Kuro no Senki (LN)

When I woke up, it was in the carriage.

Even if it is a carriage, it is not a front carriage or carriage used to move territory, but a box carriage room.

The interior is simply built with the benches facing each other, but there's plenty of room to load up.

Occasionally, a thrusting impact hit the carriage, but the carriage journey was surprisingly comfortable if you get used to it.

Why, when it comes to riding a carriage, it's because a letter came from Tilia in the Imperial City.

Written in streamlined brushstrokes, the text was a great way to give a glimpse of Tilia's deep upbringing, but to sum up, 'Come quickly because we're having a ball in the Imperial Capital! This is an order!' It was.

Chrono hastily packed his bags, pulled out the dusty carriage in the warehouse, and traveled through Hachel.

Along the way, he was attacked by armed bandits, but his men serving as escorts... five cavalry captains Faye and archer Leila... stood around in jeopardy and repelled the bandits without causing casualties.

No, only one of my men was dying.

It is Faye, who serves as captain.

Faye chased the escaping bandit alone and ate the ambush.

Although the results might have been different if he had used kamikaze from the beginning, Faye was surrounded by bandits, who had been stoned extensively with a stone thrower and dragged down from his horse where he had cut his weakness.

It was not strange that Faye's fate ran out here, but the work of the four cavalry men and Leila saved him safely.

Perhaps it should be said that there was God's protection because Faye was thorough in his defense using divine authority and the rescue team was rushed.

"Master Chrono, please wake up"

"Hmm, are we there yet?

Leila called me, and Chrono woke up.

"You sleep well, Ann... Huh!

A thrusting shock struck the carriage, interrupting Elena's alleged dislike.

Apparently, he bit my tongue.

"You sleep well, you."

"I guess you're used to it."

Krono replied lightly to Elena, who said her disgust with tears.

Chrono rode himself out the window and checked his surroundings.

Around you can see the wilderness as far as you can see, the imperial gray mass ahead.

"... Dear Chrono, it is dangerous"

Putting the horse side by side with the carriage, Faye told Chrono in a depressed manner.

Apparently, he lost confidence in one of the bandits.

"I... am a bad knight"

Chrono stroked Faye's head, but she seemed to have no temper to get rid of it, exhaling deeply.

Phew, and Faye exhaled a long sigh and stepped back behind the carriage.

Chrono went back into the carriage and lowered his back to his seat.

"Are you still depressed, Master Faye?

"It's gonna take a little longer to get back on your feet."

"I wish I hadn't been so angry if I had been so worried"

That said, Elena had accusations. She stared at Chrono with her eyes.

"If you fail all the time, you're going to die this time."

Faye very often fails to gain momentum.

If we assemble in the squad, we bump our opponents, if we go out on city security, we overtighten them, if we leave the night guard at the Marquis Mansion... it's because Chrono worked too hard... he comes into the bedroom.

"You may not have noticed, but the way you're angry is insidious."

"That's not true, is it?

When Chrono inquired, Leila pulled her cheeks so small that she wouldn't know if she didn't look carefully, she missed her gaze.

"If you're angry, you should be furiously angry, like this, with a gaze like even a bug looking at you, 'Why, did you chase a bandit by yourself? I don't know if I'm going to keep asking."

"If you don't tighten it, you'll have trouble repeating the same mistake."

"He wants to rebuild the house, right? So, isn't that why you're more uptight than you need to be?

"You know me well."

"That's how much information comes in.

Elena gave a worrying look and looked out at the view.

"I have sympathy for you."

"You're a terrible guy, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah."

He stroked the wound in his right eye and Chrono grinned bitterly.

"Hey, what are you laughing at all of a sudden"

"I thought you'd come a long way."

As Chrono hoisted the edge of his mouth, Elena leaned over to the corner of the seat like she was frightened.

"You don't want to be in this place, do you?

"No, because it's not that insane"

When Chrono denied it, Elena stroked her chest down as if she was relieved.

"... Elena, would you comfort Faye?

"Why should I do that?"

Elena pointed her lips dissatisfied.

"Because I haven't thanked you enough for fulfilling my hope of going to the ball with me and for the new dress... if you're going to pay me with your body, I don't mind that."

"You have the best smile on your face, and you're gonna say something that's not even Rokuro."

Elena put her arms together as she imagined,

"... I'll be free until the ball opens, so you can talk to him."

I clapped my shoulders like I had no choice.

From his carriage room to Crawford Mansion on Fourth Street, Krono viewed the streets of the new city.

The old town, home to nobles and luxury merchants, is as tidy as it was planned to be, but the new town, home to a wide range of people from relatively wealthy merchants to the poor, is quite cluttered.

Although the buildings of the new town are many brick-built two-storey buildings and the roads are paved with cobblestones, they can intersect sharp corners, so they are dotted with buildings and triangular open spaces built to match the land.

It is the slums and the adjacent twelfth neighborhood that are emitting colours in such a new city.

The front streets are lined with liquors and whorehouses, and a certain order is preserved, but the back streets are loose with the taga of order.

A whorehouse with stolen goods markets, curse pharmacies, illegal casinos that spectacle killing each other, whores who respond to dodgy perverts with a few copper coins... can't beat the end because soldiers to be controlled are becoming guests.

I guess gambling that spectacles killing each other sets the rules and makes money if you entertain them.

While Crano was thinking about that, the carriage slowly slowed down and stopped in front of Crawford Mansion.

"... finally arrived"

Chrono sighed and opened the door himself and got off the carriage.

"It's been a while since you've been here."

Crano looked up at the Crawford mansion surrounded by high walls and murmured.

Crawford Mansion is four floors brick and there are no gardens because my adoptive father built more splendid stables than he needed. Most importantly, the front yard is less than ten meters from the gate to the front door, so I don't care about Chrono at all.

"... Is Dad here? If you don't stay, I'll be looking for an inn now."

When Chrono spoke of his anxiety, the gate began to open as he had anticipated the timing.

Beyond the gate...... an old man stood in the front yard of Crawford Mansion following an elf's maid.

Male...... Baron Claude Crawford, his adoptive father, will be sixty this year.

He is half a head taller than Chrono and has a muscular figure.

Years of hardship and aging have left no single hair, whitening, but I don't feel any weakness from the way I step firmly on the ground.

The facial contour is horned like a shield, and the eye contour is sharp enough to scratch away the impression of your nose and lips.

Vicious, fierce, that kind of word suits you well, and when you laugh... well, it feels reliable.

Elf's maid...... Myra looks so much like she won't reach the 30th way even if she quotes a lot, but she's nearly sixty years old with a slave her adoptive father bought when his name started selling as a mercenary.

It is the professionals themselves who tie up blonde hair like silk thread and pierce calm at all times.

It's not just the maid's job, it's the perfect maid because she can even do accounting, combat command, and negotiate crop prices.

"... Chrono, I heard the story"

My adoptive father walked over with a big crotch, bash! and slapped Chrono on the shoulder.

"The boulder is my son. You didn't look like me, you didn't look like your dead wife, you were a kid with absolutely no excellence, but you finally let your talent blossom. This is your daughter..."

My adoptive father had a wild grin,

"I know, it's your mistress, isn't it? One half elf, two humans... I just thought you weren't interested in women, but the boulder is my son. Encourage me to make a gangster so I can die whenever I want! That way the Baron Crawford family... no, no, no, it doesn't matter what the details are because you became Marquis Elakis! The Crawfords are cheap!

Ghahahahaha! and my adoptive father laughed luxuriously.

Elena turns a frightened glance and Leila leans her neck strangely.

Faye, numbered by one of his mistresses, looks like he thinks it's the other way around.

"I'd like to have my men stay in the mansion, okay?

Don't ask me what I know.

As my adoptive father turned his gaze, my men... Leila leaned down small.

"Carry your stuff quickly and heal your long journey fatigue. Your half-elf daughter there..."

"Wow, I... if it's a small amount, I have a match."

"Is it good in Chrono's room?

Huh? and Layla opened her eyes to surprise.

"No, sir."

"I'm giving you permission, okay?

Myra sighed and shook her head.

"... Fang Ma has three mistresses, so the two of you who were not chosen will be dissatisfied"

"Well, if we leave all four of us in the same room, we'll be fine, won't we?

"It's a mistake to ask a boy for such an amount of equipment."

"... well, yeah"

When Myra ran out of words, her adoptive father nodded badly with his teeth cut.

I'll take care of the room.

"Yes, sir."

Myra nodded respectfully.

Elena was addressed to a room on the third floor. Elena is not the only one being treated specially, as private rooms are addressed to the cavalry of the escort.

"... a murderous landscaped room"

Elena lay in bed and mouthed her honest thoughts.

Whether it is the character of the landlord or because of the shallow history of the Crawford family, although well cleaned, there are no pots, paintings or other ornaments just furnished with minimal furniture.

"Speaking of which, he's a new nobleman, isn't he? Parents and children who don't look alike, but maybe it's like home style that treats servants well."

If it's a family style where it's normal to take care of your men and servants, it's also possible to snort that children like Chrono grow up.

Although, Chrono doesn't seem to have reached the point of understanding his father's teachings as a reality.

Thanks to that immaturity, I can attend the ball, so I have to thank you.

Though we have a pretty special way of interacting, I guess it's the man's sex that loosens his vigilance just for doing the number of night games.

"Philip, I won't forgive you."

Ex of a slave trader...... how long would I have called his name in that darkness.

I believed from the bottom of my heart that Philip would come to help me without realizing that he was one of those who fell into his own.

"... you can ignore Faye"

The day after tomorrow the ball... Now I don't think there's any point in breaking a promise where I've gotten closer, but I felt unfaithful.

Whipped by a tired body on a long journey, Elena headed to the room to which Fay was addressed.

Faye's room is in the center of the third floor, near the stairs.

Elena knocked on the door, but there was no response.

"You're not sleeping."

Gently opening the door, Elena peered into the room.

"... God, God, I am a bad knight"

Then Faye held her knee in the corner of the room.

Well, I don't even know what it feels like.

For Faye, I guess the sword arm was the last base.

……

Walked over to the bed fluttering, Faye took off his military uniform... and also took off his simple design underwear.

You look great just working out, Elena stared at Fay's forged flesh.

Faye wrapped herself in a negligee she had removed from her bag and let her nose snap around Kun and her arms.

"If you're going to night games, take a bath."

"... Huh!

As Elena penetrated, Faye flew away.

"Is this Lord Elena?"

Faye opened her eyes as surprised and exhaled as relieved.

"I'm not impressed with you coming in without a knock."

"I did, but I didn't notice you."

Faye pointed her lips like a stubborn child.

You're supposed to be over twenty, but you're like a kid, and Elena lowered her back to Iss.

"So, what are you doing?

"... where I was about to go to apologize"

"In that outfit?

"Ko, this is"

As Elena pointed out, Faye bowed shyly.

"I've made all those mistakes, so I have to show you my sincerity. It tastes bad."

"I'm glad you understand."

Faye stroked her chest down as she relieved herself, and turned to the door in exasperation.

"Forgive me for saying 'I'll play night games,' but you won't forgive me."

"... Huh!

Faye stopped moving like he was frozen as he reached for the door.

"Duh, how can I forgive you?

"You should apologize normally."

"Ku, Master Chrono didn't forgive me!

Faye didn't mind Negrije getting dirty, but she stuck to Elena's leg with tears.

"So, night games."

Elena put her arms together and nodded again and again.

Elena also tried to dedicate her purity to getting revenge to help her, but she should keep her own thing on the shelf.

"Night games are harder than you think."

"Oh, is that so hard?

"At least it's not your idea. It doesn't work."

"... I am no good as a knight or a woman"

That said, Faye drooled his head without force.

"Father, Mother, Faye... Faye seems to be able to rebuild the Mullifine family, don't, there is. Fugu, fugu, fugu."

"Hey, hey, don't cry,"

Elena hung up in a panic as Faye shook her shoulders and began to cry.

"Ku, if Master Chrono abandons you, it's over, it's over!

"You're stuffed with cuts."

She doesn't look like a knight at all, nor does she look like a woman over twenty years old, sneezing her face with tears and snot.

I had no choice, Elena cuddled Faye.

"Don't cry anymore. I say if you abandon me, Master Chrono is not as easy as you think to abandon your men."

"Ho, is it true?

Faye raised her face and let her eyes shine in anticipation.

This guy is really like a child.

Elena stroked Faye's head and smiled to reassure her.

"Really. I'm here because... you asked me to comfort you."

"If so... why, forgive me, won't you?

Faye stared at her, and Elena sighed deeply.

"You know, Master Chrono wasn't angry because you failed, he was angry because you went after a bandit to get a handle on him and put his people's lives at risk. You know?"

Faye nodded small.

"Ku, I'm going to apologize to Master Chrono!

"Hey, get dressed!

Faye jumped out of the room and Elena rushed after him.

With Elena in Chrono's room a little late, Faye was staring at Chrono.

"Master Chrono, I finally understand."

"What?

As Chrono turned his frozen gaze, Faye let herself down as she feared and noticed.

"... is why Master Chrono was angry. I just thought Master Chrono was angry because he failed."

"Go on."

Encouraged ahead, Faye continued.

"This time it was driven by merit minds to act alone. At the very least, we should have worked together."

Because you don't have to tell me that! and Elena screamed in her heart.

"Well, yeah."

Chrono put his legs together,

"If it's a failure like always, it doesn't matter, because people's lives are at stake. Be careful from now on."

"Ha, be careful"

Faye answered by stretching his spine.

"So, what's that outfit?

"I was going to serve the night games to forgive Master Chrono! But I was shallow!

Faye clenched her fist around her chest,

"We will be piling drills under Lord Elena and putting them back out!

"Ah... yes"

Faye had a sunny look on her face, but Chrono seemed sorry.

Package was placed in the room to which it was addressed, and Layla was facing Myra in her room on the fourth floor.

Beds, desks and closets are the same as rooms, but her room had a tea set and a small table and chair for the tea party.

Sitting shallow on that chair, Layla was listening to Myra.

Myra... it seems that it was thirty-five years ago that she was bought by mercenary Claude Crawford, who was an unnamed slave.

Claude Crawford seemed to have a highly self-evident personality without a title but naming his surname, and at the same time a character that he would not think about later, such as planting magic on Myra, teaching her how to fight, and making her learn.

Because if we teach slaves how to fight, they have a high chance of trying to scratch their sleeping necks.

But Myra has apparently continued to support Claude with extreme devotion when he organized a mercenary regiment, when he isolated himself on the battlefield, when he entered the Tabernacle of Ramal V, when he fought against the Barbarians, even after he became Lord of the Southern Frontier, in line with the betrayal of his allies.

"Again, I was right to put it up to my husband. Even after my husband became an aristocrat, he struggled with the exchange of money... but now the southern border is also a rich barn zone, and the rest of his life is cheap"

Myra finished thirty-five years of hard work and carried the teacup to her mouth.

"Boy seems to be coming out fine too...... honestly, I can't stop laughing"

"... ha"

Ha ha! and Myra gave a serious laugh in the maid, so Leila nodded vaguely in difficulty with the reaction.

With this kind of personality, life might be fun, Leila said, mouthing herbal tea.

"Um, didn't you have an errand?

"Young people shouldn't blame you"

Myra stood up and took a book from her desk drawer... closer to a bunch of parchment paper... and placed it on the table.

"Can I read and write?

"Yes, because Master Krono taught me"

"... at all, all parents and children"

Myra smiled small.

"I'm talking about that...... I hear Master Chrono came from another different world. Why did Master Claude speak of Master Chrono like a real child?

"Boy, you have a light mouth"

Phew, and Myra sighed.

"There are no children between Master Claude and his late wife. Of course, Mr. Claude loved his wife deeply, but she seemed quite lonely, like she was clearing up her depression back then."

Myra put her hands together to pray.

"But since Master Chrono arrived, my husband seems to have softened his personality. Perhaps your husband found meaning in the act of entrusting it to the next generation. Well, I can't tell you about your husband either."

"May I read it?

"Yeah, I'll give that to you. And from tomorrow... the ball is over and I will beat you to the ground as a maid of honor until you return to the Marquis."

"Um, if I could serve Master Chrono as a soldier,"

"You shouldn't!

Bang! and Myra slapped the table.

"What do young people do without uplifting! Elves should be willing to take advantage of the length of their lives, set up their homes as servants, and remain influential until the next generation"

"Ha... well, please start tomorrow"

Layla held the book and left Myra's room behind.

Sitting on the couch in the reception room, Chrono turns to his adoptive father.

My adoptive father poured wine into two glasses and gave one to Chrono.

Minimum furniture needed in the reception room as the other rooms are...... only about couches and tables.

A portrait is decorated if you are a regular nobleman, but as far as Crono knows, there is only one portrait owned by the Crawford family.

"Isn't there a 'boulder, my son'?

"It's okay because I think of you like a real son."

Chrono put the wine in his mouth.

"Look at the hard work."

"For the most part, I'm calm now."

His adoptive father tilted the wine and narrowed his eyes to ask how Chrono was doing.

"Unlike me, you're not fit for battle."

"I'm aware."

"If you have any advice, you mean 'laugh'."

That said, my adoptive father had a wild smile.

"When you're about to confront your enemies and leak shit, when you slaughter your enemies, when you can't help yourself in all directions, when your men go to the dead to let themselves escape, laugh when you're worn out and your men come back"

"I don't know what to say."

"Just execute the first three."

"I'll keep it in mind."

Krono bargained alcohol with his adoptive father… the first night went even further.