kscans

Chapter 285 - Interlude: The Open-air Bath (Women's Side)

Around the time Hayato and the men were in the open-air bath, the women were, of course, in their own open-air bath as well.

Ren, one of the dragons known as a Genesis Dragon, was an NPC who had lost her memories and believed this world to be reality. But after various events, she regained her memories and was now a player who moved between the real and virtual worlds.

Until just recently, she had been filming a movie with her father, brother, and friends, so she hadn't logged in much, but lately, she had been here often.

That was to help her friend, Mist.

Mist was a member of the clan "Daedalus," led by Hayato, and Ren belonged to the same clan. And what Mist was trying to do was create a medicine to cure an illness.

Ren's mother had been in a similar situation. It was only natural that she would want to help.

Mist had gathered two pieces of knowledge to create the medicine in this Eastern Country. The rest was in Skyscraper Babel on the western continent where their base was. Tomorrow they were scheduled to return to their usual base, so this was their last night in the Eastern Country, and the hoped-for open-air bath had become available.

It could be said that Ren's excitement was through the roof.

In the changing room, Ren and Esha's forms automatically changed into bathing attire. Shorts and a loose, off-the-shoulder robe. Just changing into that outfit made Ren even more excited.

"This is getting me all fired up!"

"Is there a fire?"

"Esha-san, you always say things like that. Don't you feel the excitement?"

"Indeed. When I think about Master and Ash-sama on the other side of that fence, washing each other's backs, my heart feels like it's about to unleash a Destroy."

"...That Ash is my brother, you know... Honestly! At least say something like you want to see Hayato-san's naked body!"

"If I said that, wouldn't I be a pervert?"

"Are you saying your line about them washing each other's backs was any different...?"

Ren wanted to egg Esha on in various ways and somehow get her together with Hayato, but her efforts were often in vain. She figured they both didn't think badly of each other, but neither would take that first step. She felt like she was the one whose heart was about to unleash a Destroy from stress.

(None of the other women seem to have a romantic interest in Hayato-san, so I think it's okay, but lately Simon-san has been looking a little dangerous. She's staying in the Eastern Country, so it should be fine though.)

There were many women around Hayato. But Ren's assessment was that none of them held romantic feelings for him.

If there was a possibility, it would be Ney, the leader of Kokuryu.

But in Ney's case, there was too much of a class difference between her and Hayato in the real world. Ney was a descendant of the organization called the Foundation, which could be said to rule the world. While it might be fine in the game, it was unlikely they would get together in reality.

Demon Lord Lunaria, Rosalie of the Black Rose, and the Tamer Maris, who were here, didn't seem to see Hayato as a romantic interest at all. In fact, they themselves didn't seem interested in romance with the opposite sex.

As for members not present, there were the songstress Noat, the collector Cecil, and the maid Rose, but it was unlikely any of them saw Hayato as a romantic interest either.

However, though she felt it was a little different from romance, the one who felt dangerous was Diite.

Diite, the administrator of this virtual world, had taken a liking to Hayato and had tried to pull him into this world. Hayato had refused, and lately, Diite's forceful invitations had stopped, but she didn't think she had given up.

(I'm team Esha-san. There's no one else!)

Ren clenched her fists tightly in front of her chest as if to say "Hmph."

"Ren-sama, why are you so fired up about getting in the bath?"

"A woman has her reasons."

"I'm technically a woman too, you know."

"Honestly, there you go again. Come on, let's get inside and wash each other. Your hair looks so silky, Esha-san, I've been wanting to touch it. I'll give it a good wash."

"I think your hair is the silky one, Ren-sama, but if you'll wash it for me, I'll take you up on that."

Ren and Esha moved towards the bathing area together.

It seemed they were the last ones, as everyone in the women's bath was enjoying the open-air bath, looking happy.

For some reason, Siegfried, Lancelot, and Max were there too, and Maris seemed to be washing them with a brush.

When Maris noticed Ren and her group, she held out her hand, palm forward, in a gesture to stop them.

"Excuse me. Esha-san is dangerous, so please do not come any closer."

Esha's Animal Taming skill was in the negative, so she was disliked by all animals and monsters. According to her, "To gain something, one must throw something away." Though she also grumbled that she had thrown away too much.

Against the weak calico cat Siegfried, it wouldn't be a problem if she was attacked, but if she was attacked by the Elder Griffon Lancelot, she wouldn't stand a chance.

But Esha was not one to be stopped by such things.

"Maris-sama. There are times when a woman must do what she must do. That time is now."

"Then you'll be taken out in one hit without at least Diite-san's defensive magic, you know?"

"If I fall, I will have Diite-sama use resurrection magic on me."

"Esha-kun. Have you not been treating me rather carelessly lately? Though I feel it has been that way for a while now."

Diite came over then. Her face was clearly one of exasperation, and she made no attempt to hide it. Ren thought she must be quite fed up.

"The actors are all here. Then I shall charge."

"That's dangerous, so please stop. Siegfried-kun, could you at least attack Esha-kun with your tail? I think she will be satisfied with that."

When Diite said that to Siegfried, he let out a single "Nyaa" and approached Esha. Then, as he turned, he struck Esha's leg with his tail. He did this back and forth several times.

"I could be attacked like this forever."

"Esha-san, the damage is low, but your HP is low too, so please be careful."

Seeing Esha's HP bar gradually decrease, Ren became a little worried.

"I will cast a healing spell on you. But this is all, as I also wish to soak in the open-air bath."

Esha, having had her fill, tried to pat Siegfried's head with a blissful expression, but Siegfried rejected her with his right front paw. The lack of a scratching attack showed some kindness.

Ren pushed the slightly disappointed Esha towards the washing area. If they stayed like this, they would waste time, so she intended to wash her by force.

"Alright, alright, I'm washing you. I doubt shampoo will sting your eyes, but please close them anyway."

"Understood. Then I'm in your hands. Next, I will wash your hair, Ren-sama."

This is what bathing with other girls is all about, Ren thought, her eyes sparkling as she picked up the shampoo. She spread it well in her palms and then vigorously washed Esha's hair.

"Your hair is beautiful, Esha-san. And it's quite long when you let it down."

Although it was a virtual reality, it reflected reality to some extent. Her evaluation was based on the assumption that there wasn't much difference.

"I don't really take care of it, you know. It's a hassle to cut, so when it gets long, I just tie it up and chop it off."

"...Let's go to a hair salon next time. You have to work on your charm!"

"Personally, I think it's already maxed out, you know."

"A girl's charm has no upper limit!"

"That's a lovely way of thinking."

They washed each other's hair while having such a conversation.

Since both of them had long hair, they tied it up in a bun when they were done washing. Then they put towels on their heads.

After that, Ren and Esha moved towards the open-air bath, planning to soak in the hot water right away.

"Oh, Ren and Esha. Let's get in together!"

There was Ney, who was just as excited as Ren, and Rosalie, who was her usual self.

"Is it okay if we join you?"

"Of course. Neither of you came on the vacation to the floating island, so let's deepen our friendship with some naked communication!"

Was being able to say such embarrassing things a strength or a weakness? From Ren's perspective, she thought it was a strength, but Ney's overly honest nature made her easy to deceive, and she felt a little reckless.

For now, the four of them soaked up to their shoulders in the bath. All that was visible were their necks. Everyone had a towel on their head.

Ren felt the warmth seeping into her body, relieving her fatigue. She wasn't particularly tired, but it felt as comfortable as being in bed before sleep.

In such a state of bliss, Ren looked at Rosalie.

They had fought together before, so they weren't strangers, but they hadn't talked much. What she knew was that she was an executive of the Demon Lord's Army and the leader of the Ten Black Rose Saints. And that lately, she was good friends with Ney.

"Um, Rosalie-san, do you go out with Ney-san often these days?"

"Well, yes, I suppose so. Reluctantly."

"Come on, now. You like coming, don't you?"

"That overbearing assumption is your only flaw, Ney."

However, Rosalie didn't seem entirely displeased, so Ren wondered if she was a tsundere.

"You went to buy kimonos today, right?"

"Yes, well. In the afternoon, we wore them and went around to various places. Shrines and temples. It was fun, I suppose, but I have to guard Lunaria-sama."

"It's a bit much to call it guarding the strongest person, Lunaria-san, but were you okay in a crowded place? Did she, like, not run wild?"

"...At least, I do not believe there was any damage to the people of the Eastern Country."

(I wonder if there was damage to her allies...)

"However, the strongest, you say..."

As if she had something on her mind, Rosalie shifted her gaze from Ren to Esha.

"Esha Crown... I have not spoken with you much, but I am well acquainted with you."

"My personal information is leaking all over the place. To leak one more thing, my favorite sweets are chocolate parfaits. And cake."

"I am somewhat aware of that as well. I often see you pestering Hayato for them. But that is not what I meant. You are the only human who has ever defeated Lunaria-sama. That is why I said I am well acquainted with you."

A slightly dangerous atmosphere filled the air.

But something unfitting for that atmosphere arrived. And in large quantities.

A legion of yellow rubber ducks came floating by. And at the tail end was Lunaria, with only her head above the water. On her head was a towel and a slightly larger rubber duck.

That Lunaria came gliding closer.

"Allow me to introduce the new members of my Demon Lord's Army. The captain is this one. His name is Draglemont. When you press him, he squeaks."

"...I told you to only get one..."

"A Demon Lord always wants to think big. It's fine, everyone will love them. Let's float them in the bath at the Demon Lord's Castle. Every day's bath will be fun. By the way, what's everyone talking about? I should be included."

"Um, we were talking about how Esha-san is the only human who has defeated you before, Lunaria-san."

When Ren said that, Lunaria tilted her head but then said, "Ah."

"That was a surprise. I never thought she would attack me and Ivan at the same time."

"That was Ivan's strategy, so please do not hold a grudge against me. You can hold as much of a grudge against Ivan as you like."

"I don't hold a grudge, but a debt must be repaid. It's sad, but I am a Demon Lord. Even if it's Esha-chan, I must defeat her."

Lunaria said this and stood up. The waves she created scattered the ducks in all directions.

Esha did nothing and looked up at Lunaria.

"It is a breach of etiquette to fight in a bath. Besides, you cannot draw your weapon here."

"Rest assured. A Demon Lord is strong even with her bare hands. And a Demon Lord does not follow etiquette. I am etiquette. Praise me as wild."

"If Master were here, there would be a whole parade of retorts, but I'm the funny one in the duo. However, I will accept a fight that's offered to me."

Esha also stood up.

"Hey! No, you can't, Esha-san, and you too, Lunaria-san! This is where we're supposed to have fun with girl talk! Like talking about boys we like!"

Esha and Lunaria tilted their heads at the same time.

"I do not have anyone in particular."

"Hmph, a Demon Lord is only liked, she does not like."

Neither of them was helpful. Ren thought. And to top it off, Esha was telling a half-truth.

Then the members of the Black Rose gathered and started cheering for Lunaria. Ney, the female members of Kokuryu, Maris, and Diite were cheering for Esha.

The atmosphere was explosive, but Ren stepped between Esha and Lunaria.

"Wait a minute! Right now, I am the strongest one here! So you will follow my orders! No fighting! Let's have girl talk!"

"Even if it's you, Ren-chan, I cannot accept that. The strongest one is me, the Demon Lord."

"N, no! Without any equipment, I am the strongest! So in the open-air bath, I am the most powerful!"

"Interesting. Then I will defeat you first, Ren-chan..."

"Please look at this first!"

Before Lunaria could finish, Ren began her dragon transformation. The giant, three-eyed dragon, Curse Dragon Ren Brandle, appeared.

Ren grew rapidly, looking down on Lunaria and the others in the bath. Everyone seemed surprised, and the explosive atmosphere dissipated.

"Indeed, with this, Ren-kun would be stronger than Lunaria-kun."

When Diite said that, Lunaria looked a little frustrated.

"Even though a Demon Lord is the strongest, in an open-air bath, I'm weaker than Ren-chan... I understand, I admit defeat. But don't think you've won with this."

That was a relief. That's what she thought right after.

The giant Ren happened to see over the fence, in other words, into the men's side of the bath.

There were Hayato and Ash, shirtless in their bathing shorts.

Ren's eyes met Hayato's, and her thoughts stopped.

It was different from the situation of seeing them in swimsuits at the beach. In the first place, Ren had no such experience in either the real or virtual world. Her brain's processing couldn't keep up with the situation of having completely peeked into the men's bath, and her dragon transformation was automatically canceled.

Ren, who shrank down with a whooshing sound, remained dazed with a slightly red face. It wasn't because she was light-headed from the bath.

"Ren-sama? What is the matter?"

When Esha asked with concern, Ren, whose thoughts had barely returned, answered as she was.

"Hayato-san and my brother were in the men's bath, and I ended up peeking... ha!"

By the time she realized, it was too late. Ren was surrounded by the other women. And they were grilling her for details. Some of the members' eyes were bloodshot, and she felt her life was in danger.

As she was being jostled around, Ren thought she would have to apologize to Hayato when she got out of the bath.