Francis' POV

"I see, so that is what happened." Shinerva had told me everything about what was happening to us, even the story about how she was alive.

According to her, the night when Sania and I left her to die in a gunshot wound, a very kind old woman found and treated her wounds. It was all planned. She predicted what was about to happen so she wore a bulletproof under the coat she was wearing that night, the reason why her wounds were not so severe.

Since she realized killing was wrong and she does not want her little sister to pay the price, she faked her death to protect her.

"But how did you save Minerva from that infinite void?"

"You of all people should know the answer to that," I looked at her in perplexion. "Love did. My love for my sister has overcome Midas' demonic spells, and her love for you has overcome it as well."

I fell silent. It was kind of awkward to talk to her about that. After all, I used to love her very much more than I could ever love myself.

Shinerva was sitting on the chair at my side where Lia just sat when I woke up. I also drank the coffee on my bedside table that she solely prepared for me. She still remembered it was my favorite.

"I thought if I stay away and let other people think I was dead would save the life of my sister. However, I never expected Midas would turn around the tables."

"But, Shinerva, why would she do this? Was the revenge that you made for her two years ago not enough?"

"Sadly, no. As long as there are people who will represent the Seven Deadly Sins, she will never cross the line to the afterlife."

I looked at her for a moment. Her appearance still has not changed and her voice was still too gentle. Her brown hair was long like Minerva and you could mistake them as twins.

"But Minerva told me how to stop her. We just have to burn that red-leather. book, right? And we must secure Lia's safety," She nodded.

"I want to repent for my sins that is why I will help you. At least with me, we have the upper-hand without any doubt," she said confidently.

There was a slow knock on the door and Lia's head popped in.

"H-Hey uh, can I come in?"

"Yes," Both Shinerva and I answered in unison.

We were surprised and looked at each other. But she quickly looked away. I do not know if it was just me or I think I saw her blush a little.

"I kinda eavesdropped on your conversation for a minute and I want to help too," She walked towards us and looked at me. "I already knew what is happening, Francis, especially how that cruel Midas possessed and used Min's body. Min—no, Shinerva told me everything and how she is related to Min."

"I see. You also thought they were twins, right?" Shinerva cleared her throat, and so I smiled.

"Y-Yeah," Lia chuckled for a brief moment. She then slowly flashed a gloomy expression afterward. "You already knew what happened to Neal, do you?"

Once again, I felt sad and guilty. Thanks to Shinerva, I remembered why I lost consciousness and how Midas was able to trap me in that void.

Neal and I grappled for the gun and when I got it, I pointed it at him without thinking. The last thing I heard that night was a gunshot and I thought it was me who got shot, turned out to be the opposite.

"Midas must be laughing at me right now. She must have reflected me to that incident I did to you," I looked at Shinerva who was also looking at me. Although I knew something else was going on in her head.

"That is why we have to stop her. Midas already knows I am here and hatred is most likely running through her veins right now because she thinks I betrayed her for helping you," she said. "Both of you are ready, I assume?" She was referring to Lia and me.

We both nodded. Shinerva's eyes went serious but there was also still a spice of sadness in it.

"Tonight... We commence the plan and end this battle."

*****

It was almost night and I was witnessing the sunset on the rooftop.

Shinerva was the one who requested and explained to the cops that we should transfer to another cottage. I do not know how she did it but she has a great skill of persuasion ever since before.

She paid for a room that is enough for the three of us, however, it has a rooftop that makes it cozier.

While watching the sunset, I sensed a presence behind my back.

"Can I talk to you?"

"You already are," I chuckled as I looked at her by my shoulder. Shinerva was standing right behind me, looking like a humorless person. "Geez, no need to be serious like that. Come, let us watch the sunset together."

She came closer and stood beside me. My hands were leaning against the railings and I could see from my peripheral vision how her hair was dancing in the wind. The sun was setting very slowly and its reflection on the ocean with a little wave was very dazzling to look at.

Shinerva was just right beside me, she was silent and also watching at the sunset.

"What do you want to talk about, Shin?"

"It has been a very long time since the last time you call me by that name," I felt her smile. "You are the only one who calls me that."

"I made that one from your name, after all."

"Yeah," She sighed. "Francis, there is one thing that I have not told anyone else yet. No one else knew about this, not even Sania."

I still never looked away from the setting sun.

"What is it?"

"Midas Turneo has a little sister as well," It was like the ocean went soundless after hearing her say that. "I do not know who she is because I have not seen her yet so we should be careful. I have a feeling she could be anywhere."

I felt her presence slowly fading at my side as the sun has set completely. I felt numb. I was so tired of receiving miserable surprises from time to time. I just wanted this to end with.

The last thing Shinerva said before she left me at the rooftop stuck in my head for a long time.

"I do not mean to be selfish but as much as possible, trust only me. Do not trust anyone else."

*****

"How was the sunset, Francis?" Lia asked as we left the cottage.

She was carrying a sling bag. According to her, even if she was the next target, she might as well get herself ready for what might about to happen tonight.

The three of us were walking to the beach since it was most likely the place where Midas would be in Minerva's body. Davengull's beach was strangely empty when its night. It was like fate wanted the beach to be the rendezvous point of Midas and us.

"It was beautiful."

"Really? I wish I saw it, too," Lia and I were walking side by side while Shinerva was taking the lead. "It might be my last sunset."

"What do you mean, Lia?" I looked at her when she suddenly whispered that statement.

"W-What? O-Oh, uh, n-nothing. N-Nothing that you s-should be w-worry a—"

"We have arrived."

Lia and I diverted our attention to Shinerva when she stopped, which we also did.

My body started to sweat and I felt nervous again. However, this time, I can feel that we were on the upper-hand.

"I have been waiting for you, old friend."

There was a black smoke right in front of us, slowly forming a figure of a woman.

"Midas."

"Hello, Oryza." The smoke disappeared and revealed Midas who was shamelessly using Minerva's body as a vessel.

"M-Minerva..." I heard Lia gulped.

"How are you, Oryza? Who would have even thought that a traitor like you is still alive?" Midas raised that red-leather book she was holding. "Your death has been told in here. I made it very special for you. After all, you were my friend."

She turned to face me and grinned.

"Guess there is no point in pretending to be little Sativa anymore. You already know who I am I, right?" Her mouth escaped a demonic chortle. "Anyway, how did you feel when you fired that gun to your dear friend Clixneal Navarro who always eats as if he has not eaten for years?"

"You... Shut the fuck up!" I could not help not to exclaim at her and curve my fists into a tight ball.

Hatred was raging through my veins. I was so furious. If only I could kill her at this moment, but I do not want her to realize I am planning to burn that precious book of death of hers to ashes and let the wind take it.

"Francis, cool your temper. Your anger will be your downfall," I did not quite understand what Shinerva meant but I have no other choice but to obey her.

"That ghost bitch."

"Ouch, I will let your harsh words pass this time since I have a sudden change of heart, Francis." She laughed again like a demon that annoyingly echoed in my ears.

"Midas, I know your heart can still change. Revenge and killing are not always the answer."

"Is that so? After all the trouble I went into just to revenge your soul, betrayal is how you betray me?!" Midas was angry. Her eyes were burning with antagonism. "You are just like those people who maltreated me, Oryza."

Shinerva flinched. I could feel her sadness, too. After all, Midas was her best friend.

"Shin, you know it is false."

"I know," She smiled at me by her shoulder. "Thanks, Francis."

She took a breath anew before speaking again.

"Midas, I am not betraying you. I just want to stop and help your soul cross the line to the afterlife."

"Bullshit, Oryza," I was struck dumb when Midas smirked like she just figured something out. "I know you are after this and you want to burn it."

Shinerva and I were flabbergasted even more when she pointed at the book. I even heard Shinerva cussed under her breath.

Dammit, Midas figured it out.

Once again, Midas' demonic laugh seemed to engulf the beach. However, our eyes widened even more in surprise when Midas burned the book in her very hands. The book just suddenly produced fire right before our very eyes.

"I have enough of this ghost!"

"Francis, no!" Shinerva grabbed my arm before I could rush over towards Midas and give her a piece of my mind. "That book was fake! She is just making fun of us!"

I diverted my attention to Midas again when she laughed.

"Oryza, you are still as wise as ever," Slowly, her eyes changed. She was not using Minerva's eyes anymore. "But, Francis, can you bear the truth once you learn where the real book is?"

"What do you mean?"

"Time to reveal yourself," She snapped her fingers, and then suddenly, a very familiar girl was standing beside her. "My little sister."

"I-It can not b-be..."

"I knew it!"

The girl whom she called little sister was none other than Lia.

Lia looked at me without any emotions on her face. She searched something in her sling bag and it revealed a shiny red-leather book which she handed to the smirking Midas.

"You are both fools," She accepted the book from Lia's hands. I was even more furious when she looked at me with those demon eyes. "And Francis, your anger will be the one to kill you."