Chapter 1 – Before the Storm

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An important update!

When I started this novel, I said I’d retranslate the whole thing from scratch, bringing it up to date, and then decide on its schedule, depending on readership. So I have done, and now I have checked the stats and support on Patreon this series gets, and decided to lower public release to once a week in a first step.

The new release day for Chrono Wars on the blog will be every Saturday and on Patreon the release will remain on Saturday and Monday. In case support doesn’t pick up, I’ll lower the release rate further to make space for a new series. If it does, I’ll bring it back up to speed.

Please bear in mind that I try to make a living with my translations and donations are my only income since I don’t want to litter my blog with ads and cash links. Logically, series only few people read will be de-prioritized or axed altogether, no matter how long I have been translating them or how far along they are.

If you like a series, consider supporting it as a Patron on Patreon, and if you cannot do that, at least spread the word about the series to draw some attention to it. Writing a short recommendation on forums, reddit, or other media takes you like a few minutes and can be done between work breaks, but it also helps drawing readers to the series you like (you’d never guess from where some people end up here). 🙂

In the evening Chrono was waiting for his subordinates inside the meeting room. It was the same room where the village chiefs had previously assembled. It had a pedestal similar to a teacher’s desk, and was furnished with five long tables in two rows.

As he repeatedly tapped his feet while leaning against the pedestal, Mino spoke up from the corner where he was standing.

“Captain, calm down a bit, will ye?”

“Ugh, sorr――”

“Yahooo! We’re the first to arrive!”

“We kinda want a reward! I kinda request ice cream!”

Arided and Deneb had rushed into the room, interrupting Chrono in the process. They immediately made a beeline for the window-sided row, taking the table all the way in the back. It was a choice that clearly showed their personalities. Chrono regretted that it’d have been better to have designated everyone’s seating arrangement.

“By the way, what sort of business do you kinda have with us today?”

“You’d be more than welcome to call me to your bedroom.”

“I have no such plans, but I’m sure you will be startled once you hear what I have to say.”

“Ooohh! That kinda sounds promising!”

“Now I’m looking forward to it! Until then we’ll rest here!”

The two said happily and then fell over on the table. Apparently no information had been leaked so far.

“Excuse me!”

A dignified voice reverberated through the room. Layla. As soon as she entered, she moved to the front table on the corridor’s side with brisk movements and sat down. She was looking in Chrono’s direction as if she wanted to say something, but didn’t speak up.

Horus entered next with Lizad in tow.

“I’m pooped since I’ve been running all day long today as well. Ah, man, if only I don’t need to run tomorrow as well――”

“We’ve still not ironed out yer worldly desires!?”

“――gh!”

Horus straightened his back as soon as Mino roared at him.

“Sit down!”

“O-Okay!”

Flustered, Horus sat down at the table furthest away from the pedestal jut like Arided and Deneb, but on the corridor’s side. Lizad took the seat next to him.

The ones arriving next were Cain and Fay. Both had apparently hurried over, seeing how they were still dirty with mud and dust.

“Sorry, we got delayed.”

“Fay Muhlifain has arrived!”

Cain tried to take the table in front of Lizad, but Fay ran past that table. With a vigorous yell, she jumped, just to cling to the front table on the window side.

“Sir Cain! I have secured them! I have secured our seats!”

“Sheesh, you’re not a little kid,” Cain commented with a sigh.

“You are wrong about that,” Fay said while energetically raising her body.

“Just let me make sure, but what exactly is wrong?”

“Kids are not that desperate!”

“Wouldn’t it be just fine to not be so desperate about something as minor as getting a seat?”

“That is out of the question! I have a duty to restore the Muhlifain family! You call it minor, but I cannot afford to be negligent! I would hate to regret it in the future if I cut corners at a time like this!”

“Well, it’s not like I can’t understand where you’re coming from. But, what sort of situation would make you regret not having taken a seat!?” Cain asked, clearly bewildered.

However, Chrono felt like it was necessary to show such a strong backbone if you wanted to succeed in life.

“It is important for me to show Lord Chrono that I am diligently doing my best!”

“I got it, I got it. So sit down.”

“Roger!”

Fay took seat on the chair with a clattering, followed with a slight delay by Cain sitting down next to her.

Wondering who would be next, Chrono looked towards the door. It was slowly opened. By Leo. He walked as if swaggering about, before flopping down on a chair. At the table in front of Horus and Lizad.

A little time later, some rattling could be heard from the corridor. However, that sound stopped right in front of the door. The next instant, the door was slammed open, followed by White and Gray jumping inside.

“We, late! But――”

“Not, last! Relieved!”

The two breathed out in relief, and sat down behind Cain and Fay.

“The only ones missing are Goldi and…”

Once Chrono took that name into his mouth, noise could be heard from the corridor once more. Noisy, heavy footsteps. The footsteps stopped, and the door was opened.

Just as he’d expected, Goldi was standing on the other side of the door.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“Managing the workshop and helping with the reclamation must be quite a challenge, so no need to worry.”

“It’s a big help to have you say that, Lord Chrono.”

Goldi apologetically hunched his shoulders and sat down next to Layla.

“We are all here with this, right?”

“No, not yet.”

“Who is missing?”

Just when Fay cocked her head in puzzlement, the door opened.

“Calling me all the way to the meeting room――rg!” Elena entered while grumbling, but immediately froze. “Hey, I haven’t heard anything about so many people gath――”

“Come on, stop standing around like that.”

Elena wasn’t allowed to finish her words. The landlady chopped her from behind.

“Why did you hit me!?”

“Because you were spacing out in the doorway, obviously.”

Elena had protested while holding her head with both hands, but the landlady remained completely unfazed.

“You’re at fault here for hitting someone else’s head all of a sudden!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll apologize for it as much as you want. Later on. So, hurry up and sit down for now.”

“Apologize properly, got it?” Elena growled and then started to walk.

“Hurry it up, will you?”

“Kyaaa!”

The landlady slapped Elena’s butt loudly, causing the smaller girl to leap up while screaming cutely. Right afterwards, she whirled around, glaring at the landlady. But, her opponent folded her arms as if to emphasize her voluptuous chest and directly took on the other girl’s stare.

As might have probably been expectable, the one averting her eyes first was Elena. The grief over her counterpart having something she didn’t have was real.

“Kuuh, remember this!”

“I’ve already forgotten all about it.”

While groaning, Elena sat down behind Layla. The landlady planted herself on the chair next to her.

Chrono moved up to in front of the pedestal and let his eyes wander across those present.

“It kinda looks like the meeting is going to start at last.”It doesn’t seem like we’re going to be invited to his best. Kinda deeply regrettable.”

“Everyone is present, so I will start the meeting,” announced Chrono after Arided and Deneb had raised their bodies from the table. “As a matter of fact, it was decided that there will be a war against Argo.”

“Eh? What was that, kinda?”

“I feel like I’ve heard an ominous word starting with w and ending with r.”

Arided and Deneb asked while gesturing as if they didn’t hear correctly.

“It was decided that there will be a war against Argo. We will depart in three days’ time.”

“Well, hahahaha, you’re way too good at joking, Lord Chrono. Nice joke. Really funny.”

“N-Not much time has passed since we last fought against them. I kinda want you to say that you’re joking.”

“It sure would be nice if it was a joke,” Chrono replied with a sigh.

Arided and Deneb fell silent.

“As you’ve heard, we’re going to war.”

“A-A dream! This is a dream!!”

“K-K-K-Kinda a really b-b-b-bad d-d-dream!”

“…Arided, Deneb.”

“”――gh!””

As soon as Chrono quietly called their names, both corrected their seating postures. The meeting room was wrapped up in silence. Everyone was staring at Chrono. Meanwhile, Chrono looked at the two elves.

“Startled?”

“”Don’t ask the obvious!!”” The two leaned forward and shouted at Chrono.

“Calm down, you two.”

A bang filled the room.

Leo had struck the table. Now he folded his arms and bared his fangs.

“It has been decided that we’ll fight against Argo. So, it won’t change anything, even if you kick up a fuss here.”

“That is kinda true.”

“I’d like to have the right to lament over my own misfortune granted.”

The two elves protested with groans against Leo’s remark that felt somewhat aloof.

“Think of it like this: It’s a great chance to prove our strength and avenge our comrades.”

“”It’s way too positive. Impossible!””

Arided and Deneb covered their faces with both hands and hung their heads.

“I’m sorry for pouring cold water on you guys, but we’ll be in charge of the supplies, so I doubt we’ll have many chances to gain grand achievements on the battlefield.”

“”Pheeew, that’s good news!””

“I see. That’s sad to hear.”

Arided and Deneb were relieved by Chrono’s remark while Leo sounded quite regretful.

“Still, we should change our approach to this. It’s not bad if you consider it as an opportunity to protect Lord Chrono.”

“If possible, I’d prefer if your protection wasn’t necessary, though.”

“It’s not like I want to expose you to danger either, Lord Chrono. Right, it’s more of a matter of mood.”

“Mood?” Chrono asked back reflexively. If possible, he’d have preferred a more noble reason.

“Mood is important. I, no, we can only fight when ordered.”

“Well, if soldiers moved about as they please, going to war would be no more than a pipe dream.”

“Indeed. However, I’d like to fight in a way I can agree with. Not just unwillingly following orders, that is.”

“In other words, you want your job to be worth doing?”

“That’s how it is. For me, fighting for your sake has merit, Lord Chrono.”

“I’m happy about your feelings on this, but don’t hasten to your death, okay?”

“Of course. I can’t protect you if I die.”

Leo bared his fangs.

Elena raised her hand, “May I?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thanks. I understand that a war is going to start, but we are unnecessary for this, aren’t we?”

“Ah, about that…”

Chrono looked at the landlady, who was sitting next to Elena. Thereupon, the older woman crossed her arms in front of her chest as if to cover her breasts.

Why? I kinda feel like she’s super wary of me.

“I’d like you, landlady, to prepare everyone’s meals.”

“Well, if you tell me to make food, I’ll do so even on a battlefield, but how many portions are we talking about here?”

“Around 500.”

“What, something like…wait, there’s no way I could pull that off, right!?”

Just as the landlady started to feel relieved, she suddenly raised her voice after realizing what Chrono was saying.

“What? Is it impossible for you?” Elena teasingly mocked her.

“It’ll take me a whole day to just prepare the ingredients when it comes to feeding 500 people,” answered the landlady with a fed-up voice.

“How many people would you need to be able to feed this amount of people?”

“At the very least four more people besides me. However, with the numbers being so high, it’ll be impossible to cook food at the same level as I always feed you, even if I made a handstand.”

“That’s alright. Can I leave the gathering of personnel to you?”

“That will be slightly difficult. No matter what you say, they’ll help cook on a battlefield. It’s not just about danger to their lives. How to put it? There’s also an issue of naivety in various ways, you see?” The landlady mumbled her words.

“You mean it’s possible that they’ll be assaulted by enemy soldiers, and depending on the circumstances, by their allies?”

“W-Well, yeah,” replied the landlady while fumbling her words.

Certainly, her concerns are very justified.

“Could you gather the necessary personnel, if we pay them?”

“So you plan to resolve the issue with money, huh?” Elena reacted to Chrono’s question, frowning in discontent.

“We don’t have any time. If it’s possible to resolve problems with money, I follow the motto of just throwing money at it.”

“I suppose this is the reason why you summoned me as well then?” Elena spat out and sulkily averted her face.

Chrono could only smile bitterly at that.

“Let’s see, how long is the whole expedition going to be?”

“Who knows? Maybe a month or two?”

“Then, how about ten gold per month?”

“As if we could pay such a huge amount!” Elena yelled at the landlady.

A soldier’s monthly salary was two gold, so this would be beyond lavish. However, if you were to ask whether this money would be worth losing your life, anyone would doubt it.

“I spoke to Lord Chrono. In the first place, it’s not like you’ll pay the money out of your wallet.”

“I-I know that! I just wanted to give my view on this as the one in charge of accounting,” Elena pursed her lips sullenly when receiving such an appalled retort by the landlady.

“Okay, we’ll pay those ten gold then.”

“Let me just tell you to make it clear, it’s ten gold per month per person. Also, please pay the full salary, even if they’re dismissed in less than a month.”

“Alright. If you want, I don’t mind paying in advance either.”

“How generous of you. Of course you’re going to pay the same to me as well, right?”

“Quite cheeky, aren’t we?” Elena muttered, but the landlady remained calm.

“I’ll pay ten gold to you, landlady, as a special bonus.”

“Bonus means I’m still going to receive my usual salary on top of that, right?” She said while leaning her body forward.

Her eyes were gleaming.

“Haaah, ten gold for cooking, huh?” Elena muttered.

“How about you come with us as well then?” The landlady flashed a provocative smile at the younger girl.

“I can’t cook.”

“Figures. If you learn by experience with this, it’ll teach you a bit of cooking. If you do it like that, even someone like you might find someone to accept you.”

“Ugh,” Elena groaned in frustration while glaring at Chrono for some reason.

Well, she’s probably thinking that she can’t become a bride anymore after having this and that done to her body by me.

He felt slightly apologetic. But at that moment, Layla raised her hand.

“Lord Chrono, would it be okay for me to ask a question?”

“Sure.”

“It is about you mentioning that we will be in charge of supplies, but――”

“Here! Here! Meeee!” Fay interrupted Layla.

Chrono asked Layla with his eyes whether it’d be fine to let Fay speak first. The half-elf nodded slightly.

“Yes, what is it, Fay?”

“Fay Muhlifain volunteers for this duty!” Fay declared with an excited look.

Next to her, Cain sighed very deeply.

“Rejected.”

“Why?”

“I was planning to have you command the cavalry during my absence.”

“I will be the Cavalry Commander? I-I see!”

She was likely quite happy, seeing how she was sloppily grinning all over her face. Suddenly she looked at Cain.

“If I become Cavalry Commander, does that mean Sir Cain is going to the battlefield?”

“Wouldn’t that be the right person for the right job? Good grief,” Cain scratched his head.

He was smiling, but a sharp glint was dwelling in his eyes.

“No, Cain is going to stay back as well.”

“What does that mean?”

“Yes, I’d love to hear an answer to this too, seeing how it concerns me,” Cain said with a serious look while Fay tilted her head in bafflement.

“I want Cain to act as deputy lord.”

“Please give me a break. Mr. Sitter is suited for that sort of work, no? Why would you assign someone like me…?”

“Mr. Sitter has another task and he isn’t used to disputes.”

“Just out of curiosity, do I have the right to veto?”

“If you’re completely against it, I’ll consider it, but…”

“Okay. I’ll take care of representing you back here. But, I can’t make any complicated calls.”

“How pathetic,” Elena teased.

“I can’t say anything in my defense,” Cain answered while awkwardly scratching his head.

“Right now we’re in the farmer’s slack season and the budget compilation is done as well, so you won’t be faced with such difficult calls to make. Besides, half of the work will be left in Mr. Sitter’s hands.”

“Hearing that gives me a bit of a peace of mind.”

Chrono looked at Layla once more.

“Lord Chrono, as far as I have followed the conversation, I believe the battalion will be split into two camps, those staying behind in the march and those heading to the front, but have you already finished deciding on who does which?”

“Yep, I talked it over with Mino.”

Chrono straightened his back, and in response everyone present followed his example. A faint air of tension began to spread in the room.

“The supply unit will be 500 soldiers strong, mostly centered around veterans. The breakdown will be a hundred infantrymen, two hundred heavy infantrymen, and two hundred archers.”

“Who is going to take command?” Leo asked, but his tone made it clear that he was convinced of being chosen himself.”

“I will take overall command, but Mino will be my adjutant, and the command of the infantry will be in the hands of Leo.”

“Please count on me. I’ll definitely protect you, Lord Chrono.”

“Make sure to not only protect me, but also all the supplies.”

Leo folded his arms with a reassuring nod. He exhibited a bold attitude, but under the current circumstances it had something reliable to it.

“The heavy infantry will be led by Horus and Lizad.”

“…Affirmative,” Lizad answered laconically.

Horus remained silent. Considering that odd, Chrono looked at him. He was sitting on his chair. Lizad was holding his hand in front of his face, but there was no reaction from Horus. Worse, he did even blink at that.

“…Fainted.”

“Horus,” groaned Chrono.

Horus had lost his consciousness, his eyes wide open.

“…Hit.”

“Nah, it’d be too pitiful, so let’s leave him like that,” Chrono hold back Lizad who had already formed a fist.

“I’ll have Arided and Deneb take command of the archers.”

“I had planned to make a career, but this is too much!”

“It’s so shocking that I feel like my heart is going to stop!”

Chrono slapped the table and looked at the two.

“Since it’s right after Horus, the impact is a bit lacking, I suppose.”

“N-No way! What an evil way to judge us!”

“Trying to make us faint is plain evil!”

The two yelled with teary eyes.

“Mino is going to support me as adjutant, while Layla will remain in the march and――”

A clatter interrupted Chrono. Layla had jumped up, the color of her face bad.

She probably expected to participate in the campaign as well.

Of course Chrono had planned so as well, but――

“Layla, you will remain in the march and manage the units during Mino’s absence. Got it?”

“……I…understand.”

After a long, long spell of silence, Layla agreed and sat down.

“White, Gray, follow Layla’s orders, okay?”

“We, stay home, sad.”

“But, protect, while Lord Chrono gone.”

The two were downhearted. Their tails also drooped powerlessly.

“What am I supposed to do?”

“First, arrows, I’d say. And since I expect there to be injured people as well, I think we’ll need ‘that’ as well.”

“‘That’? Aahh, ‘that’! Very well. Do you have any other work for me?”

“For the time being, these two. Though I’ll ask you for more if I come up with something else.”

“Understood.”

After receiving Goldi’s agreement, Chrono surveyed his subordinates in the meeting room once again.

“That’s all from me. Do you have anything to tell them, Mino?”

“No, Captain.”

Chrono breathed out in relief. Apparently he had managed to bring the meeting to a close as they had previously arranged.

“Okay, all of you, make sure to hand over your duties and get everything ready over the next three days. …The meeting is over!”

Everyone stood up. Cain and Goldi quickly left the meeting room. Chrono suspected that they were planning to consult with their men. He was worried that Goldi might force himself too much.

“Ehehe, I am a Cavalry Captain! Cavalry Captain!”

“Deputy, right? Don’t forget the deputy there.”

Fay whirled around on the spot, just to earn herself Elena’s retort.

“Don’t make any blunders like usual, okay? Having you bawl your eyes out in my room is a nuisance.”

“Why are you so cold to me, Lady Elena? As friends, we――”

“Friends?”

“W-We are friends, are we not?”

“I wonder?” Elena said with a smirk and walked away.

“W-Wait! Please wait!” Fay chased after her in panic.

“Aww, a battlefield once more. And here I’ve finally become a centurion.”

“I kinda have no confidence that I’ll be able to come back alive this time.”

“Why are you two in such a slump? If you act like that, you definitely won’t come back alive,” the landlady scolded the two young elven girls.

“Argh, now I feel like I won’t be able to come back thanks to the landlady.”

“Haaaah, if I die, it’ll be the landlady’s fault.”

The two covered their faces with their hands. While taking peeks at the landlady through their fingers.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“”Ice cream!!”” The two answered while being all smiles.

“Sure, sure. I’ll make you some, but you shouldn’t eat too much of it.”

Arided and Deneb followed the landlady as she walked out of the room.

“White, Gray, help me out.”

“Horus, carry.”

“We, help.”

The two headed over to Leo.

“Lizad, please.”

“…Affirmative.”

Lizad slipped his arms underneath Horus’s armpits and lowered him from the chair. At that moment, Horus’s tongue loosely slipped out of his mouth and the whites of his eyes became even more visible. Chrono considered Horus’s expression to be scary, or rather, disgusting.

“I’ll take the right leg. White, Gray, you take his left leg.”

“Gotcha. Left leg.”

“Left leg, hold.”

While Lizad supported Horus’s upper body, the other three covered his legs. Chrono assumed that the minotaur had to be quite heavy. The four left the meeting room while staggering.

“Captain, I’m off.”

“Good work. Please take a proper rest for today.”

“Aye. I’ll fire myself up and get work done startin’ with tomorrow,” Mino bowed and left.

Silence befell the room. Probably because the place had become so deserted all of a sudden, Chrono felt like the room’s temperature had dropped by a few degrees. He stood stock still, staring at Layla.

“…Layla.”

“Why?” She muttered with a low, subdued voice when he walked up to her.

“You mean me leaving you behind here?”

“Yes. You have always told me to not mix private and official affairs. But this――”

“I’m not doing that,” Chrono interrupted Layla. “I think you are aware of it, but my abilities are full of flaws.”

“That’s not…,” exclaimed Layla, before finishing with a very fleeting voice, “…true.”

Interpreting her quieting down as confirmation of his own words, Chrono smiled wryly. That was all he could do. Smile wryly.

“I have no choice but to let Mino cover for all my flaws.”

“You cannot take me along instead of Arided and Deneb?”

“Layla, I’m really not mixing up private and official business here.”

He called out to her as kindly as possible while wondering why she couldn’t understand.

“I talked it over with Mino, and we decided that you’d be the only capable of protecting public order in the march while bringing everyone together. You understand, don’t you?”

Even he himself believed that to be an unfair way of phrasing things. After all, he was forcing her understanding in what appeared to be a request for approval. What made it even worse was Chrono’s knowledge that Layla would definitely agree.

“……I understand.”

“I’m happy to see that you understand my point of view.”

He extended a hand, trying to touch her ear. But, Layla’s body stiffened up lightly in response to that. Thinking that he might only cause her to feel bad, he lowered his hand.

Thereupon, Layla widened her eyes in surprise. And then she hung her head with a devastated expression.

“Please…forgive me. I don’t feel well…”

“Okay, I understand. Get well soon.”

“……Yes, excuse me.”

Layla nodded after a long, long spell of silence and then left the meeting room. Chrono sighed very deeply in the now empty room.

※

The next morning Chrono woke to a dry banging. The sound of mallets working on metal. Apparently another day of Goldi and his dwarves working diligently had started. Chrono looked to his side while thinking that, but Layla was nowhere to be seen there. But that only made sense, seeing how she hadn’t visited his room last night to begin with.

“…Guess it’s time to get up.”

Chrono psyched himself up, sitting up. Immediately following, a knocking could be heard. Not too weak, not too strong. Moderated to a perfect degree. It had to be Alyssa.

“Enter!”

In response, the door opened with a clack. And just as he had expected, Alyssa stood on the other side of the door. After bowing respectfully, she entered.

“Did I oversleep?”

“No, I would not describe it like that, yet. I was asked by Shaela to go and wake you up, Master.”

“Shaela?”

“That is the name of the cook, the landlady.”

“I know that. I just wondered when you two became so close to each other.”

“I used to call her Lady Shaela beforehand, but she told me that it rubbed her the wrong way,” Alyssa explained with a bitter smile, apparently recalling the event back then.

“Master, your hair…,” she pointed out shyly.

“If I got bed hair, I’m going to fix it later.”

“If you give me a bit of your time, I will…”

“Oh, then could you do it for me please?”

Chrono left the bed and headed to the desk. Once he sat down on the chair over there, Alyssa retrieved a comb from the desk’s drawer and started to brush his hair. In a gentle and polite manner.

“Does it hurt in any way?”

“It’s fine. Rather than that, what’s the condition of my hair?”

“…It looks to be slightly damaged,” answered Alyssa after a short pause.

She apparently didn’t want to hurt Chrono’s feelings.

No helping it. It looks like I have to use a straighter way to speak with her.

“My worries have been piling up ever since I became the lord of this land, but would you kindly tell me whether my hair has thinned out?”

“Master, why are you using such a polite manner to speak with me?”

“I’m not going bald, or bald, or possibly bald, am I?” He asked while disregarding Alyssa’s question.

“You are not.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.”

“That’s great to hear,” Chrono vented his relief.

Having said that, Alyssa was a maid. It was quite possible that she was feeding him a white lie to not hurt his feelings. Chrono decided that he should probably buy a hand-mirror and check for himself.

“Master, you are…no, please do not mind.”

“Men naturally worry about hair loss.”

“Umm, that is not what I meant,” Alyssa said in a tone that showed something akin to bewilderment.

But, even during that time, her hands never stopped.

“Come to think of it, are you doing Allison’s hair?”

“Yes, there is little that I can do for that girl as a mother. So I think I should at least help her with her hair.”

Chrono believed that not to be true. She certainly couldn’t work for some time due to her ailing body, but currently she was splendidly supporting her daughter as Chief Maid. At that point, Chrono realized that Alyssa had been working at this mansion from morning till late into the evening. In other words, he was the very reason why she couldn’t devote herself to her job as mother.

“I’m sorry for always making you work so hard for my sake.”

“No! Not at all! There exists absolutely no reason for you to apologize, Master!” Alyssa yelled while stopping to comb his hair.

Because it was so sudden, Chrono got startled.

After she apologized with a very thin voice, she resumed combing.

“I have been truly thankful for all you did for me and my daughter. Not only did you take us under your wing, but you even provided our family with work and home. There exists no ground for you to apologize after having given us so many favors.”

“You don’t need to feel so humble about it. I wanted you, Alyssa, so――”

“――gh!” Alyssa gasped and a pain traveled through Chrono’s scalp.

She had pulled up some of his hair out of sheer surprise.

“P-Please forgive me!”

“Don’t worry. This was my fault as I used suggestive phrasing. I simply gave you shelter because I wanted someone knowledgeable about maid work. For this reason, you don’t need to beat yourself up over it so much.”

“Leaving aside your opinion on this matter, Master, I think that I ought to repay these favors for the rest of my life.”

“You shouldn’t think so deeply about it.”

“Okay,” answered Alyssa after a little while, before starting to move her hands once more.

“By the way, how is Allison doing?”

“Allison, you ask?”

Chrono supposed that Alyssa was surprised by him asking about her daughter. Her combing speed dropped ever so slightly.

“Yep, has anything changed for her?”

“These days she seems to pool all her effort into studying.”

“Hoh, I see. Has she made any friends?”

“That is, umm, it sounds like she does not have too many of them. The other day she mentioned dogs as friends…”

“Oh, she must have meant White and Gray. You know, the two wolfmen.”

“I see. She called them doggy, so I thought they were genuine dogs.”

Alyssa exhaled in relief.

In the end, she’s her mother.

“I must also do my utmost so that you two can live peacefully.”

“…Master.”

Once again her combing speed dropped. Chrono felt as though her hands were shaking.

“Is something the matter?”

“No, it is just, you worry about us instead of yourself during such a dangerous time…,” Alyssa answered with her voice sounding clogged.

It seemed like she was prone to become teary.

“Did you already fix my bed hair?”

“Oh, yes. It is done.”

A soft wind grazed him. Alyssa had separated. Once Chrono stood up――

“Master, do you wish me to assist you with the dressing?” Alyssa asked, obviously having resolved herself.

Chrono looked back at her. Seriousness was written all over her face. Somehow her eyes seemed a bit moist. And of course he had the option to refuse, but――

“Please do.”

“Okay, please leave it to me.”

Alyssa consented with a face as if she was going to break out in tears any moment.

※

When Chrono entered the dining room, Shaela was going back and forth in front of the table. The breakfast served on the table consisted of bread, soup, and an assortment of sausages. No steam was rising from the soup as some time had already passed since it had been made. Shaela suddenly came to a halt. (T/N: Author still calls her Landlady, but I dislike such a style if the name of a person has been set once)

“You’re late! What were――”

“Please forgive him,” Alyssa deeply bowed before Shaela could finish her words.

Shaela looked at her puzzled.

“Fixing Master’s hair ended up taking some time――”

“Ah, yeah sure, I got it.”

“But――”

“I got it, so raise your head, will you?”

Alyssa tried to make her point once more, but Shaela interrupted her with a fed-up look.

“Please forgive me.”

“I’ve told you to drop it,” Shaela muttered with a sigh after Alyssa bowed once more.

She had been resolved to scold Chrono, but that was splendidly thwarted by Alyssa.

It seems like beating someone to the punch isn’t just a great tactic when it comes to martial arts.

“Well then, please excuse me at this point, Master.”

“Okay, sorry for having taken up so much of your time.”

“No, it is my greatest joy to be of service to you.”

With those words, Alyssa turned on her heels. After silently seeing her walk off, Chrono shifted his eyes to Shaela. She was appearing to be sullen. It seemed as though her anger had reared its head once more.

“How about not standing around like an idiot and sitting down instead.”

“You got a point.”

As soon as Chrono took his seat, Shaela sat down opposite of him.

“Good appetite.”

“Sure, dig in.”

Chrono extended a hand for the bread. He tore it apart in two halves while fleetingly glancing at Shaela, and stuffed one half into his mouth. Probably because Shaela was so edgy, he couldn’t quite enjoy the bread’s taste.

“…Sorry for being late.”

“Seriously. I’ve got other stuff to do as well,” Shaela said and sulkily turned her face away.

Chrono drank his soup while wondering just what made her so peevish. Shaela repeatedly cast glances in his direction――

“So, did something happen?”

“Something as in what?”

“Something as in something. Umm, with Alyssa…,” mumbled Shaela.

It was a cute reaction, causing Chrono to reflexively smile.

“S-So, n-nothing happened, r-right?”

“I had her comb my hair and got her to help me change my clothes.”

“Her helping you with the clothes? Are you a little brat or something?”

“Well, I just went with the flow.”

Shaela lifted an eyebrow suspiciously, most likely wondering what kind of flow might have led to this.

“It’s fine as long as nothing happened. Yep, as long as nothing happened.”

“Would you be troubled if something did happen?”

“Well, of course! We’re working at the same workplace. How should I face her if something has happened between you?” Shaela raised her voice at first, but her voice grew weaker towards the end.

“Even if you don’t worry about something like that…”

“I got suspicious because you didn’t come to the dining room for such a long time.”

“I think it’d be okay for you to trust me a bit more.”

“And why would I do that?” Shaela responded testily.

Oh shit, I have to change the topic.

“Come to think of it, when did you two become so close that you’d call each other by your first names?”

“When, you ask…we see each other regularly every day.”

“You have so many points of contact?”

“We’re working in the same mansion, so we run into each other more than often enough.”

“What are you talking about when you meet?”

“Let’s see…we talk about work, or I get her to review new sweets.”

“Hoh, I se…”

Chrono stopped in the middle of conversationally agreeing. He had almost gone along with the idea of both being sooo diligent.

“Landlady, those are topics when you’re drinking tea with someone, aren’t they?”

“What are you saying? We were talking about work. Work, I tell you.”

“I don’t recall having eaten any new sweets, though.”

“They didn’t come out well. I mean, I wouldn’t make you eat my failures, now would I?” Shaela said very naturally.

“Well, if you say so. Ah, speaking of sweets, what happened to Arided and Deneb?”

“Those two wolfed down ice cream, before pillaging the new sweets.”

“New sweets?”

“Candy, it’s candy. And here I had planned to keep them as a gift for Alyssa.”

“Hmm, candy, eh?”

“Lord Chrono, you want some as well? Seriously, you’re still such a big baby despite being the lord of this land.”

“No, you got it wrong. I was just wondering whether we can’t pass them on to everyone in the supply unit.”

“You mean as in making candies for 500 people?” Shaela grimaced.

Making her prepare candies for 500 people by herself would be pure evil, but――

“Yep, I think everyone would be delighted. Candies are useful to recover from exhaustion. What do you think?”

“Could you not give me that abandoned puppy look of yours?” Shaela averted her face from Chrono.

After some time, “I got it.”

“Yaaay, thanks. I love you, Landlady.”

“Sheesh, just what am I doing?” Shaela covered her face with both hands, sighing once again.

“I’ll massage your shoulders if you make those candies for me.”

“Shoulders?” Shaela looked in Chrono’s direction, revealing an expression as if she had eaten bitter pills in the dozens. “And in what way are you going to massage my shoulders like that?”

“Is there some problem with me doing this?”

“I’m asking whether you can massage my shoulders with your palms pointing upwards.”

“I think there’d be value in testing it out.”

Once Chrono moved his hands up and down with his palms facing upwards, Shaela sighed once again.

“No, none. Absolutely none. As if there could be any value in that.”

“Landlady, you’re such a tease. Even though we enjoyed ourselves in bed so much the other day.”

“If you want to rub breasts so much, can’t you just massage Layla’s?”

“Ugh,” Chrono groaned.

Thereupon, Shaela’s eyes widened, “What, are you two fighting?”

“Rather than fighting, we just have a clash of opinions when it comes to matters of security…”

“That’s a pedantic way to phrase it, but basically, you’re fighting, right?”

“Yes,” Chrono admitted and dropped his shoulders in depression.

“You’re going to the front very soon, so hurry up and apologize.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

Chrono sighed very deeply. Seeing him like that, Shaela laughed through her nose.

“Why are you snorting like that?”

“Let me take a guess at what you’re thinking? You believe you are not at fault, right?”

Chrono’s eyes widened lightly as he wondered why she knew.

“Your face looks as if you’re asking yourself how I can tell.”

“You startle me a second time. So, how come you can tell?”

“Because it wouldn’t turn into a fight, if you believed yourself to be in the wrong. That’s why you should hurry up and apologize.”

“But, this was the conclusion I came up with after pondering it over and over, you know?”

“Good lord, you really don’t get women’s hearts, Lord Chrono. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rationally correct or not. The problem lies with you having slighted her feelings.”

“Ugh,” groaned Chrono a second time because he had definitely ignored Layla’s feelings on this.

“But, how should I apologize?”

“You just need to tell her sorry that you didn’t take her feelings into account.”

“You sure make it sound easy……”

“Well, it’s more than easy to find causes that can twist the relationship between men and women,” Shaela lightly shrugged her shoulders.

“You should get this sorted before it becomes even more twisted. You might not get any other chance to apologize at that point.”

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“Human, honesty is always best. Now, go ahead and eat up your breakfast,” Shaela nodded in satisfaction while Chrono stuffed the second half of the bread piece into his mouth.

※

Once Chrono left his official residence, hammer striking could be heard from Goldi’s workshop and smoke was rising from the paper mill. Probably because of the times, he felt a certain sense of relief when seeing these familiar sights.

“First I’m going to the hospital, and then to the Picks Company, I guess. Later I must apologize to Layla.”

Chrono came to a halt in front of the workshop because he had spotted Lizad, who was wearing a cloak, and Goldi.

“What are you two doing?”

“Oh, Lord Chrono, what a pleasure to see you here. Just now we were checking the winter gear for the lizardmen.”

“You mean that cloak with winter gear?”

“Correct.”

Beckoned by Goldi, Lizad walked up to Chrono and turned around in front of him.

“What do you think?”

“Looks good on him doesn’t it? But, why a cloak?”

“Lizardmen are weak against cold.”

“I see, as I thought.”

Then again, he had already known that the movements of lizardmen would become sluggish when they felt cold. Chrono scratched his head.

“Moreover!”

In response to Goldi’s yell, Lizad opened up the cloak, exposing the gear underneath. He was wearing a chest protector and a loin cloth. His arms were covered with gloves and his legs were hidden underneath leg protectors.

“That’s no chest plate, is it? I don’t see any chain mail either.”

“It seems like lizardmen don’t really like those.”

“…Cold,” Lizad muttered.

Chrono could see where he was coming from since metallic equipment would be bad when they were weak against coldness since metal tended to rob one’s warmth.

“Accordingly, we went with leather protectors and a cloak. Well, the chest protector has been reinforced with metal pieces, though.”

“Hmm, will it be enough as protection?”

“Leather has a high durability after all. Half-hearted attacks won’t be able to penetrate the cloak, let alone the chest protector. If you want to get through both in one blow, you will need the weapons made at my workshop.”

“So a close combat weapon capable of penetration!”

Chrono touched his dagger. Goldi had presented it to him as the first weapon crafted at his workshop. Even an amateur could tell that it was an amazing piece of work.

“That makes them quite amazing weapons, huh?”

“If you put enough strength into them, you can even use them to pierce through plate armor.”

“I don’t have such strength, so I need to rely on tricks and schemes. Anyway, how are things proceeding with that?”

“All is going well.”

Goldi stared back at the workshop. At the end of his line of sight a teardrop-shaped metallic container was heated by fire.

“How many will you be able to make?”

“I think we’ll manage to fill a small barrel until your departure.”

“That’s more than plenty, I guess. Could I have you store my share in an empty wine bottle for caution’s sake?”

“As you wish.”

“Okay, I’m off to the hospital then.”

“What, you were feeling ill――”

“No, no, it’s about the matter of a military doctor. I had asked Mr. Sitter to make the necessary arrangements, but since I’m going to headhunt his precious staff here, I should at least meet them in person.”

“I see. That’s good to hear.”

“Okay, I’m off now.”

“Please take care.”

“…Take care.”

Chrono raised a hand to wave goodbye. In response, Goldi and Lizad answered in kind. But the instant he passed through the mansion’s front gate――

“”Lord Chrono, kinda spotted!””

Arided and Deneb grabbed his arms on either side.

“What a coincidence to kinda meet you here.”

“Yep, yep, very fateful.”

“What, so you have been waiting for me?”

“C-C-Calling it w-waiting is s-slander.”

“Y-Yeah! We kinda don’t do anything l-like lying in wait for others.”

“Did you break something?”

“Are you taking us for kids!?”

“Right, right! We haven’t broken anything!”

The two separated from Chrono while raising their voices in protest. Chrono looked at the one who had spoken about kids. If things were following his expectations――

“Be honest and spit out what you broke, Arided.”

“No, I’m Deneb.”

“Sorry, Deneb, I’ll stroke your ears in apology.”

“Apologizing for something like this…is what I’d say, but I kinda can’t resist the charm of having my ears caressed.”

Once Chrono gently touched her ear, the self-alleged Deneb laughed, apparently feeling ticklish.

“Yep, as I thought, you’re Arided.”

“I’m Deneb. If you say that I’m Arided, I’d like you to provide some evidence.”

While looking somewhat reluctant to part, the self-alleged Deneb separated from Chrono and went ahead of him.

“Arided will look ticklish when having her ears caressed while Deneb becomes teary-eyed.”

“Something like that serves as no proof!”

“Right! Riiight!”

“Also, going by your patterns so far, Arided has always been the one to speak first.”

“”――gh!””

Both had their breath taken away.

“Uugghh, that’s no proof either,” further protested the self-alleged Deneb.

While letting his thoughts wander, wondering how to resolve this, Chrono came up with a great idea. He took a silver coin out of his wallet and offered it to Arided (temporary).

“Thank you very much for your service, Arided. Use this to buy yourself some delicious food.”

“Yay, thanks, kinda!”

Arided (temporary) tried to grab the coin, but she couldn’t. The self-alleged Deneb had grabbed Chrono’s arm from the side. And only now realizing what she’d done, her face was clearly saying oops now.

“Deneb, I was just trying to give Arided some pocket money, you know?”

“U..Ugh…that’s…,” the self-alleged Deneb faltered.

Cold sweat was running down her face in buckets. It wasn’t as though Chrono didn’t wonder what made it so difficult for her to admit that she was Arided. The self-alleged Deneb stood stock still, but then――

“Argh! Okay, okay! I got it! I’m Arided!” She finally ran out of patience and blurted out the truth. “So, please give me the silver coin.”

“No, since you weren’t honest with me.”

“Ah, that’s too evil.”

Once Chrono put the coin back into his wallet, Arided dropped her head in disappointment.

“By the way, why are you here?”

“The members of the supply unit are kinda off-duty right now,” Arided answered sulkily.

“We have nothing to do in particular, so we came over to play,” Deneb added.

“Although you call it play, I have work to do.”

“What kind of work, for example?” Deneb cocked her head cutely.

As for Arided, she had turned her face away in a bad mood.

“Going to the hospital, and going to Picks Company.”

“I’d like to accompany you, if you don’t mind.”

“It won’t be overly interesting, but sure, if you want.”

“I don’t mind that.”

“Okay, then let’s go.”

Once Chrono started to walk, Deneb twined her arm around his. Immediately following, his other arm was suddenly and forcefully pulled. Arided had twined her arm around his as well.

“What’s wrong, self-alleged Deneb?”

“Ugh, you’re a meanie, Lord Chrono.”

Chrono resumed walking while flanked by Arided and Deneb.

※

As Chrono and the two elves were walking along the hospital’s wall, Horus came out through the main gate. He was being propped up by Leo and Taiga. Probably having noticed Chrono’s group, all three stopped.

“Is something wrong, you three?”

“We just got a doctor to look at Horus since he said he was feeling unwell.”

Leo directed his eyes at Horus who was certainly letting his head hang powerlessly.

“And, how did it go?”

“He got nothing. He’s just faking it,” Leo spat out.

“Calling it fake goes too far,” Taiga chided him.

Thereupon, Horus lifted his face, “Right, right! I really feel bad. Treating it as faking illness goes too far.”

“You stuffed yourself with several servings of breakfast, and yet you’re whining about bad health? Don’t make me laugh.”

“My health worsened after that. Argh, somehow I feel like puking. O-Ooeeeh…,” Horus tilted forward and vomited.

He kept doing so while loudly barfing, but Chrono didn’t miss the instant Horus looked his way with expectant eyes.

“You want to avoid going to war so much?”

“That’s not it. I really feel bad,” Horus shook his head feebly.

Very likely he’s not lying about that part. I guess it’s the same principle as getting really sick while saying you feel unwell when you’re going to play hookey at school.

“Okay, then go back to your barrack and rest up nicely.”

“I understand,” Horus agreed with teary eyes.

“Let’s go,” said Leo curtly before starting to walk ahead while dragging Horus along.

“”Lord Chrono, you’re kinda gentle.””

“I can understand his feelings on this. But, it won’t change anything on me taking him along.”

“”Lord Chrono, you’re super unsparing.””

Chrono, Arided, and Deneb passed through the hospital’s main gate. Arriving in front of the door, the two elves separated from Chrono and opened the door. A woman in a white robe stood on the other side. She was a nurse. She looked their way, appearing to be surprised.

“M-Marquis Erakis!”

“Long time no see. Is the director in?”

“Oh, yes. Please wait a moment.”

The nurse turned on her heels and hurried away. After having taken around five steps, she turned back in Chrono’s direction――

“Please come this way. I shall guide you to the reception office.”

“Thank you.”

“No, please do not mention it.”

The nurse began to walk very awkwardly. A bang could be heard from behind and soft sensations pressed against Chrono’s arms. Arided and Deneb had wrapped their arms around his once more.

Chrono followed the nurse. But she then stopped in the middle of the corridor, opening a door. It was a room with sofas facing each other, just separated by a low table.

“Please wait over here for a moment.”

“Got it.”

The three entered the reception room and sat down on a sofa. After the door closed, he heard a wheezing sound. Looking to his side, he found Arided pushing out her modest chest.

“Why are you pushing out your chest?”

“I was very happy with the nurse’s attitude. I kinda felt like I had become a person.”

“People kinda call that a fox borrowing the authority of a tiger,” Deneb retorted.

Since it’d spell trouble if she took too arrogant an attitude, Chrono decided to warn her well ahead of time.

“Arided, it’s important to watch manners.”

“I know that, but I won’t receive any divine punishments, even if I act slightly self-importantly.”

“You might not receive a divine punishment, but I’ll punish you.”

“Eh?” Arided looked his way.

“It’s unthinkable to punish your cute subordinate for getting slightly carried away.”

“If I punish my cute subordinate, it’ll serve as a perfect warning for everyone else.”

“Uuooooh! Lord Chrono, you’re kinda saying some very nasty things!” Arided howled like a beast.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want to punish my cute subordinates, but what’s your take on this, Arided?”

“W-Well, I’d prefer not to, kinda. It was a joke. Just a tiny tasteful joke.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. I can believe you, right?”

“Y-You’re totally looking at me as if you’re kinda not believing a word.”

Arided drew back.

“What’s your reply?”

“Yes, I kinda promise to not act so arrogantly.”

When Arided agreed with a meek expression, Chrono reflected that his medicine might have been too effective, albeit only a little.

I suppose it was wrong of me to bring up punishments here. A lighter expression would be――

“――spanking.”

“I just told you that I promise to not act so arrogantly, and yet you talk about spanking?! That’s way too mean!!” Arided implored with teary eyes after hearing Chrono’s murmur.

“Deneb! Deneb! Deneeeeb! Your big sis is in a pinch!”

“I-I-I-I’d like you to not i-i-involve me in this!”

“We kinda promised to share all pain, sorrow, and sadness!”

“You should pay for your blunders by yourself!”

“Y-Y-You’re so heartless!” Arided yelled, grabbing at Deneb across Chrono’s waist.

In the next instant, a rattling could be heard, causing both girls to stop. Looking in the direction of the noise, the three saw how a bearded man had opened the door and then stopped right then and there. The youth with the spindly figure behind him widened his eyes in surprise. The bearded man had to be the hospital’s director while the young man had to be the candidate for becoming their field doctor.

After a short while, the director started to walk, and then sat down on a seat directly opposite of Chrono. With quite a bit of delay, the young man started to move as well. He positioned himself behind the director. Arided and Deneb corrected their seating postures. Probably having judged that Chrono’s party was now ready, the director opened his mouth.

“Nice to meet you, I am the director of this hospital. My name is Rahal. The one behind me is――”

“N-Nice to meet you, I am called Clay.”

Rahal and Clay lowered their heads at the same time as if having arranged it ahead of time. they also raised their heads at the exact same moment. Chrono suspected that they might be father and son.

“The pleasure is on my side. I’m glad to meet you. In reality, I should have come here a bit faster, but…”

“No, Lord Chrono…ah, would it be better for us to refer to you as Marquis Erakis.”

“Do as you see fit.”

“Okay, then I will go with Lord Chrono. After all, the image of your predecessor still strongly lingers in my mind when Marquis Erakis is mentioned.”

Given that Rahal leaned himself forward, offering his hand, Chrono grasped it firmly. Both then let go, and Rahal sat back down on the sofa.

“I have heard about the details from Sir Sitter. He said that you would need a field doctor.”

“Yes, you might have already heard, but many of my men died during the encounter with Argo in May because we didn’t have any doctors with us.”

“I am aware of that. It is a truly heartbreaking story,” Rahal nodded lightly.

His face was filled with sadness, giving Chrono the impression that he hadn’t lied about being heartbroken.

“So, how about it? If you say it’s too difficult――”

“Please wait,” Rahal interrupted Chrono while raising a hand in his direction.

“I planned to accept your request on this matter.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Chrono vigorously lowered his head. He regarded it as a happy miscalculation that things had been decided so smoothly.

“But, I would like your permission to choose who we are going to send as your field doctor.”

“Of course.”

Rahal felt relieved once Chrono accepted his request.

“I shall recommend Clay as a field doctor.”

“――gh!”

“The one gasping hard at that was Clay.

“Fath, err, Director, that’s impossible for me.”

“He said it’d be impossible for him, though?” Chrono looked at Rahal.

Since Clay was about to call him father, they must be family.

“His skills are doubtlessly good. But, he clearly lacks courage. Lord Chrono…”

“What is it?”

“I have heard that you fought bravely against 10,000 Argo soldiers without hesitation.”

Who’s spreading such lies? Chrono groaned. Thereupon, Arided and Deneb’s bodies trembled with a start for some reason. Come to think of it, those two have been spreading weird rumors. For me not having stopped them back then to bite me now――

“Please make a real man out of my son.”

Rahal bowed deeply. Chrono felt like telling him to send his son to a brothel, if he wanted him to become a man, but he held back on that. He couldn’t afford to give up on a precious field doctor right after receiving him.

But, things won’t go anywhere, if the guy in question has no motivation whatsoever. In the first place, why has he been recommended as a field doctor? Shouldn’t parents be worried more about the safety of their children than their children’s growth? No, I suppose this is also a form of parental love. If his son becomes a field doctor, it’ll add more value to his career. Moreover, he’ll be able to stay close to the feudal lord. There’s no way the director would pass up on such a great chance. I feel like it makes sense if you consider it like that. But, the problem would be the question why Clay hates it so much. I guess I’ll try to stir the pot a bit, Chrono decided and adjusted his seating posture.

“…Clay.”

“Y-Yes, Lord Chrono?”

Clay straightened up when directly addressed by Chrono.

“To be frank, I think it’s a great duty. If you accept working as a field doctor for us, I don’t mind promising you any reward you desire. If you say you wish to study abroad, we’ll cover the fees for that. And if you desire a post as director, I promise to lend you as much strength as I can offer in this.”

“――rg!”

Rahal had his breath taken away. Lending his power as far as possible meant being appointed as new director of the hospital. After all, Chrono was the lord. Something of this level posed no problem. With his eyes gleaming, Rahal guessed that he’d be able to draw out any reward he wanted.

Clay turned his face away. He probably didn’t want to watch his father as he got tainted with greed. It was possible that Chrono considered him to be the same sort of person, but Chrono was able to guess what Clay was thinking deep down.

“Clay, you see, I believe it’s necessary to reward people in correspondence to the work they’ve done.”

“O-Oh, I see,” Clay answered half-heartedly while occasionally glancing at Chrono.

“You might not have any interest in the politics going on inside the hospital.”

“――gn!”

Clay stared at Chrono with a shocked expression.

“It’s fine for you to accept the reward or not. And even if you’re not going to use it nowadays, you’ll be free to use it many years later. You’re free to do as you wish. Based on that, I’d like to ask you something. Are you a doctor or a kid who’s rebellious because things have been decided over his head?”

“――gh!”

Clay’s face turned crimson. Maybe it was shyness or anger, but either way, Chrono had apparently hit him where it hurt. He regretted that he might have acted a bit too insensible here while bending himself forward.

“So, which is it?”

“I-I am…a doctor. At least I believe I wish to fulfill my role as doctor.”

“In other words?”

“I shall join the expedition as a field doctor.”

“Okay, then it is set.”

Chrono clapped his hands together. With this, he had Clay’s word. Backing out would be impossible for him now. Chrono stood up, and offered the youth his hand.

“Clay, I will contact you about the details at a later time, but I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“I should be the one saying so. Please take care of me.”

Clay returned a powerful handshake.

※

Chrono advanced through the clean and orderly streets of the commercial district while flanked by Arided and Deneb. Because it was the area with the Empire’s most prominent company’s branch store, the pedestrian traffic over here wasn’t so big.

“Still, Lord Chrono, you were damn cool back then.”

“Yep, yep, I kinda fell in love with you all over again.”

“Thanks, But I won’t treat you to anything in this place,” Chrono warned the two while thanking them.

If it was a street strand, he’d be able to treat them whenever, but the same was impossible for the commercial district. If he got carried away and treated them, his wallet would become empty in no time.

“We don’t have any such ulterior motives.”

“Right, right! That’s kinda our true feelings.”

While saying all that, both――no, Arided pulled on Chrono’s arm forcefully. She was trying to steer him towards the plaza with the street stalls.

“The stalls have to wait for now.”

“Ugh, Lord Chrono, you’re unexpectedly strong. It kinda looks like I can only curse my own powerlessness.”

Arided groaned regretfully and started to walk obediently. Or so Chrono thought, but apparently still feeling reluctant, she tried to guide him towards the plaza once more.

Eventually Chrono arrived at Picks Company after fending off Arided on the whole way here. As soon as he entered the store, Nicola ran up to him.

“Oh my, Lord Chrono.”

“I think you have already heard from Mr. Sitter…”

“Yes, I am aware. Please come this way.”

Being guided by Nicola, they moved to the guest room further inside the store.

“Please take a seat.”

“Thanks.”

Once Chrono and his company sat down, Nicola took the seat opposite of him and quietly started to speak.

“I have been told about the preparation of provisions and covered wagons, but there is no mistake in that, correct?”

“Yes, it’s al――”

“What do you mean with covered wagons!?”

“No way! Are you kinda saying we’ll be able to ride a wagon as well!?”

Arided and Deneb yelled, interrupting Chrono.

“Both of you, calm down.”

“”Okaaay!””

The two corrected their postures on the sofa, causing Nicola to put on an expression that had a touch of wry smile to it.

“There is quite a distance to be covered between here and the crown territory. I thought it’d be wiser to move on wagons. It costs money, but if you arrive on the battlefield totally exhausted, it’d be like putting the cart before the horse.”

“Lord Chrono, you kinda thought this through.”

“I’m simply thankful that I won’t need to march on foot all the way.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Chrono smiled after being praised by both girls. Then he shifted his eyes back to Nicola.

“Yes, it’s all as you say. So, how are the preparations?”

“There are no problems in regard to arranging for the wagons and providing the rations.”

“Thank you.”

“No, not at all. This is part of my job.”

Nicola looked somewhat confused when Chrono lowered his head.

“If you say that, it’s the same for me as well.”

“Lord Chrono, you are trying to fulfill your duty, aren’t you?”

“I think that’s the same in blue. Just as you have been entrusted with this store, I have been entrusted with the Erakis March. Well, it comes with a few side benefits, but there are many things I must do, even if I don’t really want to. Both of us have our own fair shares of trouble, I’d say.”

“Yes, it is certainly difficult to work under someone,” Nicola nodded quietly. “Lord Chrono, I know it might sound impertinent, but…”

“What is it?”

“I have been planning to write a few lines for Company President Dominique. What do you think?”

“A few lines for the leader of your company?”

Chrono tilted his head in confusion. The military department had a firm grip on the authority related to the arrangement of materials, but although it wasn’t as if it would change much, even if he got Nicola to write a few lines for him――

“I understand that it’s the military’s organization, but I think it might be best to have as many hands to play as possible.”

“It won’t be for free, will it?”

“I shall gladly give you a discount, but this is business for us after all,” Nicola smiled with a troubled look when Chrono checked back with her just in case.

“I know. Then, please take care of it.”

“Okay, you may count on me then.”

Once Chrono extended his hand, Nicola firmly clasped it. To be honest, he didn’t want things to develop into a situation where he’d need to use this card, but――

※

At night, Chrono flopped down on his bed after having finished taking a bath. He was completely drained. Once he separated from Arided and Deneb, going back to his office, he was greeted by heaps of documents. He could understand the feelings of the administrative officials, but even he had some things he couldn’t tolerate. They had mixed in lots of low-priority matters such as wishes for vases or requests for quills.

“…I didn’t manage to apologize to Layla, huh?” He muttered while lying sprawled atop his bed.

Just when he pondered whether he should head over to apologize right now, he heard a knocking.

“Yes, just a second please,” Chrono yelled towards the door as he got up from the bed.

He headed over and opened the door, just to find Layla standing there while looking all haggard.

“What’s wrong?”

“…”

He gently called out to her, but was met with silence. But, he could tell that she was badly battered. And he knew that he was the reason for it――

“I-I…to you…”

“It’s okay, Layla.”

Layla quickly lifted her face. It was pale and her eyes were teary.

I’ve been the one causing her such pain.

Once he realized as much, a pain traveled through his chest.

“Sorry for not having considered your feelings, Layla. It was my fault.”

“――gh!” Layla gasped.

If she had said that it was a surprise, the same would have applied to Chrono too.

‘Why have I been worrying so much about it, if apologizing was so easy.

After a short moment, Layla shook her head.

“No! Lord Chrono, it’s not your fault! I…I…”

“Nevermind it. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Chrono gently hugged her. Then he ushered her into his room just like that, and closed the door behind him. Her sweaty smell stimulated his nose. But that wasn’t all. She was emitting a sweet, charming scent. A scent he had smelled from very close on countless occasions. While savoring that scent――

“……L-Lord Chrono.”

“Forgive me.”

Once Layla began to talk timidly, Chrono frankly apologized. He felt bad about it from the bottom of his heart, but he’d become horny while sucking in her familiar scent.

“Mrs. Layla, would you be alright with it?”

“Umm, you see, today I haven’t taken a bath…”

“Would you be alright with it?”

“…Yes.”

As soon as Chrono asked once more, Layla remained silent for a short moment, apparently hesitating, before eventually agreeing.

Chrono put an arm around her shoulders and guided her to his bed. And although he didn’t understand why as they had tangled in their birthday suits many times by now, he felt oddly excited right now.

“S-Sit down.”

“O-Okay.”

As he ended up sounding shrill, he covered his mouth with a hand. But, Layla didn’t show any indication of minding it, sitting down on the bed’s edge.

Standing in front of her, he looked down at Layla. Her ears were drooping and she was restlessly fidgeting around. Her beauty was palpable.

But, Chrono didn’t have the emotional leeway to fuck her gently. Just like he had done on their first night, he pushed her down.

“Lord Chrono, if possible, I would prefer it gentl――”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to do that.”

Chrono covered her with his body, caressing her moderate chest over her uniform. No, it was way too rough to call it caressing.

He cast a fleeting glance at Layla’s face, but couldn’t find any fear in her eyes. Far from it. She was looking as if in ecstasy.

He brought his lips close as if to kiss her, but then play-bit her tapered ear. Layla’s body trembled with a start.

“Are your ears sensitive?”

“N-No, that shouldn’t…be the case.”

“Let’s make sure.”

“――rh!”

As Chrono bit her ear, Layla’s body quivered once more. He bit, licked, bit again, and then tried to tease the tip of her ear. After a while, Layla seemed to be panting. It had apparently achieved an outstanding result. He rose up and inserted a hand into her skirt. In response, Layla stared his way, taken aback.

“Lord Chrono!”

“Too late.”

He untied the knot and smoothly lowered her panties.

Layla covered her face with both hands, groaning. Meanwhile Chrono cast a short glance at her undies, and then grinned. After dropping her panties, he opened up her legs.

“How do you feel right now, Layla?”

“E-Embarrassed.”

“Really?”

Chrono took off his pants and poked his dick against her pussy. Over and over again.

Each time Layla’s body jolted. Eventually, she spread her fingers, looking his way.

“What’s wrong?”

“Please don’t tease me.”

“Wait, I haven’t had any intention of teasing you. Oh right, how about you teach me what to do, just like the first time when we had sex?”

“――uh!”

Layla gasped. But, Chrono could tell that she was gradually reaching her limit. After hesitating for a while, she extended a hand to her lower body.

“Please insert it here…” Layla whispered.

Chrono felt like keeping her in suspense for a while longer, but he had run out of patience himself. He deeply and roughly thrust his dick into her pussy.

※

The day of departure finally arrived two days later. Chrono held his stomach as he wasn’t feeling overly well. Probably having noticed that, Mino brought whispered into Chrono’s ear, “Captain, how ’bout ye go n’ hit the toilet if ye need to?”

“As might be expected, right now would be a bit…”

Chrono lifted his face. All his subordinates and servants had assembled in the courtyard of his mansion.

“I think it’d be much worse if you shat yerself here though.”

“I think I’ll be okay.”

“Please do yer best.”

Once Mino separated from Chrono, Cain stepped forward, probably representing everyone.

“Lord Chrono, may the fortunes of war be with you.”

“Cain, keep things running in my stead, okay?”

“I don’t know how much I will be able to do, but I plan to exert all my ability,” answered Cain while stretching his back.

“Mr. Sitter――”

“I am next!” Fay stepped forward while interrupting Chrono.

Cain sighed quietly.

“Lord Chrono, I shall pray for your safe and sound return!”

“Fay, make sure to not cause any trouble for Sub.”

“Of course.”

Fay clapped her chest. But, for some reason, Chrono couldn’t avoid feeling deeply uneasy about this.

“Once again, Mr. Sitter, I’m counting on you with the support of Cain.”

“Please leave it to me, yes. I shall back him up to the best of my abilities, yes,” agreed Sitter while wiping his sweat away with a handkerchief.

Chrono shifted his eyes to Alyssa, “Alyssa, I leave the maids and the mansion in your capable hands.”

“As you wish, Master. I shall be eagerly awaiting your return,” Alyssa said with a quivering voice.

Chrono suspected that she was holding back her tears.

“Goldi, take care of the workshop, okay?”

“Roger. I’ll make sure that the workshop runs flawlessly while you’re absent, Lord Chrono.”

“Don’t force yourself too much.”

“Just as I have been telling you before――”

“No one dies from overwork, right?”

“Correct.”

Goldi puffed up with pride after interrupting Chrono.

Chrono looked at Elena. As soon as he formed v-a-s-e with his lips, her body immediately froze with a start. As he had expected, Elena had apparently written a list of demands. After deciding that he had to punish her after getting back home, Chrono clenched his fists and directed his eyes to Layla.

“……Layla.”

“Lord Chrono, may the fortunes of wa…no, I pray for your safe return,” she put her hands together as if praying.

The battlefield wasn’t so easy that things could be somehow righted with just a single wish, but――

“I’ll definitely come back alive.”

“Okay, I shall be waiting for you here.”

“We, wait.”

“Lord Chrono, wait.”

White and Gray said while also joining their hands in a prayer pose.

If possible, I’d like them to read the atmosphere.

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring back Lord Chrono safe and sound. Right?”

“Of course. I will protect Lord Chrono. Even if it costs me my life.”

Mino stepped forward, and after exchanging glances, Leo nodded reassuringly.

“Of course, we’re going to do our best as well. Layla, you can kinda wait while feeling all tense.”

“You mean feeling at ease, right?” Deneb retorted in response to Arided’s remark.

“I-I’ll definitely d-do my best as w-well. I’m g-going to come b-back alive!” Horus exclaimed, seeming to be at his wits’ end.

“……Return alive,” answered Lizad while extending and retracting his tongue.

“Okay, I’m off then,” Chrono turned around and headed for the carriage waiting for him.

This marked the start of Chrono heading for the battlefield once more.

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