Bab 157: Mandi yang Menyenangkan

――After that, I murdered another three humans.

†††

One of the specialities of the Tarphos Training Grounds was its natural hot springs.

After thoroughly washing away the sweat, mud, and blood from my body, soaking in the slightly thick, hot water felt as if it slowly drained away all of my fatigue.

It seems that these hot springs were effective even for nerve pain that was difficult to cure even with transpose curse, making them popular as a therapeutic destination.

「A~~~h, it feels as if it’s seeping into my exhausted body!」

「Whoa! They've even got chilled booze here, big bro!」

「I can't get enough of this!」

The voices of the three idiots echoed from a bit farther down in the men's bath.

「Take it easy guys. The food here is delicious, so you'll regret it if your stomach is full from booze..」

Kvirtal warned them with a firm voice. The three idiots responded obediently with a ‘Got it!' It seems they've grown quite fond of Kvirtal, who was quite dependable despite his scary appearance…

… Eh? You ask me where I am since I'm not in the men's bath section?

I'm currently enjoying a luxurious, private open air bath. Well if anything, I didn't have to worry about money after all.

「A~~~~~, This is heave~~~~n.」

Anté, in her human form, sank into the water up to her shoulders with a splash, letting out a voice that sounded like an old man.

「Woof, woof, wooof!」

Liliana crossed in front of me, splashing water everywhere as she swam dog-paddled-style.

「…」

Then there was Lyla, sitting in a tucked position a bit to my right with a flushed red face, as she was soaking in the water.

「I see… Now I understand why mortals are so fond of this place.」

And then there was Sofia (in her human form), enjoying her first hot spring with a serious expression. With her trademark monocle removed and her usual ponytail-hairdo non-existent, making her almost like a completely different person. Even her skin, which usually had a reddish tint, had turned to a normal complexion.

――After I got caught off guard by that civilian-role woman and had my bones snapped.

When I desperately suppressed my anger to avoid revealing my killing intent to the demons, it was apparently misinterpreted as "feeling down from a blunder".' As a result, they prepared a private bath for me along with my women(from an outsider's perspective) to cheer me up.

Apparently, Garounya was almost thrown in with us too, but she declined, saying it was her shedding season or something like that.

Platy and Gorillacia were probably relaxing in similar private baths too. They were equally wealthy, after all.

「Haaa~…」

Because they were wealthy, they could even afford to keep slaves meant solely for meaningless killing…

In the early winter open-air bath, steam rose thickly around me. I heaved a sigh and looked up at the sky.

When I saw the first woman… Both my hands and thoughts completely froze. That must be what they really mean by being caught off guard. I was just utterly shocked, feeling as if time had come to a standstill.

…And then Gorilacia muttered ominously, "No matter how skilled you are in training, it's pointless if you can't kill when it really counts".

Thus I decided to switch my mindset.

If I showed any weakness here, Gorilacia might force me into endless meaningless killings until she deemed me capable.

…That's why, after that, whenever a civilian role appeared, I killed them immediately before they could even beg for their life.

I didn't even give the others a chance to intervene.

Since they were going to die either way――

I should at least make their death meaningful.

「…」

Haah. I didn't even want to remember that matter.

「Sush, Sofia, according to the three idiots, nothing beats a cold drink while dipping your body in the bathtub. 」

「Uhm… Booze eh…」

As I sat there idly, Ante went to the ice chamber next to the changing room, took out a chilled bottle of wine and a glass, and handed them to Sofia.

Sophia hesitated for a few seconds, extending and retracting her hand, wiggling her fingers anxiously. However, in the end, she couldn't resist the temptation, her curiosity and the allure of booze, and she took the glass.

「… Uhm… Not bad…!」

Once she took the first sip, it was all downhill from there. She started drinking with gusto.

「… Eh?」

I felt a gentle push against my chest. Liliana, who had been swimming skillfully on her back, had bumped her head onto my back.

「Woof.」

Her jewel-like blue eyes gazed at me, filled with concern. Then, with a deft movement, she flipped herself over and started licking my chest, leaving me completely at a loss.

「Ahahaha, it ticklish.」

I gently pulled her away and sat her in front of me, embracing her from behind.

「… Your hair has grown huh.」

The short blonde hair she had when I rescued her now swayed gently in the water.

Thinking about how Liliana was truly alive filled me with an overwhelming sense of affection and sorrow. For some reason, my chest ached… Maybe that was the reason why she started licking me.

… And this time, I felt something on my right arm.

Before I knew it, Lyla was already inching closer, sitting with her knees hugged to her chest.

Her golden eyes kept stealing glances at me before averting her face in the next moment.

The sight of her flushed, pink-tinged nape caught my eye, causing my heart to skip a beat. There was something… alluring about it.

As Lyla was inching closer, trying to rest her head on my shoulders—— Our horns bumped against each other.

With a snap, I felt a strange sensation akin to popping a magical power.

「Oops.」

「Hya.」

A weird sound escaped my mouth. It seemed to be the same for Lyla, as she blinked in surprise too.

「…」

Once again, Lyla hesitantly bumped her horn against mine. And again, another gentle wave spread from my head to my toes along with a light snap….

What is this? I… Can't get enough of this…

「Hehehe, verily, this be the true meaning of "flowers in both hands".」

With that, Ante, boldly baring her naked body, tossed another bottle to Sofia and waded toward us with splashing steps.

「Lo, let me add yet another blossom. Art thou not delighted?」

And then wrapped herself around my left arm.

Uhn… Ante, have you undid your humanization? I mean, Sofia was clearly smashed right now. And she―― Had been opening one bottle after another.

『――Dost thou wish to know how much might thou hath gathered in but a single day?』

Ante spoke in a voice that was only audible for me.

… Aaah.

As I nodded, I suddenly felt a surge, as if my body was swelling up. Surge of Magical power akin to a tidal wave flowed into me from Ante.

Hey, I didn't tell you to give it directly to me!!

『Verily, I thought it wise to bestow it upon thee little by little. Would it not be most unnatural to grow so suddenly, as was the case with Faravugi?』

That… Might be true.

I clenched and opened my fist, testing my grip. I couldn’t really tell the difference myself, but judging by Liliana's reaction, it was obvious to others that my magical power had grown stronger――

『Shouldst thou combine the forbidden power long amassed through necromancy――Thy true might doth now draw nigh unto that of the Archduke』

I unintentionally looked up to the sky.

My savings… Was it already that much, eh? It hadn't even been one year since I made a pact with you, Ante.

The Archduke was the highest peerage in the Demon Kingdom, second only to the Demon King. But since the Demon King was on a whole different level of strength, there was still a long way to go from here…

Nevertheless… It was a level of magical power that mere humans, no matter how many gather, could never hope to match.

『Tis not strange in the least. The first Demon King, too, did forge a pact with the demon god Cannibal and didst gain the most dreadful power. Yet I, too, stand as a being nigh equal to Cannibal, dost I not? Thou, as well, art one who beareth the right to ascend as a Demon King—— Even shouldst thou inherit not the Spear of the Demon God…』

The demon god beside me chuckled lightly.

『Time is thy ally.』

The hand draped over my shoulder now gently caresses my cheek with affection.

『From now on, thou shalt continue to amass even more taboos. In doing so, thou shalt surpass even the like of archduke, and thy magic shall grow ever stronger―― The more time thou takest, the closer thou shalt draw—―even unto that Demon King.』

――I thought that if I took too much time, the alliance would be destroyed first.

『As a demon god, I shall declare with certainty—before the alliance doth fall, thou shalt stand equal to the Demon King.』

Ante quietly added, "If thou continuest to grow as thou art now".

… My thoughts exactly.

It ain't just a matter of spending time.

There is a need to shed a tremendous amount of blood in the process――

『――Say not, "pay it no heed". For that verily is the wellspring of thy power.』

『――I shall offer thee no hollow solace. Surely, thou hast no time for wailing and lament.』

『――Yet, thou dost surely advance. Their deaths shall not be in vain. …This, I wished to impart unto thee. No matter how great the bloodshed, the sacrifice shall be lesser than the ruin of the alliance's territory. Therefore――』

I gripped Ante's hand tightly.

I understand―― I really do.

Thank you

「Humph.」

Ante snorted and pouted her lips. Even though she should have undone her humanization, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

…I'm happy. With so many people supporting me like this.

I couldn't afford to act carelessly.

I… Had to advance.

The real battle would begin right after the new year.

I shall make my name resound as the Demon Prince.

I shall grow stronger as the Demon Prince――So much so that those around me will hesitate to lay a hand on me.

At the dawn of that――

「…」

With resolve in my heart, I looked up at the night sky.

「… Uhm, where's Sofia?」

But when I turned my gaze back, Sofia, who had been drinking just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.

「Woof?」

「… What happened I wonder?」

「Somehow, the glass is floating.」

…Having a bad feeling, I went to retrieve the glass, only to step on something squishy in the murky water.

「… AIN'T SHE ABOUT TO DROWN TO DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH?!?!」

I quickly pulled Sofia out of the hot spring, her flushed face and rolled-back eyes as I pulled her out of the water with a splash.

===

===

My first CN project, why waifu though? Well, coz the main heroine's job is buying soy sauce till the end of act 1

Harem, Hero, Demon King, Seven Deadly Sin, Seven Virtue, Sacred Beast, Sword and Magic, Dystopian Future, DESTINY PROJECT HAD IT REALIZED!, Dungeon, Dragon, 72 Demons, Reincarnations