Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Aqua, what are you talking about?" Shichen raised his hands, looking at her quizzically.

Aqua was currently hugging him tightly from the front in a sort of "koala cling," like a sloth on a tree.

Her mind might be a bit off, but her figure was undeniably impressive—soft and plush, like a body pillow, with all the right curves.

It was just that she still smelled a bit like horse shit.

"Aqua, what are you doing?" Satou Kazuma hurriedly asked.

"Don't you try to fool me! Aren't you the same as me?" Aqua ignored him and kept her gaze fixed on Shichen, frowning. "Well? We're the same, aren't we?"

"Huh? The same how?"

"Hmph~ You can't hide it! You have a divine aura, and it's related to water. Don't tell me you're also a god who descended, just like me?"

"Ah, I see." Shichen realized what she meant. It probably had something to do with the second Familiar he'd awakened.

That being had the title "Sea God." Even though it didn't actually manipulate water, it lived in the sea, so Aqua's sensing it made sense.

"Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I'm not the same as you." Shichen shook his head.

"How can you prove that?" Aqua was skeptical.

"Didn't I just say that I'm like Kazuma—I was summoned here from another world."

"Wait, huh? When did you say that?" Aqua paused in confusion.

"Uh… I'm talking about you," Kazuma said in exasperation. "You didn't listen to a word we said, did you?"

"Well, I couldn't help it! This guy's aura was distracting me!" Aqua explained hurriedly, not the least bit embarrassed.

"Aqua, my name is Shichen." Shichen gave her a slight smile by way of introduction.

"Shichen? That's such a weird name. But you do look pretty good—almost like us gods," she remarked.

"That's what I said! I'm so jealous!" Kazuma chimed in.

"What's there to envy about looks? Once you're strong, it won't matter what you look like," Shichen tried to console him.

"You're right, Big Bro Shichen! My future happiness depends on you!"

"…Aqua, would you mind getting off me now?" Shichen ignored Kazuma and looked down at Aqua.

She was wearing a high-collared outfit that didn't reveal any cleavage, but from Shichen's angle, he could easily see how her tightly pressed chest was being squished out of shape.

He could feel the softness against his own chest quite vividly at that moment.

Good thing he wasn't a naive teenage boy anymore; he wouldn't lose his head over such a small matter—plus, Aqua's figure couldn't really compare to Tohru or Yunyun.

"Oh." Aqua obediently released him and stood up straight.

"In that case, let's go." Shichen led the way back toward the inn.

"Come on, Aqua, follow Big Bro Shichen," Kazuma prompted her.

"Where are we going?" Aqua asked as she followed along.

"You really weren't paying attention. From now on, we can stick with Big Bro Shichen—no more sleeping in the stables, we'll eat well, and we'll make a name for ourselves!"

"Seriously? You're a good guy!" Aqua happily ran to the other side of Shichen and patted him on the arm.

"Aqua, you can just call me Shichen."

"Shichen, huh? Got it! As expected from someone who shares my aura—you're naturally incredible."

"Ha! You're really trying to take credit for his greatness? Big Bro Shichen is from China, okay? That's not even your jurisdiction," Kazuma teased.

"No way. Shichen has the same aura as me, so he must be related to me. Hey, Shichen, which god is in charge of your region?"

"I'm afraid I can't disclose that."

"A shady deity, huh?" Aqua muttered.

"Shut up!" Kazuma scolded her. "Don't you want to eat good food and sleep in a decent bed? Then treat Big Bro Shichen with some respect!"

"S-sorry…" Aqua apologized without any pride whatsoever.

After all, what was divine dignity compared to a comfy bed and delicious meals?

"It's fine. I don't really mind. Didn't I say we're forming a party together? Equal footing, right? And besides, you are a goddess, so you can loosen up a bit," Shichen said.

"Big Bro Shichen…" Kazuma looked at him, touched. "I swear I'll always follow you!"

"You don't need to be that loyal," Shichen said with a wry smile.

"Shichen, you really are great! You even treat me with respect, unlike Kazuma. He has no reverence for the gods and even dragged me down to this world."

"Only because you made fun of me!"

"That's your own fault!"

"I don't care!"

"Alright, you two, calm down. People are watching," Shichen said gently, trying to settle them down.

By then, the three of them had entered the busier part of town. Most people were awake and out, and given Shichen's and Aqua's striking looks, they naturally drew attention.

Between their presence and Kazuma's modern tracksuit, it was hard for them not to stand out.

"Hmph! Fine, I'll listen to Big Bro Shichen."

"Hmph! Then I'll listen to Shichen, too! By the way, Shichen, can I drink sparkling wine every day from now on?" Aqua asked sweetly, tilting her head up at him as she latched onto his side.

One had to admit, as a goddess she was well-equipped—when she wasn't acting foolish, her every gesture could tug on one's heartstrings.

Shichen suddenly thought it might not be bad to have a ditzy girl around, someone who just acted cute all day.

Then again, Aqua was more likely to sell you her "ditz" than her "cuteness."

"What's sparkling wine?"

"Big Bro Shichen, don't let her drink it!" Kazuma quickly warned him from the other side. "She spent nearly all our meager earnings yesterday to buy sparkling wine and got hooked on it. She's a goddess—what's she doing liking alcohol so much?"

"What's wrong with a goddess liking alcohol?" Aqua protested.

"You'll just get drunk! Luckily, we didn't have enough money for more. If you had gotten totally wasted, imagine the disaster!"

"I do not get drunk!"

"Aqua, aren't you the Goddess of Water? Couldn't you purify alcohol?" Shichen asked, curious.

"Ooh, Shichen, you're pretty knowledgeable. You knew about my abilities." Aqua puffed out her chest in pride, patting Shichen's arm as she boasted. "Of course I can purify it if I want. Especially anything that goes in my mouth."

"Huh? Really?" Shichen paused, stopping his mind from drifting toward all sorts of off-topic thoughts.

"Shichen, how come you don't show me any respect?" Aqua complained.

"Well, in my region, there's no custom of worshipping you specifically."

"That so? Whatever, it's no big deal. Hey, you should join the Axis Cult! If you do, you'll receive the highest level of salvation!"

"Big Bro, don't listen to her," Kazuma warned.

"I know. I'm not interested in the Axis Cult."

"Aw, come on…" Aqua grumbled.

"Nice one, Big Bro Shichen!" Kazuma pumped his fist.

"Ugh, this is all your fault!" Aqua said, turning on Kazuma.

"What's it got to do with me? Big Bro Shichen just knows your Axis Cult isn't exactly trustworthy."

"Nonsense! Am I not real? I can literally bless you, you know!"

"Give it a rest. You still have to rely on Big Bro Shichen, right?"

"Ugh… Shichen, fine, I won't force you to join the Axis Cult. But can you at least let me drink sparkling wine tomorrow?"

"It's just sparkling wine. That's fine."

"Awesome! You really are a good guy, Shichen. I'll follow you anywhere!"

Aqua wasted no time clinging to his arm once again—plenty of bounce there.

"Big Bro Shichen, why are you—"

"Look, it's not like I need Aqua to do anything specific," Shichen explained to Kazuma. "If letting her have her wine keeps her docile, that's a fair trade, right?"

"Yeah, I guess…" Kazuma considered it.

"Okay, we're back at the inn. You two wait here a minute; I'll go wake my other two teammates."

"Got it, we'll wait here."

"No way! I'm going with Shichen!" Aqua said, refusing to let go of his arm.

"…Fine, you two can come up, but Aqua, do a purification spell first. We don't want to bother anyone with that smell."

"Right, right!"

Once the smell of horse shit had been fully cleansed, Shichen led the two of them upstairs.

They arrived in front of Megumin and Yunyun's room. Shichen knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock…

"Who is it? It's way too early!" Megumin's annoyed voice called from inside.

"It's me."

"Shichen? Megumin, get up…" Yunyun's flustered voice came through. "Shichen, what is it?"

"I found a couple more party members—I'd like you to meet them."

"You already found teammates? That was quick!"

"Get up and come downstairs. We'll be waiting."

"Okay, we'll be right there! Megumin, wake up!"

"All right, let's go grab some breakfast." Shichen turned and led Aqua and Kazuma downstairs.

"Big Bro Shichen…" Kazuma lingered behind, looking like he wanted to say something.

"What is it?"

"Your teammates… didn't their voices sound a bit too young?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. They're only fourteen or fifteen, but they're pretty strong—they're from the Crimson Demon Clan."

"Crimson Demon Clan?"

"I know them!" Aqua jumped in. "Crimson Demons are born with incredibly high magic power and intellect. Any one of them can take the 'Archwizard' class, the highest-tier magic class."

"That's amazing…" Kazuma said, sounding genuinely impressed at first. But then his tone changed as he continued, "I wasn't worried about that; I was worried you might b—"

"Worried about what?" Shichen eyed him suspiciously.

"N-nothing! I didn't say anything!"

"Hmph!"

~~~

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