Chapter 45

It seems that there is a non-volcanic hot spring here. This is said to be formed by groundwater, which is heated by geothermal energy after seeping into the ground from rainwater.

"There was steam rising in the middle of the grassland, so I approached to see what it was, and it turned out to be a hot spring."

"Wow...!"

What a wonderful discovery.

Unlike yesterday, today is sunny. I'm sure taking a bath under the blue sky will be very pleasant.

"Will you come, Rieselotte?"

"Is a hot spring a natural bath?"

"Yes."

"Is there something to separate us from the outside?"

"No."

Rieselotte's face twisted.

"But, it will make your skin smooth and you can wash off the caked mud and feel refreshed."

"But, it's indecent."

"I see. That's a shame."

When I asked if Amelia would come, she answered, "Of course."

Just as I was about to turn around, my shoulder was firmly grabbed.

Turning back, I saw Rieselotte, her face flushed.

"I'll go after all."

"Understood."

For some reason, she demanded honey.

"Are you going to use it for beauty?"

"I wouldn't do such a thing."

I thought she might use it to apply to her skin to promote metabolism, but she said no.

"I'm going to set up a barrier with honey."

It seems she uses honey as a medium for magic. Since the place is a grassland, something related to nature is needed.

The barrier will prevent anyone from peeping from the outside. It's very convenient.

"That's why we don't need a lookout."

Deputy Captain Berry was planning to ask someone to be a lookout.

Urgas said, "What a pity," without a smirk, which was surprisingly not creepy.

So, we headed to the hot spring.

"Amelia, you're quite covered in mud."

"Quue~"

I've never let her soak in a bath, but since her feathers are dirty even in the inner parts, I'd like to wash her thoroughly if possible. I'll ask Rieselotte.

"I don't think there will be a problem. I think she has resistance. If she doesn't mind, it should be fine."

"I see. Thank you."

She's an expert. It's very helpful to have parenting issues resolved instantly.

After walking for an hour, we arrived at the grassland hot spring.

The water is milky white, with a herbal smell. The water is smooth and doesn't irritate the skin.

Rieselotte immediately took out the honey and started drawing a magic circle.

The honey was generously poured onto the ground. She said she would buy it later, so it's fine.

With the incantation, the barrier was set up.

Light pillars rose into the sky, surrounding the hot spring.

The barrier became transparent, but it seems no one can peek from the outside.

"That's it."

"Thank you, Rieselotte."

"Yes, it's done."

The preparations were complete. First, we needed to wash off the caked mud.

Deputy Captain Berry took off her clothes expressionlessly, while Rieselotte hesitated. They were quite contrasting.

I didn't want to waste time, so I quickly undressed.

"Rieselotte, why are you being shy? We've bathed together before, haven't we?"

"Ah, that was for work."

While Rieselotte was fidgeting, Deputy Captain Berry continued to undress.

I noticed she had bandages on her chest and was startled. When I asked if she was injured, she denied it.

"I just do this because it's in the way, not because I'm injured."

"In the way...?"

I didn't understand, so I stared as Deputy Captain Berry removed the bandages.

Underneath was... well.

I see... Deputy Captain Berry, I didn't know. Such a fine...

Comparing it to my own, I felt a bit envious. I closed my eyes to calm down.

While I was dazed, Deputy Captain Berry got into the water first.

"Hmm."

"How is it?"

"Very interesting."

Apparently, the bottom of the hot spring is soft mud. The water is smooth on the surface, but the deeper you go, the more gel-like it becomes.

Since the mud can be washed off, I decided to get in without removing it.

"Ah, it's warm and feels great."

"Yes, it's rejuvenating."

How about Amelia?

She was peering into the water, so I dipped her claws in.

"Quue?"

"How is the temperature?"

"Quue~"

It seems to be fine. When I offered my hand, she plunged in.

"Quue~ Quue~"

It seems she's enjoying it, swimming around and savoring the hot spring.

After confirming that Amelia was in, Rieselotte started to undress.

As always, she had a wonderful figure, with curves in all the right places.

She covered herself with a towel and cautiously got into the water.

"Ah."

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she exhaled.

It seems she was enjoying it.

Still, an unexpected fact was revealed.

—Breasts float in water... I didn't know that.

The world is full of wonders.

I observed Deputy Captain Berry and Rieselotte's breasts thoughtfully.

I scooped up some water and observed it. It smelled herbal.

It must be a natural herbal bath, with the components of the surrounding plants dissolved in it. I rubbed it into my hands to soothe the roughness.

The only sound was the splashing of Amelia swimming in the hot spring.

Everyone was enjoying the hot spring quietly and leisurely.

When our bodies were warm, we got out of the water.

We wiped off the water and put on clean clothes. I carefully wiped Amelia's body as well.

"Ah, I feel refreshed."

Hot springs are the best. If it were nearby, I would want to visit every day.

Rieselotte said she wanted to bring a hot spring to her family's home. It's scary to think that a noble lady's wish might come true.

"Or, I could create a hot spring resort here. A幻獣 hot spring..."

Rieselotte passionately spoke about making 幻獣 buns and promoting the wonders of 幻獣 to the world. Her ambitions seem endless.

After feeling refreshed, we decided to have a meal. We had brought various ingredients.

Building a hearth with stones and placing the pot went well, but we realized we had forgotten the solid fuel.

"Ah, what a mistake!"

Rieselotte's magic can't be used for cooking. It's apparently difficult to maintain a small fire.

We were hungry. Although we had bread, we wanted something warm.

"Come to think of it, Zara said the mud here can be used as fuel."

"That's right!"

However, the mud was very wet and squishy.

I glanced at Rieselotte.

"Can you use your magic to remove the moisture from the mud?"

"If possible."

I clasped my hands and pleaded.

The generous Rieselotte happily accepted my request.

Holding her staff, she chanted the spell quickly.

—Big explosion!

A huge explosion occurred in the distance. We were taken aback by the unexpected scale.

"Is that enough?"

"...More than enough."

Thus, I had to go fetch the peat from a distant location.

With renewed spirit, I started cooking.

The peat Rieselotte made burned well.

I made a simple soup.

I took the broth from salted wild boar, added herbs picked nearby, and added fried beans halfway through. After adjusting the taste and letting it simmer, the soup was ready when the beans were soft. I poured the soup into bowls and distributed the sliced bread. I placed fruits in front of Amelia.

We said a prayer before eating and started to eat.

Amelia skillfully peeled the fruit with her claws. I was impressed by how much she had improved.

Noticing Rieselotte watching her intently, Amelia asked if she wanted some fruit, saying, "Quue?"

"Rieselotte, let's eat."

"Yes, yes, of course."

A sip of the soup. The broth from the wild boar was rich and seemed to seep into my tired body.

The saltiness was just right.

The salted pork was tender and melted in my mouth.

The fluffy beans were delicious too.

Thanks to the fuel Rieselotte made, we had a delicious meal.

I was very satisfied.