Chapter 19: The Eruption of the Hot Spring and the Crisis of the “Mixed Bath”

A sense of unease from the Royal Capital hung over the golden territory. But then, something strange happened in the backyard of the log house, and that tension seemed to disappear.

Allen’s strong golden mana stirred up the ley lines, causing a hot spring full of pure mana to burst forth. Even breathing in the thick, milky steam helped everyone relax and restored their mana.

“…Listen, everyone. Now that Allen’s ‘Curse Chains’ are becoming unstable, treatment in this mana hot spring is essential. …This is a medical and magical ‘treatment.’ Eliminate any and all impure thoughts!”

Luna’s glasses fogged up as she spoke, breathing heavily. She held a fancy sponge meant for washing Allen, along with her own change of clothes for some reason.

“…Luna. If it’s just treatment, I can go in by myself. Since I’m in my mascot form, this small basin is more than enough…”

“No can do, Master! What if you get dizzy from the heat and drown!? I’ll put you on my back and support you properly!”

Ferris had already taken off her clothes, tossing aside her leather armor, which was little more than underwear. She scooped Allen up, her silver ears flapping with excitement. The heat from the hot spring had turned her skin a soft cherry blossom pink.

“…Oh my. …I always thought dogs were bad with water. …The one who can support Allen-sama the safest, and most ‘intimately,’ is my long tail.”

Misha appeared wearing nothing but a thin piece of cloth wrapped around her body. Her damp skin emitted a pearl-like luster, and her wet hair clung to her pale shoulders.

Ultimately, Allen’s right to refuse was completely ignored, and they all tumbled into the giant rock bath behind the log house together.

Splasssh.

The abundant hot water overflowed, and golden mana swayed on the surface.

“…Fuwaah. …It’s so warm…”

Allen, having returned to his golden furball form, bobbed in the hot water, nestled perfectly between Ferris’s arms. The hot spring’s properties seeped deep into his fur, easing the piercing pain of the cursed chains.

“…Haa. …Master, this is the best. …Holding you like this, the sound of your heartbeat echoes directly into my chest… Somehow, I feel like I’m going to melt away too…”

The strength of Ferris’s hug intensified. Her silver fur, made limp and soft by the hot water, mixed with Allen’s golden fur, blurring the boundaries between them.

“Hey! Ferris, you’re clinging too much! I’m the one who washes Allen’s back, hand him over!”

Luna jumped into the bathtub, trying to snatch Allen away. Luna’s indigo hair, soaked with hot water, clung alluringly to the white nape of her neck, replacing her usual intellectual impression with that of an entirely different kind of woman.

“Allen… sit still. …With my mana, I’ll clean every single pore… ah, ahn. …What is this water? …Allen’s mana is so thick, just touching it makes me feel… strange…”

Luna’s face flushed bright red from the steam and embarrassment. The hot spring, steeped in Allen’s mana, was heightening the girls’ sensitivity to the absolute limit.

“…Hehe. …Luna-sama, your face is completely red….Allen-sama, please get on top of my tail. …Shall we swim together in the hot water…?”

Misha moved her tail smoothly under the water, gently wrapping it around Allen’s legs. Her pale skin and emerald scales shimmered in the water, and her magical beauty left Allen flustered, even in his mascot form.

“Allen-samaaa! Pee’s feathers are so fluffy from the hot water! Let’s float together!”

“Allen-sama, I’ve made hot spring eggs. …I’ll cool them to the perfect temperature with my mouth… here, say ahhh.”

Pee wrapped Allen in her feathers, while Kuu insisted on feeding him with an “ahhh” right in the bath. Aria hid behind a rock, wrapping her wet threads around Allen and whispering, “…I won’t let go, even in the water…” Meanwhile, Sui blended into the hot spring, surrounding Allen completely.

“…Everyone, calm down! You’re supposed to be quiet when entering a bath!”

Allen tried to shout, but it came out as a small kyuu sound and was completely lost in all the excitement.

However, in the midst of the uproar, the chains around Allen’s neck resonated with the mana of the hot spring and showed an unprecedented reaction.

Clank, clank.

The purple and red mana released from the chains turned the water an eerie hue.

“…!? What is this? …Allen’s curse is absorbing the hot spring’s mana…”

Luna let out a gasp.

Allen’s body suddenly began to grow rapidly within the hot water.

Golden light cut through the steam, and something new appeared.

Allen, in his perfect human form.

Wet golden hair clung to his forehead, and his sturdy, toned shoulders peeked out from the surface of the water. His azure eyes were moist from the heat of the hot spring, carrying a far more sensual allure than usual.

“……”

Everyone gasped and froze in place.

He looked almost too handsome, too striking for a young man.

For the girls, whose restraints of reason were already slipping from the hot spring’s effects, this served as the decisive blow.

“…Allen. …I’m not letting you go anymore. …I’m going to make you my true possession, right here, right now…”

Luna wrapped her arms around Allen’s neck, all reason gone from her eyes.

“…Master. …If you’re going to make a face like that, I think I’ll just quit being a knight… and become something else entirely…”

Ferris buried her face into Allen’s chest, her composure completely undone.

“…Allen-sama. …Inside the hot water, it won’t hurt. …Now, with me…”

Misha’s tail coiled strongly around Allen’s waist.

“W-Wait, everyone!? Hold on, doing that in the bath is… a-ahh…!”

Allen felt the “love” of the five, plus one more, flow right into his skin through the hot water.

It was a torrent of warmth and contact that couldn’t even be compared to Sensory Sharing (Synchro). Allen’s mind went completely blank, as if he were sinking to the bottom of the hot spring, simply swept away by their passion.

However.

Suddenly, the rock wall at the entrance to the hot spring disappeared in a flash of purple light, breaking up the chaos.

“— Oh my. …It seems you are undergoing a rather indecent ‘treatment,’ aren’t you? Little Allen.”

Appearing from beyond the steam, perfectly dressed in her purple dress, was Elizabeth.

She elegantly unfolded her folding fan, looking down at Allen and the girls swarming him with eyes like ice.

“…Hii!? E-Elizabeth-ane-sama!?”

“…Nii-sama, I fooound yooou!!”

From behind Elizabeth, Sylphi leaped out, clutching her giant scythe.

Her crimson eyes instantly filled with “despairing killing intent” the moment she saw Luna, Ferris, and the others clinging to Allen.

“…Die. …Those hands touching Nii-sama, those legs — everything. …Sylphi will carve them all to pieces right this instant.”

Swish!!

The red thread Sylphi unleashed tore through the surface of the hot spring water, grazing Allen’s cheek.