Read Novel Full Vol 19 Chapter 13
Vol 19 Chapter 13
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Chapter 13 – Hot Spring Village
When I showed up at Princess Annemarie’s place after finishing my wholesale work on Dark Elf Island, I discovered that Princess Annemarie and the little kids on the island had become good friends. I don’t mind children getting along with each other, but this relationship between the princess and the naughty children… makes me uncomfortable as the person in charge.
“Well, this time I came to see Princess Annemarie because I had something to talk to you about.”
I have learned a disturbing fact, but let’s get to the point.
“A talk?”
“Yes. I was told by Sea God-sama that there is a sacred treasure in the Mermaid Kingdom that can be used by Pent, and the condition for receiving it is that Princess Annemarie return home and help out in the Mermaid Kingdom. I apologize for the short notice, but would you mind accompanying me?”
“Oh, my! Sea God-sama!”
The expressions of Princess Annemarie and Lea-san, who had been waiting by her side after serving the tea, lit up.
Sea God-sama is so adored, isn’t he?
Even though he is a troublesome type of god from my point of view… Sea God-sama has a soft heart for mermaids.
He is not a bad god because he is very sincere in answering Pent’s requests. He is just a little too deep in his love for mermaids and a little too passionate about them.
“If it’s the word of Sea God-sama, then by all means. Please take care of me.”
Instead of being happy to go home, I think she is more happy that Sea God-sama was worried about her.
I’m not so sure, but I’m sure that Princess Annemarie will spend time with her family on good terms once she returns to her country.
“Thank you very much. Then, yes, the day after tomorrow, no, about five days from now, would it be all right for us to leave? Oh, and please bring as many other mermaids with you as you wish to replace personnel or return to their homes.”
I have to go to the hot spring village tomorrow, and when I go, I’d like to relax and enjoy the hot springs. About five days from now would be fine.
“I understand. I’ll ask for applicants in the next five days. Huh? Lea, what’s wrong?”
Sure. Lea-san makes a face as if she wants to say something. It’s a very obvious call, so she must have something to say.
“Princess. Maybe, but I don’t think there will be enough applicants.”
“Eh? Why?”
Princess Annemarie and I were surprised by Lea-san’s words. It’s a chance to go back home, you know?
“A beautiful and safe sea. An environment where we can sing freely. A safe and pleasant exchange with the people on land. Wataru-sama’s products. A home where you can do as you please. This island is too attractive for mermaids.”
I don’t know what it is, but it’s nice to hear praise for the island of the dark elves, with whom I’m deeply involved.
“I agree. Life on this island is very pleasant.”
So? Princess Annemarie tilts her head.
“So the mermaids will choose to stay, considering the possibility that they may not be able to return.”
“Why would they do that? We will only replace people who want to, and even if they don’t, there will be mermaids who want to go back home.”
I think so, too.
When the princess returns, she will, of course, tell Her Majesty about life on the island, won’t she?
“Of course.”
Well, why wouldn’t they?
“It’s not a bad story, so word of the report will spread quickly. When that happens, there will undoubtedly be a rush of applicants. Even if it’s just for a homecoming, they might be forced into a shift.”
“Um, Lea-san. Aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
I’m happy to be praised, too, but this is a rural area where there’s only one general store on the island.
Are you flattering me?
“Wataru-sama. The fact that mermaids are free to work on land is so attractive. The fact that there are still no mermaids visiting the land, even at the risk of being kidnapped and enslaved, is proof of that.”
“I see…”
It seems to be something like that. Come to think of it, even though it’s relatively safe, there’s still danger, and yet the Aquamarine Kingdom has a room dedicated to mermaids, right?
…I understood what Lea-san was trying to say, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s something you should go out of your way to point out with a serious expression on your face.
There were no mermaids going home, and that’s all it takes… Oh, so that’s why. I guess it’s about reputation.
The fewer mermaids that accompany the return trip, the more Princess Annemarie’s charm and the popularity of the Mermaid Kingdom may be questioned.
That’s why she’s trying to tell us in advance that the number of mermaids accompanying her is small for that reason.
I thought she was open enough to get along with the little kids on the island, but I heard she was being careful about this part.
“I understand. Then, let’s prepare for the small number of people.”
“Yes. Please.”
I don’t know if my imagination was correct, but since Lea-san nodded with a smile, I think my answer was correct.
Now that the general outline had been decided, all that remained was to work out the details of the schedule.
＊＊＊
“Hmmーー”
I let out all my strength and let myself be pampered by the hot spring water.
Hot springs are great.
In Japan, it was sometimes tiresome to soak in hot water during the hot season, but perhaps it is because the range of activities in this world is basically hot, and I think I have realized the charm of taking a bath in the hot weather.
But there are some strange things.
I feel more comfortable soaking in a hot spring in a hot spring village, even though I use the hot water of that hot spring directly from the source.
Maybe it is the difference between drinking beer in a proper glass and drinking it in a paper cup, but since I am here, I want to make sure that I enjoy this hot spring.
But… I’m curious about the women’s bath on the other side of the wall, which looks like a lot of fun.
Maybe it’s because it’s still daylight and I have the hot spring all to myself, which should be a luxurious environment, but it’s very lonely.
Normally, I don’t mind it so much, but when I think that paradise is just a wall away… Ah, the downside of having a luxury liner or ferry for a home is that the time for bathing with the ladies has decreased.
“Wow. It’s cool.”
When I returned to the room I had prepared for myself after enjoying the bath alone, I felt a pleasant cool air rush over my warm body.
This would be natural on a luxury liner or a ferry, as there are air conditioners, but this surprise in a hot spring inn on Dark Elf Island was a surprise.
No, it’s been a surprise ever since I arrived at this hot spring village.
Originally, the inn in the hot spring village was given more attention than other buildings. The inn has been renovated and made even more magnificent, and it even has a general store attached to it, so it seems like there’s a little too much concentration on that one building.
It is more rustic than the other buildings and the hilltop village…
“Ufufu. This was also based on Wataru-sama’s ship. I thought heat was something to endure, so the idea of cooling the entire room was an eye-opener. It is especially hot after a hot bath, so we thought of cooling the room with ice magic, and then placing ice on all four sides of the room to make it comfortable and relaxing.”
The employee who prepared the room proudly informed me.
I was surprised to see that they had expanded their reach beyond the products I distribute wholesale.
On Earth, it would probably be difficult to develop air conditioning, even if you knew it existed, but it’s amazing that it’s possible to get a shot at it through magic.
“Wow. It is so cool!”
While I took a break in the cool room, the ladies returned wearing yukatas. Yukata beauties after a hot bath are great no matter how many times you see them.
I think I was a genius when I once passionately argued that yukata was common sense in Japanese inns.
“Wataru. I’d like to take the Add to look around the area after we rest a bit, if that’s okay?”
I thought we were just going to relax, but Alessia-san made an unexpected suggestion. Everyone is so active, aren’t they?
“Well, I’m going to relax in my room, but I don’t mind summoning the Add. Please be back in time for dinner.”
Since I’ve already sold the goods to the general store, and the hot springs will be replenished in the middle of the night after the dark elves have finished using them, I don’t plan on using the Ship Summoning for the time being.
Oh, but if everyone’s going out, I’ll be free until dinner. I’ll prepare drinks and snacks in advance.
“Thank you, Wataru. We’ll take turns driving around, but for now, two, please.”
“Roger that.”
I didn’t want to leave the cool room, so after taking the stuff out of the rubber boat, I looked out the window and summoned the Add.
When I told them that I had summoned them, Alessia-san and the others left the room with smiles on their faces.
Huh? Are they going to ride around on buggies in their yukatas? I want to see that.
“Hmm? Ines and Felicia, don’t you want to go? I’ll probably just relax in my room, so I’ll be fine, okay?”
I might sneak a peek, though. I’d love to see the fluttering Yukata.
“I was invited too, but I’m not really in the mood right now. What about Felicia?”
“I took the day off yesterday, so I’ll serve Master well today.”
Aside from the whimsical Ines, there’s no denying Felicia’s generosity. Peeping seems a bit much.
Well, it’s a pity, but it’s not a bad idea to relax with the two, Rimu and Pent.
“Thank you for waiting. The meat is wild boar from the forest.”
It was time for dinner. I didn’t expect a hot pot. And it was wild boar hot pot. It was very Japanese inn-like. But it was not made with miso.
Wasn’t the miso secured on the ferry and sold wholesale at a general store? I’ll check later.
Oh, I see; the dipping sauce is vinegar and soy sauce.
My image of wild boar hot pot is miso, but the orthodox vinegar and soy sauce look delicious, too.
I am grateful to the management of the ryokan for accommodating my wishes as much as possible, whether it be the air conditioning, the yukata, or the hot pot.
“Wataru. Can I have a beer? A cold one, please.”
Ilma-san asks for a cold beer even though she hasn’t eaten yet.
It’s a bit strange, but… beer goes with hot pot, doesn’t it?
I want to have one too, so I’ll prepare a nice cold one as requested.
I had planned to enjoy the hot springs to the fullest, but it looks like this stay is going to be more fun than I expected. Hot springs are the best.
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