The Interaction Area featured an incredible variety of animals and monsters of all shapes and sizes, looking for all the world like a sprawling zoo. There were no staff members present here either, but the creatures seemed well-trained and remarkably docile.
Sieg-san, who had a profound love for animals, had been visibly giddy since the moment we arrived. She seemed more childlike than usual, which I found incredibly charming in its own way.
"Look, Kaito-san! It’s a Funny Rabbit!"
"Ah, so these are the... 'fluffy things' you were talking about, Sieg-san."
I had seen the Funny Rabbits Sieg-san mentioned before at the Monster Race Track, but only from quite a distance. Back then, my impression of them hadn't gone much beyond "rabbits with horns."
Seeing them up close, however, their fur was thick, soft, and wonderful to the touch. Their slightly listless, relaxed aura combined with their adorable appearance was incredibly soothing.
According to Alice, they don't move quickly unless they are chasing prey. In general, they seemed to go about their business at a very leisurely pace.
They appeared to be about two sizes larger than a normal rabbit, but in reality, they just looked big because they were so fluffy; their actual body size didn't seem much different from the rabbits I knew back home.
Taking turns with Sieg-san to hold and pet them was a healing experience. The Magic Box provided in the area also contained feed, so we were able to give them treats as well.
Many of the monsters in the Interaction Area were species I was seeing for the first time, and Sieg-san and I lost all track of time enjoying their company. Of course, they couldn't quite compete with the sheer cuteness of Bell or Rin, but it was a tranquil space that naturally brought a smile to my face.
Above all, Sieg-san looked so happy that we ended up spending several hours making our way through every single monster in the area, completely ignoring the time we had allotted for other attractions.
"Oh, is it already this late?"
"Ah, you're right. I was enjoying myself so much I didn't even notice. I'm sorry... I suppose we don't have time left to see the other areas now."
"Please don't worry about it. As long as you had a good time, Sieg-san, that’s what matters most. I really enjoyed myself, too."
"Yes... Even so, you really are something else, Kaito-san. They've grown incredibly fond of you."
"A-Ahaha... It's actually getting a bit heavy."
I seemed to be a natural magnet for animals and monsters. At that very moment, my head and shoulders were practically buried under a mountain of small creatures, making for a significant amount of weight. Various other monsters were crowding around my feet as well.
Even though they were well-trained, I felt like there was another factor at play for them to be this attached to me. Much like how Raz-san, a Spirit, mentioned that my Magic Power felt pleasant, I suspected there was something about me that creatures found irresistible.
"...Sieg-san, I have a question. Is there a blessing among the Gods that makes it easier to be liked by animals or monsters?"
"Hmm, there's nothing like that among the blessings of the low-ranking Gods who have Temples in the Human Realm. However... there are apparently deities called Beast Gods among the high-ranking Gods, so perhaps a blessing from one of them might..."
"...I see. Actually, I heard that Shiro-san's Blessing is essentially a supreme version of every other deity's favor, so it carries every effect you could get from any of them. I was wondering if that included a blessing for being liked by monsters."
"I see... That is a wonderful blessing indeed. If such a thing exists, I would certainly like to receive it as well."
Engaging in idle chatter like that, we eventually made our reluctant parting from the affectionate monsters and returned to the villa.
Once back inside, I helped Sieg-san prepare dinner. I only assisted with the simple tasks, but Sieg-san’s efficiency was as impressive as ever.
I couldn't help but feel like her cooking tasted even better than the last time I had it. When I told her so, Sieg-san gave a shy, bashful smile.
"Perhaps it’s because the hidden ingredient—my love for you—has deepened," she replied.
After finishing the meal and feeling a profound sense of happiness, we cleaned up and decided it was time to head to the hot springs. I had intended to let Sieg-san go first, but it turned out there were several different baths located throughout the property, so we could each use a separate one without any issue.
We consulted the booklet to ensure our choices didn't overlap, picked our respective springs, and then gathered our bathing supplies before teleporting to our destinations.
The hot spring I chose was an open-air bath situated on a slight elevation, offering a panoramic view of the illuminated mountain scenery. The air was perfectly clear, making the star-filled sky above look breathtakingly beautiful.
To have this entire view all to myself felt like an incredible luxury. I felt like having a light drink... I wondered what would be good. There were all sorts of things in the Magic Box, but when it came to a hot spring, it had to be Japanese sake.
The bottle I received from Noin-san should be in here...
"...Kaito-san, how is the water temperature?"
"It's just right. I was actually just about to have a drink."
"That sounds wonderful. May I join you?"
"Sure, of cour— Eh?"
Wait. Something was wrong. I thought I heard a voice that definitely shouldn't have been there... Huh?