NOVEL NEXT ch18 - The Orange-Hued Maiden
18: The Orange-Hued Maiden
“Where are we going today?”
The forest is vast. I’ll proceed while paying attention to the voices of the animals and the guidance of the fairies.
“So there’s no specific route, huh?”
The pristine snowfield had no footprints. The path… well, there might have been a beast trail, but it’s covered by snow.
You can go anywhere. There are no tracks laid down. It feels like my vision has expanded greatly. The pure white snow seems to cleanse my soul. Or maybe it’s thanks to Fenrir’s affection and Grea’s healing.
“I wonder what we’ll encounter today.”
It seems like you’re enjoying yourself, Lady El. Please stay moderately alert.
“Okay!” Yes, thanks to them, I’m having a great time. I can tell they’re trying to entertain me.
But I’m still holding a grudge about the splatter they showed me earlier! I almost fainted again! It’s a necessary habit if you’re going to live here. There are nutrients only available from meat. Really, Grea? It’s like she’s my mother, reminding me to eat a balanced diet of magic from both meat and plants.
…
I couldn’t put down my smartphone. I made a magic pouch and kept it there.
…Lady El, please stop burying your face in the mane.
“Mm-hmm.”
Your laughter should be more graceful and refined. Look, enjoy the scenery.
Hmm? Usually, they’d probably say something like “your laughter is crude.”
“Smooth and skillful guidance! Your manner of speaking has improved! …Ah.”
Hehe.
I panicked a bit, thinking I might have been condescending, but Grea looked incredibly pleased. Her tail was swaying. How simple-minded.
Ah… since Grea is a retainer and the unicorn is the master, maybe she’s not bothered by a higher-handed way of speaking? It’s cute.
Snow fairies approached Fenrir. Is it some sort of report?
…What!? Has Levi already appeared?
They seemed quite flustered. It was rare to see.
As I watched in surprise, the fairy turned back to me.
El, Grea. The Maiden of Hot Springs, Levi, has set up a hot spring, causing the surrounding area to warm up and the snow to melt. The animals are getting overheated from the heat. We need to hurry.
Understood!
“W-Wait, there’s a hot spring!?”
Fenrir seemed surprised by my reaction.
Are there hot springs in El’s world as well?
“Yes, there are. It feels so nice, doesn’t it? I love soaking in warm water. Oh, I’m starting to miss baths…! But melting the snow is a problem. Sorry for the delay, shall we head out?”
Yes, let’s.
Fenrir and Grea dashed off after the snow fairy. The cold wind refreshed my cheeks. I could soon feel warmth creeping in, and the air was becoming hotter.
I found the winter thermal dress a bit too warm.
Do you like hot springs, El?
“Yes.”
…Levi might be pleased to meet you. As expected, my beloved daughter is impressive.
“W-Wait, you’re making me blush.”
It’s something to look forward to after we meet.
I eventually spotted the orange-colored hot spring. It was quite large!
No one was using it at the moment.
The surrounding snow had melted, leaving the animals looking exhausted… It was a bit sad to see. I wrapped the animals in fluffy snow and created some small icicles here and there.
Well done, El-sama.
“Did I manage to help? The snow and ice might melt again, but I thought at least it could help the animals recover a bit.”
Try listening carefully. El-sama has both beast and human ears, so you can hear the words of both species. The small animals might be saying something.
“Really!?”
That was the biggest surprise of the day!
We, in our beast forms, cannot communicate with humans. Sometimes we need to take human form to convey our words.
I see. At first, I could hear Fenrir’s voice even when I didn’t have beast ears, but that was probably due to magical resonance or potential aptitude… Well, something like that.
Focusing on my beast ears, I listened carefully.
Thank you, Winter Princess.
“…Hehe, you’re welcome.”
It’s touching to be thanked for such thoughtful gestures. Oh no, I’m about to cry…
A single snowflake bloomed and swayed in the snowfield.
Fenrir stood at the edge of the orange hot spring and called out.
Revi!
The hot spring’s surface gently rippled and swirled… A figure appeared in the center. It was a translucent orange shape. Wow, it looked so mystical and warm.
Don’t call me with such an angry tone. What is it, Lord Fenrir?
The voice resonated softly. Oh, her expression seemed displeased.
Why have you already created a hot spring? We’ve only just called for winter… The animals aren’t in their winter coats yet; they can’t endure this heat. Don’t disrupt the harmony.
Fenrir frowned. That’s understandable.
Don’t try to control me by telling me to behave. I don’t like it! After all, I haven’t met anyone in five years. Alone underground, waiting for winter, feeling so lonely…
Tears flowed from the maiden’s eyes, rippling across the surface of the water. It was heart-wrenching, but…
I’m sorry about that.
I’m really more concerned about Fenrir. He seems deeply troubled by not being able to call for winter, and it’s hurting him to be scolded like that. I don’t think the maiden meant to blame him, but…
“Fenrir has been working really hard!”
El…
I approached and hugged his legs.
“Cheer up…”
Thank you.
He nudged me with his nose. Oh, his ears perked up a bit. Maybe he’s feeling a little better now. Gréa has started to enthusiastically support Fenrir, which is kind of amusing.
You!
I turned to see the maiden of the hot spring with her cheeks puffed out.
Don’t make me seem like the villain!
Oh, but to me, it does feel a bit like that.
“I don’t know the whole story. I apologize for barging in without understanding the situation.”
“But blaming Fenrir won’t solve anything. Please tell me how you’re feeling, and if there’s anything troubling you, let’s think about it together.”
The maiden fell silent, perhaps realizing that verbal blame wasn’t the way to go.
You’re doing better than I could have hoped, El.
I could feel deep gratitude from Fenrir’s gaze. I’ve received so much kindness from him; it’s only fair I do this much.
…How much do you know about me?
The maiden spoke up. It seemed she was willing to open up. She physically moved closer, and it was quite warm.
“Just that you’re the maiden of the hot spring and you create the hot springs…”
That’s right.
Up close, the face formed from the orange water looked quite endearing. The gentle ripples of the warm water… Oh, how I long to soak in it!
Let me tell you. The maidens of the hot spring are elemental spirits who create hot springs. A maiden is the spring, and the spring is the maiden. We absorb the spring water to become fully human and move around, creating springs in various places. Among them, I am the warmest. I am so warm that I melt the snow, so I only appear at the end of winter, embracing the clouds in the sky, and then bring spring with the warm rain.
“End winter?”
I couldn’t hide my shock. Fenrir had worked so hard to bring winter, and now other animals were enjoying it. The land hasn’t fully recovered yet, so why did you appear?
I don’t intend to be unreasonable.
The maiden shook her head.
I’m just lonely.
And then… she hugged me!?
Whoa!
The heat from the hot spring overwhelmed me.