Chapter 569 – Homecoming in Winter

“I feel energy welling up within me, Lady Rovisa.”

“Yes. Hehe, this hot spring is truly comfortable.”

While exchanging such words, the Mermaids and Sirens were swimming around in the lazy river pool.

Justia and Dominique were also happily sliding down the water slides with Marion and the others. Joyful voices echoed through the Fire Spirit Hot Spring.

Given that the hot spring and pool were filled with Tephra’s power, it was clear from Weltes and Eckels’ reactions that the water quality was excellent for the people of Grantios.

The Mermaids were swimming around with heightened excitement, while the Sirens had somehow ended up drifting along the lazy river pool, bringing out their harps. Each one was singing songs and listening to others, creating what appeared to be some kind of singing competition. It was interesting to hear the various repertoires of the Sirens.

…They were truly like fish in water, so to speak. Michelle had also been thoroughly enjoying the botanical garden, so this was probably similar.

Michelle had been swimming until just recently, but now she was sitting near me—on the poolside—seeming to talk with Rosemary while listening to the Sirens’ songs.

“Then I’ll prepare extra disease prevention medicine for plants before our next visit. While using it carelessly might affect research, it’s necessary to have preparations for emergencies.”

“Thank you. I’ll work on compiling the materials early then.”

So it was about medicine for plants. Well… that would be Rosemary’s area of expertise.

As for Lasnote… she seemed to have declined to undo her Humanization Spell, but being a Water Dragon after all, she apparently learned to swim quickly even while using the spell. She was swimming freely with the Mermaids and the animal group, looking quite happy. Ortona was with her too.

“Theodore’s magic… it’s sparkling and beautiful, isn’t it?”

Lasnote surfaced from the water, smiled toward me, waved her hand, and swam away. I waved back at Lasnote too. Corulis and Ortona, who were with her, also noticed and turned to wave at me.

Like last time, I was at the poolside using various magic techniques—creating height differences on the water surface, making water tunnels with illuminations, and so on.

Since Lindwurm, Alpha, and Belius were lying nearby, I leaned against Lindwurm’s back, gently petting Alpha and Belius while casting magic.

Furthermore, Ouroboros was beside me, Caduceus on my lap, Balor on my shoulder… making the surroundings rather lively in a peculiar way.

Grace and the others had also set up nearby and were preparing dinner items that had been arranged at the rest area.

“—Aren’t you going to swim, Theodore-dono?”

Queen Eldorene surfaced at the poolside and asked.

“No. I consider myself to be here this time as an escort and guide. Well… I’m enjoying using magic to do various things in my own way too.”

Besides, in my case, since I dislike winter, I’m aware that if I let my guard down, my mood tends to decline.

During this season, having plenty to do helps distract me, which is good. This year has been relatively lively with various things happening, so I haven’t been turning too inward with my thoughts, which I suppose is helpful.

Everyone is nearby too, so I can’t show them too pitiful a side.

…Ah. Maybe that’s why everyone is gathering around me like this. Because my mother’s anniversary is approaching. When my eyes accidentally met Grace’s, she gave me a gentle smile. Seeing that, Queen Eldorene also quietly closed her eyes.

“I see. That’s good then. Actually, I heard you’re returning to your hometown to visit your mother’s tomb.”

“Yes. Since it’s during the hospitality days, I didn’t mention it much.”

“If it’s not an inconvenience, would you allow us to accompany you? I was thinking just the main members, since a large group might become noisy.”

Queen Eldorene said. So that would probably mean Queen Eldorene, Rovisa, Marion, and such.

That… I’d welcome it rather than refuse. Although Queen Eldorene and the others can’t stay too long, if they’re returning to Grantios from the stone monument, they could return from my mother’s house’s basement too.

“Inconvenience is out of the question. My mother liked lively gatherings too.”

“Is that so? That’s good. Then later.”

Queen Eldorene nodded gently and submerged into the water.

And so… Queen Eldorene and the others’ Termwills sightseeing passed cheerfully at the Fire Spirit Hot Spring and eventually concluded safely.

The people from Grantios stayed one more night at my house, and the next day… they were scheduled to return as planned.

So I headed to see off the group returning to the Grantios Kingdom at the labyrinth entrance.

Although it was early in the morning, King Melvin and Prince Josiah had also come to the labyrinth entrance.

“See you later, everyone.”

“Yes, Justia. We got to sing so many songs together, it was really fun.”

“Yes. I had fun too.”

“You too, Dominique-chan. We’ll come to Termwills again too.”

“Mm. Thank you. We want to visit you all there again too.”

“You’re welcome anytime.”

Justia and Dominique seemed reluctant to part with the Sirens. They were hugging various members of the tribe.

That’s right. I’d like to visit the Sirens’ settlement cave sometime too. Well, I’ll be getting somewhat busy soon though.

“Theodore-sama, please take care.”

“Be careful on your journey back to your hometown.”

“Please give our regards to your mother too.”

The Water Guardians and Sirens returning to Grantios took turns greeting me as well.

“Thank you. Please take care too.”

After the reluctant farewells, the Mermaids headed toward the stone monument—then emitted a soft light and returned to Grantios.

Rovisa and Marion, Weltes and Eckels were the delegation to Termwills, so they remained here. Queen Eldorene also stayed behind to accompany the grave visit.

“I heard Theodore and the others are sending Michelle off with Teleportation Magic afterward?”

King Melvin inquired.

“Yes. I thought we’d visit my mother’s tomb on the way.”

Since Michelle also wishes to accompany us, we’ll be heading to Gartner County first.

“The Saint’s tomb… is it?”

King Melvin closed his eyes at my words and seemed to ponder for a moment, but eventually opened them, looked at me, and said.

“What do you think? If it’s not an inconvenience to you, would you allow me to accompany you as well? Bringing guards in large numbers would disturb the tranquility with hospitality and such for your father… but with Teleportation Magic, I thought we could go without causing a commotion.”

So… following Queen Eldorene, King Melvin too, then? When I widened my eyes slightly at his words, King Melvin continued in a quiet tone.

“Saint Lisa was undoubtedly a hero. At that time, during that winter… both being late to respond to the demon attack and making the hero fight alone… For me, it’s a regret.”

…Regret, huh. Come to think of it, the fact that King Melvin was relatively favorable toward me from the beginning might have stemmed from such feelings.

I had thought maybe King Melvin knew about my mother back then and therefore had expectations of me too.

But then, with what happened afterward with Valros’s demon faction, he seemed troubled by me going out to battle… Given King Melvin’s personality, that part likely weighed on him even more.

Since it was something I chose to do myself, there’s really no need for him to worry about it. I’ve told King Melvin that too.

Anyway, the fact that he thought that way about my mother is something I should be grateful for too, I think.

“I’m sure… my mother would be pleased.”

When I said this with a smile, King Melvin narrowed his eyes as if looking at something dazzling.

“—Is that so. Then, let’s return to the castle first and make various preparations. I’ve already informed Howard and the others. All that’s left is to change my appearance with the Ring.”

…So he had been making arrangements to coincide with my mother’s anniversary. Indeed, if the king were to leave the Royal Castle incognito, appropriate preparations would be necessary.

Queen Eldorene is also going incognito, so she might change into less conspicuous clothing.

“Yes. Then, later.”

With that, we decided to temporarily part ways with King Melvin, Queen Eldorene, Prince Josiah, and their escorts.

Well then… Let’s get ready too.