*

　Leonhardt ran his horse alongside Rio.
　The figure, which was as small as a grain of poppy, gradually became larger and clearer.
　The golden hair fluttering in the wind, the determined blue eyes, the drawn, cherry-red lips.
　The figure standing with a sword in hand reminds me of the warrior maiden spoken of in mythology.
　The Princess Tilia stood in the middle of the street and stared at us.
　Suddenly Leonhardt felt uncomfortable.
　But he couldn't realize what it was.

''Divine weapon summoning!

　A green light gathers and a bow appears in Rio's hand.
　It's a bow that has been finely crafted.
　It is a divine weapon summoning - a divine power embodied in a divine art.

I thought you were supposed to capture it?
I'm just going to scare him a little.

　Rio leaned back from his horse and pulled the string.
　The green light converged, forming an arrow.

'Please don't let me die!

　Rio releases an arrow.
　The arrow goes in a straight line, snatching the Princess Tilia and piercing the ground.
　The sound of an explosion rang out, causing a large amount of dirt to roll up.
　It's like a geyser.
　But Princess Tilia was unwavering.
　Her hair flutters in the wind and she glares at us.
　A sense of discomfort swells up.

''You've only matched hands many times. How about this one?''

　Rio fired arrows in rapid succession.
　Just like before, he snatched the Princess Tilia and stabbed her behind.
　The sound of the explosion rang out intermittently, and each time it did so, dirt erupted.
　As I thought, Princess Tilia did not move slightly.
　As usual, her hair--.

''Shit!''

　Leonhardt finally realized what the discomfort was.
　Princess Tilia's hair was not affected by the blast.
　No matter how tired she was, it was still incredibly stupid.

''Lord Rio!　It's an illusion created by the divine power technique!
What did you say?

　Princess Tyria grins and her figure disappears.
The Divine Authority Technique of the 'Pure White and Orderly God' manipulates light.
　It's not impossible to manipulate the light to project your own image in any location.
　Leonhardt rolled his horse's neck.
　The next moment, the ground rumbled.
　A crack in the ground ran to divide Leonhardt and the convoy, and several of his men were engulfed in it.
　You can tell it's quite deep from the fact that they don't come out right away.
　Nevertheless--''

''........what a long time.

　I gulp.
　The earth cracks continue from one end of the field of view to the other.
　Rio, no, he's a master of divine power arts comparable to Baroness Nam Corne.
　I don't like it, Leonhardt shook his head.
　Now is not the time to be surprised.
　We must overcome the cracks in the ground and protect the convoy.
　Fortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there are about seventy horsemen on the other side of the cracks in the ground.

''Let's go back!''
Oh!

　Leonhardt and Rio rode their horses to the cracks in the ground.
　Suddenly, something shimmered at the top of their vision.
　Flames exploded and covered the heavens.
　The horse stood on a pole, and something - a transparent sphere - fell below their feet.

'God!'
God!

　Leonhardt and Rio invoke the divine power technique "Divine Clothing" and "Holy Shield".
　Light envelops their bodies and a shield of light appears.
　The transparent sphere emits a red flash, and flames and blasts rush in.
　Leonhard and Rio are thrown from their horses.
　They roll on the ground and stand up.
　Apparently, the transparent sphere was a magic item.

''........You're going to kill me.

　Leonhardt looks down at his beloved horse's corpse and mutters softly.
　I think that's a stupid line, even if I am.
　The horse's body is half blown away.
　It's crazy to think that the other party doesn't intend to kill him with this.

''Those who can use the Divine Majesty Technique, deploy the 'defensive wall'!

　Following Leonhardt's orders, his subordinates deployed a defensive wall on the hemisphere.

''Princess Tilia's objective is Lord Crono!　Lord Crono--!

　The magic item scattered flames and blasts, drowning out Leonhardt's voice.

'Lord Rio, let my voice reach my men!
I know.

　Rio points his index finger upward.
　The green light swirls and diffuses.

'I command you!　Whoever can use the divine power technique, deploy the 'Wall of Defense'!　Princess Tyria's goal is to retake Lord Crono!　Don't let them take Lord Crono away from you!

　Suddenly, the attack stopped.
　The space far behind them flickered, revealing Princess Tilia.
　No, it's not just Princess Tilia.
　Ten white-furred werewolves - beast infantry led by White were deployed on the right wing, and ten gray-furred werewolves - beast infantry led by Hiilo were deployed on the left wing.
　In addition, about thirty beastman infantry and elven archers are waiting behind Princess Tilia.
　Princess Tilia crossed her arms and stared at us.
　I wonder if the reason she doesn't want to move is because she is using her Divine Majesty Technique and is exhausted.

''Leave Crono behind and return to the imperial capital quickly!

　An interesting voice reaches Leonhardt's ears.
　It seems that Rio is picking up the voice with his divine power technique.

''Can our voices reach you?
Of course.
'The capture of Lord Crono is the order of His Majesty Alfort!
I guess that's a deal breaker.

　Leonhardt frowned.
　If you're going to call it a negotiation breakdown, I'd like you to show a little more positivity.
　Well, I know I don't have the qualifications to say such things.

''Then........die!

　Princess Tilia shouted and the attack began again.
　The beastmen on both wings released magic items with the weapons in their hands.
　The magic item draws a mountainous trajectory, unleashing flames and blasts in the air and on the ground.
　One by one, his men are thrown off their horses.
　Only a few were able to dismount of their own volition.
　Not a few were kicked by the horses and blown away.

''d*mn, what's with that weapon?''
It's a crossbow.

　Leonhardt answers Rio's question.
　In the meantime, the attack continues.

''Crossbow?''
I've seen them in my parents' warehouse. It's a weapon that's long gone.

　It does not require much training, but its range is shorter than that of a bow, and its continuous firing ability is low.
　It is a weapon that naturally fell into disuse in an empire that had created an environment that allowed for the training of archers.
　I didn't expect to revive such an increasingly forgotten weapon.
　The 'defensive wall' that my subordinates were deploying wavered erratically.
　It must be reaching its limits with the repeated attacks.
　If this continues, my subordinates will be devoured by the gods.

''I'm sorry for Count Chiron, though!
Like you can't replace Master Crono's life!

　The twin elves - Aridid and Deneb - fire arrows, and their men, who are shot through the arms and legs, fall to the ground with a short scream.
　The other elves are terrifyingly skilled, even though they can't hit their arrows due to the blast.
　Some of the subordinates who were guarding the convoy, judging them to be stranded, charge into both enemy wings.
　He realized that he couldn't fire his crossbow in rapid succession.
　His men jumped out of the way and proceeded to scramble through the waist-high grass.
　But--

''Gah!''

　His men disappeared and screams echoed through the air.
　A wooden stake was impaled on the foot of his subordinate as he crawled back to the road.
　Princess Tilia had set a trap in the bushes.

''Use the convoy as a shield!　They want to take Lord Crono...

　An explosion hits close to the convoy.

'Princess Tyria!　I don't care what happens to Lord Crono!
'An arm or two would do it!　As long as you don't die, I can help you with the Divine Majesty Technique!
What a woman.

　Rio muttered in dismay.
　I was tempted to plunge in, but I generally agree with him.

"Trickery, surprise attack.......and a trap. Don't you have any pride?''
'Huh-ha-ha-ha-ha!

　The reply was a loud laugh.

'The man I love is about to be taken away!　I don't want your pride!　In the first place, I couldn't make Crono my own because of my extra pride!　There's no way I'm going to repeat the same mistakes!
Are you crazy?

　Princess Tilia barked, and Leonhardt was taken aback.

'She's crazy about Crono. It's the same with me, though.''

　Immediately after Rio whispered, a blue flash of lightning that came from the side - a high level of wind magic, "Thunderbolt Ranbu" - engulfed the subordinates in front of him.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

''Eryll!''

　Rio shouted and released an arrow of light.
　Ahead of him was Viscount Eril Sardomelik, the former leader of the Eleventh Order of the Kingsguard.
　Elil moves at high speed and unleashes his magic in rapid succession.
　Blue flashes, explosions, storms, and cold air littered the battlefield.
　Rio also shoots arrows in a losing effort, but Eril ducks the attack while facing this way.
　Considering the direction of his body, he should be running sideways, but he's not moving up and down unnaturally for that.
　I don't know how he's moving, but every time Eril releases his magic, his subordinate falls down in a flurry.
　He's taking Princess Tyria's words seriously, and he's winding up the convoy as hard as he can.
　I noticed that the subordinates in front of the earth cracks were close to being wiped out.
　There were about fifty men on the other side of the crack.

''You guys go ahead!''
I can still do it!
'That's not for you to decide!　Go!
Good luck!

　His men grunted huskily and started running in the opposite direction of the convoy.
　Leonhardt headed for the convoy, braving the blast.
　The same goes for Rio.
　If we run to it ourselves, we have the ability to reverse the situation.
　But that's why it's hard to move forward with the blast.

''The attack with magic items can't last long!　Hang on!　If we can outrun them, we win!

　Oh!　And his subordinate shouted heroically at Leonhardt's words, and the attack with the magic item stopped in a flash.
　However, the attacks on Leonhardt and Rio continued.
　Perhaps they are trying to save their magic items as they are running low on them.
　That's when.
　The convoy soared high into the sky with a roar, and a pillar of fire rose up to follow.
　The convoy slammed to the ground and fell over on its side.

''Are you insane?''
'I told you I wouldn't mind an arm or two!

　Princess Tilia responded to Leonhardt's cry.

''Sue, do it!''

　As Princess Tilia pointed at the overturned convoy, a sallow-skinned girl - Suu stepped out with a stone spear in her hand.
　The jet-black light colored her body like a barbarian's war makeup.

''Crono, return!''

　Suu throws a stone spear surrounded by jet-black light with his stunning form.
　The stone spear pierces the side of the convoy - which is now the ceiling - and the jet-black light repeatedly turns on and off.
　The interval between them became shorter and shorter, and finally they exploded.
　A gaping hole is left in the convoy.

''The magic item is censored!　The fact that he used the Marking Technique is proof of that!　We'll charge in while the Commander and Count Chiron attract the enemy!

　It was one of his men who shouted.
　The subordinate jumps out and thrusts his hand out towards the Tilia princesses.

''Stop--!
"Thunderbolt Ranbu!
"Leave it to me! (BUMO!)

　A blue flash of light was released, and Crono's second-in-command - Mino - jumped out to protect Princess Tilia.
　But being a minotaur, he shouldn't be able to use magic.

　Bumoo!

　Mino let out a heroic cry, and yellow light colored his body like barbarian war veneer.
　The imprinting technique--a spell to unite with the spirits passed down to the tribes of the Bethel Mountains and the Areos Mountains.

　Bumoooo!

　The yellow barrier deployed, sending a blue flash of light bouncing across the sky.
　Mino rammed into his subordinates with terrifying speed.
　The first prey was the subordinate who unleashed the 'Thunderbolt Ranbu'.
　The pole axe stabbed into his side and he was blown away while spreading blood-repulsion.

　Bumoooo!

　Mino let out a yell and swung his poleaxe around.
　Each time he did so, his men were blown away.
　The men formed up and tried to counter Mino.
　But then flames rained down on them.
　No, it wasn't flames.
　It's a beastman whose body is decorated with red light.

"We will cover you, that we will! (GASP!)

　The tiger beastman wields a great sword.
　His combination with Mino is like a storm.
　The burden is too much for the subordinates who are exhausted by the time they get here and worn out to prevent attacks by magic items.

''Guh!''
"Yikes!

　The screams of my subordinates go up.
　If you look, you can see that the half-elf girl - Snow has stabbed her subordinate from behind.
　The subordinate slashes at Snow.
　However, Snow ducked with excellent bodywork and fled into the bushes.

''Crono!

　Rio shouted and Leonhardt looked up at the convoy.
　Crono was looking at us from the top of the convoy.

'Crono!　Tell me!

　Rio shouts.

'Just one word!　Tell them to come!

　What are you talking about?" said Leonhard, turning his gaze to Rio.
　Oh, no, this is the way it is.
　He is obeying Alfort's orders because he can keep Crono in his possession, and he is trying to rebel because he will not be able to do so.
　He doesn't have an ounce of consideration for his territory or his subordinates.
　Leonhardt doesn't understand this.
　No, I can understand that this is how he is, but I don't understand why he puts his emotions ahead of his aristocracy.
　Before that - why do you plead with Lord Crono?　Leonhardt asks himself as he touches the hilt of his sword.
　At this distance, I can kill Rio in an instant.

'Crono!　Please!

　Suddenly, an answer flashed through my mind.
　Rio wants me to want him to want me.
　He doesn't want anything else, he thinks.
　He suddenly meets eyes with Crono.
　He bites his lip as he realizes what Leonhardt is trying to do.
　He knew what kind of choice Crono was going to make.

'Lord Crono!　It's not too late!　If you turn your back on us, we'll have to kill you!　You're going to bring your best men into this!　Is that what you want?

　Leonhardt cursed himself for his stupidity as he screamed.
　His own words would never reach Crono.
　Whose heart would be struck by the words of a man who put his own interests ahead of friendship?
　Powerful words can only be uttered by those whose hearts and actions are aligned with each other.
　Besides, Crono should know that.
　That his men have come here to die with Crono.

"Rio!
Crono!

　Crono shouted and Rio leaned forward.

'I'm sorry!'
....

　The apology left Rio speechless.
　Normally, Crono could see that Crono didn't want Rio to be a traitor.
　But Rio could only feel it as a word of rejection.

'Why won't you choose me!

　Rio shot an arrow of light at Crono's back.
　But an arrow that flew out of nowhere hit the arrow of light.
　The arrow of light emits a flash of light and a small tornado is generated.
　Who in the world, I look around to see.
　The half-elf who has stopped moving with his bow at the ready - Leila's figure catches my eye.
　Aridid and Deneb's skills are great, but they are different by an order of magnitude.
　It's truly a divine feat.
　Probably, her skills are one or two of the best in the Empire.

''Leila!''

　Rio shouted, and with a thump, the stone spear stabbed into the ground.

''No!''

　The stone spear released a shockwave as Leonhardt strengthened his 'defensive wall' at the same time.
　He shielded his eyes with his arms and gritted his teeth to withstand the impact.
　When I opened my eyes, Crono and the others had disappeared.

''Well that's a complete defeat.

　Leonhardt deactivated his Divine Majesty Technique and let out a small sigh.
　When he looked down at his feet, he saw that Rio had fallen.
　Apparently, he was unconscious.
　While he was glad he hadn't killed him, he couldn't help but think that he was killed here - he would have been happier if he had been chosen by Crono.



　The conference room of the Marquis' mansion - Crono sat in the front row and listened to Tilia's story.

''First, we will move south on the road from Count Caddo's territory, capturing the port under Emperor Kai's direct control in order to replenish supplies by sea. Next, we will build a field position in the grassland area near the imperial capital to intercept the imperial army.

　Tyria traced the roadway between Count Caddo's territory and Emperor Kai's direct domain with a metal rod and pounded underneath Justia Castle.





''After defeating the imperial army, I will avalanche into the imperial capital and make Alfort bleed. Finally, I will take over the imperial throne and be done with it.
You know how easy that would be to say.
It's easier said than done.
I'm just going to give you a quick rundown.

　Alideed and Deneb complained and Tilia raised her eyebrows.

I agree with the idea of transporting supplies by sea," he said.
"Dinner is important.
It's important to replenish.

　The three deputies, Shiro and Hiilo nodded.

''Since we are on friendly terms with the Commercial Union under Emperor Kai's direct control, wouldn't it be a bad idea to overpower them by force?　If I explain the situation to him, he might be able to help me.
Good point, half-elf.

　Tilia nodded hawkishly.

'But I don't trust the Commercial Union.
Why?
The only reason we are on good terms with them is because our interests are aligned. It's easy to betray them when their interests are in conflict.

　'I see,' Leila nodded.

''But it still seems like a bad idea to overpower them by force.
Hmm, I too would like to make the resort to force a last resort. Then we will have to use force to persuade them to do so.
Wouldn't they attack us from behind while we're fighting the Imperials?
That's a matter of common interest.
You just said you would betray us if there was a conflict of interest?
'If they know that our victory is in the interest of the Commercial Union, they will stop at the last minute. I'm willing to give in to their demands to that end, up to a point.
'I hope this doesn't lead to a spree of empty bills, yes.
I'll leave it to you to sort that out.

　The sitter says, wiping the sweat off his face, and Tilia says, a little miffed.

''Would it be alright if I helped build the field position?''
Yeah, I'm counting on it.
I'll take care of it.

　Theon put his hand on his chest and nodded widely.

''Well what about Crono?''
I'm sorry. I can't keep up with it.

　You think you're being rescued, but then you're in a conference room having a strategy meeting.
　And of civil war.

"What's the big difference in force to begin with?
'Boo-boo, like a picture-perfect dish!
Like your stomach is not going to grow, you know!

　Alideed and Deneb cover Crono.
　But--

'I've explained it to you guys?
Yeah, it's not like that's going to happen.
I seem to remember hearing about it.

　They turned away.

'Is there a way to bridge the troop gap?'
Speaking of which, there is.
...a subtle way of affirming...

　Crono grunted.
　'I hope you're confident enough to say it anyway.

''At least the people in the Marquis' mansion have taken me up on my offer.
It's not like I'm going along with Princess Tyria's suggestion.
I mean, my idea is super funny.

　Tyria silently grabbed Aridid and Deneb's heads.

'Do you want to die?'
It was like our fate was already in the balance.
It's been a long time since this happened.

　There's room for both of us.

'We are late!　Fay M Refine, Fay M Refine!　We're here, sir!

　Faye straightened up and saluted as she entered the conference room.
　Tilia pulled her hand away from them and held her temples as if she were trying to hold back a headache.

*

　The next two days, Crono and Tilia were on the first floor of the Marquis' mansion - a room where a terminal for an ultra-long distance communication magic item was installed.
　Beside it, the terminal of the communication magic item was placed.
　Currently, a communication network using communication magic items was being built in Crono's territory.
　Soldiers with communication magic items are standing in Hashel and Sylvania to cover the entire area.
　Of course, we have sent soldiers with communication magic items to each village as well.

''It's quite nerve-wracking, isn't it?''
Tilia, you can do it.
'Of course. Because everything hinges on this speech.

　Tilia took a series of deep breaths and stood in front of the terminal.

'I am Tilia, daughter of the former Emperor of the Cepheus Empire. As some of you may know, I am in the Marquess of Erakis to recuperate from an illness.

　So I cut off the words.

'Officially it is so, but it is a lie. I have been deprived of my claim to the throne and banished from the imperial city to the Marquis of Erakis, far away from the Imperial City.

　Tilia let out a small sigh.

'There is a deeper reason for this, but to explain why, I must also tell you about my best friend, Crono. Crono and I were classmates at the military school. From the moment we met, we knew we were destined to meet, and we developed a friendship that transcended our differences in status.

　It is a lie.
　The first time Crono and Tyria became friends was during a military exercise at the military academy.

'We used to talk for hours about what the state should be and the future of the empire.

　Tyria said as she let out a sigh.
　Probably recognizing her voice with a tinge of melancholy.



'The empire we envision is a nation whose inhabitants are of equal value. As long as they are loyal to the state, that is, as long as they swear allegiance to it. But before the emperor, nobles and commoners, human beings, sub-humans, prostitutes, slaves, and even aliens are of equal value.

　Leila folded her hands in front of her chest and watched as the villagers groaned.
　The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - the words Crono had spun to hold Leila back.
　We are far from the world, and we have conditions, but we have made great strides towards our ideals.
　So, I pray.
　That we may share this ideal with more people.



　Elaine listened to Tilia's words in the company building of the 'Sinner Trade Union'.
　She wasn't alone, and so was the face of Sylvania.

'What, then, is equal value?　It means that no one will be disadvantaged because of their origins, and everyone who breaks the law will be judged in the same way.'

　Elaine crossed her legs, "I feel like I'm saying something rather terrible," she said.
　I even feel as if I'm being told I'm not equally valuable.
　But I find that interesting.
　Princess Tilia continued to speak.

''Can we say that it alone is of equal value?　Only by reflecting everyone's opinions on the state of the country and its policies, which have been decided by a few, can we say that they are of equal value. However, it is impossible to achieve perfect unity of will. No, it may be possible, but that would require an enormous amount of time.

　That's true, Elaine smiles.
　Humans are selfish creatures.
　It's impossible for them to have perfect unity of purpose.

I'm sure you'll find that the commoner and the aristocrat have different values. The commoner thinks about how they want things to be in their daily lives, while the aristocrat thinks about how they should be in the big picture. The commoners thought about how they wanted things to be on a daily basis, and the aristocrats thought about how they wanted things to be from a larger perspective.

　Elaine's smile deepened.
　It meant that she might be able to run the country as a rising whore.
　Well, to do that, she'd have to let Princess Tyria win.



'Most importantly, there is a problem with this method as well. To choose the right representatives, you need to have the knowledge not to be fooled by naive talk. Perhaps it will take at least 20 years to implement this method. It's a difficult path. Still, I believe it's worth the twenty years.'

　Arthur listened to Princess Tilia's speech at the Marquis' residence.

''That's why the measures Crono has taken up to now are for this reason. I strongly believed that our ideals would be realized if the people's power was strengthened.''

　But!　'I'm sorry,' said Tilia, intensifying her tone.

'Alfort wouldn't allow it!　He tried to frame Crono for his innocence, no matter what he did.　How can this kind of illegality be allowed to go unchallenged?　No, it shouldn't be allowed!'

　A dangling sound could be heard.
　Perhaps it was Princess Tilia banging on the desk.

''This isn't a problem between me and Crono. It's our problem.''

　Arthur understands Princess Tyria's intentions.
　This is a speech to recruit volunteer soldiers to bridge the force gap.
　But a certainty that this country will change dominates his mind.



　A corner of Hachel--

'Mother, mother. What does Princess Tyria say?
Well that is.

　The woman was puzzled when her son asked her about it.
　I know you're talking about great things, but I don't have the education to understand how great they are.
　Maybe it's the same for the guys here.
　I don't feel it when they say it's our problem.
　While the woman is confused, Princess Tilia spins out her words.

I wonder if you have ever suffered from your origins? Have you ever shed tears at the pain you have suffered unreasonably? Have you ever grieved over your own helplessness? Have you ever wished for hope? Have you ever wished you could change the present? Have you ever wished for your children to be happy? If so, I need your help. That's all from me.'

　The woman felt strong sympathy for Princess Tilia's words.
　She wanted her child to be happy.
　Any mother, or even any parent, would wish for that.

''It means your mother and father will have to work hard to make you happy.

　Then the woman laughed at her son.