*

　Early October, 43rd year of the Imperial calendar--Betil was walking down the corridor leading to the conference room, looking for an excuse to skip the meeting.
　He feels that he could resign from his position as Prime Minister already, but even if he has to use his health condition as an excuse, he needs to make arrangements.
　Bethyl stopped in front of the furnishings.
　On a pedestal is a Sadar ware pot that was made about a hundred years ago.
　I don't know how it came to be displayed in the corridors of Alfilk Castle, but it is a simple but tasteful pot.
　I once thought about displaying it in my own mansion when I was devoted to my work as a knight commander, but it was so expensive that I gave up on it.
　A thin layer of dust settled on that expensive vase.
　A week ago, Alfort ordered Fana to stay in his estate.
　This is the result.
　It's not just here.
　Suddenly, the ladies are in turmoil because of the sudden disappearance of Fana, a high ranking person.
　Maybe they are engaged in factional warfare.
　The female officer is the daughter of a nobleman.
　She is the daughter of a nobleman and cannot remain unaffected by her family's intentions.
　If there was a superior, she might have reluctantly - or even gladly - obeyed, as she was freed from her parents' family, but if not, she would move according to her parents' wishes.
　Perhaps they are afraid of isolation, just as the soldiers are afraid of isolation.
'....I want to go home.
　Betil mutters softly and begins to walk towards the conference room.
'Prime Minister Betil, good evening,'
Thank you.
　The Knight of the Kingsguard opened the door and Bettyl entered the conference room.
　The Director of Finance Bawties, the Director of the Shorthand Bureau, Burkmeier, and the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, took their seats.
　Bettyl took his own seat in silence.
　He leaned back in his chair and looked around.
　Treasurer Bawties is somewhat pale.
　Was the harvest less than seventy percent of the previous year's total?
　Is it that the arena he took over is not being run well?
　Either way, it was none of Betil's business.
　After a while, Alfort entered the room.
　Alfort took his seat and leaned back against the back.
'....We will begin the meeting. Treasurer Bawties, report to you.
Ha!
　Treasurer Bawties stood up quietly.
'Firstly, I would like to tell Her Majesty about this year's harvest. The expected harvest was seventy percent of the previous year's, but the harvest was sixty percent of the previous year's.
What?
　Alfort's eyes widened in astonishment.
　This surprised Bethyl as well.
　The expected harvest that he had heard from Nicole was eighty or ninety percent of the previous year's harvest.
　The information he had gotten through his parents-in-law was ninety percent.
　Probably, the actual harvest was 90% of the previous year's figure.
　The tax collectors of the emperor's direct domain would have embezzled thirty percent of the previous year's amount.
'However, please refer to the documents at hand.
　Bethyl picked up a document on his desk.
'The price of wheat is up thirty percent on the same month last year. If we cash it in at this rate, along with other tax revenues, we'll retain eighty-five percent of our tax revenue from the previous year.
　The previous year's tax revenue was six million gold coins - four million gold coins from the conversion of crops, and two million gold coins from monopoly goods, tolls, etc.
　If Treasurer Bawties has his way, this year's tax revenue will be five hundred and twenty-two million gold coins.
　But--
"With all due respect, Your Majesty.
What is it, Prime Minister Bettyl?
'If the Director of Finance Bowties had his way, we would get five hundred and twenty-two thousand gold pieces, but our troops have not been provided with sustenance in kind.
　Not surprisingly, military expenses are paid for in gold.
　In the previous year, the cost of the army, including the cost of provisions, was 2.7 million pieces.
'Gutted, speak briefly.'
'With the same budget as the previous year, our soldiers will starve. That means we can't sustain a standing army of 100,000.
"Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs!
I see. At the current rate, we can't even buy 80 percent of what we need.
　Alfort shouted sharply, and Ralph Libra, the Director of Military Affairs, squeezed his beard and said.
'And furthermore I would say ...'
Prime Minister Bettyl, do you have anything else?
'The merchant will not sell the wheat for what he bought it for.
　As a matter of course, the merchant sells his share on top of it.
　How much will the wheat be worth by the time it goes to market?
"...Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs.
What's that?
　The Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, turned his gaze to Bethyl.
　'I know you're giving me a disgusted look,' he said, 'but that's all.
'How are the soldiers doing?'
That's right. About 5,000 of them are out of the army.
Why?
I'm afraid I don't know that much, sir.
　Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs, squeezed his beard.
'Isn't that proof that our soldiers are starving?
We'll look into it.
　If Bettyl were in the position of Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra, I'd at least find out why.
　It's not like he's somebody else's problem.
　Or maybe he has no interest in retired military personnel.
　It's possible.
　He had failed to make a mark as a military strategist during the civil war of the imperial calendar forty years.
　Back then, the lords had led their own armies.
　It would have been difficult to even maintain an army in a situation where the intentions of the lords were intertwined.
　That's why the new nobles - although they were a mercenary army at the time - were able to play an active role.
...Oh, I see.
　Bethyl mutters in a small voice.
　The Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra is not interested in soldiers who don't get their way.
''I see.''
　I mutter again.
　I think I finally understand him now.
　He wants to start over.
　He wants to prove his strength by leading an army that will do what he wants it to do.
'Wouldn't we be less hungry if we had fewer soldiers?
　Betil was brought back to reality by Alfort's words.
'You're dismissing the possibility that security will deteriorate?
No, I didn't say that.
　When Bethyl asked back, Alfort snorted.
''Any decent lord would fear the deterioration of security and would try to tie up his soldiers, even if it means cutting his own throat. If that happens, the soldiers will turn into the lord's private army.''
That's not possible!
Are you trying to taunt us?
　Treasurer Bawties and Director of the Bureau of Finance and Mr. Burckmeyer leaned forward and shouted.
'It doesn't matter how you two feel. The only thing that matters to a soldier is that he who fills his own belly is his master.
　The two of them look at me, colored by negative emotions, but it doesn't matter.
　I'm confident that I can beat them down with my bare hands if they come at me.
'Treasurer Bowties, how's the southern frontier going?
No word yet.
Did you close the roads?
No, no, no, you haven't answered the question.
　Treasurer Bawties answers Alfort, wiping sweat off his face.
'Why don't you shut it down?'
"Your Majesty.
What now?
　When Bethyl called out to him, Alfort said irritably.
''The new nobles have their own reasons for being here.
What's so important about this country?
They have a people to protect.
　From Bethyl's point of view, it is the Empire that is doing the unlawful.
　For their own reasons, they are trying to rob the new nobles of the fortune they have worked so hard to build.
　But even if I said that, Alfort would not understand.
''Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs!　Where is the Marquis of Erakis?
Leonhardt and Rio, I'm sending a hundred cavalrymen to you, sir.
When we get the Marquis of Erakis under control.
　Alfort smiles darkly.
　Most likely, he's going to use the captured Crono as a bargaining chip.
　There is no dignity there.
　Bettyl could only let out a sigh.



　Leonhardt advances his horse to the west.
　They are led by the 100 cavalry of the First and Ninth Kingsguard Knights.
　Their individual skills and skill level as a cavalry unit is one step ahead of the cavalry-focused Fifth Kingsguard Knights.
　Of course, I don't blame them for that.
　Leonhardt himself can't match Viscount Brad Hammar in his horsemanship skills.
　He describes it in this way as a unity of man and horse - a skillful coordination that takes place as if the rider were one with the horse.
　Viscount Brad Hammar is the embodiment of these words.
　Nevertheless, in the framework of the Imperial Army, Leonhardt is one of the best cavalrymen, and his subordinates are also of the highest caliber.
　Such proud subordinates, but their movements are lackluster due to the effects of the forced march.
　It's understandable, I suppose.
　They're trying to cross a road that would normally take two weeks to complete in a week.
　And that's while taking care not to destroy the convoy.
　If you push it through, there will be a distortion somewhere.
　Leonhardt is also aware of the fatigue that builds on his shoulders.
　You can use the divine power technique to temporarily disguise the fatigue, but this is really a last resort.
　If I were to use an analogy - the closest thing to it would be an advance loan.
　It's true that you can get through the moment, but the burden will be heavier later on.
　I frown as I recall the time when we conducted a multi-stage rocket run in the Holy Argo Kingdom.
　At that time, the horse died and Leonhardt and the others almost died as well.
''Well........even so.......''
　Rio, who was running his horse next to him, muttered to himself.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I didn't expect Leonhardt-dono to accept Crono's escort. Why did you accept it?
I'm under orders.
　Leonhardt let out a small sigh.
　If he had dismounted, he would have cowered his shoulders.
　Originally, I don't think there is any justification for Crono's escort - the restraining order.
　Originally, Alfilk Castle had to use paper from the Free City State Group.
　Nevertheless, the paper that was actually used was made in the Marquis of Erakis territory.
　This is evidence of Crono's involvement in the embezzlement.
　That's Alfort's argument, but it must be said that the logic is broken.
　It's like saying that the blacksmith who made the murder weapon was responsible for the blade incident.
　But an order is an order.
''If you're going to use that logic, why did you accept it, Rio-dono?
It's been a long time since I've seen Crono.
　Rio smiles lustily.
　But I can't help but feel a sense of danger and madness in his smile.
　It's enough to make me think that this was better before I met Crono.
'But why was it us?'
'You don't ask someone else for something you're aware of,'
　We were chosen because we are good friends with Crono.
　It's a treadmill, so to speak.
　The only thing I can think of to say is that I'm not sure which side I'm on.
　At least he intends to do so.
　At all, military director Ralph Libra raises his eyebrows, saying it's unnecessary.
　Leonhardt is not just the head of the Kingsguard.
　He is the heir of the House of Palatium, the second largest estate in the world after the Emperor.
　If he openly rejects the emperor's orders, the country will fall apart.
　At worst, it would be civil war.
　Whichever side wins, the country will be devastated and the power of the state will be exhausted.
　If the Free City States or the Holy Argo Kingdom get involved, it will be even more troublesome.
What do you think of this mission?
Honestly, I'm not sure I like this assignment.
　Hmm?　Rio gives him a surprising look.
'Even I have compassion.
Is that so?
Yeah, of course.
　It's not a lie, but it's not a fact either.
　The Palatium family's human calculation trumps all else.
　Of course, the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, understood that and used it.
　He used the fact that he followed Alfort to show that the Empire was monolithic.
　I'd like to see them do a little more math, he added in his mind.
　The only people who will be relieved by this matter are the old Alfortist nobles.
　The non-Alfortist old aristocracy will be horrified and their relationship with the new aristocracy will fail.
　What's more, many military personnel will be turned against them by this matter.
　No, there are not a few who are antagonistic even to their own subordinates.
　There are bad rumors, but Crono is a hero.
　When the Holy Argo Kingdom invaded, he used a strange strategy to repel the invasion, and in his parent conquest, he fulfilled his duties as a lord, albeit at great cost.
　He established friendly relations with the barbarian tribes of the Areos Mountains - the Roux, with whom he had long had a hostile relationship.
　And, it was an operation against the Holy Argo Kingdom.
　The story of Crono's undertaking the dirty work to recover the bodies of his subordinates has been spread as a beautiful story.
　However, Leonhard can't think that simply.
　After all, the details of the top-secret mission have been leaked.
　If he doesn't feel a sense of urgency because of this, he is not a good commander.
　Did former Prime Minister Arkol intentionally leak the information?
　Or is it someone else?
　Either way, there is no doubt that there is someone trying to improve Crono's reputation.
''........I wonder where the drop-off point should be.
　Leonhardt is alone.
　Now that I've raised my fist in the air, I can't be innocent.
　Alfort, minus its cronies, must be satisfied.
　I know it sounds terrible, but Crono made too many enemies.
''I guess it's about not letting them out of the Imperial City for the rest of their lives.
　Hmm, Leonhardt gave a small nod.
　He wondered if it was a mistake not to let him out of his own mansion, but he wouldn't say it.
　He might be able to manage that much.
　Even if Crono was executed, Leonhard could still show that he had done everything in his power.
''It's utterly terrible.''
Yeah?
　Leonhardt muttered, and Rio tilted his head curiously.
''No, it's this way.''
　They say they have compassion, but they are thinking about how to benefit themselves and how to minimize the damage.
　It's as if there is no compassion in this.



　Crono was facing Elena in the office of the Marquis' mansion.
　But across the desk, though.
''........The tax revenue for this year is 29,400 gold coins and 10 silver coins, including the dividends from the 'Sinner Trade Association'. By the way, the expenditure is 49,000 tonnes of gold coins and two pieces of silver coins.
　Elena said with a look on her face as if she'd bitten down on a bitter worm.
'It's not a deficit because we have a carryover,'
Right. When combined with the carryover, that leaves fifteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-two gold coins and ten silver coins in the vault.
That's not a problem.
　'You know,' said Elena, letting out a small sigh.
''We're going to lose almost twenty thousand gold coins, okay?　You should panic a bit.
Well, it's what you'd expect.
　Crono leaned back in his chair.
'd*mn, now we could be getting record tax revenue.
That's why I don't sell them.
　Wheat prices in the vicinity are up 30% from the same month last year.
　I thought it was because the Commercial Union was working in the dark, but according to Sion, it's not.
　Sion - The Temple of Loess - gathers all the information on agriculture in the Empire.
　The average harvest is ninety percent of the previous year's figure.
　Whether you see this as a lot or a little is a matter of opinion, but according to Theon, it doesn't have that much of an impact on the price of wheat.
'I know they don't sell, but isn't bringing back the toll tax a bit much?
I wish I could have come up with another idea.
　Crono chuckled.
　Even if his own fiefdom had the same yield as the previous year, if the price of wheat in the area was high, he would be caught up in it.
　If the merchants found that the wheat in Crono's fiefdom was cheap, they would buy it up and take it with them to other places.
　If this happens, the people of the territory will suffer from the high price of wheat.
　That must be avoided.
　So Crono restored the toll tax on crops.
　But it's only for moving crops from one Crono's territory to another.
''Even so, it's not ten times the market rate, ten times.
You'll never be able to resell this one.
'That's true, but...'
　Elena clammed up.
　In short, she cut off the logistics by taxing them.
　This stopped the Commercial Union from bringing wheat into Count Caddo's territory.
　No matter how much they brought in, if they couldn't cash it in, it was useless.
　Well, even if Crono is aware of it, a considerable amount of it has been brought in, so Baroness Nam Corne will come to negotiate in a while.
　Was it a tariff barrier, Crono scratched his head.
　This level of knowledge remained, but the years of Japanese history were completely missing.
''I've memorized it by heart...''
What are you talking about?
It's nothing.
They're going to hate you.
'Everyone in the Economic Alliance agreed and kept in step with me.
Not everyone?
Except for Baron Trace.
That's it?
The Bailey Chamber of Commerce also sent a letter of protest.
　Crono moaned softly.
　Former Viscount Hamal, Tina, Baron Melsatim, and Baron Bossain were understanding and promised that they would adopt the same measures as Crono in their own territory.
　However, if Tilia hadn't written to me, things might not have gone as well as they did.
　After all, the authority of the royal family is tremendous.
But we are in the red after all. Why don't you just cut back on your spending?
I can't do that.
Why?
Just when I thought the frontier was finally getting off the ground, this is a bad crop.
A bad harvest is nothing to sneeze at.
'It's a big deal for a frontier village,'
　The existing villages had been under cultivation, and the amount of land cultivated was offset by a poor crop.
　But the fields in the pioneer villages had just been cultivated.
'If you work the fields, you'll have a bad year,'
They're all amateurs.
　'Oh,' said Elena, nodding as she finally got the point across.
I suppose if you've been a farmer for decades, you'd be able to give up some of these years. A bad harvest can be very damaging to an amateur.
So you don't want to go after the damage.
That's right.
　If the scale of public works is reduced here, the frontier villages will lose hope.
　They might even feel abandoned.
　I have a lot of money in my vault, even if I don't have a lot of money in my pocket.
　I don't want to lose my trust by sparing the money.
''Originally, the gold in the vaults was the property of the lords.
It's your money, right?
It's the property of the people.
...phew.
　Elena looked at Crono with dubious eyes and let out a small sigh.
'That's admirable if you're that thorough. I admire you.'
I don't feel like I'm being honored at all.
　It's a top-down view.
　And it's not just the usual superior view, but a super superior view.
'Oh, you know, the dismay turns to respect when it's too much.
I didn't mean it as a compliment.
It's a compliment.
　Elena said disgustedly.
　At that moment, the door opened vigorously and Alyssa jumped in.
　It wasn't just a matter of her doing this kind of ill-tuned law.
'Sir!　Master Leonhardt and Master Rio!
Is there a new mission?
'No, sir!　I'm here to take the Master to the Imperial City!
What did you say?
　Crono exclaimed involuntarily.