Chapter 83

The sun had completely set, but I continued with the hot spring construction.

There's a depression in the backyard where I planned to dig the hot spring. I tried letting out some hot spring water there.

"Wow, it's coming out pretty strongly."

Steam rose as the water, at a nice warm temperature, filled the depression.

"I wonder how the concentration of magic is."

"Hmm... it's sufficiently diluted. This should be fine for regular people to use."

"Oh, that's great, that's great."

Thanks to my experience of diluting apple juice, I had a vague understanding of how magic thins out, which seems to have paid off.

"Yeah, since it's diluted with water, the slightly warm temperature feels just right."

"Oh, really?"

We both dipped our hands into the accumulated hot spring water. This temperature is perfect for a long soak.

The backyard is spacious, and the view isn't bad either. Although the roof and other facilities haven't been built yet, the moon and stars in the sky are clearly visible.

"Yeah, if we do it right, we could even have a moon-viewing bath."

"Oh, that sounds nice. Let me come along next time."

"Sure thing."

I think we've made a pretty good outdoor hot spring,

"Hey, Sakura."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Is it just my imagination, or are the monsters that were watching us earlier gradually moving away?"

"Um... I don't think it's just your imagination."

Indeed, the slime monsters, which had been playing with the golems since noon, were slowly moving away from the hot spring.

"..."

Concerned by this unnatural movement, I scooped up some hot spring water with a wooden bowl and splashed it at the slimes.

"---!!"

The monsters fled in a panic, like rabbits running for their lives. I don't know if it's their wild instincts or if they sensed danger,

"Is there something dangerous mixed in the water...?"

I didn't expect them to run away like that. Maybe I made a mistake in the dilution?

"No, that's not the case. Your dilution is quite precise, ensuring that the temperature and magic concentration are safe for humans."

If that's the case, why are the monsters avoiding it?

"Hmm, it's possible that the monsters are sensitive to water with dissolved magic. Slimes, for example, can dissolve in water. And there are no dangerous substances in this hot spring."

"Hmm, a slime-repelling hot spring, huh."

A bit unsettling, but if it doesn't affect humans, it should be fine.

"Then, let's make it look more like a hot spring by creating a rock bathtub. We can't leave the hole exposed like this."

"Right. Where will you get the rocks from?"

I had been thinking about this. There's something I've been considering for this hot spring.

"I think we should use the large dragon scale that fell the other day."

I've been thinking that the large scale that fell and was obstructing the yard could be useful.

"Ah, I see. This would be harder than rock but lighter, making it easier to process."

"Yeah, but we only have one, so I want to ask an expert to process it without making any mistakes."

"An expert, like Hestia?"

"Yeah, she was still sleeping during the day, but she should be awake by now."

The best person to ask about dragons is a dragon. So, I decided to have the golem carry the star dragon king's scale to Hestia's hut.

●

When I visited the hut, Hestia was already awake and looked apologetic.

"I fell asleep in the city, and you carried me... I'm sorry..."

"Hey, hey, there's no need to apologize. Don't worry about it."

I was carried by Hestia to the city, so it's even.

"Um... but, it was my carelessness to fall asleep..."

"Don't overthink it. If I'm sleepy, you can just ride on my back."

"Okay... Thank you..."

"Sure thing."

This dragon king has a habit of taking things too seriously, which can be a bit troublesome. But, moving on,

"Hestia, I have a question about processing. I want to crush this star dragon king's scale to make a hot spring bathtub. Are there any precautions I should take?"

I showed her the huge scale outside the hut, and she tilted her head.

"Hmm... what is this?"

"It's the scale of the star dragon king that fell."

"Did it fall in a chunk like this?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Come to think of it, Hestia didn't see the moment it fell or the object that fell.

"Hmm, I didn't see it. This is what fell..."

Hestia scratched her cheek.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yeah, if it was shedding, it shouldn't have fallen in a chunk like this. --- Can I investigate it? I'll finish by tonight."

"Sure, take your time. I'm not in a hurry."

If there's something odd, it's better to have someone who knows it well investigate.

"Okay, I'll take it for tonight."

"Sure, let me know when you're done. I'm going to sleep."

"Okay, I understand."

Then, I left the star dragon king's scale with Hestia and headed back home.