Chapter 34. Aftermath of the Hot Spring Riot
After that, we managed to dress Reema and headed to the local village of Agro Mountain together because the story would be complicated without her.
We explained the sequence of events to the villagers: that she was an Ancient Blood but had no malicious intentions and wanted to turn Agro Mountain into a hot spring resort.
I thought it would confuse them if I suddenly told them such things.
"It's a good idea! Our small village will only be left alone if it continues like this. Isn't it just a matter of time?"
"Let's build a hot spring town around Agro Mountain and attract visitors!"
In particular, the young women in the village were strangely motivated. The lonely village regained its vitality with the hot spring at the center.
Is it so easy to believe in an Ancient Blood?
Well, no matter how you look at it, Reema has no malicious intentions regarding the hot spring, so I guess the villagers could sense that.
In this way, the Hot Spring Riot, which had initially spooked the villagers, turned into the Agro Mountain Hot Spring Town Project. Reema, who led it, became the hope of the local village.
We, who unraveled this series of events and brought her to the village, were immediately treated as heroes.
They served us a dish made with plenty of fresh vegetables from the village, and we decided to stay overnight.
Moreover, when we left the village, they even gave us a bag full of freshly picked vegetables as a souvenir. After all, we returned to Carmelo town feeling like we had accomplished something significant.
We were celebrated by the villagers and left amid their gratitude. It felt like being heroes who had defeated a legendary dragon. No, even a bigger dragon.
In reality, we had just reconciled with the naked, hot spring-loving Ancient Blood. It's undeniable that we helped people, so it's okay to
indulge in that feeling.
Thus, despite all the twists and turns, we completed our first quest as a party of four: "Investigating the Creepy Hot Spring."
Back in Carmelo Town, we reported to the Adventurer's Guild that the quest had been solved.
The culprit in the case was the Ancient Blood. She had no ill will towards humanity but rather was friendly. She apologized for causing anxiety to the villagers this time.
When I reported everything to the Adventurer's Guild, the guild official who received the report smiled.
"Yes, we have already received such a report from the local village of Agro Mountain, which aligns with your report, Akira. It was amazing to solve a case involving Ancient Blood, not just investigate it. Here is your reward. Thank you for your hard work!"
After receiving the reward, we moved to the tavern with a large amount of vegetables and took a breather while waiting for the vegetable dishes to be ready.
"That's double the reward offered in the quest request!" Lucia, who immediately confirmed the reward, said happily.
"We were only supposed to investigate, but we solved it, so I guess we deserve that much," Noelle said, and Sakuya nodded.
"Yes, and since Ancient Blood was involved, I think our reputation has increased for successfully resolving it."
Yes, that's the heart of this quest.
The Ancient Blood was once said to have ruled humanity. However, according to Reema, there are good and bad individuals among the Ancient Blood, and the ones active now are good.
The Adventurer's Guild seemed to understand this situation and wasn't surprised that Ancient Blood was involved this time. From the perspective of major organizations, it may be common knowledge that cannot be
made public.
Still, in the public eye, Ancient Blood is perceived and feared as a vicious being. The fact that our D-rank party solved a quest involving Ancient Blood must be significant.
...Even if it's something that anyone could solve.
The remuneration was also doubled. The rating of the Adventurer's Guild will also increase. We are revered by the local villagers. It's the first step in becoming notable adventurers.
However, the three of us, except for me, sighed in front of the delicious vegetable dish that had finally arrived.
"Surprisingly, there are such Ancient Bloods. I used to think that all Ancient Blood were bad guys," Lucia said helplessly as she ate the fried
eggplant.
"Me too, ... witch history only told one aspect of the Ancient Blood,"
Noelle shrugged his shoulders as she munched on her fried cabbage.
"Even though this one is friendly, there are still many Ancient Blood, and although it's not public, it may be an open secret to some people," Sakuya said as she ate a plate of fresh salad, and Lucia and Noelle nodded broadly.
"There's still a world out there that we don't know about."
"Yes... It's a big world."
These guys seemed a bit depressed but had a good appetite.
It's kind of sobering, but this is a different world for me in the first place, so I wouldn't be surprised if it overturns the common sense of this world.
On the other hand, what they found out in this case was shocking to me.
Even so...
"Don't be so depressed, it's okay, Ancient Blood is full of good guys."
I said, boldly chewing on the stuffed peppers. ... This is good.
"Akira says it so easily, but it's not easy for us!"
"That's right, we were still honing our skills for Ancient Blood."
"That it was a waste of time, even for me as a masochist... It's unbearable."
The three of them sighed.
I see. These guys were magic and swordsmanship users with anti-ancient Blood in mind.
But they don't have to be so depressed. As for Lucia, Noelle, and Sakuya, they could fight other demons.
"So, on the flip side, there are bad guys among the Ancient Blood, right? If you encounter such bad guys, you can go all out. You will protect me with your strength."
It was an earnest request.
Even Reema, with her hot spring brain, can use strange but amazing creation magic like creating hot springs. I don't know how terrifying a malevolent Ancient Blood would be to deal with creation magic.
If you meet someone like that, you have no choice but to let them protect you. I'm sorry, but I can't help it because I can't fight.
However, the three of them were silent for a while after hearing my remark... then Lucia suddenly got up from her seat.
"Right! Yes, that's right! Even though some Ancient Bloods are friendly to humanity, we never know when they might make a mistake! We don't know when the powerful Ancient Blood that is sealed away will be revived, so we should do our best to defeat any hostile Ancient Blood!"
Lucia's loud voice echoed throughout the tavern, followed by Noelle and Sakuya.
"Yes, and having friendly Ancient Blood is good news for me as a witch! If I can get to know various Ancient Bloods, my creation magic will be refined!"
"Wow, I'd like to get guidance from the Ancient Blood to see if my magic swordsmanship works for Ancient Blood!"
These guys are foolish, but they take pride in their power.
Somehow, I'm motivated to get back to work. When they're down, I don't feel well. As I was thinking about this, the three of them stared at me.
"But I didn't know that Akira would ask me to protect him... Isn't this a real confession? Oh my gosh! Suddenly, my uterus started to ache! I want to have sex with Akira!"
"It's bold of Akira to confess to three people at the same time! But men are encouraged to marry many women, so it's not a problem! And I want to have sex because my uterus is aching!"
"Oh, wow... However, if the three of us decide to marry Akira. Will we naturally play four players on the first night? Wow, if I'm left alone and have to watch the three of them get excited, it may be a first night that I'll never forget!"
These guys being foolish in their usual form is troublesome. This time, I sighed and ate a lot of vegetable dishes.
Nevertheless... as was the case when it was made in the local village of Agro Mountain, this vegetable is incredibly delicious. I can't seem to stop
eating.
The three, now imbued with foolishness and eroticism, suddenly sat down and started eating.
"The local vegetables on that mountain are delicious."
"Yes, I'm sure they're nutritious, and I'm told that all the vegetables you can get around Carmelo Town are exquisite."
"What? Is that so?"
It was certainly delicious, though.
"Maybe this area is fertile, and the magic power around here is pretty strong."
"Hey, if the magic power is strong, it will be good for vegetables. Come to think of it, monsters are pretty good too."
After saying that, he was surprised to find himself accustomed to eating monsters.
They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do, but we've already gone deep into it. Well, if it tastes good.
However, the influence of magic is also strange. While it turns inanimate objects, animals, and plants into monsters, it also makes vegetables delicious.
It's also necessary to use magic, and it enhances physical abilities.
Speaking of which, it is said that women are more likely to harbor magical power, but is it okay to store a large amount of magical power in your body?
Humans turning into monsters... I haven't heard anything like that from Lucia so far.
While I was pondering this question, a guild employee came from the neighboring adventurer's guild. She approached me hesitantly.
"Akira, just a moment ago, I was contacted by Reema of Ancient Blood using communication magic. A quest has been issued to you, so could you consider accepting the order?"
"What!?"
What do you mean? Is Reema requesting a quest? Did she name me specifically?
"Anyway, Reema wants to hold an event to gather people so she can make the hot springs of Mt. Agro a tourist destination, so she would like your cooperation... It's called the Women's Bath Challenge, where you enter with just a towel."
"I don't want to."
What is that erotic project?
Oh, I see. Even though she's Ancient Blood, she's still a woman. That's how she viewed me...
I refused in seconds, and for some reason, Lucia and the others were resentful.
"Why do you refuse, Akira? The event is bound to be a success! I'm going to be a part of it!"
"Akira enters the women's bath with only a towel... It's so erotic that you'll get wet."
"Yes... It's nice to be naked, but it's very erotic to hide your body with a towel!"
The foolish remarks of these three were familiar, but unusually, the guild employee also agreed.
"As everyone says, it's a woman's dream for a man to come into a mixed
bath with only a towel. I'd like to be a part of it personally."
Aside from the three idiots, Lucia, Noelle, and Sakuya, I didn't expect even the guild staff to say such a thing.
After all, there are only lascivious women in this world...