Volume 5, Chapter 7 – Yukawa Hot Spring (3)

“Aaaahhh, it feels so goooood!”

Lu-chan’s strange voice echoes through the semi-cave rotenburo, which was built along the cliffs by the seaside.

Between the incident in the Far North and the one in Kusane, it seems Lu-chan has a peculiar habit of making strange noises whenever she enters a hot spring.

“Onee-sama! What kind of effects does this hot spring have?”

“Hold on a moment.”

I scoop up some of the spring water in my hand, smell it, and then taste it with a small lick.

“I see. This is a sodium chloride spring. It seems to be weakly alkaline, and this distinct, slight tingling sensation and bitterness… it looks like there’s a small amount of sulfate mixed in. Judging overall, this is what you’d call a ‘warming bath,’ excellent for heat retention and moisturizing. It should have some skin-beautifying effects as well, though not as much as the one in the Far North.”

“Yay! A beauty bath!”

I don’t think Lu-chan really needs that yet.

Thinking this, I glance over at Lu-chan’s stomach.

“What is it, Onee-sama?”

Her skin is pure white, firm, glossy, and beautiful, without a single scar.

Even though she was in a critical state, I’m glad I was able to heal those massive injuries completely without leaving any marks.

“No, nothing. I was just thinking how glad I am that you healed so cleanly.”

“Ehehe. Thank you, Onee-sama! ♪”

With that, Lu-chan clings to me.

“Hey, you’re getting my hair wet. It’s a pain to dry…”

“Ehehe ♪”

Well, being clung to by a cute little sister figure isn’t exactly a bad feeling.

“Fiene-dono is quite knowledgeable about hot springs, is she not? I do not quite understand what she is saying, but to determine the benefits just from the smell and taste… a Saint is truly amazing.”

“Eh?”

Shizuku-san has begun a mysterious interpretation that is completely off the mark.

“Fiene-sama is very diligent in her studies regarding things that benefit people. I did not know it myself until Fiene-sama taught me, but it seems each hot spring has its own characteristic effects.”

Though I personally cannot tell the difference at all, she adds, then for some reason puts on a haughty expression.

“I see. Is that so. This too is the fruit of her daily devotion.”

“Ahaha. I’m just a Vampire who’s a bit picky about hot springs.”

“Hahaha. (LOL), is it not?”

Now, I’d really like you to forget that “(LOL)” part.

“What does ‘(LOL)’ mean?”

Hearing Lu-chan ask that, Shizuku-san makes a face as if she’s realized she messed up.

“It’s fine. I don’t really mind. Do you two want to see my Status as well? There’s no one else around.”

In that instant, Chris-san froze. Lu-chan approached me, asking if it was really okay.

“I think it’s about time I stop hiding my Status. The reason we aren’t supposed to show it is because of the possibility of becoming enemies or being betrayed in the future, right? I believe that neither Chris-san nor Lu-chan would ever do such a thing.”

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“…Fiene-sama.”

Chris-san’s eyes moisten, and she looks at me with an expression of overwhelming emotion.

“Fiene-sama, this is the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. To think you would finally recognize me as your trusted aide!”

Hm? Why is she so moved?

“Fiene-dono, generally speaking, when a master shows their Status to an attendant, it means they place absolute trust in that attendant. In truth, I had long since assumed that Fiene-dono and Chris-dono shared such a relationship…”

Shizuku-san wears an exasperated expression.

“So it has that kind of meaning. I didn’t know. I was told from the start that I shouldn’t show my Status to others, and I just kept it that way. If that’s what it means, it wouldn’t have been a problem to show Chris-san from the beginning…”

Shizuku-san puts a hand to her forehead and lets out a small sigh.

“Fiene-dono is indeed that kind of person. And given Chris-dono’s personality, there likely was no opportunity. Since the master has offered to show it, why not all show each other’s while we’re at it?”

“A-ah, right! Let’s do that!”

Chris-san looks delighted. If Chris-san had a tail like Shizuku-san’s, I’m sure it would be wagging vigorously.

“What about you, Lumia-dono?”

“Eh? Me? Then I’ll show mine too.”

“Lumia, you shouldn’t decide that so lightly. Showing one’s Status is nothing other than exposing one’s weaknesses. Especially for you, Lumia, there is the risk of being targeted by kidnappers. Besides, once Lumia finds her sister, will she not return to the Silver Village?”

“Eh? I’m going with Onee-sama! We’ll be together forever!”

Together with Lu-chan forever, huh. Yeah, that doesn’t sound bad.

“Then, this is a secret between the four of us. Got it?”

“””Yes!”””

Since no one else was around, I cast a Barrier to shut out the rotenburo so no one can enter.

“Now then. Status Open.”

“”Status Open.””

“I showed mine a moment ago, but… Status Open.”

▽ ▽ ▽

【Name】: Fiene Argentata

【Race】: Vampire (LOL)

【Gender】: Female

【Class】: Healer, Enchanter

【Level】: 15

【HP】: 355

【MP】: 305

【STR】: 365

【INT】: 290

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【AGI】: 275

【DEX】: 320

【VIT】: 335

【MND】: 305

【LUC】: 305

【Exp】: 110,087

【SP】: 30

【Unique Skills (13)】: ▼

【Skills (23)】: ▼

▽ ▽ ▽

▽ ▽ ▽

【Name】: Christina

【Race】: Human

【Gender】: Female

【Class】: Holy Knight, Coachman

【Level】: 30

【HP】: 430

【MP】: 183

【STR】: 423

【INT】: 179

【AGI】: 321

【DEX】: 309

【VIT】: 455

【MND】: 219

【LUC】: 303

【Exp】: 2,811,511

【Skills (7)】: ▼

▽ ▽ ▽

▽ ▽ ▽

【Name】: Lumia

【Race】: Elf

【Gender】: Female

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【Class】: Archer, Fisher

【Level】: 17

【HP】: 105

【MP】: 188

【STR】: 151

【INT】: 283

【AGI】: 236

【DEX】: 362

【VIT】: 59

【MND】: 277

【LUC】: 171

【Exp】: 41,106

【Unique Skills (2)】: ▼

【Skills (3)】: ▼

▽ ▽ ▽

▽ ▽ ▽

【Name】: Mieshiro Shizuku

【Race】: Half-Black Fox

【Gender】: Female

【Class】: Sword Saint, Merchant

【Level】: 1

【HP】: 202

【MP】: 70

【STR】: 240

【INT】: 120

【AGI】: 363

【DEX】: 384

【VIT】: 165

【MND】: 187

【LUC】: 145

【Exp】: 1 → 2

【Unique Skill (1)】: ▼

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【Skills (6)】: ▼

▽ ▽ ▽

“Eh? Fiene-sama is… a Vampire…? No, what on earth is this ‘(LOL)’?”

“Maybe the Gods added it as a joke? I don’t care what Onee-sama is! ♪”

Lu-chan says this and hugs me again.

Yeah, thanks. But being hugged in the bath is a bit stifling, you know?

“I see! That’s how it is. There is no way Fiene-sama is a Vampire. The Gods have shown a rather thoughtful consideration. Surely, once her illness is cured, they will surely restore it to her proper race. Hahahaha!”

Chris-san says this rapidly, as if trying to convince herself. She’s laughing with her voice, but her face is twitching.

“Chris-dono… is that… really okay…?”

Seeing Chris-san’s state, Shizuku-san says this, looking slightly put off.

Sigh.

I had a feeling this would happen to some extent, but I think it’s almost impressive that they still won’t believe me even after seeing my Status.

Well, it’s all because of that ‘(LOL)’!

But I’m going to talk properly today. If I can’t be accepted now, after we’ve even exchanged Statuses, I feel like things will just stay this way forever.

I almost lost Shizuku-san because I let things slide even though I noticed something was wrong. I don’t want to have the same regret twice.

Besides, thanks to Ade, Chris-san’s impression of Vampires shouldn’t be the absolute worst. Probably.

I look straight into Chris-san’s eyes and speak.

“Chris-san, please speak seriously. I have told you, over and over, that I am a Vampire.”

“B-but… Vampires are…”

“Enemies? Then, if I really am a Vampire, would you kill me? If so, have I done anything bad enough to deserve being killed?”

“T-that’s…”

Chris-san falters, her gaze wandering, and eventually, she looks down.

“Chris-san, look at my face.”

At my words, Chris-san raises her head timidly.

Her face shows a mixture of fear and a look as if she’s about to burst into tears.

“There are plenty of bad people among humans. We’ve seen them ourselves. People who use the power of nobility to abuse women, people who try to force others into submission, people who try to kill others if things don’t go their way, people who sacrifice strangers just to save themselves. I was almost killed as a scapegoat at Matsuhata Juku. There are kind humans, and there are bad humans. Similarly, among Vampires, there are those like Felhi who force others into submission, and there are those like me who want to coexist with humans.”

Chris-san still has an expression as if she’s afraid of something. However, she doesn’t look away and keeps her eyes fixed on me.

“In Shiltsa Village, Sigrisia-san welcomed me by saying that humans as a collective and Chris-san as an individual are different. Is that not enough?”

“Fiene-sama…”

Silence falls.

Then, Chris-san’s strained voice echoes through the rotenburo.

“…Understood.”