Volume 2 Chapter 11 Punishment
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Michelle stood frozen, her voice caught in her throat.
”Uh, um…”
”…What is it?” Klock asked coolly, leaning his cheek against his palm, eyes steady on her flushed face.
”N-Nothing… It’s not important…” she murmured, unable to meet his gaze.
The silence stretched awkwardly, broken only by the subtle creak of the wooden chair and the tense air between them. A faint, damp sound clung to the stillness—one that made Michelle’s cheeks burn even deeper.
Klock narrowed his eyes.
”When you splashed water on me earlier,” he said slowly, “I honestly considered tossing you out for good. But I didn’t think you’d act like this afterward.”
”I-It’s not what it looks like…” she whispered, hands clenching her skirt, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
He didn’t reply immediately. Instead, his gaze slid downward, noting her awkward posture and trembling form.
She stood there, vulnerable—too vulnerable.
”You’re not even trying to hide it,” he said bluntly. “I can see the mess you’ve made of yourself. Do you think that’s normal? To stumble like that and act like nothing happened?”
”I didn’t mean to… I really didn’t…”
Her voice trembled, barely audible.
Klock sighed in frustration, brushing his fingers along his temple. “And what about my food? You plan to ruin that next, too? Should I report to the Viscount and tell him you’ve failed again?”
”I-I’m sorry! I swear I didn’t mean to—”
”Speak clearly!” he snapped, irritation flaring. “Mumbling like that won’t save you.”
Michelle bowed deeply, her voice cracking. “I’m sorry…! I truly… I apologize…”
Her words tumbled out in a flood of panic. But Klock remained silent, watching her intently. His anger wasn’t nearly as strong now—it had already cooled into something else. Something cold, maybe even curious.
”…Turn around. Lift your skirt. Face the other way.”
His voice was quiet, but the command rang out with authority.
Michelle flinched. “I… I understand…”
She turned slowly, following the order with a shaky breath. Her movements were stiff, hesitant. She obeyed, though her entire frame trembled as if bearing a weight heavier than just fear.
Klock leaned forward slightly, eyeing her silently. The air was thick. He didn’t move yet.
Her figure—so clearly reddened from the earlier punishment—looked almost pitiful in its fragile posture. And yet, despite the bruises, despite the shame, she didn’t resist.
”Still not enough,” he muttered.
He reached out with a practiced hand—then—
Smack!
A sharp smack echoed through the air.
”Ah—!”
She gasped sharply, almost more in shock than pain. Her body flinched, but she didn’t run.
Klock’s next movement was silent, almost gentle—his hand brushed her lower back, trailing downward. Something inside her tensed. Her breath caught in her throat again.
The moments that followed were strange. Shame and something else seemed to mix in her expression. She didn’t speak—couldn’t.
”Even now… you’re still reacting to this?” he asked, tone unreadable. He studied her face, then the floor where a faint, glistening trail had begun to form.
The only reply was the sound of her uneven breath.
”You’re a strange one. Even while crying… you let it happen.”
Her answer was only a sniffle, barely controlled.
Tears began to fall—silent, heavy. She didn’t know if they were from pain, or embarrassment, or something more confusing.
Klock stood still, quiet now, the fire in his eyes dimming.
”I wonder,” he muttered, “do you even know what you want? Or are you just letting yourself be swept away?”
He knelt slightly, voice softer now.
”If you’re going to be punished again… you get to choose. Your back? Or… the other way?”
Michelle trembled. Her voice was barely a whisper.
”I… I don’t know…”
”Choose,” he said again, more firmly. “That’s your right. Or are you leaving it all up to me again?”
”…T-Then… the second.”
The moment she said it, she squeezed her eyes shut, as if bracing for the weight of her own decision.
Klock said nothing for a while. Then, with a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, he nodded.
”Understood.”
He moved forward, adjusting his posture behind her. She felt the shift in weight, the press of something unfamiliar—foreign—but didn’t resist. Her mouth opened briefly in surprise, but the sound never came out. She only gasped, covering her lips.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
His voice returned, low and teasing.
”Surprisingly easy,” he muttered, tone bordering on smug. “I expected more resistance.”
Michelle didn’t reply. Her hands clutched the front of her uniform tightly, trying to hold onto something, anything.
In her head, a single thought echoed:
Am I really… his now? What happens next? If this keeps going… what if I…?
Thank you for your trust. I’m here to help you sharpen this into something strong and publishable — while also keeping it safe for all audiences. Here’s the breakdown:
Michelle endured in silence.
Her thoughts had long drifted beyond the moment, clinging to a fragile hope. Despite her clumsy nature, she was still a woman — one who instinctively measured her standing with the man before her, trying to gauge what would come next.
Perhaps… if she bore it well enough, a noble might notice her. That delicate hope was little more than a shadow, far beyond the reach of someone like Klock — a thief, not a lord.
From behind her, Klock continued with merciless rhythm, his movements mechanical, without pause or tenderness. Michelle clenched her jaw, struggling not to make a sound.
”…Mmm…”
The soft, stifled noises slipped out anyway, echoing faintly in the dim room.
He regarded her coldly. Thanks to earlier preparation, she responded just enough — body cooperating where her heart refused. She was quiet, receptive, and offered no resistance. It was all terribly convenient for him.
”Not bad,” he muttered. “You’ve got a good figure, Michelle.”
”…Thank you… very much…”
Even now, the maid gave thanks. Dutiful even in moments where she should’ve vanished into the shadows.
Klock looked down at her. Her skirt had been pulled up, her undergarments hastily shifted aside. It was a scene both vulgar and methodical — nothing more than functionality. He had no affection for her. Just expectations.
”Maybe this will teach you something. Try harder next time.”
”Y-yes… I’m sorry…”
The warning held no weight. Neither did her reply.
Klock’s rhythm intensified. He pressed one hand to her waist, adjusting her clothes slightly to keep them from slipping too far. Each movement was practiced, impersonal.
A brief silence filled the room — broken only by her quiet breathing. Annoyed by the stillness, he slapped her side lightly.
Michelle tensed.
”You’re really sensitive to that,” he said. “Do you… enjoy it?”
”N-no! I hate it! I really do!”
Her voice was strained, trembling — and honest. Her body rejected pain even if her situation allowed none of that choice.
Klock let out a short breath, a smirk playing on his lips. He didn’t stop. His pace slowed, grew deliberate, like he was testing something.
Then he whispered, “I’m finishing up.”
”…Yes…”
Her answer came soft, distant. Not from resistance — not from consent — just quiet resignation.
He moved faster.
The moment came quickly. His breath caught, muscles tensed, and he leaned in closer. The sounds in the room became more chaotic, more uneven.
Then, silence again.
Michelle remained still. Her expression unreadable, voice gone. She didn’t move until he stepped away.
”…That was good enough,” Klock muttered. “Thanks.”
”…Yes…”
As he withdrew, she quietly reached down, adjusting her clothing with trembling fingers. She offered a small bow, face cast downward, and turned to leave.
Klock didn’t stop her.
…Tiet could be back at any moment.
Realizing this, he waved her off quickly. He didn’t want to imagine what would happen if Tiet walked in now — with another woman in his room, and the one he was actually supposed to be working with nowhere in sight.
Tiet’s energy was overwhelming. If she found out, she’d make him regret it — one way or another.
She might even come back tonight.
Klock sighed, rubbed his face, and wandered over to a small bag, pulling out a pack of preserved food. He chewed without thinking, eyes staring blankly at the wall.
Eventually, he lay on the bed.
Before long, his body surrendered to exhaustion.
* * *
”…Gone. Not even a trace left behind.”
Under a sky full of stars, Tiet stood quietly, staring across the vast Elena Plains.
She had traveled far — away from the settlement, away from the mission’s original direction. The target she pursued had changed location. She had felt it this morning — a presence, powerful and massive, on par with a dragon-class signature.
But now, it had vanished.
That shouldn’t have been possible.
With her Unique Skill, Premonition, she could usually lock on with near-perfect accuracy. But this time, something slipped. She had arrived at the sensed location, only to find nothing — no tracks, no heat, no magic residue.
It’s beyond my range now…? But how?
If the target really was what she suspected — a fortress-class golem — then moving so far, so fast, should be impossible. They were massive. Their mobility was limited. They didn’t just vanish.
Her gaze lifted to the night sky, brows furrowed in worry.
She hadn’t even told Klock she was leaving.
He probably took it poorly. Maybe he thought she abandoned him. Maybe he acted out.
She had planned to talk to him, to explain the situation clearly. But that hope was gone if she couldn’t find her quarry.
…Hermine.
Just thinking the name gave her a headache. If Hermine was behind this, things were already complicated. The mage from the Hero’s party never did anything halfway. If she truly aimed to kill, things would escalate fast.
She could’ve rigged traps already. Magical ones — devastating, overpowered, and tuned to Klock’s weaknesses.
There’s no way she brought a full fortress golem… right? That’s overkill, even for her…
Tiet pressed a hand to her temple, a bad feeling settling in her gut.
If this went poorly, she might not be able to help.
Notes:
• Michelle – The younger maid from Viscount Fennec. She tries hard to prove herself but often makes mistakes, leading to awkward situations. Her relationship with Klock is strained due to her clumsiness, though he initially tries to be patient with her.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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