As Klethi slowly glimpsed a sliver of light through the darkness, the first thing she saw was Allen's expressionless face. The second was Grim, standing to one side with an honest, guileless look.
"You're awake? Have some water."
As he spoke, Allen handed warm water mixed with honey to Klethi, whose lips were pale and cracked. Although his ability had powerful healing effects, even he could not restore someone who had lost so much blood in such a short time. Saving her life was already a considerable achievement.
After treatment, Klethi could just about prop herself up into a sitting position. Without a word, she took the wooden bowl in both hands and poured the warm, sweet honey water into her mouth.
Yet as she drank, she kept sneaking glances at Allen's expression, occasionally casting questioning looks at Grim.
Klethi wanted to know what was going on. Most importantly, would she have to face a storm of furious scolding next?
Grim knew nothing himself, of course, and could offer her no clues. He could only grin at his newly awakened boss. He had not been scolded; Allen had praised him instead, and he had certainly deserved that praise.
In truth, Allen had no intention of raging at Klethi. Instead, he kept wondering whether his past indulgence might one day cost her life in a crisis.
Perhaps it was because, when Allen first met Klethi, this girl of only thirteen or fourteen had saved his life, leaving him grateful;
perhaps it was because Klethi was the youngest member of the company, and he unconsciously took special care of her;
or, more likely, the dependence Klethi had unwittingly shown toward Allen had allowed him to find a kind of emotional anchor in this young girl.
For the past ten years, Allen had