*

　Mid-September, 43rd year of the imperial calendar - I wonder if those two are safe, Bethyl thinks about that, even though he is in a meeting.
　No, I don't have time to think about that right now, he said, concentrating on what Director Burckmeyer was saying.
　If you don't listen properly, you'll be caught flat-footed. That must be avoided.
　That said, it takes a lot of mental energy to concentrate on what Director Burkmeier has to say.
　Just as Treasurer Bourchies continues to call for concessions on the gaming parlors, Burkmeier is repeating the same story.
　His story can be summarized as follows. Thanks to Operation Restore Security - not a slum clearance operation - the security of the imperial capital has been restored.
　This is thanks to the wise decision of His Majesty Alfort.
　If there's one thing that differentiates him from Treasurer Bawties, it's that he has a rich vocabulary. How can he rattle off all the rhetoric he can muster?
　He might as well quit his job as head of the Bureau of Letters and become a poet.
　You can see from the look of pride on his face that you can understand what he is thinking.
　Perhaps he thinks he has done well. Indeed, if you only look at the numbers, the security of the imperial capital has recovered dramatically.
　But that's just holding them down with fear and not a fundamental solution. With the passage of time, the criminals will move again.
　No, will the riots come first? The price of wheat continues to rise, up 20% from the same month last year.
　There is some hope that the price of wheat will come down in October - the time of tax payment - but it's more like a prayer.
'....Phew.
　Betil let out a small sigh. He knew he had to focus on the Director of the Burkemeyer Shorthand, but he was thinking about those two.
　I wonder where they are now. Selling the dagger should cover the road silver for the two of them, but it's very likely that they are being bought cheap.
　That dagger was purchased when he became the Commander of the Kingsguard. I used to feel as if I was a superior person when I carried that finely crafted dagger from my waist.
　Unfortunately, my wife's opinion of it was not good. She said nothing, but silence is sometimes more eloquent than words.
''--With His Majesty's wisdom, the security of the imperial capital has been dramatically restored. This is the first time since the first emperor who was willing to sacrifice and part ways with the temple forces--
　The words of the Director of the Shorthand Office of Burkemeyer do not touch Bethyl's heart.
　They disappear without leaving anything behind.
''Huh.''
　Bethyl let out another sigh and thought about his two children. I hope they get there safely.
　If only they could get there, Crono would protect them. I regret that I should have thought that far and told him my name.
　If I gave him my name, Crono wouldn't treat me with disrespect. He and I have had some unfortunate misunderstandings in the past, but I'm proud to say that we have a reasonable amount of trust now.
　It might be possible to go to Crono's territory to play with him. Of course, I understand that it would be difficult, but I found it fascinating.
''-- That's all from me.
　The Director of the Shogun's Book Department, Mr. Burkmeier, bowed and took his seat. Alfort is disheveled and out of phase.
　He was happy to be honored again today.
'You're next in line to be Director of Finance Bowties.
"Your Majesty.
　The Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, loosely raised his hand. At that moment, Bethyl was struck by an unearned anxiety.
　He has the same good-natured expression on his face as usual, but that doesn't help to dispel the anxiety.
　He carried out a security restoration operation - a slum-clearing operation - with the same expression on his face as usual.
'Allow me to speak,'
　The Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, slowly stood up.
''Well this is more of a chit chat, sir.
Good. We need to have some chit-chat for the meeting.
　Alfort nodded hawkishly.
'Prime Minister Betil. I've been wondering for a couple of weeks now, what happened to the dagger?
"-Oh!
　Bethyl gasped. Anxiety welled up, and his heart pulsed like an early bell.
　The words, 'Don't look at me with such eyes,' rise to his throat.
'If it has been stolen, has it not?
....
　Betil cannot answer. Operation Restore Security was an operation that was carried out with Alfort's permission.
　If you are deemed to have interfered with it, you will have to be punished.
　His breathing is heavy. My fingers are chattering. My heart is pounding.
　Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra claps his hands and the door to the conference room opens.
　Two Kingsguard knights entered.
　One held Betil's dagger and the other held a covered box.
　The dagger and the box are placed in front of Bethyl.
''The dagger belongs to Prime Minister Bethyl, right?
Yeah, that's right.
Oh, you're right. This dagger belongs to a slum dweller.
　Bethyl stared at the tub.
''I took care of the underling on the spot. My men tell me that he was fierce and violent... I understand that Prime Minister Bettyl was injured in his leg?
It's nothing serious.
I'm glad to hear it. 'I'm glad to hear that, because I'm sure Prime Minister Bettyl will have to support His Majesty.
　The size of this box is--.
　No, it can't be.
Would you mind checking it out?
"-Oh!
　You devil, Bethyl poisoned in his mind.
　But there was no choice but to open it.
　Bethyl opened the lid of the box.
　What was there was the salted head of a young boy.
　His eyes widened with a snap, and it looked as if he had been cut out of the moment of death.
　What had he been thinking?
　Was he in the grip of fear?
　Was he filled with hatred?
　Or was he praying for his sister's safety?
　It's a meaningless question.
　The answer to that question is already lost.
''Huh.''
　Bethyl exhaled quietly and gently closed the lid.
'I don't remember.'
Well, I'm sorry you had to go through all that trouble.
Excuse me.
　The knight of the Kingsguard took the box and walked out of the conference room.
　Bethyl sat back in his seat.
　What was in it for the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, to do this?
　So far, there should be no conflict of interest.
　But if it was meant to be a harassment, it was the best move.
'Well I'm sorry to take up your time, Director of Finance Bowties.
I'd be happy to do it for Prime Minister Bettyl.
　Treasurer Bawties said happily.
''Let me be blunt, the security of the imperial capital has been dramatically restored through Operation Restore Security. Since the security of the imperial capital has been restored to this extent, I don't think there's any need to spend money on the poor.
What are you going to do if the security situation in the Imperial City deteriorates again?
　Bettyl asked quietly to Director of Finance Bowties.
　I can feel my strength slipping away with each word.
　I know it. I know that we have to endure this place.
　I know that we have to endure this place," he said.
"We can re-engage in a security operation. Isn't force the best deterrent?
　Treasurer Bawties said, as he should. I think he's looking at himself and Alfort as he once was.
　Military Director Ralph Libra has misled others just as he once did Bettyl.
'Now that security has been restored in the imperial capital, we must deal with the drop in tax revenues due to the poor weather conditions. To that end, I would like to ask you to delegate the authority over the gaming establishments to the Department of Finance.
　We must refuse.
　If we delegate the authority of the gambling house, we will not be able to help the poor.
　That would only shorten the lifespan of the empire and yet--''
''........I understand.
　Bethyl agreed.
　It wasn't because he was convinced by Finance Director Bawties.
　It was because he had been broken by War Secretary Ralph Libra.
　The best of intentions are destroyed by bad ones.
　If you try to move forward, you are drawn back.
　I've come to realize that this is the Empire now.
"Oh!
　Treasurer Bowties' eyes widened and he coughed.
'I am pleased to have the authority of the Gaming Authority but I propose, Your Majesty, to requisition the price of wheat from the southern frontier to stabilize it.
What will you do if I don't respond to the requisition?
　Bettyl asked the Treasurer Bowties with his last ounce of energy.
'Why don't we block off the streets then? 'Of course they'll be uprooted as soon as we stop the flow of salt.'
'Oh, that's a great idea. I'll admit it.
　A discussion would have been better than a requisition, but Alfort had approved the Director of Finance Bowties' proposal.
　Bettyl let out a sigh for what seemed like the umpteenth time.



　When Bettyl returns to the mansion after running out of steam and roots, he finds a box wagon parked in front of the mansion. He dismounted from the boxcarriage in disbelief.
''Betil Vizier!''
What's going on?
　I ask Simon as he runs up to me.
Prime Minister Bettyl has a visitor.
Did you let him in?
No, we can't just let a suspicious person through the house.
There's no suspicious characters. There's no suspicious characters.
　When I turned around, I saw Nicole there.
'You ... why are you ... why are you here?'
I thought I'd say hello since we're closing up.
　With that, Nicole gave a wild smile. Apparently, she intends to close the gambling house and flee the Imperial City.
''Isn't it in retaliation?''
I don't have time for this shit.
I see.
　Bethyl nodded, but he wasn't stupid enough to take his word for it.
'You're closing up shop?'
Yeah, I thought reigning over the rotten imperial capital wouldn't be so bad, but that doesn't seem to have any future.
I see.
　It's nothing. Even the head of the criminal organization has given up on the Empire.
What are you going to do now?
That's a tough one to say.
　Nicole grinned. It was easy to imagine from that smile that she was thinking about the good stuff.
'You're going to have to pull your weight in criminal activity.
'Oh come on, do I look like I would do that?'
　Nicole cowered her shoulders as if to say it was out of her mind.
'I'd better get going!
"Oh, I'm coming!
　The boy's voice sounded and Nicole raised her voice.
　I think I heard it somewhere--''
'Abayo!'
　Nicole turned on her heel and headed for her box carriage.
'Even a guy like that will be missed when he's gone.
　Betil let out a sigh as he watched the boxcarriage move through the sunset-soaked streets.

*

'....My men are starving. Can't we offer your uncle our assistance?
　A low voice echoed in the Oval Office. If written down, it would have been an unremarkable and extremely rational question.
　But Apollo felt uncomfortable, as if he was at the scene of a threat.
　Perhaps the battalion commander being told to his face must have felt even more uncomfortable than that.
　At times like this, I'm really glad I'm a commoner.
　The owner of the voice - the dragon who serves as the battalion's second-in-command - is the owner of a deadly aspect. He has gold pot eyes and three white eyes. The bridge of his nose is thick and his lips are thick.
　His hair is always wavy, despite being cut short. His body is comparable in size to that of a large subhuman, and his arms are thick and long.
　Apollo has never seen the real thing, but he is said to resemble an ape called a gorilla.
　Dragon is the most mysterious man in the battalion.
　Or perhaps I should say, rumor-mongering abounds. There's no shortage of suspicious rumors: that he's an ex-mercenary, that he didn't want to deal with a prostitute who cried, that he strangled a bandit with his bare hands, and so on and so forth.
'I'm sorry, but my uncle refused to let me go.
We're protecting public order, aren't we?
　It's a perfectly natural question. And yet, when it emanates from the dragon's mouth, it sounds like a threat.
"I'm sorry. Please understand.
I understand.
　The dragon bowed deeply and turned on his heel. It was just my imagination that the figure seemed to be holding back his anger.
　Apollo followed Dragon out of the office.
'I knew it was a bad idea.'
''It can't be helped. Even though my lord's nephew is the battalion commander, we are a bunch of strangers.
　Dragon said with a snarl. This is just another one of those things that Apollo feels like he's snarling and he thinks he's saying it plainly.
'How do you think we can get help?'
'Yes, I suppose so. If the price of wheat rises higher than it is now, and the lords have to pay more for their armies than the Empire, or...''
　That would mean that the battalion would be the private army of the lord.
　The dragon heads to the barracks. The barracks is a vertical building reminiscent of a stable. Inside, there are countless beds lined up.
　When he entered the barracks, the soldiers who were lying on the beds woke up.
''Captain Dragon, how was your day?''
'I'm sorry. They refused to help you.
　Ah~, and the soldiers shouted in disappointment. Still, is it due to humanity that they don't have an opinion to blame the dragon?
　No, is it simply because they are afraid? By the way, the dragon is the second in command of this battalion, but everyone calls him the captain.
''I thought being a soldier would give me a belly full of food.
You could be a bandit now.
　Ha-ha," the soldiers say, laughing without effort. A full meal is one of the first illusions soldiers have.
　In fact, whether they are able to eat a full meal depends largely on the skill of the battalion commander. In addition, a battalion commander's reputation depends on his ability to keep his men full of food.
　There is nothing wrong with being a good soldier, but soldiers respect a battalion commander who feeds them.
''........A bandit?''
I was just kidding, Captain Dragon.
　The action the dragon took after this was enough to send the soldiers into a tizzy.
　He took off his jacket.
'Wait!　We're not that corrupt!
　Apollo said in a voice that sounded surprisingly unnerving to himself.
'What are you talking about?'
I thought you were going to be a thief.
　Apollo was puzzled when the dragon spoke back with a straight face.
　It was impossible to tell him not to be confused.
'My men are starving, sir.
Isn't that why you're a thief?
I thought it would be a good opportunity to take anyone who wanted to and go home to their parents.
...my parents' house.
　The dragon told him off as a matter of course, but Apollo didn't understand. It would still be more understandable if he said he was going to be a bandit.
　Who would have thought that the dragon would have a family home?
I see you have a family.
What do you think I am?
No, I think that would be possible for a dragon captain.
Rude.
　Then the dragon chuckled.
'So where is your family home?'
Barony of Girant on the southern frontier.
　I see, Apollo agreed.
　The southern frontier is the breadbasket of the Empire.
　But--''
'Are you sure you're okay?　I don't know how big Captain Dragon's family home is, but I don't think there are that many people I could feed.
...we could accept a thousand people.
　The dragon said casually, and there was a commotion in the barracks.
''Oh, um, is it acceptable to Captain Dragon's one request?
Yes, that's all right. Of course, we can't just feed you, so you'll need to work as a vigilante or work on the farm.
　The Dragon's answer was subtly off the mark.
'Who is Captain Dragon?'
I'm Baron Zirant's son.
　A silence dominated the barracks.

　'Hate, kono hato no daro.

'Were you a nobleman?'
Yeah, well,
How's the military school?
He's graduated.
　Speaking of which, I've heard that the new nobles are given the cold shoulder in the military.
'What's the name Dragon?'
That's his real name.
I thought it was an alias.
My father named me after him in the hope that I would be as strong as a dragon.
　A dragon - a dragon, of all things.
　Baron Zirant should have given him a more twisted name.
　Well, maybe that's how it is with the emerging aristocracy--''
''If there's a problem...''
And if there is?
I haven't been home for fifteen years. I do send and receive letters, but it's hard for me to go home because I'm encouraged to go on an arranged marriage meeting.
　The dragon scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
'At any rate, I am going to go to the battalion commander's office and offer my retirement. I know it will be difficult to make a decision to move on right away, but if you wish, please offer as soon as possible.
　Huh," the soldiers, including Apollo, replied distractedly.
　I felt like I was being pinched by a fox.



　October, 43rd year of the imperial calendar - it's been a long time since we've gathered at this time of year, Claude looked at the faces in the conference room.
　Baron Lipaios, Baron Kagachi, Baron Girant, Baron Beor, Baron Gennou, Baron Levy, and Kanan Ekron.
　They used to see each other more often, but since the settlement took off, they only saw each other at regular meetings.
　We've all gotten older. Canaan's presence at the meetings is proof of that. In another five years, he would be completely replaced.
'I'm sure you guys have received a letter from the imperial capital to send me some wheat, or I'll block the road.
　Seven people moaned. From the reactions, it seems the same letter has been delivered.
''d*mn, I seriously wish you'd give me a break.
　Claude blurted out, and a giggle escaped. If you think that there is no window of opportunity because of Alcor's downfall, this is what it looks like.
　You can complain about it.
About this matter, I don't think I have to follow it immediately.
If you don't obey them, they will block the roads.
　It was Canaan who objected.
'I don't mind being on lockdown, do you?
Well that's true, but...
　Canaan grunts and the other six laugh serenely. It's a smile directed at their daughter, or granddaughter, who is afraid of ghosts.
'We won't be bothered anymore when they shut down the streets.
　There is a sea on the southern frontier, but the topographical factors - the sheer cliffs - make it impossible to build a salt field.
　It was a lifeline, so to speak. But now we can get rock salt from the Loo people.
　That's not all. Rare medicinal herbs, foodstuffs, and even minerals can be obtained. The Areos Mountains had become a treasure trove.
　However, since the Areos Mountains are the autonomous region of the Roux, they cannot just break into the mountains to collect them without permission.
　Steady negotiations would be necessary. When I was young, I would have gone mad because I couldn't take it anymore, but now I can afford to enjoy the steady negotiations.
"And even if we do eventually comply--
Are you going to comply?
We don't have the resources to fight them. Well, even if we do eventually comply, it's not a good idea to get a letter and follow it immediately. We'll get ripped off.
　I'm not so egotistical or geriatric as to think that I can fight the Empire with a force the size of a vigilante.
　But there's a heavenly difference between just following orders and following them as a result of negotiations.
''Now I just need an enemy that's closer to us.
Are they enemies of ours?
If we don't have a window to negotiate, it's a very ugly war.
I see.
　Kanan nodded with a divine look on his face.
'I think I have a reasonable amount of trust with Taul's son, but what about you guys?
It's all clear.
　It was Baron Gillant who answered.
'The price of wheat has gone up or something, and they're in trouble.
Well, my place is pretty much the same.
　Taul's son - Gaul has to feed not only his men, but also his wife, who is pregnant.
　To Claude, the Roux are like relatives to him, so he's not going to spare them any assistance.
　That's the intention, but the troublesome part is that they have to get up in Gaul's face.
''For now, we have enemies that are closer to us, right?
....
　Claude asked, and Canaan looked down apologetically.
'Don't be so apologetic. This kind of thing is a matter of getting used to it.'
Yes, sir.
　Just as Kanan looked up, there was a tap on the door.
　Myra entered the conference room without a sound.
''........Master....''
What?
From the north--
'You're already here!'
　Claude stood up and shouted. 'You just sent me a letter and you know how to send an army, you know what a fight is.
''No, it's not the Imperial Army,''
What? You lost your patience.
　He patted his chest.
'So what came from the north?'
Crowd. There's a crowd, led by a dragon, approaching this way.
What's your son doing?
I don't know.
　Baron Zirant spat.
''You mean you can't eat in the army anymore?''
'Sir. This is just my personal opinion but I'm afraid there will be more to come.
　Myra's voice sounded surprisingly well. If the retired soldiers gathered together at this point, the southern frontier would be a force to be reckoned with.
　At least the Empire would think so.
''Well if that's the case, I guess we'll be able to get them to the negotiating table.
　Claude poked his cheekbones and muttered softly.

*

'Mother!　Please listen to me!
　When Fana entered the office, Alfort stood up with a furtive look on his face. In his hand he held a piece of paper.
　I have a bad feeling about it.
'What's wrong with that paper?'
'Don't be surprised. This paper was made in the Marquess of Erakis.
Oh, really?
'Is your mother not surprised to learn that this paper was made in the Marquis of Erakis?
That's great.
　Until now, paper had to be imported from a group of free city-states. If mass production could be achieved within the Empire, there would be no need to buy expensive imported goods.
　On the contrary, it could revolutionize the way the Empire was run.
''Not so!''
So what is it, then?
　Fana returns, feeling disgusted. I am a mother, not a mind reader. She doesn't understand all of her children's minds.
''This was made in the Marquis of Erakis. It was imported from a group of free city-states and used in the castle.''
Yeah.
　Well, I see what you mean. They used paper falsely claiming to be imported from a group of free city-states and made in the Empire.
　Where did the difference disappear to, you might ask?
''This is a conspiracy by the Marquis of Erakis!
What?
"Mother, this is a conspiracy of the Marquis of Erakis.
You have proof, right?
''Yes, I had my men examine it properly. "Yes, I had my men examine it properly. In short, this paper is irrefutable proof.
You don't think you're going to...
　Fana felt dizzy.
　It was almost a miracle she hadn't fallen.
　She had never thought it would be so shocking to witness the stupidity of her child.
''Just because that paper was made in the Marquis of Erakis' territory doesn't prove that the Marquis of Erakis was involved in the injustice, does it?
　He caught his breath and tried to persuade them.
'If you look at the plight of the Empire, the involvement of the Marquis of Erakis is self-evident, isn't it? This plight stems from the Marquis of Erakis' purchase of the Bowties Treasurer's lordship. I've looked into this as well, so there's no doubt about it.
That's because you built the mausoleum, isn't it?
From the moment I decided to build the mausoleum, the Marquis of Erakis' conspiracy had begun.
　Fana felt dizzy and backed away. Even if she had been hit in the head with a blunt object, she wouldn't have been as shocked as she was.
　How could this have happened? It was obvious. It was because Alfort believed the stories of the nobles visiting the office.
''I thought it was strange. The imperial capital is in such a state, yet the territory of the Marquis of Erakis is flourishing. Since he is such a conspiratorial figure, it makes sense that the restoration of security when he was in charge of the imperial capital's security was also in league with the criminals.
　Alfort said as he wound up.
''And those eyes. The Marquis of Erakis was looking at me as if he were avenging his parents. That is the clear evidence of his hostility towards me. It's a terrible betrayal. I had my eye on you, and you were looking out for me.
　Alfort burbled and shook his fist.
'Mother, from the above, the guilt of the Marquis of Erakis is clear.
You're really...
　Fana took a deep breath.
'You're such an idiot!'
'Nah!　Even if it's your mother, I'm not going to tolerate any outbursts!
If I'm talking out of turn, you're talking out of turn, aren't you?　You don't have any evidence to prove anything!
'Someone!　Your mother is disturbed!
"You fool!　I shouldn't have given birth to you!
My, my, my, my... No, don't talk to me like that!　He's staying home!　I'm ordering you to stay home!
　Alfort summoned and a knight of the Kingsguard entered the office.
'What happened, sir?'
Your mother is out of control!　Heh, lock him in his room.
　The Kingsguard Knight had his mouth open with a pout. Perhaps it was because Alfort looked disturbed in his eyes.
　Suddenly, Alcor's words passed through his mind.

　-- While you think the worst, there is still a bottom.

　I wonder if there's still a bottom, Fana let out a deep sigh.