Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Megumin, that was incredible! My opinion of you just skyrocketed. No wonder Big Bro keeps you around—it's not just because he's a lolicon after all."

"Hmm?" Shichen raised an eyebrow at Kazuma.

"Er—slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue! Ha-ha-ha—I'll lead the way back!"

Kazuma laughed nervously and hurried to the front of the group.

They were walking—not teleporting—back to town. Shichen strolled along, carrying the exhausted Megumin on his back. Darkness and Chris were tagging along as well.

"That man… a lolicon, yet he hits hard? Maybe he really could satisfy me…," Darkness muttered at the back, wearing an odd smile.

"What did you say, Darkness?" Chris hadn't quite caught it.

"N-nothing at all."

"Won't tell me? Aren't we friends?"

"I only teamed up with you to keep you from stealing, remember?"

"What? I thought we were friends…" Chris pouted.

"Ah—w-well, being friends is fine, as long as you stop breaking into my mansion."

"I told you I only snuck in to see you—ugh, fine. Friends it is." Chris shook her head.

(A while back Chris had burgled the Dustiness Mansion just to get Darkness's attention, got caught, and finally persuaded the knight to form a party so she'd quit stealing. Not exactly the original plan, but it worked.)

The noisiest on the return hike was Aqua.

"Shichen, Shichen, wasn't I awesome back there? Don't I deserve a reward? I want sparkling wine!"

"Awesome, awesome. Once we're at the inn I'll buy you several bottles."

"Really? You're the best!"

"You sure spoil Aqua," Megumin grumbled from Shichen's back. "I was the MVP."

"I'm carrying you—what more do you want? And I only made you MVP for the EXP."

"Whatever! I beat the demon, period."

"Fine, fine—you're the great hero."

"Hmph. At least you admit it."

Shichen chuckled.

"Shichen, are we toad hunting this afternoon?" Yunyun asked on his other side.

"Not today. The demon bounty is enough, and Megumin's out of commission."

"W-we could do it together just us two…" she mumbled.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing!"

"Right. Then we all rest."

"Okay…"

…

Back at the guild Shichen reported the kill. Luna was shocked at how fast they'd done it, but the record on the adventurer cards was undeniable.

The reward for a High-Rank Demon was hefty—split with Darkness and Chris, it still left Shichen's team flush with cash. He treated the adventurers present to food and drink; no harm in earning goodwill.

It was still early, so the party headed for the inn instead of lounging in the guild.

"What are your plans now?" Shichen asked Darkness and Chris outside.

"Nothing urgent—we'll rest. That demon roughed us up," Chris said, glancing uneasily at Aqua muttering "sparkling wine" under her breath.

"Need Aqua to heal you?"

"N-no, no." Chris waved frantically.

"It's free, you know…"

"We're fine. A little rest and we'll be good, right, Darkness?"

"Y-yes!" Darkness answered quickly, eyes fixed on Shichen's back.

"Darkness?" Chris frowned.

The knight was murmuring to herself: "He smacks me without hesitation, loves lolis, surrounded by women… Not quite my ideal looks, and a bit of a flirt, but maybe…" She giggled.

"Darkness?"

"Ah? What?"

"You were spacing out. We're heading back."

"Oh, right."

"Did that demon hit your head?"

"No, I'm fine—just need my armor repaired."

"Small matter. See you, Shichen."

"Take care."

"Let's go, Darkness."

"…Okay." Still glancing longingly at Shichen, Darkness followed Chris away.

He watched them leave and sighed. Looked like Darkness had fixated on him—because of one little kick.

Well, nothing to be done.

"Getting sentimental, Shichen?" Megumin said slyly.

"Sentimental?"

"You like that Darkness woman, don't you?"

"Eh? Do you like Darkness-san?" Yunyun asked, flustered.

"Where'd you get that idea?" Shichen twitched.

"Golden hair, blue eyes, tall, big… assets. Any normal guy would," Megumin huffed.

"She is gorgeous," Kazuma agreed solemnly. "Total ice-queen vibe. Big Bro, I ship it!"

"Shut up! I don't like her. Drop it."

"Then why stare at her walking away? Maybe you fancy Chris inste—"

"That's it—keep it up and you'll get another spanking!" Shichen strode toward the inn.

"See? He's flustered! How can you be swayed by another woman? Is Yunyun not busty enough? Is Aqua not pretty enough? And you have me, the perfect loli!"

"Heh-heh…"

"Don't walk so fast! You are going to spank me again?! I'm sorry! I swear you don't like Darkness at all! Please—"

Megumin's pleas drew only amused looks from passers-by—they'd seen their antics before.

At the inn Shichen carried Megumin straight to the girls' room and tossed her face-down on the bed. Then he waited for Yunyun to enter.

"Where's Kazuma?" he asked.

"Satou-san didn't come in—he was afraid you'd punish him," Yunyun said.

"Whatever. Aqua, shut the door."

"Sparkling wine first," she bargained.

"Afterward."

"Deal!"

Aqua closed the door; Shichen cast a sound barrier and turned with an evil grin to the motionless Megumin.

"Ready?"

"I'm exhausted—you're not really going to spank me again, are you?"

"You accused me of liking Darkness. Unforgivable."

"B-but Aqua's watching!"

"Exactly—a witness so you'll think twice next time."

"Please, no—"

Smack!

"Aaah—!"

The crack echoed inside the ward. Yunyun flinched, feeling phantom pain herself.

"Y-Yunyun," Aqua whispered, gulping, "will he treat us like that too?"

"Probably… not? Just don't make him mad—just do whatever he says," Yunyun replied, not entirely sure.

"Do whatever he says… Got it."

~~~

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