Chapter 106: Hot Springs! (1)
Chapter 106: Hot Springs! (1)
After the dinner at the Governor’s mansion, the party left for their temporary lodging in a hurry. After a long trip, they were all eager to finally rest in their accommodations, mainly since it had the infamous hot springs their hearts desired.
After flying through the check-in procedures, the group settled into the famous hot spring hotel with genuine awe and joy. Nestled in a serene valley, the accommodations were far from the heart of Alverton, giving them a sense of warmth and tranquillity that couldn’t be found in the hustle and bustle of the busy town.
Its architecture seamlessly complements its natural surroundings, featuring wooden beams, stone accents, and large windows offering stunning views of lush greenery and misty mountains. The soothing scent of pine and fresh earth fills the air as soft steam rises from the outdoor hot spring pools, inviting guests to relax.
Peaceful and rejuvenating… That was what the hot spring inn promised, and that’s what the group got.
Amon’s first impression of the grounds wasn’t all that peaceful, and it wasn’t the fault of the hot springs, but rather the woman who always stood by his side.
"Why are we allocated to the same room?"
Amon protested as he received the key from the reception. Ever the logical mastermind, Yue smiled with a retort.
"Whatever are you talking about? In the eyes of the inn, we’re a married couple! It’s natural for them to allocate a room, don’t you think?" Hiding her sly smile, the girl continued her gaslighting.
[Besides, won’t it be more convenient for us to share a room? We can’t plan our assault against the Foolish Lich if we’re separated, can we?]
"..."
The telepathic message from Yue sealed the deal in Amon’s mind. As much as he’s reluctant to share a room with the thirsty girl, it is a good idea in the long run, given that they need privacy to discuss their next step.
"Make sure you get the room with separate beds."
"Heh, aren’t you a shy one!"
To the outside world, they were Amon and Yue, the Fantasy Couple. However, their relationship was as pure as can be, given that they hadn’t even kissed. Although Amon didn’t mind sharing a room with Yue, as they had done countless times before when they eloped, he still managed to draw a hard line in the sand by requesting two beds.
However, it didn’t stop the onlookers from letting their imaginations run wild.
"Hah, I know your relationship is going well, but can’t you read the room?"
Arya sighed with her palm on her forehead. She had become accustomed to her brother and sister-in-law flirting, but the rest of the crew hadn’t witnessed it before. Seeing how the young teenagers were blushing hard with blood rushing to their ears gave Arya a minor migraine.
Unfortunately, the person she was speaking to was a girl with no sense of shame. Yue ran her index finger across her lips, flashing a seductive smile, and teasingly said:
"We’ll try to keep the noise down!"
"!!!"
The boys quickly looked away at her words, afraid they might be captivated by her alluring gestures if they gazed any longer. Meanwhile, the girls were overcome with embarrassment they had never experienced before. Blushing furiously, like ripe tomatoes, they lowered their heads, all while stealing furtive glances at the beautiful couple.
Lord knows what unspeakable imaginations were running through their minds as the couple disappeared down the corridor into their private room.
"... shall we go to our rooms, then?"
No one protested when Carmen called on them to disperse. They needed some time alone to cool down from the bomb Yue had dropped on their laps.
???
Half an hour after the group dispersed into their respective rooms, they gathered again, though this time, separated by gender. Unfortunately for Yue, there wasn’t a mixed bath so she could flirt on her lonesome with Amon.
The girls were treated to a private, serene indoor sanctum with a traditional stone-walled room. On one side, the wall was replaced with a clear one-way glass window, giving the girls a clear look at the quiet valley from the safety of their warm pools. Speaking of which, the warm steam of the hot springs gently rises from the water, filling the air with a soothing mist.
Soft, ambient lighting dripped from the ceiling like raindrops, illuminated the private sanctuary of flowers, and the baths’ jets bubbled away like a calming symphony. Minerals and natural mountain water rejuvenated the tired muscles of any who entered the healing baths, giving them a sense of escape from the taxing world.
On the other side of the resort, the boys were rewarded with a natural oasis outdoors. Set against a breathtaking landscape of towering mountains, the outdoor pool sizzled, creating a soothing melody as it cascaded over the smooth rocks that enveloped the pool. Gentle steam rose into the cold autumn air, blending with the scent of fresh fauna to create a calming atmosphere.
The open sky above allows guests to gaze at the night sky, dreaming of the stars, while the warmth of the hot springs embraces their fatigued bodies. Over to the side, an ice bath was prepared for those who wished to improve their blood flow, particularly after a long session in the hot baths.
For Amon, the ice water was a welcome change… as his blood was still boiling after the meeting with the Governor.
"Amon, isn’t the water cold?"
Leon asked cautiously. A few minutes prior, he had been in the same bath as Amon. However, when his entire body felt like needles were pricking underneath his skin, the young hero was forced to escape to the warm comforts of the hot springs.
"No, I feel fine."
Amon replied without hesitation. Possibly due to his affinity to both Solar and Lunar mana, Amon was resistant to both extreme heat and cold. Ice water alone wasn’t enough to freeze his nerves like it would his companions, who were all sneaking glances at him in the hot springs.
Speaking of which, the boys were alone, with no other guests present to disturb them. The reason was simple: the Solaris House had booked out the entire resort for security and privacy reasons.
Not wanting to disturb the harmony between the youngsters, Horus and his subordinate Flydian remained in their rooms on standby. Hence, Amon, Leon, Gale, and Rufus had the entire bath to themselves.
And for four young men to gather alone… they could only discuss one thing.
"Hey, Leon! How far have you gone with the Saintess?"
"Far? What do you mean?"
"Well, to put it crudely… have you done the dance without pants?"
"Pffftttt, w-what are you talking about?! Ella and I are pure!"
Leon blushed furiously, somewhat disturbed by Gale’s sexual innuendo. He hurriedly denied the question, and was even thinking of changing the subject. Unfortunately, his good friend wasn’t going to let it slide that easily.
"Oh, come on. We’re no longer children! It’s normal for us to think about stuff like that. Besides, even though she’s covered in holy clothes, it’s so obvious that she’s a stunner! You can’t tell me you weren’t even tempted once!"
"T-Tempted…" Leon’s mind imagined Ellahan without her stuffy clothes and he instantly felt the blood rush to his cheeks.
Although Ellahan wasn’t a Knight, she possessed a strong, well-conditioned body that rivaled that of any athletic girl. This was largely due to the Holy Church’s rigorous training programs for its priests and nuns, which included Demon-hunting skills. As the Saintess, destined to be on the frontlines in the near future, Ellahan received the finest training available—regimens designed to prepare her for the physical demands of her extraordinary role.
But as a consequence… her body would definitely evoke lust, especially from the boy who loved her the most.
"I-I… can’t say I wasn’t…"
"See? Even if you are called a hero outside, you’re just a sixteen-year-old kid! It’s normal to feel lust and desire, particularly for a girl that cute!"
"T-Then what about you? Adelia seems to have grown closer to you recently, huh?!"
"E-Errrr, that is different! We’re childhood friends, and we’re on the same unit now! So of course we would grow closer! That doesn’t mean we’re in a relationship like you and the Saintess!"
"Then, weren’t you tempted by her? Adelia has blossomed into a beautiful young lady, don’t you think?"
Although Adelia may not have been the most beautiful woman at the Academy, she was far from unattractive. In fact, quite the opposite—her sharp eyes and commanding presence gave her an undeniable allure, capable of captivating anyone. Were it not for Gale’s constant presence by her side, her suitors would rival those of Lydia or Arya.
"I think she’s just fine… L-Like a sister!"
"Hmph, don’t lie! Everyone in the Academy was wondering why didn’t you get together!"
"He’s right, you know." Rufus interjected the moment he sensed he could tease his friend. "There was a raffle betting on when the two of you would get together. I had my money on before graduation, but we’re past that now."
"T-There was such a bet?!"
The revelation threw Gale for a loop. Feeling betrayed by his friends, he bit his lower lip and retorted: "Adelia and I are just childhood friends! Y-Yes, I see her as a sister! Besides, don’t change the subject, I was talking about you and the Saintess! Everyone could see how lovey-dovey you were! It almost gave us heartburns!"
"T-That, we were separated for a long period of time! Of course, it will happen! Also, if we’re talking about heartburns, what about Amon and Yue?!"
Leon skillfully redirected the attention, plunging the hot springs into an uneasy silence. While Leon shared a close bond with Amon, Gale and Rufus didn’t feel the same ease with the young genius. To them, Amon seemed to view them as little more than accessories—disposable tools that could be replaced at any moment.
They were intimidated by Amon and thus didn’t dare approach him recklessly. However, if there was one person’s love life that piqued their curiosity, it was undoubtedly Amon Solaris, one half of the Fantasy Couple.
Their elopement stories tickled the fantasy of any youth, particularly the youth of the Solaris House. Many wondered how good their relationship must be, for them to elope even though they were clearly engaged to be married. For girls, they were dreaming of such a perfect relationship, one where a couple loved each other so dearly that they couldn’t bear to be apart.
As for the boys, their interest was sparked by Yue Elune’s reputation as one of the most beautiful women in all of Hyades. Her otherworldly beauty, almost divine in its grace, captivated every man, young and old alike. They couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to date a woman so goddess-like.
"What about us?"
Amon lazily replied, his mind still focusing on the ice bath tickling his skin.
"Your relationship with Yue… How far has it progressed?"
"Progressed? I don’t understand."
"Given how often you eloped… you must have slept with her right?"
"Slept with her?"
Not understanding social cues, Amon simply thought that Leon was asking if they shared the same bed with her. Naturally, with all their escapades, the pair had slept in the same room and on occasion, on the same bed too. Even their current arrangement in the inn meant that they were going to sleep together. And thus, he answered:
"Of course, all the time."
"!!!"
The boys who hadn’t tasted the forbidden fruit of a woman all yelped, unable to believe their ears. Gulping, Gale mustered up the courage to ask:
"If it’s okay, could you answer this… how is she in bed?"
"How is she in bed?"
Amon reflected on the numerous occasions when she crawled into his bed to tempt him, disrupting his rest. Annoyed, he blurted out:
"Crazy. She barely lets me sleep."
"OH MY GOD!!!"
On that night, a new misunderstanding that would lead to an unkillable rumour was born. That being, it was only a matter of time before the Fantasy Couple would give birth to their first child.