CH 7

“Wow! This is amazing!” I exclaimed as I dipped into the warm puddle.

The warm water enveloping my entire body caused me to feel greatly satisfied. 

This cloudy water is amazing! Its thick consistency wrapped around my body made me feel as if I were melting. Just like magic. During the battle earlier, I scraped my knee. It was slightly painful but after I entered the pool, the pain disappeared instantly!

I don’t know how it works but it’s like the water has restorative power.

“A-Are you okay, master?” (Lara)

“I’m beyond fine! It’s amazing! It’s so therapeutic!” I pump my fist in joy as Lara looked at me timidly.

Ahhhhh~ I never knew ecstasy and satisfaction of this level existed.

“Lara, you should get in here too. Come on, come on! Take your clothes off or I’ll drag you into the puddle myself.” (Yuo)

“No! I don’t want to die yet, master! Pass! (Lara)

I immediately pulled Lara’s hand, not wanting to keep this pleasure to myself.

It seems the pool’s location was blocked off behind a rock, which explains why the villagers haven’t discovered this place yet. Because of this, the area was secluded. There was no need to be shy since we were both women. When Lara confirmed that no one was around, she stripped naked and hesitantly got into the warm water.

“What…? It feels much better than it looks!” (Lara)

As expected, Lara uttered the same words I did. I nodded deeply at that. As the warm water enveloped our bodies, we felt our minds and bodies relax.

“Just a while ago, it smelled like hell but now it smells so pleasant.” (Lara)

“Perhaps the fact that you heated this pond more caused this satisfying feeling. Master, could it be that your [Heater Skill] has a certain effect on this type of water?” Lara inferred that my skill may have changed the properties of the water.

Hmmm, I doubt it. I think my skill just warms things up.

Just being wrapped in warm water caused this energy to well up at the bottom of my stomach. Additionally, the stress caused by my banishment faded quickly.

It feels even better than recovery magic. This pool was an amazing discovery!

Lara’s cheeks were rosy and she had an unrestrained smile on her face, an expression rarely found in the calm and collected maid.

I couldn’t blame her though, not even I knew such a pleasant feeling existed.

Besides, this water makes me forget all of my pent-up worries and stress.

I was born an aristocrat, something people seem to this is enviable. But behind the glamor and prestige, our lifestyle is restrictive. My family and relatives imposed unattainable goals on me, especially my father and brothers who always ridiculed my lack of magic power.

But this water gives this liberating feeling.

I’m reminded that before I’m an aristocrat or that girl without any magic power, I’m only human.

In a daze, I feel great. I wish this feeling would last forever.

While I was reflecting on everything, I felt a tear slip from my eyes

I’m crying.

It’s been hard, huh?

Gradually, I felt the weight in my heart lighten.

“Master, are you okay?” Lara asked in concern as soon as she saw my eyes brim with tears.

I hurriedly washed my tears away with the warm water. A lord shouldn’t be seen in such a weak state.

However, I was still in a good mood. This water can actually cause a cheerful and carefree person like me to cry, how amazing. It’s like a holy spring that liberates the heart.

“That’s right!” I thought of something.

“Why don’t we let the citizens try this? If everyone in the territory is healthy, territory management might become easier and more stable.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, master! You are indeed a compassionate and merciful lord!” Lara agreed.

For someone who said it smelled like hell, she’s very enthusiastic about this.

“Hehehe, I think they’ll definitely appreciate it. The water feels amazing but master, you have to come up with a name for this… thing.” (Lara)

Then, I realized that this puddle had no name.

Hot water is not a bad idea, but it’s just not right.

“You’re right, this mystical puddle needs a name. That would make it easier for people to be more familiar with it.” (Yuo)

Hmmm… ‘warm puddle’ certainly doesn’t sound clean or appealing, does it? I’d like it to have a cleaner image anyway. A holy spring or something like that.

“How about keeping it simple and just naming it ‘warm swamp,’ master? Or maybe ‘warm pond’ could work too.” (Lara)

Lara didn’t have any bad intentions, but her naming sense was outstandingly bad.

Not many people would want to dip into a ‘warm swamp.’ ‘Warm pond’ on the other hand could be taken to mean something else [1].

A warm gushing place… A warm, holy spring… 

I folded my arms and groaned in contemplation.

"Aha! Warm spring, how about calling it a hot spring?” (Yuo)

“Hot spring! That sounds great! It fits the place very well!” Lara agreed with the name I came up with.

"Good, then we will have to prepare the hot spring for public use. Lara, you’ll be busy tomorrow!” (Yuo)

“Master! I’m so excited!” (Lara)

Lara and I were so excited while soaking in the hot water.

◇

Meanwhile, some news was spreading among the villagers.

"Did you hear? I heard that the new feudal lord is the Scorching Witch.”

“How is that possible? The Scorching Witch is from a fairy tale!”

“No, that’s the thing. According to Hannah, the new lord killed a two-headed Giant Earthfish in an instant unscathed!”

"In an instant? Unscathed? That’s impossible! That fish was a dragon eater!”

“And what’s more, she was merciful enough to share the meat for free.”

“Oh, really? We’ve been very blessed lately, thank goodness!”

“My family will be overjoyed! Witch-sama really saved us from hunger!”

The gathered villagers had nothing but praise for Yuo.

<<Scorching Witch’s Recent Gain>>

Hot springs

<<Scorching Witch’s Ability>>

(T/N)

[1] Probably piss? Or some other bodily fluid lmao

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