Hippity hoppity, get off my property

[Morning]

Aqua worked the entire night, purifying every spirit that possessed a doll. She looked out the brightening window and said to the others.

Aqua: There's not any more problem. There were plenty of evil spirits here. I worked until daybreak.

Darkness: Hmm, I think we should report this to the guild. Although we didn't take on this quest in the guild, this is a job for adventurers anyway. We might get some unexpected bounty for exorcising all the spirits in this mansion. I also want to know why there are so many spirits turning up in town suddenly.

Everyone agreed with her, Alex asked Darkness and Megumin to stay in the mansion to tidy up the place, while he and Aqua headed to the guild to report about it.

Alex: Speaking of which, where was the illegitimate child you mentioned? Didn't you say the spirits wouldn't harm us?

Aqua hit her fist into her palm, as if she just thought of something.

Aqua: Ahh! That child was present too! Don't worry, this incident was caused by the wild spirits from other places. I think the one who drank my high-class wine was that illegitimate child of that noble! Fortunately there was some bit of it, maybe I should have some mercy on the spirit, even if the wine tasted a bit strange…

Alex froze on his spot… Did she just drink his… No! It's too weird! 

He tried to forget it, and opened the door of the guild.

Alex: Good morning. It's a bit early, but I have something to report, is it convenient?

Luna: No problem, may I ask what it is?

Then Alex and Aqua explained to the receptionist how they took a request from the real estate agent and went to subjugate the evil spirits in the mansion. Luna looked at Aqua's adventurer's card and nodded in affirmation, which seemed to record the number and informations of monsters you defeated.

Luna: There are many who are seeking help due to the spread of the evil spirits. Since you've successfully repelled the monsters, we should give you some bounty rewards. Thank you for your hard work.

Aqua made a victory pose while Luna explained something else regarding the incident.

Luna: Sorry for taking your time, but we've found out why the evil spirits were wandering around; here's the report. There's a public cemetery in Axel town, right? I don't know who played a prank, creating a giant holy barrier on that cemetery. 

The spirits in the cemetery had nowhere to go, so they had to go to the town and haunt houses where no one was living in…

Aqua's body shook for a moment and stiffened…

Alex: ...Excuse me for a moment…

Alex pulled Aqua in a corner of the guild.

Alex: Speak.

Aqua: ...Yes. You told me to periodically visit the cemetery to send the lost spirits to the otherworld. But going there every now and then is a real hassle, right? So, I thought if I chased all the spirits in the cemetery away and let them wander around, they would dissipate naturally over time…

Alex: Oh god… We won't claim the reward from the guild, understood?

Aqua nodded guiltily.

Alex: After this, we'll head over to the property estate and apologize, since what we did was just like fraud.

Aqua: ...Yes. I'm very sorry.

After leaving the guild, they decided to go to the mansion to inform Megumin and Darkness about it, but coincidentally the agent was there too.

Man: Oh my, I was worried and came to look. I didn't expect all the evil spirits to be exorcized! 

Seeing the smile on the man's face and knowing how worried he was. Alex couldn't stand anymore and explained everything… But…

Man: I see… But if it's possible, could you please stay here from now on? This house is too big and there are more evil spirits here than other places, so it has a bad reputation…

Alex/Aqua: We're very sorry!

Both of them fell on their knees and placed their foreheads on the ground, and the man panicked.

Man: Ahh, it's fine, it's fine! Please raise your heads. Well then, it's settled… All of you will stay here for now. To dispose of so many spirits proves that you are powerful adventurers. Providing support for adventurers is the obligation of the citizens in this town. 

And if you continue to live here, the bad reputation of the mansion would gradually fade away…

In the face of the man's generous suggestion, Aqua and Alex bowed again.

Man: Ahh, enough, stop doing that!

[Later]

Before leaving, the man gave out 2 strange requests that Alex agreed to.

"After finishing your adventures, or when eating dinner, you have to chat about your adventures with your companions…" That's a strange condition, but it's not very hard.

The second was… "Clean the small tomb at the corner of the courtyard."

And so, Alex was squatting near the tomb, clearing the grass. And a familiar voice called out for him.

Wiz: Alex, morning! Are you cleaning the tomb?

Alex: Oh, hey Wiz. Yeah, I'm doing it.

He invited Wiz for a seat, but she said she needed to tend to her shop and left after bidding him farewell. Did she get worried about them and come to look?

Alex poured water over the tombstone and cleaned it. While doing so, he could see some vague words on it… "Anna"

Wait, wasn't this the name that Aqua said belonged to the illegitimate child of the mansion? Wait! Was the entire bullshit she pulled off real?!

Aqua's voice came from the mansion and said.

Aqua: Alex! Lunch is ready, come quick! If you don't come over now, your food will get cold!

Alex: I know, wait a moment, I'll be right there!

Then Alex wiped the tombstone with a cloth, and was able to read the entire name.

"Anna Filante Asteroid"

...That lazy goddess really made bullseye!

Aqua: Alex! Megumin says that for every minute you're late, there'll be one less piece of fried meat on your dish! Take your time, you don't need to hurry, our lunch will be more bountiful that way.

Alex: Aqua! Alex says that for every piece of fried meat that misses, there'll be one more sword on your asses! Take your time, you can eat them all, I will have more fun that way!

Aqua didn't speak anymore, meanwhile Alex finished to clean the tombstone and headed towards the mansion.

[Some days later]

It started, the real winter, the days where the temperature will be at the lowermost point even though the snow wasn't there…

Alex: Hey, move away, you stood there too much time and now it's my turn.

Aqua: I don't wanna. This place is really comfortable…

They were in front of a fireplace, but Aqua decided to claim it as her territory.

Alex: Goddammit! Stop being stubborn and move out of the way! If you continue to get in my way!

Aqua: What, you want to fight? If we're both unarmed, I'll have the advantage with my higher stats. The place before the fireplace is my holy sanctuary, anyone who invades it will receive divine punish-

*Shiiin*

Alex took out the Overfiend Blade of Nulgath and glared at Aqua, who crawled away as fast as she could once she looked at the giant sword.

Alex sat in front of the fireplace and put his hands forward.

Suddenly, Aqua, who just calmed down, seemed to remember something and stood up, taking out her own adventurer's card and shoving it in Alex's face.

Aqua: Alex, look carefully at the level column! Right now, I have the highest level among the four of us. With such a high level, I could be considered a veteran! You rookies who are below level 20 know your place! If you understand, then offer the place before the fireplace to the great me!

Alex looked at her card, which showed level 21…

Alex: Now that I think about it, it was a while since I didn't show you guys my card…

He took his adventurer's card and showed it to Aqua.

Aqua: Hah, you want to try to compare with me? Or you want me to acknowle..dge… you…

Alex's current level, Level 52.

Even though Aqua's stats are indeed higher than Alex's since hers were already maxed from the beginning, Alex was not that far away from her, instead, the difference between the two was much close than one could think, and that is thanks to the Void Highlord's abnormal stats increase.

Alex: Hippity hoppity, get off my property.

Alex threw a kick at Aqua, and relaxed in front of the fireplace.