*

　July, 43rd year of the imperial calendar--a red and white curtain was erected in the garden of the Marquis' mansion. Inside it is Crono, a few clerks, and a large number of soldiers.
　On the other side of the podium stood a single beastman. A werewolf with grey fur. He is one of the oldest soldiers and his name is Gray.
　Gray is staring at Crono with a tightened expression. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing before.
　If you look closely, your expression is beginning to subtly relax. The equilibrium between joy and tension has already begun to break down. It goes without saying which one has the upper hand.
　Crono looked at the deeds stacked on the podium. The paper used for the deed was made in the paper workshop of the Marquis' mansion.
　Unlike the ones wholesale to the Pics Trading Company, the Baron Crawford's coat of arms is watermarked with a watermarking process.
　The watermark is made by carding the paper to create a difference in thickness. Goldie said it's not that difficult a technique, but we can't take that for granted.
　Crono picked up the certificate at the top. Then the many soldiers behind Gray gasped.
''...............................Diploma awarded.
　When Crono told them solemnly, the soldiers groaned. As the words of the diploma awarding ceremony indicate, today is the graduation ceremony.
　Unfortunately, we can't give all the soldiers a break at once because it's a graduation ceremony, so we had to hold the first graduation ceremony many times, but we can't spare time for our lovely subordinates.
　These events should be done properly. Well, maybe the reason why I think like this is because I graduated from the military school but did not get a knighthood.
You have completed your primary education. Crono Crawford, Lord of the Marquess of Erakis, in the year 43rd July in the imperial calendar.
　As Crono read out his diploma, Gray's body shook with a pull and a little shake. He was probably touched by the fact that he had been recognized for the abilities he had worked so hard to acquire.
　The primary curriculum is about reading, writing and quadrature. It's hard to answer the question of how much knowledge he has acquired, but it's safe to say that he has acquired knowledge at the level of an elementary school graduate.
　This is an astounding feat. Two years of education seems like a long time, but if you consider the form of classes, the actual period of education should be less than half a year.
　And moreover, they are soldiers........they can't just focus on their studies. It's because they spared no time to study that they were able to finish their primary education course.
　Not one of them failed their graduation examinations. As their supervisor, I'm proud to present them with their diplomas.
Congratulations, Gray. ─ Congratulations, Gray, and I hope that the knowledge you have acquired will be a great help to you in your future endeavors.
"Oh, thank goodness for happiness.
　When Crono offered his diploma with a word, Gray saluted and accepted it with a shaking hand.
　Gray saluted Crono again, and the new clerk opened his mouth.
'No. 253, Drago.
"...haha...
　The new clerk's voice echoes through the loudspeaker magic item, and a lizardman stands up after a slight pause.
　The wounds etched all over his body tell the horrific story of the shura that has gone under. As soon as Drago walks away, Gray walks away from Crono.
　His tail is flapping. The rapture still seems to be burning him from the inside out. He wishes in his heart that the knowledge he has acquired will light up your path ahead.
　It's probably because he can't promise an absolute guarantee that he'll have such thoughts. Suddenly, your vision fades.
　Drago stood in front of the podium.
''Diploma awarded, I certify that you have completed your primary education. Crono Crawford, Lord of the Marquess of Erakis, in the year 43rd July in the Imperial Calendar.
　Crono picked up the diploma and read the sentence.
'Drago, congratulations on your graduation. I sincerely hope that the knowledge you have acquired will light up your path ahead.
"...haha...
　Drago saluted and accepted the diploma that Crono offered him. Although he couldn't see the expression on his face as only a lizardman, he was still somewhat pleased with it.
''No. 254.........''
　The new clerk called out the name of the next graduate.

*

"...we expect this year's crop to be less than 70% lower than last year's due to the inclement weather.
　Betil was listening to the head of the finance department, Bowties, in the conference room at Alfirk Castle. The harvest fell to less than 70% of last year's total.
　That should be surprising, but not if it's an agenda that's been repeated over and over again. Frankly, I'm fed up.
　Had he changed his tune, he might not be in this mood, but he talks about the same agenda in the same way and demands the same thing.
　I should say, of course, there is no one who is not fed up with the occasion. Alfort is constantly rubbing his eyes, and Director General Burkmeier is repeatedly sleeping and waking up.
　Director General Ralph Libra is lying on his back and not moving.
'It's clear that we're losing revenue!　In order not to interfere with the management of the state, I ask that you delegate all authority over gambling establishments to our Finance Department!
　Treasurer Bawties slammed his desk with a bang. If he had come from a civilian background, he might have been afraid of the swordsmanship.
　But Bettyl was a knight. You can't be the leader of the Kingsguard if you're scared to death by being knocked on the desk.
　It is even more so when the timing of the strike is predictable. Nevertheless, it seemed to be effective enough to bring the three people who were trapped in sleepiness back to reality.
　Bethyl made sure they were all awake and opened his mouth.
'The profits of the gambling house are meant to help the poor. We can't just hand over the authority to the Treasury, especially if the harvest is going to be 70% of the total.'
'You say that the Department of Finance will provide relief to the poor!
　Treasurer Bawties raised his voice.
'It's my job,'
.....
　When Bethyl replied matter-of-factly, the Director of Finance Bowties choked on his words. If he's trustworthy, I'm willing to give it up, but unfortunately I don't trust him.
　And, by the way, I don't trust the claim that it will be less than 70 percent, either. Tax collectors sometimes underestimate the expected yield.
　If they underestimate the expected yield, they can pocket the difference. How can one trust the Treasury Department, which has become a cesspool for corrupt officials?
　But Bettille can only do what he claims to do. If you tell him that the projected yield is unreliable, the head of the treasury will tearfully proclaim his innocence.
　He might even declare that he would take his own life to defend his honor. When that happens, what will Alfort do?
　I am sure he will say that he believes it. A nobleman is accused of an innocent crime and is willing to risk his life to defend his honor, and the emperor believes in such a man.
　It is a subject that could be used in a scene from a popular opera. I wouldn't be willing to risk my position to go along with such a trifecta.
'If the price of wheat rises, the people's grasses will starve and the security of the imperial city will deteriorate further.
''Isn't the security in the imperial capital getting worse and worse!
Have you ever heard of deterrence?
　You're all that's left of you!　He swallowed the words and spoke.
'You say that the security of the imperial city is getting worse and worse, but don't you think it's only because we are providing relief to the poor that we are getting away with this?
You don't know that!
Yeah, I don't know.
　That's right. I don't know anything about it, I repeat in my mind. I don't know what the situation is now with the Empire.
　The material presented by the Director of Finance Bawties, the Director of the Shorthand Directorate Burkmeier, and the Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra seems to be doing nothing wrong, but it can't be.
　I felt as if I was fighting in a fog. Where am I, where is the enemy, what is the situation of my men?
　What am I supposed to do in a situation where I don't know anything? At the very least, if they had successfully taken over the system created by Prime Minister Alcor, this wouldn't have happened.
'You don't know what deterrence is until it is gone. We can't stop deterrence just because we are not sure of its effectiveness.
　If he didn't deal with the situation properly, his people would die. How could he not understand such a simple thing, even if he was serving as a provincial lord?
　On the other hand, it might be because he was a provincial lord that he couldn't understand it.
''Should there be an uprising, the army, the Kingsguard, the sword of His Majesty the Emperor, must be mobilized.
....
　As he said to include, the Treasurer Bowties looked at Alfort as if seeking relief.
''As I've said before, the gambling house is under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Bettyl. I'm sorry, but you'll have to put up with that for a while now.
"Ha, as you wish.
　He nodded honestly, but he'd be rehashing the same story at the next meeting anyway.
''But. It's true that the security situation in the Imperial City is deteriorating.
I'm afraid.
"You are excused.
　When Bethyl asked, Alfort nodded, twitching his nose in a good-natured way.
'What is going on with the matter of arranging jobs for the poor?
"...the Director of Finance, Bowties.
The matter is progressing smoothly.
　Alfort gave him a look, and the Director of Finance Bowties replied stagnantly.
'That's right,'
Excuse me.
　Bethyl bowed deeply. There was no way for Alfort to investigate at this rate. No, the trifecta is going to start.
''Your.........''
Military Affairs Director Ralph Libra, allow him to speak.
"Does Your Majesty know what's going on with Princess Tyria?
I'm not interested in that stuff.
　Alfort spat, but the corners of his eyes were twitching in a small way, as if he was upset.
''I heard that Princess Tyria was the initiator of an economic alliance, after all,''
"Economic alliance?
'I have heard that they have eliminated taxes on transfers between territories and have unified the commercial system ... and the rules for opening stalls.
　The story of the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, inspires me to be wary. However, it was not against Princess Tilia or Crono.
　It's because he realized that his own information gathering ability is significantly inferior to his. If left unchecked, he could get his feet under him.
'Did you say stall?'
Yes, sir.
　The Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, smiled serenely.
'It's for the poor, no, it's for the commoners to earn their day's money, isn't it?　What would you do with a unified system of such things?
'I don't know about that, but it's true that the system was introduced in the Seven Territories.
　The market is what Bethyl thinks of when he says a stall, but apparently the two of them are thinking of something else.
'Hmm, it looks like my sister-in-law (Ane) wants to flirt with the people's grass. Or perhaps she feels that she has regained power by uniting all the lords of the frontier.
It's pathetic.
Well, that's very sweet.
　Alfort says tauntingly, and Director of Finance Bowties and Director of the Office of the Shorthand Director Burkmeier follow suit.
　Whatever he's thinking, the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, smiles serenely.
'What do you think, Prime Minister Bettyl?'
I think you three are right.
　Betil spat out a lie. Although the founder is the Princess Tilia, the one leading the charge is undoubtedly Crono.
''Come to think of it, I heard that Princess Tilia is very close to the Marquis of Erakis.
Hmmm, the Marquis of Erakis.
　When Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs, said, Alfort raised his eyebrows with difficulty. It's probably because he thinks he's looking at Crono, and that's why he's reacting.
''If it's the current sister-in-law (Ane), then the Marquis of Erakis will be just fine.
Yes.
The balance is correct.
　I'm impressed beyond sympathy that they can take it so lightly. It's a fearsome talent if you're acting like it is.
''Well then, the next item on the agenda.
　Alfort waved off another subject as if he had lost interest.

*

　When the meeting was over, Bethyl headed to Nicole's group's base in the Twelfth Ward. Naturally, he didn't go on foot, but by boxcarriage.
　The noise on the way was terrible, but the area around Nicole's base was quiet as if it were a lie.
''........Hmm.
　Betil got off the boxcarriage and looked around. Even though it was the Twelfth Street, the bustle was far away and the streets were well swept.
　After a while, the door opened and a small, neatly dressed young man came out.
''Come in, over here.''
You guys are staying here.
　He ordered his knight of escort to follow the young man. They were let through to the parlor. Perhaps it wasn't ready, but there was no sign of Nicole.
　Bethyl sat down on the sofa and looked around. The furniture and furnishings there are not comparable to those of Alfilk Castle, but they seem to be of the first class.
''Hey, sorry to keep you waiting,''
I don't mind.
　
'So, what do you want?　A bribe prompt?
'Don't be a fool. If I take a bribe from someone like you, the market is set to suck me to the bone.
So, what do you want?
　Nicole asked, not seeming to be offended.
'I'm here to stock up on information.'
That's a lot of money.
You took my name in vain. Service me.
　Tsk, Nicole clicked her tongue.
'When did you notice?'
I can see it in the area around this building.
　Despite the fact that the security of the imperial capital is getting worse, the area around this building is quiet. Perhaps, Nicole has taken control of the Twelfth Street District.
''Well, I did use the Prime Minister's name, though. Is that really such a bad thing?''
You cheated, didn't you?
　When I asked back, Nicole clicked her tongue again.
'Alright, alright. Don't look so scared. You're here to get information, aren't you?　So what information do you want to know?
How's the security of the Imperial City?
It's awful, but it's not the worst of it.
　You say it's going to get worse.
How's the unemployment situation going?
Oh, no. I'm talking about the fact that he's flopping dead in the street.
Okay.
　I knew it, or perhaps I should say, the director of finance, Bowties, was lying.
"That's what they do, even when they're not doing anything. Criminals are desperate to get caught and killed.
　Nicole opened the bottle and poured the wine into a glass.
　Bethyl let out a sigh. He hadn't expected it from the start, but he didn't think it was a factor in the security of the Imperial City.
'How's the wheat coming along?'
Oh, come on, I don't have to explain all that to you.
　Nicole said disgustedly, but I'm sure she's screaming with pleasure inside. The vizier of the Empire doesn't know what's going on.
　He must be trying to figure out how to take advantage of it.
''Don't hear that the harvest is going to be less than in previous years.
What's the percentage?
Eighty percent, maybe ninety percent.
I see.
　Bethyl replied calmly, trying his best. Nicole may think I'm an idiot, but this one is struggling to control her anger.
　Seventy percent. We were told that the harvest was going to be down to 70% of last year's crop because of the bad weather, but it's actually 90%.
"Is that all you can say about that?
　Nicole spat and leaned forward.
'So what are you going to do about it?'
What do you mean?
You know, we could use this information to bring down a political opponent or something.
　Nicole said irritably.
'Do I owe you an answer to that?'
Tsk, no.
　Nicole said as she spat and paused to gulp down her glass. 'Important information, but you won't be able to disqualify the Director of Finance Bowties.
　Even if you point out that the harvest estimate is wrong, the person in charge will be punished and that's the end of it. It would only cause resentment and have no benefit.
　Nicole is probably thinking of forcing Bethyl into a dangerous role, hopefully a handout if it works, and finding a new parasite if it fails.
'Well, I'll take my leave now.
I hope to see you again.
Yeah, I know.
　Bethyl nodded quietly. He may have meant it as a provocation, but he agreed wholeheartedly. I can't say I'm in a solid position.
　He reaches for the doorknob and turns around.
'Do you still need something?'
Why would a man like you follow the Marquis of Erakis?
Do I need to tell you?
No, I'm just curious.
　Ha, Nicole laughed and turned away in a huff.
''Well the first time I met you, you told me that I had come up in the world too. I thought I'd at least listen to what they had to say.
Yes, the Marquis of Erakis would say that.
　Bethyl chuckled.

*

　In the evening, Betil returned to his home in the Third Street District. A man dressed in a white military uniform, the sign of a knight of the Kingsguard, stood in the doorway.
　His eyes are badly drawn, and his nose is thick and round. However, most people who see him will remember him not for his looks, but for his physique, which is comparable to that of a large subhuman.
　His name is Simon Arden. He was a lower class aristocrat and did poorly in his military school days. Aside from his practical skills, he was near the bottom of the class.
　Normally, he is not the kind of person who can wear a white military uniform, but in order to rebuild the Twelfth Order of the Kingsguard, I had no choice but to allow him to join.
　When Simon noticed us, he straightened his back and saluted.
''Prime Minister Betil, thank you for your hard work.
Do you have anything to report?
Nothing.
　It was a low, snarling voice.
'Good work. Keep up the good work.'
What?
　My heart leaps at the words. I can't laugh off the fact that it would be hard to have a life-threatening situation in the security of the mansion.
　I open the front door and walk in, and my wife greets me as usual.
'Welcome home. Thanks for all your hard work.
I just got home.
　Bethyl answered after a pause. Since when did my wife always add a few words of thanks for your help?
　Only not recently, that was for sure. That is to say, he had been in such a state of uncertainty that he hadn't been able to afford to notice his wife's concern for him.
　The touch of kindness makes me feel guilty. I should never have had a mistress if I felt like this.
　If my wife had been unfaithful to me, I would have died of shock myself.
'Do I look so tired?'
Yes, very much.
　My wife nodded with a worried look on her face.
''Well if I do...''
Yes, sir.
No, it's nothing.
　Betil shook his head. 'If I said I wanted to resign my position as vizier and live in the country, would you follow me?
　The words he swallowed were tempting. I even wondered to myself why I had swallowed these words.
　I can assure you that I don't have any reservations about the position of Prime Minister. If so, why did he swallow the words?
　Bethyl shook his head again.
'Would you like to have dinner, my dear?　Or are you bathing in hot water?
Take a bath.
That's what I thought you'd say, sir. I'm ready for you.
　My wife smiles a little happily.
'I've floated some herbs to help with fatigue.
I'm sorry.
　The back of his eyes felt numb. Why had I done something like that to despise my wife, who was so devoted to me?
''I'll reheat the soup before it comes out.
Yeah, thanks.
　If I could turn back the clock, I wouldn't have a mistress this time.
'Speaking of which, what's the price of wheat?
What happened to the bushes and sticks?
No, I'm just curious because of all the inclement weather.
　'Yes,' says my wife, putting her index finger to her lips as if she were thinking.
'Prices have gone up a bit lately, haven't they?
Recently?
Yeah, for a couple of months now.
　I had a bad feeling about this. The current finance bureau would not be afraid to divulge the expected harvest to the merchants. What would the merchants do when they found out?
　Of course they would buy it up and drive up the price. The merchant is now making preparations for the price hike.
Can we get some wheat?
'We just got the delivery for this month yesterday, remember?
Can you do it?
　'Yes,' said my wife, nodding with a dubious look on her face.
'How much do I have to buy?'
...one year.
A year?
　My wife's eyes widened in surprise.
''Well I understand. It's best not to ask why.
Sorry.
　Bethyl hung his head.
'I'll send a letter to my father as well, just in case. I'll complicate the reasons appropriately.
Yeah, thanks.
You're welcome.
　Then my wife laughed shyly.