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Chapter 19: Nora Bears the Rod and Begs Forgiveness

At this moment they were on the way back.

Of the more than 20 people they had at first, fewer than 10 could still walk on their own.

Dimas had borrowed a handcart from a passing slaver, and now the cart was piled high with adventurers’ corpses.

His face was hidden behind his helmet, yet anyone could guess he was in a foul mood.

The two retainers he trusted most were now one dead and one gravely wounded.

According to Junice, the other fallen knight had been his childhood friend.

Although Reiner disliked Dimas, he had to admit the man was a knight worthy of respect.

In the battle just now, Dimas had not retreated a single step in the face of fear and had stayed at the very front.

If he was a proud man, this setback would surely leave a deep mark on him…

Right then, Nora’s inner voice drifted into Reiner’s ears.

(Master was hurt because of me; I should have been more careful… I’m such an idiot.)

Reiner reached out with his only usable left hand and rubbed Nora’s ear. “Never lick a wound again.”

Nora froze for a moment, and a faint flicker of inferiority flashed in her eyes. “I’m sorry… My mom taught me that if I licked a wound it would heal faster; whenever I was hurt as a child she would do that.”

(I’m a demi-human; it’s normal for Master to be disgusted by me. I’m so stupid…)

???

Reiner had no idea what nonsense she was imagining.

He simply thought the wound was covered with dirt and blood, making it far too unsanitary to lick.

How had that turned into him despising her?

It was pure slander.

“There’s dirt all over it; if you lick it you’ll swallow every bit of filth and get sick.”

Nora blinked, her deep blue eyes truly beautiful. “It’s fine, Master, I’ll spit it out.”

(So he wasn’t disgusted after all; I overthought it.)

Reiner rubbed her furry ears again.

Just then, Martina, for some reason, squatted down in front of him. “Reiner, want me to carry you on my back?”

“My legs aren’t hurt, so no.” Reiner declined.

It was clear Martina was in a very good mood.

A string of inner thoughts burrowed into Reiner’s ears.

(This sword is amazing! If Mom and Dad were still alive, they’d be proud that I toppled such a big brute.)

At that moment Junice caught up from the rear of the column.

She was panting with exhaustion, her cheeks completely drained of color.

Healing the wounded had drained most of her strength and she was on the verge of collapse.

“It’s finally over… That was brutal. Once we get back I’m taking a long rest.” Junice walked to Reiner’s right side and asked with concern, “Does your arm still hurt? Let me treat it again.”

“Go ahead.”

While Junice resumed treating him, Nora’s resentful inner voice drifted over.

(That woman took forever to come; Master bled so much for nothing!)

Reiner looked at Nora.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she seemed angry.

He could understand; after all, many others had been far more badly hurt than Reiner.

His arm had merely been pierced by an iron hook… painful, yes, but nothing compared with the adventurers who had lost limbs.

“Thank you,” Reiner said.

Junice smiled. “Think nothing of it.”

The group walked from daylight into night and finally returned to Melod City.

Reiner felt exhausted all over.

He had no energy left to return to the village and planned to stay at an inn in the city for the night before heading home tomorrow.

After a brief farewell to Junice he left the party.

He had barely taken a few steps when a man called from behind, “Reiner!”

He turned and saw it was Dimas.

Mounted on his horse, Dimas looked down at Reiner.

“What can I do for you?”

Dimas tossed over a pouch of money. “This is your share.”

Reiner glanced at the pouch and saw it was packed with copper coins with the occasional silver one.

“I never took the quest at the Adventurers’ Guild; I was just helping because I was there.” He threw the money back.

Since he had taken no quest, he didn’t want to profit from it.

Dimas tossed the pouch over again. “Take it; you did more than enough. Also, I apologize for my rudeness back then.”

Without giving Reiner a chance to refuse, he turned his horse and rode off.

When he was some distance away he looked back and said, “Reiner, I owe you one.”

With that, he rode away without another glance.

Reiner looked at Nora and shrugged.

He bought two smoked chickens from a tavern, then took the beast-eared girls to an inn in the city center to rest.

Staring at the cramped, shabby room that felt like a dungeon, Reiner wondered whether he had really ordered a deluxe twin room.

The mold-spotted pillows in particular made the hygiene situation alarming.

He worried he might wake up with mushrooms growing out of his head.

Reiner went downstairs intending to complain to the owner, but after seeing a common room crammed with 7 or 8 sleeping patrons he promptly gave up.

By comparison his room was indeed paradise.

Reiner sat at the table and took out black bread and smoked chicken.

Martina immediately bounded over to eat, while Nora hugged her knees on the bed and watched them.

(I don’t deserve to eat today, so I’d better stay put.)

Reiner was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had never intended to blame Nora.

“Why aren’t you coming over to eat?”

Nora shook her head. “I’m not hungry… Master, you two eat.”

Reiner set down the black bread. “Really? Look me in the eyes and say that again.”

Nora met Reiner’s gaze.

But she quickly shifted her eyes away, feeling guilty.

“My arm is hurt, so I need someone to feed me.”

Martina blinked and looked up at him.

Reiner quickly shot her a look, telling her not to butt in.

Nora understood and hurried over. “I’ll feed you.”

She sliced the black bread thin and fed Reiner piece by piece.

Then she tore off a smoked drumstick and held it to his lips.

Nora herself probably didn’t notice that just the sight of meat had her drooling uncontrollably.

“Take a bite yourself; I know you’re hungry.”

When Nora still hesitated he raised his voice. “Do you want me to feed you personally?”

Nora shook her head emphatically and shoved the meat into her mouth.

Once again she started reproaching herself.

(Nora, you idiot! Why do you keep angering Master? Stupid, stupid!)

???

Reiner was speechless.

But he had no strength left to fuss.

He planned to straighten things out with Nora tomorrow.

After eating he lay down on the bed and fell asleep at once.

He had no idea how much time passed; the room was pitch-black, Martina’s snores filled the air, and he felt Nora poking his cheek.

(Master seems to be awake.)

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

Nora answered in a trembling voice, “Master… please punish me.”

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