Chapter 9

The next day, I woke up early in the morning.

Zoi was sleeping soundly, and when I lifted the thin blanket to check her body, I was astonished to see that a thin layer of skin had already formed over the place where the scab had been.

The healing power of a sub-human...

This is truly superhuman. It's a recovery rate that can't be compared to mine. Of course, their vitality must be proportional to that. Probably, this difference in vitality is one of the reasons why Abby and the demon girl pay so much attention to me.

In other words—

Dietrich Becker, the "human," is weak and prone to death.

The embers in the fireplace were smoldering, emitting a dull light.

The damp clothes felt very uncomfortable, but I endured and put them on.

Money is needed.

Food, a place to live, spare clothes. We lack everything now.

I yawned softly and sat cross-legged on the cold floor.

*All is one. One is many.*

Then I closed my eyes and meditated.

I silently prayed and asked for my mother's assistance.

The priests of Asclepius become full-fledged after a long, arduous training in prayer and magic.

◇◇

In the morning, when I joined Abby and the others, the demon girl Ashita and the cat girl Eva had dark circles under their eyes, making them look like pandas.

Abby must have done it.

The demon girl and the cat girl glared at me, then their eyes widened when they saw Zoi standing next to me.

The demon girl said enviously,

"Zoi, did you take a bath? Your clothes look clean..."

"..."

Zoi looked at the demon girl with disgust and gripped my hand tightly.

Seeing this, the demon girl seemed to get angry and immediately lashed out at me.

"Di, you, you're so unfair. Why only you two! Bee was with us in the large room, and there was no bath there!!"

Abby answered her question.

"Of course, it's a perk. Didn't I say? Di needs a quiet place to pray. Di chose Zoi. Zoi is devoted to Di."

"That much I can do too!"

She said this and then swallowed her words, as if holding back a breath.

It doesn't matter.

I asked Abby,

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Nope? I was waiting for you to wake up."

"I see. That was a bad thing to do. Don't wait for me next time."

"Di, you're a precious one. It won't be that easy."

I shrugged at her words.

"So... are we going to the church for breakfast again this morning?"

Abby shook her head with a stern expression.

"No way. I won't rely on those guys again."

"..."

There was a strange feeling about Abby's words.

They don't sound like the words of a leader of hungry kids. There must be a clear reason. Probably, it has something to do with me being a "priest."

◇◇

After that, we left the inn and had a light meal at a nearby food stand.

The soup was murky white, with a mix of meatballs and other ingredients. It looked unappetizing, but it didn't have the unpleasant smell of the church's free food.

I first thanked Asclepius for the meal and then closed my eyes to pray quietly.

"..."

Ignoring me, the sound of dishes clattering came from around me, and even with my eyes closed, I could tell the kids had started eating.

"..."

I had only been meditating for about thirty seconds when one of the kids suddenly screamed.

"Hey, be quiet. What's wrong?"

Opening my eyes, I saw one of the kids crying with blood streaming from the back of their hand, and Abby was glaring at them sternly.

"Who told you to do that? Don't be ridiculous."

It seemed Abby had stabbed the kid's hand with a fork.

"Try to be as quiet as possible in the morning. Please..."

I sighed at the interruption, and Abby looked embarrassed, lowering her eyes.

"Sorry, Di. This idiot tried to take your food..."

"..."

They must be hungry. Share half with them. And don't hurt them."

"What are you saying? You were the one who complained that they wouldn't have the strength if they didn't eat properly."

"I'm saying don't get angry over such a small thing. It can be resolved with words."

"..."

Abby turned away and fell silent, showing no intention of changing her mind.

"Abby. Being tolerant means..."

I started to lecture but stopped.

I felt it was too much trouble.

I hope your way doesn't shorten your life. I kept this thought to myself and tried to give half of my meal to the crying kid, but they apologized and refused, so I ate it all.

I won't heal the injury.

The use of divine power is decided, and the healing power of sub-humans is astonishing. Humans can't do that, but sub-humans will heal quickly even if left alone. I decided to think that Abby's discipline was just a bit too harsh.

After finishing the meal, we left the stand and, as we did yesterday, we passed through dark alleys and headed towards the dungeon.

On the way, when we came to a street lined with stalls, I asked Abby for incense wood.

"Ah, you mean the incense-soaked one. Sure. It's cheap. I'll buy it right away."

It's the kind often used in the Asclepius church. I didn't want it; it was Dietrich inside me who did.

Abby took out a colored stone called a bit coin from her pouch and told the cat girl to buy it.

"Why me!"

Well, that's what a cat girl would say.

Zoi, who was startled, raised her hand to volunteer, but the demon girl said,

"Then I'll go and get it."

What's with this one? I thought. I can't understand the demon girl's thoughts. She seems to resist at times but also shows signs of caring. I prefer the cat girl, who clearly dislikes me.

I don't like half-hearted people.

People have their vices.

For Dietrich Becker, it's this incense wood. It's called "agarwood" and is soaked in a unique medicinal liquid.

I asked Abby to shave a small piece of the agarwood with a knife and put it in my mouth.

"..."

A slight sweetness and a minty smell filled my nose.

"Hmm... not bad..."

Is this a sign of compatibility? As I thought this, Zoi looked envious, so I gave her a similar piece to put in her mouth.

"Just hold it in your mouth. Don't eat it."

Zoi mumbled something in her mouth, and though I couldn't understand, she nodded as if satisfied.

"A little sweet. It smells like Di..."

The demon girl also looked envious, but I ignored her.

Trash goes in the trash can. That's the way it is.

◇◇

Abby did well today.

By noon, I had treated five injured people and earned five silver coins as a reward.

This is double what we earned yesterday. It may seem easy, but it's not. Abby seems to have a talent for negotiation.

I used a lot of divine power and was about to pass out, but the Dietrich inside me said I could still go on.

"Abby, as planned. Let's take a break and treat three more in the afternoon. Can you handle it...?"

Abby, with a relieved smile at the five silver coins, looked worried as she peered at my face.

"Ah, Di... You've done enough today. You did well. Just rest now..."

"No. I want to rest in a better room than that lousy inn. Three more. If you care about me, worry about tonight's accommodation."

I favor Zoi, but I don't think this situation is good for her. The demon girl and the cat girl should also be allowed to take a bath, and I want the smaller kids to eat their fill.

Of course, it's not just for the money.

To push my limits and increase my own capacity, I need to keep using divine power. I won't be able to catch up to Dietrich if I don't.

"Di..."

Abby looked worried, her eyes drooping, and she seemed to be fussing over me.

She led me, who was exhausted, to a secluded alley.

A dead-end to avoid prying eyes.

Abby efficiently ordered the kids to arrange wooden boxes and set up a makeshift bed with a cloth on top, where I rested for the morning.

I don't know why, but while I was resting, Abby and the demon girl were on edge, constantly watching the surroundings.

I used divine power to recover and pushed my limits by casting spells.

I was exhausted, and when I cast spells on two more people, Zoi was crying, and Abby was pleading for a break.

"No, not yet. We lack everything. We need as much money as possible..."

I rubbed my eyes, which were blurred with fatigue.

When I realized, Zoi was clinging to my waist, supporting my body with her tear-streaked eyes.

The last customer of the day was Alex.

"It's you."

A muscular, large woman.

Of course, she's not a normal human. She has some mixed heritage. One is demon. The other is... unknown.

Alex had the same sinister smile as yesterday, and Abby was completely terrified by it.

Still, Abby said,

"Sorry, but we're closed for the day. Come back tomorrow—"

Interrupting Abby, Alex said,

"Hey, Di, right? Can I ask you again today?"

"Sure... I'm tired. It depends on the injury..."

"Nothing serious today. Just a small wound. I want you to treat it."

"Alright. Show me first..."

I was exhausted and on the verge of collapsing, but to push my limits, I needed to push myself this much.

"Alright. Annette, come here."

At Alex's call, the pointy-eared woman from yesterday appeared from behind her.

"..."

I examined the pointy-eared woman and shook my head.

"Looks fine. There's no visible injury... If you're joking, go away..."

Alex answered.

"Wait a minute."

The pointy-eared woman, called Annette, came to me, knelt down, and lifted the hem of her leggings to show her calf.

"..."

There's nothing. There are scars, but they're already healed. There's no problem...

Alex was grinning. The fact that she didn't break her smile made it even more unsettling.

"I know. That's why I want you to remove the scar."

I snorted.

"Easy. One silver coin, as usual. No complaints..."

At my words, Alex and Annette seemed to flinch for a moment.

"Wow... you say it's easy."

"Hmph... don't underestimate me. Any quack can do that..."

"Then do it. I'll pay you properly."

It's an old scar. It won't take much divine power. I felt relieved, almost ready to pass out.

"I'm sleepy... Do you have a numbing agent?"

Annette answered.

"Ah, yeah. You mean the kind thieves and archers use for traps?"

"Completely different, but it'll do. Let's use it..."

I took a small bottle of green medicine from Annette and checked it with my sleepy eyes.

"I won't say it's unusable... but the toxicity is too strong. Abby, bring water and a needle."

"Water and a needle? I have water, but no needle..."

"Then a knife will do. The sharper and finer, the better."

"Is this okay?"

Annette handed me a small knife.

"Let me have it."

Focusing my blurry eyes, I saw it was well-sharpened.

It's a throwing knife.

I washed it thoroughly with water and diluted the medicine by about ten times. This should be enough for local use.

"Alright, show me your leg."

"Wait, are you going to cut it?"

Annette's scar on her calf was old and fully healed, but the scar itself was slightly swollen like a lump.

Neither Alex nor Annette said anything, but they probably wanted the lump removed.

"Want the lump removed? Is that it?"

"Yeah, but..."

"Then don't argue. Show me your leg. I'm so sleepy."

"..."

Ideally, I would have used a needle, but I only had a knife. I had no choice but to use the knife, applying the diluted medicine to the lump and its surroundings, poking it bit by bit.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, not at all. It's not even piercing."

"I'm a priest. I heal. Why would I cause pain? Where would you find such a quack?"

I continued poking.

After a while, Annette tilted her head.

"I'm starting to lose sensation..."

"Alright, it's time."

I didn't want to explain.

I made a cut on Annette's calf, and black blood gushed out, followed by a white, gel-like mass. I used the tip of the knife to hook and remove it.

"It doesn't seem to hurt..."

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt... But, what is that... What came out of my body..."