Page 90 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Again.

Why is he always winking at me? Does he have a defective eyelid?

“Minnie Mine. Saving people. Hunting things?—”

“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. Just a few hours ago you had no idea what a greed demon was and now you want to fight one?”

“Well, yes,” he says with a nod. “We will do it together.” He gives me a smile as he presses me closer to his side.

“Did you not understand anything that I told you? I have no idea how to kill a greed demon. My brother will not even listen to me long enough for me to ask him what to do. Without my abilities, not only can Inotfight, but I also can’t make contact with anyone in Aperion to ask for information on greed demons.”

He purses his lips.

“That is, indeed, a quandary.”

I let out a tired sigh.

“Tomorrow is another day. I’ll try to think of something in the meantime,” I grumble. Though, if I’m perfectly honest, I have no ideawhatI could come up with. I could, of course, try again to summon my brother, but that will likely end up in tragedy.

For me.

Kai might have a soft spot for me, but he also has quite the temper and if I push him too much, he might just hand me over to our parents and wash his hands of me—and that isnotan option.

Ugh. Why can’t he ever take me seriously? I had a legitimate reason for calling him. If only he had listened to my concerns instead of dismissing them…

Alas, I must find a way to figure things out by myself. I spare a glance at Mine. He still has that weird smile on his face as he’s gazing at me. I suppose I can consider him my partner for now. We are both just as powerless, something that makes me wanna scream in frustration. Hear that. Me, being as powerless as a puny human.

Humph.

It doesn’t escape me, however, that if Idomanage to vanquish this greed demon as powerless as I am right now, that should earn me quite the recognition back home. Commander Azerius would finally recognize my resourcefulness.

I bite my lip as I ponder that. Perhaps this isn’t such a bad outcome—as long as I can find a way to kill that demon, of course.

The only positive is that Mine is not only indigent to this world, but he is also a respected member of the autochthonous military, which should help me as I learn to navigate this world. Having him as an ally might be advantageous, after all.

“Good night, Mine. I will talk to you later,” I tell him and turn to leave.

“Where are you going?” He frowns, keeping up with me.

“To sleep.”

He tilts his head to the side and blinks twice.

“Where?”

“At the dorm.” I roll my eyes.

“But—” His words are cut off as he doubles over in pain. Holding on to his midriff, he falls to his knees. Low groans of pain slip past his lips.

I hurry to his side.

“Are you all right?”

He shakes his head. His features are tight with tension.

“I think my wound opened up,” he barely lets out.

“Oh, no,” I whisper. “We need to head back to the infirmary. Now!” I gulp down. “I should have stitched it,” I mutter to myself.

---