Chapter 444 – Rest at the Fire Spirit Hot Springs

“Oh… So that’s the famous…”

The Duke’s eyes sparkle as he surveys the Fire Spirit Hot Spring from the entrance gate, particularly drawn to the pool facilities.

“Please calm down, Father.”

“…Right. Ahem, hmm.”

Vanessa puts the brakes on him, and the Duke clears his throat quietly to compose himself. Probably because the Grand Duke is present, but the Grand Duke simply smiles gently and comes to stand beside the Duke, looking over the hot spring facilities.

“Indeed, everything here is quite novel. I understand how you feel.”

“No, I apologize for making you worry about me.”

“Well, let’s agree there’s no place for rudeness on a day of celebration. It’s a relaxed gathering among family anyway.”

The Grand Duke and Duke exchange such words. The Duke is quite competent in managing his territory and produces results. It’s precisely because the Grand Duke acknowledges him in this regard that he would say such things.

Well, I’m not sure if you could call it complete informality, but those two seem to be getting along fine.

“Well then, I’m going to take a bath. After that, I’ll inspect the facilities.”

“Very well. We’ll see you later then.”

“Mm. I’ll leave Caduceus at the watchtower.”

“Understood.”

First things first – to the bath. I part ways with everyone for now.

Changing into a yukata in the changing room, I open the door and proceed to the main bath area, where Oscar exclaims in admiration.

“This is… incredible.”

“This is the main bath, that’s the washing area, over there is the waterfall bath. And then there’s the bubble bath over there—”

I explain the facilities to those visiting for the first time.

“I heard the Ambassador created this through Magic Construction, but what about those statues as well?”

The Grand Duke is the one asking, pointing toward the statues pouring hot water into the baths.

“Yes. I’m not a specialist, so I referenced books from the academy for interior design styles and such.”

“No, it’s magnificent work.”

“And without any visible seams from joining, it’s remarkably smooth. I believe it has considerable value.”

Hmm. I suppose the Duke’s aesthetic perspective includes knowledge about magically crafted items.

The Duke seems knowledgeable about art pieces, and since this isn’t particularly eccentric, it’s safe in that regard. As the creator, I don’t really consider it artwork. I’ll take it as an evaluation of magical techniques.

“Hmm. Well then, shall we enjoy the waters?”

King Melvin, looking accustomed to the place, rinses his body at the washing area before slowly immersing himself in the main bath.

Everyone else follows suit, rinsing their bodies before sinking into the bathwater.

“Ooh…”

An involuntary murmur escapes from someone.

“…It feels as if my fatigue is melting into the water.”

“Mm. Howard said the same thing.”

“I visit hot springs regularly… because no fatigue remains the next day.”

“Mm. I find it quite useful indeed.”

King Melvin and Old Sigmund respond to the Duke’s words. After enjoying the comforting warmth of the water for a while, the Duke speaks up.

“Hmm. Well then, I must say I’m quite curious about that bubble bath.”

“Father has been curious about it all along.”

“I’m quite interested in the waterfall bath as well. Shall we try them in order?”

“The waterfall bath? That’s particularly good for stiff shoulders and back pain.”

“Oh ho.”

It seems King Melvin, along with the Grand Duke, the Duke, Old Sigmund, and Oscar, will try the jacuzzi and waterfall baths.

“Oh, Albert. You’ve changed?”

“Yes, brother.”

Albert arrives, having removed his Disguise Ring. As Alfred, he couldn’t enter the reserved hot spring… but as Albert, entry is possible.

“Haa… I worked hard today too.”

Albert, who entered the bath after rinsing his body, says this with a drained expression.

“Mm. Good work.”

“You too, Theo-kun.”

“Well, I was just attending, so I’m not particularly mentally fatigued.”

After the reconciliation meeting between the Grand Duke and the Duke, there was also the round of greetings with nobles at the celebration. However, since both the Grand Duke and Duke were relaxing together, there wasn’t an atmosphere of everyone swarming them at once. It was mostly the heads of relatively high-ranking noble houses, each representing their factions, so the overall numbers were modest.

The ones who had it tough were probably the two lords governing the gold mines. Since they couldn’t easily come to the balcony seating, the greeting rounds seemed to concentrate on them.

For each noble house, it might have been just the right opportunity to declare their stance before the three great houses. At least the gold mine lords don’t seem likely to be isolated… that was probably calculated as well.

The gold mine lords also came together to greet the Grand Duke and Duke when they saw they had a free moment later… it was memorable how they both wore gentle expressions when words of appreciation were offered.

“I’ll go inspect the swimming facilities a bit later.”

“Ah, understood. I think I’ll relax in the bath for a while.”

“After that… Father and the Grand Duke will likely head to the rest area. The Duke might head toward the swimming area.”

So say Albert and Prince Josiah.

“Understood. Please be careful not to stay in too long.”

“That’s right. We’ll keep that in mind along with Al and Lord Oscar.”

After a reasonable time, I get out of the bath and head toward the swimming area – the pool. Probably starting with the Lazy River Pool inspection.

“Ah, Theo.”

Grace, spotting me from within the pool, smiles and waves. Not just Grace – everyone seems to be on the pool side. Valentina and Charlotte appear to be with them too.

Perhaps because I mentioned I was going to inspect things, the female members prioritized playing in the pool over bathing this time.

“Mm. So everyone came over here.”

“Yes, that’s right. Because Theodore said he was going to inspect the Magic Tools.”

Rosemary seems to have just completed a lap. She must have been swimming. Getting out on the poolside, she catches her breath lightly and says while pushing back her wet hair:

“The water flow seems to have no issues anywhere. We haven’t checked the drainage areas yet.”

“Ashley and I just went down the slide, and there didn’t seem to be any problems with the sliding part.”

When Ashley and Claudia speak, Marlene nods with a smile.

It seems they checked the water flow-related parts ahead of me.

Well, how to put it… although the yukatas have relatively modest exposure, everyone’s white arms and thighs are quite something to see up close like this.

“Isn’t it cold for this season?”

The premises are defended by a Wind Magic Barrier along the outer wall, so it should be considerably warmer than the outside temperature.

“Since the water temperature is warm, if you’re swimming, you probably won’t feel cold. We have Lady Tephra’s Blessing, but… as long as we don’t stay out of the water and exposed to wind for too long, it should be fine, right?”

Grace says this while looking somewhat thoughtful.

I see. I’ll actually swim myself for reference.

Around the water slides where you don’t swim, there’s Fire Magic Defense on the stairs and such. I’ll check the actual temperature sensation later, but this part is probably fine too.

“Thank you. Well then, I’ll go check the drainage outlets.”

“Yes. We’ll be waiting.”

Alright. Let’s finish the inspection quickly. After that, I plan to play in the pool with everyone.

I check the drainage outlets scattered throughout the Lazy River Pool – whether they’re draining properly, whether the safety mechanisms function correctly, and so on. Hmm. Seems fine. Water quality too… the Purification Magic Tool seems to be working properly.

“Mm. Theodore spotted.”

“Ah, Theodore-kun, good work.”

Just as I finished checking several spots, Sheila floats by on her back, completely relaxed. Behind her follow Irmhild, Justia, Dominique, and Cyrille, who have released their Humanization Spell.

“Th-this might be fun.”

“It’s a strange feeling, you might say…”

“Right? Flying through the air is fun too.”

And then… with Vanessa and Princess Elham, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana on its back, Corulis, with its snout above the water surface, slowly wriggles its body while paddling through the water. Seraphina is also riding on Corulis’s head.

Hmm… They seem to be having quite a good time. I suppose that’s also part of entertaining the Duke’s daughters.

Regarding Corulis, well, we discussed it beforehand and agreed there’s no problem using the Lazy River Pool. As it was in Baharzard’s oasis… Corulis seems to be quite skilled at swimming. Maybe because it originally lived underground, or perhaps because not being able to swim would be problematic in emergencies.

Well… next, let’s go check the water slides.

Flying directly from the poolside to the slide area using Levitation, I check the structures and anti-fall nets for any abnormalities.

After that, I just need to slide down once and inspect the pool below.

“Ah, Theodore-sama.”

Forset arrives there with Sion and the others.

“Um, well. Good evening.”

Sion, perhaps embarrassed by the slightly increased exposure in her yukata, blushes, crosses her arms in front of her chest, and says this. We just parted at the entrance, so greeting again feels a bit… I can see some Confusion.

Well, the Fire Spirit Hot Spring yukatas don’t have that much exposed area and are designed not to be see-through.

“Did you come to slide too, Theodore?”

Marceska asks.

“Mm. For inspection. Checking if the slides are damaged, if water flows properly, things like that.”

“…I see. Because Theodore made this place.”

Sigritta nods as if understanding.

“If you’re going to slide, please go ahead. I have various things to check, so I’ll take my time.”

“Well then…”

“Next is Sion with Lord Forset, right?”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Hehe.”

Forset happily positions himself behind Sion. Marceska and Sigritta sit in the adjacent lanes.

“…Well then, departure!”

With Sigritta’s voice lingering, the four of them slide down in pairs simultaneously.

Hmm. Well, the fact that each is sliding with Forset means they’ll slide at least three times, I suppose. Forset seems to be quite adored by all three of them.

Anyway, it’s good that those experiencing the Fire Spirit Hot Spring for the first time seem to be enjoying themselves.

Sliding down the water slide as planned, I finish inspecting the pool below and move to where Grace and the others are.

Glancing toward the rest area from the poolside, I notice Tephra has appeared too. She was watching everyone play in the pool with a happy expression, and when our eyes meet, she waves. I wave back, and Tephra nods with satisfaction.

Maybe she came to see how things were going since everyone gathered at the Fire Spirit Hot Spring.