Hot Spring Therapy (4)
"Ah, Sion. Hold on a second."
Come to think of it, Leonard Elder had mentioned preparing something for Sion to use in the hot spring...
"Where are you going?"
As I stepped out of the spring to fetch whatever the elder had prepared, Sion called out, wondering what was up.
"I'm not going anywhere, so don't worry. I just need to grab something real quick."
Was she really that anxious about me disappearing somewhere? Anyway, the elder said he'd left one in each bath, so it had to be around here somewhere.
"Ah, here it is."
What I found was a small bath chair. One had been pulled out and left in plain sight among the cluster of chairs, probably for easy access.
"You can use this to get around in here."
"Huh? What's this?"
"It's a chair."
The chair the elder had prepared had four long legs, tall enough to sit on without bending your knees, and each leg was fitted with 360-degree swivel wheels—perfect for letting someone like Sion, who couldn't walk, move around easily. He'd whipped it up on the spot after seeing her in the wheelchair, specifically for use in the hot spring. Of course, true to a dwarf's pride in craftsmanship, it wasn't some slapdash job.
"Whoa, it's so convenient-looking."
"Right? Try using it when you wash up later. Oh, and don't forget to let me know when you're heading out."
"Got it."
I placed the chair within Sion's reach and slipped back into the spring to soak.
The dwarf village was shrouded in steam rising from every direction. Volcanoes, hot springs, and the village forges belched smoke high into the sky. The heavens were a chaotic tapestry of clouds and fumes, with stars twinkling through the gaps, casting their glow down on us.
Immersed in the warm waters at the heart of nature, gazing up at the stars, washing away the day's—no, the accumulated—fatigue... yeah, choosing the hot springs had definitely been the right call.
Hm?
Lost in staring at the endless sky, I noticed one star among the multitude trailing a long tail as it streaked toward somewhere.
"Sion. You see it? Right there..."
"Yeah, I see it. So be quiet."
"?"
Be quiet? Like the shooting star would hear us and bolt? Baffled, I turned to Sion, but her gaze wasn't on the sky.
She was fixed on the spring's source right in front of us, where the water bubbled out.
What's she staring at there?
Steam rising from the water made it hard to see beyond, but since Sion said she saw something, I focused intently on the spot.
And as I stared, tiny sparkling lights began to catch my eye near the source. Various hues—dark yellow, bright blue, red—flickering and shimmering.
Curious what they were, I sidled closer to Sion, narrowing the gap between us.
"What are those?"
We had to whisper now that we were so close. Sion seemed to notice my approach but kept her eyes locked on the sparkles, replying in a hushed tone just like mine.
"Spirits, obviously. You really forgot everything? Are all reincarnators like this?"
Those were this world's spirits... Just like in the original story, unless you formed a contract with them, you couldn't see their true forms—only these twinkling lights.
"It could happen. They're hard to spot."
"Mm, fair enough. Want to call them over?"
"Call them?"
"Spirits don't usually approach strangers, but since they're part of nature itself—beings that transcend time—maybe they remember you, Hope."
Oh no. To the spirits, I'd just be a total stranger. Truth be told, I wasn't even a reincarnator from this world—I was a transmigrator from another. From their perspective, I might as well be an alien. What if they freaked out and fled at the sight of me? That could get awkward...
"Do we have to?"
"Like the elder said, the land and spirits might help us. No harm if they run—let's give it a shot."
"I see. Well, if that's how it is..."
Her tone suggested she figured they'd bolt anyway and there was no helping it. Since I wasn't objecting, Sion focused intently on the spirits' direction, steadying her breath.
— Whoooosh...
A gentle breeze stirred. Sion's doing. Starting from her back, it skimmed across the spring's surface, rippling the water and momentarily clearing the steam. The spirits' forms sharpened into view.
"They noticed us."
To me, they were still just little lights, but in that moment, I felt it viscerally. Our eyes had met. How would they react? Flee in panic, scattering like I feared?
— ......
Thankfully, they didn't run. They twinkled brighter, drifting toward us. Then, as if welcoming the hero Sion, they surrounded us from all sides, bathing us in their gentle glows like a greeting.
"So pretty... Thank you, little ones."
Sion smiled at them, expressing her gratitude. This was a hero. Beloved by the world and nature alike. Her presence didn't dim just because someone like me was beside her.
"Hm?"
Soon, the spirits drew even closer, encircling us. Some settled on Sion's shoulders, others dipped below the water, clinging to her body.
"You'll heal me?"
Could she talk to them? Nothing like that in the original story, so probably not—but they responded as if they understood, swarming her body in unison, sparkling like they were casting magic.
Nature-based healing magic, maybe? No miracles, but it could ease fatigue, melt away tension, provide some psychological comfort.
"Thank you. I'll do my best. With this teacher here helping, I'll definitely get better."
Enveloped in their light, Sion beamed radiantly. And when she mentioned me, the remaining spirits around us fluttered my way, latching onto my body too.
"Whoa, me too?"
No time to be surprised—they clung just like to her, twinkling as they worked their spells.
So they didn't shun strangers, as Sion said?
"They must remember you."
No way. Probably just recognizing me as her companion. The land and spirits helping... who knew the elder meant them literally attaching and healing us?
The warm spring water's caress, amplified by their glows, brought a soothing ahh~ sensation, my whole body floating lightly, refreshed.
Ever since collapsing from overwork, my body had felt heavy, fatigue piling up. Now, it was like all that gunk clogging me up was purified, melting away.
"I'll definitely remember this for later. When fatigue builds, I seriously need to consider coming back here..."
"You gonna? If the spirits helped, the dwarves would welcome you even without me."
"Mm..."
Truth be told, I'd said it in the heat of the moment, feeling so good. Without Sion, the spirits wouldn't react like this—coming alone made no sense.
"Nah, never mind."
"Huh? Why not..."
"I decided not to go anywhere without you, Sion."
"......"
Earlier, I'd thought the stars overhead were sparkling. Now, our bodies outshone them.
"We can come together."
Surrounded by the twinkling lights, she gave me a shy smile. If she came along...
"Then when I'm worn out, I'll call you—so remember that."
"Of course. And don't overdo it and collapse again—make sure to call me."
The spirits lingered a bit longer, clinging and sparkling to heal us fully before peeling away. They circled us like a farewell, then scattered in all directions, fading into the distance.
"Bye~ Thank you~"
I thought about waving like Sion, but feeling a bit embarrassed, I just sent my thanks silently in my heart.
Unexpectedly, their help had swept away every ounce of fatigue. Who'd have thought it'd melt like this?
"Think the hot spring time's good now?"
With the spirits gone and us thoroughly soaked, Sion tried to exit. She gripped the edge with her arms, lifting her legs out—but the soaked towel weighed her down, dragging her back in repeatedly.
"Need a hand?"
"You sure love finding excuses to touch my body, Hope."
"If you don't need it, fine..."
After much splashing and struggling, she finally hauled herself onto the edge. Just needed to get to the chair now. It was a bit away, so instead of crawling, she rolled across the floor...
"!!!"
Had the knot loosened from being in the water so long? Like kimchi rolls unrolling in reverse, the towel slipped off her body, unfurling squarely on the floor.
"Huh?"
Sensing something amiss, she propped up her upper body, glanced down, then looked up at me.
Our eyes met—naturally, since I'd witnessed the whole thing.
"What are you staring at!!"
The next instant, something heavy and broad slammed into my face, blotting out my vision and breath.
— SPLAT
The massive impact on my face. Th-this was a wet towel...!
Soaked through, it smacked me hard, nearly knocking me out.
Gah, can't... breathe!
Was this that execution method where they smother you with wet fabric?
— SPLASH
The sudden shock to my head sent my body toppling backward into the water.