Chapter 18

Part 1

When you think of mountains, hot springs come to mind.

After that, we arrived in the post town, and after pus.h.i.+ng our way through the swarms of Beast Races’ gathering to meet Leo, we arrived at our inn.

After taking a quick stroll through the town, we met up with our guide, Talhand.

And after the children fell asleep, we had an adult-only meeting in the tavern.

After our stay at the inn, we set out first thing in the morning.

Following Talhand’s directions, we arrived at the hot springs.

We had heard that Monsters appear around the hot springs, but it was much closer than I thought.

You can see from the rockface the other day meets the milky white of the hot springs.

The entire area was surrounded by a large stone wall to keep the Monsters out.

And if you look down in the direction we climbed up, you can see the post town in the distance.

In other words, it’s an open air bath with a superb view.

And of course, it’s a mixed bath.

But there really aren’t many people here.

There aren’t even any Humans.

If you look around, it’s almost entirely Dwarves and Hobbits, with the occasional Beast Race.

Hot springs probably aren’t all that popular with Humans or Elves.

In Human culture, baths like this are usually the things of n.o.bility.

Well then, there aren’t many people.

And there are no Humans.

That said, there are men.

There are men and women.

Showing my beloved wives’ and daughters’ naked bodies to unknown men is a good thing.

Wait, no it’s not.

Especially this time, because it’s not just my wives.

Elinalise is here too.

Even if she used to be your friendly neighbourhood adventuring stripper, I will find pleasure in seeing another man’s s.e.xy Elf wife naked.

Wait, that’s not right.

And so, with that in mind, I have prepared a special kind of bathrobe.

It’s a Kantoui Made of a dark fabric.1

It has no particular resistances, but it’s made to feel natural like a swimsuit when wearing it.

The designer is Aisha Greyrat.

“Aisha-nee, they have a waterfall over there!”

“Huh? Were?”

“Look, it’s over there, there.”

“Aah, wait Mama.”

Aisha, along with Eris, Ars, and Sieg all seem excited to be in a hot spring for the first time, and are exploring their new environment.

The dark black fabric isn’t see through, but it does cling, making the figure completely visible.

And they’re moving all over generously exposing it.

Eris probably hasn’t noticed so that’s fine… And Aisha probably doesn’t even care.

Well whatever.

This is a place anyone can enter.

As long as the important places are hidden it’s fine.

Let those who are embarra.s.sed be so.

Although I do hope they don’t cause trouble for anyone else here.

Even here, there are manners that are necessary.

“Hey Blue Mama, you’ve been here before haven’t you?”

“Yes, it was a long time ago.”

“Tell us!”

“Sure. It was right after I had left the Magic Continent, around the time I had just graduated from being a beginner Adventurer…”

Roxy was telling a story to Lucy with Lily in her arms.

Clive was also listening in nearby.

Clive’s face was bright red, probably because of Lucy’s st

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ate of dress.

But it’s too early for you to know those kinds of feelings Clive-kun.

Your father, nor I, will permit it at such an age.

“…And so Holy Beast-sama, this is the Saviour-sama?”

“Ruff!”

“I see!”

“…”

Lara and Leo were surrounded by Beast Races’

Lara has her usual bold expression, but she looks somewhat bothered.

It was like this in the post town as well.

“Chris-sama, If you get hot, please say. I will prepare you something to drink.”

“Kaaay~…”

Lillia was was.h.i.+ng Zenith and looking after Chris.

She was sitting with me before but she didn’t like the hot water so she quickly got out.

Now she’s clinging to Zenith.

Well, that’s fine.

“…Aaaah! This is the best…!”

“This is the first time I’ve drank Dwarf liquor. It’s pretty strong… But it’s good.”

And Sylphy, Elinalise, Cliff, Talhand, and I are all drinking together.

We bought some Dwarven liquor in the post town and chilled it.

I’ve never tasted anything like it before, I don’t even know what it’s made of, but I do know that it’s good.

It goes down smoothly and as it pa.s.sed your throat, gives a soft scent of flowers.

The cold penetrates your body and slowly warms you up from the inside.

“Rudy, come on, give it here. Give me a drink? Come on…”

Sylphy got drunk real quick and now she’s snuggling up to me somewhat dazed.

Drunk Sylphy is as cute as ever.

So cute that you’d never expect she’s a mother of two.

This isn’t something to show the children.

“Right, of course.”

Soaking in a hot spring, with an arm around a beautiful girl drinking together.

This is the best.

I’m in paradise.

“…”

At least I should be…

“…”

But something’s been giving me s.h.i.+vers.

“…”

I already know the cause.

The man quietly drinking in front of me.

Talhand.

A former member of Paul’s old party『Black Wolf’s Fang』.

An S rank Adventurer currently working solo.

A capable and trustworthy man.

“…”

I have no reason to doubt him.

If he does something I can deal with it.

And I did conduct a comprehensive interview to determine if he was. .h.i.togami’s apostle.

Although there was the case with Gisu.

He calmly lied through his teeth and did whatever he wanted.

So although I can’t be sure, if I start thinking like that, I won’t be able to trust anyone.

I have already decided to trust Talhand.

But why.

His gaze gives me chills.

The journey to the hot spring was the same.

We were protecting the carriage the children were riding in.

Eris was the vanguard, Elinalise and I were the front with Talhand right behind us and Sylphy and Roxy were behind the carriage.

I was using earth Magic to make the carriage ride smoother but I kept getting those chills.

and whenever I looked back, Talhand was staring at me.

Well it should be obvious that since he was right behind me, and we were walking in the same direction, that when I turn around he’d be looking at me.

I was probably just nervous walking along a known Monster path with the children.

I’m just overthinking it…

But I just can’t understand why his gaze gives me chills.

“Um, what is it?”

And before I knew it, I had asked him that.

“What is what?”

“I get the feeling you’ve been staring at me a while.

“Aah… Of course. You much resemble Paul. I have been observing.”

“My father?’

“Yes, with you walking in line with Elinalise, it brings back memories of old. The back’s of Elinalise, Ghislaine and Paul, Gisu and Zenith’s voice behind… I am reminded of my days in the『Black Wolf’s Fang』.”

Talhand looks engrossed in pleasant memories as he strokes his beard.

I can’t see my own back, so I don’t really understand, but is that how it is.

But then, what are the chills I’ve been feeling.

Odd.

“Rudeus, I’d be careful if I were you, this Dwarf will drink up men too.”

“Eeh.”

Elinalise said that with her head on Cliff’s shoulder.

Talhand looked somewhat sullen at her remark.

“Don’t say things in such a way that will cause misunderstandings.”

Right.

What will I do with Elinalise-san.

Can she think anything remotely pure?

This d.a.m.n dirty Elf.

“I take men only.”

This dirty Dwarf!

Wait…

That means the chill I felt…

He’s aiming for me!?

I-if you lay your hands on me, Eris won’t stay quiet!

She’ll chop you in two!2

But then Sylphy tremblingly grabbed hold of me.

And as if to protect me, gave Talhand a stern look.

“Rest easy, I won’t lay a hand on someone without interest, let alone a married man.”

So he does have his morals intact.

Well I guess that’s obvious.

He may be like that, but that just means his preferences are slightly different.

When you think about it that way, it’s perfectly normal.

“But you’ve been staring at his a.s.s this whole time haven’t you?”

“It’s in a man’s nature to appreciate fine b.u.t.tocks… You understand nay?”

Talhand looks somewhat troubled at Elinalise’s inability to stop talking.

Of course, I understand what he’s talking about.

I’ve been staring at Eris’s a.s.s as she walks around too.

Aah, Eris is looking this way.

She couldn’t have felt the chills too right?

Aah, she hid her chest! She knows!

But you’re hiding the wrong place! I wasn’t looking at your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, but your a.s.s!3

“Your resemblance to Paul is genuine… But if you possess some aversion to it, I shall cease.”

“Not really, if you’re just looking, go ahead.”

“Hoho, then I shall take you up on that.”

Talhand said that with a smile on his face and took another swig.

“How about another?”

“I think I will.”

People have all kinds of tastes.

If the other party has their morals in check, there’s no need to be any more wary than normal.

It’s no big deal having him ogle me.

Well, Talhand is built like a bear, so I don’t really think I have anything to compare to though.

“But still, I never thought you would agree to be our guide.”

Elinalise suddenly said that.

“I don’t understand your meaning.”

“I mean, I thought you were avoiding going back to your home town.

This hot spring is in Dwarf territory isn’t it?

Won’t it be a problem for you if someone you know spots you?”

It seems there are some circ.u.mstances behind Talhand’s past.

Now that I think about it, among Paul’s ex-party members, he’s the one I know the least about.

Well I guess the fact that I wasn’t all that interested played a part.

“…Hah. That’s rich coming from the woman who claimed it to be impossible for her to stick to one man.”

“Life can change people.”

“I think the same. It was a good opportunity, so I thought I would settle it.”

“Oh, how manly.”

“I need not your flattery. After seeing all of you, I simply thought it pathetic to have avoided my family for decades.”

Talhand said that with an unpleasant look on his face and took another swig.

“Does that mean you’ll be going back to your village?”

“Essentially.”

“Rudeus, go ahead.”

Hearing my name called, I turned around.

It took me a second to realise what she meant.

She probably realised that it would be a good opportunity for me.

But I am with my family right now, would it be a good idea to ask?

Well getting an answer now should be fine.

“Actually, I had the intention to make contact with the Ore G.o.d…”

“The Ore G.o.d?”

“Yes, or someone of that level of influence… I would like to extend an official greeting as the subordinate of the Dragon G.o.d.”

I don’t know what kind of standing Talhand has in his village.

Asking something like this might even get him in trouble.

So I can only hope.

“Hmm… He’s a very hard person to please.”

Orsted said the same thing.

That he’s hard to please and hard to like.

The only things he likes are liquor, gems and raw materials that can be made into armour.

But simply gifting him a bunch of that, wouldn’t be enough to make an alliance.

“Even if I ask, you might get turned down.”

“Do you know him?”

“Somewhat…”

Talhand nodded while pondering.

They might be related.

When I get back I’ll have to ask Orsted about it.

“I won’t ask you to force anything, there are probably many things you have to consider after all.”

“That’s quite true…”

He took another drink in thought and let out a breath reeking of alcohol.

“I will think about it.”

“I understand. I apologise for asking something unreasonable.”

As I was about to bow to him, he pointed the top of the bottle at me.

“Don’t apologise, just drink,” is what he seemed to be telling me.

I obeyed his command and held out my cup.

Part 2

After we got out of the bath, we headed back to our rooms.

After that we had the rest of the family wait in the inn as Roxy, Talhand, Elinalise, and I went to look for somewhere to install the Teleport Formation.

We only took those used to walking through mountains.

Eris wanted to come too, but I had her stay back as a guard.

And so the four of us entered the mountain.

It was just past the inn.

Somewhere people don’t come across often is ideal for a Teleport Formation.

Ariel once told me that the majors powers want to have Teleport Gates connecting them and they’re currently making plans for it…

But that’s still quite far off.

Lifting the taboo on Teleport Magic.

Until we know that it’s a real possibility, I’ll still have to keep putting my personal Formations where people can’t find them.

If we go too high we’ll be in Blue Dragon territory, so we still have to keep it within reachable range.

“I guess about here’s fine…”

Now that we’ve found somewhere to set it up, it’s time to make a building.

It’s basically made the same as a Dragon Race relic.

Four rooms with a hidden staircase in one leading to the Teleport Formation.

I’ve left Roxy and Elinalise outside to keep watch.

I dig the hole with Earth Magic and begin forming the room.

I had Talhand help out with the specifications of the inside.

n.o.body’s going to stumble across here, but the Formation lead to the office.

So in the million to one chance someone finds it, we’d be in trouble.

And so with that in mind, I dressed it up like a real ruin so any travellers that come across it leave satisfied. I even threw in something that looked like a treasure chest.

I set it up like something along the lines of a rest stop.

It should seem like somewhere ancient travellers would be able to take a break.

Talhand was the one who made the furnis.h.i.+ngs.

He certainly lives up to the Dwarves’ legacy of craftsmans.h.i.+p.

He crafted it all from a single huge piece of stone and even made them look appropriately worn.

By the time the sun set, the building looked like it had been standing there for over a thousand years.

“It’s impressive. I don’t think anyone will be able to tell.”

“There aren’t any plants or moss. Anybody who knows what they’re doing could tell right away.”

Oh.

It seems the craftsman is unsatisfied with his work.

That said, I don’t think anyone will come across it that quickly.

If someone does eventually stumble across it, it should look properly aged by then.

There’s n.o.body around to clean it after all.

“Is it even alright for us to be erecting a building here? The Dwarves have sealed it off haven’t they?”

“The Dwarves treat the mountain as something of a G.o.d and buildings are considered offerings. No matter what we build, n.o.body’s going to complain.”

Is that how it is?

Maybe I should have made the outside more gaudy instead of hiding it all underground.

The fact that the entrance leads underground basically screams that something fishy is going on.

Well I guess it’s too late now.

“Since we’re done here, we should head back.”

“I’ll be there in a second.”

Finally, I activated the Formation and Teleported.

After confirming that it does in fact lead to the office, I head back.

“All good.”

“…”

“If something comes up I’d be fine with you using it too Talhand-san.”

“No thank you. I shall make due with my feet.”

Talhand shook his head and refused.

So for now, the Teleport Formation is complete.

All that’s left is to head back.

Part 3

The next day, we set out from the town early in the morning.

And here is where we parted with Cliff and Talhand.

We gave our goodbyes before getting in the carriage.

Cliff is to conduct his investigation today and return to Millis.h.i.+on within the next few.

“Clive, make sure you’re a good boy.”

“Of course!”

Cliff really didn’t want to say goodbye to Clive.

It’s not like they won’t see each other again.

But it’s always painful to part with family.

“Make sure too keep up with both your studies and training. Don’t make that girl you like cry. Be kind.”

“T-There’s no girl I like!”

“In that case, treat everybody as kindly as you would a girl you like. Alright?”

“…Ok.”

He gave Clive a good pat on the head and turned to me.

“Rudeus, I’ll leave Lise and Clive to you.”

“Of course. You keep at it too Cliff-senpai.”

“You bet.”

Cliff turned around as if no further words were necessary.

The fact that he doesn’t need to say anything else is a testament to his faith in me.

And I plan to live up to it.

Well, Elinalise has everything pretty much together so there’s not really much I can do.

I guess I’ll just have to turn Clive into a great man for the day he asks for Lucy’s hand.

…No it’s not set in stone.

I’ll just make sure to be there if they ever need help.

I walked towards Elinalise and Roxy who were talking to Talhand off to the side.

Apparently he’s temporarily returning to Millis.h.i.+on.

There seems to be some sort of preparation necessary before returning to the Dwarf village.

Although I’m not sure if he needs to get something or prepare himself mentally.

“Talhand-san, I would like to thank you for your help.”

“Of course.”

“I wish you luck with your family and your village.”

“Having Paul’s son worry about me is somewhat disturbing.”

Talhand gave me a good look.

I have a feeling he might be checking me out.

“I thought so yesterday too, but as long as you show the Ore G.o.d ‘That’ he might even be happy to meet with you.”

“‘That’?”

“The dark hard one from yesterday.”

“Eeh!?”

My hard dark what!?

Is the Ore G.o.d a h.o.m.o?

Wait, I’m not that dark.

I guess I would be hard, am I? I don’t have anyone to compare too.

Roxy, don’t just blush, say something.

“No, it’s mine,” or something like that.

“Talhand if you just say his thick dark hard one, he won’t understand. Be more clear.”

“I didn’t say thick. That one from yesterday. The big rock you made from Earth Magic. I don’t know whether to call it a mineral or a crystal.”

Oh the rock.

I did make a bunch of big black rocks yesterday.

I was going after toughness, so they did end up quite hard.

So he was just talking about the rock…

Oh, Roxy’s face is bright red.

Hmmm? Just what were you imagining? Oh Roxy you dirty girl.

Well I was thinking the same thing though.

“If I have a sample to take with me it might help with the request.”

“Sure.”

I immediately conjured up a stone bar with Earth Magic.

A thick hard black one.

Of course it’s quite heavy.

It’s about 15cm long and probably weighs over 10kg.

If you plated it with gold you might even be able to fool someone. Although it’s far harder than both gold and platinum so you’d be found out right away.

“Is this fine?’

“This is good. How many can you make?”

He eventually took five of them and after feeling out their weight, nodded.

I would think five of them would be quite heavy…

He is an experienced adventurer after all.

“Then, until the next.”

Talhand gave me a nod and turned towards Roxy.

“Talhand you be carefull.”

“You take care of yourself Roxy.”

“Of course.”

Talhand laughed.

Roxy smiled as the two friends parted.

Part 4

And so our family vacation ended without incident.

Thinking back on it, all I did was work, but it was a good trip.

I pray this was a good experience for the children and will help encourage them.

Saying it like that really doesn’t suit me.

I hope they all grow up well.