Ash turned and looked at Wiz, who stood outside the cemetery.
Wiz had her hands clasped together, eyes closed, lips moving slightly as if reciting something.
After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and bowed toward the dissipating spirits.
“Thank you…
for your companionship all these years…
May you rest in peace…” Then, she raised her head and looked at Ash, her eyes slightly reddened.
“Mr.
Ash…
thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Ash clapped his hands and walked toward the cemetery entrance.
“Let’s go, back we head.” “Wait!” Aqua caught up and grabbed his sleeve.
“The money?” “What money?” “The money for the skeletons!
The bounty!
You killed so many skeletons, surely there’s a bounty, right?” “No.” “Why not!” “Because this is a pro bono quest.” “Pro bono?!” Aqua’s entire being turned ashen.
“You dragged me out of bed early in the morning, walked me here on a leash for half an hour, brought me to a graveyard, then used your stupid sword to flip the graveyard, fought over a dozen skeletons, and now you tell me it’s a pro bono quest?!
No money?!” “Yes.” “Then why did I come along!” “You’re a goddess.
Exorcising spirits is your duty.
Besides, I’m the one doing the exorcising right now.” “But duty shouldn’t mean working for free!
My followers make offerings to me, I help them with exorcisms—that’s a give and take!
What is this?
Freeloading off a goddess?!” “Aren’t you being freeloaded off right now?” “You!!!!!!” Aqua’s face flushed red with anger.
She turned to look at Wiz.
“You!
Yes, you!
The big-chested one!
You brought us here, you’re definitely responsible!
Hurry up and give me money!
At least compensate me for my emotional distress!” “Huh?
I, I don’t have…” Wiz was so frightened she took a step back, hands protectively covering her chest.
“No!
I really have no money!
My shop is almost bankrupt!” “Liar!
Liches have centuries of savings!” “I really don’t!
All my money went into stock!” “Then return the goods!” “I can’t!” Aqua chased Wiz around the cemetery for two laps, almost catching her.
“All my money went into stock…
I only have a few thousand eris on me…” “A few thousand is fine too!
Hand it over!” “Stop.” Ash raised his hand.
Enkidu shot out again, wrapping around Aqua’s waist and yanking hard.
“Whoa!” Aqua was pulled back again, this time landing squarely on her backside.
“Why are you chaining me again!” “Because you were trying to rob money.” “That’s compensation!
Not robbery!” “What’s the difference?” “The difference is—compensation is legitimate, robbery is illegitimate!” “Your logic is deeply flawed.” “Your logic is the flawed one!” Ash ignored her and turned to look at Wiz.
“Sorry for the disturbance today.
Thank you.” “N-no problem…” Wiz bowed her head, her voice almost inaudible.
“I’ll come buy things next time.” “O-okay…” Ash pulled on the chain and turned to walk toward Axel.
Aqua was dragged along, reluctantly following behind him, still muttering.
“Pro bono quest…
you actually thought of that…
freeloading off a goddess…
just you wait…
when we get back, I’m drinking ten bottles of your wine…
no, twenty…” “Can you even drink that much?” “Even if I can’t, I’ll try!
I’ll drink you into bankruptcy!” “That’s my money.” “Yours is mine!
I’m your wife!” “Yesterday you said yours was still yours.” “Th-that was a slip of the tongue!” “A slip of the tongue twice?” “Why do you have to remember so well!” “Bastard…
liar…
promised fine wine…
promised desserts…
promised being revered by thousands…” “What did you say?” “I said, darling, you’re walking so fast I almost couldn’t keep up!” Their voices gradually faded into the distance.
Wiz stood at the cemetery entrance, watching the two figures’ backs.
After a long while, she let out a soft sigh.
“Such strange people…” She looked down at the soil beneath her feet.
The ground overturned earlier by the Ea had now smoothed over again.
It wasn’t Ash’s doing.
After the spirits dissipated, the cemetery seemed to have regained a certain balance.
“But…
thank you.” Wiz bowed once more, then turned and walked toward her item shop.
“Next time they come…
I hope they don’t bring someone on a leash…” She muttered quietly.
“That goddess…
is really terrifying…”