Village Cheers and a Steamy Bath
By the time we returned to the bath village, the sun had fully risen. Even though it was still early morning, people were already gathered at the village entrance. I spotted Roderick and the others all huddled together.
"Huh? You guys didn't sleep?"
"Ricoris... Did something happen overnight? We knew the red moon and flower scent were yours, but the villagers were all trying to rush outside. We barely managed to convince them to stay put."
Karl answered my question with a tense expression. Then Torben chimed in.
"And all night long, we heard horrific screams from the monsters in the mountains... Some sounds I'd never heard before."
Oh no... I almost lured the villagers too.
I'd only meant to tempt the monsters with my pollen! That could've been a disaster!
"Did the scent reach the village? My bad."
I laughed it off in reply, but the humans' faces grew even graver.
"Just... how many monsters did you kill?"
Elina asked in a trembling voice.
"Hmm... Never really counted."
The humans looked even more bewildered.
"At least a thousand, easily. Just the Set Hanryeong guardians numbered over a hundred..."
Evan spoke up from behind.
"What!?"
Roderick, Karl, Terry, Torben, and Elina all gasped in unison. Their faces turned as white as sheets.
"A thousand? And Set Hanryeong guardians...?"
They all stared at me, mouths agape. To me, it had just been an easy hunt, but to humans, it must've been unimaginable.
"Heehee! I killed that many? Michael will be so thrilled!"
I said excitedly, which only made their expressions more complicated. The thrill of that exhilarating night still warmed my body.
Suddenly, Terry scrutinized me closely and asked, "But... how are you so spotless? After fighting a thousand monsters..."
Liandel, Levy, and Evan had torn clothes covered in blood and dirt, but I was pristine.
"Huh? Oh, this is thanks to a special ability from Nis. It's called Perfect Immaculacy—keeps me clean all the time."
"Even this is from Nis...?"
Torben murmured softly, but I didn't answer and strutted proudly into the village.
Far more villagers than usual were out and about. The whole place buzzed with excitement.
When we reached the village square, even more people gathered. Reactions varied wildly. Elders gazed at me with awe-filled eyes, kids shouted "Flower lady!" in curiosity and excitement while pointing, and one young man even knelt, worshiping me as "Apostle of Michael."
Feeling all those eyes on me lifted my spirits sky-high. I activated Divine Radiance, my body glowing as I declared boldly,
"I performed a sacred ritual for Michael! I slaughtered hordes of monsters around here and offered all their blood to her—so the village is safe from now on!"
The entire village fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.
"Long live Ricoris!"
"Glory to Michael!"
"We're saved!"
The cheers echoed throughout the village. Hehe. Kinda embarrassing.
As the villagers' cheers died down, I asked Evan, "How long for the adventurer emblem and monster processing?"
"For an S-rank emblem, I can have it ready by tonight. But a national power level... or SSS-rank... that's not possible right now. I'll consult the central guild as soon as possible. If it goes through without issues, you can upgrade your rank at any adventurer guild."
Evan scratched his head awkwardly, then added in a slightly shaky voice,
"And processing that many monsters will take quite a while. If it's okay, we can pay you upfront, and we'll finish up after you leave."
"Sounds good. Make the emblem S-rank right away. Then I can head to the guild tonight?"
"Of course. I'll register it that way."
Come to think of it, evening was still hours away.
What should I do for fun?
As I pondered, Levy caught my eye. Her eyes were half-lidded, her face pale... She looked like she could barely stand.
"Levy, you tired?"
Levy forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm fine... It's an honor to follow you, Ricoris..."
But her body swayed slightly. Liandel wasn't much better—exhaustion etched on his face, dark circles under his eyes.
Oh, right. They pulled an all-nighter.
Only then did I really take in everyone's state. Evan seemed the least worn out...
"Ricoris, are you... a flower, so you don't need sleep?"
Liandel asked curiously.
"Huh? Nah, plants rest too. Not deep sleep like you guys, but something like dormancy."
The humans exchanged intrigued glances.
"Wanna rest till evening, then?"
They all sighed in relief. Liandel quickly said,
"Let's head back to Moonlight Haven. Everyone can relax there."
We all made our way to the inn. Liandel approached Helga.
"Prepare the best room for Ricoris. And meals too."
Helga bowed politely and got right to it. "Yes, of course. We'll ready our finest suite."
Helga bustled about, directing the staff, and soon a hearty breakfast was served. The table groaned under various meat dishes—no veggies in sight this time.
"Yum!"
I dug in eagerly. Glessia joined me at the table. Miel and Cecilia sat with the humans at the next one.
As I savored the meat, Helga announced the deluxe room was ready. After eating, she led us upstairs to the suite at the end of the second floor.
Opening the door revealed a spacious, cozy room.
"Ooh! This is the village's best?"
For a small village, it was modest compared to what I'd imagined, but still quite luxurious. A massive bed, elegant furniture, and warm sunlight streaming through large windows lit the space beautifully.
Glancing around, I noticed a side door. Curiosity piqued, I opened it—to a bathroom. A huge wooden tub brimmed with steaming hot water.
"Whoa! Bath time!"
My first chance to bathe since arriving in this world. Sure, I was always clean—especially with Nis's Perfect Immaculacy—but soaking in hot water? Irresistible!
"Hehe, bath time!"
The Ace quartet followed me in. I reached to undress, but the dress proved trickier than it looked.
"Ugh, how do I get this off?"
Miel and Cecilia fluttered to my back, untying the laces. With their help, I finally slipped it off, revealing black lace lingerie—a sheer, ornate bra and panties.
"Wha... Was I... wearing this...?"
I froze in embarrassment. Way too sexy!
"No way! Is this Nis's taste too?!"
I hurriedly stripped it off, standing fully nude.
Somehow being naked feels more decent...
My female body hit me anew—petite stature, slender frame, soft skin without a hint of muscle.
"Hmm... Should I work out?"
But would exercise even build muscle in this polymorphed form?
Suddenly, Miel and Glessia charged at me.
"Eek! What're you doing?!"
Like bees after honey, they dove for my private spots. I flicked their foreheads lightly to scold them.
"Phew... Let's bathe."
I eased my foot into the tub. Warmth spread from my toes, pure bliss. Carefully, I sank in fully.
"Ahh... Heaven."
The water enveloped me, drawing a smile. As a flower, I'd never felt this... The sensation in water was incredible.
"Hehe, this is the best."
Miel, Cecilia, Lote, and Glessia joined me. The tub was huge—plenty of room even for Glessia. Miel and Cecilia perched on my shoulders, basking in the heat. Lote bobbed like a toy duck. Glessia soaked like me.
Everyone's enjoying it.
I closed my eyes, savoring the water's caress. Ripples from my movements felt divine.
Ah... This is happiness.
But something felt off. My hypersensitive skin detected the water level dropping.
Hm...?
I opened my eyes—the water was visibly receding.
"Eek? What's going on?!"
The quartet stared at me.
"Uh."
No way...? Did I absorb the water? Like photosynthesis, even in human form?
My palm looked normal, but the water kept vanishing. It felt like my skin was sucking it in with every move.
Plants absorb water, sure, but oddly, I felt no different—no quenched thirst, no extra moisture.
The others' reactions confirmed it: I was absorbing it.
"Tch... Guess I gotta get out."
Regretfully, I climbed out of the half-empty tub and rinsed off quickly. Habit, mostly—Perfect Immaculacy made it unnecessary.
The warm bath left me languid, a strange fatigue settling in.
Maybe a quick nap?
Sleeping in the dress seemed uncomfortable. Then, the dress in my hand began to shift, morphing into a black silk negligee—matching the lingerie, sheer and body-hugging.
"Whoa... insane..."
It even turned into sleepwear! Super sexy, but comfy-looking.
I checked the mirror in lingerie and negligee. Aside from my cute height, I looked like a total seductress.
"Hehe, perfect for tempting Master?"
Thinking of her flushed my cheeks. In this outfit, even she might not hold back.
"Hehehe... Can't wait to see Master."
The bed tempted me like a playground. I dove in—soft, plush perfection enveloped me.
"Yaaah, the best!"
The Ace quartet piled on. Miel and Cecilia fluttered to my pillow, Glessia flopped heavily at the foot, Lote orbited overhead.
"Lote, wake me for dinner."
Lote tilted in acknowledgment.
Closing my eyes, the night's battle replayed.
The blood offering to Michael... such a magnificent ritual.
With happy thoughts, I drifted into sleep.