Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Wiz-san, see you later."

"B‑Better if we don't meet again."

After leaving the public cemetery, Shichen tried to say farewell to Wiz, only to be met with her refusal—and she immediately turned and ran off.

He wasn't bothered. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him; she simply didn't want to see Aqua.

A woman who had almost purified her—nearly killed her—couldn't realistically expect Wiz to keep coming around, especially when Aqua still seemed intent on finishing the job.

Anyone who would willingly keep meeting someone like that would have to be rather thick‑skinned…or have a death wish.

Wiz, at least, wanted to stay alive. Until her safety was guaranteed, she had no intention of approaching Aqua.

It was just too dangerous.

She was a lich—only a step below a Demon King in threat level—yet Aqua had almost purified her with ease.

Wiz had never even heard Aqua's name before, much less met her. Did that mean Aqua was a newcomer? Were newbies this frightening nowadays?

…

"Shichen, why are you still staring?" Megumin demanded when she noticed him smiling at Wiz's retreating back. The sight annoyed her.

"What is it?" Shichen finally pulled his gaze away.

"Hmph—so she's a bit fleshy. What's so great about that?"

"Uh? Big Bro isn't into loli— …Nothing."

Kazuma shut up as soon as Shichen shot him a glare, choosing instead to admire the gloomy scenery of the graveyard.

"I wasn't looking at that," Shichen sighed toward Megumin.

"Then why were you staring at her?"

"Why do you care so much?" He couldn't resist ruffling her short, silky hair.

"You're the one who said we're a team. That means I can care!" Megumin retorted righteously.

"Wow—using my own words against me."

"Stop changing the subject and answer me!" She slapped his hand away.

"All right, all right. I was watching her because I found it interesting."

"Interesting?" Megumin raised an adorable eyebrow.

"Think about it," Shichen said. "Wiz-san is a lich—basically no different from a Demon King's general. Yet she's here in the Beginners Town, and she's kind and gentle on top of that."

"Now that you mention it…"

"I think so too, Big Bro!" Kazuma jumped in eagerly. "Wiz-san is the kindest, most normal person I've met in this world—uh, liches don't count as people, do they?"

"What's that supposed to mean—we're not normal?" Aqua huffed.

"Ask Shichen," Kazuma sniffed, turning away.

"Shichen, do you think we're abnormal?" Aqua demanded.

"…I think you're perfectly normal."

"Why the pause?"

"I was deciding whether to buy you three bottles of sparkling wine."

"Really? Shichen, you're the best!" Aqua squealed, bouncing as she hugged his arm.

A bit dim, but her figure really was top‑tier—classic "muscles for brains," he mused.

"Yunyun, aren't you going to say anything?" Megumin asked.

"Eh?" Yunyun blinked blankly. "About what?"

"You know—Aqua's behavior!"

"It's… fine, I guess."

Sigh… guess it's up to me.

Megumin faced Shichen again. "Are you really not interested in Wiz-san's amazing figure?"

"I think you care more about it than I do. Why so many questions? Don't worry—you're still young."

"How rude! I'm not worried!"

"Then how do you know her figure is that great? She wears a robe—you can't even tell."

"That's a woman's intuition!"

"Woman? More like a girl."

"Shichen, I'm seriously mad now!"

"Okay, okay. Anyway, I've never seen Wiz's figure, so how could I be interested?"

"Really? Yunyun, do you believe him?"

"Me? I—I do."

"Wrong person to ask… Darkness, what do you think?"

"M‑me? I‑I think it's fine if Shichen cares about Wiz… A womanizer might abandon me at any moment… heh‑heh…"

"…Forget it. Aqua?"

"I just want to get back and drink."

"Argh! Fine—let's go!" Megumin stomped off toward the inn.

Chuckling, Shichen and the others followed after her.

…

Shichen planned to report today's quest results to Luna tomorrow, so once they returned to the inn they went straight to their rooms.

He hadn't been in his room long when Aqua, dressed in blue two‑piece pajamas—fairly modest—walked in.

"Shichen, I'm here! Where's my sparkling wine?"

"Give me a minute, I'll go buy it now."

"Okay~ I'll wait on the bed."

That line could be so misleading, Shichen thought, thankful he knew exactly what Aqua was like.

He soon came back with three bottles; Aqua immediately hugged one and plopped onto the bed.

"Ahhh—so good!"

"Take your time. I'm turning in."

"Hmm? You're not drinking with me?"

"Surprised you're willing to share today."

"Well, we do have three bottles."

"I'll pass. Just remember to get the smell out of your mouth afterward."

"What? Are you disgusted by me?"

"Do you want sparkling wine again later or not?"

"Fine, I'll clean it."

"Good girl."

Shichen lay down and turned his back to her, drifting off despite the sound of her drinking. It wasn't long before she woke him.

"Shichen~ heh‑heh~ Shichen~ wake up~"

Aqua's shaking roused him. He rolled over to scold her—then saw her silly expression and realized she was drunk.

Sparkling wine was barely stronger than juice; how did she even get drunk? Did she purify only the water and leave the alcohol behind?

"Why are you drunk?"

"I'm not drunk!" Aqua pouted.

"Purify the alcohol—now." He grabbed her shoulders and shook.

"Told you, I'm not drunk!"

"Okay, okay. Then just purify it for me, all right?"

"Why purge alcohol when I'm not drunk?"

She could be sharp at the strangest times.

"Want another bottle? Purify the alcohol and I'll buy you more."

"Umm… not now. T‑tomorrow's fine~"

"Don't want another bottle?"

"Just tomorrow. It's not that I don't want it!"

"Fine. What'll make you purify it, then?"

"I. Am. Not. Drunk!"

"Don't push me—I'll spank you if you keep this up," Shichen grumbled.

"Heh‑heh—go ahead." Aqua flopped facedown, patted her own butt through her pajama pants, and added, "Here, I'll help."

Completely covered—strangely unsatisfying.

"You think I won't?" Shichen raised his hand.

"Do it~" She grabbed his hand and pressed it onto her rear.

"Go on."

…Instead of spanking, Shichen's fingers reflexively squeezed.

"Mm… Shichen, what are you doing?" Aqua asked, half‑dazed.

"Ahem, not my fault—you moved my hand."

"Really? Do you like it?" she asked innocently.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you haven't let go."

"…If I'm honest, then yes, I do." He didn't even withdraw his hand.

"I see. You can keep going~" Aqua smiled sweetly.

"Huh… what did you say?"

"I said you can keep doing that—use the other hand too~"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"You know what this means, right? You're definitely drunk."

"I told you I'm not! I do know what it means. I like you, Shichen—you take such good care of me, spoil me more than the gods of Heaven ever did. I'm a goddess; giving you a little benefit is normal, isn't it?"

"You're serious?"

"Shichen, you're so slow~"

He wasn't being slow—she was obviously drunk, and normally not the brightest to begin with.

Was he really going to take advantage of a goddess in her cups?

~~~

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