[Megumin wants to resurrect the head priest by utilizing the tooth in her lucky charm. Not connected to previous chapter.]
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Kazuma should know… No he knew already, that when that blonde woman from adventure guild, head receptionist Luna, is catfishing him and his party for any job, (tricking to take the task that probably no one want to take), that it will be a hassle beyond scale.
They as party, barely survived another adventure, and when camping outside was hardly an option... Stained by exhaustion they must do an unpleasant decision to visit near establishment, from witch they can get a ride back to Axel town, back to home. The place they were forced to take a stop is a well know city of springs.
Arcanletia is a city in Belzerg kingdom, that serves as the patron city of the Goddess of Water Aqua and headquarters the Axis Order that worships her. Also know as city of crazy cultist…
Once again a certain adventuring party decide to take a shelter at night in certain Inn, a specific small hotel that have connection to Axel adventurer guild. Certain duo (boy and mage) dint share the excitement of they fellow Crusader, who is follower of Eris, a competitive church and there is a crazy rivalry between those, when Axis order bully Eris order, and Eris cult are practicality asking for it, by interacting with Axis cult by they own way. Yet it went worse as the next day at morning, they realize that because next caravan departing tomorrow, they got a day off.
But as it was a Arcanletia, Aqua tried to get on good side of her order. (Which like the rest of people don't believe that she is the actual goddess of water, but some crazy lunatic.) She was quite persistent about that, so she was set to visit Axis cathedral.
Except there was this issue with certain banishment, so to prevent escalation that will lead to them be chased by angry mob/crowd, the team settle on to go visit an ally nun like priestess Cecilia to explain the situation to her first. This blonde in blue nun robes, who hold quite high position in order, was an energetic fella, who liked young girls a too much.
To double down, to secure that they will make it through the day, so they take the ride next day, Megumin take the lead as Cecilia liked her much. While Kazuma support red mage as wing-men. Plus Aqua and Darkness without her Adamantium armor got muted by scarf that work like muffler. Priestess was of course fuming, but Crusader (liked?) that treatment.
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Fast forward, Cecilia was actually in her home, cooking sweets on stolen ingredients. She is a mischievous thief cat, who welcomed them with open arms. But on question if the order can take Aqua back; she laugh warmly and loudly, eyes tearing, wide smile from ear to ear, as if she hear a really good joke that hit her funny bone, while making (No! No! Not going to happen!) gesture with her hand. (Blonde make sure, that the mockery was directly to the blue haired girl face.)
They continue to talk, and the nun mentioned that she miss the previous Supreme Pontiff Zesta, leader of the chapter in Arcanletia, who perished. It was less about genuine feelings, and more about that she dint have that much opportunity to do what she want, while dropping all the responsibilities onto somebody else. Especially that she is practically next in line to be the Pontiff, as the current guy is quite old, and she was not been on meeting, where everybody else just evade the bullet by making excuses. All by voting her, who was not her, allegedly doing an order related stuff. Clearly they feel that this deep devotion to the goddess Aqua must be recognized.
Cecilia openly laugh loudly that it cannot be far from true, and everybody knew it.
She even complained that they practically preventing her to leave the city, creating a patrols to catch her when she try to sneak out. Dropping more work on her head. Gray haired dude, accountant Tristan even bribed the city guards making an excuse. (She pretend to speak like that aging man. No!; she emulate her voice to sound like Tristan.) "That girls still want to aimlessly soar the sky on the wings of freedom, randomly where the wind will carry her. But is time for her to stop running from her responsibilities and start to use her talent for the greater good." She comply that it was vague enough and at same time persuasive enough to buy them [guards] onto the cause.
Little she knew that Zesta was dropping his duties on others while doing stuff or saying thing for whose he had been a common visitor or local guard station for interrogation. (The fact that local prosecutor is an attractive strict woman is only a happenstance. Right?)
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In contrast Megumin went a little bit sad reminiscing at that mustache man, who show a genuine concern about the future of the order, while eating every shit from local protectors of order, because of the trouble caused by the members of Axis. She had her own little adventure with him, when she give him a some (half-ass) advice on how to recruit more people into order. Bud because he was constantly screwing things around, only on next visit of Arcanletia, Megumin realize how much she screw up by giving any idea to crazy people.
Kazuma noticed that (sad) expression and asked her; (What wrong?) That where she shared her thoughts to see that dude once again.
Cecilia jumped onto that idea of having Zesta back, cleaning a single tear from corner of her eye. She even openly uttered that if the pontiff is back, she can once again slack around doing her stuff. Nobody from the four said anything to her for it.
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Because the red mage got a little sadder, green adventurer remembered that Aqua can resurrect him from a single bone. So he start asking Cecilia a lot of question, directly asking even for a piece of his bone.
Yet nun explained that he was dissolved, so only a piece of his attire was found. For that, bringing him back is impossible even if all members of order worked together.
It sounded like a sad story. But detective Kazuma, noticed a disturbing fact. It was possible that Zesta, while facing a demon king general, simply decide to run away and not looking back. Or; the local protectors of order simply beat him up, and lock away in capital city. Or he was actually banned from city itself, and went onto journey. So the entire heroic death can be just a misunderstanding, as nobody from Axis order bother to check.
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On other hand, Megumin remembered at good luck charm, a custom to put a tinny memento, into a colored decorated little flat sack. Sometimes a lock of hair, so; "Even if we are far apart, I am always around, by spirit." Zesta give that to her as a protective charm for her journey. But even if the enchantment on it was a real, she dint needed to open it, to realize by touch, that there is a tooth hidden between other things. So she accept it as prof of her first adventure.
She pull out this charm, gaze at it for a moment, until she rise her head to face Kazuma. As she offered that charm, she asked if that will be enough.
The boy step aside looking at blue haired teammate.
Aqua, who dint need to hold onto the muffler anymore, take that little bag into her hand, bring it up to her eyes and exterminate. Then she asked red mage if she really want to do it, because it will take a quite of preparations to do it. Especially if so much time has passed.
That confidence of actually resurrecting someone who is long death, confused Cecilia, who take it as impossible. But blue girl say, that she dint try it last time she look for (the dude who answered her call for help) she dint had something that she can use as anchor. Kazuma had a dry comment about the name that lack the noble aspect. So she ask him (How he thing?; How she manage to resurrecting him so many times, right after he dies.) His response was about straightforward blackmailing of you know who in bully matter. So she frown at him, to not value her efficiency, skipping boring steps.
Cecilia got dewy face, while hearing how they talking about quite heavy deal as if it was a common skill.
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So they moved on the plan and gathered around a fountain that had a romanticized version stature of goddess of water. Aqua, taking off her shoes, directly went onto the water pool.
Cecilia on spot went onto alibi making, creating excuse for herself, that she will not fall for a pity trick. Like if Aqua chan tried to fake a drowning while attempting to bring Zetsa back. That she will not feel bad for Aqua, to let her in as compensation for her devoting efforts. She kept her proper nun mask, as if she had already a master mind plan, on how to get back at other members of order, the moment she become pontiff. Or she on spot noticed that they are watched by city guards and some other citizens and members of order. So she was making her alibi of honest belief.
But arch priestess responded that she firstly going to contact Zetsa soul, if its still available. And because they don't let her near the springs, she using the crossest option. So they shall not jump into conclusion, that its already done. At last it seemed that she had some decency about the entire resurrection thing, as guidance of souls was her previous job. Then she drop a random trivia, that sometime, for certain roles, the waiting line for resurrection, is like fifty thousand years long.
But nun priest had this wide fake smile, and warn the other girl, that she will not fall either for a line: "His soul was already moved out."
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It come quite problematic as the blue haired girl, standing in the fountain, water level up to her waist start to concentrate on task. She looked like the prayer, praying in front of its good. But it was the many droplets of water that rise to air around her, as if rain was stopped mid air. It look more like a trans, a spiritual trip.
It take a long minute, luring gazes of many random passerby and so on. Some even stop to watch whats going on.
But then when she returned from her spiritual trip, she start complain. No she run directly toward her group who was standing around the fountain, while she radiating frustration. "Kazuma, Kazuma; can you believe it!? He turned me down!!"
Nun priest, still holding her smile, had this fake high lady laugh, that was more like a mockery, calling out the trickery before it happened. But as arch priest was directly at green adventurer face, boy asked what happened.
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So she start explaining, gesticulate heavy. "Stubborn Zetsa squats at Eris office, refusing to move up. I explained the situation, and she agreed to resurrection without any hassle, with just:…"
She alter her voice and mannerism as if it was goddess Eris who spoke, smiling gently at the lost soul: "(You can take him.)"
Then she continue as herself. "But when I pressure him, he just shake his head…"
Now she pretend to be Zesta. "(Young lady, I appreciate that sentiment. I have only one regret or wish: To be useful for my goddess, as she asked me for my assistance. I must stay faithful, because the day she will call me onto service to her side, will surely come one day. So I will wait a little longer.)"
She was back in herself, making a proud stance, pointing at herself with her thumb, while sounding cocky. "I said: Wait for no more! Because the one, who call you is right here! I am the one who you seek." She even spread her arms full to side, for a welcoming hug.
Her pose and tone changed to informative. "He put his finger on mi lips, closing his eyes, and said to me:..." Once again she talk like Zetsa. "(Thank you for your efforts. I really like your young vigor. But one day you understand that faith and devotion; they mature like wine.)"
Aqua was doing a legit emotional crash out. "I tried to drag him out, but he is on this enlightenment wave, of be okay with his fate, that he dint budge even if both of us try to push and pull his body. So he send me out with a cheapskate blessing for travelers on a journey. Can you believe it? He pity bless me!! My most devoted follower, told me that he will wait for the real deal!"
Green adventurer had a though that the real reason for this guy not leaving is, that he sharing a room with a girl, who cant afford to break the role-play in front of human from this world. Especially when he is pontiff of certain other goddess.
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Smiling trickery cat Cecilia was good at pretense, so she call out at the blue haired girl like a mommy will on a child. "Aqua~a cha~an, I suggest that you shall not jest/joking on sensitive subject. What ever your personal belief are, the order consider her…" She pointed at the stature. "To be our beloved goddess. Not you!"
Kazuma foresaw that the blue idiot is about to start blabbing a things that can really screw up they stay, so he went to intervene. He slam his hands on her shoulders to get her full attention. "Aqua! I understand! I really, really understand. But! What they want is not you! Its that!" He point at the stature of Idolized version of goddess of water in middle of the fountain. So ple~ease, can you?; give it to them?; like for five minutes? You were able to do it during confession duty." Then this boy wispier to her conspiratorially. "(Listen maybe you must give them a sublime message, by acting and dressing like the stature. Then maybe, one day, they will make a sudden breakthrough realization on; (Look!; She is her?))"
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As she calm down but still sulking like a lost kid, he glanced at they crusader who had still a muffler in her mouth. "Or we shall ask a goddess Eris for help and summoned her directly to the body of our honorable noble lady crusader, who have a history of be possessed by powerful entities. Then maybe she can use that Adamantium body to drag that soul here." That noble woman heard that and got (excited?) about the idea of not having a control of her body, be on mercy of someone else.
Adventurer shifted his gaze on red mage, thinking about chaos/dark god Wolbach, but he utter in half voice, that they shall avoid to use that.
Cecilia, nervous from feeling the cops/guards gaze on her, tried to cut off the resurrect Zetsa operation, but crybaby Aqua double down that she can do it. The only problem that due to reason, Eris cant just kick him out of her office.
So the boy only confirm, that they need to convince Zetsa, to come out of the room back to society. He clenched/grabbed his chest as if his hearth was hurting, when fish-eyed Aqua commented dry, a direct reference to both of them to be a shut-in.
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So the preparation was made and after a while, certain arch-priest dressed like certain stature, entered the fountain getting into the water. Nobody knew from here she pick up that robe that give a vibe its supper valuable, custom made by master artisan, made only for the only one person in whole world. Because she was wearing veil over her upper face, nobody could tell who she was. Especially when she moved her body like a proper lady.
They interaction gathered a quite audience. And it was not just the onlookers. It was Axis order members. Some guards of order in this city and several others.
One of them was the old pontiff guy, walking on walking cane, who come there more to throw the wrench onto they plan, that for any noble like reason. He heard that there is attempt to create a ceremony in order to boost the chance for a resurrection spell. He want to ask if this operation can justify the use of one of the sacred wines made by order. Especially when he glance at the pile of keg/barrels on a small cart, next to Cecilia with, (I am innocent!) smile.
That blonde was quick to make an excuse, that it is the aging dude Accountant Tristan standing next to her guarding that vine from other side, who have the last word about the keg. Yet if it will help bring Zetsa back, she will not mind to nobly use that treasure for the sake of the order. Even if she smile innocently, with closed eyes, radiating aura of a proper nun; that droll escaping from corner of her mouth, tell quite a different story about her overwhelming desire and intent to drink it.
That old dude pontiff was sniffing a mischief, so he make a step toward the fountain, intent to speak with the lady in water as if he knew from somewhere, who start to concentrate as if she was praying.
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Kazuma knew that if that conversation happen, they gig will become a really nuisance, especially when Megumin drop a big sad eyes on Cecilia to convince her to even try this ceremony. Especially when that blonde fox had already a too many ulterior motives and its matter of time when something crash.
For that he make a quick decision. Kazuma jump up at the edge of the stone fountain to rise above the crowd and deliver a speech. "Fellows, are you aware, that there is a pending quest to defeat the demon king? And are you aware, that our sweet little Lolly princess Iris Stylish-Sword Belzerg, got to age, when she is allowed to go out of castle and onto adventures. Her level is already a crazy high, worth to be standing next to top adventurers."
His speech clearly catch the attention in audience, especially when Cecilia asked Megumin if that's the true, and mage responded by nod and note, that they hang out time to time. It was not in whisper, so many heard that answer, and so people in crowd start making those (that's impressive) noises. Mage note that even if the princess is shorter that her she already skillfully using a quite big broad sword, but she must stay incognito to not gather attention. Because of that, nun priestess had a strange spark in her eyes, that she wants to join that lady on her quest. (To be a reliable party healer, of course.)
Meanwhile, green adventurer continue to speak toward the crowd. "Ask yourself!; (As why?); that demon king general made so sneaky attack on Arcanletia? Demon kings want Axis order out of the game before it became a problem for him. He have a full right to be afraid of redoubtable undead slayers, know across the land. Because if Axis order people, whose harts burn with fire of passion, answer the call to arms from sweet-heartened princess; it will be the undead armies of skeletons who will run from you." If he was planing to create an uprising by playing on the ego of those around, his build up start to show.
Yet he clenched his hand into a fist in expression that there is something that he muss tell them. "Demons king send his generals and army to the Crimson mages village, to destroy experts in demon hunting. He failed! And look!; a Crimson mage is already princess friend."
He dint wait for people around to ask questions as he continue to speak. "Demons king launched a surprise all in attack at capital, and even backstage trickery. Yet he fail in his evil deeds and the princess is safe and healthy."
"He send his general to keep an eye onto Axel, the supposed starting town of adventurers. That general died, before princess starts to visit the town in order to prepare for her journey of youthful adventuring."
"Now ask yourself!; if death of Zetsa wasn't a planed assassination according to daemon king plan? Think about it; it is Zetsa itself who responded to goddess of Water call in his own way. Even now he, wait passionately, until he will be called back to stage. Face to face destiny he stick to his faith, no mater if it will be rewarded. Whit him leading the Axis order to assist princess on her journey, the demon king army – the undead branch is good as put to rest."
"We already having a castle knight to fill the role of vanguard." He turn his head toward Lalatina. "Darkness, be prepared that we will summon an avatar of Eris into your (body worth to be vessel for a goddess), when we will deal with Eris order to be a back support, during the campaign." For some reason people around start to mention the Eris order home made bread, that is used in charity for poor people and taste quite well. How so many of them know about that, when this is a city belonged to the competitive order?
Crusader yelped, at image to be a host for holly power, but that yelp was so muffled that it sound like a moan. That make that boy to ask a question for himself. ("Wait,-- do the muffler in her mouth did really resembled something that is given to horse mouth? Or she got an upgrade?")
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Suddenly his attention was redirected toward the fountain. During his grand speech he dint notice how extra flashy the ceremony actually is.
The idolized stature of water goddess was shining with a holly aura as some kind of relic, used to relay the power of goods. Aqua, was surrounded/ enveloped by aura of manna. Concealed as a stage character who play the role of priestess who borrow her body to goddesses. She was shining as if the spirit of water goddess descend directly to her, and act through her as medium.
Do you remember, how droplets risen from the fountain when she done the first try? Then imagine a stream of water that flowing down through spiral shaped pipe. Now there was two of those streams flowing trough air in spiral. One was flowing all way up towards heavens, the other back. There must be enough of water in air, that if the technique suddenly broke, and the water will fall a small tideway will be created. Plus there was still plenty of crystal shiny water in fountain. So shiny that it looked like a pure spring.
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It seemed that what ever part of her side Aqua was doing, it seemed that the charging for her spell was done. She spoke up gently, in a way as if it was a divination. "Chosen hero of the wits, and a brave mage of sparks; bring the offering to the altar!"
Megumin complained that the name shall be explosion. But she was silenced when Kazuma asked: "What are you complaining, are you saying that you don't see the spark in your soul, when you do your introduction. Plus if you failed to notice, there is a spark, right in middle when you cast an explosion."
Yet they both look back, because it was clear that the offering part was about that special vine, stored in the small pile of kegs between Tristan and Cecilia. They arch-priest strongly insist that this is really important to bring on show table and for once she don't seem to have an ulterior motive to simply drink it.
Even Tristan turned the gaze toward the mentioned offering and noticed that Cecilia standing, (No!) bending above the keg. That barrel is already opened by missing a middle plank from a lid. In one hands she hold an Axe that was used to forcibly break into the stash. In other hands she having this tiny ceremonial like liquor cup already filled by sacred vine. That cup was already near her mouth that was drooling like crazy in anticipation of the good stuff going in. Even her lips were already making that sucking gesture, to take a slurp sip. But as those two exchanged glances, she froze up with (Oh shit!) expression. Because no matter how she pretended to be a saint, she was caught in act.
Accountant frown at her. "Oi!/Hey!" She jitter, but he continue to speak. "Do you forget about the picking order? Altar first! Then the Elders." And he reach out his hand that hold his empty ceremonial cup, requiring to be served. "Grab the scoop and start serving!"
In next moment, all Axis order member rise up they cups wanting a share. Why that little strolling girl, literally a child, have one too? Is that ceremonial wine so good, that it turn people into alcoholics?
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As the vine was distributed around people who for a change in tone, behave in the holy presence.
Kazuma knew that some of Aqua's power are directly connected to total size of faith of her believers aimed directly at her as person. Like her iconic punch move, god blow and god requiem. So that's why he asked the onlooker to get ready to make they silent personal pray toward the goddess of water. He pointed at the stature, not at the person in the water. So the caster of resurrection can receive her blessing to bring the lost soul back to them.
As barefoot Megumin approached aqua with cup in her hands, the scene around them changed as if it was a different place; the Eris office.
Goddess Eris and the squatter/visitor who dint want to leave, sits on plain chairs. Then the platinum white haired girl address her discussion partner. "Zetsa! My sister like kōhai calling you through your friends. Don't make her wait." She rise her hand pointing behind him. Of course the part about a sister was a distraction, for him to accept the other person race as good. The Aqua Eris duo were more like senpai and kōhai in terms of godhood, but people hardly care.
As he look back he saw the duo standing there. Of course it was a shock for him to see that smart short mage standing next to something that this time must be the actual goddess of water. It radiated this holy aura and have a gentle smile. She softly support the Lolly next to her, by one hand on short girl shoulder. Then she used the other hand, to help the Lolly, to rise the little cup in her hands up. Goddess gently blow at the surface of the cup to send the fums toward that guy. Of course, he recognize that scent and wide open its eyes. "Could it be?..."
Because its seems that Aqua will not speak, it was Megumin who spoke up toward him. "Zetsa, the others are waiting." Only now he realize… No!; only now all people who had a cup in they hands and was standing around the fountain previously; were revealed to this place. Instead of bringing them directly to the office, it was more like a transparent holographic image of them. It really look like a souls of fellow followers gathered one more time before they will went onto journey, holding a cups for the last cheer. Now stand around the center of the Office room where the quartet was. The audience was in awe from what they are experiencing, as they were nearly petrified. One thing was to see Zetsa as if he was alive, the other to see an actual goddess Eris, holding onto a soul, until goddess Aqua in person show up to take him onto better place.
Goddess Eris smiled gently, as she step closed to Zetsa and give him a little push. "Its your time; Go home!" It was definitely not (Get the F* out of my office, already!) cooperation to get rid of him.
Water Goddess took over that cup from mage into her free hand. She brought it to her mouth, and take a gentle sip. There was not a single hint of drunkenness or degeneracy as she radiated the posture of a true lady, with a refined taste enjoying a moment. She left exactly half in cup, as she outstretch the hand, offering the rest to him.
There was no point to slack anymore. Zetsa approached the duo. In front of her goddess and the Lolly, he kneel onto one knee. Honored dude reach out his hand to receive the offered gift.
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When her hand was free, she swung her hand at side and make a loud snap of her fingers. She spoke loudly, as if she was giving a command to everybody around. "Rise the cup toward your face, to take a good look at the vine!" The crowd and the dude, followed her instructions.
She swung that hand across her chest to make a second loud snap of her fingers. "Bring it close to your nose! Close your eyes, and inhale the scent of the vine, in a deep sniff!"
Then she rise her hand high up, to make third loud snap of her fingers. "Drink it!" The entire crowd followed her instructions zealously. The entire area around got filled by soap like bubbles, that shined by warm glow, like them were an emotions a prof of devotion. The space start to shiver like a hot air rising above hot surface, like in desert, a source that create many mirage illusions and fatamorganas about Oases. No! It was more like if they were under water and rays of light were creating a wavy patters as the light was bend while hitting the always changing surface of a pond.
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While they were all busy, Aqua who had Megumin lock on in a partial hug with her hand on mage shoulder; use her fingers to tap like on piano to get the black haired girl attention. Still having a gentle expression she utter a command. "Grab him!"
Lolly of course, look up confused at arch priestess face, but that was a moment when that blue girl drop her pretense, and glared at the dude with eye pupils shining with bad intent at the moment of delivering a punch line. She push her short teammate toward the guy as she shout. "Grab him and pull with all your strength!!" Both of them violently grab his clothes and limbs by both hands.
Now, can you imagine?; the iconic scene of a group of friends or just a party, on summer hanging around water body like beach, river or swimming pool? And the moment when violent girl grab the boy shirt, use a martial arts move, to throw him into the air; and the dude crash onto the water body like a boulder?
Plus imagine that the third platinum white haired girl, observed as the dude who stuck at too narrow doorway or something like that and cant pass; so she pushed from behind at that fatty to get through.
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Zetsa rise to air, and as he was set to fly; he crashed into a barrier. No, he hit and break through a water surface.
The scene returned to the fountain.
And the water surface exploded as if someone fallen onto it.
Just as Kazuma expected, the moment that floating water stream crash down onto the small pool in fountain, the semi large amount of excess water, splash out, creating a tide way in all direction. At last, it was not strong enough, as when certain water mage opened a valve on a water dam. Most of people were only splashed wet and keep standing.
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Zetsa itself resurface from the bottom of the pond as both girl drag onto his bare hands. He was coughing like person who was drowning just a moment ago.
Because he was naked, Aqua toss to her red teammate a spare white bathrobe. It was not clear from where she pulled that out, when they were standing in a filled fountain, they were soaked wet and that robe was dry.
Anyway as the ceremony was over, the caster itself drop from herself several layers of the complicated costume. Already walking toward the edge of fountain, self massaging her shoulders, like an old person after a hard work done. She give zero more attention to the event or a person in middle of the event.
But Megumin was different. "Zetsa! Put this on!"
Only now that dude look around and realize where he is. It was Arcenletia, his home city. People around, even if they are soaked the kept a good mood conversations between themselves, disusing various topics. But mostly they were still in awe from latest experience. They even openly joke, that clumsy Zetsa got lost and vent to wrong goddess office, which was so embarrassing that he got stuck. As he stand and put that robe on himself. He give himself a moment to look at the robe that Aqua left there. By picking it up, he glance up at the stature of the goddess and smile gently, having a moment of a gift from her to him, that he will keep until he had a chance to give it back to her. But as he was giving himself time, Megumin demanded his attention. So he let that girl to lead him by hand out of the water. Of course there was no need for it, but he let her do it as if it was needed.
On side of action, a local guards, protector of order and laws, had a complain about Axis order defiling a water source during one of they cult like gigs, and demanded to drop a responsibility at the rascals. But Aqua just put her hands onto the water body and cast: "Purification!" In blink of the eye, the water was pure like never before. Yet someone at edge of the fountain with a cup in his hand, complained that he wanted to taste the bath water of cute girls, and the water was purified right before he can fill his large beer cup and take a sip. Of course he received a disgusted stares from females.
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The mood around was already in festive spirit.
For some reason, noble platinum white haired thief Chris, was mysteriously present on place, without anybody noticed where she come from. She too holding the liqueur cup and patronage Aqua chan, as she clink cup with her. They were like best drink buddies. It was clear on her, that she was under a heavy working stress, and now was releasing stem, like a steam engine train locomotive.
As many praised Aqua for accurate playing the role of they bellowed water goddess, that blue girl was about to throw a tantrum, that she is the actual water goddess. But Kazuma foresaw what will happen and try to intervene. But it was Chris next to her who directly silenced her, pulling on her shoulder and placing a finger on her lips in (Silence!) gesture. She uttered to her a words of sentiment/ understanding: "One day, girl. One day, they will understand." Both green adventurer and noble thief don't believed in that line at all. But arch-priestess was touched by that sentiment, tears pushing into her eyes that someone believe.
As the trio Aqua, Cecilia (who dint had like third or fifth cup already in herself) and Chris, privatized the rest of sacred vine keg, they were going drunk pretty fast. There were other who tried to take a second round, but they were nailed down by Chris with a line to kept they desires on leach, until they hit the inn. And of course that silver haired girl start to roasting blonde, blabbing something about her not making a proper marking on cooking ingredients. That nothing of this will happened, if certain slime candy accident can be prevented. But that blonde tried to play (a clumsy dummy girl) card.
During all that Chris found a moment when she exchange a silent glance of understanding with Kazuma, as if she was praising him for good job. (Sure this has nothing to do with the well know thief party.)
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Meanwhile back to the Zetsa-Megumin duo, the girl got sad when she glance at the empty cup, that was in dude hands, and he rise it to take a closer look. Kazuma was already next to her, holding a filled one. She look at it and made a sad smile. "That's okay, I don't need it."
But adventurer spoke like and older bro to her. "What are you talking about? Its a common custom from my home town, to make a toast (rise the glass with alcohol in celebration) on grave visit on cemetery or during funeral. No matter if it was a friend or a family. Some people even pour an entire bottle at the tombstone and then have a talk with they friend. So take this! This one is mine." He glance at side for a short moment, where the number of kegs present in area dint match the starting numbers. "Heck even that little one had sip." Then he just push the cup into her hands. "The ceremony was a great success and you clearly deserve to have a reward. And don't worry, I will stay on guard and take you to the inn. We do leaving to Axel tomorrow."
He watched as she take that cup to both hand and then look at the pontiff as if asking for permission. He smiled lightly and rise his own coup to her, to clink with her, as a cheer. Then he pour it into his mouth. On next second he realize that his was already empty. No! He play along, for the girl.
She followed his example and taste it. That way, of how she opened her eyes wildly on pleasure surprise, make him laugh. "Was this the first time you taste a liquor? What is the chance?; that you first one, will be the best one in kingdom? The one blessed by the patron of Arcanletia? Then let me said it to you one more time: Welcome!…"
The crowd around explode in euphoria as some of them silently observed the interaction between Zetsa and Lolly girl named Megumin. Guard and that local prosecutor woman were calm down by offered vine, when the old pontiff was talking to them.
.
Megumin feel so embarrassed, that she offered the rest of the cup to Kazuma. He without thinking accepted that to at last taste that dam thing. He drink it without hesitation.
But Aqua jitter as all her body hair were standing up like on frightened kitten, when she saw what happened. On spot, she dashed toward them and start yapping. "Kazuma~a!! Do you two understand what you just do?!! You exchanged a sacred liquor between male a female! This act is reserved only for a weddings ceremonies and like. Did you really dint though that one at all?" Then she angry growl directly to Kazuma face. "You plan this, you Pedo NEET!!" [Not in Employment, Education or Training. /Unemployed.]
As Megumin blushed silently, he stump the ground angrily and respond by barking back. "How you dare?! Its a former NEET, for you!; You second place!" That second place reference can be explained by many ways. Like she is a second place in terms of godhood of this world. Or only a second place in his list a favorite girls, that have too many ways of implication.
Of course she was going to (How you dare!!) but he show his finger to her face. "Aren't I engaged to all five of you, somehow?" That line make her to lean back, blushing. So he continued as he point at mage. "I mean, her mom directly pushed for this, telling that she is already in age." Then he point at archpriestess. "You know very well, how happy smile that blonde beauty woman had, when she was casting teleport spell, to teleport us here." Then he throw his finger at the other blonde member of they team. "And her daddy literally said to me:…" He modify its voice to sound like master Ignis Dustiness a father of Lalatina. "Please!; take care of my sweet girl."
The both glanced at the crusader in question. Only to stop in silence, when they saw her wrapped in rope as if she was doing a bondage kink. Plus it seemed that she is having a good time.
The moment of silence was used by Chris who holding a leach dragged that crusader to them. White haired was partially blushing from drunkenness. "Oi, oi, Kazuma kun. I am flattered to be included. But it still feel like, I am at the bottom of that list. Plus can we really call it an engagement?; when it was... When it was more like: (Oh! By the way, you two are now a couple. Have a nice day! And Bye~e!♪) Dude!; You are more like a big bro, who take care about five - six needy sisters. I don't saying that I will never fall for you if we keep hanging around, but you clearly having a big dream."
And of course, drunk Cecilia holding that keg under her armpit so the source will not be far from her. It must be near empty but she was determined to go until last drop. Her tongue was a twister, but she was asking Megumin if she really taken, dating Kazuma. She clearly wanted to be the one who will be dating the red mage. But then a spark in her eyes redirect her desire toward certain supposedly supper cute girl adventuring incognito that she not meet jet.
.
The party was going wild, but the pace was overtaken by Zetsa who laugh at laud and from full lungs. Then he smiled. "Megumin dono [lord like honorific], are you happy alongside Kazuma kun?"
Everybody other just stop, as the mage look at man with thinking expression. After a moment, she smiled wildly and happily. "He is such a wimp." And she grinned with a happy giggle.
And once again the crowd explode in euphoria, already dragging and pushing the last onlooker toward Tavern to have a fest.
.
.
[Notes:]
-About Zesta, on the wiki it said that he is alive, but from anime I got the impression that he died to demon general. I shall mentioned that I dint read novels, only watched anime, and certain part of manga about Megumin, plus browsing wiki, so I actually don't know if the resurrection of Zesta actually happened. But I had this idea and it developed something. So to not let it sit in imaginary drawer on the table, or on the computer file, I composed it onto this (half collection of stories?). Only when I was already writing this story, while searching for how he died, I notice on wiki page (status: alive). And I was: Okay, that creating an inconstancy.
-Unused lines by Kazuma during his speech (I forget it was written down in note form and write that part in different way, not using any of it, but still I shipping this part out.): "That is enough!; Its time to make a prayer to the goddess of water! Not a greedy one of (I want!) But; (Thank you!) Take part of me, part of my happiness, part of my manna, and use it, what ever you see fit." He risen his arm in (I offer you this!) gesture and a manna orb manifest in his hand. He shout. "Listen up. The stature in front of you can be only from a stone. But the avatar in the fountain lake, had ears. And those ears can be directed to, (you know who)."
Other members of axis order followed in his example. And loots of orbs (of various properties, mostly stained by emotions. No refined by emotions.) risen toward the stature, circling around it.
Aqua in a perfect cosplay of goddess of water had her upper face concealed by veil, radiated holly aura.
--Okay, I kinda implement the idea of orbs at last check up, sneaking them onto the story.
-This was another episode that grow, from a concept on few lines, onto this well feed baby.