บท 43: Chapter 43 Going to the Hot Springs
Especially, this was evident from KE's great generosity. If anyone asked for help, he would assist.
All this was heard and seen by Raizel in the meeting when KE wanted to spend all the treasury's money to make ordinary people feel that there is a great future and hope for their children.
KE didn't care about the matter because this is what any emperor of the empire should do. However, all his actions brought endless charisma that attracted the loyalty of everyone in the meeting to him.
When KE heard the old man, he looked at his three daughters and noticed their faces turned red from embarrassment.
"Cough cough, now is not the right time, wait until we finish this problem, and then we will talk, what do you think?" The old man nodded, his smile grew bigger and even his body became more energetic and excited.
KE was relieved to see that the old man didn't mention it, at least for now. "Then let us see our rooms and go to the hot springs."
"Raizel, you haven't experienced the beauty of the hot springs, right? Today is a day of rest, it's good for the injured," nodded Raizel and understood that the hot springs are very good since KE became so excited.
After they reached their rooms, KE arranged all his things and took Raizel to the hot springs.
As soon as they entered, the sound of the flowing water from the hot springs was like soft whispers, flowing between the rocks and sneaking into the open air.
There, where the steam was slowly rising, creating a warm cloud embracing the stone seats around.
The continuous roar brought tranquility, as if each drop of water carried with it ancient stories and secrets scattered among the wild flowers growing on the banks of the springs.
Every breath of the warm air renewed the spirit, making the visitors feel comfortable and refreshed, as if time had stopped for moments inside this enchanting oasis.
Raizel was shocked by the beauty of the hot springs. He now understood why KE wanted to go to the hot springs to this extent.
"Come on Raizel, let's pour the water on our bodies first," Raizel focused on KE's actions when he poured warm water on himself.
This method was very strange because he felt it was unnecessary. "KE, why do you pour water on yourself first before entering the hot springs?"
"This is an old tradition of Nippon, and there are other reasons too. The main goal is to clean the body before entering the hot springs to maintain the cleanliness of the water for others," KE explained to Raizel. He almost forgot that he was from the nobility and not a human.
So, KE explained to him in another way, "We are beings much higher than humans, but human customs are very many and full of life. Experiencing their customs reminds me that I was human and not to become arrogant because I am now higher than them in terms of life level."
Raizel nodded and did exactly what KE did.
He also understood why KE's actions were close to ordinary humans. It was just to remind him not to become arrogant because of power or position.
Suddenly Raizel remembered his older brother who wanted to annihilate all humans and other races to leave only the nobles.
If Raizel hadn't put his older brother into eternal sleep, his brother would have killed all humans and other races.
(Nii-sama, why did you want to do that, why did you force me to do it)
Putting his older brother to sleep was one of the most painful experiences that would never heal for Raizel.
KE noticed Raizel's sadness from his eyes and started thinking of a way to make him smile.
Suddenly, KE's eyes lit up, and he had a plan. "Raizel, let's drink and play chess."
"Okay, let's play," Raizel smiled at KE and felt the sadness disappear.
Chess was a very beautiful game for him, most importantly, it was fun.
As soon as they entered the hot springs, the old man also entered with them, carrying several bottles of sake.
"Your Majesty, I brought sake, let's drink a toast." KE raised his thumb to the old man and prepared the chessboard to float in the air so the water wouldn't bother them.
At the same time, on the girls' side, Kanae was sitting from the three sisters.
(Author: Hot springs are always separate, only some places have mixed hot springs, this is what I learned from anime 😂)
"Kanae, I really didn't think you would get married before us," Hinatsuru looked deeply at Kanae because she really didn't think she would find a good man because of her job.
Kanae blushed, but at the same time, she was very proud. "No need to feel jealous, Hinatsuru, I'm sure a good man will come to you."
"Hmpf, you haven't changed much, have you?" Hinatsuru and Kanae looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
The three sisters were afraid because they hadn't seen Kanae for a very long time.
Kanae and Shinobu were raised in this hidden blacksmith village and also grew up in their home; technically, they are childhood friends.
After Kanae and Shinobu became members of the "Demon slayer squad," the times they met became very rare.
This was before Kanae became the (Flower Hashira); after that, she took many vacations to visit them.
But they waited for several months until she recently visited them. If the old man hadn't said she was fine and had a mission, they would have thought she had died.
At that time, they would become members of the "Demon slayer squad" and find the person who killed her and take revenge.
"True, Kanae, you haven't visited us for months. Is it because of His Majesty, and can you explain to us who His Majesty is and why he is called that?" Kanae thought about how to describe KE to them while looking at her reflection dancing in the water.
"He is… perfect." These were the only words that came out of her mouth.
She said them without thinking, which made Suma sweat. "He is perfect, what do you mean by perfect, can you explain to me in detail?"
Kanae looked at Suma with a very charming smile. "He is perfect, there is nothing negative, whether as a man with great responsibilities or the person who developed his clan's business."
"And most importantly, he is the supreme ruler of our country and at the same time the strongest being in it." Kanae kept talking and talking continuously about KE; her mouth did not stop or get tired of mentioning him.
The girls listened to her, and the more they heard Kanae talk about KE, they began to feel a little jealous because they now knew that such a being was impossible to exist again.
Whether it was his beauty, his talent, his jokes, his strength, his courage, even his love, simply he is perfect. They felt jealous of Kanae.
They felt it was impossible to find a man unless he was like or even similar to KE.
Suddenly Hinatsuru's eyes lit up and she looked at her younger sisters. "Makio, Suma, do you remember that oath we swore to the person who would forge the greatest and strongest sword from our clan's heritage?"
"Yes, of course, I remember. How could I forget that?" Suma lightly hit her head, sticking out her tongue.
Her appearance was very cute, while Makio understood what Hinatsuru meant. "Yes, of course, I remember. We just have to wait, as I recall there's a boy who likes to play with that toy."
Both Hinatsuru and Suma nodded and formed a comprehensive plan just with a few reminders.
Kanae was sweating because she didn't know what they were talking about. She tried to find a word to join their conversation, but couldn't find any.
"Wait at least tell me what you're talking about!" Kanae finally burst out at them, making the girls look at her with a mischievous smile.
Hinatsuru and her sisters hugged Kanae and laughed, "Of course, we won't tell you anything, wait at least until the threat is over."
Kanae froze like a marble statue, staring at the girls and tensing up.
The soft steam rose around them, hiding them from the outside world.
"Hey, hey, look at this!" Suma suddenly shouted, bringing her hands close to Kanae's ears with a cunning look in her eyes.
Before Kanae realized what was happening, she felt two hands grabbing her ears. "Kanae, you're growing up fast, aren't you?" Suma said cheerfully, touching them.
"K-Kyaaaa!" Kanae screamed, her face turning red in an instant. "Suma, stop that!" Her cheeks puffed out in embarrassment as she gently pushed Suma's hands away.
The two girls around her burst into laughter, exchanging playful glances.
On KE's side, he was focusing on the game with Raizel, while the old man was surprised by the existence of such a terrifying game.
Every move by KE and Raizel terrified the old man.
"Checkmate," after KE finished his move, he stared at Raizel and smiled, "Is this really the end?" The old man was so engrossed in the game that he lost track of time.
"It's already night..." The old man cast a piercing look toward the sky, sensing the encroaching darkness. "Your Majesty, Raizel-sama, it's time for dinner. I bet Yoko-san's delicious food will make you feel satisfied."
At that moment, Raizel's eyes sparkled with anticipation. The thought of tasting more delicious food, an undeniable effect of KE, had aroused him. His passion for food grew day by day.
However, Raizel's facial expressions remained unchanged. The old man didn't know what was going on in his mind, but KE was sure he was looking forward to dinner.
"Hahaha, let's go then. Raizel and I are really hungry." Said KE, moments after they came out of the hot springs, wearing yukatas.
At the door, KE encountered Kanae, who had just come out after putting on her yukata.
"Kanae, did you enjoy your time with the girls? It's been a long time since your last visit to them, hasn't it?" KE asked softly, holding her tender hand, heading to the place mentioned by the old man. Gently, he began to massage the energy points in her hand, trying to calm her tension and relax her muscles.
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