After completing the quest and returning to the inn, they found Sato Kazuma had already returned and was waiting for them.
"Carter-senpai, Aqua, Megumin, you're back."
"Hmph, so the Pervzuma finally decided to show up!"
Adam and Kazuma exchanged greetings, while Aqua's tone carried clear dissatisfaction with his excessive diligence.
"Stupid Aqua, what's your problem now..." Noticing their travel-worn appearance, Kazuma asked, "Did you go on a quest?"
"Yes, Aqua actually worked quite hard."
"Eh, I thought Aqua would be too lazy to move." He looked skeptical.
"What! Does stupid Kazuma think we're just useless deadweight who never try?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Kazuma replied without hesitation, "I never thought you'd be of any use, Aqua."
"Ah—! Say that again! I'll teach you a lesson!" Aqua, already irritated by his excessive effort that day, lunged forward to punch him.
Adam caught her just in time, holding her back from starting a fight.
"Um... what's going on? Why is Aqua acting ?" Kazuma asked, bewildered by her hostility.
"Actually, today Aqua..." Megumin explained what had happened.
Kazuma fell silent after hearing it.
Why? It wasn't his fault — why was Aqua blaming him?
Besides, he had his own complaints! She was the one who kept talking about defeating the Devil King and returning to heaven. How dare she change her mind now!
His gaze toward Aqua grew increasingly hostile.
"Look, Kazuma didn't do anything wrong this time, Aqua. You should apologize to him." For once, Adam didn't show her favoritism, making a fair judgment.
Of course, this was to maintain harmony between party members. Had it been an outsider, he would have taken Aqua's side regardless.
They expected her to give in and apologize as usual, but her next action surprised even Adam.
—She ran away crying, hands covering her face.
"Aqua?" Seeing her flee in tears, his heart clenched painfully.
"Tch, Megumin, Kazuma, you two stay at the inn. I'll go find Aqua and be back soon."
After saying this, Adam rushed out of the inn to search for Aqua.
The two left in succession.
Although Megumin wasn't fully aware of the situation between them, she could tell that Kazuma and Aqua were at odds over their disagreement about defeating the Devil King.
She asked softly, "Um, about Aqua..."
"Don't worry about her!" Kazuma snapped, his voice bitter, "It's clearly not my fault — that selfish idiot!"
He had been working hard all this time on quests, leveling up, and growing stronger.
While he mostly enjoyed the happiness this fantasy world brought him, part of his motivation came from guilt. After all, he had accidentally brought her down to the Mortal Realm, so he worked hard to help Aqua return to Heaven.
Yet she didn't appreciate his good intentions and instead blamed him for trying too hard?
So in the end, it was all his fault? Was all that effort just to make him look like a fool?
The more Kazuma dwelled on it, the angrier he became, until finally he too stormed out of the inn in rage. To cool off with the succubus ladies…
Meanwhile, Adam was still searching for Aqua.
He had been too shocked earlier and lost sight of her when she disappeared into the crowd.
But there was still a way to find her.〔Advanced Water Element Affinity〕 wasn't just for Aqua to find him — Adam could also find her.
It worked both ways! Even when his mind was in a trance, the connection remained.
He followed his senses toward where the rich and pure water elements were gathering.
Sure enough, he found Aqua by the river that ran east to west through Axel. She sat with her feet in the water, splashing violently, the droplets sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.
This beautiful scene revealed all of her inherent divine and sacred qualities as a goddess.
"Hey, Aqua." He greeted her, slowly approaching.
"Hmph." Seeing who it was, Aqua let out a small huff, withholding her usual smile.
"Are you angry? Look, I realize I was too harsh earlier. I shouldn't have judged so quickly." Adam offered a sincere apology without making excuses.
"Hmph." Aqua didn't accept the apology, turning her head away instead.
But this actually boosted his confidence — if she were truly angry, she wouldn't respond at all. At times , more apologies wouldn't help; he needed to negotiate. Only proper compensation could heal her wounded heart.
When it comes to handling Aqua, I'm a professional!
Enough talk, name your price!
"One bottle of premium bubble wine."
"Hmph!" Hearing the offer, Aqua remained unmoved, letting out another cold huff.
Good, she's wavering. Time to seal the deal!
"Five bottles! That's the limit, I can't go any higher!"
"And stupid Kazuma has to apologize too!"
Though Aqua wanted to ask for more, she pretended to reluctantly agree, adding the condition that Kazuma must apologize to her.
"Listen, Aqua, Kazuma didn't do anything wrong, did he? He's working hard to defeat the Devil King quickly and send you back to heaven. Why are you so angry?" Adam asked, confused.
Logically, she should have Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform. Why had she become so resistant?
"Didn't I tell you? I want to live in the mortal world with you."
Having secured her compensation, Aqua beamed with happiness.
She explained candidly, "In heaven, I had to send people to other worlds every day, working under constant scrutiny, dealing with monthly evaluations and rankings — I hated it! Those guys even gossiped behind my back, calling me 'Heaven's #1 Most Unwanted Boss'! Did they think I wouldn't find out? Those awful people!"
She expressed strong dissatisfaction with heaven's exploitative system and the Gods who disapproved of her.
"But didn't you say you wanted to live leisurely in heaven?"
"But now I'm living leisurely every day — eating, drinking, and having fun — and it's ten thousand times better than heaven! I'm happy living with you!" Her face wore a blissful smile.
"But I'm just a mortal. I can't accompany you for long — a hundred years at most."
"..." Aqua fell silent again.
But this time, after a moment's quiet, she looked at Adam with her pure water-blue eyes and spoke with complete seriousness.
"Even if it's only a hundred years, I want to live together with you!"
"Is that so..." Hearing these words, Adam once again strengthened his resolve to defeat the Devil King.
For Aqua's sake, I'll show you how I can break through something like a lifespan limit!
The Gods' reward will be mine!
T/N: If you want more chapters , check out my Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.com/mrblackwing