Volume 6 Chapter 12
Volume 6 Chapter 12: In the Bath
Night.
After ascending and descending two mountains, inside a tent pitched in a flat area within the forest.
Right now, Lorie was soaking her body in hot water.
The bathtub had been conjured by Daisy’s alchemy and filled with hot spring water produced by Axel.
Why was such a makeshift hot spring created? It was because Axel had recommended it to Lorie:
「Lorie, you seem pretty exhausted after today’s mountain crossing—or rather, didn’t you strain your legs quite a bit while clinging onto me? A hot spring bath should help relieve your fatigue.」
Lorie, accepting the offer, had replied:
「I mostly had you carry me, so my fatigue is minimal—but I’ll gladly accept your kindness.」
However, Lorie felt that just receiving without giving anything in return wasn’t quite right, so she decided to assist by checking the temperature of the bath.
Since her legs couldn’t move freely, she went in first to perform this check.
Meanwhile, Axel was beneath the bathtub, manipulating a magical stove to heat the water.
There was a partition screen, so neither could see the other clearly, though Lorie could still see his shadow.
Looking at that shadow, she scooped some cloudy white water into her hands.
…Being able to bathe comfortably even while traveling is truly something to be grateful for…
As she thought this, a voice came from behind the partition.
「Are your legs alright?」
「Of course. Did I really appear that uncomfortable?」
When she asked this, Axel, beyond the curtain, seemed to scratch his cheek.
「Well, Parum told me that while this hot spring can’t fully heal your legs, it should relieve the pain to some extent.」
Lorie felt a sudden jolt of unease.
She hadn’t mentioned that information to Axel, intentionally keeping it hidden so as not to worry him.
「…Did she tell you even that?」
「Of course. It was necessary to understand your condition clearly for the journey.」
Axel said this casually, as though it were obvious. But hearing that, Lorie suddenly realized something.
…Wait. Why did Axel bring a hot spring specifically…?
Why didn’t he just heat ordinary water for bathing?
Was it simply for comfort?
Was it merely because there was extra room in his carrying pouch?
Lorie had known Axel long enough now to realize he wasn’t the type to indulge casually in whims or pleasures.
And so this small mystery had lingered in her mind, but now she felt she understood it a little.
「Could it be that…you brought this hot spring for my sake?」
Axel didn’t respond. But his silence was confirmation enough.
「…It’s not like I’m dying. You could’ve brought something more useful. My condition isn’t even something that requires special attention.」
When Lorie spoke those words, Axel finally replied:
「—Even if you’re not dying, that doesn’t mean you’re not in pain, right? Pain can still be hard.」
「Well…that’s true, but—」
「Then this hot spring is very useful. There might be other important things, sure, but to me, relieving your suffering is equally important—perhaps even more so.」
Hearing Axel’s words, Lorie inadvertently lowered her head.
「You’re too kind…」
Her voice softened.
「If you’re this nice to me…I might actually start crying.」
Something inside her, something she’d been holding tense as the Spirit Princess, began to unravel.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t show weakness. But she feared burdening others by exposing it.
Ever since she’d accepted her role as the Spirit Princess, she’d consciously changed her attitude. Yet now, perhaps due to her weakened physical condition, tears began to fall on their own.
「Isn’t it alright? Letting your feelings out, I mean. No one’s watching anyway.」
Axel gently comforted her from beyond the curtain. Then he said cheerfully:
「Alright, the bath setup is complete.」
His shadow stood up.
「Take your time soaking in the spring. Let your tears and sweat flow together and relax.」
「…Yes. Thank you, Axel.」
By the time Lorie wiped away her tears and calmed down—
「Yo, Princess. Mind if I hop in too?」
Daisy’s voice came from outside the curtain. Her beast form from the mountain climb had long since been dispelled, and now only her human silhouette was visible.
Though she’d created this bathtub herself, she politely asked permission, likely because she didn’t want to crowd Lorie. Thinking how courteous she was, Lorie replied:
「I don’t mind. It’s built quite spaciously, so there’s room for two.」
「Well then, don’t mind if I do—」
Daisy entered, quickly removing her clothes.
「There we go…」
After pouring some water over herself, she immersed her body in the tub.
「Ahhh, this feels great.」
She sighed contentedly.
In the warm water, time passed gently. Perhaps that’s why Lorie suddenly spoke up:
「Hey…could I ask you something?」
「Hm? What is it?」
「Is Axel…always that kind?」
It was a casual question, but Daisy tilted her head slightly.
「You mean my buddy? Why the sudden question?」
「Earlier, he showed me a lot of care. It made me happy; he spoke so kindly.」
Hearing this, Daisy stroked her chin thoughtfully.
「Hmm…well, he’s kind, yeah. Occasionally he switches into this focused mode and charges straight ahead, completely ignoring everything else, but even then, I’d still call him kind.」
She said this with a gentle expression.
「I see…」
Listening to Daisy, Lorie muttered softly:
「Take this as just idle talk…but honestly, I didn’t expect someone like him existed.」
「Really?」
「In terms of magic and abilities, spirits are generally stronger than humans. Because of that, it’s rare for anyone to seriously worry about us spirits.」
Especially people who visited her as the Spirit Princess—this had always been the case. It wasn’t something she’d ever minded deeply, but—
「I felt like I was suddenly caught off guard.」
She felt something warm in her chest.
「Ah…well, my buddy is that kind of guy. I’m a phantom beast myself, pretty far from humans…but he doesn’t discriminate at all.」
「Really?」
「Yeah. With a body like mine, I used to get treated pretty harshly by both humans and demons. But Axel’s always treated me the same. Honestly, it made me adore him.」
Daisy spoke nostalgically. She probably had an experience similar to Lorie’s current one.
Seeing Daisy’s expression, Lorie felt herself relax even more, smiling softly behind her hand.
「I’ve felt things on this journey I’ve never felt before. Something warm and comforting.」
「Is that so? Well, if it makes you feel good, it’s something worth cherishing.」
「Yes…you’re right. I really think so too.」
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