Another World’s Highest Guild Leader ~I’m the weakest in the guild, but I can’t quit the guild because of the heavy love of all the guild members~ - Chap 53: Open-Air Bath and Conversation

At the residence of Crimson Rose.

“Ceris-sama! I heard about it! I heard about it!!”

Rushing into the living room in a flurry, Ruela nearly trips over the carpet but manages to avoid falling, thanks to her agility.

“Ruela, calm down. What happened?”

Ceris’s older sister, Sierra, asks in front of her.

“I heard it from the pancake shop! Ceris-sama is trying to poach Mr. Crow!”

“Is that true, Ceris-sama!?”

Ceris, cornered by the two, smiles as if caught.

Seeing Ceris’s reaction, Sierra’s expression turns stern.

“If we poach Crow-san, that guild will undoubtedly become uncontrollable. Those people are abnormally devoted to him!”

Ruela and Sierra, fully aware of the power of the Demon’s Triumph Nightmare, foresee the consequences. But Ceris…

“That’s exactly why.”

“Eh…?”

Confused, the two listen as Sierra continues.

“We could leave this misunderstanding as is, but things will always stay the same. I want to witness it, even if it becomes the trigger for the worst.”

◇◆

Checking into the hotel from the beach in the evening.

“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”

The hotel staff bowed with an imposing presence.

“Please have your meals at the restaurant on the 5th floor. The outdoor bath in the annex is available for the hot spring until 9 PM. After that, it becomes mixed bathing.”

Half-listening, they head to the restaurant first.

“It looks delicious!”

“So this is what a high-class resort’s food is like~.”

The table is set with few dishes, but each exudes luxury.

Split into groups of five, they sit facing each other and begin to eat after saying “Itadakimasu” in unison.

“Delicious!”

“It’s nice to have something like this occasionally.”

Enjoying their meal, they all look happy. I also eat eagerly.

After enjoying the meal, it’s time for the hot spring.

Of course, they separate by gender.

Opening the sliding door to the outdoor bath, they’re greeted with a greenery and sea view despite being enclosed by a fence. A stone bath is filled with steaming hot water.

“I’m first in the bath; move it, Horus!”

“No, it’s me!”

Garga and Horus jostle each other’s shoulders, arguing.

The distance from the changing room to the outdoor bath is close, but they seem eager to enter first. Hot springs are rare in the Beastman country, after all.

I follow Garga and Horus at a leisurely pace, observing their banter.

This hot spring, a little away from the hotel, uses the natural terrain for the outdoor bath, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding islands and sea.

“Ah, this is bliss.”

“It’s a nice bath, young master.”

“Sure is. Ahh, feels like I’m being revived.”

Warming up from the core of my body, the hot spring soothes even my heart. It’s said to be beneficial for gout and burns. Since the water is alkaline, it’s also good for the skin.

“Even so, your achievements in the Beastman country were impressive.”

I was so overwhelmed I almost thought I was driving out the wrong people. All I did was provoke the king.

“We never thought we’d become this strong.”

“It’s all thanks to meeting you, young master. Thank you once again.”

I intended to praise them but ended up being praised myself.

We continued our men’s conversation and were about to leave the bath…

“Master, shall I wash your back?”

“Ooh, that’s considerate. I might take you up on that.”

“Wait, Garga, I’ll do it.”

“What?”

Snap

Why can’t these two ever end peacefully?

“I suggested it first and got the approval; I won’t back down!”

“I thought of it first in my heart. Just didn’t say it.”

“What!? That’s no excuse! Let’s settle this now!”

“Alright, let’s end it here.”

“Seriously…”

While they argued, I got out of the bath and washed myself. I quickly removed it, wiped my mask with a wet towel, and put it back on. If I don’t wash it, only the area under the mask gets dirty.

It’s 11 PM now.

With full stomachs and having enjoyed the hot spring, everyone is probably falling asleep, unable to resist the drowsiness.

Each of us has a single room. The large rooms are unsettling.

I liked the atmosphere of the outdoor bath, so I sneak out alone for a dip at midnight.

It’s dark outside, but there are lights here and there, and the moon is out, so it’s not inconvenient.

“Whew… nice bath.”

I sigh contentedly to myself.

It’s nice to have company, but being alone is more relaxing.

Rattle, rattle

The sound of the changing room’s sliding door opening.

I turn around to see who it is and find…

“Oh, it’s Lulu.”

“You’re here too, Crow.”

As our eyes meet, Lulu smiles and joins me in the bath, wrapping a towel around herself.

I gaze at Lulu’s face intently.

Her pale skin, slender eyes, sharp chin, and long blonde hair tied up. Her neck and shoulders above the water are also beautifully white.

…She is beautiful.

“What’s up, Crow?”

“Nothing. You also chose a quiet time to come here, right? Then, I’ll leave.”

I don’t want to make her bathe with a guy in a mask.

As I’m about to leave the bath, Lulu stops me by the shoulder.

“It’s fine. It’s a mixed bath anyway; I don’t mind.”

“Alright.”

I get back into the water.

It’s my first time bathing with a girl.

“It must have been tough dealing with those flirtatious guys during the day, being so popular.”

“I’m not happy being popular with guys I’m not interested in.”

She snorts in disdain.

It seems tough being a beauty.

But it’s a well-managed luxury resort; why didn’t they intervene sooner? Well, as long as we behave.

“Tomorrow, let’s have a free day. According to the map, there is a lot to do, and it’s better if everyone goes where they want.

“That might be a good idea.”

Amidst such casual conversation, she suddenly asks.

“Hey, Crow.”

“Hmm?”

“—Are you serious about leaving the guild?”

I swallowed hard at her unusually sad eyes.