.: Claude's POV:
After an hour or so and with some buff monsters taken care of, Dexter and I arrived at the gates of the Moniyan empire with a few scratches here and there but that was mostly me and luckily my new friend didn't have any.
Fixing my hold around Jay's legs, I started making my way towards the castle instead of the town's hospital since I thought that the poor girl had enough poking around from strangers and that she actually deserved some good rest.
- Tch... Public hospitals are good but their bed aren't THAT comfortable... -
I frowned at that one memory of my friend bringing me to a public hospital since the private one was too far away, a shudder crawled up my spine when I remembered that lady who, eagerly, took care of me mostly her wandering... Chubby... Hands.
"Blegh... Now is not the time to remember such... We need to get the girl to the hospital so that her wounds could get treated but mostly if she has any broken bones"
Quickening my pace, I arrived at the castle in no time and immediately made my way towards the infirmary only to stop when I heard someone call my name.
- Dammit... Why now...? -
"Claude, fancy seeing you here"
Grinning, I looked at Gusion who walked up to me with a frown as I noticed his steel-blue eyes focus on the raven-haired girl that was on my back.
"Hey, Gus... And yeah, as you can see here... This girl needs medical attention right away"
.: 3rd person's POV:
The other brunette nodded as he eyed the ruined clothes of the girl while some wounds and bruises littered her arms and legs.
"Well then, you can bring her there but we both know that we'll have to report this to the king and queen since an innocent has been attacked-"
"About that... Well I'll explain later, let's just take her to the infirmary first"
Dexter agreed by crooning and squeaking.
Gusion hummed as he walked beside the marksman who continued on turning his head to look at the girl as he fixed his grip on her.
As the three-four if you also count Dexter - arrived at the designated location, Claude immediately made his way towards a doctor and started explaining the situation to him while Gusion watched from where he was standing as the brown-furred prime-ape sat on his shoulder.
"I understand, place her on the bed and we'll immediately check her wounds and see if she broke some bones"
"Thanks..."
Doing what the doctor told him, Claude watched as nurses flocked around the unconscious girl.
Placing a hand on top of the marksman's shoulder, Gusion averted his friend's attention to him as he tilted his head towards the door of the infirmary then started making his way out of the room.
Claude, after giving one last worried look at the girl, walked after the brunette.
After closing the door behind him, the assassin crossed his arms and leaned on the wall as he waited for him to explain.
"I... Sorry, it's just... I don't think she's from around here"
"What do you mean by that? That she's not from the Moniyan empire? She could be from the Swan empire-"
"That's what I mean, she's not from this world..."
Gusion furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he backed away from the wall, arms falling limp on both of his sides.
"What? But that's not possible..."
"I also thought of that... Everyone knows what happens when you slay the creeps that are in the forest... But she didn't"
"It's not possible to not know what each of those things could give you... Most of all the advantages that you could have for a short time"
Claude nodded as he placed both of his hands on his hips while Dexter tilted his head.
"She didn't even know what the buff circle was... At first, I thought she had minor or temporary amnesia but when she asked about the health orbs... Or of the area, we were at..."
A sigh left the marksman's lips as he decided on not finishing his sentence, his amber eyes moving to look at his friend who had his forefinger and thumb on his chin.
"We still have to report to the king and queen... And even Tigreal... Luckily Granger is still out hunting for those that stole from the village nearby if he wasn't, he would be breathing down our necks by now..."
The two shuddered as they thought of the outcome if the Death Chanter were to find out about the situation but shook their heads and looked at each other.
"I guess we'll have to break it to the king and queen... Hopefully, they understand the situation"
"What situation?"
Claude let out a surprised yell while Gusion sighed and turned to look at the blond demon hunter who was casually grinning at the two while holding his sword.
"Alucard, already done with the papers?"
"Yep! Anyway, you two look like as if something's bothering you, care to tell me what is wrong?"
The marksman silently gulped as he side-eyed Gusion who was also sweating bullets.
Alucard tilted his head in worry when none of the two gave him an answer so he just looked at the door of the infirmary then at the two.
"Is someone hurt? Is that why? Do I have to slay someone?"
The questions made the two stiffen as they shook their heads, making the blond hum and nod as he placed his sword on his shoulder.
"If you guys are sure... Well, I'll go report to Tigreal now... See you two!"
And with that, Alucard waved his hand goodbye at the two and left while whistling a tune, an eery one at that.
Claude let out a relieved sigh as he grinned at Dexter and Gusion, sweat practically rolling down his forehead.
"Alucard can be really terrifying..."
"I second that..."
The two then looked at the door that opened, the doctor from earlier walking up to the two who patiently waited for the results.
"Well, all that I can tell you is that she's now safe from harm... Her left arm, luckily, isn't broken but two of her ribs from the left side is cracked but not broken... We also disinfected and wrapped her wounds... You can now visit her"
Nodding, the two walked inside and made their way towards the bed of the girl.
Dexter, letting out happy noises, jumped from his partner's shoulder and jumped on Jay's lap and sat down.
Claude plopping down the vacant seat beside the bed and grinned at the girl who tiredly smiled back as she raked her fingers through Dexter's hair while Gusion stood there, his eyes taking in her form only to focus on her arms and neck that were wrapped in bandages until the assassin looked at the girl who was also looking back at him with curiosity in her maroon orbs.
"Apologies for staring... My name is Gusion, I am a friend of Claude... It is nice to meet you..."
Blinking, the raven-haired girl let out a small "oh" as she blushed.
"I-it's fine... Uhm... My name's Jay, a pleasure to meet you too, Gusion..."
Said male nodded as he looked outside the window, taking in the bright and sunny day only to turn his attention back at the three when she heard Claude chuckle while Dexter crooned.
When the assassin was about to start asking the girl some questions, he was interrupted by someone clearing his throat from behind him thus making him turn and look at a certain warrior and demon hunter of the empire.
"Gusion... Claude... Care to tell me who is this young lady?"