Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Hot Springs Banter
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The Monster Wave dragged on a bit longer and more fiercely than I'd imagined.
But even that came to an end before a full week had passed.
Outside the fortress walls lay countless monster corpses, while inside, knights and throngs of Northern Region folk were busily handling the cleanup.
I kind of wanted to go watch again... but instead, I was quietly reading books inside the castle.
"It's already all over. Can't I go take a look now?"
"Camellia."
"No, there's absolutely no danger anymore. There's no reason not to go, right? It was only risky because of the monsters...."
"Camellia."
"......."
Deep down, I wanted to go out and play too.
But the situation had made that impossible... so here I was.
And it was all Ivana's fault.
She just had to blab to Rozalin that I'd gone to check on the Monster Wave.
Of all people, Rozalin found out, and everything went to hell.
"This was a chance to make business in the Northern Region even smoother. The monsters are all dead anyway—no danger left. Even if I went now, they'd just be recovering knights or clearing monster bodies."
"Camellia. I said no."
"Tch...."
...Honestly, there was no danger at all.
It was truly safe enough to go sightseeing freely now.
No need for invisibility magic like last time—just stroll right in. So why block me?
"Mom said it was dangerous, that I could get hurt, and told me not to go, right?"
"...Yes."
"But you went anyway?"
"Right?"
"And you're still trying to go?"
"Uh... well...."
But it's really safe now.
I hadn't even gotten hurt—I'd just come back after chatting with Ivana, no incidents.
Was this really scolding-worthy...?
I didn't think so, but Rozalin clearly did.
"Seriously.... I told you that plainly, so why did you go? You could've just asked Miss Ivana what happened or the situation—she was there anyway."
Sure, but it's not the same as seeing it myself.
I wanted to say that to Rozalin, but it'd just start another lecture.
So I stayed quiet.
If I kept talking, she'd definitely chew me out for real.
Besides, sneaking out wasn't impossible, and I could still go if I wanted.
I was just playing along with Rozalin for now?
*
After the Monster Wave ended, I spent the time chatting business with Ivana, and before I knew it, my Northern Region stay was wrapping up.
Ivana's business wasn't fully done—just getting started—but it had kicked off well.
"Phew...."
I was soaking in the hot springs, feeling accomplished and relaxed.
It felt odd at first that such a great hot spring existed inside the castle, but once I got used to it, it was even better.
Unlike regular baths that need more maintenance, the natural hot spring vibe was truly amazing?
"How are the hot springs treating you?"
"They're the best. I want to build one at our mansion."
"Hmm.... Glad to hear it."
I'd finished everything I could help with during this break, and Ivana was pretty worn out from the Monster Wave and business prep.
To celebrate things going well, we'd hopped into this warm hot spring together.
Not the one in our shared room, but the castle's real main hot spring.
Not for guests—the one only Nordal family members use. They let us in.
"Just sitting here like this is pure bliss."
"Our water quality is something to brag about."
"Definitely... the hot spring water feels worlds apart from a regular bath. You can smell the scent, feel that slickness—way better."
I shared that while lounging comfortably in the bath.
Ivana, who'd entered a bit late, was slowly washing up.
"Hmm...."
"Why do you keep staring at my body?"
"I'm just amazed at how clearly muscled you are."
Separate from her great chest and hips.
Ivana's body clearly had muscle definition everywhere.
Not a six-pack, but overall toned—maybe an 11-pack or something.
It felt pretty impressive in that regard.
Probably from all her dedicated workouts, but I don't see bodies like that often?
Most women around me are either toned or soft.
Even I was generally toned, except for my chest?
"...?"
"Miss Ivana's been training since way back, unlike other girls—your body's incredible."
"Is it... good?"
"Of course? Better than flabby fat any day. Your muscles aren't bulky; they're just solidly toned overall."
"I've never really thought of it that way. I figured compared to others, it might look a bit ugly."
"Hmm.... Nah, it's a body with a lot to appreciate."
Honestly, I couldn't quite get her point.
Anyone could see it was a beautifully sculpted physique—why call it ugly?
With that face on top, I just didn't get the low self-esteem.
"Take your chest—size aside, the shape's gorgeous."
"It's just inconvenient for fighting."
"Sure for fighting, but looks-wise, it's great, right?"
"I'd rather they were smaller. Not comfy day-to-day—more hassle."
"Hmm...."
As someone with small breasts until just before the academy, I couldn't agree with Ivana.
Small meant bad—I knew that!
No matter what, big breasts beat small ones.
Not talking giant udders—just nicely, plumply rounded ones are definitely prettier.
Rozalin's weren't huge, but still beautiful.
"I think Miss Ivana's figure is absolutely not bad."
"Is that so."
She brushed off my words.
Didn't she sense my sincerity?
Ivana still seemed kinda childish, looks aside.
If I'd said this in front of Ella, I'd get an earful for sure.
"Whew.... So warm."
"You barely feel the cold, but warmth hits you normally?"
"Maybe because I don't feel cold much, I'm more sensitive to this. I suffered in academy summer heat too."
"Oh."
True.
I'd asked while watching Ivana enter the bath.
Come to think of it, she really struggled in summer.
I used ice and wind magic in the club room to cool things, but it wasn't enough.
Not even for me?
"Probably from living in the north so long. Too adapted to cold?"
"Maybe."
"But soaking like this warms me right up. Should be fine."
Even if she hated heat, Ivana spent more time up north anyway?
Not a huge issue.
"Your body runs warm anyway, right, Miss Ivana?"
Saying that, I slowly sidled up beside her in the bath.
Ivana stared at me with her usual innocent, clueless, soulless expression, unmoving.
No idea what I was about to do.
If this were Lize, she'd blush and tremble.
I rested a hand on Ivana's smooth shoulder.
Not anything else—just a light skin touch?
Unlike with Lize, a casual touch on a safe spot.
"See, touching you like this, you feel pretty cool to me, not warm?"
I could feel the temperature difference clearly.
I'd noticed hugging her at the academy before... her body was definitely on the warm side.
"Right?"
"...Warm."
"Huh? Warm? Even with my touch?"
Huh.
I'd expected her to say my hand felt cold, hoping she'd enjoy the cool touch.
But no— she said my body temp felt warm to her.
"Hmm...."
Well, if warmth's what she likes, I could amp up the body compliments with warm hand contact.
That'd do it.
I let it go.