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Early the next morning.
"What did you say?!"
"An Earthquake Man who can cause tsunamis by merely opening his arms? A Super Marine who uses warships as punching bags? And monsters that can trigger volcanic eruptions, freeze glaciers, and fire laser beams of light?!"
After listening to Zyhark's introduction to the powerhouses of the pirate world, Aqua pressed her hands to her head in panic, her clear pupils dimming, and her face morphing into an expression of utter shock.
"Isn't this supposed to be a world of weaklings? How come it sounds more terrifying than those worlds where they fight Demon Lords!"
"The same level of powerhouses is far more numerous than what I've mentioned," Zyhark ruthlessly added, giving her a wake-up call.
Indeed, rising forces like Hawk Eye and Red Hair would soon stand at the world's pinnacle, not to mention the superpowers whose strengths were still unknown, such as Dragon of the Revolutionary Army, the Five Elders, and the World Nobles like Imu.
"Ah! As the partner of a useless person like you, won't I be turned into skin fragments in minutes?"
Despair spread across Aqua's twisted and cute face, shattering her previous "paid vacation" ease and joy.
Being looked down upon by a foolish goddess, Zyhark's gaze turned cold: "Indeed, selling you to the bandits to recoup some losses seems more prudent."
"No, no! Although I am a noble and supremely sacred goddess, I definitely won't sell for much!"
Aqua became even more panicked, shaking her head frantically without doubting the truth of Zyhark's words.
Her iconic aqua blue hair fluttered as she moved.
Hiding his amusement, Zyhark commented: "You do have some self-awareness."
"Jerk! You're lying to me!" Aqua was furious.
After a few seconds of silence and regaining some composure, she suggested to Zyhark: "Why don't we just stay in this safe village?"
Just as Zyhark had guessed when making his wish, Aqua, after completing the inter-dimensional travel, had not fully recovered her goddess powers. Her most proficient undead purification magic was useless in this world.
The only somewhat notable ability she had was magic that could rival floods.
But this seemed insignificant compared to natural disasters like tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, especially since the individuals with these terrifying powers also possessed monstrously strong physiques, capable of fighting for seven days and nights without tiring (if Zyhark wasn't lying).
"Actually, you don't have to worry too much. Those monsters are mostly gathered in the unpredictable New World, far away from the East Blue where we are now."
Seeing how scared Aqua was, Zyhark couldn't help but comfort her.
"Don't worry, I'm very familiar with this world. You're my summoned partner, and I won't let you lose your life no matter what."
Hearing this, the simple-minded Aqua was greatly relieved and touched by his words.
"Zyhark, you really are a good person!"
Zyhark ignored her drastic change in emotions, seriously saying: "So as partners sharing honor and disgrace, the bandit debt I'm carrying on my back is now yours to deal with."
"..." So I have to help you repay the debt?!
Caught in her moved state, Aqua suddenly froze, her clear pupils filled with confusion.
"Eh? Who are you, my friend? You look somewhat familiar. Have we met before?"
"Pretending not to know me, huh? Then go, get your head smashed by an Emperor, ground into meat by a Marine Admiral, and thrown into the sea to feed the fish," Zyhark said calmly, having anticipated her acting foolish.
"Ah, ahaha, really, Zyhark, you're too slow, can't you see I was just joking?"
Aqua scratched her head, shamelessly laughing off her previous act.
Fortunately, the restaurant's door was pushed open, and a few customers walked in, breaking the awkward moment.
"Boss, the usual, three sets of fried dough sticks and soy milk."
It was the same three carpenters from yesterday.
As they walked in and raised their heads, they caught sight of Aqua in her blue feathered outfit and stunning appearance.
They froze in place, synchronously rubbing their sleepy eyes to make sure they weren't dreaming or hallucinating.
After confirming this was real, they couldn't help but exclaim in unison: "What? A super cute beauty?!"
"What beauty, such rude fellows. I am the Goddess Aqua, worshipped by the Axis Cult!"
Aqua brushed the hair from her forehead, standing with one hand on her hip, wearing an arrogant and confident smile.
"Aqua...Axis Cult?"
"Goddess of Water??"
The three carpenters blinked in confusion.
"Cough, cough, she's my distant cousin, Aqua," Zyhark coughed lightly, offering a more plausible explanation without delving too much into Aqua's origins.
Seeing their shocked faces looking at Aqua, who was striking poses, Zyhark stepped forward and quietly added, "As you can see, her head isn't quite right."
The carpenters responded with understanding glances: Oh, that explains it!
"Um, are you the Goddess of the Axis Cult?"
"Aqua-sama, we've been waiting for you, your most loyal followers!"
The carpenters immediately went along with Aqua's narrative, acting very convincingly, even with a semblance of sincerity.
"Are there believers of me in this world?!"
The simple-minded Aqua actually believed their bluff, her face lighting up with uncontrollable excitement and pride.
"Zyhark! See, the Axis Cult is everywhere, hahaha!"
Poor child, she's really not well...
The carpenters silently sighed, pitying Aqua as they looked at her.
But to the triumphant Aqua, their gazes seemed like sincere worship.
Puffing up her chest, she boldly declared, "Since you're all believers of mine, today's meal is on the house!"
"It's my restaurant, damn it!" Zyhark moved forward to chop Aqua on the head with a hand of love.
Aqua winced, covering her head with teary eyes.
"Really? That's great! Boss, please make it six sets of breakfast instead of three!"
The carpenters didn't miss the opportunity to add insult to injury.
"No problem, but after enjoying the goddess's grace, it's time to contribute your strength. The damaged tables and chairs in the store are now your responsibility!"
"Cough, never mind, we thought about it, and we can't eat that much. Let's not waste food."
In just one round of banter, the three sly carpenters were outwitted by Zyhark, the strategist.
(End of Chapter)