Elves and Dwarves (4)

Once it was decided that we would welcome the elves to the dwarven nation, about two busy months passed as we made preparations.

But because we had to settle the schedule and details by exchanging letters, there inevitably came moments when we had to wait for a reply and suddenly had nothing to do.

Well, in short, that's how things stood now.

My heart was impatient, but I couldn't do anything until a reply arrived.

With all that time and restlessness on my hands, an impulse suddenly flitted through my mind: I wanted to take a bath—or rather, relax in a hot spring large enough to stretch out my legs.

"What is it? There's a bath at home, isn't there?"

Azvardo, that damn dwarf of a master, said something so clueless, but no, that wasn't what I meant.

Dwarves were surprisingly particular about cleanliness and frequently took baths, but the baths in this country were saunas that made use of surplus heat and fuel, not baths with tubs.

They were completely different from what I wanted right now.

Of course, I had to admit that saunas were pleasant in their own way.

Seeing Azvardo tilt his head in confusion, I asked whether there was anywhere near the northern volcanic region where hot water welled up from the ground.

After all, hot springs were supposed to well up in volcanic regions.

"Oh, come to think of it, the leader of the warrior corps once told me that there are places where hot water wells up in the volcanic region, and monsters come there to drink and bathe... Wait, you're not planning to bathe alongside the monsters, are you?"

Azvardo looked at me as though he seriously doubted my sanity.

No, no, I wasn't being reckless enough to go that far. Still, what on earth did he think I was?

If I could just confirm that hot water welled up somewhere, all that would remain would be to ask the earth and water spirits where to dig a new spring.

The area near the springhead might be too hot, so we could channel the hot water from there, prepare a suitable site, and enclose and protect it with rocks to keep monsters from wandering in. It could even serve as a resting place for the dwarven warrior corps.

Actually, perhaps I should guide the elves who would be coming to the dwarven nation to the hot springs as well.

I thought that vibrant volcanic region, brimming with the power of earth and fire, was something elves—being close to spirits—should see and experience at least once.

Yes, I would take Win along to search for a hot spring.

He should be able to manage traveling through the mountains without too much trouble by now, and more than anything, I would be happy to have him with me.

But just then, Azvardo said something I never would have expected.

"I see. In that case, perhaps I should go too."

Something like that.

What on earth was he saying?

There was no way I could take the next king to somewhere as dangerous as the northern volcanic region.

"You're taking that boy because you're confident you can keep him safe, aren't you? And aren't you planning to take the elves there later? In that case, I want to go too."

But he said it with a laugh.

Well... yes, that's true, but...

This search for a hot spring had been nothing more than a sudden whim, yet it felt as though it was becoming a much bigger undertaking than I'd expected.

And, of course, one week later, it had become a big deal.

First, since Azvardo would be going, it was decided that the dwarven warrior corps would accompany us as his guards.

There was also a reason besides serving as guards: if the site was going to be used as a resting place for the warrior corps in the future, it would be better for the people who actually used it to participate in choosing the location.

Then Azvardo's family decided to come along as well, since it seemed that would make things safer. Next, architects and carpenters decided to accompany us because we would need extra hands to develop the site, and even Grander the miner announced that he was coming, despite having no particular connection to the matter.

Many others wanted to come along as well.

There were far too many of them to bring everyone.

Why on earth had this become such a major undertaking?

Monsters that weren't much of a threat would stay away if we traveled in a large group, but we might instead attract the attention of a large monster.

"It's the result of everything you've done so far. You could call it the goodwill you've earned from people."

Azvardo said that as I struggled to prepare for the growing number of companions.

He grinned happily, though there was a hint of mischief in his smile.

"Everyone already knows how strong you are, that you consider us comrades and will fight alongside us, and that you'll show us something interesting we never could have thought of ourselves. That's why they feel safe going with you and want to come along."

He made it sound rather flattering, but I would never forget—or let myself be fooled about—the fact that Azvardo, or rather, this damn dwarf, had been the one to set things in motion and make the whole situation grow in the first place.

But, well, in that case, I supposed I could forgive him.

Even after choosing only some of those who wanted to come, there were nearly fifty of us altogether.

Since so many had gathered, we might as well make it a proper, fully functional rest area.

We would avoid entering the volcanic region as much as possible, find a place near its outskirts where we could dig for a hot spring, and make it easy for the dwarves to use.

Ah, since several women would be coming along, including Azvardo's wife and daughter, we would have to separate the men's and women's baths too...

I wasn't brazen enough to suggest mixed bathing just because setting everything up separately would be difficult.

This was turning into a completely unexpected major undertaking, but for some reason, I found myself enjoying it immensely.