Chapter 29
A few days after the outdoor combat training ended.
Ian and I came to the Manarian Hot Springs.
“I'm looking forward to this. Aren't you?”
“Definitely.”
The Manarian Hot Springs were famous not only for increasing mana, but also for being considered the finest resort in the world.
Located deep within the Mana Forest, famous for its fantastical beauty, even a simple building had an enchanting atmosphere.
On top of that, everything was beautifully decorated with a bit of a Japanese hot-spring feel, so just seeing the place made the trip worthwhile.
Not only that, but the food, facilities, and all kinds of other services were world-class.
All the chefs were comparable to those in the Imperial Palace, and the other staff, including the gardeners, were top-notch too.
Naturally, the buildings and furnishings were also in the best condition.
In short, this was where they gathered only the very best of the best.
Naturally, the prices were astronomical, and not many people could come in the first place.
What was it again… something about mana rejecting people?
I heard that if too many people came, the mana would become polluted, so there was a set limit on the number of people allowed each year and how long they could stay.
That made it incredibly exclusive… I'm starting to wonder how the academy even managed to get an invitation! Seriously.
Anyway.
“Let's go!”
At the entrance stood a lavish yet tasteful building that blended in beautifully with nature.
And behind it stretched a beautiful forest.
It was a gorgeous place that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale.
“Wow…”
“Pretty, right?”
I had the exact same look on my face when I first came here.
The kind where you're so amazed your mouth hangs open, and all you can do is stare.
“Why are you just standing there? Come on!”
“Huh?”
Still, it wouldn't look good to stand there too long, so I took Ian's hand and went inside.
“Welcome.”
A beautiful elf woman greeted us from inside.
That's right. An elf. A long-eared elf!
The elves you see all the time in fantasy stories naturally existed in this world too.
They were just rare and reclusive, so you didn't see them often.
For the record, most of the staff at the Manarian Hot Springs were elves.
Apparently, elven mana harmonized well with the forest's mana, so they could stay here for a long time, even in large numbers.
“Would you like to bathe first, or enjoy our other services, such as a meal?”
“Then let's bathe…”
“We'll eat first.”
I cut Ian off and answered quickly. Why was he trying to get into the bath first?
“Bathing comes last. We'll be here for a long time.”
“…If you say so.”
You had to stay in the water for several hours to properly absorb the hot spring's mana.
At this rate, we might even have to sleep in the hot spring.
So bathing would be the last thing we did.
“Could you show us to our room first?”
“Certainly. Please follow me to your room.”
Following the elf lady to our room, we were greeted by a room that felt just like a Japanese tatami room.
“What an unusual room. Do you sleep on futons laid out on the floor?”
Ian gazed at the tatami room with curiosity.
Well, I would've found it strange too if I hadn't seen it in a game.
A Japanese-style tatami room suddenly appearing in a fantasy world? What was this, some generic isekai anime?
“I'll bring your meal, so please wait a moment.”
After the elf lady left, Ian, who'd been looking around the room, spoke to me.
“El.”
“Hmm?”
“You've… been here before, haven't you?”
“Huh?”
What? How'd he figure that out?
“There are all sorts of things here you don't usually see, but you didn't seem very surprised. No, you actually looked familiar with the place.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
Oops. I hadn't even realized.
Even so, Ian was the Hero's son. It was only natural he'd be this observant.
I wanted him to inherit the Hero's lack of social awareness…
Or maybe not? I feel like the Hero was only oblivious when it came to romance, and was pretty perceptive otherwise.
No, that's not important right now.
I'd just inadvertently confirmed what Ian had said.
A commoner and former adventurer having visited the Manarian Hot Springs? That was ridiculous.
Even the child of a great merchant would have trouble getting in.
“Well… you see…”
What should I say?
This is bad. I had no way to explain it.
I couldn't say I'd just happened to visit once…
But I couldn't reveal that I was actually Flia, the Northern Grand Duke's daughter, either!
…My name is Flia, right? I'd gone so long without hearing it that I was starting to forget. Anyway.
-Rattle.
“Your meal is ready.”
Perfect timing!
Seeing the elf lady bring in our food at just the right moment, I turned to Ian and said,
“Wow! Doesn't this look delicious? Let's eat first and think about it later!”
“…Sure.”
Fortunately, Ian played along with my attempt to change the subject without a single complaint.
Though his face was full of suspicion, and he looked like he was planning to bring it up again after we ate…
I'd figure that out when the time came.
…
The meal the elf lady brought us was incredibly delicious, just as I'd expected.
Even better than the food I'd had at the academy, or even at the Grand Ducal estate!
It's the best…
I don't usually like mushrooms much, but I think I could eat the mushrooms here for the rest of my life.
“What do you think, Ian? Tasty, right?”
“Yeah. Amazing. I've never eaten food like this in my life.”
“Even better than the Mircow we ate before?”
“I think that's a little different kind of delicious…”
Fair enough. Mircow and Lumiesta were just incredibly delicious ingredients, while here, they'd elevated ordinary ingredients to almost miraculous heights.
The taste practically inspired reverence.
“El. What do you want to do after we finish eating?”
“Hmm… Maybe we could get a massage? I've never had one before, either.”
Last time, I'd been so focused on getting stronger that I hadn't properly enjoyed the resort or anything.
After some time had passed, I'd really regretted that.
I should enjoy everything now, while I could.
“A massage… That sounds pretty nice.”
“Right? The service here is world-class, so you can look forward to it!”
Of course, I was looking forward to it a lot too!
…
Ian and I had finished our meal and were on our way to get massages.
“Please come this way and change into these.”
The elf attendant led us to the women's changing room.
Ian went into the men's changing room next door.
Well, of course we had to change before getting a massage.
I understood that.
But…
“Isn't this… way too revealing?!”
What was with this micro bikini?!
It looked like something a potbellied middle-aged guy would wear in a doujinshi!
“I'm afraid it's required by our regulations.”
No matter how loudly I protested, all she said was that it was the rules.
“Your masseuse will be a woman, so please don't worry.”
It was a relief that it wasn't some potbellied guy who looked like he could hypnotize me, but…
Even if she was a woman, it was still embarrassing!
Besides! There were plenty of doujinshi where girls got all hot and heavy with each other, okay?!
How would I know that?
…Anyway!
“But still…”
“I'm sorry, but you won't be able to receive a massage unless you change.”
“Ugh… Fine, I'll put it on.”
I started changing, swallowing my embarrassment.
Ugh… It felt like everything was on display.
It covered all the important parts, but only just.
It wasn't even covering them properly, and parts like my areola were peeking out a little.
And white, too… The oil's going to make it see-through.
“Sigh…”
“It looks lovely on you, miss. Your boyfriend will be pleased.”
“He's not my boyfriend!”
What boyfriend?
“Hehe. If you say so.”
She definitely didn't sound like she believed me.
Of course, I couldn't really blame the elf lady for getting the wrong idea.
A handsome man and woman coming alone to the world's best resort. Anyone would think we were a couple.
Still… if someone says they're not, at least believe them…
“This way, please.”
Swallowing those thoughts, I went into the room the elf lady showed me.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the soothing scent of aromatherapy.
And a room decorated elegantly, without going overboard.
And two elf ladies wearing outfits similar to mine.
Wow… That's so sexy.
With ladies who looked at least 180 centimeters tall and had such voluptuous figures wearing something like that…
If I were a man, I don't think I could've resisted. No, wait, I was a man, though.
“I'm Ana, and I'll be giving you your massage.”
“I'm Ina. Likewise.”
Hee. Sisters, huh? A massage from two sexy ladies… Maybe changing wasn't such a bad idea after all.
“Please come over here and lie down.”
When I went where Ana directed me, there was a comfortable-looking massage table.
It looked comfortable, but…
“…Why are there two?”
There were two massage tables. Were there usually two?
“Sir Ian will also be receiving a massage here.”
“Ah… What?! Ian and I are getting massages together?!”
“Yes.”
Ian and me, getting massages together? Here? Dressed like this?
“That's not—”
-Bang!
Just as I was about to say no, the door opened and Ian walked in.
Wearing only something that looked like boxer briefs.
“Eek?!”
“Huh… El?! Why are you here… No, more importantly, what's with that outfit?!”
“That's what I should be asking you?!”
W-wearing an outfit that clingy!
“You both look lovely.”
The elf attendant's voice from behind sounded so cruel.