Chapter 30: The Second Transmigration

Kobayashi felt like a complete fool.

Between his own fixed preconceptions and Aqua’s wild, deceptive bragging, he had convinced himself that divine power was something exceptionally rare and precious. Yet, he had agreed to her demand for two bottles of bubble liquor. If he wouldn't even give her that, how would he be any different from a stingy guy who wouldn't spend a dime, or a reader who consumes books without ever leaving a like or a vote? You know what I mean, right?

...

"Whew, charging complete."

Aqua wiped imaginary sweat from her brow, trying her best to look exhausted so that Kobayashi would feel the two bottles of bubble liquor were a worthy price. But looking at her usual dim-witted expression, Kobayashi once again doubted the true scarcity of divine power. Regardless, as long as he could travel, that was what mattered.

He sought out Sato Kazuma to explain that he was about to set off on his second journey.

"Oh, starting the second one now?"

Kazuma was no longer as excited as he had been the first time. He pondered for a moment and said, "Kobayashi-senpai, you aren't going to come back as quickly as last time, are you?"

"Assuming no accidents occur."

Travel was full of uncertainty. If he encountered danger, his primary rule would be to prioritize his own safety; he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't end up fleeing back in a pathetic state like last time. This was called being prudent, not being a coward.

"So, we’re just going to play the part of shut-ins for a while?"

"That’s exactly what I wanted to say."

Kazuma was somewhat reliable, but Aqua and the others were pure magnets for trouble. It was far more reassuring to let them be homebodies at the base than to send them out on quests to earn money.

"Don't worry about the money."

Kobayashi pulled out a deposit slip and handed it to Kazuma. "In addition to the 200,000 Eris currently in the party's liquid funds, I actually have another million Eris stored at the Adventurers' Guild as an emergency fund. If something happens, use that, Kazuma-kun."

"Oh, oh, oh! I accept!"

Kazuma hadn't expected the party to have so much in savings. He solemnly tucked the slip into his pocket. Seeing the money go into someone else's hands, Aqua couldn't accept it. She clamored loudly, "Wait! I don't agree! Why give the money to Kazuma? I can keep the party's funds too!"

"You spend money like water, how could I possibly give it to you?" Kazuma shot her a look of disdain.

"Hah?! That has nothing to do with it!"

"How does it not? Have you forgotten how you threw a tantrum on the floor, crying and screaming because you wanted to drink expensive bubble liquor last time?"

"I'm a goddess, what's wrong with having something nice?"

"What kind of goddess throws a tantrum on the floor begging people to buy her booze? You idiot!"

Kazuma had no concept of respect for a goddess; his tendency to lash out at the drop of a hat perfectly exemplified the meaning of gender equality.

"Kobayashi, look at him..."

Feeling wronged, Aqua clung to Kobayashi’s arm, tilting her head back with teary eyes, clearly hoping the party leader would discipline Kazuma for bullying her. Knowing her true nature, Kobayashi naturally wasn't about to coddle her, but ignoring her would only lead to complaints about unfair treatment.

To deal with someone like her, you had to shift their focus with other rewards.

He thought for a moment and said, "If Aqua stops dwelling on this, I'll buy you another bottle of high-grade bubble liquor when I return. How about that?"

"Deal!"

Her acceptance was suspiciously fast. It made one wonder if her act of feeling wronged had just been a ploy to gain sympathy and secure that high-grade liquor she wanted.

Kobayashi felt a bit annoyed. Just as he was about to reprimand her and rescind the offer, Aqua suddenly pulled a blue crystal necklace from her cleavage.

"Since you might encounter danger, take this with you."

"What is this?"

He held up the necklace and examined the crystal closely. Aside from the faint, pure aura radiating from it—the same one found in Aqua—and the way it shimmered with a brilliant, supernatural blue light under the sun, it looked like an ordinary blue crystal.

Kazuma pointed at it and said, "Isn't that the useless necklace you bought at the weapons shop last time?"

Hearing that, Kobayashi remembered. This was indeed the useless blue crystal necklace that Aqua had cried, screamed, and rolled on the floor to get, priced at a staggering 80,000 Eris. He remembered Kazuma scolding her for a long time about wasting money when she insisted on buying it.

But it was different now; he could feel the pure elemental energy constantly emanating from within the crystal.

"Hehehe, it’s not just any ordinary thing!"

Aqua raised her head, tipping her nose up triumphantly, and boasted, "It was originally just a common blue crystal capable of storing magic, but after half a month of me continuously infusing it with my divine power, it has undergone a transformation. It has all sorts of incredible uses!"

"What kind of uses?"

"Not only does it speed up magic recovery and increase affinity for water, but most importantly, it shields against mental attacks! Even if an accident happens, the blue crystal will save your life! It’s an item I—the Goddess of Water—made with my own hands, comparable to a national treasure... no, a divine artifact!"

"Heh."

Kazuma let out a dismissive scoff. Keep bragging, keep going. Aqua loved to exaggerate; even if it had functions, the effect definitely wouldn't be on the level of a divine artifact. "Saving your life" was even more impossible.

Kazuma advised Kobayashi, "Kobayashi-senpai, don't believe a word of it! You know how unreliable this idiot goddess is; just listen to her for the sake of it."

"Mm, I know. But it’s the thought that counts, so I’ll gratefully accept it."

He took the necklace and fastened it around his neck. He immediately felt his mind clear, and the surrounding mana grew more active. The effect was actually quite significant.

"Thank you, Aqua."

"You're welcome! Kobayashi is my precious believer, so naturally, I have to treat you well! Don't worry, no matter what setbacks or hardships you face, always remember that I will always stand by your side. I am your most reliable support."

As she spoke, she flashed a beautiful smile, and a goddess-like radiance emanated from her entire being. Only at moments like this did she ever appear like a proper goddess.

Looking at the stunning Goddess of Water, Kobayashi felt his heart start to race and his blood circulate faster, with the fleeting illusion of a crystal deer galloping through his heart. Indescribable emotions were slowly taking root.

No, no, no! She is Aqua!

He quickly shook his head, casting the inappropriate thoughts from his mind. Kobayashi decided not to waste any more time and prepared to travel.

"I wonder if Rury can come along."

The divine ring was powerful, but its drawback was that it couldn't transport other people. To be precise, it couldn't transport living organisms. Although Rury was a mechanical doll made of gears and springs, her speech, thoughts, and actions were identical to a human's. He hadn't been able to bring her back before because she hadn't been activated, and he didn't know how the ring would judge her now.

With a heart full of trepidation, and amidst the cheering and encouragement of Aqua and Kazuma, Kobayashi raised his right hand, held up his index finger, and spoke slowly:

"—Travel!"

The next second, his figure vanished.