Half an hour later, after taking another shower and changing clothes, Lucy and Sorano returned to the manor.
In the living room were Laki and Meredy, who had been eating breakfast together earlier, along with Kabe, Irene, Brandish, Aquarius, and another mature blonde woman Lucy had never seen before.
Meredy quietly introduced her, saying that she was likely one of Irene's close acquaintances residing in the area, Selene.
With so many people gathered in the living room, it was Aquarius who spoke first after a long silence.
"It's been a while. Some people still don't understand proper manners at all."
She leaned casually on the sofa, her gaze sweeping across Brandish.
Although she did not name anyone directly, Brandish reacted as if a switch had been flipped, instantly sliding onto her knees beside Aquarius.
"I'm sorry, master woof."
"Ma-master… woof?"
Lucy's eyes turned into blank dots as she watched Brandish being casually pulled and squished on the cheeks, even having her chin scratched by Aquarius. She struggled to keep up with the situation.
"I didn't expect that silly, clueless little girl from back then would grow into such a refined beauty. And she even managed to latch onto quite an impressive backing."
While mocking Brandish, Aquarius's gaze slowly moved across Kabe, Irene, and Selene.
Even from within the Celestial Spirit World, she had heard that Kabe had risen to become the leader of the Ten Wizard Saints and the strongest mage in Ishgar.
As for the two women beside him, although Aquarius did not recognize them, she could clearly sense the terrifying magic power radiating from them. They were anything but ordinary beings.
Irene and Selene, in turn, also found this talking Celestial Spirit quite interesting.
The three women's gazes met in the air, each recognizing curiosity and appreciation in the others.
"Hey. Now is not the time for exchanging flirtatious looks."
Kabe's patience had run out. The reason was not only the destruction of his backyard pool and garden.
He was also annoyed because the earlier atmosphere of interaction and subtle tension between him, Irene, and Selene had been interrupted.
Now he was left with nowhere to vent his frustration.
His eyes briefly drifted over Aquarius's refined face and well-proportioned figure.
He considered, for a moment, whether he should carry this mermaid upstairs and make her properly compensate him.
"I have nothing to do with this. I am just a poor, helpless spirit bound by a contract. If you want compensation, go to my key holder, Lucy."
"Me?"
Lucy pointed at herself in disbelief.
"Wait, I never ordered you to flood the garden!"
"That was a necessary measure to protect my contractor."
Aquarius raised her voice in justification.
But this only made Lucy even more furious.
"You clearly washed me away too!"
No matter how much Lucy argued afterward, Aquarius simply turned her head away, refusing to respond.
Lucy, frustrated, cursed inwardly.
"This damn spirit only admits I'm her contractor when she needs someone to take the blame."
Clap clap.
Kabe clapped his hands to interrupt their argument.
"I don't care whose fault it is, but since Aquarius is your spirit, Lucy, it is reasonable for you to be responsible for compensation."
He then looked at her with a slightly malicious smile.
"Congratulations, Lucy. Before you even manage to pay off your rent, you've now added another massive debt."
Rumble.
A bolt of lightning seemed to strike Lucy's mind, leaving her completely blank.
"This is not what my new life was supposed to be. This is not how my life should go."
"Ah, Lucy's magic power is running low. I'll take my leave."
Sensing Lucy's breakdown and aware she had caused trouble, Aquarius immediately prepared to escape.
"Brandish, remember to come find me tonight."
With those words, her body gradually turned translucent and dissolved into starlight.
"Don't! You are not allowed to run!"
Lucy reached out while crying, but grasped only empty air. Aquarius had already returned to the Celestial Spirit World.
Watching Lucy clutch her head in despair, Irene thoughtfully stroked her chin.
"An interesting spirit. Her personality is quite different from normal spirits."
Selene also nodded in agreement.
"Yes. A spirit who disobeys her contractor and even drags them into trouble… this is my first time seeing one. If I get the chance, I would like to speak with her properly."