The next morning, Shichen and Aqua split up. Shichen took Megumin around town to look for anything suspicious—and to let her cut loose with a blast while they were at it. Darkness and Yunyun accompanied Aqua to check the hot spring source. Frieren stayed at the inn.
"Shichen, is it true the Demon King's army is targeting this town's hot springs?" Megumin asked as they walked. No Axis followers bothered them on the way; it was unusually quiet.
"Of course. I wouldn't joke about that. Why do you ask?" Shichen replied, puzzled.
"I thought you were just indulging Aqua," Megumin said with a grin.
"Even if I spoil her, that's not something to joke about."
"Who knows… You really do dote on Aqua. Is it because she's a goddess?"
"Not that much."
"Really? You treat us differently."
"Oh? Do you want me to spoil you too?"
"I didn't say that."
"It's written all over your face. I already spoil you plenty."
"Not enough," Megumin pouted.
"Then what would be enough?"
"For starters, why aren't you holding my hand?"
"That all?" Shichen laughed and took her hand.
"Hmph."
"Come on—let's head outside the walls and let you fire one off."
Holding Megumin in his arms, Shichen used teleportation to take them to the road outside town where they'd first arrived. There was a patch of wasteland there—perfect for Explosion without risking collateral damage. It was quiet: no people, not even monsters in sight.
"Megumin, give that spot one," he said.
"Okay!"
Megumin raised her staff, aimed at the empty ground he indicated, and began gathering mana. She was always thrilled when she got to cast Explosion; her crimson eyes practically glowed.
Once the fluff of a useless incantation was done, she unleashed it without hesitation.
"Explosion!"
A massive blast tore through the wasteland, sand and stones whipped up as shockwaves rolled out. The ground trembled. They were far enough that the town wouldn't be affected, but the boom still carried; people in town were already shouting about an earthquake or a Demon King raid.
The folks in Axel really were built different—barely fazed at all. Habit is scary.
"Ughh—" Megumin went limp the instant the spell ended, mana spent, collapsing into Shichen's arms. She felt even lighter than before. She'd been eating well lately, so why no signs of "growth" at all—weight or figure? Was childhood malnutrition really that impactful? Not that it mattered; Shichen liked her just the way she was.
He didn't rush back. Instead he set up a barrier on the spot—masking presence and sight—and sat down on a rock with her in his arms.
"Mm… we're not heading back?" Megumin asked weakly.
"What, you fire one off and forget about everyone else?"
"Then… are you going to top up my mana so I can do another?"
"Not a chance. This is the perfect time to tease you."
"Eh? W-what are you going to do?" She tensed—eyes bright with anticipation.
"Hold that thought—sip of cola first." Shichen pulled a cola from his Gate of Babylon, popped the cap, and took a long drink.
"Tss—haa—" The fizz bit at his mouth and throat, drawing a satisfied sigh.
"I want some too." Megumin reached for it.
"I'll feed you."
"Ah—" She obediently opened up.
"How about the import route?" he joked.
"The what?" she blinked—then understood a beat later. He took another sip, leaned in, and kissed her, passing the cola mouth-to-mouth. Some spilled, tracing from the corner of her lips down her neck and into her clothes. She couldn't lift a hand to wipe it—Shichen wasn't letting her go—so, like always, she looped her arms around his neck and let him have his way.
A long while later, he finally let her breathe.
"Whew—!" Megumin's face was scarlet; she gulped air.
"I don't think I've helped with your 'growth' yet today," Shichen murmured, following the trail where the cola had run with light, lingering kisses. Megumin stiffened, then—used to his mischief by now—gradually relaxed as his fingers and touch made her shiver, her breathing still ragged.
Lying like that was awkward, so he shifted her to sit on his lap with her back against his chest. One arm circled her from the front; the other, a jealous free hand, "looked for something to do," ending up steadying her waist and hips.
"S-Shichen?" Megumin straightened, frozen again.
"Don't mind me. I figure this area could use some 'development' too."
"That part doesn't need it! Why do you always like touching there?" she muttered.
"Can't help it. This hand's bored."
"S-so you really do dislike that I'm small!"
"Not at all. I like you."
"I don't believe you!"
"Want proof?"
"H-how would I know!"
"I can think of a way."
"What way?"
He turned her to face him and started fussing with her outer layers.
"Hey—what are you—wait!" Her hat slipped off and hit the ground. She tried to shield herself, flustered. "We're outside!"
"Relax, the barrier's up. No one can see."
"Mm…"
He took a second just to look at her—pale skin, smooth as porcelain—then gently drew her hands aside. He didn't rush; he simply leaned in again, kissing her deeply and following the place where the cola had spilled with soft, teasing attention until Megumin finally melted and went boneless in his arms.
After a long while, with Megumin draped across his lap, Shichen's gaze drifted lower. On impulse, he wanted to check her contract seal.
Before she could fully react, he adjusted the hem just enough to glimpse the mark on her lower back and quietly memorized the number.
"W-wait—what are you doing?"
"Nothing. Just looking at your mark," he said, touching his chin as he committed the digits to memory.
"W-what? No—don't!" Megumin squirmed.
"Too late. I've got the number."
"Ugh… I want to die…" She gave up struggling.
"It's fine. I saw it—no big deal."
"…Fine."