Chapter 13

"Hmph, there's no need to use magic for this."

Niera easily dodged my punch and kicked me in the stomach.

I tried my best to endure it.

"Ugh!"

"You did well to hold it in; I wouldn't want you to vomit."

She then punched me in the face.

The treasure tool on her finger embedded itself in my face like a knuckleduster.

"This is how you punch. You wouldn't know, always doing menial tasks."

She grabbed my head and slammed it into the ground.

Then, she stomped on the back of my head multiple times.

The wooden floor caved in, and the floor became a pool of blood.

"Hey, isn't this going too far?"

"Lowell, this is a good opportunity. It's better to show the guild what happens when someone defies me."

Niera persistently stomped on my feet and hands, breaking my bones, then lifted me up again to display me.

The guild members turned away, unable to bear the gruesome sight.

"Hmm, even after all this, you still glare at me like that?"

I hated Niera for trampling everything about Lady Gilne.

I kept my fist clenched.

...But my body wouldn't move at all.

"Shall I gouge out one of your eyes? I'll let this defiance slide if I do that."

"---That's enough, Niera."

A gruff voice came from the entrance of the dining hall.

Sword Saint Ganash appeared with a bottle of alcohol in his hand.

"Ganash, what are you doing here now?"

"It seems a lot has happened while I was out on important business."

"Important business... You sure have the nerve to lie with a bottle of alcohol in your hand."

"Let Tim go, you've gone too far."

"...Alright, alright."

Niera dropped me to the floor.

"That's enough. I'll throw this guy out of the guild, so you all can have a constructive discussion."

"That's true, this brat is a waste of time."

"Indeed, the floor is covered in blood... oh well."

Lord Ganash picked me up.

"Let me off the hook from the discussion. I'm not good with formal talks."

"That's your goal, isn't it? Well, you seem capable, so it's fine."

"Of course, Niera, you understand."

He raised his index and middle fingers in a salute and left the guild.

"Hey... Hey, Tim. Are you okay?"

Lord Ganash called out to me.

"Hey, Tim. I'll take you to an inn to rest."

"...Gi...lne...sama..."

"Can you speak? Lady Gilne is here. Good, she can use healing magic. Show me the way."

In my fading consciousness, I pointed to the inn where Lady Gilne was waiting.

◇◇◇

"Hey! Tim, Tim! Oh, what should I do!?"

"Lady Gilne, it's okay, calm down. I gave him plenty of healing potions while carrying him."

"Those healing potions aren't in that bottle, right!?"

"These are my healing potions; he's not ready for them yet. What happened while I was gone?"

"Right now, we need to focus on Tim's condition! Where is he injured... Oh, poor thing!"

"It doesn't seem too serious... Lady Gilne, he's unconscious, but his right hand is still clenched."

"He's holding something... This!"

"...A ring?"

"Ahh... Tim. You got it back for me..."

Holding Tim's right hand close.

---Gilneise shed tears.