Zephir’s new hot spring is fancier than the last one, and large enough to swim.
It’s in the mountains, but it’s not just nature as is. It’s like a hinoki tub with beautiful patterns.
And since it has a roof, it can be used when the weather is bad too. In the center, there’s a flat rock with a table and chairs, so it even has a space where people can drink.
He’s really let his hobby take control…
But of course, that’s not bad. We’ll have a drink there later.
We have other things to think about now.
“Ahhhhh!”
“This really warms the heart.”
The weather is nice today, and sitting in a hot spring in the morning surrounded by nature really is a luxury.
Arc also slowly comes in, and closes his eyes with a big sigh.
“Ahh… Relaxing…”
“You really are tired.”
“Yes… I’ve been going to the dungeon every day…”
That came out pretty easily, considering he would’ve never said that back at the house.
It really is because of the girls.
But why the dungeon? He means the place where I went to see Orobas with Edinburgh last week, right?
Arc looks around like he suddenly realized what he said, but it’s obvious there are no girls in this bath with naked guys, and he lets out a sigh of relief.
“No one can hear except us.”
“Everyone is concerned. If you do not object, can you tell us what is going on?”
It’s not quite a hot spring club, but there’s a bond here.
Of course, guys like Elga and Xellos are friends too, but this hot spring is different.
“I see… It’s related to Arata too…”
“Eh? Me?”
I wasn’t expecting that, but he nods.
“Yes. I’ve been looking for rings.”
Arc starts off with that, and tells us why he’s been going out every day, to the point of being this exhausted.
◇ ◇ ◇
It all started with Wil, which isn’t at all shocking.
That said, this time, it wasn’t a prank or anything, it was genuine advice.
‘If you’re getting married, don’t you need a ring?’
Arc agreed.
Marriage traditions vary depending on the country on the continent, but in the church that Ceres was a part of, there was a tradition of men offering rings to women.
Since they’re lovers and want to get married, he thought he needed rings to make them happy.
But that sort of artificial thing doesn’t really exist on this island. Looking at Elga and Livia, I don’t think that sort of tradition exists here.
Most metal things on this island are things that washed ashore and people picked up. Not really the sort of thing people want to give as presents.
“So I spoke to Miss Wilhelmina.”
“…”
You picked the wrong person to ask for advice.
At least ask someone like Sakuya, and she should have a good idea.
“Well, Miss Wilhelmina is a walking encyclopedia of this island. If she pulled back on her pranks, there was a good chance she would come up with something good.”
“Zephir, don’t you think that argument broke down the moment you used the past tense?”
“Unfortunately, the way of life of someone so paranormal is beyond me.”
He shakes his head, and starts getting a drink ready, that I don’t know where he got.
Leaving that aside, I face Arc again.
“So what did Wil say?”
“That just any old thing wouldn’t do to marry a saint and a witch. She said she had something in mind, and took me to the dungeon.”
And then she placed magic on him that takes him back to the entrance when he dies, and told him to explore it.
That dungeon has a demon and is connected to outside of the island. Apparently the magic energy there can manifest in the form of treasure chests.
It sounds like a justification for why there are treasure chests in a game…
Well, this is pretty much a fantasy world, so I guess anything goes.
And apparently if you reach the tenth floor and ‘do something’, you can get what you want.
She didn’t tell him what it is, but he was thankful that she at least protected him from danger, and went in.
And he didn’t tell Ceres and Erie to surprise them.
“…But you can’t worry them like that.”
“Uu…”
“I would’ve gone with you if you told me… But that wouldn’t do, right?”
“There’s no point in it if I don’t do it myself…”
I’m a guy too, I get it.
Wil made it so he’ll be safe, so he wants to do the rest by himself.
Actually, this whole thing is making me want to give rings to Reina and Tiltue too.
“…But anyway, you’re not in danger for the time being, right?”
“Yes. I don’t know how Miss Wilhelmina’s magic works, but I’m transported to the entrance unharmed the moment I die.”
But being aware of dying takes a big toll on him. That’s why his face looks like the face of a dead man.
“Okay. Then I’ll support you!”
“Arata!”
“But you can’t look like that and worry them. You can take your time, just don’t overdo it!”
I say, and Arc sinks into the hot spring with a face like a weight was taken off his back.
“I’ll get nice rings…”
If Arc is giving rings, then I…
The thought crosses my mind, but then Zephir, who’s been preparing things all excited, is now walking around with a cup in hand.
He stands at the banquet area in the center, and looks at us with a smile.
“That settles it! Now let us drink! Mister Arc, restore your energy for tomorrow!”
“Eh, but…”
“Yes, we can’t send you off with the way you look, so let’s take it easy today. That’s part of not overdoing it.”
Arc is bewildered, and I join Zephir.
He follows me, and Zephir pours a lot of transparent alcohol into our sake cups.
“To the success of Mister Arc’s proposal! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
We raise our cups, and drink in one go.
Four days later…
Arc was supposed to have talked to Ceres and Erie to reassure them, while dancing around the topic of the rings, but they suddenly enter our home looking panicked.
“Mister Arata! Arc hasn’t come home!”
“Please help us look for him! If he’s gone we…!”
And so, I head to the dungeon to look for the missing Arc.
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Thanks for the treat.