Chapter 272

After dinner, Clael and the others parted ways and returned to their respective rooms.

After that, they each spent their time as they pleased until bedtime... when Clael suddenly left his room.

"Maybe I'll take another dip in the hot springs..."

Unable to sleep for some reason, he walked down the hallway toward the open-air bath, careful not to make any noise.

"Cold...!"

The moment he stepped outside from the changing room, the chill in the air pricked at his skin.

There were no other guests in the open-air bath. He had it all to himself.

Clael walked briskly toward the hot springs, careful not to slip.

"Hot...!"

As he poured hot water over his body with a bucket, the heat rushed into his cold skin.

The mix of cold and hot—this was the real charm of a winter open-air bath.

"Kuh...!"

Letting out a long breath, he braced himself and sank into the bath.

Steam turned everything before his eyes white, making it impossible to see anything. He submerged up to his shoulders and began counting in his head: "One, two, three..."

"Ahh... I'm getting used to it."

Eventually, his body adjusted to the heat of the hot springs.

The warmth spread through his entire body, bringing comfort to every corner.

He hadn't noticed because of the steam... but apparently, it was snowing too. No wonder it felt so cold.

(The blend of heat and cold... this really is the essence of a winter open-air bath.)

Soaking in the hot springs like this made him once again feel that he truly was Japanese.

A moment of bliss. It was a luxurious time that felt heavenly.

(And to have it all to myself... this is pure indulgence...)

"Phew..."

"It feels wonderful, Lord Clael."

"Ah, it really—!?"

He was about to respond naturally to the voice, but hurriedly swallowed his words.

"R-Reina!?"

"Yes, it's me. You came to the hot springs too, Lord Clael?"

The voice belonged to Reina.

It came from the other side of the wall separating the men's and women's baths.

Relieved that she wasn't actually on the men's side, Clael let out a heavy sigh.

"Ah... You couldn't sleep either, Reina?"

"That too, but the sky was so beautiful. I thought it would be nice to enjoy the hot springs while looking at the night sky."

"The sky...?"

When Clael looked up—there it was, a brilliantly glowing full moon.

Despite the thin clouds and falling snow, the moon was clearly visible.

The moonlight was reflected by the snow, which sparkled like a kaleidoscope as it fell to the land.

"I see... This really is worth seeing."

"Right? I'm glad I got to see it with you, Lord Clael."

From beyond the fence, her voice came, slightly more cheerful than usual.

"Since we're here, would it be alright if I came over there?"

"Of course not."

"......I thought maybe I could get away with it if I just pushed through, but I guess not."

Her cheerful tone dropped to one of disappointment.

Did she think she could just go with the flow? Clael wasn't that easy.

"............"

Though he couldn't see her face, Reina fell silent, seemingly dejected.

It might be the perfect timing... Clael decided to ask something that had been on his mind.

"Reina... what do you think of him?"

"Him... who do you mean?"

"You know, the one we met in the evening. Shura Heizen."

"Ah... the man who transformed into a lion?"

Despite what had happened, she didn't seem to remember him clearly. It seemed Reina had forgotten all about him.

(She doesn't even remember someone who turned into a Monster... just how little interest does she have in him?)

Shura was supposed to be one of the main characters too, but it seemed Reina would never choose his route.

Clael, who couldn't support the Shura Route, felt a bit relieved.

"Yes... him. Transforming into a Monster and all—just what kind of person is he?"

He already knew the answer, but asked Reina anyway.

He wanted to gauge how much she had figured out.

"Let's see... this is just speculation, but may I?"

After a brief pause, Reina answered Clael's question.

"I think he's probably cursed. Because of the curse, he transforms into a lion and brings misfortune to those around him."

"A curse, huh... By the way, can the Saint's power save him?"

"Nope."

She answered immediately.

It was a reply without a moment's hesitation.

"Whether it's the Saint or the goddess... no one can save a person who doesn't wish to be saved. The goddess only extends her hand to those who seek to help themselves... Someone consumed only by revenge and hatred can't be saved by anyone."

"...I see."

Reina's words were harsh. Extremely severe.

Some might think it was out of character for her... but Clael could say with certainty that she wasn't wrong.

(There might be a way to save him... but it would bring misfortune to many others. Reina herself would be among them.)

The destination of the Shura Route was a merry bad end.

Rather than someone being saved, it was the kind of ending where everyone ended up equally miserable.

(That kind of ending doesn't suit Reina... Sorry, Heizen, but you'll have to deal with it yourself.)

"Lord Clael, are you sure I can't come over there?"

"No, you can't."

"Muu..."

Clael rejected the hopeful request.

From the women's bath, Reina let out a disgruntled voice, but he dunked his head underwater to pretend he hadn't heard it.