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Authors Note: The violence from last time will continue in this chapter.

T/N: Today Id like to thank my repeat Cookie Donor, Daniel!! Thank you for the sweets

Oi, Girlie. This the fella yous looking for? says the swarthy-skinned man, striding back into the hut while dragging something behind him.

Wait, not something. Someone Is that Gilles?

Im too shocked to speak.

Hes completely covered in blood. The top half of his clothes have been torn to shreds and blood is just pouring out from a huge gash on his head. In sharp contrast to all the red, his face is ghastly pale. In this state, hes nearly unrecognizable. Is that really Gilles..?

Weakly, he manages to meet my gaze. His eyes are completely devoid of fear. But they look desperate, like hes begging me to escape from here.

Slowly, I force myself to sit up.

Ya can move already? laughs the biggest of the three men, stooping through the door.

Ali.. run..! Gilles whimpers. His voice is so weak, it sounds like his consciousness might just slip away at any moment.

The swarthy-skinned mans eyes slide from me onto Gilles. Before I can say a word, his fist flies into Gilless stomach.

Tenacious little b*stard aint ya.

Gah-haah.. Gilles gasps, doubling over. A deep wrinkle etches itself between his brows as he tries not to cry out in pain. But throughout it all, his eyes remain strong as he glares hard at the man.

I have to do something. I have to save Gilles! But how? I just barely managed to drag myself to a sitting position, so what can I do?

Thud! The whole floor of the hut vibrates on impact as the thug tosses Gilles to the ground in front of me like a piece of discarded garbage.

I cant believe what Im seeing. I cant fathom it. Are these men even human? How can they be so cruel to such a small boy..?

Ali, are you okay? Gilles asks me feebly. A tiny, weak smile trembles on his lips like hes trying to reassure me. Even though hes the one thats literally drenched in blood, Im the one hes worried about?

Even in his state, hes somehow keeping his eyes open and focused on me. They stare at me desperately, but they arent the eyes of someone asking to be saved.

Gilles, I cant leave you, I say down to him where he lay at my feet, my voice low enough so that only he can hear.

I cant leave him, but I still dont have a plan. Now that I can see Gilles up close, I notice hes not just covered in blood. Bruises are also blooming all over his skin. Just how much did they hit him before they brought him in here..?

I cant bear to see his tiny body covered in so many gruesome wounds.

This b*stards not long for this world. Hes just trash now, the swarthy-skinned man spits out.

..What did he say? What did he just call Gilles?

Im seeing red, and not from pain this time. For the first time in my life I truly want to kill someone.

Somehow I find the strength to pull myself up off the ground and onto my feet.

I absolutely wont let you off. Youve got guts, daring to enrage a villainess. Even if you beg, I wont show you mercy. You three and your employer.. I swear Ill kill every last one of you.

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T/N: Short. but impactful. I can totally feel Alicias rage! It gives me shivers haha. I certainly wouldnt want to cross her! And poor Gilles T-T Protect him well, Alicia!

Also, last chapter there were quite a few people disappointed by Alicia, but I have a feeling that were heading towards a major butt-whoopin! Hopefully she can redeem herself in your eyes XD