Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

After Satou Kazuma finished off the last of the Giant Toads, Shichen lifted Megumin onto his back, and the party carried the single remaining toad carcass back to town.

One Giant Toad clearly wasn't enough to shield six people from the rain, so Shichen simply teleported everyone straight to the guild.

Because Megumin had done almost all the work today, Luna only needed to inspect her adventurer's card and accept the toad's body.

Once Shichen collected the reward, he politely declined Luna's invitation to join her for lunch, and the group headed out.

A short distance from the guild, Shichen realized Darkness was still following them.

"Darkness, where are you off to?" he asked.

"I'm going with you, of course," Darkness replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"With us? Aren't you going home? We're just going back to the inn."

"It's fine. We're a party now, so naturally I should stay at the same inn."

"Isn't that a waste of money?"

"I have plenty of money. I can even hand it all over to you, Shichen."

"Why would you do that?"

"If I give you all my money, I'll have no choice but to follow your arrangements. Then, if you force me to do anything, I won't be able to refuse… Mm, I'm looking forward to it!" Darkness suddenly writhed in excitement.

Everyone stared at her, speechless.

"I thought Darkness had some terrible family situation," Kazuma muttered, twitching at the corner of his mouth. "Turns out she just wants Big Bro to bully her…"

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong at home," Darkness said. "I simply think teammates should stay together."

"No… it's fine if you don't," Megumin said, tightening her arms around Shichen's neck in obvious dislike. "We can meet up tomorrow."

"But if something happens I won't know about it!"

"We'll come tell you."

"You don't even know where I live."

"Then tell us?"

"T-that's… inconvenient…" Darkness faltered.

"Darkness-san, do you really have some issue at home?" Yunyun asked gently.

"Just call me Darkness… Well, something like that, so I'd like to stay with you. May I?" Darkness looked at Shichen with pleading eyes.

"I don't mind. It's your money; spend it how you want."

"Thank you! I'll submit myself completely to you, Shichen!"

"…Maybe you really should just go home," Shichen grumbled.

"W-what? You can't go back on your word!"

"Then stop saying things that give people the wrong idea—especially in front of strangers."

Megumin and the rest already knew Darkness's true nature, so Shichen wasn't worried about her babbling in front of them. But saying such things around the townsfolk would be bad—he'd just earned the nickname "lolicon"; he didn't need "sadist" added on top.

"I'll try," Darkness said, cheeks flushing. "If I fail, Shichen, you can punish me however you like… mm!"

Back at the inn, Darkness rented the room next to Aqua's, and everyone retired to rest. No one pressed Darkness about her family; they feared they might hurt her feelings—kind souls, all of them.

Unfortunately, her situation wasn't the tragic one they imagined; she just didn't want her friends to treat her like the aristocratic young lady she actually was. After all, nobles rarely became adventurers, and class differences in this world were stark.

Shichen set Megumin on her bed and left at once.

Sure enough, Aqua was already sprawled on his bed, hugging his blanket and fast asleep.

"It's not even noon and you're sleeping already?" Shichen asked.

"But I'm sooo sleepy," Aqua said, peeking up innocently.

"So you won't eat lunch?"

"Just wake me then, okay? I've still got an hour or so."

"…Fine, sleep."

"Thanks! Wait— you won't spank me awake later, will you?"

"Depends. If you won't wake up, I'll do it."

"That'll hurt!" Aqua pouted.

"Nothing for it. You know how hard it is to wake you."

"Ugh… then at least do it lightly?"

"If it's too light and you don't wake, you'll just get more swats," Shichen chuckled.

"That's true…"

"Unless you skip lunch and sleep till you wake naturally."

"No way! Lunch is sacred!"

"Then brace yourself. You can heal yourself anyway."

"Fine…"

"Good. Sleep."

"Okay… Shichen, may I hold you for a bit?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Your aura. It's easier to sleep when I'm holding you."

Wanting her to doze off quickly, Shichen lay down beside her.

"Hehe~"

Aqua rolled over and hugged him, draping a leg across his. Snuggling against his shoulder, she promptly drifted off.

"Zzz…"

It took less than thirty seconds. Shichen was stunned—she'd shown no signs of drowsiness a moment ago, yet she could sleep on command. Maybe "Goddess of Water" should be "Goddess of Laziness."

He gazed at the peaceful, smiling Aqua. She really was pretty and cute when quiet.

Unsure how light her sleep was, he decided to wait until she was deeper before getting up.

A beauty in his arms, in bed no less—and he felt nothing. Even he had to admire his self-control.

Rain pattered outside. After lying there a while, Shichen started feeling drowsy himself. Just as he debated napping too, someone knocked.

Knock, knock, knock—

So soft, as though the person didn't want to be heard.

Shichen slipped out of Aqua's embrace, pushed her toward the other side (ignoring the half-exposed butt), and went to the door.

"Who is it?"

"I-it's me."

Darkness.

"Darkness, what do you want?"

"Is… is someone in your room?"

"What are you planning?"

"May I come in?"

Before he could refuse, Darkness pushed the door open.

"Shichen, let me just— Wh-why is Aqua in your room?!" Darkness gasped at the sight of Aqua on the bed.

"I told you to wait," Shichen sighed. "What's so urgent?"

"I— I just didn't want anyone to see me come here… Am I interrupting?"

"What are you thinking? Aqua's only sleeping here."

"Only…?"

"Why do you care? What do you want?"

"Um… since Aqua's here, maybe we could go to my room?" Darkness asked shyly.

"Your room? What do you actually want?"

"Did you forget what you said before?"

"Hm? What?"

"You promised… you'd, um, satisfy me…" Darkness blushed furiously.

"…You're really that eager?" Shichen twitched. He had only been joking; who knew she'd take it seriously.

"Of course not! I just want you to keep your promise."

"Lucky me."

"S-so… should we go to my room?"

"Going there is a pain. We'll stay here."

"R-really? But Aqua's in— You want her to watch?! T-that's a bit…"

Despite her words, Darkness looked ecstatic.

"Less talk, more action. Get over here," Shichen barked.

"Y-yes!" Darkness followed eagerly.

Shichen sat on the bed's edge; Darkness stood before him.

"Wh-what are you going to do? Come at me—I won't submit!"

So much theatrics.

Shichen had never understood masochists; playing these extreme games with women never appealed to him. Still, Darkness was so expectant—maybe he could try?

In this world, normal wasn't required.

"Let me think… First, squat down."

"Squat? Don't you mean kneel?" Darkness asked, kneeling as she spoke.

Classic Darkness.

"So should I kneel?" she asked hopefully.

"No need."

"Oh…" She was visibly disappointed.

"Now bring your face closer."

"Yes, sir!"

Shichen cupped her cheek, feeling its softness, and smiled.

"Lalatina, why are you such a masochist?"

"Eh—?"

~~~

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