Rischel Hot Springs (1)
The Great Saintess decided to return home sooner than expected.
She had come unannounced for the sake of this war, so her departure was just as swift.
The people of Rischel clearly hoped she would stay longer, but her position as Rosaria's Great Saintess wasn't one that allowed prolonged stays abroad.
As a symbol of Rosaria itself, her absence alone stirred murmurs among the faithful.
The fact that the Great Saintess had intervened in the war was already widely known in Rosaria, and most believers who heard the news were eager for her swift return.
And so, after coordinating key matters with Rischel's Queen Aser, the Great Saintess promptly set off for home.
On the very day of her departure from Rischel.
Ahead of the grand farewell ceremony prepared by the Rischel folk, she and I were sharing our final words.
"Then we'll take responsibility for Neria's remains and deliver them to the Great Forest."
"...Yes."
Divine Beast Neria.
Gazing at the coffin holding her body, the Great Saintess quietly clasped her hands together.
"She spent her life in ceaseless struggle against the demonkin. We of Rosaria, myself included, will do everything in our power to ensure this hero is laid to rest in her homeland."
"Hearing that puts my mind at ease. Take good care of her."
She nodded faintly, then promptly summoned her holy knights to move the coffin.
Once the holy knights had carried it away, the Great Saintess, who had been watching their direction, spoke cautiously.
"...O Saint."
"I'm not a saint... Sigh, what is it?"
Her eyes told me she had no intention of changing her tune.
I sighed and asked back, only to stiffen naturally at her next words.
"When you have time later, please visit our Rosaria as well."
"No, that's a bit..."
That's your home base.
Exaggeration aside, with the Great Saintess treating me like a god, what do you think would happen if you acted like you knew me?
Hell, I'd already had a nightmare of a time there two years ago.
"The Holy Empire of Rosaria is always open to you, O Saint."
"No, I mean..."
Just exchanging words with her made me feel like I was the one who should be apologetic. If even a rumor spread that she called me a saint?
...The thought alone makes me dizzy.
Pushing aside the chilling imagination that sent shivers down my spine, the Great Saintess bowed her head once more.
"...Whenever, wherever you come, we shall welcome you with joy."
"...Yeah, I'll think about it."
Having your subordinates behind you like that is cheating.
Ignoring their sky-falling expressions as they stared at me, I fixed my gaze on the Great Saintess.
Evidently very satisfied with my response, she stood with a proud smile, then looked to the heavens and spoke in a troubled tone.
"And please visit the church as soon as possible."
"Sure, I'll consider it positively."
"...Hehe, you are a mischievous one."
She noticed, huh.
That I'd been deliberately avoiding the church.
If I went now, the goddess would be all puffed up.
No ifs about it.
She definitely would.
Considering her childish personality, she'd climb all over me with smugness for sure.
I can't stand the sight of that.
I could forgive the others acting high and mighty, but not the goddess.
She already looked down on me and every other being as it was—what, bend to someone like that?
No way she'd climb.
What? How can I be so sure?
{Eek! It's my first time seeing you in person, human! I'll make an exception this once and allow you to revere me! Kneel, prostrate, and praise me! I am the Goddess of Light, Luce!}
{Eek eek! Good! That's the proper attitude toward a goddess! For that, I'll forgive your past rudeness! Be grateful, human!}
I should have crushed her ego from the start.
Even so, it was my mistake to show respect to a so-called goddess.
Give her an inch, and she takes a mile, crawling right up to your head...
Grip—
Thinking of the goddess brazenly spilling words with her tiny chest puffed out made my fist clench naturally.
I won't let the goddess have her happy moment, no matter what.
Personal grudge aside, her personality just grated on me.
Once you let her loose, she never knew when to stop.
Let's see her wait forever for a guest who won't show.
At my demeanor, she gave a faint wry smile before bowing her head briefly.
"Understood. Still, please don't hate me too much."
"...Sure."
I had no intention of treating her harshly anyway.
The goddess was my enemy and my benefactor, after all.
This is just a little revenge.
A bit of petty torment mixed with personal bias.
Though the goddess herself probably wouldn't see it that way.
───
The island nation of Rischel at the continent's edge boasts three world-famous features.
First are Rischel's signature knights.
Knights wielding the fairy tribe's unique stigmata demonstrate prowess rivaling the continent's heroes, symbolizing Rischel's formidable military might.
Countless fairies of Rischel train relentlessly to become knights, and among those who manifest stigmata, the Round Table Knights who serve Queen Aser are the envy of every fairy in Rischel.
Second is the defensive barrier Avalon, protecting Rischel from all external threats.
Established by a previous queen as its foundation.
A massive barrier spell developed by Merlin, Morgan, and the lake fairy Vivian.
That is Avalon, Rischel's guardian.
Though it was destroyed by the Four Heavenly Kings' invasion recently, stripping it of its absolute defense title, with aid from Merlin, Morgan, and numerous other fairies, Avalon is gradually regaining its form.
Once Avalon fully revives and Rischel receives the defensive weaponry from the alliance, it will likely usher in another golden age.
And the final third is—
"Yes, this is the natural hot spring Rischel prides itself on!"
Right, the natural hot springs.
.
.
.
.
"Long ago, Rischel emerged into the world due to the eruption of Mount Logres."
Born from a massive volcanic eruption, Rischel naturally abounds in hot springs heavily influenced by magma.
Starting from the now-dormant Mount Logres, hot springs dot the entire island, making them an indispensable part of life for Rischel's people.
"In fact, Rischel's hot springs receive rave reviews, especially from foreign ministers."
"I've heard the rumors. They say the world's best hot springs aren't anywhere else but Rischel."
Tatiana's eyes sparkled with curiosity at the guide's words.
"Exactly. That's why Rischel folk are said to owe their beauty to the hot springs."
"Oh, really?"
"Of course! I may not know about anything else, but they're amazing for the skin."
"My goodness!"
Judging by her reaction, Tatiana seemed quite swayed.
Makes sense—even for a nation that doesn't welcome tourists, if the rumors spread that far, it must be exceptional.
Especially if the hype started from foreign ministers and high nobles.
People often mistake nobles for spreading exaggerated rumors.
That mostly applies to noblewomen like first ladies.
Even they avoid spreading serious rumors that could tarnish their dignity.
If noblewomen are cautious with gossip, imagine the officials.
Especially nobles like foreign ambassadors who travel extensively—they only spread carefully vetted, reliable rumors.
Their gossip inherently counts as high-grade intel, so they're even more selective.
In that context, with ambassadors unanimously praising Rischel's hot springs, it's only natural the fame spread across the continent.
Anyway, Tatiana—who'd long been interested in Rischel's hot springs—finally got recommendations from the court folk, leading to this situation.
Honestly, I have no idea why I got dragged along...
Still, whatever.
I didn't hate hot springs.
Quite the opposite—I'd used them here before and was inwardly looking forward to it.
"I had no idea there was a hot spring even inside the royal castle."
"Hehe, rumor has it they built the castle here specifically for the hot springs."
Chatting amiably, Tatiana and I headed to the hot spring baths within the castle.
Following the guide, we entered a modest stone building and were greeted by a surprisingly lavish interior.
"This is the Royal Inn, permitted for use by only a select few in Rischel."
"Hm? Royal Inn? Not a regular hot spring?"
I'd assumed it was a general or VIP inn within the castle.
"Yes, entry is strictly forbidden except for the Round Table Knights, royalty, and Queen Aser."
I never dreamed I'd be guiding you here.
Smiling happily as she said that, the guide led the surprised Tatiana around, continuing the explanations.
"This place is primarily an open-air bath. There are geysers too, but they're dangerous, so we advise against entry."
"If you'd like, short stays are possible here. With staff on constant standby, it's perfect for a refreshing break."
"There's no set entry time for the baths. Since it's reserved for select royalty, come whenever you wish."
"However, since Master Mu-geuk is male, please let us know in advance so we can restrict access accordingly."
Good.
They've prepared properly this time.
Last time, I'd waged fierce battles just to enter the springs.
Still, I can't fully relax.
At least, being a royal inn for a select few, it's better than before.
No random fairies with impure intentions should come barging in.