I built one large tub that could accommodate about twenty people at once, partitioning it down the middle to create separate sections for men and women.
I also added two smaller tubs, each capable of holding about three people. The concept was a family bath. Originally, I had planned for them to be even smaller personal baths, but since Tia was watching me while I worked, they ended up as family baths. I suppose I folded under the weight of her gaze.
As for why there were two, Kierbit saw them and insisted she wanted one because they looked like "private baths."
I also set up a footbath and a spot that functioned like a waterfall bath, and next to the sauna hut, I created a dedicated area for a cold water bath. It was turning into quite a respectable hot spring facility.
At the moment, I was working on a place for people to cool their bodies after soaking. That said, it wasn't anything elaborate; I simply installed a wooden deck on top of a rocky outcrop. I added a low handrail so no one would tumble off, and as for the roof... well, it was only half-finished. There were no walls. It looked like a house under construction, but since no one was actually going to live in it, I figured it was fine.
Even though no one was living there, I built a kitchen a short distance away. Kierbit was the primary cook. Since Tia, Granmaria, and the others were helping her, they looked like they were getting along quite well. Of course, if I actually said that out loud, Kierbit would object, so I kept my mouth shut.
Daga the Lizardman and Galf of the Beastman Race spent their time practicing swordsmanship and martial arts together, then hopping into the hot spring to wash away the sweat. Afterward, they would eat and sleep, only to wake up and start practicing all over again. Honestly, it looked like they were enjoying life here more than anyone else. Since they usually did so much for me back home, I didn't have any complaints. I just asked for their help whenever I needed an extra hand with the construction.
Eventually, Rusty and her group joined us at the hot spring. They had been in a fairly distant location to the southwest, but Tia and her team had flown out to investigate after seeing a massive pillar of fire. As it turned out, the fire was just Rusty using her breath. A small section of the forest had been scorched, so I decided I’d stop by on the way home to till the earth there.
I listened to their report regarding the hole that had opened at the bottom of the dungeon. It seemed they had split up from Hakuren, Ann the High Ogre Maid, Zabuton's Children, and Progenitor-san. Thanks to the silk threads from the spiders, they were still in contact with Hakuren’s team, and it was determined that there was no issue with Rusty's group joining us. Hakuren and the others had supposedly headed further east, so it would likely be a while before they finished.
"I see," I murmured.
For the time being, I encouraged Rusty and her team to use the hot spring. Lu, Flora, and Ria had all worked hard. I told Bulga and Stifano to take it easy as well. Even Zabuton's Children had done their best.
...Wait.
Was it actually okay for Zabuton's Children to go into a hot spring? For that matter, were they even capable of getting into water?
I was worried for a moment, but it turned out to be a non-issue. They were bobbing and floating happily, submerging about half of their bodies in the warm water. They looked incredibly relaxed. What I found particularly interesting was that the children actually separated themselves between the men’s and women’s baths. Did they understand the distinction? Or did they just move into whatever space was available? Knowing how smart they were, I assumed they understood.
I see. So there were a lot of boys among them.
After Bulga and Stifano finished enjoying the water, they went to help with the cooking. With our numbers increasing, their assistance was a lifesaver. While the two of them deferred to Kierbit, who had been in the kitchen first, their skills were clearly superior. Kierbit seemed to realize this as well, and eventually, Bulga and Stifano naturally took over the management of the kitchen.
"The Grappler Bear is just for bloodletting, then it goes straight to being a meal for Kuro and the others, right?"
"Yes. The Bloody Viper is for us. Also, the vegetables we brought are starting to run low."
"I see. Procuring vegetables locally is a tall order."
"At worst, I was thinking of asking the Giants for some and paying them back later."
"You could just have Rusty-sama fly back to the village for supplies."
"Oh, that's true."
Listening to the conversation between Bulga and Kierbit, I was reminded once again that Kierbit was actually quite a sensible person. I wonder what that first encounter of ours was all about.
At any rate, we were supposed to wait for Hakuren and the others here, but winter was fast approaching. There was a limit to how long we could stay. I figured I should go till the site of Rusty’s fire first...
Come to think of it, they mentioned something about a strange rock. I was a bit curious. And speaking of things I was curious about, I turned to Lu, who was relaxing nearby.
"What happened to Makura?"
According to the report, it didn't seem like Makura was with either Rusty’s group or Hakuren’s. At my question, Lu’s face went blank as she realized something.
The Giant Race
"That huge spider is incredible."
"Reinforcing the collapse site with silk... At first, I wondered if it would hold, but..."
"It moves several times faster than we do, and it's so strong."
"This is our home, though. We can't just leave everything to the spider."
"You're right. Alright, for now, over here—ugh, it's a Bloody Viper!"
"Defensive stance! It’s okay. Those things... Wait, did the spider just kill it in one hit?"
"It wasn't one hit. First, it sealed its mouth with thread, and then it sliced it into rings."
"Amazing. That spider is just amazing."
"Eh? We can have this Bloody Viper? Thanks a lot!"
"Alright, let's work hard for the spider's sake, too!"
"You bet!"
Progenitor-san and Ann the High Ogre Maid
"I really have to wonder about her kicking every single enemy that appears."
"Isn't it easier that way?"
"Well, yes, but... let's have a little more consideration for the opponent. Kicking them before they can even announce their names is just..."
"If you feel that strongly about it, why don't you tell Hakuren-sama yourself?"
"Do you honestly think she'll listen?"
"I don't, which is exactly why you're complaining to me."
"Fair point."
"As for me, I have no idea where we are, but I understand that they were trying to do something nefarious. Therefore, I have no intention of stopping Hakuren-sama. ...Hm? A communication?"
"The thread-based network from the spiderlings? It's a convenient system, but... I see, a dead end on the other side, and they've already met up with the Village Head? Must be nice."
"Let's aim to join the Village Head as quickly as possible."
"Understood. Oh—didn't that enemy just now sound like he was about to say something very important?"
"You mustn't worry about the small details."