*

　Crono looked at Isabella as she knelt.
　She pretended to surrender and attacked him from behind.
　If she hadn't taken care of it, she might have suffered a great deal of damage.

'Master Crono, please, only my son, only his life.

　Isabella looked up at Crono and said pleadingly.
　No, correctly it was a plea.
　Either imprison or exile the son of a traitor and save his life.
　How much easier it would be if he could make such a decision.
　But if he did that, the lords who called themselves neutral would consider Crono to be a sweet man.
　The soldiers entrusted to me by my fellow lords will think he's a naive man.
　Not only would they be forced to fight a needless battle, but their military discipline could collapse.
　It's a decision tantamount to suicide.
　As the commander of the Imperial Army, he cannot do that.
　At the same time, he is filled with anger.
　If her son's life was at stake, why did she take such a step?
　He couldn't help but wish she had been a little more thoughtful.
　He couldn't help but feel angry at his own naivety for thinking of ways to help her even though he couldn't accept her plea.

''I'm ... sorry. I really thought I could put in a good word for Tilia.

　It was hard to squeeze out the first word, but from there it was easy.
　The words poured out like a dam.
　It's bad, I think.
　What's the point of making excuses when you have to kill them?

'So--'
"General, stop it.

　As if he couldn't see it, the deputy touched Crono's shoulder gently and shook his head without force.
　I could be mistaken, but there was a gentle light in his eyes.
　It was a light that appealed to him that he knew what he was doing.
　I felt a little bit better and a feeling of disgust at myself for that.

''No matter what I say, it's just an excuse.'' (Bumo)
Yes.

　Crono let out a deep sigh, just knowing that there is someone who understands makes it easier, he said.

'We will now discuss your punishment. Probably your executions will be tomorrow or the day after.
"...in a way that my son will not suffer, please.
I can promise you that much.

　Isabella exhaled as if in relief, when she heard the sound of wild footsteps.
　Her men were coming up the stairs.
　As it was, they avalanched into the hallway and surrounded Isabella.
　A few moments later, Tyga approached with the child in his arms.

'Oh, Thor!'
"Don't move!

　The second in command holds out Paul Axe and controls Isabella as she tries to run to him.

'Mother!'
Thor!

　The child - Thor shouts and Isabella shouts back.

'What can I do?' (Bum?)
Put them in the same room. I'll keep an eye on you, but I want you to treat me like a nobleman.
"I understand.

　The deputy nodded widely.

''Stay in this room until you're ready.'' (Bumo)
Yeah, yeah, I get it.

　Tyga put down his Thor as his second-in-command gave him a look.

'Mother!'
Thor!

　Isabella hugged Thor.

''Taiga, you're on guard with your men. You know that........'' (Bumo)
"Of course I do, that I do.

　Tyga walked out and the four beastmen followed.
　Isabella walked back to her office, hugging Thor protectively.

'Taiga, please?'
"I know, that I do.

　Taiga bares his fangs as he laughs.
　The two beastmen fortify either side of the door and Taiga and the other three enter the office.
　The beastmen at the back of the room salute Crono and quietly close the door.

''Shiro, Hi-iro, you guys are the security of the mansion. Please be careful........'' (Bumo)
"I know.
"We'll take care of it ourselves.

　White and Hiilo nodded at Kok, Kok, and Hiilo.

''The rest of the guys are preparing for the encampment outside the city.''

　My men slithered downstairs.
　I thought they would say they wanted to stretch their wings in the city, but they seem to have learned their lesson there.

'....Huh.
"General, it's still too early to catch your breath." (Bumo)
'Yes, but...' Report to Tyria, negotiate with the imperial army, build an execution table...
"You're missing the point.
You're going to have to pay me.
Hey, how much longer do we have to wait?

　Crono let out a sigh and looked in the direction of the voice.
　Then, a large man with a bald head - Nicole - came up the stairs and approached us.
　Behind him, there was also a young man with gray hair - Neige.

''You can wait a little longer, can't you?''
I'm a big believer in getting your money back sooner rather than later.
They don't trust me.
What are we supposed to trust in a guy who's going into battle?　Poor or rich, you're going to die, right?

　Nicole spat, and Neige opened her mouth.

''You're so patronizing that you've set fire to dead grass, aren't you?
B-baggot!　You don't know how hard it is to light the dead grass on fire!
Well, it's never been an easy job.

　The young man who cut off the cavalryman's head muttered sincerely.

''Credit where credit is due, we - the volunteer army - want to free the people working in the stone quarry as soon as possible. We need the Imperial Army's help to do that.''
You don't need the help of the Imperial Guard?
I'm a very sick man.

　'Gho, gho and Neige coughed deliberately.

'But still, you're a volunteer soldier.

　Crono muttered with a sigh.

''Hey, hey, we're patriots gathered here because we care about the future of the Empire. You could show us more respect, couldn't you?''
The entity is a member of a crime syndicate, a group of criminals and predators who have been thrown into the mine.
You!

　Nicole unleashes her back fist, but Neige ducks it without a second thought.

''They're an easy to understand armed group with no patriotism, but ambition.
You know, an armed group.
"In the eyes of the Empire, he's a criminal.
The less said about that, the better.

　Neige smiled smugly.

'Anyway, we want to free the people working in the quarry.
You're right, we've been working together for that.
We need to meet up with them in the right place or they will execute us.
....

　Nicole silently unleashed a back fist, but Neige easily avoided it as well.
　It's not surprising since he's an assassin who stood more than even with his foster fathers in his prime, so it's not surprising.

''I owe those troublesome people a debt of gratitude.
a**h*le, that's one of the more conscientious jobs I've had to deal with. It was a no-brainer for me, as long as it didn't happen.
I wish it hadn't happened.

　He let out a sigh as he remembered Isabella and Thor.
　It was promised that the volunteers would keep an eye on Isabella and the others, and if anything happened, the Imperial Army would return and help liberate the quarry.

'So, when will you help us?'
Not until I tell Tyria.
You mean Princess Tyria?
Yes,
Okay.

　Nicole sloppily lost her chemistry.

Can I follow you?
Okay.
You don't have to look at me like that. I'm not going to hurt you.
Well that's not what I meant.

　Maybe Nicole is deifying Tilia.
　I hope I'm not disappointed when I see the real thing.

''You were the head of ... a criminal organization.
He's the head of a crime syndicate, not a revolutionary.

　Crono blurted out, and Neige let out a sigh.

*

　The camp was set up at a distance from the city walls.
　It is lined with tents and the smell of delicious food fills the area.
　Eating is one of the few pleasures for a general on the march.
　However, there is a sense of urgency in the air, having been taken by surprise by an opponent who should have surrendered.
　Crono, accompanied by his second-in-command, Neige and Nicole, walks through it with ease.
　It's not easy to endure walking in this kind of atmosphere, but if the commander is at ease, his subordinates will feel at ease.
　But when the commander is at ease, his men feel at ease.
　You approach the most luxurious tent in the camp.
　And then...

"Wait!　This is the tent of Princess Tyria!
If you want to get in there, you'll have to go through the formalities.

　The soldiers in the escort - Manchausen and Alonso crossed their spears and blocked their way.
　Their voices are loud, but their faces are twitching and twitching.
　They seem to be so happy about Tilia's escort mission that they seem to be smiling at any moment.
　I suddenly looked behind the tent and saw that the old knights were sitting down.
　They must be waiting for their turn to take over.

''This is Imperial Commander Crono. I'm here to see Princess Tilia.''
Wait a minute!
Gee, gee, I'll be next.

　Manchausen enters the tent through the gap and Alonso grits his teeth in a hushed manner.

''Well aren't we both in different characters?''
What are you talking about? That's what guards are for.
Oh, I see.

　If you say this is how it should be, I can only answer, "Oh, I see.
　Maybe I should have learned some more serious manners.
　As I was thinking about this, Manchausen came out.

'I hear that Princess Tilia will grant you an audience.
Hi. Hi.

　Just as Crono entered the tent, the sound of spears striking each other could be heard.
　When he turned around, Manchausen and Alonso were blocking the path of his lieutenant.

Only Lord Crono granted an audience to Princess Tyria.
"We'll be waiting outside.

　The deputy said with a sigh.

'I'm sorry,'
"If you think of it as a job, it doesn't bother you at all.

　The second-in-command shook his shoulders in a small way, as if he was trying to hold back a laugh.
　When he turned to face the front, Tilia was at her desk.
　Crono walked over and stopped in front of the desk.

'You can come a little closer, you know?
Well, I'll take you up on your offer.

　Crono walked over and sat down at his desk.

'Well I didn't ask you to sit at the desk.
Yes, but it's easier to talk to them when they're close, right?
Well, yeah.

　Tilia crossed her hands to cover her mouth.

'How did it go?'
'We've got the acting lord, Isabella, and her son Thor. I've got Tyga and the others keeping an eye on them now.
I see.

　Tilia let out a small sigh.

'There's no point in hiding your mouth, is there?
If it wasn't you, I'd make it a little better.
Did you wish you'd run away?
50/50. Especially when it comes to killing children.
It's a slippery slope.

　Crono let out a deep sigh.

''.........''
You don't say you're going to help me, do you?
Do you want me to tell you?

　Tilia asked back in a somewhat provocative tone.

'No, not at all. I'm rather relieved that you think I have to kill you.
'I don't want future historians to say I'm an idiot.
The surrounding lords and their men will make the decision for you.

　If historians are going to be on the scene, it may be in a few decades or in a few hundred years.
　Either way, they won't be viewed favorably.

What do you think?
'I think the sooner the execution is done the better. It's like building an execution table at a rapid pace and the day after tomorrow. The lord Isabella and the battalion commander Ark in front of the lord's people.......

　Crono and the others would have to move on, and any pause would diminish the memory of Isabella's broken promise.

'Thor will have to go to his bedroom and take the poison pill.
...poison.

　Tilia muttered gloomily.

'I promised I wouldn't let you suffer,'
Okay.

　Crono let out a breath of relief.

'What?'
No, I didn't want you to say no.
I have that much mercy.

　'I'll kill them, though,' muttered Tilia.

'So, how did you execute Isabella and Ark?'
'Use the Heavenly Cardinal Music. It doesn't make you suffer, and it has a great impact.
Are you going to do anything about it?
We have to show them that we're not naive.

　I'm not comfortable with taking advantage of other people's deaths, but we should tighten them up where we can.

''Don't give me ... a hard time.''
I'm not just doing it for Tilia.

　It's for my own good in the extreme.

'What about the Imperial Army in Baron Bowties' territory?
I had them choose a battalion commander. The new battalion commander is a commoner and of moderate age, but he does not seem to be a bad man.
Well that's good to hear.

　I can't help but think I've drawn a poor bargain to be a battalion commander at this time, but I can't help but point that out.

Do you have anything else to report?
I'm going to go free the quarry now.
I'm a man of my word.
About...
It's a stroke.
I know that.
Of course.

　Tilia crossed her arms.
　The way she was snorting and snorting with mufu was not very imperial.

'Because I have to show you that I am heartbroken by the horrors of the quarry. Yes, I'm a benevolent regulator.'
That's not mercy,
It's the same thing.
Well, there's no way to know for sure.

　If the people around you decide to be merciful, they are merciful.

'Oh, speaking of which, Nicole-san and Lord Neige are waiting outside?
Count Neige Hyades.

　Tilia looked reluctant.

'You don't like it?'
'I just met him and I don't hate or like him. I mean, is the man really Neige Hyades?
'My dad called me Neige Hyades, so I guess that's what I am.
'Hmmm, I didn't know they were real.
Real?
'I've never met him before. I thought he was a fictional character.
Why bother with that?
Because it looks so convenient.

　Tilia said casually.
　'I don't know how it's useful in Crono's mind, but it must mean it's useful for a crime, or something close to it.

'So what do we do now?'
Of course I'll meet you.
Okay.

　Crono turned on his heel and headed for the exit of the tent.
　He lifted the cloth of the tent--.

'Come in.'
Excuse me.
Heh, excuse me.

　Neige came in normally and Nicole came in with her back rounded.
　Nicole kneeled quite close to Tilia.

''Well thank you for your earlier work.
No, ha, ha, it's all right. It was just a simple matter of watching and lighting a fire.

　'Pesh-pesh,' said Nicole, smacking her head.

'Isn't your attitude different from mine?'
"Idiots!　The little bastard is an upstart son of a man and His Highness, of course not.

　Nicole wound up at Crono, but suddenly looked at Tilia.

''........There's no way we can do this together, Guhee.
It's super degrading.
'For some reason, the badness of the people is more evident now.
Indeed.

　Crono nodded as he looked sideways at Nicole.
　She may be trying to smile affectionately, but it looks like the bad guys are acting poorly in order to catch us off guard.

''I heard you were the head of a crime syndicate when you were in the Imperial City?''
No, no, I do a bit of business. But I do have a real concern for the future of the Empire.
"I've been trying my best to rise in the confusion, but I've been causing a lot of trouble here and there, so I thought I'd join the Imperial Army as soon as possible.
Whose side are you on?

　Nicole tries to hit him with a knee strike but Neige avoids it lightly.

'I'm having a change of heart now, guheehee.

　Nicole laughs at the rubbing.

'I'm a bit disappointed,'
What's going on?
No, I was under the impression that he was the head of a criminal organization and not beholden to authority.
Criminal organizations are supposed to rub elbows with the authorities.

　Hahaha, Neige laughed with an acting gesture.
　If you recall carefully, Neige was also a member of a criminal organization - a group of assassins.
　Maybe the criminals are just as good as each other.

You've changed your mind.
Yes, yes, yes, of course.

　Nicole grinned.

''I'd like to leave you in charge of ruling the Barony of Bowties.
Yeah, that's right!　I'm going to risk my life!
Oh, right!

　Nicole leaned forward and said, and Tilia clapped her hands together.

''But if you suddenly leave me in charge of governing,''
Oh, hey!

　Nicole grabbed Neige's pants.

'I understand. I'll support you.
Well, now we don't have to worry about that.

　Tilia grinned.



　Crono led his men to the stone quarry.
　The number of troops is two thousand - less than a hundred soldiers defending the quarry, so that's more than enough.

''No, that's the Princess Tilia!
Yes.

　Crono let out a small sigh as he looked at Nicole and Neige, who were praising Tyria somewhat, and counterpointed her appropriately.

''What's going on?'' (Bum?)
It's a bit odd to see him so happy.

　I let out a sigh again.

"Well, it's easy to get excited when you're the lord all of a sudden." (Bumo)
I'm at my wits end, though, right?
"The general didn't have much experience." (Bumo)
Yes.

　Nicole is a man who has risen to the head of a criminal organization.
　There's a cloud of experience between her and Crono.

'Come to think of it, maybe he enjoys the hardship.
"...What ...what?

　Nicole stopped and turned around.

'What's the hardship?'
'It means the Barony of Bowties will be a shield for the Economic Alliance.
What did you say?

　Nicole's eyes widened at Neige's explanation.

'The Empire won't allow Nicole-san to become a lord, you know. It's a position where the imperial army will be the first to attack you.''
Shit, I got too much going on.

　Neige explained further, and Nicole spat out.

''I didn't expect you to do something like that, Princess,''
That said, it's not going to be easy to change sides with the Empire.

　Nicole is leading a volunteer army and causing trouble in the Empire.

'Would you like to save Mr. Thor's life in case of an emergency?
No, that guy can't do it. No, he can't do it. He can't split his head in half. It could get me killed.
I know.
'And it's bad enough that we're losing our backing. d*mn it, we should've just joined up with the Imperial Army.

　Nicole grunted bitterly.

'That's pretty self-centered~'
'I've been thinking about myself from the beginning, so I'm not shaky, not shaky.
No, no, no, no, no. If Princess Tyria takes the throne, no problem!

　Guhaha, Nicole laughed.
　It feels like empty energy, but it's better than being depressed.
　After a while, a fence made of wood came into view.
　Two soldiers were standing there, perhaps intending to be gatekeepers.
　One of them noticed us and looked away.

''Hey, who are you!
'I'm Nicole of the Imperial Army!　I'm here to free the quarry on the orders of Princess Tyria!　Here's the proof!

　Nicole held the parchment up high.

'I say proof, but who knows what Tilia wrote?
"Before that, there's no such thing as a literate soldier.
That said, I don't think there's anyone who would want to go against us with such a large difference in strength.
"Get the man in charge!　If you don't bring him to me, the Imperial Guard's best men will bleed you out!　That's all right, isn't it?

　Nicole shouted, ignoring the conversation between Crono and the others.
　Then the soldiers looked at each other.

'Soooo, I'll get the person in charge right away!
So just give me a little grace!
"I'll give you a minute!

　Nicole shouted and the two soldiers ran off.

''You ... you guys need to work properly.
You can handle the negotiations.
"I'm an escort for Master Chronos.

　'Tsk,' said Nicole, clicking her tongue.

'Neige!　You're my second in command, so don't make me work all the time!
I'm a combatant. I'd rather make my life easier.
Shit, they're all f*cking useless!

　Nicole shouted and stepped on the ground.

''Well Mino, how's your hometown after so long?''
So you're from around here, huh?
"My family abandoned our home for a better life than we have now." (Bumobu)
That's the spirit. Well, you know, we poor people have to bet on it.

　Nicole grinned.

''Heh, there's a lot going on with you, Nicole.
A lot of things are going on, aren't they? You're going through a lot, aren't you?
What do you think?

　Neige nodded her head.

'I don't feel like I've had as much of a life as I'd like to say I've had a lot going on.
Because I'm a living idiot. I'm always thinking about the day after tomorrow.

　Nicole pointed to herself with her thumb and proudly puffed out her chest.

'So, how's it going?'
"It's a complicated feeling, isn't it?

　The deputy looked up to the heavens and sniffed with a snort.

'Do you have a good nose too, Mino?'
"It's nothing compared to humans, but...
What's on your mind?
"Smells like death, doesn't it?" (Bumo)

　Crono tried to take a deep breath through his nose, but he couldn't smell the smell of death.

''Even though I threw it away, I can't bear the thought of my hometown being a morgue.'' (Bumobumo)
Yes.

　The deputy said with a sigh and Crono nodded.

'Oh?　He's back.

　I looked up at Nicole's words and saw a small, fat man approaching us with about ten soldiers in tow.

'What do we do now?'
Don't worry, it's not going to be a fight.

　Nicole grinned.
　It was a badass grin, but it felt dependable.
　The little fat man leaned against the fence and repeated his wild breathing.

'Who the hell are you?'
'I'm Nicole of the Imperial Army!　I'm here to free the quarry workers according to the order of Princess Tyria!
"I am in charge of the quarry on behalf of His Highness Prince Alfort!　I can't obey those orders!
Shut up!　Get out of here!　If you rattle off any more, I'll kill you!

　The little fat man yelled loudly, and Nicole yelled back even louder.

'I have a mean streak!
Let's get our asses kicked.
It's not going to be a fight, is it?
Come to think of it, we don't have to negotiate.
Okay.
"General, this is me.

　The second in command stepped in front of Crono and the others, and bumoooo!　He shouted heroically.
　Yellow light colored the deputy's body like a barbarian's war veneer.

''Oh, so you can use the imprinting technique?''

　Neige muttered to himself as if it were someone else's business, and the second-in-command yelled again and stepped out of the way.
　A crack ran from underneath the deputy's feet towards the small, fat man.
　The next moment, a cone-shaped rock protruded from the ground.
　It didn't stop at one.
　One by one, the cone-shaped rocks towered along the cracks.

''Wow, okay!　I'm out!

　The little fat man screamed and the towering speed changed to a slow one.
　Finally, the cone-shaped rock slowly rises and completely stops moving.

''It's like this, man.'' (Bumo)

　Bufu, the second in command let out a wild snort.

*

　Two days later (the fifth day of his southward march) - Crono climbed the execution table with a gloomy feeling.
　It was a solid piece of work, despite the fact that it was an unexpected task.
　The carvings on the sides, though not visible from here, were also magnificent.
　I climbed up the stairs and looked up.
　In front of the execution table, Tilia was sitting on a chair, protected by old knights.
　Furthermore, the imperial soldiers surrounded it.
　The lords of Baron Bowties' territory are at a considerable distance.
　It was impossible to see their expressions, but they didn't seem to be happy in the least.

''I'll state my charges!''

　Crono's voice echoed around him.

''Despite the fact that Acting Lord Isabella signed a contract not to hostile the imperial army, she ordered the battalion commander Ark and the cavalry under him to attack!

　Oh!　The crowd groaned.

'Both of you shall be put to death, and Thor, Isabella's son, as a consortium, shall also be put to death!

　Once again, the crowd groaned.
　They were less vocal than before.

'And yet, Isabella's son, Thor, is not involved in the attack and is to be poisoned!　This is a procedure to avoid needless suffering!　Isabella and Ark both!

　As Crono made room, Isabella and Ark climbed the execution table.
　The crowd let out a third groan as the two climbed the execution table.
　It might be natural.
　Not only were the two men not lassoed, but they were also dressed in extravagant costumes - Isabella in a black dress and Ark in a military dress.

'I would normally execute you as a criminal, but I give you the right to decorate your own death. This is mercy.

　Isabella and Ark stood at the execution table and gave them a look.
　Ark was the first to kneel.

'Is there anything left to say?'
...everything.

　Ark opened his mouth quietly.

'My life was full of falsehoods about everything. But the bond I had with my dead men was real. I will die a loser. It's also real.

　Ark looked up at Crono and turned over.

''.......Heavenly Cardinal Kagura.

　A large amount of letters flowed like a waterfall, creating a jet black sphere.
　The jet-black sphere covers Ark's head, and Crono forms a fist.
　Ark's body slowly collapses as he loses his head.
　His posture was as if he was on his knees, but it was a noblemanlike end to his life.
　Isabella moved loosely.
　She went to her knees and folded her hands in prayer.

'Is there anything left to say?'
Thank you for preparing me for my death as a nobleman.
"Cardinal Music.

　A jet black sphere covers Isabella's head.

'T--'

　Isabella opened her mouth, perhaps trying to call her son's name before Crono was about to form a fist.
　But she couldn't call her son's name.
　Isabella's body slowly collapsed.

''The body will be buried, but I will not allow you to humiliate me. For the sins of both of you have been paid for by death.

　Crono let out a small breath and walked down the stairs.

*

　When Crono entered the bedroom, Thor was lying on the bed.
　He hadn't given him the poison pill yet.

''Where is ... your mother?''
He's gone.

　Crono sat down in the chair by the bed.

''Well it's my turn.''
Yes.

　Crono took a paper - a poison pill - from the pouch.
　He had Sue make it for him.
　Apparently, it's a poison that causes death as you sleep.
　When Crono held out the poison pill, Thor took it in his trembling hands.
　He took out a black pill and swallowed it in one go.

''........I'm going to die, aren't I?
Yes.

　Thor looked up at the canopy.

'....Can you tell me something?
What do you want me to say?
Whatever.
Well yes.

　Crono thought about it for a bit and decided to talk about the man who came from another world - himself.
　He spoke plainly about what was in that world.
　Thor asked questions, but only at first.
　Little by little, he stopped responding, and the number of times he asked back increased.
　There was no more listening back, and he heard a peaceful sleep.

''.........''

　Crono stayed by Thor's side until he stopped breathing.

*

Ha ha, beautiful.

　Rio laughed as he looked up at the sparks of fire that were rising in the air.
　The fire sparks soaring as if sucked into the night sky were fantastic and somehow lewd.

''........Rio-sama.''
What is it?

　I looked at the voice and saw the deputy kneeling.

'It's done.'
Oh, is it all over yet?

　Rio looked around.
　A few hours ago there had been a village here.
　It was a village that looked like it could be anywhere, but now it wasn't.
　Buildings are in flames or burned down, villagers are dead or dying.

Did you let them get away in moderation?
It's just an order.
'Yeah, yeah, it's great that you're sticking to your orders.

　Rio clapped his hands together in front of his chest.

''By the way, you didn't rape me, did you?''
Yes, sir, that's what I was ordered to do.

　The deputy nodded quietly.

''It's a relief to have all my men who are good listeners. I was at a loss as to what to do with only a hundred cavalrymen, but I'm sure my old man picked the right men.''
Thank you.

　Rio looked up at the sky again.

'At this rate Crono will find me.
I hope so, sir.
"Carve a message on the body and then move on.

　Haha, Rio laughed again.