Today, Nephira visited the training field. And as she stared from afar at Suzuki, who was hard at work in the training field swinging a wooden sword, Nephira was deeply impressed.

(His serious face is also adorable! He also does push-ups every day... ah, how I wish I could do something for the hard-working Suzuki!)

Incidentally, it had been almost a month since Suzuki joined the Thunder-Lance Charge. It would be a good time to mark it as an anniversary. That way, she would have a reason to celebrate with him and give him something.

......

After dinner that night. While sipping her wine, Nephira spoke to Suzuki.

"Suzuki. I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" Suzuki asked.

Then Nephira clapped her hands. The door opened, and there stood Excella. Suzuki was astonished and exclaimed, "Excella!? ...Nephira! This is!?"

"Uh-huh. Ever since you joined the Thunder-Lance Charge, you have been working hard in your own way. Your reputation among the other soldiers is also good, with them praising you whenever they\'re asked about you. You are still a rank-and-file soldier, but in light of the above, I have decided to gift you a slave. From this day on, Excella will be your slave."

Suzuki beamed upon hearing those words.

"Seriously? Thank you!! Nephira!!"

(Fufufu! He is delighted. He is pleased! I\'m so glad I gave him this gift!)

"I look forward to working with you. Lord Hero"

Excella knelt reverently and smiled at Suzuki. Then Excella slowly walked towards him with a limp. Suzuki noticed the bandages on Excella\'s legs and spoke in a stutter.

"Hu, huh? Excella. That leg...?"

Excella looked troubled at his unspoken question and was embarrassed to answer. Nephira explained to him instead.

"Because she is a slave. I severed the tendons in both her legs so she can\'t run. Walking normally will not be a problem for her, though."

"Eh...?"

From Nephira\'s point of view, this was the natural way to treat slaves. However, the air around Suzuki changed and felt tense.

"Why... such a terrible thing...!"

Suzuki\'s face turned crimson red as he glared at Nephira.

(Eh!? He is so mad at me!? Why!? I thought Suzuki would be pleased...!!)

Suzuki slapped the table with both hands. The vintage wine Nephira was drinking spilled, producing a bright red stain on the tablecloth.

"What the HELL were you thinking!? Excella might never be able to run again!!"

"B-Bastard!! Who do you think you are talking to!! Shut your mouth! Know your place as a familiar!!"

Normally, she would not have been so harsh. However, in the presence of other people, especially in front of Excella, a slave, Suzuki spoke harshly toward her, his superior, when his status was a familiar. Nephira had to save face and uphold her pride as the commander of the Thunder-Lance Charge.

"Don\'t get conceited!! You helpless worm!! How can a weakling who can\'t even survive on his own proclaim such things with such pompous talk!!"

"Damn...!"

With a snarl, Suzuki kicked the chair away. He then ran straight toward the door.

"Lo--Lord Hero!! Please wait!! I don\'t mind!!"

Excella shouted, but Suzuki threw the door wide open and walked out.

"You moron!! Fall in line!!"

Nephira spat out. But in her mind, she was screaming and panicking.

(Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!! I went too faaaaaaaar!!)

(How on earth did such a celebration end up like this? I am an IDIOT! Idiot, idiot, idiot, my blockheadedneeeesssss!)

She put her elbows on the table and clutched her head. Excella looked at Nephira, fixed up a smile, and spoke awkwardly to her.

"Su--Surely, he will come back right away!"

"Why... do I have to be comforted by you..."

Nephira said to Excella, who was wiping the spilled wine with a rag, in a voice that seemed to be a whisper.