Chapter 306 – Hot Spring Conference

Though there was still time before the conference, I had been away in Silvatoria for a while. I decided to get out of the bath a bit early and do some equipment inspections.

Safety inspections around the drainage outlets were important. I checked the drainage outlets in the pool. Once I verified the magic tools were functioning properly, the inspection would be complete.

As I was moving around checking various areas and conducting a safety inspection of the small pool at the end of the water slide, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana came sliding down together with a splash.

They probably also decided to get out of the bath early to look around the pool.

“Ah, that was fun!”

“It’s designed so you can safely turn even without slowing down.”

“It’s all calculated, isn’t it? Now that I know, for the third time I’ll—”

The two surfaced with laughter.

“Oh, my?”

Princess Stephania seemed slightly surprised to see me there, covering her mouth.

“Mmm, mmm. Good evening, Sir Theodore. Were you sliding too?”

Princess Adriana also cleared her throat softly before asking that.

“No. I was inspecting the equipment. Since we left for Silvatoria shortly after creating the Fire Spirit Hot Spring, I wanted to check on things.”

“I see. That’s good, being thorough with your work.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourselves.”

When I answered, Princess Adriana also smiled wryly and nodded.

“You probably heard us, but… is it really okay not to slow down?”

It seemed this was their second time on the slide. Having gotten more used to it than the first time, they probably tried increasing their speed.

“It’s fine. We tested it with Aqua Golems of various builds sliding down and accelerating, and adjusted it so they wouldn’t fly out.”

“So it really is calculated.”

Princess Stephania nodded admiringly.

“Well then, Steph. Shall we race next time?”

“Sounds good. I accept your challenge.”

The two seemed to be having quite a good time. With them switching gears properly like this, I didn’t think they’d be late for the conference or end up cutting into dinner time because they were running late—or so I hoped.

“Theodore”

After finishing the pool inspection, I went to check on the rest area, and on the way met Sheila and the others with Marlene.

“Ah. Are you out of the bath?”

“We are. Since there’s still some time, we thought we’d take Marlene-sama to play with Justia and Dominique.”

Irmhild said this while pointing at the lazy river pool.

I gently stroked Marlene’s hair. Playing with everyone… Marlene was smiling happily.

“I’ll release my Humanization Technique and swim with her on my back.”

Said Justia. Marlene smiled happily.

“I see. Well, Marlene, go play. I said I’d wait at the rest area, so I’ll head over there for now. Having Caduceus deliver a message would be a bit…”

When I said this and stroked Marlene’s hair, she nodded.

“I’ll let you know if we go for dinner.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll wrap things up then too.”

“Ah, Theo”

While resting in the rest area, it seemed Grace and the others had also gotten out of the bath.

Slightly damp hair, the faint scent of soap tickling the nostrils, and skin tinged with redness.

There’s something uniquely appealing about people fresh from the bath, or so one might say.

“How was the bath over there?”

“It was lovely. I didn’t notice any particular issues.”

Ashley smiled. Yeah. Even with bath robes, since the men’s and women’s baths are separate, I couldn’t exactly go around inspecting them openly.

“This hot spring really is wonderful. It makes my skin glow.”

Rosemary said while lightly stroking her white arm, and the other women nodded in agreement.

“What shall we do about dinner?”

“Hmm. Well, if we go, I’ll call Sheila and the others too. What about you, Camilla-san?”

Since Camilla is with us too, it would be a bit rude to go ahead without her.

Camilla probably wants to have dinner with Elliot.

“I think I’ll wait for Elliot and Father.”

“Understood. Then shall we wait a bit too? Elliot-san and Donato-san seemed to be in the steam bath together. I don’t think they’ll stay in too long, so they should be out soon.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

Saying this, Camilla bowed slightly.

We went to check the poolside a bit, had dinner, and then proceeded to the conference.

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana were also conference participants. They properly wrapped up their pool play and returned to have dinner.

Well, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, floating along the lazy river pool with Marlene, Sheila, Irmhild and the others…

But anyway.

“Well then, Theo.”

“Yes, Father.”

Those not attending the conference would return after eating dinner, so I went to see off Father and the others from Marquis Zilbolt’s household at the entrance.

“Lord Siegmund. My apologies for the haste.”

“Not at all. You have your duties as a lord. I understand you can’t take it easy.”

Father and Old Sigmund exchanged words like that. Father planned to return to his territory tomorrow with Kennel via dragon palanquin.

“I’ll also visit Gartner County and the Barony of Silun.”

Old Sigmund and Valentina wanted to visit Mother’s grave. There was also the consideration of increasing the locations where Claudia could teleport to in case of emergency.

“Hmm… I’ll be waiting, Theo.”

“Well then, see you later. Theodore.”

“Yeah, see you.”

Daryl said this while boarding the carriage.

“Thank you for your hospitality during our stay.”

Kathryn also bowed deeply and boarded the carriage—and so Father and the others returned to the villa.

“Then, we shall return to our lodgings.”

“Thank you for today.”

“Yes. Please be careful on your way.”

Marquis Zilbolt and Lady Belinda.

“Then, see you at the academy.”

“Yes, Ashley-sama. Well then, Theodore-sama.”

Ashley and Romina also exchanged words.

“Yes. Lady Romina.”

Marquis Zilbolt also returned to his lodgings, protected by his intelligence unit escort.

Once the carriages had departed, the night-time hot spring town was quite quiet, partly because the townscape wasn’t completed yet.

This place too would eventually become bustling with people even at night. Such aimless thoughts crossed my mind… but well, there was no point thinking about it.

Then let’s head to the conference.

We all went together back to the Fire Spirit Hot Spring rest area. The location was the terrace seating of the rest area. The reason was that you could see the blue-lit pool, making for a nice night view.

Here we were all gathered for the conference. When Old Sigmund and I took our seats, King Eberhart smiled.

“Holding a conference in a place like this is quite tasteful.”

“Indeed.”

In response to King Eberhart’s comment, King Melvin narrowed his eyes while looking at the glowing pool.

Conference attendees included me and my party members, members of the Verdgar and Silvatoria royal families, the two from the Sages’ Academy, and Elliot too.

Tephra and Seraphina, along with Camilla’s family, were playing billiards and darts in the game room on the other side of the rest area with Justia and Dominique. Since the discussion about Elliot concerned Camilla’s family too, we had them stay rather than leave. Justia and Dominique also ended up staying at our house tonight.

“Then—shall we begin the conference?”

There were several topics. Well then.

“First, regarding Verdgar and Silvatoria… we’ve reached agreement with Eberhart to recognize the demons as enemies and to coordinate and cooperate with each other.”

“Hmm. Regarding technical cooperation, Silvatoria will provide airships, and Verdgar will provide aerial combat gear.”

Said the two kings. This part seemed to be going as planned.

“Then regarding that, I’ll complete the full set of magic tools.”

Said Albert. The aerial combat gear set would be delivered to Silvatoria, and they would produce it there. Well, it would probably be best to demonstrate how to use it.

“Hmm. Then we’ll leave that to you. Regarding the airships, we’ve already discussed it with Theodore and agreed to entrust their operation to Theodore. Next—we must discuss the matter of the Moon Goddess.”

It must be about Claudia. When King Melvin looked at her, Claudia closed her eyes and nodded quietly.

Old Sigmund stroked his beard, showing a thoughtful expression. About the relationship between the Moon Goddess and Claudia… he probably suspected there was something, but he hadn’t asked about it.

Since Claudia’s every mannerism was that of the upper class, Princess Adriana also seemed endlessly interested.

“…Theodore kept it hidden as something deeply connected to our country… but since our country has also become deeply involved with Silvatoria’s internal affairs, we too must reveal our internal situation if we’re to build trust. If we’re to form an alliance against the demons and walk together, we must share this information even more.”

“King Melvin. From there, I will explain.”

“…Is that acceptable?”

“Yes.”

Saying this, Claudia stood up. Since King Melvin used honorifics toward Claudia, those unaware of the circumstances seemed slightly surprised—but their eyes went completely round at her next words.

“I am Claudia Shuastrus. Administrator of the Boundary Labyrinth, and a moon royal who descended to the surface long ago… Well, some call me the Moon Goddess, Shuus.”