Chapter 169: Eris is Good, But I Choose Aqua
When Kobayashi opened his eyes again, he was already in a pure black, enclosed space. There was nothing here except for the large, empty chair opposite him.
"Although I'm getting a little used to it, I still want to say..." He puffed out his chest, took a deep breath, and then roared at the sky:
"—THAT IDIOT GODDESS!!!"
I'm seriously going to be pissed off to death!
Kazuma had at least died from being hit while his body was weakened from exhaustion, but he had been suffocated! If this matter were to be known by outsiders, he would surely become a laughingstock! After all, being murdered by boobs... that's just too bizarre!
He vented the frustration in his heart.
Then he began to look around, searching for that kind, capable, and benevolent goddess of fortune.
"...She's not here?"
There was no figure on the large chair. No wonder no one had come to console him when he was going crazy just now.
So where did she go?
He crossed his right leg over his left, his left arm across his chest, and pinched his chin with his right hand in thought. His relaxed appearance did not at all treat this place as a divine space for reincarnation, but as naturally as if it were his own home.
By the time he was about to fall asleep in the chair, Eris finally came running in a hurry.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm late."
Even though she was the goddess who was high and mighty in both status and strength, she was now bowing and scraping to a human, which was a little unbecoming of a goddess.
Doesn't this just make me want to bully her even more?
He grinned, then quickly smoothed it over, and with a stern face, feigned anger and questioned her, "Eris, where did you go? I've been waiting for half a day! Where's my blanket? I'm about to freeze to death!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. There was some urgent trouble in the mortal world that needed to be dealt with, so..."
Eris quickly took out a blanket from under the chair and personally covered him with it.
Her posture was very low, not like a goddess, but rather like a waitress serving a guest. Because she had not fulfilled her duties, she was bowing and scraping in apology.
This is bad. The feeling of bullying her is even better now.
Therefore, he continued to press the attack.
"Then do you admit your mistake?"
"Yes, I am terribly sorry."
"Don't you know that you have to show your chest when you apologize?"
"Yes, I'll show my chest right now..."
Eris subconsciously went to unbutton her shirt.
But when she saw his wicked smile, she immediately realized she was being fooled. She was so angry that her mouth puffed up, and she even complained to him with a hint of a pout, "I'm going to cry! I'm really going to cry! Honestly, stop bullying me, Mr. Kobayashi!"
"Sorry, sorry. It's just that you had that 'please bully me' expression on your face, so I couldn't help it... If I've troubled you, I'm very sorry."
He immediately clasped his hands together and bowed his head in apology.
No matter how much trouble he caused the other party, as long as he apologized, he would be forgiven. He had learned this quintessence of the Japanese to perfection and was quite skilled at playing it. Especially when dealing with the kind-hearted goddess of fortune, it was even easier to obtain forgiveness.
And sure enough.
"Just be more careful next time."
"Yes, next time for sure!"
He had easily obtained her forgiveness.
"Eris, you seem to be very troubled by something. Just now, too. You weren't here when someone ascended to heaven, even though you're the goddess in charge of reincarnation."
This was very strange.
The goddess before him, unlike Aqua, was a person who was diligent and responsible in her work. Unless something tricky had happened, it was impossible for her not to appear in time...
Speaking of which, Eris suddenly let out a torrent of words. "It's because I'm acting as a scout. I really can't get away. Never mind receiving the reincarnated, I haven't even finished the work that Senior Aqua left behind."
"Er... never mind why you're still doing Aqua's leftover work, what did you mean by 'scout' just now?"
The rather modern term made him curious.
She sighed, thought for a moment, and then explained, "It's not anything important. I estimate that in a few days, you all should receive the news as well. Actually, the Mobile Fortress Destroyer is approaching. In order to predict its course, I'm acting as a scout."
"I see," he nodded in understanding.
He had just mentioned the bald guy with the fantasy creation ability in the last chapter, and in this chapter, he was already showing his presence, and in a way that made one grit their teeth.
She continued to complain, "I was originally planning to return to Axel, but I didn't expect to suddenly receive a message saying it was coming to town. On top of that, I'm actually a little famous in the mortal world, so I was forcibly conscripted."
"Is that so? You've really had it rough."
He looked at her with a face full of sympathy.
Poor goddess. Not only could she not refuse the trouble thrown at her by her senior (Aqua), but she also couldn't refuse the arduous tasks thrown at her by the Adventurer's Guild.
By the way, isn't she a bit of a failure as a goddess!
At this moment, she suddenly showed a gentle smile and said, "But it doesn't matter if I'm a little tired. It's all worth it. Because of my efforts, the town was able to avoid the risk, and the villagers didn't have to suffer."
A bright light burst forth from her body. The black space was instantly illuminated with her at the center.
Ah, my eyes!
He had a vision. That strong, shining point made him feel ashamed, and even dispelled the dark side of his heart. He couldn't help but want to submit to her.
I'm sorry. I, who looked down on you, am the most hopeless one.
Looking at it this way, she is the true goddess. Someone like Aqua, who only knows how to eat, drink, and play, and lives a life of waiting for death, is not worthy of the title of goddess at all!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of repentance.
"I'm sorry, Goddess Eris."
"Wh-what's wrong, Mr. Kobayashi? Why did you suddenly apologize?"
"Because I did something wrong."
"Something wrong..."
Hearing this, a bad premonition arose in her heart, and it was confirmed in the next second.
"In the last world, I established an Axis Orphanage. The children there all believe in Aqua. And in order to let that idiot goddess feel their faith, I told them the doctrine of the Axis Order."
"And the doctrine is..."
"Eris pads her chest."
"H-how cruel, Mr. Kobayashi!"
The poor goddess was being persecuted. The grievance in her heart instantly burst forth. She glared at him with big, watery eyes. The downward curve of her lips showed that she was really about to cry.
Even he felt a little bad. He stood up and gave a crisp, 90-degree bow.
"Hontou ni sumimasen!"
This time, his apology was sincere.
Just as he thought she wouldn't forgive him, he heard her gentle and understanding voice. "It's alright, Mr. Kobayashi. Please raise your head."
"...You've forgiven me?"
"Yes. A-after all, it's... the truth, isn't it? I have no right to... complain about you, do I?"
She held back her tears and forgave him with great magnanimity.
He was grateful for her magnanimity, but at the same time, he felt sorry for her. If only her chest were as big as her heart.
...Wait.
Don't tell me... it's because she's flat that her heart is so big?
"Is something wrong, Mr. Kobayashi?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing."
He shook his head, quickly throwing the stray thoughts from his mind.
But she really was a true goddess. He was a little captivated by her charm.
Suddenly, a magic circle shone under him.
Having experienced this before, he knew this was Aqua activating her resurrection magic.
At the same time, her voice came from the shattered void above. "Kobayashi! It's morning! Hurry up and wake up!"
...I've been awake the whole time, you know.
He did not respond.
Aqua, on the contrary, became anxious. "Kobayashi? Kobayashi! Don't tell me you've been charmed! That woman... Eris pads her chest! I've told you that many times! Don't be fooled by her, Kobayashi!"
"S-Senior Aqua?!"
Eris blushed, trying to interrupt her from revealing her hidden secret.
But she hadn't expected to be misunderstood as a provocation by her. She immediately shouted, "Eris! Give me back Kobayashi! He is the most important person to me! I don't care about the other believers! I don't even care if you're worshipped as the state religion's god! But give me back Kobayashi! Quickly! Immediately! At once! Give him back to me!!!"
Wow, what an intense reaction. Looking at Eris at the side, she had been scared silly by the agitated Aqua.
He gently patted the goddess of fortune's shoulder, bringing her back to her senses.
Eris looked at him and said, "I didn't expect... Senior Aqua to value you so much, Mr. Kobayashi."
"Well, I am her favored one, after all," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting with some pride.
Eris is very good, but I choose Aqua.
Aqua continued to threaten, "Eris! If you don't let him come back, I'm going to spread the word that you pad your chest!"
"W-wait! I get it! I get it! I'll open the gate right away! Honestly, Senior Aqua is still so unreasonable..."
Interrupting her frantic shouts, Eris blushed and snapped her fingers. The magic circle immediately shot into the sky and connected with the one above, and his body began to float up unconsciously.
It seemed he could return to the mortal world.
He looked down at the goddess below, clasped his hands together, and apologized to her. "I'm sorry. I'll give her a good talking-to when I get back."
"Okay. Then I'll be counting on you."
Eris returned a bitter smile.
A strong light filled his entire vision. He couldn't help but close his eyes. When he opened them again, he had been successfully resurrected.
Aqua was glaring at him with watery eyes, making him think he was some kind of heartless scoundrel who had done something to wrong her.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Were you seduced by Eris? You didn't want to come back."
"How could that be? That flat... cough."
"That's right! Eris pads her chest! Come on, repeat after me: Eris pads her chest! Quick, repeat it!"
"How could I repeat that, you idiot!"
He flicked her on the forehead. She clutched her head in pain, her watery eyes looking as if she were about to cry.
However, he was in no mood to play along with her for the time being. He turned his head to look at the bright, sunny winter outside and then let out a big stretch.
A beautiful day begins with being resurrected by a goddess!
(End of Chapter)