Chapter 93

After soaking in the lukewarm water for a few minutes, my body began to warm up.

"Lord Daichi— Are you over here— Oh my!?"

Dianeia, carrying a large basket on her back, came looking for me. It seems she had teleported to the front garden and walked over here.

Since there were no walls around the hot spring, I could see her clearly. I had made it too open, thinking no one would peek, but I guess visitors could come.

Well, I might as well put up a simple fence later, I thought.

"Dianeia. What's up? Did you decide to restart the festival?"

I leaned out of the hot spring to ask, and she blushed and looked away.

"L-Lord Daichi! I-I think being naked is not good, you know!"

"What can I do? It's a hot spring."

The towel was hanging on a nearby tree, but I couldn't reach it without getting out a bit more.

"Well, as long as I'm submerged up to my shoulders, you can't see anything."

Since we couldn't talk like this, I submerged myself in the hot spring again. The water's murkiness helped hide me. Dianeia let out a sigh of relief.

"So, is it about the festival?"

"A-ah, yes, that's right. I came to tell you that it's scheduled to restart tomorrow."

She looked away but kept glancing at me.

"The damage was minor, but there's still some confusion. To be safe, they shortened the schedule, and today will be a preparation day, with the main event starting tomorrow."

"I see. Well, I used up all the apples, so I need to restock. A preparation day is welcome."

I planned to bring a few boxes at night when there were fewer people around.

"S-so, that's good…!"

"By the way, what's in that basket?"

She seemed to be carrying it very carefully. I wondered what was inside.

"Oh, this is the wine and food that was supposed to be served at the start of the festival. Since it's now tomorrow, I thought it would be a waste to let it go bad, so I've been distributing it to the people in the castle and the town."

"Then why bring it here?"

"Everyone said the best should go to Lord Daichi. I agreed and brought it here."

Is that so? Well, it's appreciated, but—

"I didn't do much, you know. Is it really okay?"

"N-no, that's not true. If what you did isn't considered significant, we wouldn't have anything to say."

Actually, I think Hestia and Dianeia worked harder. I just caught the falling giant.

"Well, anyway, please take it. There are a few unopened bottles too, so it would be great if you could drink them as well. Like a pre-festival celebration."

She put the bottles back into the basket.

"Sure. We can have a drink for lunch, and since the hot spring is just finished, we can enjoy it with a drink."

Thinking about it, it sounded like a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

"O-oh, that's right! C-can I join you in the hot spring!?"

Dianeia responded with unusual enthusiasm. It seems she likes hot springs too.

"Sure. Come in and give me your thoughts. That's the changing room over there."

"Y-yes! I'll go in right away!"

Dianeia headed to the changing room, looking happy. I watched her go, then got out of the bath and wrapped the towel around my body.

"Well, I'll go help Sakura with lunch. Feel free to use the hot spring."

"Eh…?"

Since Dianeia was here, Sakura would know, but she probably didn't know about the wine, so I decided to tell her.

"You're here, so we have one more person for lunch. I'll let Sakura know."

"W-wait… L-Lord Daichi…!?"

"Take your time and enjoy."

Then I left the hot spring and went to prepare for the midday feast.