Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

[Skin-to-skin contact for one minute. Divine Fragment successfully acquired.]

Earlier, on the walk back, Shichen had suddenly heard Her announce that line in his head.

He'd frozen for a second—She had never warned him that Aqua carried a Divine Fragment.

Was Aqua's fragment really that easy to take?

On the way to the inn Aqua had fallen asleep on his back, not even noticing his hands resting on her smooth thighs—or the softness pressed against his spine.

(Not that Shichen's attention was on such things right now.)

[Why does Aqua have a divine fragment?] he asked Her silently as he walked.

She answered: [She's always had one.]

Just then Shichen realized Her voice had changed—more human, yet still without emotion, and one he didn't recognize.

The shift was probably because he had collected so many fragments; maybe this still wasn't Her "real" voice.

[Why didn't you warn me back then?]

[Didn't you sense it yourself?]

[Sense it…? You mean that burst of divine energy?]

Belated understanding dawned.

[What else? You have no divine power of your own—how else could you have felt it?]

[Then why no heads-up?]

[Weren't you eager to meet her? Weren't you having fun with those two little girls? Why would you still need my reminder?]

[…Are you jealous?]

Silence. After a moment: [No.]

Shichen chuckled.

[What's so funny?] She asked flatly.

[Nothing.]

[Anything else?]

[Just one last thing: why was Aqua's fragment so easy to obtain—what's her "task"?]

[Does a simpleton need a task?]

[…Fair point.]

Conversation ended, Shichen reached the inn, carried Aqua upstairs and into the room he'd rented for her.

When he sat on the bed to slide her off, she clung to him like an octopus—arms around his neck, legs locked about his waist.

"Wake up, Aqua," he sighed, patting her pert backside.

Nice texture, he noted—her skirt might as well not exist.

"Mmnn…" Aqua just murmured, still asleep.

He smacked her rear a bit harder. "Aqua, wake up—we're at the inn."

"Nn… don't wanna…" She clamped tighter.

Troublesome. A little teasing was fine, but taking too much advantage of a fool felt criminal.

Discarding any naughty thoughts, Shichen gave her two firm whacks.

"OW—! That hurts!" Aqua jolted awake, let go, and knelt on the bed rubbing her bottom.

Shichen exhaled and stood.

"Why'd you hit me?"

"I tried gentler ways. You wouldn't wake up."

"You didn't have to hit so hard."

"Light taps didn't work."

"Fine—whatever," Aqua waved it off.

A twinge of guilt pricked him. "How about I buy you two bottles of sparkling wine as an apology?"

"Really? Why?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Payment for waking you so… abruptly."

"That's great! In fact, you can wake me up like that every time!"

"Let's not," he muttered and headed for the door.

"Wait!" she called. "You're not buying it with my reward money, are you? That wouldn't be compensation."

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good. You're the best, Shichen."

He felt even guiltier. Soon he was back with two bottles— the inn sold them.

(Not necessarily a good thing; if Aqua lazed around drinking here every day, teamwork would suffer. She was strong, and Megumin and Yunyun might need her when he wasn't around. He'd have to 'train' her a bit.)

"Ooh, my sparkling wine—hand it over!"

"Here." He gave her both bottles.

Aqua popped one and chugged straight from it—hardly ladylike. "Ahh, heaven!"

Is it really that good? Shichen wondered.

"It's mine—you can't have any!" She hugged the bottle, hiding the spare behind her.

"Why would I steal your drink? I'm not short of cash."

"…True."

"That still hurts my feelings, you know."

"Aw, sorry—didn't mean it."

"So you don't need me looking after you?"

"No, no—I can't live without your care!"

"Then how about some attitude change?"

"…Want a sip?" She offered the bottle, reluctant.

"Forget it—no sincerity there."

"I-I insist! Please?" She scooted closer.

"Really?"

"R-really…"

"Haha, just kidding. I don't want it." He ruffled her blue hair.

"R-really?"

"Really. Why take your booze?"

"I knew you were nice!"

"Want me to treat you even better?"

"Better?"

"Eat whatever you like, drink whatever you want, play all you please."

Her eyes lit up. "For real?"

"Just be obedient."

"Obedient?"

"Do what I say—nothing hard, no heavy lifting. Just cooperate."

"That's all?"

"Sure. I'm plenty strong—I don't need you to do much."

"Deal. I'll listen from now on."

"Good. Enjoy your wine." He patted her head.

Aqua downed both bottles quickly, grew tipsy, and—forgetting Shichen was still there—flopped on the bed in a star-fish sprawl and passed out.

He didn't check whether she wore panties; he simply left.

Winning Aqua over was easy; the trick was getting her used to taking orders. He had time.

…

Shichen stepped outside, planning to stroll the town and maybe bump into a certain thief girl, when a deafening explosion shook the ground outside the walls.

A blossom of flame—only one person could be responsible. He vanished in a blink.

On the plain he found a huge blackened crater; nearby lay a petite girl, hat knocked off.

"Megumin, what are you doing?" he asked, exasperated.

"Shichen? Why are you here?"

"You tell me. And what's with the eyepatch?" He just noticed she was wearing one.

"Heh—just bought it! Cool, right?"

"Not really…"

"What?! Impossible!"

"Anyway, why the Explosion spell?"

"I bought the eyepatch and had to try a blast!"

"What's the connection?"

"Don't you think launching Explosion while wearing an eyepatch is—like—epic?"

"Not at all."

"How can you!"

"Where's Yunyun?"

"No idea. She said she had something to buy and split off."

"I'm worried about her. I'll head back."

"Wait!"

"What now?"

"Could you… carry me too?"

"Why?"

"I… can't move right now."

"So…" Shichen squatted beside her, glaring into her one visible eye. "You knew casting Explosion drains all your strength, yet you came out here alone?"

"I c-couldn't help it," she muttered.

"What if some creep found you like this?"

"That… probably wouldn't happen?"

"'Probably' isn't good enough."

"Shichen… are you worried about me?" she suddenly realized.

"Idiot, of course I'm worried." He flicked her forehead.

"Hehe~" Megumin giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Then can you tag along with me every day?"

"That's fine, bu—wait, every day?"

"Yeah! I need to cast one Explosion every single day or I feel awful!"

~~~

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