When Jin and Fritz entered the changing room, they found they weren't the first ones there.
To their surprise, representatives from the Celuroa Kingdom were already present.
"Oh, Jin-dono, and Fritz-dono as well."
Kirk-at, a guard, called out to them. It had been quite some time—perhaps not since the succession drama that had gripped the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Ah, if it isn't the Lord of Kunlun. The water is marvelous!"
Inside the bathroom, Cesar was already soaking in a tub, stretching his limbs. The communal bath featured three separate tubs, each configured with a different temperature. The hottest was 45 degrees Celsius, the middle was 42 degrees, and the lukewarm tub was 38 degrees.
After rinsing himself off, Jin naturally headed straight for the 45-degree tub.
"Oh, Jin-dono likes his water hot!" the other three remarked, sounding impressed. Incidentally, all three of them were soaking in the 38-degree water.
"My, quite the distinguished gathering."
The man who entered with that dry observation was the second prince of the Klein Kingdom, Arthur. Following him were Chancellor Galueri and Royal Ritter Vice Captain Bruno from the Kingdom of Egerea, along with Chancellor Godfar from the Kingdom of Elias. Finally, even King Rotaro de Lafayette of the Kingdom of Franz made an appearance.
"The bath in my guest quarters was fine, but I was told a spacious communal bath would be more comfortable," someone remarked.
"I am in complete agreement," another replied.
Jin felt a sense of satisfaction. He had built this large communal bath specifically hoping for this kind of "naked social interaction," and he was glad to see it hadn't gone to waste. He considered bringing up the earlier dispute between the delegates' subordinates, but he decided it wouldn't suit the current atmosphere and kept his mouth shut.
"The water feels remarkably soft against the skin."
"I agree. Is there perhaps some secret to the spring?"
"From what I've heard, sometimes hot water emerges when you dig into the earth, and the quality varies depending on the location."
Listening to their idle chatter, Jin surmised that they had come here seeking a sense of liberation after the heavy responsibilities of the conference.
"Jin-dono, tell me—is my sister a worthy partner for a man like you?"
Fritz spoke to Jin, who had been lost in thought. Fritz was currently soaking in the 42-degree tub, his face turned toward Jin. His expression looked a bit strained by the heat.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Jin asked, not quite grasping the intent behind the question.
"I-It is just that you own an island like this, you have developed airships and hot air balloons, and you possess many incredible golems. If you were so inclined, you could surround yourself with many wives and concubines, and you could surely amass even more power. Yet, you do not. I was simply curious."
"I see..."
As a soldier, it seemed Fritz couldn't entirely wrap his head around Jin's way of thinking. That was perhaps inevitable. After all, Jin himself couldn't understand the mindset of those who craved power or wanted to seize the world.
"Elsa is an unsurpassed partner," Jin replied. That was his honest feeling.
"Is that so? Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease." A soft smile played on Fritz's lips. "...Hot!"
Muttering that, the Lieutenant Colonel climbed out of the 42-degree tub. Since he was sufficiently warmed up, Jin stepped out of the bathtub as well.
＊ ＊ ＊
The women's bathroom was also quite lively.
The group included the Empress of the Shouro Empire, Marchioness Firenziano, and Princess Lieschen. Gloria, Flora, Lyla, the Royal Secret Maids Lianna and Kate, and Elsa were all soaking in the water together.
"Ah, the water is so lovely. It washes away the fatigue," the Empress murmured in a relaxed voice.
"It feels remarkably smooth. I wonder if there is a secret to it?" Marchioness Firenziano asked Elsa.
"No, the water here is drawn from 300 meters underground. Perhaps because of that, it contains salt and baking soda," Elsa explained.
"Salt? Does that mean it's salty?"
"Only very slightly. However, it seems to make it harder for the body to feel a chill after the bath. Also, the baking soda makes the skin smooth."
"I don't quite understand what this 'baking soda' is, but the idea of skin becoming smooth is wonderful."
"It truly is."
The explanation was particularly well-received by the older women.
However, Lyla Soluce was completely intimidated to be in the presence of the Empress, the Princess, and the Marchioness, remaining silent and still. Elsa noticed her and spoke up.
"Lyla-san, it has been a long time."
"A-E-Elsa-sama, i-it has been a long... oof!"
Because she had tried to bow while submerged in the tub, Lyla plunged her face straight into the water.
"You don't need to be so nervous. Here, everyone is essentially without rank....Jin-nii called it naked social interaction."
"My, I like that expression! As expected of the Lord of Kunlun!"
The Empress waded through the water toward them and flashed a smile at Elsa. Lyla grew tense once again at the sudden proximity of the monarch.
"Y-Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness for appearing before you in such a state!"
However, the Empress gently rebuked her.
"I wonder what you mean by 'such a state'? If being naked is wrong, then does that mean the Marchioness, the Princess, and I are all being rude?"
"A-Ah, forgive me! T-That is not what I meant!"
Lyla turned pale in the water. Seeing her struggle, Princess Lieschen reached out and patted her on the head.
"...Hime-sama?"
"Come now, it would be best for you to calm yourself. Being on this Kunlun Island means you have every right to be in this place, same as us."
"I-Is that so?"
Elsa also offered her support. "Yes. Lyla-san is also a guest. So, I want you to relax."
"Th-Thank you very much..."
Finally, Lyla's tension seemed to ease slightly. Lianna and Kate watched her with wry smiles.
"She hasn't changed at all, even after being assigned to His Highness..."
"Maybe that's just what makes Lyla who she is."
Their expressions were like those of elder sisters watching over a younger one.
Meanwhile, Princess Lieschen was speaking to Gloria.
"Gloria, I am glad to see your wounds have healed."
"Yes, Hime-sama. It is thanks to Elsa-dono."
"Fufu, quite so....By the way, has there been some change in your heart that led you to start growing out your hair?"
"N-Nothing... in particular."
Gloria denied it, but her eyes were darting around. Princess Lieschen nodded with a knowing look.
"I see, I see. As for me, I suspected there might be a certain gentleman of your heart..."
"H-H-Heaven forbid!"
Gloria flailed her hands in the water with such agitation that she sent up a visible spray.
"I am a knight who has sworn loyalty to the kingdom! Therefore, romance is out of the question...!!"
"...With such an easy-to-read reaction, I do not think there is any point in denying it. Very well, I shall ask no more," Princess Lieschen said with a wry smile.
"Say, Flora, do you have someone you like?" the Empress asked her guard, Flora.
"No, not particularly... Ah, but I do think Lieutenant Colonel Fritz is quite lovely..."
"Eh?"
"Eeeh!?"
Elsa and Gloria cried out almost simultaneously. Hearing that, the Empress broke into a mischievous smile.
"My, my, it seems the Lieutenant Colonel is quite popular."
"E-Elsa-dono, who is she?" Gloria asked Elsa in a low voice. It was common for guards to recognize a face but not a name if they hadn't formally introduced themselves.
"That is Flora Hecherat von Melante-san. She is the eldest daughter of Viscount Jorgens Hecherat von Paddock and a female royal ritter of the Shouro Empire. She is the elder sister of the wife of Mattheus-san, who is the elder brother of Madam Berche, who is the wife of Rai-nii... Baron Reinhard."
"...Forgive me, I didn't quite follow that last part."
Nonetheless, she seemed to have grasped the woman's status. Her position wasn't so different from Gloria's.
"Pardon me, I believe you are Flora-dono? I am Gloria Allstatt. I serve as the Female Ritter Vice Captain of the Klein Kingdom."
"Ah, how polite of you. I am Flora Hecherat, a female royal ritter for the Shouro Empire."
The two female knights exchanged formal greetings in the water.
"Both of you are so stiff. You should be more relaxed while in the bath," the Princess noted.
"Indeed, Flora. Why don't you relax more?" the Empress added.
Being addressed by their superiors, the two of them were taken aback.
"R-Relaxed... even if you say that, I am not sure how to behave..."
"Th-This is simply my natural state..."
Watching the two inflexible knights, Marchioness Firenziano smiled.
"Now, now, you both are young. If you don't learn how to be adaptable, you might face hardships in the future."
"I-Is that how it is?"
"...I see! So you are saying such a response is necessary for the sake of the mission!"
Seeing the two who were utterly lacking in flexibility, the Empress and the Princess shared a subtle, secret sigh.