"Chairman!" Beans followed behind Netero. "Chairman, you were far too reckless this time. Even Odin told you off. You nearly lost a leg."
"Ho ho ho!" Netero chuckled. "But it's still here, isn't it?"
Beans grew even angrier, though he felt helpless too. Still, he was used to Netero's willfulness.
He looked at Netero's leg. It was still there, but his trouser leg hung empty below the knee. Blood stained the fabric, darkened and already dry.
"Chairman, your leg was severed. If it hadn't been healed, you'd be missing it now." Beans's tone grew firmer.
"Ho ho ho, it's fine." Netero waved a hand. "Just a little flesh wound. If I get hurt next time, I can have Odin heal me again."
Beans's mouth fell open. "Next time?!"
Odin stood nearby, watching the two of them speechlessly.
Ponzu stood beside him, equally speechless. The way Netero acted reminded her of the grandfather-aged elders back in her village.
The Chinchilla in her cloth bag squirmed a few times, and Ponzu reached over to hold the bag still.
Morel leaned against an off-road vehicle, took his pipe from his mouth, and exhaled a puff of smoke.
The smoke spread through the air and drifted away on the wind.
He watched Netero without saying anything, clearly long since accustomed to this.
Knov sat in a chair beside another tent, his hands tightly clasped. His face was still pale, but his earlier state of terrified unease had passed.
Kirkia sat leaning against a tree. Several slashes marked his clothes, left by Chimera Ant claws.
Odin had already treated his wounds, and he was completely fine.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Netero, Beans opened his folder and began reading.
"Chairman, the casualty report-"
"Make the arrangements first," Netero interrupted. "We're heading back to headquarters."
Beans