Chapter 137: perverts at the mixed bath

"We did encounter each other on the way. But... sigh..."

Kibele let out an overt sigh.

Apparently, things hadn’t gone well.

"He truly only knows himself."

"He’s as tasteless as plain rice."

"...’It’s none of my business!’ he says!"

...Haha.

"But isn’t that true?"

Cleo spoke as if she didn’t understand why it was a problem.

"To be blunt, he earned his PT through hard work. So why should we go out of our way to accommodate you? If you were family, like my brother and me, or colleagues, it might be different."

"But we’re part of the same Imperial Army!"

"If you’ve earned a lot of points, you should help one another within the Imperial Army."

"Then we, the rebels, have no reason to help you, do we?"

"Ugh..."

Cleo, she had a point.

She was right, but it was an attitude that could lead to isolation.

However, Cleo seemed unfazed by it all, maintaining her own pace.

"What do you think, Elle?"

"Me? I think permitting a bath is acceptable."

"Very well. We won’t even ask for food."

"Can’t the Imperial Army find anything to eat right now?"

Kibele nodded.

"Because we lost the previous round."

Good heavens...

What if I had lost to Deherit? I didn’t want to imagine the aftermath.

It’s fortunate I won...

No, if that had been the path taken, Mira wouldn’t have released this area.

How much can I count on you, Lustbound?

’If they’re not fed and not allowed to bathe, the Imperial Army’s morale will hit rock bottom in the next round...’

Even if, like me, one had brought bottled water or snacks in a cross bag,

Now that a full day has passed, solely relying on personal effects will soon reach its limits.

Kibele bowed her head at a 90-degree angle.

"Please, senior. I beg you, let us bathe!"

"Please allow us to bathe!"

"We implore you!"

*Sigh*.

It’s difficult to reject the requests of such adorable and charming juniors. Cleo would likely tell me to cut them off without hesitation, but I don’t want our relationship to sour after the exchange competition.

I can’t help but feel sympathy for the female juniors, who aren’t even allowed to bathe without my permission.

"Alright."

"Th-thank you!"

It seems that Cleo has come to terms with the idea that I can make my own decisions. She doesn’t appear to be discontent or irritated by my choice. In fact, even when I dealt with them coldly, there probably wasn’t any ill intent. I just thought that way, and that was it.

"Please guide us to the bathing area."

"Yes. Please follow me."

We trailed behind Kibele and eventually arrived at a large inn with an attached hot spring. The scope of the place is quite impressive. We probably wouldn’t have had any difficulty finding it if we had headed in this direction earlier. This hot spring inn occupies a vast area that could accommodate about eight houses. Judging by its exterior, there are likely enough rooms for dozens of people.

It’s time to place my student ID on the card terminal. I can’t help but feel a little nervous.

[Beep]

[Card information verification]

[Pt 245 points.]. King God Emperor Ren Asahi ranked first [confirmed]

[Unlocking]

"Wow! It’s a bath!"

At that moment, one of the first-year students who was with Kibele rushed in, only to collide with an invisible barrier and fall over.

"Ouch!"

[Imperial forces entry is prohibited]

[This facility is for the rebels]

Oh, dear.

I’ve encountered an unforeseen situation.

The Imperial Army was initially unable to access the facilities in the neutral zone.

"...Sigh..."

"What should we do now?"

Kibele also lowered her head, seemingly at a loss.

"If it’s blocked by the system, there’s nothing we can do."

"Kibele, let them in."

I mumbled softly.

[Confirmation]

[Entry granted to Imperial Army personnel permitted by King God Emperor Ren Asahi]

[Kibele authorized]

No wonder. It seemed like I could communicate well with Cleo.

"Go ahead, Kibele."

"Ah, yes..."

[Entering with King God Emperor Chungmugong General Majesty Ren Asahi’s permission]

Please stop praising me.

And what kind of village is this? A village of boundless authority?

I had no intention of asserting power, yet in this peculiar village, everything from the junior girls’ baths to entering buildings required my permission.

Power seemed as natural as breathing here.

"Thank you, senior."

"Us too! Please grant us permission as well!"

"Alright. Calm down."

The juniors, visibly excited, entered the building, looked back towards me, and bowed their heads.

"Thank you!"

"Let’s go in first as well."

Sarika’s injuries still needed time to heal.

We decided to explore the interior of the hot spring inn.

Entering the inn, we admired the vibrant pond garden, where crimson flowers were in full bloom. Upon our arrival, a mysterious hostess with long hair greeted us.

"Hello, Ren Asahi."

Oddly enough, she didn’t seem like an NPC. I wondered if she might be an acquaintance of Mira.

"...Excuse me."

"I am Grania, the owner of this inn."

"I plan to rest here for a while."

Hostess Grania smiled warmly.

"Yes. For Ren Asahi and our esteemed guests, we will ensure a comfortable stay at our inn."

The women appeared somewhat wary. A strange space, an unfamiliar inn, and an enigmatic hostess. It might be because the situation resembled the beginning of a cryptic quest with an underlying story.

"Relax."

But I knew that the source of this space was Mira. Consequently, my sole intention was to make the most of the 15 hours at our disposal. Without hesitation, I removed my shoes and ventured inside.

"Come with me, Ren."

Wearing her witch costume, Elle hastily followed me.

In unfamiliar places, she seemed even more reluctant to part from my side.

There was a certain charm to her, boldly dressed yet hunching her shoulders and glancing around.

"Please store your valuables in the locker over here."

Grania, in a natural manner, took a position beside me.

Within the inn, there were staff members dressed in Japanese-style kimonos, much like Grania, who moved silently like phantoms.

Their faces were shrouded, appearing somewhat eerie in the dim light.

"Ah, pay them no mind. They’re our inn’s employees."

"Where should I go to wash up?"

I decided not to use the locker room.

After all, everyone likely brought the necessary items into their inventory.

Even though it’s a resting area, in 15 hours, we had a mission to undertake.

It seemed everyone maintained a slight sense of tension.

"Over this way..."

"Brother."

As the distance between Grania and me increased, Cleo firmly pulled at my sleeve.

"Yes?"

"I don’t think it’s an NPC... Can we trust them?"

"What’s not to believe?"

"Running an inn in such a suspicious place?"

"Hmm..."

Indeed.

How can I explain this?

Can I trust it since it was done by a goddess I know?

Kibele, who wanted to use this place more than anyone else, couldn’t voice her thoughts due to the suspicious atmosphere surrounding Grania.

"Be honest with me. Have you known Grania from the beginning?"

"Huh?"

Was it too natural?

Seeing me not even considering doubts, Cleo appeared to be confident in her deduction.

Alright. Let’s go with that scenario. Then?

"Actually, I’ve received their services before. Right, Grania?"

Grania turned at my call and gave a small nod.

"Yes? Ah... Yes, of course. Ren is our inn’s VIP."

"What kind of services have you received so frequently to be considered a VVIP?"

"..."

The sight of Grania’s curved figure brings to mind decadent services, rendering me speechless.

A mysterious enchantress with delicate lines and alluring beauty, emanating an unmistakable erotic aura.

"You too can experience the services of our inn."

"Yes, let’s go quickly."

"Hmm..."

Cleo appeared uncertain, but

The other girls seemed too exhausted to argue. We had been fighting in extreme conditions until just a few moments ago.

As the snow melts, the dampness seeping into our clothes becomes increasingly uncomfortable and unbearable.

Even Elle, who stayed relatively dry thanks to her witch costume,

longed to wash up due to the sweat from our intense 24-hour lovemaking session in the cave. Despite the situation not being completely safe for the girls,

As I began to follow Grania,

Everyone else started trailing behind.

"Our hot spring is abundant in various minerals, which makes it incredibly beneficial for your skin."

"Seeing Grania’s skin, I’m convinced."

"Oh, Ren... I’m flattered."

Grania’s skin appeared irresistibly soft to the touch.

"Hot spring... I want to go in."

"Yeah... I’ve been standing in the midst of a blizzard for so long that my body’s become terribly cold."

"Quickly, hurry..."

The anticipation for the hot spring grows, and the atmosphere becomes more tense.

"Over here. Our hot spring is primarily a mixed-body bath. You can wash your body first and then enjoy a relaxing soak."

Mixed bathing by default?

The piercing gazes of the women latch onto me.

Mira’s little stunt is far too conspicuous.

I have no choice but to step aside.

"Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll join later."

"What are you saying? Big brother."

At that moment, Cleo grabs my arm.

"Cleo?"

"It’s not right for you to be inconvenienced just to accommodate everyone else. If we have to pick someone to go first, it should definitely be you."

"Hmm..."

Isn’t everyone a bit too eager?

"I don’t mind using a mixed bath."

In fact, I’m grateful.

The issue lies with the women. No matter how diligently they cover themselves with towels,

The fact remains that "lewd and decadent mixed bathing" a practice now uncommon even in Japan awaits us.

It was only natural that everyone’s gaze would be drawn to their young, healthy, and attractive bodies.

Even though I was the only male,

I would have to expose my naked body to an outsider, but wouldn’t they object?

I asked, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.

"If it’s a mixed bath, it means I’ll be with you all while you bathe. Is it alright if I stay with you naked?"

"Yes!!!"

!?

The female students shouted immediately.

"...What?"