Read Novel Full Vol 23 Chapter 9
Vol 23 Chapter 9
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Chapter 9 – Moderate Results
After a series of events, we set out to destroy a small goblin settlement. Due to our overwhelming force, the extermination was quick and uneventful. However, we discovered an unknown cave—or rather, a crack—near the settlement and decided to explore it.
“Mushrooms… Would these be useful for developing the beastmen’s town?”
Mushrooms are delicious and healthy, but they might not provide enough sustenance for the beastmen, who do mostly physical labour.
“Mushrooms are delicious, aren’t they? From what I can see, there are several edible ones, so they won’t be useless. If Ilma were here, she might have found other useful mushrooms, but let’s leave that to the experts.”
Claretta-san tells us with a puzzled look on her face.
“Delicious… I see; that’s important.
Come to think of it, we can use them to make broth and maybe even trade them with the Mermaid Kingdom. Dried mushrooms for the taste of the land! That could be a good business idea.
Camille-san, you’re going to be even busier now.
For now, I’m just glad our discovery of this cave won’t go to waste.
“Let’s leave the mushrooms for now and move on.”
As I looked around at all the different kinds of mushrooms, Marina urged us to move on. She’s right; there’s no point in a non-expert like me staring at mushrooms here.
I’ll just follow her instructions.
Following her instructions, we moved forward, but it was quite deep.
The humidity is high, and it looks like there’s an underground lake ahead. However, it’s so deep that it wouldn’t be useful for everyday life.
My dream of solving the water shortage is over.
Well, it might be useful in the event of a serious water shortage when there isn’t enough water to drink. That is if there is an underground lake.
“What do you think of this?”
“…It’s subtle.”
“It’s too much, so it’s subtle.”
“It’s subtle.”
“Master, it’s subtle.”
“Yes, I don’t think it’s useless, but it’s subtle.”
Everyone answered my question with “subtle.”
Yes, it’s subtle.
Led by Marina-san, we went deeper and deeper until we came out into a wide open space.
It was about the size of a regular gymnasium. However, there was no huge underground lake, dungeon, or ancient ruins.
Of course, there were no exposed minerals. What was there were mushrooms—mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms.
From the moment we entered the cave, we were greeted by mushrooms. As we continued further, we saw several clusters of mushrooms along the way.
I thought it must be an environment where mushrooms thrive. But then came the unexpected mushroom chase.
There were so many that just looking at them made me feel like I couldn’t eat that many. What are we supposed to do?
Since it’s an environment where mushrooms thrive, we could build a village nearby and cultivate them, but they’re too mediocre to be a treasure for an adventure.
Well, mushrooms are delicious, though.
“Huh? Wataru, there’s something else in the back.”
As I gazed at the mushrooms with mixed feelings, Marina-san said something that gave me hope.
In a fantasy world, it’s impossible to discover an unknown cave and only find mushrooms.
“Where is it?”
“Look here. The goblins trampled the mushrooms and made a path. It looks like there’s more space beyond that.”
Did the goblins come this far? It’s disappointing that they beat us to it, but I suppose we should be grateful that they checked the danger level for us.
“Marina, please lead the way.”
I’m interested in mushrooms, but there are too many kinds and too many of them to get excited about.
Following the path trampled by the goblins, we discovered a cave—or rather, a crack—leading further into the depths.
This time, we’ll find either treasure or ancient ruins. I’m getting excited.
“Um…what do you think?”
I feel like I asked the same question earlier. Is this déjà vu?
We passed through the mushroom field and continued onward. We arrived at a dead end without having to walk very far. But what greeted us was completely different from what I had expected.
“I like it, so I’m happy. As long as it’s not poisonous…”
“Do you prefer mushrooms?”
“I like this one better, too. As long as they’re not poisonous. It looks very beautiful, too.”
“I like this one better, too. I don’t know its value, but Master must prefer it too, right? As long as it’s not poisonous…”
“I like it, too, but the color… Is it safe? Is it poisonous?”
The reaction is better than it was with the mushrooms, but everyone except Carla-san suspects that it’s poisonous.
I like this one better, but I’m not sure if it’s what I wanted to find at the end of my adventure. Still, I’m happy with it.
“I think we should check, but I’m pretty sure it’s not poisonous. There were goblins here, too.”
What we found deep in the cave was a hot spring.
Illuminated by the light sphere, the hot spring was a beautiful cobalt blue.
Japanese hot springs come in various colors, such as transparent, white, black, blue, red, and brown. I think blue is a color that can occasionally be found in hot springs in Kyushu.
Come to think of it, the goblins on Dark Elf Island also bathed in the hot spring I created.
Maybe goblins like hot springs.
However, they have terrible hot spring manners. They must have eaten mushrooms raw because there were pieces of mushrooms floating in the water and half-eaten mushrooms lying around outside the hot spring.
“Let’s clean it up before we get in.”
I want to enjoy the beautiful water.
Fortunately, the hot spring gushed out from the rocks, so washing wouldn’t stir up any mud. The temperature seemed a little hotter than perfect, so it would be easy to adjust.
“What? Are you going in?”
Ines looked at me incredulously.
“I’ll just try it with my feet first. There were blue hot springs in my former world. They were said to have skin-beautifying effects.”
The women pricked up their ears at the mention of beautiful skin.
I was surprised that even Carla-san, who always prioritizes food, seemed interested. It seems she has an interest in beauty, after all.
The women immediately started cleaning.
I suggested starting with a foot bath, but I’m not sure if they understood. Fortunately, Claretta-san is here, so she can treat us if necessary.
Besides, the goblins have already risked their lives testing it, so there shouldn’t be any serious danger.
The women picked up trash while I set up a rubber boat in the area where the hot spring was flowing. I did this to secure the water while I started cleaning the hot spring.
First, I’ll drain the water and empty the tub, and then I’ll start cleaning. I’ll use the boat’s cleaning tools to scrub the rocks.
But maybe I should change into a swimsuit first.
If I stay dressed like this, I’ll definitely get wet.
＊＊＊
In the dark cave, the only light comes from the light balls. A mysterious scene appears before my eyes.
After cleaning everything except the bathtub, the women join together to clean it.
Since they will get wet, they naturally change into swimsuits. A strange scene emerges in the cave: beautiful women in swimsuits scrubbing rocks with deck brushes.
I feel a strong sense of immorality and my heart races.
Rimu and Pent had also offered to help, but I asked them to refrain since they would end up getting directly immersed in the hot water.
The women are busy purifying the parts of their bodies that have come into contact with the hot water, leaving some parts unpurified on purpose to observe the effects. I think they will be fine. Their swimsuits also look very nice.
After carefully scrubbing the natural rock bath, we purified it and refilled it with hot water.
Perhaps because it was a hot spring used by goblins, the women were nervous about purifying it. I understand how they feel.
“So, Claretta, how’s the water? Is it safe?”
When Marina-san asked Claretta-san, Claretta-san carefully checked her wrist.
“It’s not red, and there’s no itching or other irritation. In addition, my skin feels slightly moist and more hydrated.”
It seems like the water quality is good.
“Then shall we get in?”
Marina-san was already leaning over the edge, unusually impatient. I hope she doesn’t drop Fuu-chan, who was sitting on her head.
“Let’s wait a little longer before immersing our whole bodies. First, let’s try a foot bath like Wataru said.”
Claretta-san is being cautious.
Even though we did a patch test, it’s still reckless to jump in right away.
“Then I’ll go first.”
To show a little manliness, I volunteered to be the guinea pig.
“No, Wataru is the one being protected, so you can’t go first.”
She responded very calmly.
We decided that Marina-san would go first and that we would observe for a while.
＊＊＊
“Ah, this is wonderful! The hot springs on Dark Elf Island are nice too, but these have a thicker texture that clings to the skin.”
Marina-san’s feet were fine, so we couldn’t resist, and we all got into the hot spring in the end.
It was a natural rock bath. Although the tub was a decent size, it was a little cramped for six people. However, we weren’t so close that our skin touched. Still, I wished it had been a little wider or narrower.
Still, this hot spring is quite good.
The slightly hot water envelops your body. If you stay in it for too long, you might feel dizzy, but it seems like it would warm you to the core. Well, this isn’t a cold region, but rather a tropical one.
If it were a snowy area, this hot spring would be incredibly valuable.
“Master, that doesn’t sound very pleasant.”
“Really? Then, Ines, you describe it nicely.”
I hear there are hot spring sommeliers in Japan, but I don’t have that ability. As long as it feels good, though, that’s all that matters, right?
“That’s not enough. Master, we can’t drink alcohol here, but I’d love something cold to drink.”
The water is quite hot, so a cold drink would be perfect. I’ll wait a little longer and have a cup of milk coffee on the ferry.
I had imagined ancient ruins, dungeons, and minerals, but we only found a mushroom and a hot spring.
It’s disappointing, but if we build a village here, it could become a tourist spot famous for mushrooms and hot springs.
We found the beginnings of a tourist spot in a place with nothing to offer, so even though it’s not flashy, we might have found a pretty good treasure.
If it’s too flashy, the government might get involved.
Hmm… Come to think of it, there was a guild master who was obsessed with beauty…
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