Chapter 76: The Hissing Dragon Princess

Steam rose within the bathhouse, and several damp rose petals drifted across the surface of the water.

Gabriela stepped into the water barefoot.

She was wrapped in a simple white bathrobe, and her wet blonde hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

Her eyes were partially closed, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her face reflecting a look of pure enjoyment.

Suddenly, a string of bubbles rose to the surface.

With a loud splash, the once-calm spring water erupted.

A figure burst through the water like a fish, lunging straight for Gabriela’s back.

“Ugh — “

Caught completely off guard, Gabriela was pulled into an embrace from behind.

“Demigula!”

“Hehe, Lina really is the most comfortable to touch. So bouncy and soft.”

The red-haired girl behind her wore a lecherous grin.

Although Gabriela was long used to her antics, being ambushed like this was unpleasant for anyone.

“Stop messing around. If you keep this up, I’m leaving.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”

Seeing that Gabriela was genuinely annoyed, Demigula reluctantly let go, though she didn’t forget to give Gabriela’s slender waist a quick tickle before leaning back against the edge of the pool with a satisfied look.

“Demigula, you do this every single time we come to the hot springs. Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“Heehee, how could I ever get tired of Lina?” Demigula laughed.

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Gabriela blew bubbles in the pool while Demigula reached over to the shore and handed her a drink.

“Oh, thank you~”

While it was true that Demigula was very clingy, the time spent with her was mostly pleasant.

Gabriela sipped her drink and stole a glance at the other girl.

Demigula was watching her drink with an expression one might use when looking at a small animal.

This made Gabriela feel self-conscious.

She finished the drink, placed it back on the shore, and swam off toward the far end of the pool on her own.

“Lina is so cute… Hmm?”

Demigula’s ears twitched.

She heard a commotion, and a moment later, several familiar presences appeared within her range of perception.

Gabriela also froze in place.

She instinctively looked toward the screen, her eyes wide with disbelief.

‘He… why are they here?’

***

Qiaolin and his party arrived at the hot spring bathhouse.

Since Lockes had booked a private room for himself, he temporarily split off from the others.

“Qiaolin, we’re here.”

“Yay!”

As soon as Loki finished speaking, Fafna leaped into the spring, creating a massive splash.

Her large tail wagged in the water like a propeller as the Dragon Princess swam around freely.

“Fafna, this is a hot spring, not a swimming pool. Be a little quieter.”

Qiaolin picked up the dragon girl and placed her gently beside him so they could soak together.

“It’s such a big bath! It would be a waste not to swim.”

“Hahaha, since Lady Fafna loves swimming so much, I happen to know of a river northwest of the Demon King’s Castle. The water is crystal clear, and the size and depth are perfect. It’s a great spot for a swim,” Loki said.

“Really? I want to go! I want to go! Qiaolin, how about we go swimming together!”

“That will have to be another day… We can go to the beach eventually.”

Qiaolin smiled and murmured to himself, “Should I invite Gabriela and the others? Maybe after everything is over.”

“Mm-hmm!” Fafna’s eyes were full of anticipation.

As long as it was a place Qiaolin was willing to go, she would happily follow.

Qiaolin soaked peacefully in the pool, every inch of his skin relaxing completely under the influence of the spring water.

He leaned against the edge, enjoying the quiet comfort, while the familiar voices of the past echoed faintly in his ears.

“Lin, after this battle is over, are you going back to your original world?”

The Saintess’s voice had been calm and composed.

Though she possessed a youthful face, she was far from delicate.

“Go back? Don’t be ridiculous. I worked so hard to get this body to its max level, and you want me to go back?” The Hero had laughed.

“Even if there’s no Demon King left, I’ll just become the Demon King myself.”

“…Are you serious? Aren’t you afraid Odin will punish you?”

“Then I’ll just give Him a beating, too. He just sits in his nest all day barking orders. He’s probably some useless guy anyway.”

The Hero had narrowed his eyes, peeking at the Saintess’s reaction.

He had intentionally spoken with such hyperbole, even though he knew he was about to get smacked.

“If you’re willing to go back… I’ll leave this place with you.”

The Hero had been stunned.

He had predicted almost every move the Saintess might make to attack him, but he never expected her to say something like that.

In the Hero’s memory, the Saintess loved every blade of grass and every tree in this world.

Whether they were friends, enemies, or even strangers, everyone’s life was precious to her.

He couldn’t believe she was talking about leaving everything behind to run away with him.

“Are… are you serious?”

This time, it was the Hero’s turn to look shocked.

However, a flicker of hesitation had crossed the Saintess’s eyes, followed by a dismissive laugh.

“Of course I’m joking! You still want to be the Demon King? I think you’re just looking for a beating!”

“Argh!”

Qiaolin instinctively reached up to touch his head.

The bump from where the Saintess had struck him had long since healed, and she was long gone.

‘Tor, was that really your true feelings?’

“Yes, yes~”

“Hmm?”

Qiaolin turned his head and saw Loki leaning beside him at some point, muttering something under her breath.

Noticing Qiaolin looking at her, Loki looked back and smiled.

“I heard that the Hero Party once soaked in these very springs. I guess you could say we’re visiting a famous landmark today.”

“That was the Hero, a being who slaughtered countless members of the Demon Race. He might have even killed your blood relatives. You don’t seem to hate him?” Qiaolin asked.

“I hate him. How could I not? Killing only that one Demon King would have been enough. Rumor has it he was a mindless killer, a being like a natural disaster. His actions were no different from a demon’s.”

Qiaolin pursed his lips.

His expression looked as though he had just heard a very fair evaluation, and he relaxed.

“However, even though he was ruthless in his methods, he never let the people around him suffer. People say he was deeply loyal, a man who trusted his friends with his life, and toward his lover…”

Loki paused, a hint of confusion in her eyes as she looked at Qiaolin.

“Did he have a lover?”

“He did… definitely.”

“I’m not sure about that. After all, I don’t know much about him; it’s all just legends I’ve heard in taverns. Regardless, if he were still alive…”

A mischievous smile appeared at the corners of Loki’s mouth.

“I’d actually like to meet him. Haha, assuming he wouldn’t kill me on sight, of course.”

“Heh…”

Qiaolin gave a few awkward, forced laughs as he recalled the way people evaluated the Hero.

Regarding his friends, regarding his lover…

No matter how loyal or devoted he was, he hadn’t been able to protect them.

He hadn’t been able to protect her.

“Hah!”

“Lady Fafna, what’s wrong?”

Fafna, who had been soaking happily, suddenly bared her teeth and hissed at a wooden screen.

Loki waded over in confusion, examining the screen closely.

Although it looked like an ordinary wooden partition, Fafna’s sudden reaction made one wonder what was hidden on the other side.

Qiaolin looked toward the screen as well.

He froze for a moment, then let out a helpless sigh.