"Hey, what was all that noise?" I heard a voice ask. Then Aqua's head appeared in front of me. Her long blue hair blended perfectly in the clear sky.
"Weren't you watching?" I asked between gasps. The battle against the slimes had left me so exhausted and sore that I didn't care about anything. Just as I was, I threw myself onto my back in the grass.
"Watching what exactly?" The goddess looked as carefree as ever. "You two were taking so long with your stupid duel that I got sleepy, so I decided to take a little nap. Being a goddess is truly exhausting work, you know?"
"Exhausting in what sense? You didn't do absolutely anything."
At my declaration the goddess grew flustered and her eyes widened like two lanterns.
"Eeeeh?! How dare you! In the first place, I didn't even want to come. I could have used the day to stay at the mansion and enjoy my booze in front of the fireplace, but no. Instead I came all the way here to give you my support because we're companions. So you'd better be grateful!"
"Giving support means cheering me on during the duel, not falling asleep, you piece-of-shit goddess!"
"WHAAAAAT? What did you just call me? Did you call me a 'piece-of-shit goddess'? Apologize right this second, you virgin hikikomori!"
"My lady, a being as divine and pure as yourself should not speak in such a manner," Mitsurugi said, looking disconcerted.
"Stay out of this, Mitsui."
"I-It's Mitsurugi, my lady."
"That doesn't matter right now," Aqua replied, her gaze fixed on me. "Apologize! Apologize for calling me a piece-of-shit goddess!"
And she started stomping on the grass. One of her typical tantrums.
If I have to be honest, it wasn't the fact that Aqua had been lazing around during my duel with Mitsurugi that bothered me, but that she hadn't paid attention. That she hadn't seen me throwing myself into battle against all those monsters for her.
In short, the fact of not having her attention.
"My lady, it is dangerous for you to remain here. There may still be some monsters left in the surroundings," Mitsurugi explained uncomfortably, having been caught in the middle of the argument.
"I'm not going to apologize. What kind of person falls asleep while their companion is risking their life in combat?"
Time to get a little dramatic.
"Well if you're not going to apologize, then I'm leaving!" the goddess shrieked, waving her arms childishly.
"Didn't you hear what the guy with the magic sword said? There might still be some monsters left in the area. So you'd better not come crying to me if some creature attacks you."
"Err, would it be too much to ask that you call me by my name?"
At my words, Aqua stuck her tongue out at me and then began walking toward Axel.
"I'm leaving! I'm not staying in a place where I'm not appreciated!"
"Is my lady Aqua always like this?" Mitsurugi asked with disbelief.
"She has her days."
"Those slimes really turned out to be tough, huh, Kaizer?" Mitsurugi commented, resting his weight on the hilt of Gram.
"To be honest, I never would have imagined they had this much power in this world."
"I thought exactly the same thing the first time I saw them. Still, I think we were lucky."
"What do you mean?" I asked with curiosity. My gaze was fixed on Aqua, who was growing smaller and smaller as she walked away.
Did she really get that angry?
Now that I think about it, something similar happened yesterday. This goddess really does get angry easily.
Although if that is the case… considering what happened last night after our little argument, the only thing I can think about is the moment of reconciliation, hehe.
Leaving Aqua aside, I focused my attention back on Mitsurugi, who now wore a serious expression on his handsome face.
"I've heard that among the slimes," he began, "there exists one that is extremely powerful and belongs to the poison class."
"Poison slimes?" I repeated. It was the first time I had heard of them.
The swordmaster nodded.
"That's right. And they say it possesses an immense body capable of secreting an acid so potent that it can kill almost any living being."
I felt a chill as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Dying could be a painful experience (says someone who has already died once), but among all the ways, having your body consumed by acid to the point that not even your bones remain… that definitely had to be among the worst.
"Well, in that case, I suppose we really were lucky that that giant slime didn't show up around here, don't you think?"
"Maybe. Still… I shouldn't have used that pendant. How reckless of me."
"Oh, speaking of that, how many of those slimes did you kill?"
"Hmm? About… five?"
"Ah, same here," I lamented. Mitsurugi was still ahead of me since he had killed one more toad than I had.
"I must say, that sword of yours is truly impressive."
"Ah, Kronos," I said, puffing out my chest, proud of my sword. "Yes, it's a truly powerful weapon that allows me to manipulate time to a certain extent."
"And did Lady Aqua give it to you as well?"
"That's right."
Speaking of Aqua, where the hell had she gone? Was she really planning to leave without me?
I raised my gaze forward, searching for a sign of that long blue hair. Until suddenly, under the shade of a tree, I managed to spot Aqua looking toward where Mitsurugi and I were.
"What's wrong, Aqua?!" I shouted. "I thought you were going back to the city!"
"This is your last chance to apologize to me, you stupid NEET!"
"Fine, fine. I admit I went a little overboard. Now would you do me the favor of coming ba—"
"My goddess Aqua! Watch out!"
My words got stuck in my throat because of Mitsurugi's cry of terror.
Apparently one of the giant toads had escaped the battle and was now standing right behind Aqua.
How the hell did it manage to get there so quickly without either of us noticing?
By the time the goddess stopped her tantrum, an enormous shadow loomed over her. And a second later… she was gone.
***
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