Page 47 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Opening the door wider, I hurl the dead little rodent in the middle of the kitchen. Then I close the door and I hide behind the building and wait.

The moments trickle by and nothing happens.

Either they’re not impressed with my cookie thief, or they didn’t see it. Butwouldthey even react? I’m not sure howmales in this world behave, but screaming at rodents is usually a female thing—mostly because they’re smelly, sneaky bastards.

Just when I think I wasted my potential meal for nothing, a loud, shrilly sound erupts in the air.

The door to the kitchen bursts open, and the males run out, one after another. I quietly shake my head. If it were me, I would not send those manlings to war.

Alas, now I must be quick.

I dash into the kitchen and straight for the meat trays. Opening my purse wide, I stuff it with as much meat as I can before moving on to the bread and cheese—in between stuffing my face, too. With how hungry I am, I would have carried the entire kitchen out with me. As it stands, I must contend with only what I can carry in my purse.

Male voices resound from outside. I still. Steps thud closer and closer.

The door opens.

Eyes wide, I crouch behind the stove, the only spot hidden from sight.

“A rat? You were screaming about a rat?” The newcomer’s voice thunders. He doesn’t seem too pleased about that display of cowardice.

I frown. The voice sounds rather…familiar. But I can’t quite pinpoint where I’ve heard it before.

“It’s a big one, sir,” the other male complains. “So big. Look.”

I can almost imagine them pointing to my little deceased friend. And they thinkthatis big?

Humph.

They should see the size of rodents in other worlds. That little fellow istinycompared to those.

“And you both ran out of here like screaming girls because you saw a dead rat?”

“A big rat,” the cook continues, his voice trembling.

The newcomer releases a loud sigh.

“You’re in luck then. I’m saving you from a rat,” the male adds drily.

I peek around to see him pick up the rat by its tail and wave it around. The cooks recoil, taking a step back and running out of the kitchen.

Again.

I wait for the other male to leave as well, but he sure takes his time.

He wraps the little rat in some paper and he turns to the door. Before he leaves, however, he stops.

“Next time just ask for food. No one will begrudge you a portion.”

My eyes widen in shock.

“Rats are unsanitary, however.”

And with that, he leaves. Together with the rat.

He didn’t come after me. He didn’t tell me off for stealing the food. He just…left.

I wait a few more minutes before I think it’s safe enough for me to leave. To my surprise, there’s no one around.

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