Raising the Daughters to Overcome My Failure

Chapter 83. Hot Spring Construction (5)

Isabel entered the bath with a hardened face.

She was offended by what Liam had said just a moment ago.

‘Mixed bathing. There’s a limit to madness.’

But her expression soon softened.

Because the inside of the hot spring resort was too good to be true.

‘Is this heaven?’

The open-air bath, naturally formed with light gray rocks, felt as if it had always been a part of this landscape.

The hot spring water emitted a gentle steam as it flowed slowly, and the faint blue light spreading from within the water and the thick mist added to the mystical atmosphere.

‘Amazing. How did they create a place like this?’

That wasn't all.

The edge of the bath was surrounded by round, smoothly polished stones, and when I sat down, it felt as if they were chairs prepared by nature, gently enveloping my body.

When I dipped my hand in, the hot yet moist spring water softly enveloped my skin,making me feel as if the fatigue of the day was melting away.

A small waterfall flowing nearby sprinkled a stream of water, creating a moist air,and every time the surrounding bamboo swayed in the gentle breeze, a quiet rustling sound could be heard.

And what about the tranquil scenery of the snow-capped mountains faintly visible in the distance?

Her frowning expression gradually relaxed as she entrusted her body to the hot spring water.The

gently swaying waves, the curves of the bath that seemed to have been made by nature, the warm energy that enveloped her whole body, it felt as if the hustle and bustle of the world were being washed away.

“Phew.”

As she let out a sigh and leaned back, a small smile was already spreading across her lips.

But suddenly.

From the seat next to her, a voice was heard.

“The water’s nice, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

When I opened my eyes and looked to where the voice came from, there was Anonymous.

“Since when?”

“I was here from the beginning. You must not have seen me because of the mist.”

To think I would make such a mistake.

No, that's not it.

‘Frank definitely said there was no one here.’

Hadn't he said that since there was no one in the women's bath, I could enjoy it to my heart's content as if I had chartered it?

An unknown sense of betrayal washed over me, and my fingertips trembled slightly.

‘I have to get out of here right now.’

But my feet wouldn't move easily.

Because I quite liked this place.

‘What on earth is in it? I feel like my magical power is being restored.’

Did she read my thoughts?

Anonymous let out a smirk and opened her mouth.

“This isn't ordinary water. Don’t mind me, just stay.”

“…….”

For a while, the two of them just stared straight ahead without a word.

Then Isabel suddenly asked a question.

Her gaze was still fixed straight ahead.

“What kind of person is Frank to you?”

But the other person didn't answer.

When I glanced to the side, Anonymous' face was flushed red.

It wasn't red because of the hot spring bath.

Just a moment ago, there was no flush on her face at all.

‘What’s with this reaction?’

The her that Isabel knew would have laughed heartily and confidently answered that he was someone she liked.

Then, she was planning to naturally say that she liked Frank too, but to think she would be this shy.

Isabel’s cheeks, who had initiated the conversation, also turned as red as a ripe persimmon.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Wh-what kind of thing are you asking? It’s embarrassing.”

The quick-witted Isabel had a hunch.

“This is different from the reaction I expected. Did something happen between you two?”

At that, Anonymous was startled and shouted.

“Wh-what do you mean, something happened! There’s nothing like that.”

This is 100% certain.

Isabel looked up at the sky with an envious face.

The wide-open roof felt refreshing, but her inner feelings were different.

“I’m envious. Being next to the person you like is surely a blessing in itself.”

“Why are you talking like a loser?”

“You wouldn’t know my heart. This feeling of having to put oneself on the back burner because of responsibility.”

Anonymous grumbled as if she didn't like it.

“I don't understand humans. There’s no law that says you have to be with only one person, is there?”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“I’m the master’s wife. You’re the concubine. That works, doesn’t it?”

“Ha?”

Isabel was so dumbfounded that she couldn't even laugh.

There were nobles who had several wives, but that was an exception.

The doctrine of the Goddess Cult was based on monogamy.

“As expected, you’re not someone I can trust.”

But Anonymous tilted her head as if it were a matter of course.

“I’m a dragon, you know?”

Isabel couldn't dare to refute that.

Because that was an undeniable fact.

***

At that time when Isabel and Anonymous were exchanging banter.

On the opposite side, naked men were enjoying the open-air bath.

“Ugh, so refreshing.”

“The water is really good. Where did you get this water from?”

“Haha. My troublesome leg doesn't hurt at all. This water is a hundred times better than the royal physician.”

It didn't just end with admiring the hot spring water.

As their statuses were what they were, various political stories were also exchanged. Thıs content belongs to novelꞁire.net

“Although it was our side’s fault, the war reparations are large, so I’m worried about the future.”

“Then, how about borrowing money from our side? I will lend it to you at a low interest rate.”

Charles VII spoke as if doing a favor, but Alboin replied with a troubled face.

“If we take back the money we paid with interest, our people will not stand for it.”

“In that case, how about receiving it through a merchant guild as an intermediary? Then it won’t look like a transaction between countries.”

“Hmm, I will consider it.”

While the kings were having such conversations.

I was chatting with Liam.

“It’s a truly amazing hot spring. How did you think of making something like this?”

“I just happened to find a nearby hot spring and brought it here.”

“You’re being modest. This is not a place I want to leave at all. It seems I will be visiting often. Haha.”

“I would be grateful if you did. If you purchase a season pass, you can get tickets at a fifteen percent discount, so please keep that in mind.”

“Ooh! Is there such a thing? I must buy it right away.”

Huhu. Business starts from small things like this.

After enjoying the hot spring bath enough, we came out of the bath and headed to the lobby.

I handed out the prepared items to everyone.

A luxurious plate containing mealworms.

Liam asks with a face like he’s eaten shit.

“Isn’t this an insect?”

“It’s called a mealworm, it’s dried mealworm larvae.”

To think I would be repeating the exact words Rude said to me with my own mouth.

I smiled sweetly, put a mealworm in my mouth first, and chewed it.

“S-Sir Frank!”

Everyone looked at me with horrified faces, but I didn't stop.

“Try it, as if you’re being tricked. The taste is unbelievably good.”

“…….”

“Besides, it was made by my friend and vassal, the Sage Rude.”

“Sage Rude, you say?”

When everyone hesitated as if they couldn't believe it, I shoved a few more mealworms into my mouth.

“Mmm, it’s really delicious. It’s rich in nutrients, so it’s perfect for health. Oh, by the way, Rude said it’s also very good for stamina.”

“?!”

At the word stamina, the gazes of the three men changed.

Although Isabel still shuddered and frowned.

In the end, the three of them just glanced at each other, then grabbed a handful of mealworms and brought them to their mouths.

Crunch, crunch.

“Th-this is!!”

It was only natural that everyone exclaimed in amazement.

I'm telling you, this thing's appearance is like this, but it's really delicious.

Would you like to try one?

***

That night.

The four VIPs stayed at the accommodation next to the hot spring resort that I had prepared.

What I built here was not just a hot spring resort.

‘Of course, I built accommodations as well. So that they would stay here for a long time and enjoy the hot spring resort.’

Building only a hot spring is what amateurs do.

In addition to this, only by building accommodations can it be called a hot spring resort in the true sense.

The service was provided by the dragons who were residents of this place, and of course, they performed it in their human forms.

A hot spring resort where dragons serve you.

Where else but here could you receive such precious treatment?

Everyone had satisfied expressions, and Liam discreetly approached me and asked if he could get a few more mealworms.

“By any chance, that thing we ate earlier…….”

“I’m sorry, but that was the last of it. If you wish to buy more, please visit the Sage’s Castle and purchase some before returning to the Lombard Kingdom. If you mention my name, they will surely give you a discount.”

Liam nodded with a regretful face.

“I suppose I’ll have to. It tastes good and is good for stamina too. I must spread the word around.”

He gave a thumbs-up and disappeared into his room.

Huhu. I’ve created one mealworm enthusiast like this.

Actually, I have more mealworms, but I couldn't give them away for free anymore.

If you really want to eat them, pay for them, is what I'm saying.

Meanwhile, Isabel, without eating a single mealworm, sat on a sofa in the lobby and looked up at the sky.

She looked so pitiful that she felt like the protagonist of a romance comic.

I quietly moved my steps and sat down next to her.

“How was the hot spring?”

She briefly met my eyes, then turned her head to look at the sky again.

“It was good. It was the first time I’ve seen water that heals not only wounds but also magical power.”

“I’m glad you were satisfied. If you also eat the mealworms…….”

“No. I’m fine with that. But Frank.”

“Please speak.”

“What on earth are you scheming? We haven’t escaped the danger of Primus yet.”

I let out a smirk and shook my head.

“This is all a stepping stone for him.”

“A stepping stone for him?”

“To carry out a war, a vast amount of funds is needed. Moreover, this place can heal both wounds and magical power, and the surrounding scenery is also nice, so there could be no better resort than this. You need a place to rest to be able to fight a war properly, don't you?”

I emphasized that even after the war is over, this place will become a key location for the recovery of soldiers and the revival of the post-war economy.

Only then did Isabel nod her head with a face of understanding.

“If that’s the case, then it should be fine. That insect is…….”

“It’s a mealworm.”

“The mealworm was repulsive, but I guess it’s a similar story.”

She looked at me without a word and then smirked.

“At one time, you had changed so much that I doubted if you were really the you I knew. But seeing you pull off such an eccentric stunt, you are indeed you.”

Huh? Was Frank originally an eccentric character like me?

Only then did I become a little curious about what kind of person Frank was.

In the game, he was just the father of the daughters.

He was just an avatar that served as the spear for the user to progress through the game, but I also thought that he too was a real person who existed.

‘What happened to the original him?’

Of course, it’s not a problem that can be solved by worrying about it.

Just as Isabel had done, I silently looked up at the sky and admired the full moon.

It was exceptionally large and bright today, and I made a simple wish for how nice it would be if such peaceful days could continue in the future.

***

A few days after that.

The three people left, and after that, famous people from various countries visited this place one after another.

From the king of some kingdom to the lowest-ranking baron.

Little by little, even commoners began to visit this place, and the popularity of the hot spring resort grew day by day.

The result?

Everyone was extremely satisfied with the hot spring water.

They were suspicious of the mealworms, but at the magic word 'stamina', their attitude changed 180 degrees.

Naturally, the sales related to mealworms also increased day by day.

Every day broke the previous record, and the soaring trend continued, not knowing the sky was the limit.

Then one day.

An unexpected person visited this place.

“You?”

Red short hair and ruby-like eyes.

A rebellious spirit ingrained in her body that clearly proved she had been a rebel since birth.

My second daughter, Iris, had appeared here riding a Pegasus.