Chapter 1597: The Bath and the Trap ( 1597 )

Meanwhile.

Behind the building.

Javier stood in the open area at the back, surveying his work. The high wall he’d just built enclosed the space completely, stone pillars and panels, smooth and tall, casting long shadows across the ground.

He raised one hand, palm glowing faintly. Large stone blocks lifted from the ground, floating in the air around him. They drifted into position, aligning themselves with quiet precision, settling into the floor of the large dug-out pit in perfect rows.

He lowered his hand and squatted at the edge, studying the space.

Hmm... what should I add to make this hot bath beautiful?

He tilted his head, rubbing his chin.

Should I add some living decor? Plants? Maybe some hanging vines along the wall? Or a few glowing stones embedded in the floor for a soft, warm light?

He stood and walked to the far end of the hole, his hand still glowing as he shaped the stone.

Yeah. I should add a stone fountain. Something that pours hot water continuously, like a natural spring. The water can cascade down into the bath, keeping it warm and fresh.

He raised his hand again, and the stone at the far end began to shift, rising and forming a tall, elegant fountain structure. Water channels carved themselves into the stone, curving gracefully along the surface.

Mm. That’ll do. Now... let’s see if I can make the water flow just right.

He snapped his fingers.

A water crystal materialized beside him, hovering in the air, its core glowing with a soft, rippling blue. Another snap, and a fire crystal appeared, floating nearby, its core pulsing with a warm orange light.

The water crystal drifted upward toward the fountain and settled into a carved socket at its peak, sinking neatly into place. The fire crystal floated into the base of the fountain, lodging itself deep inside the stone.

A soft pulse of light ran through the fountain. Water began to gather at the peak, spilling gently over the carved channels and cascading down in thin, shimmering streams. Steam curled upward as the fire crystal’s warmth spread through the water.

Javier watched it for a moment, then snapped his fingers again.

A small pebble appeared in his palm. He tossed it into the pit, and the moment it touched the stone floor, it spread outward in a smooth ripple, its surface changing, turning into polished river rock. The floor of the bath filled with smooth, rounded stones in layered shades of gray, blue, and warm earth tones, each one perfectly fitted against the next.

He stepped back to the edge and looked down at the bath.

The stone fountain poured steaming water in gentle streams. The floor was a mosaic of polished river stones. The space was enclosed, private, and quiet.

Hmm...

He rubbed his chin.

Now what about the lighting?

Javier glanced around, checking the edges.

I have mana lamps I crafted long ago, but they’re too bright for this. Too harsh. This bath needs something softer. Something warm.

He snapped his fingers, and his dimensional storage opened, hovering in the air beside him. He leaned toward it, peering inside.

Maybe I should craft something beautiful with the materials I’ve got.

He tapped his chin.

Copper? Silver? Mithril? Or maybe Adamantite...

He shook his head.

No. Adamantite doesn’t look beautiful enough for a hot bath.

His finger traced the air as he ruled out other options.

White ore? No. That’s too precious. I use it for the mana satellite parts, the Sky Eyes components, and for my puppet knights. And for my girls’ weapons. Even their outfits, so they can defend against the Sins’ power later.

He shoved his hand deep into the storage and pulled out a massive chunk of gold ore, letting it float in front of him.

Well... gold is perfect for a hot bath anyway~

His grin widened.

Since it’s for my beautiful girls~ Ehehehe~

He raised both hands, mana coiling around his palms. The gold ore began to glow, softening, melting down into a floating sphere of liquid gold. He shaped it with his fingers, pulling it into long, thin strands, weaving them into delicate frames. The liquid gold curled into the shape of hanging lanterns, each one with intricate patterns worked into the metal, vines and blossoms, curling leaves and delicate filigree.

Inside each lantern, he placed a small light crystal. His magic wrapped around each crystal, dimming the glow until it was soft, warm, and golden.

Thin, glowing threads of magic code wove themselves around the lantern frames, delicate symbols that pulsed faintly, crafted to hold the light steady and even.

The finished lanterns drifted upward, settling along the walls, embedding themselves into the stone in a graceful, even line. Their warm glow washed over the bath, catching the steam and the polished river stones.

Javier stepped back, hands on his hips, and admired his work.

Not bad~

He swiped his hair back with a smooth motion, then struck a pose, one hand on his hip, the other raised in a dramatic flourish.

"This is a beautiful craft from a genius such as me~"

He turned, striking another pose, then another. Shoulders back, chin lifted, one arm flexed, then the other. He turned his back to the empty bath and glanced over his shoulder, the lamplight catching the lines of his back and shoulders.

"Still got it~"

He snapped his fingers. Bamboo shoots materialized along the far edge of the bath, clustering in small groves at the corners, slender stalks swaying as if stirred by a breeze. Pale green leaves unfurled, catching the lantern glow.

A small pine tree appeared at the opposite end, its needle-covered branches dipping toward the fountain. Smooth boulders dotted the surrounding edge, softening the stone lines.

He struck one final pose, flexing, showing off his back with the lantern glow behind him.

"Mm~ Perfect~"

He lowered his arms and grinned at the bath.

"Can’t wait to show this to my girls~"

He tilted his head, his grin sharpening.

"I wonder who I should bend over first~?"

Javier glanced from the corner of his eye toward the door when he heard footsteps and a voice.

"Hmm? I don’t remember there being a door like this at the back..."

The sliding door opened, and Felicia stepped inside, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar space. Before she could take another step, Javier appeared in front of her, moving like a shadow. He pinned her gently against the wall, one hand raising her arm above her head, the other resting against her lower back, pressing her close.

His eyes met hers, his lips hovering near her parted mouth.

"Hello, my beautiful Felicia~"

( End Of Chapter )