The moment I stepped into the rock bath filled with rising steam, a sigh escaped my lips.
"Hot springs really are the best…"
The open-air bath in the mountain valley was spacious. The pool, carved from natural rock, offered a clear view of the starry sky. Moonlight shimmered gently on the surface of the water, and the distant chirping of insects filled the night.
A faint scent of sulfur mixed with the steam. The contrast between the cold night air and the hot water felt pleasant against my skin.
I sank into the bath, leaned my back against the rock, and let out a natural breath.
I had come to Kyokuto and entered this bath almost every day since arriving, yet I never grew tired of it.
"Haaah… This is pure paradise."
Oliver stretched out broadly and narrowed his eyes in pure satisfaction.
"It has already been a month since we came to Kyokuto. Time really flies."
"For me, it still feels like a dream," Hart said as he moved through the water beside me. His face, flushed red from the steam, carried a gentle expression.
A peaceful silence settled over us for a while.
Oliver was the first to speak.
"By the way, Orun. How is the youki side going? You tried out that greatsword you received from Fuka, right?"
"I tested it in various ways, but it is still impossible for me right now."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"It was exactly as Sakuramochi warned me. I cannot even draw out the youki from the greatsword yet. At this rate, I do not think I can handle it properly."
"So things are not progressing smoothly," Hart said, furrowing his brow.
"Well, not quite. But I do have an idea of how to become able to handle youki. There are quite a few preparations needed for that, though. So I am fine for now."
I looked down at the surface of the water and continued.
"The real problem is Luna."
Both of them turned serious faces toward me.
I let out a small breath and said, "She has already cleared the technical side, but the issue is her heart. On top of her usual hesitation and confusion, lately I can see her growing impatient because things are not advancing as she wants. I want to help her somehow, but there is a limit to how much others can support someone on the mental side. In the end, she has to overcome it herself…"
Just putting it into words made the weight in my chest stand out more than the heat of the water.
"Luna has always been the type to carry everything on her own shoulders. Right now, she is probably the one who feels the most frustrated. I wish she would rely on us more, but she tries to do everything alone."
Oliver murmured with a lonely look.
"Well, having a strong sense of responsibility is not a bad thing, right? It is not like she absolutely has to become a Transcendent tomorrow or the day after. Time can solve some things too. Let us just watch over her."
Hart shrugged his shoulders as he spoke. His calm voice carried the composure of an older man.
I had not told the others yet, but Luna did not have much time. The longer it took, the more Titania's presence would fade, until she eventually disappeared completely.
If I said that out loud, it would only corner Luna further. So I could not say it now.
Even so, we could not afford to take things too easy forever.
While I was thinking about that, the conversation naturally shifted to Hart.
"Speaking of which, how are things on your end, Hart?" Oliver asked.
"Hm? Me? The reconstruction work is mostly finished. The damage from last month's divine descent has pretty much settled down. I have also finished making connections with the various parties, so things should become a bit easier to move around. Well, I have not done anything that impressive, though."
Hart spoke calmly, but his tone carried clear pride.
The conversation reached a natural pause, and once again only the sound of the water reached our ears. When I looked up at the night sky, the moonlight shimmered white.
But the quiet did not last long.
"By the way…" Hart said, turning his gaze toward Oliver.
"Oliver, your body has gotten pretty solid lately."
At the unexpected compliment, Oliver's eyebrows moved slightly and the corners of his mouth softened.
"Well, yeah. I have been training consistently."
"Still, you are nowhere near me yet," Hart said, puffing out his chest proudly. The surface of the water rippled slightly.
"Just looking good does not mean anything," Oliver replied quietly, but with a clear edge in his words.
"Oh… You talk big. Then I guess I need to show you it is not just about appearance."
Hart took the provocation and thrust his arm forward.
The two of them planted their elbows on the rock and started arm-wrestling right there in the bath.
"Guh…!"
Sweat beaded on Oliver's forehead as he put in strength.
"Hey now, what is wrong? Already at your limit?"
Hart wore a relaxed smile and poured on even more power. The water churned and waves splashed toward me.
"…Could you two do that somewhere else?"
The moment I called out in half exasperation, both of them turned to look at me at the same time.
"Now that you mention it, I have never competed with Orun before. Well, there is no need to test it. You are obviously weaker than me."
Hart gave me a mocking look.
"…Huh?"
My voice dropped low without thinking.
"Hey, do not make such a scary face. It is obvious that I have broader shoulders and more arm strength, right?"
Hart grinned through the steam.
I did not know if he was trying to provoke me or if he was serious. Either way, I could not back down after being told that much.
"If you are going that far, then fine. Do not cry when you lose, okay?"
"Hah, look at you talk. I will return those exact words right back at you."
I moved in front of Hart, planted my elbow on the rock, and gripped his hand.
"It is rare to see Orun get motivated," Oliver said excitedly as he leaned forward.
"Alright, I will be the referee! Both of you ready?"
"Of course."
"I am good to go."
Our elbows dug into the rock, and our eyes sparked as we stared each other down.
"Here we go! Three, two, one— Start!"
The bath shook violently. A huge splash of water flew up, and the rock bath instantly turned into a battlefield.
I had come here to heal the fatigue of the day, yet I ended up even more tired.
Still, it was not a bad way to spend the time.