Chapter 231 – Blue Sky and Steam

“Now then, Ambassador. I must head to the Royal Castle and request an audience with His Majesty Melvin.”

It seems Marquis Zilbolt is leaving the ritual grounds with his wife and daughter.

There are procedures to handle, like transferring custody of Elmer and the others.

“Understood. I may come to speak with you another day.”

“Very well. Let me thank you again for saving Elmer and the others.”

Marquis Zilbolt bowed once, then departed for the Royal Castle under the escort of his Knight Order.

Now then… When I looked toward the garden to see what happened after Claudia and Tephra made their contract, changes had already occurred. I could see hot water bubbling up from around the center of the pond.

Using Water Magic, I drew some water from near the spring to examine it. The temperature of the emerging water seemed relatively high. It might be just right for drawing to various places for use.

“No smell of hydrogen sulfide. Hmm.”

Though I think that smell also adds to the hot spring experience… Preferences vary from person to person.

I tasted it too. Tasteless and odorless—or so it seemed, but there was a faint sweetness. Hmm… It appears to contain a slight amount of Magical Power. It definitely seems to have medicinal properties.

“The changes are already happening.”

Everyone came to see for themselves.

“Indeed. We need to do something before the pond overflows.”

“That’s right. It’ll get flooded.”

“After we develop the surrounding area, we can simply draw the hot water there. But for now… diverting it to the river or sea would likely cause various impacts.”

Temperature changes and water quality changes. Since these elements weren’t there before, it might affect the ecosystem. I don’t usually concern myself with such details, but I wouldn’t want to affect the residents’ lives, and it probably isn’t what Tephra, as a Spirit, wants either.

“Hmm… Indeed, perhaps I was a bit hasty. The output depends on my power, but I believe I can adjust it to some extent.”

So the flow rate depends on Tephra. If the hot spring becomes famous and attracts people, Tephra’s power will likely increase.

“We can’t exactly monitor it constantly, so why not divert it to the Labyrinth side?”

Claudia suggested.

“Ah, using the sewer system?”

“That would be it. Since the hot spring water has different properties from what was there before, it might create a new section in the lower levels of the Labyrinth. But that in itself doesn’t affect the outside, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I see. That’s interesting.”

I heard some slightly unsettling words like “new section”… but this place is already like a new section of the Labyrinth anyway. Since Claudia and Tephra seem fine with it, I decided to adopt that plan.

We extended an underground passage from the ritual grounds toward the Termwills side. We reinforced the surroundings to prevent leaks and connected it to the sewer system.

To prevent it from being used as an entrance/exit to the city interior, we modified the passage from the sewer outlet back toward the ritual grounds to a size impassable by people. Then we slightly altered the shape of the pond’s edge, creating a channel on the lower side and connecting it to the underground passage, completing the drainage route. It’s temporary, but it should suffice for the time being.

While we’re at it, let’s adjust the area around the spring too. We solidified and Petrified the pond bottom, remodeling it to prevent the water from getting muddy.

“Somehow, it seems like we could use it as a bath even as it is now.”

Irmhild said while lightly touching the water.

“I would like you all to be the first to enjoy it.”

Hmm… Well, if that’s the case, I’ll take them up on the offer of the first bath.

“Then let’s do that. The spring itself is hot, so we need to be a bit careful.”

When I said that, everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

“Then I’ll go get bath supplies from the house.”

“Understood. I’ll set up partitions and make other preparations.”

Taking a bath while the sun is still high has its own charm. Although the partitions block the view from the surroundings, so it doesn’t have the feel of an open-air bath, seeing the blue sky feels pleasant.

Just like at the lake before, everyone changed into swimsuits for bathing. The water temperature was somewhat hot, but not unbearably so.

I submerged myself up to the shoulders. I was enveloped in a comforting warmth that seemed to seep deep into my body.

“Ahh.”

I unintentionally let out a sound.

“How is the temperature?”

Tephra asked while also soaking in the water.

“Just right.”

“Good. That’s excellent to hear.”

When I answered, Tephra nodded with satisfaction. Seraphina was floating on her back on the water surface, looking very comfortable. The area around the ritual grounds was originally a comfortable place for Spirits and Fairies.

Since Lavigne dislikes hot water, we made a shallow bathtub, drew hot spring water into it, and cooled it to create a cold spring. The way she’s soaking heavily and not moving suggests she seems to like it in her own way.

“Mmm. Good water.”

“Really…”

Irmhild let out a big breath in response to Sheila’s murmur. She seems to have released her Humanization Spell and is relaxing leisurely.

“Theodore-sama. How are your injuries?”

Ashley inquired.

“Ah, yes. The burns don’t hurt anymore either.”

When I answered, everyone gathered around, apparently concerned about my wounds’ condition.

Somehow… even though everyone is wearing swimsuits, being surrounded by everyone with their faces flushed pink from the hot spring is… quite a stimulating sight.

Their wet skin glistens in the sunlight. Everyone has fair, fine-textured skin, so when their circulation improves, it becomes even more noticeable and alluring.

“At this rate, the Healing Shell might no longer be necessary.”

Trying it out, I peeled off the Healing Shell to find the burns already healing with new skin forming.

“At this rate, it seems there won’t even be scars. The cuts seem fine too.”

“Now that you mention it, I’ve heard some hot springs are effective for burns as well.”

Rosemary tilted her head.

“Indeed. Those who live near the mountains said it’s effective for burns too. It supposedly heals skin diseases and improves skin texture as well.”

Effective for burns too, huh? Then I’ll take my time soaking.

Triggered by Tephra’s words, the female members started getting excited, touching each other’s skin, commenting on how smooth it felt or how beautiful the fine texture was.

“Rosemary-sama, your skin is so beautiful.”

“Oh my, hearing that from you makes me happy, Grace. Though I envy the fairness of your and Ashley’s skin.”

“Claudia-sama’s skin is so smooth too.”

At Ashley’s words, Marlene began stroking Claudia’s arm, and so on. They seemed to be having quite a good time.

“Theodore seems to have rather nice skin too.”

At Sheila’s comment, everyone’s gaze turned toward me.

“Mmm. It’s true. It’s smooth.”

Seraphina, who had been floating nearby, stroked my shoulder as she said this.

“Ah, well… Mine is different from everyone else’s, or rather…”

Even as I answered, everyone laughed mischievously.

The flow seemed to Shift toward everyone touching my skin. My sides, my back—everywhere was being stroked by everyone’s hands.

…It was ticklish, and skin tones occupied most of my field of vision, making everything a blur. It’s good that everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, but… I should get out of the water before I get too flushed. Yeah.

Hmm. It was better water than I expected.

After getting out of the hot spring, I relaxed in one of the rooms of the facility we’d built for the Shrine Maidens’ stay. Some parts still lacked interior finishing and furniture, but it was sufficient for resting.

As for the hot spring, Penelope and the other Shrine Maidens were using it now. Their cheerful voices could be heard from the garden direction. Later, I’ll call the workshop and merchant guild members, Cecilia, Mihaela, and the Labyrinth Village residents too.

The area around the spring also has Tephra’s Spirit Shrine. Even if we draw water from here to various places, it might be best to keep the current facilities for use by our inner circle and royalty. First, let’s draw water into this facility and build a large bathhouse.

“My skin feels so moist.”

“It really does. Better than expected.”

Grace and Rosemary exchanged smiles.

“At this rate, we might be able to attract visitors for hot spring cures.”

“I’m sure of it. I think Father would be pleased too.”

Saying this, Rosemary laughed. Hmm. If we build various facilities around the hot spring, we’ll need staff to maintain them… Like the theater, this could become a good source of employment for the Orphanage members and Labyrinth Village residents.

Various ideas come to mind… but for now, should we separate the cure resort and the public bathhouse? Those seeking treatment would probably want a quiet stay, while public baths have an entertainment aspect.