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Volume 5 Chapter 7: Inside the Inn

Volume 5 Chapter 7: Inside the Inn
The room that Botan had guided me to was quite spacious, with a large common area where one could relax and several bedrooms. Furthermore,
「Wow, this room has its own hot spring!」
At the back of the common area, there was a large balcony with a window through which people could enter and exit, and in the center of the balcony was a round hot spring with a large rock placed in the middle.
「We have prepared a room with an individual bath for you. The changing rooms are on either side, and with the press of a button, you can divide the central area with a partition, so the genders can be separated. When someone is bathing, a spell is cast on the window to make it opaque, so please feel free to use it without worry.」
Indeed, there were inscriptions on several parts of the windows. That was probably the spell for making them opaque. Also, there were inscriptions on the rock placed in the center of the round hot spring. In other words, both were magical tools.
「It’s amazing that there’s a hot spring in a room, along with all these magical tools, that’s quite an equipment.」
「This is a room often used by parties. Please enjoy yourselves. Later, I will bring some of our inn’s specialty tea and drinks for you.」
「Ah, thank you, Botan.」
「No-no, it’s only natural. Now, shall we head to Gale’s room?」
「Mm, sure. …I’ll be back, Axel.」
「Yeah.」
With that, Botan and Gale left the room.
「Well, now that we’ve decided on our place to stay… Shall we go ahead and soak in the hot spring?」
「Agreed!!」
●
A few minutes later.
「Ah, that was a great bath, my friend.」
「Yeah, it really was.」
Daisy and I were relaxing in the common area after getting out of the bath.
I was reclining comfortably in a chair, while Daisy laid on the table with her wet body wrapped in a towel, both of us in full relaxation mode.
「Though, after getting in, I really noticed that this hot spring smells like flowers. And the scent stays on your body after you get out too.」
「It seems that the magical energy unique to the Spirit City causes each person to be surrounded by the fragrance of the flower that best suits them. The specifics of how this works are still being researched in the guild community. As proof, you and I have different scents.」
Saying that, Daisy moved closer. Even just that was enough for a faint fragrance to waft from her body.
「Ah, Daisy, you smell like a citrus flower. As for me… I’m not really sure, but it’s probably different.」
Even when I brought my nose closer to the skin, I couldn’t identify the scent. It didn’t smell bad, though. It seemed like Daisy felt the same way.
「Yeah. It’s a sexy smell, pretty nice. In time, it’ll probably blend with your body, so maybe you’ll know the scent better then.」
「Yeah, you’re right. Either way, there’s no doubt it was a great bath. …But you seem kind of exhausted, are you two alright?」
I glanced over at Berzelia and Saki, who were sprawled out on the long sofa in the common area.
They had gotten out of the bath after us and collapsed right there, covered by nothing but towels.
They seemed to have recovered quite a bit, but they were still lying lazily, staring at us — or rather, Daisy — with suspicious looks.
「Ugh… It’s unfair that only Cosmos gets to bathe with the master…」
「I completely agree, but… if you hadn’t been causing a ruckus while she was bathing, I could have broken through the partition magic, Hydra!」
「There is no way I’d allow you to peep without the master’s permission…! Besides, you were holding me back yourself, Lysnoir!」
It seemed like they had been at odds even in the bath.
The water had been slightly rippling, which was probably because of that.
The rock-shaped magical tool in the center of the hot spring had the effect of muffling the sounds from both bathing areas, so we didn’t hear much noise.
…Well, it seemed like everyone had recovered, so I guess it was fine.
Just as I was thinking that, there was a knock on the door, accompanied by Botan’s voice.
「Excuse me.」
「I’ve brought some tea. May I enter?」
「Ah… Just wait a moment. Both of you, put on some clothes.」
I couldn’t just let my companions lounge around in towels.
Also, it’d be bad if they caught a chill. So, I said that.
「Hm, Axel. Help me get dressed.」
「Oh, me too!」
「…Ah, yeah. I’m glad to see you two back to your usual selves.」
After putting clothes on the duo, I opened the door.
Standing there was Botan, with a wooden cart beside her.
「I thought you’d be done with the bath soon. So I’ve brought some drinks. May I come in?」
「Yeah, of course.」
After the bath, I was feeling thirsty, so this was very much appreciated. Thinking that, I invited Botan into the room.
And as I sat waiting in the common area,
「This tea is a specialty of the Spirit City.」
She first served the tea she had brought on the cart.
「Ah, it’s cold, but it’s really good.」
After just one sip, I felt like the moisture was quickly being absorbed. And not only that,
「Huh? But, even though it’s cold, there is a certain warmth to it.」
As Berzelia had said, even though the tea was cold, it felt like my body was being warmed up.
「We used magical spring water rich in mana to brew it, so it also has the effect of boosting your resistance to abnormal effects.」
「Ooh, I see.」
Berzelia let out an impressed sigh, and quickly emptied her cup.
It seemed she was quite thirsty as well.
「So, how was the hot spring?」
Botan asked while pouring more tea.
「Ah, it was great. It really helped relieve my fatigue.」
「Really? I’m glad to hear that. It’s our inn’s pride, after all.」
Botan smiled and, after saying that, opened a transparent, lid-covered cake stand on the cart.
「There are some sweets here as well. Please, enjoy. The ones that Berzelia has been eyeing are quite delicious.」
「Hehe, you caught me. It’s been a while since lunch, so I’m a bit hungry. Well then, I’ll have some.」
Berzelia took the cake that Botan served her and after trying a bite made showed a satisfied smile.
…Botan-san seems like a very attentive person.
She must be able to do these quick responses because she always keeps the perspective of a guest in mind.
And just as I thought that,
Knock knock
The door was knocked again. However, this time it was a bit rougher and more forceful than Botan’s knock.
「It’s Gale. I need to talk to you.」
I heard a voice from beyond the door.
「Oh, what’s up, Gale? You finished with your bath and came to see me?」
「Yeah, that was the plan, but… it seems you have guests. Would you be willing to meet them right now?」
「Guests? Me?」
「…Positive.」
Gale replied with a bit of a pause, as if carefully considering his words.
And his choice was someone unnatural.
That said, since we’ve been introduced to a lot of people by Gale ever since we came to this city, and it hasn’t been a problem so far, Thus,
「I don’t mind. Come on in.」
「Mm… Then, I’ll open the door.」
When I gave my answer, the door opened.
Sure enough, Gale was standing there, but he wasn’t alone.
「Oh, so you’re here.」
「Cattleya-san?」
「Yeah, short time no see.」
Standing behind Gale was Cattleya, whom I had met just around noon.
There was a slight hint of confusion in her expression. It seemed like she hadn’t expected me to be here.
「What brings you here?」
「Well, originally, I had business with Gale, regarding the work he’s currently doing. But in the course of that, your name came up.」
「My name?」
「Axel. I haven’t asked yet why you came here, but I can guess that you came to use the Spirit Road and head to the Spirit Spring, right?」
「Huh? Well, yeah, that’s right.」
「In that case, this is fortunate. I’m currently handling a request related to that. I should be able to help you.」
「Uhh… What do you mean?」
The conversation seemed to lack some of the context, so I was having a hard time following her words.
「If you’re offering to cooperate, I’d be grateful. So, could you tell me more details inside? Maybe over some tea?」
「Mm. Alright, I’ll be intruding then.」
「Roger.」