The Flamme Hot Springs Village was located about half a day’s carriage ride from the outskirts of the Royal Capital, where the slums were situated.
It was a small settlement nestled in the mountains, but it was known as a toji resort, bustling year-round with visitors seeking its abundant waters and healing properties.
Translator’s Note
Toji is the traditional Japanese practice of staying at a hot spring for an extended period for therapeutic purposes. As opposed to a vacation for relaxation, it’s specifically for health and recovery.
“Ah, I feel alive again…”
Zenos stretched out widely as he soaked in the spacious outdoor bath.
The sun had already set, and a sky full of stars glittered above.
Since many of the high-class inns in the central area required a citizen’s ID, he had chosen a lodging on the outskirts of town. The building was somewhat old, but that meant there were fewer people, making it more comfortable. The men’s bath, in particular, was completely deserted.
“I’m so glad I came…”
The fatigue of his daily life was slowly melting away into the hot water. This might be the first time he had ever soaked in such a large bath all by himself.
He had intended to be an inconspicuous, low-key dark healer, but before he knew it, his days had become quite noisy. Zenos was enjoying this rare moment of peaceful solitude.
“Sensei.”
“Huh?”
Hearing a familiar voice, Zenos rubbed his face.
It was hard to see through the steam, but someone was standing by the washing area. They were wearing only a perfunctory towel, revealing the alluring curves of their body.
“…Could it be Zofia? This is the men’s bath.”
“I know that. But let me at least wash your back. This is supposed to be a relaxing trip for you, Sensei.”
“I can do it myself.”
“How cold.”
Zofia splashed into the hot water.
“You just came right in.”
“What’s the harm? There are no other customers here.”
“They’ll be here soon. Get back to the women’s bath before there’s trouble.”
“It’s fine. After Sensei entered the men’s bath, I put up a ‘Cleaning in Progress’ sign.”
“So that’s why it was deserted…!”
“So, that means it’s just you and me here…”
Zofia grinned and stood triumphantly in front of Zenos.
At that moment, Zenos apparently felt a primal sense of danger.
But Zofia just sat down a little distance away, seemingly hesitant.
“…I’d really like to be more aggressive, but I don’t want Sensei to hate me.”
“You actually say something reasonable for once.”
“Of course, because it’s in front of Sensei. Ehehe.”
“…”
Perhaps due to the heat of the water, Zofia’s face was slightly flushed.
“Lately, my brother and my subordinates have been telling me that I’ve changed. I think it’s because I met Sensei.”
“Well, you do seem a bit calmer than you were at first.”
“Yeah… Sensei says he only heals wounds, but I think it’s more than that. You’re changing people. No, not just people. I never dreamed I’d get along with werewolves and orcs, or even talk to the Royal Guard. Sensei, you’re going to change the world—”
“That’s an exaggeration. I’m just a dark healer.”
A healer who heals injuries is third-rate, one who heals people is second-rate, and one who rectifies the world is first-rate.
His master’s words briefly flashed through his mind. He was nowhere near that level yet.
“No, even if Sensei thinks that, the people around you won’t leave you alone. You’ll surely be out of my reach soon. So, at least for now, can’t we soak in the same bath together?”
“…”
Zenos remained silent for a while, then said slowly.
“Hey, Zofia.”
“What is it?”
“Haven’t you been getting closer and closer since a while ago?”
“…Did you notice? I was planning to distract you with conversation and then pounce.”
“I’m an idiot for thinking you were being even slightly decent…!”
“Wait a minuteeee!”
The moment Zofia stood up from the water, a familiar voice echoed from the entrance of the men’s bath. Beyond the steam, a figure wearing a perfunctory towel shook their beast ears violently.
“Zofia, I won’t allow you to steal a march on me!”
“Tch, Ringa. This is the men’s bath. What are you thinking?”
“Says you?”
Ringa staggered into the hot water.
“Ringa is just dizzy and stumbled in here.”
“That’s definitely a lie, right?”
“Yes, Ringa is dizzy, so her feet slipped.”
“So it’s a lie, right?!”
As she spoke, Ringa lunged at Zenos. Zofia intercepted her from the side.
“Tch, don’t you dare get close to Sensei so casually.”
“Let go, Zofia. Ringa is so dazed that she’s about to fall onto Zenos-dono.”
“There’s no way someone this forceful is dazed!”
“You guys, I just want to enjoy the hot spring in peace…”
“Wait! Don’t forget about me!”
From a little distance away, someone emerged from the water with a splash. It was Reve, the orc, standing with her hands on her hips and a fearless smile.
“Um… I guess I have to point this out, but why did you come out from there?”
“I was hiding in the water, waiting for Zenos. But I ran out of breath and went into a pseudo-death state, and the commotion woke me up. I’m surprisingly clumsy.”
“You’re saying that with a smug look, but aren’t you taking this too far?”
“How about it, Zenos? I have a pretty good figure, don’t I?”
“It’s too dark to see well.”
“Then I’ll get closer so you can see better.”
“You don’t have to get any closer, you know?”
“I won’t let you, Reve!”
“Ringa has a better figure!”
The three demi-humans wrestled, splashing hot water everywhere.
“I mean, I just want to soak in peace…”
“Heyyy, you demi-humans! What do you think you’re doing!”
The voice that cut in belonged to a blonde woman wrapped in a towel.
“You lot, this is the men’s bath! What shameless behavior!”
The demi-humans, still holding onto each other, turned to Krishna standing at the entrance.
“Well, why are you here?”
“Stone pervert.”
“You came to see Zenos too, didn’t you?”
Krishna’s face turned bright red.
“N-No…! I-I just got lost and mixed up the men’s and women’s baths.”
“That’s definitely a lie, right?”
“A-Anyway, don’t get close to Zenos-shi in such a revealing state. At least wrap your towels properly!”
“Tch, more obstacles.”
“Ringa won’t lose!”
“Feast your eyes on my magnificent naked body, Zenos!”
Zenos, clenching his fists in front of the struggling women, slammed his hands into the water.
“That’s enough! Let me soak in peace! All of you, get back to the women’s bath!”
His soul’s cry echoed through the night mountains.
A rom-com episode… or is it?