nobles kneeled, and Leonhardt leisurely propped himself up on one knee.
　The knights of the Kingsguard followed Leonhardt's lead.
　Perhaps it was unexpected timing, but the movement lacked a sense of unity.
　The last person to poke his knee was Count Chiron.
　It was impressive that he had cowered his shoulders as if to say, "Do it, just before that.

''I promise the rest of you!　With wisdom and virtue, he would put the chaos to rest and restore peace to the Empire once again!

　Alfort pulled out the sword used by the first emperor.
　Its blade was in the soft light and emitted a chilling light.

''I promise you that I will!　Let's bring the light back to the Empire again!
"Long live His Majesty Alfort!

　Baron Bawties and Count Burkmeier stood up and shouted for their throats to be ripped open, as if they were vying to be first.
　As if the heat of the two men had been felt, the nobles raised their hands in a hail of applause.
　Surely it must be a fever.
　They are buoyed by a mad fever.
　They have no doubt that they have a bright future ahead of them.
　It is the same with Alfort, who is at the center of the frenzy.
　His son truly believes that if he becomes emperor, the chaos will end and he will regain his pre-civil war authority.
　That's why he doesn't realize that Leonhardt has taken the courtesy of a vassal to get through this place without incident.
　Surely there is no Kinsman Knight Commander who is loyal to that boy, Fana thinks of the Kinsman Knight Commander who is not here.
　Count Ernat is in the direct control of Emperor Nouzi, Count Lesat is in the direct control of Emperor Kinza, and Baron Corne is in the direct control of Emperor Kai.
　By the way, I heard that Count Hyades is feeling down and is sleeping at home.
　Well, it's probably a lie.
　Suddenly what passes through my mind is Baron Crawfort's son Crono.
　I've only met him face to face in the audience room, but I've heard that he's ruling the territory with great distinction.
　Where did I go wrong in my education?　Fana let out another sigh.
　I want to support her as a mother, but the time to do something about it is long overdue.
　Is it a rolling stone or a rat that is committing mass suicide?
　Neither will stop until the catastrophe arrives.



　Kahn, kahn, kahn.
　Oh, you're back, Crono woke up in the boxcarriage.

'Good morning, Master Crono,'
Good morning, Leila.

　I exchange greetings with Leila, who is sitting in the seat opposite me.
　My neck hurts a little bit, probably due to the fact that I've been sleeping leaning against the wall.

'I knew it was going to be excruciating travelling in a carriage.
Yes.

　Leila answered after a short pause.
　She must have adjusted to it because she was kelotting.
　Maybe it's important to be willing to divide the carriage as something that makes your body hurt.
　The box carriage slows down.
　Looking out the window, you can see the gardens of the Marquis's mansion, which you know all too well.
　You strongly realize that you are back.
　The boxcarriage comes to a halt.
　Then, without saying a word, Leila dismounted from the carriage and propped up the door.
　Crono landed in the gardens of the Marquis' mansion and straightened up.

''Master Crono!　Like, welcome home!
It's like we've been waiting with all our hearts for Master Crono's return.

　Alideed and Deneb jumped on me, or rather, hugged me.
　I love that Leila doesn't look amused.

''Well you two are so eager for my return.
Like our holidays are ruined because Prince Tyria took us away.
Like demanding compensation and discipline for ruining the holidays!

　No!　And when Crono pushed him away, they fell on their asses.
　But the two of them are not ballsy enough to be fazed by that.

'We haven't seen each other in a long time and you're dealing with too much!　Like we want you to take responsibility for ruining our holidays!
''Like the acting lord's responsibility for what the acting lord did should be taken by the lord, Lord Crono!　Like, if your dog bites someone, the owner is supposed to take responsibility for it!

　With that, they clung to Crono's legs.

'Yeah, let go!'
I'm not letting go!　And I won't let go until you promise to compensate me!
Responsibility!　Like you want me to take responsibility!　Like I want money and stuff to soothe my soul!

　Crono took a copper coin from his wallet and flicked it with his thumb.
　Then Alideed stood up and grabbed the copper coin in the air.

Compensation is over!
'I'll take this one, but like it's not sincere enough!
'At least two silver coins!　Like, I want at least two silver coins!

　Alideed clung to him from the front and Deneb clung to him from behind.

'So, when we get Leila back, we'll take a leave of absence in the direction of a reasonable shift.
Like it's the right thing to do!
It won't help you get over the pain you're going through!

　I'm not reluctant to give in to their demands, but I have a feeling that if I give in to their demands, they will demand the next one.
　No, they will definitely demand it.
　In order to cut off future worries, we should take a firm stand here.

''Then no vacation!
What did you say?
It's not very nice!

　Crono walked out, dragging them along with him.

'Wait, like I need a minute!
Quiet!　Like, be quiet!

　Deneb went around in front of Crono.
　He tried to stall them somehow, but it was only the power of the elves.

'The negotiations are over.
I didn't!　And it's not finished!
Like it's not solved!

　As if they didn't want to lose their vacation, they desperately pushed Crono to the spot.

'Like, at least, you should be allowed a vacation!
Please!　Please!　Like, I don't want nothing!

　Crono stopped in his tracks.

'I'll take as much time off as I can fit into my shift. Is that okay?
Yeah, that's fine.
But you will have to discipline Princess Tyria.

　Gegg, they said with a giggle.
　'He's acting like a shio, but he'll be back on his feet soon enough.

'You can go now, okay?'
...ugh, ugh.
...ugh, ugh.

　They didn't move from their spot.

'Oh, goody.'
A souvenir from the Imperial City.
No.

　They looked at each other and laughed.

'Again, like you at least have a souvenir for your lovely men.
It's like we were looking forward to buying a souvenir from the Imperial City.
It's the best thing I could have done for you, coming back safe and sound.
It's like we're the exception to the rule!
Like you two don't know what it feels like to not get a souvenir!
No, I didn't buy anyone a souvenir.

　They backed away with a shocked look on their faces and covered their faces and began to giggle.
　I was already feeling better.

'All right. I'll tell the landlady and get her to make us some ice cream.
It's freezing out here, and you're getting ice cream.
It's freezing.

　They hugged themselves together and rubbed their arms with the palms of their hands.

'Then yes,'
'Woo-hoo!　Like a souvenir, after all!
It's like you made the right arrangements!

　I had no choice, so I took the bag of candy balls out of the pouch and offered it to them, and they raised their hands in the air in delight.

'It's just a candy ball, okay?'
It's like these things are all about form!
That's right!

　I was going to give him a bottle of wine if he couldn't fit it in, but if he was happy with it, there was no need to give it to him.

Then here you go.
I'm grateful for it!

　Alideed took the bag and tucked it into his pouch.

'You're going to share it with Deneb?
I know!

　Suddenly, I get a mild shock.
　Deneb hugs me.
　He looks up and sloppily breaks the chemistry.

'You'll have to share some candy bars from Aridid, won't you?
'Uhehe, maybe it's enough for me to have Master Crono back in one piece.
What a lovely thing to do.

　I tried to hug him, but my arms were cut off to the sky.
　Alideed yanked on Deneb.

'Like you're not allowed to run off!
"A single rider is the flower of war!

　They began to argue, gah, gah.

'And yet we have to pay attention to Tilia?

　Crono let out a deep sigh.

Can you be careful?
Well, maybe.

　If we can convince them, they will accept our proposal.

''Crono-sama, what are your plans after this?
'I'd like to laze around in my room until dinner after I talk to Tilia.
I suppose we ought to pay our respects to the homecoming.

　Leila said in a slightly lower tone.
　If you ask me, I should show my face to the landladies before I meet Tilia.



　Crono took Leila to the diner.
　First the proprietress, then Elena, and when I'm ready, I'm going to meet with Eril.
　The reason why these three are here is because unlike the other sides, they have a fixed place to work.
　They may be out of their seats, but at that time you can go and meet them again.
　However, fate - not that big of a deal - didn't seem to take Crono's intentions into consideration.
　I turned the corner of the hallway and saw Cecily.

''Well you're already back.

　Cecily said, spitting.
　She looked at him as if he were a bug, his lips twisted in displeasure.
　It's a natural reaction, considering what she's done so far.
　It's worse to be favored.
　At that point, I'll have to recommend a relocation treatment.
　It's unbearable to be overtly disgusted, but I can't date Cecily if I'm depressed at this level.
　She is such a creature.
　In fact, she should be praised for not losing her defiance after all she's done.
　You have to acknowledge where you need to acknowledge them, no matter who they are.
　We must then consider the appropriate burden.
　We'll take Verna's injustice to Cecily to the grave.
　I won't ruin their friendship.

'.......

　When Crono sneered, Cecily backed away.

'Hey, long time no see.'
You're home early, aren't you?

　Cecily moved to the corner of the hallway as Crono walked up to her.
　Couldn't you just quickly disappear somewhere?　But that's not what the wholesaler wants to say.
　I stopped in front of Cecily and poked my hand against the wall.
　It was strangely exciting to think that I was walloping against such a beautiful woman.

'Verna is going to be a fine soldier,'
Yeah.

　He looks disinterested, but his cheeks are faintly flushed.

'You came back to me as a fine soldier.
What do you mean by that?
Don't you get it?

　Crono nodded his head deliberately.

'It means that it depends on Cecily whether she can continue to be a good soldier or not.
....

　Cecily bit her lip in frustration.

'Keep up the good work, will you?'
Yes, I know!

　He is red to the ears, perhaps from anger.

'You can go now. Good luck with your work.
Excuse me!

　Cecily pushed Crono away and left with a wild gait.
　Crono cowered lightly and headed for the diner.
　When Crono entered the diner, there was no one there.
　It didn't look like they were away, as the smell of good food was in the air.
　He crossed the cafeteria and dived through the open door.
　I bypass the wall in front of me and cautiously walk down the stairs that lead to the kitchen.
　Down the stairs, the proprietress is at a table in the center of the kitchen, slicing fish.
　When I was jittering at the entrance of the kitchen, Leila opened her mouth.

''........Crono-sama?''
'I'm afraid that if we hug for joy here, there will be an unfortunate accident.

　I don't want to be stabbed for showing off my mischievousness.

'I won't stab you,'

　The proprietor turned to me, perhaps finishing the fish.

'Please put the knife on the table first.
Should I keep it for protection?
Who are you defending yourself against?
Well, who will it be first?

　The landlady smiled wickedly and put the knife on the table.

'You're back quite early, aren't you?'
I'm right on schedule.

　Crono looked alternately at the table and the stove.
　It was hard to believe that he was making a meal for Tilia alone.
　Looking at this amount, there was no doubt that he was receiving reports from his subordinates who had preceded him.

'I thought it would take longer since the mission was a mission,'
Oh, yeah, right.

　Crono walks up to the landlady and stops a short distance away.

'For some reason, I had to leave on short notice.
That's a disaster.

　'I hope it's only a disaster,' said Crono, leaning against the table.

'So how was your job?'
It's been a lot of work, but I think it did the job it was supposed to do, didn't it?

　I'm proud of the results, but it's not Crono who gets the credit.

'Master Crono has done his job admirably. Not only has he drastically reduced the number of crimes committed, but he has ousted corrupt officials and legalized illegal gambling to secure the welfare budget.
It's supposed to be a security job.

　Leila said proudly, but the landlady nodded her head, as if she didn't understand one thing now.

''To restore security, we've legalized the expulsion of corrupt officials and illegal gambling.
I didn't know you had to do that.

　'Well,' Crono trailed off.

'It's terminal to have to go that far.
I'm sure he'll pull through.

　Crono reminds me of the guard captains.
　'We've set up a path to restore security, and they'll be able to step in until they see the effects.

'That's optimistic, huh?'
You scared the shit out of me.

　When I think about myself and Rio's dismissal, and the nobles who were crowding the castle, I feel uneasy.
　Or rather, I feel nothing but anxiety.

''Ugh, my stomach is starting to hurt.
Always the same. You did what you had to do. Isn't that right?
It was the landlady who caused the anxiety?
Oh, did you do your duty to your parents?

　The landlady said deceptively.

'I've just been lounging around the house, and I don't know if I've done anything filial?
I think it's good for them to see that you're doing well.
Doesn't the landlady go back to her parents?
Guess there's a snake in the bush.

　The landlady moaned softly and scratched her head as if she was upset.

I know it was a youthful indiscretion, but I ran away from home to pursue a man.
I'm sure my dad would have laughed it off.
My parents are gonna laugh at that.

　The landlady nodded with a straight face.
　Even Myra and Ort would laugh.

''I have a feeling we'll be able to go back to normal.
Do you really want me to come home?

　The landlady raised her eyebrows grimly and leaned forward with a zing.

'They say no parents when you want to be filial, you know.
....

　A silence descends.
　The landlady may have cherished the fact that she wanted to leave her home to accompany him, but it was better to meet him while he was still alive.

'On a different note, I met Kanan-san in Teito.
It's really sudden.

　The landlady cowered lightly.

But how did you end up in the Imperial City?
"....to get married.

　Crono blurted out, and the landlady gave him a reluctant look.

'If you don't have that much of a partner, why don't you marry Robert?
'I understand that Robert has a fiancée.

　The landlady covered her face as if to say aha.

'Is the Baron Ekron family finished?
As Kanan said, as long as the landlady and I are encouraged, we'll be fine.
At least do your best.

　The landlady let out a disgusted sigh.

'I thought maybe we could put the two of you together and take care of them.
It can't be!

　The landlady raised her voice.

''But if me and the landlady's child takes over the Baron Ekron family, it will be hard on Kanan-san~''
So just go out there and cheer on with Canaan!
I want to encourage you and your landlady.
It's refreshingly selfish of you, you know.
Not really.
I didn't mean it as a compliment!

　Crono scratched his head, and the landlady plunged in.

'Huh, I'm getting a headache,'
That's wrong. I scraped and it's nothing.

　Crono moved away from the landlady.
　That's because the landlady picked up a knife.
　Of course, I don't expect to be stabbed.

''Well, I'll leave you to it.''
Okay.

　Crono turned his back to the landlady and quickly turned around.

'Do you still need me?'
I'm home.
Welcome home.

　The landlady replied after a short pause.
　It couldn't be my imagination that her cheeks seemed to be tinted with vermilion.

*

　Crono peered through the doorway to his office.
　However, it is not Crono's office, but Elena's office on the first floor.
　Elena is working on paperwork at her desk.
　The way she performs her work quickly and efficiently gives her the air of a veteran.

'You're not coming in?
I'd like to keep an eye on Elena a little longer.

　Hah, hah, I try to repeat my rough breathing.
　Our eyes suddenly met.
　Elena got up from her chair and walked over to the door and closed it silently.
　When Crono opened the door again, Elena closed it again in silence.

'Is that what you do to a master you haven't had in a while?'
Just open the door and come in like a normal person!

　Crono said as he opened the door, and Elena put her hands on her hips and said back.

'Leila, take care of the watch.
I understand.
Hey, what are you doing?

　Elena backed away, frightened.

'We won't do anything. I just wanted to talk to you two for a moment.

　Crono entered the room and closed the door behind him.

'Now, go on with your work.'
Yeah, I know.

　Elena went back to her seat, as if she didn't believe her words about not doing anything, and Elena went back to her seat in a way that said she was oops.
　Crono went to the window and stared at the ceramic vase.
　The whole thing had a blue hue, the neck was long and narrow, and the mouth was wide.
　There was a single pink flower in the vase, but it was slightly wilted, as if it had been picked a long time ago.

'I'll tell you ahead of time, that's the one I bought from a peddler at the stall.
You're the one who made it in our territory.
Heh, you're very good at that.

　Elena rolled her eyes as she put the vase back in place and turned around.

'I don't think they'd bring something from somewhere else to sell in a stall, so...'
Oh, yeah.

　Elena poked her cheekbones in the air, looking unamused.

'Don't you have a job to do?'
I know you're here to interrupt.

　Crono walked over to the desk and reached for the papers.
　A light shock of pessimism ran across the back of his hand.
　Elena tapped it.

''Well I'm a lord, okay?''
I'm in charge of accounting. You don't want to get in the way of my location.

　'I'll pay this debt back in bed,' said Crono, moving next to Elena and sitting down at his desk.

'I'm interrupting your work?'
Just taking a break.

　Elena's lips twitched in a sultry way.

''Well you're back.''
I didn't think you'd say it first.
It's just a normal part of life.
Yes.

　Elena turned away in embarrassment and Crono crossed his legs with a wry smile.

I thought it would take longer.
Me too.

　Crono poked his cheekbones in support of his thighs.

'Has anything changed in my absence?'
There are new recruits here like a dumbass.
We'll have to add to the budget for the workshop.
Yeah.

　Elena nodded in a curt manner.
　Apparently, Tilia hadn't added to the workshop's budget.

''That was fast by the way.
'The landlady told me the same thing, but it wasn't a job with a fixed deadline.
It's a sad part of the court service, isn't it?
Isn't Elena?
That's what I'm saying.

　Are you saying that it's okay for both of us to be pushed around by our bosses?

"I don't mean to be a stickler for you, but...
Are you serious?
Half of them.

　Elena frowned uncomfortably.

'You don't think you're giving me a hard time?
Uh, not really.
Did you forget what you did to me?
I don't want you to be the victim now.

　Crono said, and Elena bit her lip in frustration.

'Back to the point, aren't you glad on the inside that I'm back?
It's refreshing to see how far your ego has come.
I was rude to you earlier, an appeal for you to bully me...
No way!

　Elena raised her voice.

'Humph, do it!'
No, I won't.

　Elena's eyes widened in surprise.

'After all, I can't let that get in the way of my work, can I?

　Crono climbed down from the desk and turned on his heel, his hands fluttering.

*

　Crono knocked on the door of Eril's room, but after waiting a few moments, there was no response.
　He thought about putting it off, but quickly reconsidered.
　Eril is an extreme indoor person.
　He wouldn't have gone out on his own now, not when he was on a diet.
　I knocked again and the door opened.
　It was Sue who opened the door.
　She blinks her eyes in amusement.

'I'm home.'
"I'm your wife. Of course I'll wait.

　Sue was still beaming with this.

''Why are you here?''
"eri-ru, kelu.

　Does this mean that he is helping?
　Come to think of it, Su is the curse doctor of the Lu tribe.
　He's a perfect research assistant.

'What about Eril?'
....

　Crono asked, and Sue's lips quirked up in frustration.

'What's wrong?'
"I'm your wife.
I know that.

　U~, Sue groaned in frustration.
　I reached out my hand to stroke her head, but she quickly ducked.

'Ole, wife. You're a child, no.
You mean you want to be treated like a wife?
....

　Sue nodded silently.

''Isn't it still early?''
Perhaps it is not what Master Crono has in mind.

　When Crono looked at Sue's chest and said, Leila rushed in.

'Ole, adult. Child Domo, raw m.''
Speaking of children, I heard Lara's pregnant.
.....

　Sue's eyes widened in surprise, and polo tears spilled out of her eyes.

''The other party is Gaul,''
"Ugh!

　Suu snarled like a beast and unleashed a fist at Crono.
　He should have taken it easy, but it hurt a lot.

''Ole, it's frustrating.''
Do you regret it?

　Crono nodded his head.
　We have a child, and we should celebrate it.
　Or do we not bless it in this world?

'Ole, child-domo, nai.'
Master Crono?
I know.

　Sue left her hometown to have Crono's child.
　He could have been prepared to never return home again.
　And yet, Lara got the results first.
　Of course, she was going to congratulate him, but more than that, she was disappointed that she couldn't play her part.

''Me, no?''
No, no, no, no.

　Sue stared upward at Crono.

''You give the impression of being a child, you say?''
I'm the adult.

　That may be true from a Roux point of view, but it's not from a Crono point of view.

'I feel guilty, like I'm cheating on a child who doesn't know left or right.

　In a way, Gaul is awesome.
　It's because he's ignorant of the relationship between men and women.
　Or is it just instinct?

"I'm an adult!

　Sue shouted and thrust her arms out.
　Crono was pushed away and although he didn't fall on his buttocks, he lost his balance greatly.
　Bang!　The door closed with a sound of.

'What went wrong?'
I think it's all of them.
I hope they don't slap three and a half lines on me.

　Crono let out a sigh.

*

　When I opened the door to the office, Alyssa ran up to me.
　Her eyes watered like a maiden in love.

'I'm home, Alyssa,'
Welcome home, sir.

　Alyssa bowed reverently and wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers.
　Behind her, Tilia had stopped moving, floating on her hips.
　When their eyes met, Tilia sat back down quietly.
　Her eyes were narrowed and her mouth was tied in a crooked line.
　She looks really unhappy.

''........Master.''

　Goho, goho, and Tilia coughs deliberately, but Alyssa is silently staring at Crono.

''Gefu, gefu.......gefu, gefu!
'......　I beg your pardon!

　Tilia coughed violently, as if the saliva had entered her trachea or something.
　Alyssa seemed to come to herself at the sound and bowed her head deeply.

'Alyssa, leave us two. Half-elf, you too.

　As Crono made his way to the middle of the office, the sound of the door closing behind him could be heard.
　Alyssa must have closed the door.
　Tilia crossed her hands to cover her mouth.

'My brother-in-law I've just received word that Alfort will be crowned.

　In addition, I take a letter from the drawer.

"Viscount Eil Sardomelik has been relieved of his position as Knight Commander of the Kingsguard.
It was only a matter of time before you got there, wasn't it?

　Eril had been sent to watch over Tyria, but he was easily taken in without having to resort to trickery.
　This was only before Crono went to the Imperial City, but he had also been skipping out on sending reports to the Imperial City.
　It's possible that he's no longer sending reports to the Imperial Capital.
　Clearly, it was a mistake in selecting the right people.
　He should not choose someone who only cares about satisfying his own lust for knowledge and appetite to be an observer.

''Are you going to the coronation?''
I'm on medical leave. And my coronation is today. I can't go.
Do you think you're jumping the gun on things?
I suppose they wanted him on the throne while he was out of the way.

　Was I considered a distraction too?　And Crono has such doubts.
　'It's a terrible way to treat someone who has worked so hard for the Empire.

But I don't understand. I thought it would take a little longer for Alcor to lose his job.

　Tilia leaned back and crossed her arms.

'A lot of nobles were at the castle, and I think they were under pressure.
How could a man like that be the Prime Minister?
'We're going to lose anyway, and I think you're desperate.

　We can't continue to be without an emperor forever, and I don't think Vizier Arkol has a lot of time left on his hands.

'I don't know what Alcor has in mind, but there's no doubt that the Empire will be in turmoil.
I'm sure you do.

　After becoming emperor, Alfort should be able to oust the breathlessness of Alcor's vizier and put the nobles of his faction in key positions.
　The nobles of Alfort's faction may think they can successfully run the country, but the job is not as easy as it looks from the sidelines.
　There is also the possibility of bringing back the corrupt officials who were expelled.
　If that happens, the security of the imperial capital will deteriorate again.
　I feel an indescribable sense of exhaustion, or rather a sense of futility.

It's a good idea to do some serious work in our own way. You'll be able to see that there's nothing that's changed in my absence.　I don't care if you did it or not...
'About that, did you know that Elaine has a textile workshop?
Yeah, I'm afraid so.
I put a shuttle shuttle on his loom right there.
Hmmm, that's good.　I own the 'Sinner Trade Association' and the more money I make, the more money I can pocket.
Huh, is that all you know?

　Tilia let out a deep sigh.

'Crono, the jumping shuttle is an awesome invention, you know?　With that thing, I'll be able to weave cloth with one person instead of three, and it'll increase my efficiency by 30 percent.
I know it's an efficiency booster.
"Because it was a great invention, I offered it only to the 'Sinner Trade Association' and forbade Goldie and her friends to make a jump-jetting shuttle without an order.
As for me, I'm sorry if it's out there...

　Crono honestly apologized as Tilia glared at him with a devilish look on her face.
　''I guess I shouldn't offer a flying shuttle for free.

''And I want to mass-produce the Iron Thorns and the Crossbow.
'Iron thorns?　A crossbow?　Oh, barbed wire and a crossbow.

　Crono clapped his hands together with a pop.

'But what would you do with barbed wire in mass production?　Our territory isn't mainly for cattle farming, so there's not much demand for it, right?　Besides, a crossbow has a shorter range than a mechanic's bow, and I don't think there's any point in mass-producing it, right?
'The iron thorns can be used as a fence to block the enemy's path, and the crossbow can be learned in a short time. Both are revolutionary weapons.
...weapons.

　Crono muttered quietly.
　If you ask me, if you have barbed wire, you can easily make a fence to hold the enemy back.
　Even the crossbow can be easily used by anyone since it only fires arrows mechanically.

''Mm, so I decided to give the crossbow to the people of the Bethel Mountains.
Why?
You're going to turn them into soldiers when the time comes, aren't you?
But isn't it a bad idea to give them a weapon that they can use right away?

　If there's a mass uprising, we won't be able to see it.

''It's an inferior weapon to the mechanic's bow, isn't it?　Then it wouldn't matter if I gave it to him. Besides, I'm sure Sif wouldn't do something stupid like a mass uprising.
But I'm still scared.

　I don't think we should give them a weapon that they can use right away until they are sure they can trust someone other than Sif.

'Crono, if we're going to use them up, don't you think we should use them up efficiently?
That's a horrible thing to say.
You're the one who tries to turn amateurs into soldiers. If you put someone who can't handle a weapon on the battlefield, they will only die in vain. If you're going to put them on the battlefield, you should at least give them a better chance of survival.

　That's a fair point.
　If you're planning to use them as soldiers in a time of need, then you should also think about how you want them to fight.

''I get it. Barbed wire and crossbows....
Iron thorns and crossbows.
Are you hung up on the name?
Hmm, since it's made of our world's technology, it should be named accordingly.

　It's not like that, I guess.
　Well, Crono isn't attached to a name, so any name is fine.

''So that's why I'm going to mass produce the Iron Thorns and Crossbow...''
Wait.

　With that, Tilia pulled a stack of papers out of the drawer.

What's that?
'It's a report on operational research. I've put Weissman in charge of the research. Read this and then decide if we can mass produce it.

　Apparently, Tilia had even gotten Dr. Weissman involved.

'All right. I'll read it as soon as I can. Anything else?
'Progress has been made on the economic alliance. Baron Mesartim, Baron Bossain, and Baron Treis have taken an interest in the wool we are importing from the Holy Argo Kingdom.
That's great.

　Baron Mersatim and Baron Bossain have their fiefdoms south of the Marquis of Erakis, and Baron Treis has a fiefdom south of the Count of Caddo.

''After all, the authority of the royal family is so great, isn't it?
Yeah, well, there's that.

　Hahaha!　Tilia laughed, but her eyes were swimming.

'What else?'
I want to expand my cavalry.
That's hope, isn't it?
Yes.

　The expansion of the cavalry is something I've been thinking about for some time.

'What about the captain?　Ah, a captain leading a squad, not a cavalry captain.
Hmm, I think I'll leave it up to Cecily to raise them and everything.
How's that for a pick?

　Although he's somewhat better than when I first met him, he doesn't seem to have the aptitude to be a leader.

''The other faces are probably similar.
....

　If you ask me, Faye is a sensationist, and Leila has a tendency to act by her own standards.
　Alideed and Deneb don't have long to focus.

''And we can't pull out the captain to train the cavalry, either.
You mean, by process of elimination?
That's what I'm talking about.
So we'll have to get a new maid, won't we?
....

　Tilia was silent.
　She must have dealt with it, because she puffed out her nose in a proud manner.

'Already dealt with?'
'Hmm, I've decided to hire two Bethel Mountains people. It was supposed to be a hush money for the shuttlecock, but you'll be able to show off your fair lord and kill two birds with one stone.

　Whew!　And Tilia exhaled through her nose.
　Fairness would appeal to her, but she had a feeling she was going to have to deal with some nasty stuff too.

'Maybe he doesn't realize it~'

　Crono muttered quietly.