To even drag Sir Iwatani into this I can only call it astounding. Is it thanks to your fervent desire to see nude females, Sir Kitamura? (Eclair)

(Eclair)

Eclairs unimpressed gaze bore through me, a towel concealing her body for this staring event.

Sakura-chan was nodding off next to the bath in her queen form.

And to that end, I openly declared my intention to peep. I even ensured that there would be no other guests to the bath for the duration of the plan. (Motoyasu)

You need to amorously soak yourself in the bath a bit further. (Motoyasu)

Youre actually critiquing her? Motoyasu-kun, youre something else huh (Naofumi)

Part of becoming a splendid lady is polishing ones appeal.

However, thinking that it couldnt be helped if not everyone could match up to Firo-tan, this Motoyasu did not despair.

Because Each honorable filorial was my beloved daughter or son!

Afterwards, abandoning my peeping following Eclairs obstruction, I once more turned back and entered the mens bath.

Phew Getting wrapped up in things with Motoyasu-kun sure is terrible. (Naofumi)

Whats wrong with that! Sure, I may have dreamed of peeking on the womens bath, but shouldnt peeping be more discrete or something! (Naofumi)

Sir Iwatani? (Eclair)

Eclairs voice echoed over the wall, her tone as if she were beginning an interrogation.

Immediately flustered, Father-in-law quickly spoke up.

I wont peek! Its just, back on my world, just talking about it was sort of a rite of passage, or something. (Naofumi)

Is that how it is. With Sir Iwatani keeping track of Sir Kitamura, if no excessively improper behavior occurs Well, it should not terribly matter. I myself am quite worn out keeping up with Sir Kitamura. (Eclair)

Eclairs voice was replaced with a sigh and the sound of a body sinking into a bath.

With that, Motoyasu-kun, since were leaving outright peeping out of the conversation, wouldnt, say, taking in the ladys flushed skin once they exit the bath be a more legal way to soothe your eyes? (Naofumi)

Huh? Well Is it somehow too different? (Naofumi)

Thats what Im saying; seeing that much Thats supposed to be reserved for special relationships, like a couple or married partners, stuff like that. (Naofumi)

You do?? (Naofumi)

Why does Father-in-law drop his shoulders as though he has given up?

Sorry. Miss Eclair, it doesnt seem Ill be able to convince Motoyasu-kun. (Iwatani)

No, Sir Iwatani has already said plenty. Feel free to rest at ease. I also wish to rest and restore my health. (Eclair)

For whatever reason, it seemed that entering the bath together had strengthened everyones bonds, no?

As one might expect of peeping! Through that casual peek, our camaraderie has grown.

Um, turning back to our other conversation then, you said I wouldnt be able to learn most skills or magic easily, right? (Naofumi)

But if I do that, I wont be able to understand the magic on a fundamental level? (Naofumi)

Undoubtedly. While learning magic from a crystal provides a spell that is fairly consistent in power and magic consumption from the start, it is not versatile and will prove to be inferior to practiced magic in various ways. (Motoyasu)

I also casually learned magic from crystal balls in the past, but once Father-in-law instructed me in how to study magic books, several things became much more convenient.

It was a curious case of things coming around as easier once I stopped trying to make things easy.

However, until I can learn to read this worlds alphabet, reading magic books is pretty much hopeless

I gave a silent nod.

Father-in-law, myself, and even the other two heroes were able to master this skill.

My level, skills, and even weapon strengthening has been progressing smoothly up to this point, but magic seems to be pretty involved in comparison huh. (Naofumi)

Maybe, but being able to do magic is crazy appealing when the possibility is right in front of you. I guess it isnt something you can just figure out in a day or two though (Naofumi)

How long did it take? (Naofumi)

So about two and a half months Seems a good ways in the future. (Naofumi)

Mumbling his thoughts, Father-in-law idly squirted a bit of bath water about with a hand water gun.

The water was actually reaching a considerable height.

Whoa~! Iwatani! How do you do that? (Kou)

With your hand~ (Kou)

Kou clumsily attempted to gather water in his hands and failed.

Its hard~ (Kou)

The ability to read magic texts, as well as even sense magical power, will come to you eventually. (Motoyasu)

Hmm That second magical revelation was more centered on the so called Dragon Pulse, but you needed either the blessing of a dragon or the right geneology to learn such a thing.

However, even though I was somewhat unwilling to associate with dragons, it is a fact that the power has been useful.

It feels like were coming considerably closer to Silt Welt, and if were able to guarantee our safety like we plan, we should be able to raise our level and study magic at ease until we challenge the wave right? (Naofumi)

Thats correct. (Motoyasu)

Speaking that far, I suddenly sensed something approaching at high speed.

My sudden burst of movement shook the bath, and our silent companion, the Silt Welt messenger, found himself dumped completely into the water.

Are you alright, Father-in-law? (Motoyasu)

Uh? (Naofumi)

I was almost ready to snap when I saw something hit Father-in-law and rebound.

With a whistling of air, a questionable lot leapt over the outside hedge.

Just try to move while paralyzed with poison! Demon of the Shield, face your end!

Father-in-law stood with his shield out before him as I thrust the spear at one of the fools and Kou unleashed a full power Filorial King kick at another.

Theyre popping up again? (Naofumi)

It seemed like the same sort of attack as the one from those nobodies before.

However, perhaps judging from Father-in-laws reaction

Father-in-law, perhaps it is time to show them your true durability! (Motoyasu)

What time like the present? (Motoyasu)

Youre open-! (Assassin)

Taking advantage of my maintained distance from Father-in-law, the assassin sliced out with his sword.

The screech of colliding metal rang out as sparks flew from Father-in-laws body.

Um (Naofumi)

Demon of the Shield! This ends now! (Assassin)

Faced with the assassins overhead strike, Father-in-law swung up his hand, fingers wide.

As the sword descended, Father-in-law closed his grip, stopping the blade between two fingers before it could cut his flesh.

W-what! Bullshit! It wont move! (Assassin)

Thats spot on! (Motoyasu)

Seems like weve reached the point where assassins cant put even one wound on Father-in-law.

HAHAHA! Theyll be quite troubled with the present Father-in-law!

Y-you monster! (Assassin)

With that, the test of Father-in-laws defenses has concluded. Give thanks for his benevolence! (Motoyasu)

I swept the assassin up by the collar with the spear, and, with a few rotations to build up momentum, sent him flying through the night sky.

GWAAAAAaaaaa! (Assassin)

If an enemy was able to appear here They could have quickly appeared elsewhere right? Miss Eclair! Are you alright over there? (Naofumi)

No sooner had Father-in-law spoken than Yuki-chan and a sword-wielding Eclair lept the dividing hedge.

We heard the noise, but did something happen? (Eclair)

I cannot apologize enough. If we travel a bit further towards our country, well be able to field an escort that can keep the Three Hero adherents properly at bay, but (Messenger)

It is strange, however. Our defenses are quite secure thanks to the honorable Hero of the Spear But the demi-humans around this inn should be watching out for us quite seriously. (Messenger)

The Silt Welt Messenger tilted his head in thought.

We might not be able to rest until we struggle our way to somewhere safe.

For now, we can ignore the one I flung away, but I think it would be a good idea to tie up the ones that tumbled out of the bath and get them to explain things. (Motoyasu)

Tying these ones up might prevent them from sending people with higher levels, at least. (Motoyasu)

Thatd be good. It would be nice if the one you flung decides to give up and let us finish the trip in peace too. (Naofumi)

With that, we left the hot spring.

Incidentally, though we investigated around the hot spring and restrained those who jumped in we werent able to find any enemies apart from the Three Hero adherents.