*

　Seventh day of southward progress - Crono woke up with a pain in his leg.
　A pain that felt like a combination of a sprain and a burn covered his right leg from his toe to below the knee.
　Should he be glad that he had been attacked by a divine weapon and only suffered this level of pain?
　Should I feel pity that the only injured person was me?

''Oh, you've finally woken up.
"Priestess.

　Crono looked up at the priest who sat cross-legged at his bedside.
　He had been drinking alcohol by hand since early morning - a strange elven potion.
　The deputy and Theon didn't seem to be there.

''It doubles as an antiseptic, so please don't drink too much.
....
Why don't you say something?
This stuff runs fast.
'You're a real alcoholic. You're dying of liver failure.
I'd like to die if I could.

　Crono raised his body and complained in disgust, but the priestess didn't mind at all.
　Apparently, his ability to break down alcohol - whether it's dependent on his physical body or his ability as a demigod is unknown - is unusual.

''I'm immortal, but I wish my injuries had healed like a man.
This is a living hell, isn't it?
Torment.
I'm going to give you a sterner word than Ignis. An elephant can step on me and I won't die or get sick, but I'm a very sensitive person.

　He's like a pencil case from long ago.

'What have you been doing, living so long and not even being enlightened?　If you live for hundreds of years, you'll have an enlightenment or two.
I'm enlightened enough to know that the world is moving on without me.
Maybe that's a frontier that even a shut-in or a NEET can reach.

　You've been alive for hundreds of years, so you need to be a little more sane and enlightened.

"Could you stop using the word 'neat'? I'm still a bit hazy on the old memories, but I have a feeling that in the distant past, I used to work myself to the bone with all my might.
It's good to be here.
It's so steep.

　'Oyo,' the priestess mimicked breaking down in tears.

'So, are you sure you don't want that wound to heal?
''Zion-san and Priestess are our trump card. We don't want the priestess to disappear in a time of need.
You couldn't tell me any more?
"....ascend to heaven.
Not that it's wrong, but it's not wrong.

　The priestess grunted bitterly.

'I've had a lot on my mind since our current conversation, so I think I'm going to take a trip after this war is over.
You'll have to wait until you've paid your debts.
I've got to get fired up and do some missionary work.

　The priestess muttered seriously and began to chivvy up and drink.
　At that time, the second in command looked into the wagon.

''........General, are you awake? ...bumo.
I just woke up.

　Crono stood up and scowled.
　His legs hurt quite a bit.
　He may be able to walk, but he may not be able to run.

''What's wrong?''
I'm here to report on yesterday's knight commander's visit. Princess Tyria isn't ready, so I asked her to wait for me.
Show me around.

　Crono, with the help of his second-in-command, descended from the covered wagon and headed down to the knight commander - Harris.
　The covered wagons were lined up in a line, and his men were clearing out the encampment.

'How are your men doing?'
"No one else was injured besides Crono, so it's not so hard to take it easy.
That's a relief.

　The story was that Rio was leading a hundred cavalry.
　But there was no such thing as a hundred cavalry last night.

''........Is it Rio's stand-up play?''
Did you say something? (Bum?)
No, I'm just saying.

　After advancing in silence for a while, the tent came into view.
　Around them stand old knights who are Tilia's attendants and cavalrymen who seem to be Harris' men.

''Harris-san is in the tent?''
"Hey, I don't really want to be seen by the public.
You were in the woods yesterday.
Maybe he's reconsidering that the roads are safer. Bumpy?

　Mino opened the tent and Crono went inside.
　Inside the tent were the figures of Harris and Tilia.

'You're late,'
I'm a sleeper.

　He excuses himself and stands behind Tilia.

'Now we're ready to discuss this. First of all, can you tell me why you're here and not Baron Zeginus?
My uncle is dead.

　Harris said matter-of-factly.

'What was the cause of death?'
There's an ambush in the woods.
I see, and that's why you're acting as acting lord?
No, I'm the acting lord's agent.

　Hmm?　Tilia tilted her head slightly.

'The original acting lord is my uncle's son, but he is too sickly to bear the duties of a lord.
Can't you tell me what to do?
Maybe it's because I'm so sick, but I'm a bit out of touch with the world.

　Harris let out a small sigh.

'So what do we do now?'
'I would like to honor my uncle's wishes and ask you to take down Count Chiron.
Are you okay?
I got through to him last night.
You're very good at it.
It's an emergency.

　Tilia said manglingly, but Harris only smiled weakly.

'May I have a stroke?　In exchange for the imperial army's defeat of Count Chiron, they will guarantee safe passage through the territory.
Yes, that's fine. However, in respect to the will of Baron Zeginus, may I ask that the text be respected?
I don't mind.

　Tilia said in a tone of dismay and moved the two sheets of paper, quill and ink jar on the table in front of Harris.

'You don't mind if it's not parchment?'
You'd be in a lot of trouble if there were any official documents left behind, wouldn't you?
Thank you for your concern.

　Harris thanked him and finished the sentence without any pretense of distress.
　Of course, he didn't forget to sign it.

''........I have one favor to ask?''

　Harris cut him off quietly.

'What?'
'It's no big deal. When your uncle's child dies, he wants me to take over the reigns.
Why?
To avoid confusion, of course.
"What good is it if the Imperial Army doesn't win?
Yes, I know.

　Harris gave a small nod.
　He wondered if he was the one who killed Baron Zeginus, but he wouldn't say it.
　The Imperial Army didn't have time to get involved in the Baron Zeginus family's family turmoil.

''It has nothing to do with the inheritance of the viceroyalty...''
What is it?
How will you treat Count Chiron and his men?
...Yes.

　Harris stroked his chin thoughtfully.

'I'd like to leave it to you.
Are you sure?
'If we punish you, you will have betrayed the Empire.

　He has betrayed himself enough when he allows the imperial army to pass through his territory, but is this what you call a thick skin on your face?

''Isn't that inconvenient?''
Does Princess Tyria care about your availability?
No, I'll be liberal enough to be at your disposal.
Then I suppose it's no problem. Oh, I'll also note that I'll leave the treatment of the Ninth Kinsman Guard to the Imperial Army.

　Harris added a sentence and offered it to Tyria.

'I can write that when the Acting Lord dies, you'll be allowed to become the Lord, right?
Nice to meet you.

　Tilia wrote a sentence on two sheets of paper, placing one in her hand and the other in front of Harris.

'This is going to be a soliloquy...'
....

　Tilia is silent.

''Up ahead........though it's quite far away, there are side roads. If you go straight ahead, it's Viscount Necal's territory, but if you go east, there's a village that was destroyed by the Ninth Konoe Guard. Please be of some help.

　Harris stood up and walked out of the tent.
　A few moments later, the sound of a horseshoe could be heard.


'I don't know if he killed it himself or if he used Count Chiron to his advantage.

　Tilia crossed her arms and leaned back.

'Rio is....'
No one is coming to attack us.

　Tilia said as she let out a sigh.

'Can't we convince them?'
'I won't know until I try, but you will, won't you?'
I think he's a terrible person, even if he is.

　I want Rio to live while killing Isabella and Ark.
　That's a hell of an egoist.
　But that's how I really feel.

Okay?
''To be honest, I wish you wouldn't, but it's worth a try. If we can bring the Earl of Chiron to our side, it will be a considerable increase in strength, and even if we're hostile, we can show that we'll be treated well if we show reverence.

　But," Tilia continues.

'You could die.
I'm ready for it.
I see.

　Tilia let out a small sigh.

We'll hold Count Chiron's cavalry back and you can convince them to do the rest and that's it.
When you explain it that way, I feel like I can do it.
Well, that's easy for me to say.
Yes.

　Crono nodded.
　This strategy has too much of a gamble element to it.
　In the first place, we don't know where Rio and the others will attack us from.
　Furthermore, if Rio and the others had decided whether to kill Crono or Tilia, it would be difficult to divide them.

Still, we have no choice.

　Crono clenched his fists.

*

　In the evening--the imperial army reached a side road and began to prepare for the encampment there.
　As seven days had passed since the march began, his men were very skillful.

''Old men there!　If you've got your hands free, help me prepare a meal!
We are the maids of the Lady Tyria!　You have important business to attend to!
'That's right!　If I work any longer, I'll be d*mned to heaven!

　The landlady, Manchausen and Alonso were shouting at each other, but the preparations for the camp were well underway.
　Crono leaned against the covered wagon, wondering if he could convince Rio to come along.
　I looked up when I felt a sign and saw that Tilia was about to approach us.
　I stood next to Crono and leaned against the wagon.

'Are you nervous?'
Where's Tilia?
A little.

　She doesn't look nervous as she says it.
　Should I praise her for being an imperial princess?

''You remember what the plan was, don't you?''
If Rio and his friends show up, I'll be on a side street.

　Crono turned his attention to the side road.
　The road was just wide enough for a carriage to barely get through, and it was full of holes.

''There are no ambush soldiers, right?''
We'll just have to trust our advance team.
I'm a believer, though.

　Crono lightly cowered his shoulders.
　At the end of the side road is a small settlement of less than fifty houses.
　The village is surrounded on three sides by slopes.
　It's hard to tell because of the thick vegetation, but the slope is said to be stair-stepped.

''Master Crono, I've brought the horses.
.....

　Tilia grunted softly as Leila came underneath Crono, pulling her horse.

''Well that's a big horse.''
He's a carriage horse.

　The horse shook its head in disgust as Crono extended his hand.

'What about the soldier in the carriage?'
I put him in another carriage.
Thanks for working so fast.
No, of course not.

　Leila looked down in embarrassment.

...Uh, Mister Crono?
What is it?
The horses are ready to go, sir.　Well, Master Crono can't ride a horse...

　Tyria gushed as Leila cut her off in a cursory manner.

'Just because I'm not good at it doesn't mean I can't ride it,'
'I don't remember seeing you on a horse, do I?
I drove it right through military school.
It was, wasn't it?

　Tilia raised her eyebrows and held her temples.
　I've only been to one regular class, so it's no wonder I don't remember it.
　In fact, it would be scary if she remembered it.
　Leila's ears perked up.

''........Crono-sama?''
I know.

　The next moment Crono left the covered wagon, a green light flashed in the corner of his vision.
　It was an attack by a divine weapon there.
　A rush of light rushed in.
　The attack was coming from the front - Rio and the others would have been ambushed at the end of the street, not on a side street.
　Well, even if it turns out, Crono has no way to prevent this attack.

''Fay!''
I know, sir!

　Faye jumps out in front of Crono and the others - further ahead of the wagon at the front.

''Summon the Divine Weapon!　It is a drawn sword!

　He holds himself in a hunchbacked position and pulls out his sword and releases it in a motion.
　The darkness that erupts from your hand turns into a divine weapon - a bewitchingly beautiful sword.
　The rush of light is close at hand.

''It is gutsy!

　Faye stabbed the divine weapon into the ground.
　In the next moment, the light engulfed the fey - or so it seemed.
　The divine weapon pushed the light back and sliced it in two.
　The light that was torn in two fluttered like a giant snake, destroying the objects beyond it.
　Shrubs are blown apart, the ground is gouged out, and pots and pans are overturned.
　It's the same scene as last time, but this time the light is uninterrupted.
　The light rushes in as if there were no end to it.
　There was a grating sound of a squeak.
　A crack ran through the divine weapon in Faye's hand.
　More disappeared and appeared repeatedly.
　Even though the gods they believed in were different, it was the same divine weapon summoning.
　No, that's why the competence of the wielder will appear.

It's gutsy, gutsy, gutsy!

　As if in response to Faye's cry, the divine weapon emitted a strong light.
　Suddenly, the rush of light ceased.
　As if Faye had run out of power, she slammed down on one knee and the divine artifact shattered into pieces.
　The shards disappeared as they melted into the air faster than they could touch the ground.
　Although he was able to surpass the attack, he couldn't be relieved.
　The sound of horseshoes could be heard, and the cavalrymen were closing in on us.
　They were closing in on us to blend in with Rio's attack.
　Leading the way was Rio's second-in-command - an elderly knight.

''........Crono.
I know.

　Tilia turns herself around and runs in the opposite direction from the cavalry.

'It's Princess Tyria!
Chase, chase, chase, chase!
Capture him and your mission is over!
'Ignore the Marquis of Erakis!　That thing is Master Rio's prey!

　The enemy cavalry passed right in front of Crono and followed Tilia.

''Enemy!
Protect the Princess Tyria!
It's time to show your loyalty!
Let them know we're here.

　Manchausen and the other old knights shout and confront the cavalry.
　Tilia runs through and the old knights hold their spears.

'Kick them out!　I'm going to charge!
Do not be afraid!　We are with the Princess Tyria!

　The enemy cavalry rushed in as one, and the old knight was blown away with ease.
　The old knight is blown away, knocked to the ground and bitten by the enemy cavalry.
　The old knight's life-giving work brings the enemy horsemen to a complete halt.
　If it were a plain, this would still be a city road.
　If you step away from the roadway, the wasteland spreads and it's impossible to run a horse.

''It!　Drag it down!

　The old knight grabs at the enemy cavalry.

'Pull back!'
Enclose yourself in a circle!

　It was faster for the old knight to cut off the retreat than for the enemy cavalry to start running around the neck of his horse.
　The old knight surrounded the enemy cavalry and thrust out his spear and sword.
　Of course, the enemy horsemen were not defeated either.
　He draws his sword and swings it down.
　A short scream goes up, but the old knight is not intimidated.
　He challenges him, shouting, 'For the sake of Princess Tilia.
''Old man, step back! (BUMO!)
I'm going to ask you to step aside, that I do! (GASPS!)
　His second-in-command and Taiga shout.
　I try to cover them somehow, but the turbulent conditions make it impossible to do so.

'Master Crono!'
I know!

　Crono jumped on his horse and kicked him in the side.
　The horse got to a pole stand and started to run.

'Turn!'

　I pulled on the reins and managed to guide my horse down a side street.
　Just as I let out a breath of relief, a blast of air rushed in from behind me.
　When I looked behind me over my shoulder, I saw Rio on his horse chasing me.
　He was holding an ordinary bow in his hand, though.

''Gee, I thought you couldn't ride a horse.''

　A cool voice reaches my ears.
　Perhaps they are using a divine technique to allow the voice to reach them.
　This way we can talk about it.

''I didn't say anything about not being able to ride.
I thought you said you weren't good at this?

　When Crono miffed and said it back, Rio said it in a teasing way.
　That's right, he just said he wasn't good at it, he didn't say he couldn't ride.
　Well, all I can do is ride and run on the horse's back.
　An intermittent blast of wind rushed in.

'Rio, please stop,'
Oh, are you begging for your life?
I don't want to fight you, okay? There's no reason for us to fight you.
The Cronos didn't pick me.
'That's because Lord Leonhardt was trying to kill Rio!

　That's why I couldn't tell him to come.
　If I've misbuttoned the buttons, this is the place.
　If I explain myself properly, they'll understand.
　But...

I don't care. I don't care.
What?
...Crono chose the Princess Tyria.

　Rio said in a horrifyingly cold voice.

'Crono chose Princess Tyria.
No.

　Crono denied it as soon as he could.
　It was true that Crono had chosen to fight Tilia and the others.
　But it was because his men had stood up for him.
　It was because they chose to fight the Empire for themselves.

That's exactly right. You didn't choose me then.
"I didn't choose Rio...

　That's when he finally realizes.
　In Rio's mind, Crono's decision and the fact that he didn't choose her are synonymous.

''You mean ... you should have just abandoned your subordinate?''
Yes,

　Rio said simply.

'That's not right,'

　I've explained it to them.
　But they don't understand me.
　It's too self-centered.

'Am I crazy?　Funny?　Hahaha, Crono!　I've been doing this for a long time, you know?　Since when did you think I was sane?
"-Oh!

　Crono gasped.
　If you think about it, Rio is killing the person who refused to confess.
　He had misbuttoned the button from the beginning.
　This could have happened at any time from the moment Rio confessed to him.
　Luckily, he'd only maintained his equilibrium, and he'd mistakenly thought that was normal.

'Rio!　To start over--

　The blast interrupts Crono's words.
　Suddenly, the attack stops and I look over my shoulder to see what's behind me.
　The only person there was a horse.
　There's no sign of Rio.

''........What should I do?''

　Crono bit his lip.
　What should have broken down only broke down.
　A premonition just turned into reality.

''--!

　Suddenly, the horse lurched forward and Crono was thrown into the air.
　He activated his imprint as quickly as he could, but he couldn't mimic the idea of spinning around in the air and landing on the ground.
　At best, it would only mitigate the damage.
　Crono was slammed to the ground and then stood up.
　Somewhat late and the horse falls over.
　No, it's not that easy.
　It's like a race car crash.
　Crono walked up to the fallen horse.
　The horse was foaming blood and was dead.

''.........Divine Art?''

　I shake my head.
　I remember hearing that horses die when they run as fast as they can.
　Normal creatures relax their strength before their limits are reached, but horses don't relax their strength even when their limits are reached.
　Sorry, I apologize in my mind as I look around.
　It was the entrance to the village.
　The roofs of the buildings were burned down and the earthen walls were crumbling.



　A light impact ran through his right thigh.
　When I looked at my thigh, I saw an arrow stuck in it.

''--!''

　A fever arose and it hit his brain in a fierce pain.

'Haha, Crono is very patient,'

　Rio slowly descends to the ground.

'I was going to kill him on the way down. I decided to take my time here and rethink killing it.

　Rio chuckled and came closer.
　I have to do something about it.
　Somehow I have to take away Rio's fighting power and convince him to do it.
　But I can't think of a way to do that.
　All my thoughts are spinning out of control.

'Come on, let's go?'

　Rio points his index finger upwards.
　A green light swirls around his index finger and shoots toward Crono.
　A sharp pain runs down his cheek.
　It was torn apart by a blade of wind.

'I'll go on and on,'

　Rio laughs and a blade of wind is released.
　Crono strengthens the 'field' and plays the wind blade.
　The essence of the imprinting technique is the alteration of reality by will.
　With a strong will, it's possible to move a broken body.
　But the current Crono didn't have that much will.
　It was wrong from the beginning.
　Their feelings for each other were frayed.
　I loved the illusion I had inside me.
　How could he maintain a strong will when confronted with such a reality?

'I do. How about this?

　Rio dives into Crono's bosom and touches his chest with his index finger.
　Crono jumps back, and at the same time, light bursts out of him.
　The impact penetrates.

''--Gehaha!

　Crono was knocked from his back to the ground and coughed violently.
　Tears blotted his vision.
　Avoid it, roll, or you'll die.
　He rolled as his survival instincts dictated, and light exploded up close and personal.
　The impact again pierces my entire body, and the blasted pebbles slice through my skin.
　I wipe my tears with the back of my hand--.

''I knew Crono was good.

　Rio was looking down at me with an enraptured expression on his face.
　For some reason, he's raising one leg.
　I don't need to think about why--I don't need to think about the reason.

''No, stop--''
I need to hear more voices!
"-Oh!

　Rio swung his foot down on the arrow stuck in his thigh.
　Crono screamed as the intense pain hit his brain.

''Haha!　Good voice, good voice!

　Rio threw down the bow and rode up to Crono.
　He licks his fingers and touches the arrow on his thighs.
　That's all it takes to make the excruciating pain crawl up.

'More!'
Aaahh!

　Rio twists the arrow and a murky scream gushes out.

''Hahahaha!　It's great!　It's great!　I should have done this from the beginning!　I should have done this!　The chrono is mine!　The chrono is mine.　More and more--

　Rio was sounding crazy, but he fell silent as if a switch had been flipped.
　Suddenly, he flashed his arm in a flash.
　A gust of wind arises and an arrow pierces the ground.
　Someone had fired an arrow.

''Count Chiron!　Please stay away from Master Crono!

　Leila's voice rang out.

'....Layla?

　Rio muttered softly and stood up in a billion words.
　Green light flooded from his left hand, and in the next moment, the bow was in his grasp.
　Divine Weapon Summoning.
　However, the light emitted by the divine weapon was too weak compared to that seen before.

''There!''

　Rio shoots an arrow of light at the slope.
　The light bursts out and blows off a corner of the slope.
　But Leila is not there.
　A moment later, Leila's voice echoes again.

'Count Chiron, please surrender!
Haha, you just shot an arrow at me.
Surrender and we can start over!
What happens if we start over?　Are you asking me to be afraid of not being chosen again?
'No, sir!　Lord Crono, Lord Crono loves you equally!
Equality?　Equality?

　'Haha,' laughed Rio.

'That's a trick. You're one of the mistresses, no matter how hard you try. You can't be a regular wife, or even a second wife. How can you claim equality when there is a fixed hierarchy?

　There is a rustling sound and arrows fly in the air.
　Rio flashes his arm and the wind blows.
　Earlier he could easily change his trajectory, but this time it was different.
　The arrow snatched Rio's arm and stabbed him in the back.

''.........Engraving technique?''

　Rio blurted out and Crono turned his gaze to the arrow.
　The arrow was surrounded by red light.

'Leila, you love Crono, don't you?　If you do this, you're going to get Crono involved, okay?
　No reply.

　Rio let out a small sigh and pulled away from Crono.

'Don't get me wrong. I walked away from Crono because I wanted to kill him myself.
"Flameboy!
"Oops!

　Rio jumped back and a huge pillar of fire rose up.
　My skin tingled and ached, despite the considerable distance between us.
　The pillar of fire disappeared and arrows flew in the air.
　As if he was expecting it, Rio twisted his body to duck the arrows and started to fight back.
　An arrow of light pierced the slope and exploded after about a blink of an eye.
　After all, Leila is not there.

You're good at running away.

　Rio said disgustedly-- "I'm going to blow you to pieces!

'I'll blow you up by the roots!

　He shot arrow after arrow of light down the slope.
　Light exploded, the wind blew and the slope was blown away.
　It's an attack so caustic that it changes the terrain.

''Huh, dead--''

　An arrow is released from somewhere.
　A shield of light blocks the arrow.
　No, I should say that I stopped it.
　Even though the arrow is caught by the light shield, it is still trying to push forward.
　But that doesn't last long.
　The arrow succumbs to Rio's power and is flung backwards.

'Haha, you're full of motivation!　Leila, I'm going to love you too!

　Rio fired another arrow of light down the slope.
　A burst of light and the terrain changes.
　Immediately after, an arrow flies in.
　It was from a different direction than before.
　Leila was moving through the artillery-like attack.

''You're not using magic anymore?''

　Rio calls out to her, but Leila doesn't answer.

'Will you shut up?　You're not going to be silent in bed either, are you?

　With that, he shoots an arrow of light.
　A battle of opposites begins.
　Despite being the same archers, the types of attacks are different.
　Artillery and sniping - indeed, it's a battle of motion and stillness.
　Time passes, and the outcome of the battle becomes clearer and clearer.
　It was Rio who had the upper hand.
　The slope and the vegetation on it had been blown away by Rio's attack.
　It was a sign that there was nowhere to hide.
　In addition, Leila had a more pressing problem.
　Crono stared at the ground and the scorched earthen walls.
　There were countless arrows sticking out of it.
　While Rio could release arrows almost infinitely, Leila could only release as many as she had in her arrow barrel.

''Hmph, I won, right?''

　Rio spoke to the remaining plants on the slope.

'Yes. I have a special honor for you. I'll crush your limbs and show you how I can make Crono my own.

　Rio muttered, enthralled.
　She looked like a damsel in love if you just looked at her expression, but the content of her expression was horrifying.
　It's even more so when you're in the position to be killed.

'Well, if you're willing to surrender, that is.

　Rio readied his divine weapon and slowly pulled the string.
　An arrow of light appeared and a small sound could be heard.
　It's the sound of a sacred object cracking.
　Rio's strength is reaching its limit.

''That said, you're not going to surrender, are you?

　Just then, a sound rang out from behind me.

'When?!'

　Rio reflexively turned around, but Leila wasn't there.
　Only a single arrow glowed faintly.
　This time, a sound echoed from the slope.
　It was Leila.
　She's holding a machine gun bow.
　She is even more expressionless than usual.
　It's a sign of determination.

''At least Crono!

　Before Rio could turn to Crono, Leila released an arrow.
　The arrow pierced his chest and Rio staggered.
　The divine weapon shattered and disappeared as a light.

''Ah.....

　Rio was dumbfounded and stared at the arrow stuck in his own chest and fell down on the spot.

''Ri, Rio!''
　Crono stood up and ran to Rio.
　It was the power of 'place'.
　A strong force of will moved his legs.

''........Rio.''

　Crono knelt down and picked up Rio.
　Rio's eyes were closed, as if he was fainting.

''........Rio?''

　When he called out again, his eyelashes quivered and Rio opened his eyes thinly.

'Huh, Leila's got me.
You don't have to speak!　Stop the bleeding, stop the bleeding!
I can't do this anymore.

　Rio slowly raised his hand.
　His hand was transparent.
　A side effect of the divine power art - Rio was being eaten out of existence by the gods.

''So... so...''
That's enough!　I'm sure Mr. Priestess will help you!
So you'll die with me.

　Summoning divine power, Rio muttered quietly.
　The next moment, a green light filled his vision.

*

　How long had he been unconscious?
　When he woke up, Rio was being held by Crono.

'Good. You're awake now, aren't you?
...here?

　When I looked around, I saw that it was a space filled with green light.
　Summoning divine authority is the art of calling God itself.
　That means that this place must be inside of God.
　Rio looked at Crono.
　Although he had no strength at all, he could still at least scratch his head off.
　But--'

''That's enough.''

　Rio muttered softly.
　He felt strangely calm.
　Maybe it was because Crono was holding her.
　Is it because he was shot through the chest?
　Is it because he is being eaten by a god?
　Either way, it wasn't a bad mood.
　A mischievous feeling suddenly arises.

"...Crono, did you love me?
I love you.

　I didn't love you, I love you.
　Laughter bubbled up.
　Rio laughs.
　He laughs, spitting blood.
　How could it be?
　How could this have happened?
　It must be because--.
　I've always wanted it.
　It's all about me.
　I couldn't help myself.
　Lonely.
　I was too scared to leave my house, my position, my fears.
　He left me behind.
　He could only see himself.

''Well don't leave me again, please. I'll follow you properly next time.

　Rio smiled as the strength in Crono's arms grew.



　When the pillar of light disappeared, there was nothing there.
　The burned out house, the plants, the slope, everything that was inside the pillar of light was gone.
　No--.

''Master Crono!''

　Leila patted her chest and ran down the slope.
　Then she stopped.
　Crono was on his knees.
　In his arms, only his white uniform - his jacket - remained.
　Crono's shoulders were shaking as if he was crying.

''........Ah.''

　I raise my voice in a small voice.
　Because after all this time, he realized that he had taken Rio away from Crono.
　Even though he had become an enemy, Rio was still Crono's lover.
　How sad he must be.
　How much he must be in pain.
　I wanted to run to him.
　If I didn't, I knew that gentle Crono would be crushed by the grief.
　But Crono rose to his feet.
　Biting his lip, he held back tears.

''Oh....''

　Leila gave a small gasp.
　Realizing that Crono wasn't weak enough to be crushed by grief.
　There would be times when he would be overwhelmed by grief and pain.
　There might even be times when his feet would stop.
　Still, he will get up.
　Crono walks slowly, but forcefully.
　The arrow that was stuck in his thigh is gone.
　No, even if the arrow was still stuck in his thigh, he would have walked out forcefully.
　Leila bit her lip and followed Crono.