The next day, after leaving the divine beast people’s village, we climb a mountain. But it’s not very steep or anything, and everyone here has more than enough stamina.
Luna and Snow are walking in front of us as before, still full of energy, and we eventually reach the demon god’s village before the sun reaches its highest point.
“This is the demon god’s village.”
“Ooh.”
Luna raises her hand proudly, as she was the one who guided us here, and at the same time, Snow raises her voice with her eyes shining.
She typically reacts this way to things she hasn’t seen before, but this time, I feel the same way.
After all, I can see a big hole not too far from the entrance, that’s like a giant hot spring with slightly green water that’s steaming.
“…I’ve never seen such a big hot spring.”
“It’s really impressive.”
Apparently there’s no entry point. It’s just a place where water gathers as it comes crashing down from the mountain like a waterfall.
And there’s a sort of mechanism in place that makes it flow somewhere else through wooden buckets when it fills past a certain point.
“…”
It reminds me of the Kusatsu hot spring I saw while traveling, and it’s very alluring.
I see stairs here and there not too far, and Japanese style houses along them.
The demon god’s village reminds me of one of those hot spring districts, and it makes me feel nostalgic somehow.
“A lot of races come to the hot spring in the demon gods’ village.”
“Eh…”
So Luna has been visiting us all the time, but before that, she used to come here a lot.
Yes, looking around, I don’t just see demon gods. Actually, I even see faces I saw before in the divine beast people’s village.
“Don’t people of different races fight?”
“What are you talking about, mister? Who’s gonna fight when there’s a hot spring?”
“I see.”
Divine beast people and alfar don’t get along too well, and demon gods fight with ancient dragons. I was just thinking that every race has their own circumstances like that, but…
I guess none of that matters when there’s a hot spring. Honestly, I get it. I really do.
“Everyone’s dressed like Livia.”
“Yes, kimonos.”
“Kimono?”
Reina looks a little puzzled, but it’s not like I know enough to explain it either, so I don’t know what to say.
Her confusion stems from the fact that not only are demon gods and divine beast people wearing kimonos, but also people like ancient dragons and elves.
They are dressed differently than usual, but that feels natural.
It makes sense to me in a hot spring district, but it’s a little curious to Reina, because according to her, kimonos didn’t exist in the continent.
“…Should I get one for her?”
I picture her in a kimono, and I think it would look great.
Well, honestly, I just want to see it.
“Ooh! You’re here big bro!”
“…!?”
It’s not like I had any dirty thoughts in mind, but hearing someone call me all of a sudden surprises me.
I turn to where the voice came from, and see Gyes wearing the same undergarment as always.
And next to him is a short girl, whose silver hair is loosely tied behind with a flower pin, with some loose hair in the front.
She’s wearing a white kimono with black lines and a red flower pattern. Gyes walking next to her should make her look even smaller, but her perfectly straight back actually makes her look taller than she is.
She’s most likely the little sister he mentioned before. And she looks like she’s just a little younger than Reina.
Unlike her brother, her skin is so white that it feels like it’s never seen the sun. That blows away my preconception that demon gods all had dark red skin.
But much like the men, she has crimson eyes and a horn on her forehead. I unintentionally stare at it, thinking that there’s proof right there that she really is a demon god.
“Fufufu…”
Gyes’ boulder like expression loosens, because apparently he likes my reaction and feels a little happy.
“Big bro, this is Sakuya, my sister!”
“Pleasure to meet you, Mister Arata. My name is Sakuya.”
“Ah, yes, it’s a pleasure.”
She bows as she greets me, and I end up doing the same.
A beautiful, majestic sound echoes, that I see comes from a bell tied to her waist.
I turn to her again, and she looks up while squinting her red eyes and smiling slightly.
Every time I meet a woman on this island, I just somehow feel the power inside them. But with her, I feel not strong power like that, but a fleeting feeling that I have to protect her.
Then she turns to Reina, after her small smile.
“It’s a pleasure, Reina.”
“Yes, it’s a pleasure, Sakuya.”
“Morning! Snow is Snow!”
“Good morning Snow.”
After Snow’s energetic greeting, Sakuya kneels to meet her at eye level.
She’s very polite to everyone, some would say too polite even. But it feels honest, and very natural.
“Yaho, Sakuya!”
“Luna, yaho. Ahem.”
I guess they already know each other, and they greet each other more casually.
How should I put this… Every single one of her actions feels beautiful, and a little out of this world.
After greeting everyone, Sakuya turns back to me, with that same little smile.
“What do you think big bro!? Isn’t Sakuya a nice little sister!?”
“Ah, yes. I mean, she’s a different type of girl compared to everyone around me.”
I guess I could say she’s close to Livia, but considering what she’s like with Elga, I feel like she goes in a different direction.
Sakuya is like a flower that needs protection.
“And Sakuya is going to guide you through the demon god’s village!”
“Oh? What about you, Gyes?”
“I have a fight with the ancient dragons. I can’t miss it! See you later!”
Is all he says before he leaves the village with heavy steps.
“Eh…”
I guess for young demon gods, fighting ancient dragons is like a very important ritual.
But what’s with him leaving right away after telling us to come today?
Sakuya suddenly bows, like she knows what I’m thinking.
“Hum, I apologize for my brother.”
“No, you shouldn’t apologize.”
It’s his fault.
I’ll have to make sure to punish him next time we all train together.
“Punish him? Fufu, I see. My brother does need it.”
She laughs a little.
Her classy laugh really is completely different from anything else on this island. I feel like it calms me a little too.
All the girls around me are so strong…
They’d be mad if they found out I thought that, so I can absolutely never say it…
And then, Sakuya guides us, as we start to walk around the village that smells a lot like a hot spring.
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