CH 128

(…… Mia-kun was right. The night wind is cold.)

This town of Loloa exists at the foot of the mountains, a little off the main road connecting the fortress city of Ilstadt and the royal city of Doldberg. The temperature this evening was cool enough to feel comfortable, especially with the cool wind blowing down from the mountain.

Three minutes after he started walking from the Waterfowl Pavilion. Souya was already beginning to regret his decision to go for a walk while the women were getting dressed.

However, he did not want people to think that he had gone back to the inn and returned because of the chilly weather. I can’t say I’m surprised. It was just the pride of a middle-aged man who was trying to be cool.

(Well, thank goodness it wasn’t raining. I hope it will be fine the day after tomorrow when the harvest festival is to be held …… Hmm, that is?)

I saw a distant haze in the direction of the deserted mountains, illuminated by twin moonbeams.

From the way it faded and the degree to which it shimmered, it did not appear to be smoke. If so, it was probably steam.

Although he did not intend to go very far, Souya had a vague idea of what it was and headed toward the steam.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

[Open-air bath, free of charge]

Near the source of the steam, a wooden sign was propped up that read.

(I knew it was so. I was sweating a little after a three-day trip …… It’s just what I need.)

In this chilly weather, it was a good thing. There was also the matter of three days of travel. If I can wash up my sweat here, I will be able to sleep comfortably today.

When Souya checked that no one was around, he took off his cloak and business suit, put them in the dimensional box, and entered the open-air bath lit by the twin moonlights.

The heat was radiating through his chilled body. The water was about 40 degrees Celsius.

The coldness of the wind that had been blowing down from the mountain earlier seemed to be pleasant to the senses. It was a good idea.

“Hey.”

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me, where no one had been.

The voice sounded familiar. Souya immediately turned around.

“Demonslayer Souya. What a coincidence. As I thought, did you come to Loloa to enjoy the hot springs?”

A young man with long red hair, standing naked with his arms crossed.

It was valiant demon Belmont, who was in the hot spring. Naturally, he was not wearing black tights, but was bare-chested.

“…… Belmont-kun. You surprised me. I didn’t notice you at all.”

“Hmmm. I felt a presence, so I used the Conceal to hide myself.”

I thought that might be for voyeuristic purposes, but Souya did not pursue it particularly. He did not seem to take offense or care at all.

“Loloa is famous for its hot springs. As a matter of fact, that was one of the reasons I decided to accept the request. It was a combination of gathering information about Ilstadt and wanting to participate in the harvest festival.”

Belmont, who had dropped his posture, soaked himself in the water again and exhaled heavily.　

“I see. No wonder there are such talented people like Belmont-kun at a silver-class request. I was just taking a walk and happened to find this place. The wind was cold. And I ended up being drawn here.”

After that, they soaked in the water in silence for a while, but eventually Belmont opened his mouth.

“Souya. How’s business in Ilstadt?”

“Belmont-kun, does that mean you want to know what’s going on in Ilstadt?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“I want information about Doldberg, too. I will accept it in exchange.”

When Souya asked this, Belmont nodded slowly. Negotiations were concluded.

“Illstadt is, to put it bluntly, in trouble. Belmont-kun, do you know about the Red Horn?”

“Oh, that’s the named Silver Demon that the spirit swordsman Seran is after. I heard that Lingen was destroyed …… that’s one of the pieces of information I wanted to hear.”

“So you were acquainted with Seran-kun. I was on my way to Lingen by chance on a request. I probably know more about the situation there than anyone else.”

“…… You’re at Lingen? …… Then, were you able to witness the Red Horn by any chance?”

“Yeah. Although I couldn’t get close enough, and I could only see it from a distance …… The Red Horn is causing Demonization Electrum. We may be on the verge of a world crisis.”

“What!?”

Belmont muttered with a look of astonishment.

“Demonization Electrum, you say …… Souya. Is it really serious?”

Suddenly a voice said. Souya looked up and saw a human figure behind a large rock.

It was the dark elf girl. Her twin-tail hair was undone and her long silver hair was stuck to her body, but there was no doubt that it was Rita, one of the members of the Red Moon.

“…… Oh, Rita-kun, right? I didn’t know you were there.”

“I am honored that you remember my name. Didn’t you notice me? I’m glad to hear that. It’s part of my job to make my presence disappear …… Kushun!”

Rita sneezed one more time and jumped from behind a rock into the water. Apparently, she was lurking naked.

And apparently she was one of those people who didn’t care about such things. It was the same for Merylou, but perhaps it is a habit among the elves.

“…… what? I don’t care if you see me. You’re not interested in a flat body anyway.”

“I’m at a loss for comment, Rita-kun …… The thing about the Demonization Electrum is true. I think the information circulating in the Royal Capital probably stops at the suspicion of the Demonization Electrum.”

Belmont crossed his muscular arms and looked up to the heavens. He seemed to be thinking.

“…… Hmmm. I’m getting a little curious. Souya. Is there any other witness to this information about the Demonization Electrum?”

“Yes, we have another one, but he’s not with me right now. He is Shamil, the Cait Sith familiar. She is in the party of Siren-kun and Phyllis-kun, who are platinum-class adventurers. Do you know these two?”

“…… Cait Sith. It seems you’ve almost mastered magic …… I know those two, of course …… I wonder how the bow master Phyllis is doing? She was the best shooter in the Royal Capital. I invited her to join me on the Red Moon several times, but she turned me down.”

“I got a few sniper cover shots at Lingen, but she’s scary good …… If you’re talking about her feelings, I don’t know.”

Souya told, remembering the black-haired half-elf who seemed to have few emotions. As expected, she seems to be the one and only shooter, even including the Adventurers’ Guild at the Royal Capital’s Headquarters.

“…… That person is not that difficult. Putting aside from the old days, now she love Siren and can explain most of it …… Is that Shamil, the Cait Sith, ok? I don’t care if he gets a shot in the head.”

Rita told me nonchalantly, folding her hands behind her head.