Chapter 473 – Spirits and Hot Springs

After our discussion at the ritual site concluded, we decided to head to the Fire Spirit Hot Spring once night fell.

This was because Seraphina had told Marl, “Theodore’s water slide is amazing!” Marl seemed quite interested too, so we waited until evening to visit the hot spring.

Since we’d just returned from exploring the labyrinth’s deep floors, soaking in the hot spring to relieve our fatigue sounded perfect.

With the spring reserved for us after the general guests had left, we could relax quite leisurely.

The workshop group joined us as well. Ophelia came along with Alfred.

Old Sigmund and his team had been busy with research lately, so today they’d be resting at the hot spring. Forset and his group had been energetically traveling back and forth between the Glacial Forest and the workshop, so they were also heading to the hot spring.

Alfred apparently visits quite regularly, and mentioned he wanted to soak in the hot spring while thinking about equipment using the new materials we collected from the Star Sphere Garden. We’ll discuss that later too.

Additionally, Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, and Princess Elham also made an appearance at the hot spring. King Melvin and Prince Josiah apparently had work remaining, so they returned to the Royal Castle, though they seemed somewhat disappointed. While they partly came to hear the discussions, their main reason was likely to welcome Marl.

“Mmm… Somehow, I already feel very soothed even though I haven’t entered the hot spring yet,” said Charlotte, looking delighted while surrounded by various animal companions like Lavigne, Eclair, Corulis, Flamia, Ramriya, and Pietro.

…She seemed to be relieving her research fatigue by burying her face in Corulis’s back, among other things.

As for Ramriya perching on Charlotte’s shoulder… perhaps they became friends while Princess Elham was doing blacksmithing work in the workshop.

“Well then, we’ll go enjoy the waters for a bit.”

“I’m heading in, Theodore-sama.”

“I’ll head to the rest area later.”

“Ah, understood. See you later.”

We saw off Grace and the other women. Marlene seemed happily excited about bathing with everyone, waving to us with a carefree smile as she headed toward the large bath.

Apparently today was more about relaxing in the bath rather than swimming. Well, we explored the labyrinth during the day, and the deep floors at that. Adding pool play on top of that would be exhausting.

“This is water blessed by Tephra, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Theodore created this bathing place for me. I cannot judge the quality of buildings humans make, but I quite like what Theodore creates.”

“I’ll show you the swimming area later too.”

“Yes, please do, Seraphina.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Tephra and Marl also headed to the women’s bath. Seraphina seemed quite energetic due to the high spirit’s influence, and Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana were the same. These folks would probably play on the slider and lazy river pool later.

And so, in that manner, the women cheerfully headed toward the large bath.

“Ahh… This really seeps in…”

“Truly… Soaking in these waters doesn’t just relieve fatigue—it feels like it’s storing up energy.”

Alfred and Pietro spoke with dazed voices as they soaked in the bath. Old Sigmund smiled at the two of them.

As for Pietro… despite being a cat fairy, he seemed to be enjoying the bath normally.

“Cait Sith… are they okay with water?”

“Ah, even among cat fairies, more probably dislike it. Long ago—this was when I was barely conscious—the person who found and raised me was extremely clean and loved baths. Well, I’m used to it.”

Pietro spoke somewhat nostalgically.

“I see…”

“Fascinating story.”

Old Sigmund commented. Indeed. His former master, huh? Cait Sith are said to become fairies when cats grow old, or to be fairies pretending to be cats from the start… Well, they probably live longer than humans regardless.

“Was the name Pietro also from that person?”

“Exactly. While he appeared somewhat rough as a warrior… he was a kind person.”

A warrior, huh? Pietro’s speech patterns and his sword use might be influenced by that person too.

Pietro soaked in the bath up to his shoulders… closing his eyes with a somewhat happy, nostalgic expression.

“Sigh…”

After getting out of the bath and heading to the rest area, I took a sip of cold carbonated water and caught my breath. I just inspected the hot spring and swimming facilities recently, so this time I’ll take it easy too.

When I looked toward the swimming area from the balcony to see how Seraphina and the others were doing, they happened to be emerging from the building.

Seraphina noticed me and waved. Tephra and Marl waved at me too from the balcony. When I waved back, they smiled.

“Over here!”

Seraphina flew ahead, guiding Tephra and Marl. The dress Marl wore glowed, momentarily turning liquid before reforming into something suitable for swimming. Tephra did similarly—wrapping herself in flames that then solidified into swimsuit-like clothing.

As expected of high spirits… quite convenient clothing.

The three immediately headed to the slider, lining up and sliding down cheerfully. They repeated it several times with Seraphina being carried or riding on shoulders… so they must have enjoyed it.

In the lazy river pool, Princess Stephania’s group, Charlotte, and the animal companions were swimming. Charlotte was riding on Corulis’s back with Flamia and Lavigne… and even from a distance, she looked thoroughly pleased. Well, I hope it helps relieve her usual research fatigue.

Then… Seraphina, Tephra, and Marl flew through the air to the rest area balcony.

“Hehe. That was fun. In the past, we used to play like that, flowing along with rivers and waterfalls.”

“Oh ho. Water spirits have quite enjoyable games, it seems.”

Well, the two high spirits seemed to be having quite a good time. They probably came to share their impressions since they enjoyed it.

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

“Yes. Ah, that oval swimming area looks interesting too.”

“Mm-hmm! It’s fun!”

“Well then… we’ll go play over there a bit more.”

“Okay.”

I nodded and saw off the spirits. They seemed to be heading to play in the lazy river pool this time.

“Ahh, that was a good bath.”

“Oh, Theodore.”

Alfred and Old Sigmund, along with Pietro, seemed to have emerged from the hot spring.

…Hmm. Then as planned, let’s discuss the new magic tools. Since we’ll be sending Duke Driscoll to the western territories, we should decide how to handle the materials before Termwills is left unattended.

Moving inside the rest area, we proceeded to discuss the materials while drinking.

“I saw the new materials delivered to the workshop… The Pumpkin Head magic stones are quite good quality considering how many we have. They’ll probably be useful for making new magic tools.”

“Indeed. Regarding the Pumpkin Head magic stones, can I leave those to you? You probably want to prototype something for use against demons.”

“That would be helpful.”

“The pumpkin parts are incredibly hard for pumpkins and have amazing heat resistance too. Those will likely be valuable in their own way.”

Well, they have fire lit inside them. Apparently they’re not ordinary pumpkins.

“Interesting. I brought many of them intact thinking we might be able to make golems. Let’s experiment with various things.”

“Yeah. We’ll adjust distribution as we see how it goes.”

In that manner, we decided how to use the monster materials from the Star Sphere Garden.

As for the Grim Reaper bone powder… Princess Elham plans to experiment by mixing it with metal materials to make weapons. She’ll start by making a knife, and if that works well, we’ll use it for weapon crafting while gathering everyone’s opinions.

“Ah, Theodore. You’re already out of the bath.”

Said Claudia. Everyone seemed to have returned from the bath too.

“We’re back, Theodore-sama.”

“Welcome back, Ashley.”

Everyone had… that post-bath look with damp hair and moist skin. The scents of Savona Tree shampoo and soap tickled my nostrils.

When our eyes met briefly, Grace gave a gentle smile. Hmm.

“You were discussing work, weren’t you?”

Ophelia came over beside Alfred.

“Ah. Once we’re done, shall we play together in the rest area?”

“Hehe, thank you, Al. May I listen to your conversation here?”

“I don’t mind. Is that okay, Theo-kun?”

“Of course.”

When I nodded, the two smiled at each other. Alfred and Ophelia still seemed to get along well, which was good.

Since everyone had gathered in the rest area, Irmhild sat in a chair and began playing her lute leisurely.

“Ah—, that was refreshing.”

“You warmed up, didn’t you, Forset-sama?”

“Yes. It was wonderful water.”

“I love… hot springs…”

Then Forset’s group arrived too. Hmm. Everyone gathering is perfect timing. Let’s continue our discussion.

Regarding the Amphisbaena—while it’s a lesser dragon species, it’s still a dragon. The materials are excellent and we have more than enough quantity. Therefore, I think they’d be suitable for armor. Let’s hear everyone’s opinions about their desired equipment.

I’d also like to decide what to do with the Cerberus magic stones here and now.