> Kira PoV

After a less-than-good night's rest, Ellie and I quietly eat breakfast in our room.

We are eating food Nano prepared, so it's tasty. But Ellie's good morning kiss is many times more delicious.

Even if not as planned, we still had our first kiss. After that the second, third and so on flowed without end.

Fufufufufu...

Wait, what about the next step? I just realized, I have no idea how that's supposed to work. There are a number of issues, mechanically speaking.

I'm not having dirty thoughts, it's important to me as a future wife.

Let's discreetly ask Nano for advice later.

After breakfast, we will group up with the rest of the subjugation crew and depart.

* * *

On the way, Bart gives us a briefing.

"The Monster Hole itself seems to be in an abandoned ruin of a castle."

I really want to slap the guy who coined the 'Monster Hole' term.

If they can appear in plains, forests and buildings then they're not holes!

What kind of logic is that?

Are you an idiot?

You're an idiot.

"According to reports, we're dealing with the undead."

"Why are we bringing women and children to fight the undead? Won't they just run and scream in fear?"

What's WITH this guy? He should really keep those comments to himself.

"Gaar, you're being rude. They're still Rank B adventurers.

Surely not even Rank D would 'run and scream' from a few skeletons?"

There, Bart gets it!

I mean yes, I think undead are terrifying.

Scary things are scary.

But the current me has enough composure to face that fear.

"Oi, Flatface!"

"Ellie!"

I start to scold her again.

{So flat...}

Nano you're supposed to be stopping her. Why are you enjoying this instead?

"Stop calling me Flatface!"

"You mean your face isn't flat?"

"Shut it!"

Okay, I see where this is going, time to intervene before all of him becomes as flat as his face.

... now I'm doing it too.

I cut in between them and stop the argument.

"Ellie, I'll say it again, please stop bullying Gaar."

I put a hand on each shoulder and strictly admonish her. She relaxes instantly.

"I'm sorry, for some reason I get irritated whenever that guy looks at Kira."

Oh my, is she jealous? That can't be, right?

Somehow I'm a bit happy at the thought

Okay, the situation has calmed down a bit.

"Now that I take a good look at it... Did you happen to run into something really hard when you were young?

I swear it's so flat you can probably take a bite out of a wall!"

Kelly you don't need to join in!

"That's it, I've had enough of this!"

Gaar finally lost it. Knowing that guy he's going to self-righteously resort to violence.

Please don't resort to violence.

I pray in my mind but-

"I'm going to teach you all a lesson for messing with me!"

Please tell me it's math.

It's math, right?

One plus one is two, like that, yes?

Gaar takes out his hammer and charges at Kelly.

I guess it's not math after all huh.

The hammer flies downwards and narrowly misses.

*BLAM!*

No, it was dodged. That dwarf is pretty nimble despite that armor and stubby legs.

The impact with the ground seems to cause a small earthquake.

"Calm down Gaar! You're attacking your own comrades!"

Bart again tries to mediate, but it's useless.

"I'll calm down when I crush that rust bucket into a coin!"

*Snap*

"GYAAAAAAAAAAA!"

There goes the arm.

Wait, I'm still holding Ellie back, right?

Yep, she's in her own world while she's nuzzling her face into my chest.

Uuuuuu, she's so cute I can't help but squeeze her tighter.

I can't help it I said!

"MY AAAARM! AAAAH!"

Right! This isn't the time for that.

I look back in a hurry.

Gaar is on the ground, screaming. His right arm is pinned under Kelly's boot. Bart is staring in mute shock.

"I've had quite enough of you. I don't know what that loony Baron was thinking when he hired you, but your attitude is gonna get us killed.

Bart! I request we formally eject mister Flatface over here from the crew."

Safe!

With this we can tell the Baron that guy went berserk all on his own!

"YOU BASTAAARD! THE GUI- ARG! GUILD WON'T FORGIVE YOU FOR-"

"For doing what?"

He twists the armored boot into the arm, eliciting another painful scream.

"For stomping on a piece of garbage? Shall I flatten the rest of you to match your face?"

Somehow, he reminds me of Ellie.

That’s bad in a lot of ways.

As for the girl in question, she’s giving him a thumbs up.

"Also, I'm a 'mercenary' you moron! You think I need your stupid guild to make money?"

Now that you mention it, Kelly isn't an adventurer like us, huh?

A mercenary isn't bound or supervised by the Adventurer's Guild. In return, they also lose out on the stability and protection it offers.

"Haaaah."

Bart gave a long sigh.

"I agree, so please get off him so I can heal him. That screaming is going to give me nightmares..."

Kelly silently moves away while Bart works his healing magic.

"Thank you for getting mad for our sake."

I offer my thanks with a nod.

"Uuhhhh what? No idea what you're talking about."

My gratitude was dismissed with a wave of Kelly's hand.

"That guy came swinging at me all on his own. All I did was defend myself."

So that's how he wants to play it huh.