Chapter 235

Chapter 235

I learned a fact I hadnt known before.

"We always used the public bathhouse in Crossroad after every battle. We had to wash off the monster blood and dirt from our bodies."

Except for me, all the mercenaries took a bath at the public bathhouse every time a defensive battle ended.

During this process, both male and female mercenaries had become quite close.Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

So, this hot spring event wasnt a big deal for the party members.

They even told me that they had visited the public bathhouse together just the day before!

"Why wasnt I invited?!"

I exclaimed, visibly upset.

Was this some kind of office ostracism? Is that what this was?

"You all became closer without me? This Prince getting a bit lonely here!"

"Sir, you have a private bath in your mansion. While the public bathhouse isnt poor quality, its crowded and noisy..."

Lucas spoke, and Damien awkwardly added,

"Also, Your Highness has been in the Imperial Capital for some time recently... Weve just gotten used to going to the bathhouse without you."

"Heh, is this the part where distance makes the heart grow fonder...?"

"Ah, well definitely invite you next time! Dont cry, Your Highness!"

I thought they were like kids who couldnt even eat without me, but it turns out I was the only one who thought that way.

They were doing just fine, fostering their own camaraderie without me.

I felt uneasy, as if I was watching younger siblings grow up all of a sudden.

Anyway, the four of us entered the mens hot spring.

"Whoa!"

"Its so spacious..."

Both the party members and I were astounded as we looked around the facilities.

Crossroads public bathhouse was quite large to accommodate thousands of soldiers, but this place was incomparable in size.

Its even bigger than Bugok Hawaii...!

The sad part is that the largest water park Id ever visited was Bugok Hawaii, so that was my only point of comparison... Anyway!

A gigantic hot bath where steam billowed. A cold bath designed like a waterfall. Clear streams of water poured from lion head sculptures scattered around.

Magical lights shining down from the ceiling, reflecting off the gleaming tiles on the floor...

It was hard to believe this was a hot spring facility in a ruined city. It was incredibly well-maintained. Is this the magic of a fantasy civilization?

"Woah! Im diving in first!"

Kuilan quickly stripped and ran toward the bath.

Hey, ever heard of showering first? Fantasy world or not, some rules need to be followed!

Kuilan first jumped into the cold bath with a splash.

"Its freezing!"

And he immediately jumped out. What are you doing, young man?

"Eee, eee, eee! Im going to freeze! I need to get to a warm place fast!"

Shivering, Kuilan plunged into the hot bath next. Splash!

"Its too hot!"

Again, he hopped right out. What is this guy doing? Its not like the cold-hot baths the elderly usually do at the neighborhood bathhouse.

After a series of chilling and scalding experiences, Kuilan finally found a lukewarm bath and settled down.

The rest of us also found baths of comfortable temperature and submerged ourselves.

"Ah~!"

Kuilan, who had been sitting under the lion-head sculpture that poured warm water, shook his head vigorously.

Droplets of water splashed all around as they followed the trail of Kuilans long, red hair.

"This feels so alive! I think its driving away all the cold!"

"Hey, man-bun. Splash a little less. Youre getting water all the way over here."

As I scolded him, Kuilan grinned and splashed water everywhere with a twisting motion. This reckless bastard! Take it easy!

"...By the way, you really have an incredible body, Kuilan."

His entire frame seemed to be covered in lean muscles.

Whats more, he was enormously tall, towering over 6 feet 6 inches, and well-proportioned at that. He looked like a Greek statue.

Upon hearing my admiration, Kuilan laughed heartily and proudly patted his chiseled six-pack.

"Hahaha! This physique keeps me fed and happy! Especially these abs, theyre my pride and joy! If I show them off and say, Use it as a washboard, not a single lady can resist!"

Good grief, who falls for such outlandishly outdated lines? Guess the muscles make up for the lack of coherence.

"Itd be great if you were as tough on the inside as you look..."

Such muscles, yet so fragile. Please live up to your appearance, for the love of God.

"..."

"Hmm? Lucas?"

Just then, I saw Lucas glaring at Kuilan. Whats the deal?

Swoosh!

Anyway, youre not the sexy-dynamite-hot body you claimed to be.

I should probably stop teasing her before I really get hit.

"Fine. Lets put that topic aside for now. Why did you scream? What happened?"

"Oh, right!"

Evangelines face turned pale as she pointed frantically towards the womens bath.

"A ghost!"

Huh?

"Theres a ghost in the womens bath!"

Evangeline yelled desperately, but I couldnt help but chuckle.

"Ha, youre being cute, Evangeline. Theres no such thing as ghosts in this worl"

...Wait, this is a fantasy world.

Then again, its a monster-filled dungeon, so why wouldnt there be ghosts?

The hot spring facility should be a monster-free zone, right? How did a ghost-type monster get in?

Confused, I listened as Evangeline began to explain what had happened in the womens bath.

***

A little while ago. In the womens bath.

Submerged in the hot water, Evangeline was eating a boiled egg, her cheeks flushed a radiant pink.

Hmm, yum.

The hot springs here definitely seemed to have restorative effects on the body.

Her diminished appetite while she had been ill was now surging back with a vengeance.

The eggs are tasty, and I feel like my body is getting better...

As she rearranged her platinum hair, which she had twisted and tied up, Evangeline pondered.

Its a bit boring being here alone...

She was the only one in this spacious bath.

With her tiny feet hovering above the water surface, she wriggled her toes and let out a low hum.

Should I have brought Junior sister along? Oh right, Junior dislikes exposing her skin due to her burns...

Excluding Junior, who else could she have invited?

Lilly? No, she doesnt want to go to dungeons anymore Saintess Margarita? She too prefers not to fight on the front lines. Reina Windwell? She finds me uncomfortable...

Wet fingertips counting off possible companions, Evangeline eventually realized she was lacking suitable female heroes to invite to the dungeon.

I wish there were more female members on the front lines...

Suddenly, she remembered the gathering of female hero mercenaries she had summoned in Crossroad a while back.

She had gotten along really well with a swordswoman dressed as a maid, and they had had fun all night.

Was it Elize? If she were here, we could head to the front lines together. I wonder if shed come to Crossroad

Not just Elize, but Evangeline wished for more female heroes to join them in fighting and having fun. This was her inner wish.

Only sixteen years old, she was still a child eager for playtime.

Though not necessarily needing friends her age, she earnestly wished for more like-minded female friends.

"Hm?"

Thats when it happened.

Dipping her face into the water and blowing bubbles, Evangeline stretched her short legs in the bath when she saw something.

Float. Float.

It was rising.

Float. Float. Float.

Out of nowhere, in the bath, a long-haired woman was...

Huh?

Evangeline, who thought she was alone, froze, her eyes widening in shock.

The long-haired woman, rising from the bottom to the water surface, suddenly twitched.

Splash!

Then, scattering water in all directions, she stood upright in the middle of the bath.

""

""

A heavy silence filled the room.

Frozen in place, Evangeline couldnt move, and neither did the woman who had just risen.

From amidst the womans wet, clinging hair, a glint of eyes sparkled.

"Uh..."

And then, finally,

"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Evangeline screamed.

"Its a GHOST!"