Since I had the chance, I decided to make the open-air bath bigger.
When I take on my dragon form, digging through the earth is easy, and for finer shaping, I can rely on the power of the spirits. With that, most things become possible.
I remembered the huge open-air bath I had seen in Kohane's world.
The memory made me want something similar, so I threw myself into the challenge.
The site I chose was a high cliff near the sea, a place with a wide view.
From here, I could see both the morning and evening sun glittering over the ocean. On clear days like today, the blue sky and deep blue sea stretched endlessly together. It was breathtaking.
I built a space to hold hot water and made a channel to bring it in. If done right, it should rival the grand bath I had once admired in Kohane. Large stones lined the rim of the hollow, and pine-like trees surrounded it, creating the frame for the bath.
Finally, I asked the Water Spirit to send both hot and cold water into it.
With that—the work was complete.
"Ceres-sama, you're incredibly skillful."
"To think you could do something like this, it's amazing."
"As expected of Ceres-sama~desuwa."
Marianne, Frey, and Cecilia approached, each carrying a basket.
"Ah, is it already this late?"
I had been working since dawn, and when I looked up, the sun was already overhead.
"Yes, we brought lunch. Shall we all eat together?" Marianne lifted her basket proudly.
"Good idea. Let's take a break and eat."
I stopped my work and walked over to the three of them.
"Ohh, so Haruka-neesan made lunch today."
Inside the basket were fried chicken, an omelet, and sandwiches... Western-style food.
"I helped a little too!" Marianne declared, pressing her fists to her chest. She looked so adorable I couldn't help but smile.
Looking closely, I noticed several bandages on her fingers.
"Marianne, you worked really hard..."
"Though, if I recall, Haruka-sama said, 'I'll teach you the basics later, but for today, just focus on packing the lunch,' didn't she? You're far too clumsy."
"Frey, you're so mean! You're not much better. Didn't Haruka-sama only let you chop ingredients because you're hopeless at cooking?"
"Whaaat?! I was once a sword saint! Cutting things is my specialty, and Haruka-sama praised my knife work!"
"You're both hopeless~desuwa. Neither of you can cook properly. At least I, a former saint, am used to helping with charity kitchens. The stew in that pot was made by me. I'm confident in its taste. Here, Ceres-sama, please try some."
Cecilia poured stew into a cup and handed it to me.
I took a sip.
"...It's delicious."
"I'm so glad you like it~desuwa." She beamed at me.
Behind her, Marianne and Frey glared in frustration.
Well, it's unfair to expect royal princesses to cook.
They've never really done it before.
But something still puzzled me.
Maria was also a saint. She even spent time at the church as part of her training. And yet, she was hopeless in the kitchen—burning everything into charcoal.
Why was that?
"Come to think of it, Maria can't cook at all, even though she's also a saint. Why is that?"
"Ufufu~ Maria-chan was so bad at cooking, she once burned a huge pot during a charity meal and even caused a fire scare at the church. In the end, they only let her serve food, nothing more. That's what I heard~desuwa."
"Hahaha, that's so Maria."
"So that's how it was."
"Yes. Apparently her mentor at the church often held her head in despair~desuwa."
"Well... knowing Maria, I can imagine that."
Among the Hero's Party—the Light of Hope—the one person who should never be allowed near a kitchen was Maria.
"So Maria, despite her looks, was the worst cook of all."
"Even I don't make disasters that bad."
"Ahahaha, true enough."
It hadn't been that long since I parted ways with Zect and the others, yet it already felt strangely nostalgic.
"So, Ceres-sama, I think this open-air bath is already quite complete."
"No, not yet! I still want to add a lie-down bath, a waterfall bath, maybe even a sauna."
"But it looks usable as it is, doesn't it?"
"The main bath is ready to soak in."
"Well then... may we go in?"
"Ah, me too!"
"Would it be alright if we joined?"
"It's finished enough to enjoy. Go ahead."
The moment I said that, Marianne and the others began undressing. They shed their clothes, stood in their underwear, and soon even bras and panties were gone.
I had seen them countless times before, but no matter how many times, it never grew old. Their beautiful bodies made me lose myself in admiration.
"Ceres-sama, you're staring so much, it's embarrassing..."
"Hmm? I don't really mind. Why don't you join us too?"
"Yes, Ceres-sama, come in with us~desuwa."
Saying that, the three of them approached and began pulling at my clothes.
"I can undress myself—"
"Leave it to us."
And so, stripped by their hands, I found myself surrounded by the three of them as we slipped into the open-air bath together.
Notes:
• Cecilia - Former saintess. Ceres' wife.