12. When It's Cold, It's Hot Springs
Summer flew by in the blink of an eye, and autumn arrived. Actually, calling the north's autumn "autumn" is almost embarrassing. It barely holds above freezing during the day, but the moment the sun sets, temperatures plunge below zero without fail.
"Ugh, it's cold."
I shivered under the blanket, teeth chattering. The fierce wind whistling through the window cracks was merciless.
Hmm, should I research fire magic this time?
Air conditioning in summer, heating in winter, right? I snuck a glance at Seria, who was adding firewood to the stove beside me. But she caught my look like a ghost.
"No way."
"I-I haven't even said anything yet?"
"You're plotting something again. Your eyes scream 'trouble in three seconds.' So, no."
"Hiiing."
Stubborn as a pumpkin. Well, considering the last ice magic fiasco, I get it. Ice melts into water, but fire magic could torch the entire Lord's Castle if I'm not careful. Fine, I'll save it for later when I'm bigger and have finer mana control. Scratch that for now.
But the cold was still a problem.
"Ah, I wanna soak in some steaming hot water."
This world's bathing culture? Boiling water and ladling it over yourself, or sitting in a big wooden tub. The issue is how fast it cools. You try to relax in the warmth, it goes lukewarm, and by the time you're out, you're shivering again.
Hot spring... I need a hot spring.
Clutching that sliver of hope, I bolted to Father's study.
"Dad!"
"Hey, my boy. Why're you running around in this cold?"
"Dad, does our territory have any hot springs? The neighboring ones do."
"Hoo, hot springs."
Father stroked his chin beard, digging through his memories.
"Come to think of it, my grandfather mentioned something like that. 'When my great-grandfather was alive, he enjoyed hot spring baths in the backyard of the Lord's Castle.'"
"..."
Dad's grandfather's great-grandfather. How far back does that go? It's straight-up legendary territory.
But. There might be one. Nothing to lose.
I dashed straight to the backyard. Kept it secret from Seria, obviously.
"Young Master, you'll catch a cold!"
"Young Master, you're getting filthy! Stop it!"
She'd try to stop me, no doubt.
I grabbed a shovel as tall as me from the shed. A 6-year-old's strength isn't great for digging. But I've got magic.
I channeled mana into the handle. The blade quivered and took on a blue glow.
"Alright, let's do this!"
Thud! Splat!
The mana-infused shovel bit into the frozen ground. Nice, it works! Tough going with a kid's body, but results are results.
I started digging like mad.
But a long tail always gets caught.
"Young Master, what on earth are you doing here?!"
A chilling voice from behind. I turned to find Seria with arms crossed, glaring down at me. I was already covered in dirt.
"Se-Seria. Well, Dad said there's hot spring water flowing here!"
"Hot springs or whatever, you're ruining your health! It's freezing out, and you're sweating—you'll catch a cold! Inside, now!"
Seria grabbed my arm and yanked.
No way, not after digging this far? I resisted desperately.
"Wa-wait! Just a little more, I swear it'll come out! My gut's screaming it! I can feel the hot vibes from here!"
"Young Master's gut isn't reliable."
"Okay, I admit that, but this time it's real! Just one meter! No, 50 centimeters more! Pleeease, Seria~?"
Seria let out a deep sigh at my stubbornness.
"Fine, just a little more, and if nothing, you give up?"
"Obviously!"
"Then hand it over. It'll take you all day like that."
"R-right? Here."
Seria took the shovel and rolled up her sleeves. Then.
Crack! Splat!
"..."
Wait, this is digging dirt, right?
Every swing sent dirt clumps flying like cannonballs. I'd struggled even with magic, but Seria was plowing the earth with raw strength. As expected of a future Sword Master. Even her shoveling was insane.
About ten minutes later.
"Young Master, this spot?"
"Yeah! That's the one—feels spot on!"
Seria slammed the shovel down one last time with full force.
Boom!
At that moment—
Sizzle!
White steam billowed up. And a jet of hot water erupted like a fountain.
"Whooaaa!"
"Kyaa!"
Seria and I got absolutely drenched. But it wasn't cold. It was warm. No—piping hot!
"See? Told ya! I said there was a hot spring!"
I jumped up and down, cheering. Seria stared wide-eyed at the gushing water. Sulfur-scented steam quickly filled the backyard.
"B-but Young Master... what now...?"
The water was pooling fast. Leave it like this, and the backyard would be a lake.
"What do you mean? We enjoy it!"
I leaped in clothes and all.
"Uwaaa... this is the stuff."
An uncle groan slipped out unbidden. Kya, this is exactly what I wanted!!
Seria hesitated at the edge.
"Come on in, Seria! It's seriously warm!"
"But my clothes..."
"They're muddy anyway. Just wash 'em."
I grabbed her hand and pulled. Seria went "Eh, wha—?" and lost her balance, tumbling in.
Splash!
"Puha!"
Seria surfaced, swept back her wet hair, and blinked.
"Well? Good, right?"
"...It's warm."
"Told ya."
"Feels like my skin's getting all smooth."
"That's hot spring water for ya. Great for the complexion."
"Ooh..."
Seria's eyes sparkled. Then she started splashing it on her face.
"Waa...!"
She seemed to like it even more than me.
That's when the commotion drew people from the Lord's Castle.
"Young Master! Seria! What happened?! Fire or...? Huh?!"
The Head Maid's jaw dropped at the steaming pool.
"My goodness, Young Master—what's this hot spring!?"
"Pretty sweet, huh? Seria and I dug it up!"
"For real!?"
The servants' eyes went wide. An open-air hot spring in the frigid north? I could feel their envious stares.
I flashed a grin and opened negotiations.
"Ahem! Think you could bring some boiled eggs and drinks? In exchange, free access to the hot spring!"
"For real!? On it!"
"I'll grab towels!"
Perfect. Deal sealed in one second.
Soon after, we were soaking in the hot water, peeling boiled eggs.
Body toasty, mouth happy. This is paradise.
"Seria, want another egg?"
"Yes, please!"
She looked so blissful. As I went to hand it over, I froze.
What was that pale skin...?
Her shirt had gone transparent from the water.
"...Uh."
My gaze locked involuntarily. Six and eight years old—still kids, but there's that saying about separating boys and girls at seven. Felt like I'd seen something I shouldn't.
"Hm? Young Master? Something on my face?"
Seria tilted her head. Then glanced down at her chest. Then back up at me.
Pssshhh.
Steam practically erupted from her head—more than from the spring. Her face turned beet red.
"Yo-Young Master..."
"N-no! It's not—!"
"Pervert!!"
Splash!
"Gyaak!!"
Seria scooped up a ladleful and blasted my face. This wasn't a splash—it was high-pressure. Water shot up my nose.
"I-I'm dying! Kek, cough!"
"Don't care! Get lost!"
"No, you were right there!"
We splashed and tussled in the pool like idiots.
Ten minutes later.
"Ughhh..."
"Uuu..."
Dizzy, we flopped side by side.
"Se-Seria, should we get out? I'm woozy."
"Y-yeah, probably. Too hot for me too..."
We climbed out holding our pruny hands. Seria, all embarrassed, wrapped herself tight in a towel and avoided my eyes.
- The next day.
Clang clang! I woke to the sounds.
Peeking outside, major construction was underway in the backyard. They'd tasted the hot spring too, huh.
Servants took the lead, erecting bamboo screens around it and even whipping up separate changing areas for men and women. They laid smooth stones on the bottom, turning it into a proper open-air bath.
And inside...
"Kyaa, this is the life!"
Father lounged with a towel on his head, face pure bliss as he soaked. Uncle groans spilling from his mouth.
"Ah, son—you're here? Hop in."
"Warm enough, Dad?"
"Steaming hot! You're the best son ever! How'd you even think to find this?"
He gave a thumbs-up. I'd braced for a scolding over the mud yesterday, but got praise instead. Results make everything better.
I settled beside him and sank into the warm water. Laughter from Seria and the maids drifted over from the women's side.
"Young Master! Want some sikhye?"
Seria's voice called from beyond the screen.
"Yeah! Two cups!"
Moments later, cool sikhye floated over in a ladle. Father and I shared it while gazing at the autumn sky.
"Nice."
"Yeah."
This winter's baths? No problem.