Chapter 029: That’ll Cost Extra

"RyuZU, I'm coming in."

"Please be gentle, Master Kobayashi."

"Next time for sure!"

Kobayashi impatiently tackled RyuZU, then began to fiddle with her body... in the literal sense. He was actually opening her up to tinker with the gears inside. Much like a hobbyist who obsessively polishes their favorite anime figurines, Kobayashi was constantly familiarizing himself with RyuZU's body, striving to leave his own mark on every single part of her.

The more he tinkered, the more he marveled at the genius of "Y." He had seen super-intelligent robots in his previous life, but this was the first time he had encountered a mechanical doll that relied solely on ordinary gears to function exactly like a living person. Moreover, even with all the necessary materials, one could not replicate her without the ability to calibrate the neural circuits and the master cylinders—the level of craftsmanship was far beyond that of any ordinary person.

"I really want to meet 'ta' someday," Kobayashi sighed.

...Wait, why not go back for another visit?

He might not be able to meet the mysterious "Y," but he could interact with and learn from other high-level masters. Plus, he could search for some spare gears suitable for RyuZU. It would be killing two birds with one stone. Most importantly, RyuZU probably wanted to go back as well; after all, it was his momentary lapse in judgment that had brought her to this parallel world.

Not everyone could adapt to an unknown world. RyuZU was clearly better suited for life in her original, technologically advanced world. Not only could she benefit from high-tech superiority, but she could also be repaired if her gears ever malfunctioned. In a world like Konosuba, repairing her was quite difficult.

"No, I do not wish to return."

RyuZU's answer was unexpected.

Kobayashi was puzzled. "Don't you want to return to your own world and find your sisters?"

"I do not," RyuZU shook her head decisively. "My primary mission is to serve Master Kobayashi. No matter which world we are in, and regardless of whether you can repair me, I will remain by your side."

Even though it was just a programmed response, it was still deeply moving. Yet, precisely because of that, Kobayashi couldn't be selfish.

"I told you before, I want to become a master worthy of you, so we definitely have to go back to that world."

"...If you insist, Master."

It was perfect timing. The party was planning to take a break, so he could take this opportunity to disappear for a while. He raised the ring on his finger.

"—Travel!"

...

However, nothing happened.

Kobayashi blinked, staring at the ring on his index finger that showed no reaction. He didn't understand what had gone wrong. Was his posture for traveling incorrect?

"Travel! Travel! Travel!"

Whether he was posing mid-leap, squatting, or striking a Jojo pose, Kobayashi tried them all, but the ring remained unresponsive.

"What is Master Kobayashi doing? Is this some sort of novel dance? It is quite ridiculous, though it suits you surprisingly well," RyuZU noted with a hint of her trademark sharp tongue.

Kobayashi, however, began to panic. He realized that not only could he not travel to the world of *Clockwork Planet*, but he couldn't even perform a standard world-jump anymore. He rushed into the main hall.

"Aqua! Aqua!"

"Wh-what is it?!"

The foolish goddess, who was secretly doing something, jumped and hurriedly hid something behind her back when she heard Kobayashi calling her name. From the exposed edge, it looked like a bottle of bubble liquor.

He had no time to lecture her on her pathetic lifestyle of drinking in the middle of the day; he was more concerned with something else.

"Aqua, why can't I travel to RyuZU's world anymore?"

"...Well, it's probably because you didn't set the coordinates to establish a channel."

"Huh?!"

"L-look, there are countless unknown worlds in the starry sky, and arriving at any one of them is unpredictable. To go anywhere accurately, you need the precise coordinates of that place."

It was just like making a phone call. If you wanted to talk to a friend or family member, you needed their exact phone number, or else you would just reach a stranger.

"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?! ...No, it's not entirely your fault."

Even if Aqua had told him, he had been nearly crushed by a shipping container falling from the sky at the time; in the panic, it would have been impossible to set coordinates.

"But why can't I travel at all?!"

"That's because you're out of energy."

"You... what?"

"Traveling requires energy; isn't that normal? Don't you know the Law of Conservation of Energy? That's something you learn in junior high, you know."

She said it as if it were common sense. Only one thought crossed Kobayashi's mind.

—I'm being mocked!

I'm being mocked by a foolish goddess?!

"Wh-what-did-you-say?! I-dare-you-to-say-that-again!"

Kobayashi grabbed her cheeks and squeezed them, demanding an answer word by word. He used quite a bit of force, and Aqua shrieked in pain, begging for mercy: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was really wrong!!!"

But the furious Kobayashi didn't stop.

At the same time, he remembered that back when he was in a party with Kazuma Sato, Aqua had mentioned needing to recharge the ring. He had thought she was just saying that to keep him around, but it turned out she actually needed to charge it!

Damn it, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got!

He shouldn't have had any expectations for Aqua! Having spent so much time together, and with no real opportunities for her to act stupid lately, Kobayashi had gradually lowered his guard. Was she waiting for this moment to strike?!

Kobayashi swallowed his anger. After all, being angry wouldn't solve the fact that he couldn't travel.

What now?

Should he buy magic crystals for energy like he used to? Thinking of this, Kobayashi asked with curiosity: "Aqua, if I were to recharge it with magic crystals, about how many would I need to gain the energy to travel?"

"Hmm... 1,000? They aren't as good as divine power, but quantity can make up for the lack of quality... probably."

"1,000?!"

Kobayashi smacked his lips. 1,000 magic crystals would cost 100 million Eris. No wonder the few crystals he had dumped into it hadn't made a splash. To a wealthy person, 100 million Eris for the chance to travel between worlds would be a bargain. But for Kobayashi, it wasn't exactly friendly; how long would it take him to save up 100 million Eris?

Fortunately, he had another method.

"Aqua, help me recharge it."

"Ehh—"

She looked like it was a huge chore. Honestly, Kobayashi wanted to discipline her, but knowing he would need her help later, he held back.

"One bottle of bubble liquor."

"...What?"

"One bottle of premium bubble liquor in exchange for you recharging the ring for me."

"Pr-premium bubble liquor?"

Aqua seemed tempted. Just as Kobayashi thought his plan was working, she refused.

"Divine power is very important! To a god, divine power is everything. A decline in divine power means a god becomes weaker. Do you know how serious that is?!"

So that was it. Although Aqua had a high status, she had few followers, so her divine power couldn't compare to gods like Eris. Charging the ring was indeed a burden for her.

"Did you think you could bribe me with a mere bottle of bubble liquor, Kobayashi?"

"I'm sorry, I—"

"Make it two bottles!"

"............"

Are you a "pay-more" devotee too?