The harpy village definitely has an interesting design. It’s easy to tell that it wasn’t built while keeping humans in mind. Most of the buildings are built along a cliff face like a spread out cluster of bird nests, but the foundation of their home is a small cave system accessible from various points. It’s from that cave system that we finally reach the destination I’ve been looking forward to all along.

“Finally! The hot spring! It’s time for the hot spring episode!”

“Episode?”

“Don’t worry about it. Come on, come on, let’s get in! Let’s relax!”

Wow, there are so many natural baths here! And the slight scent of sulfur in the air is really triggering my hot spring appetite.

“By the way, where’s Arileia?”

“She’s … Just don’t expect too much from her. I doubt she’ll be joining us.”

“And miss out of our bathwater bonding time? I think not! Arileia, get out here!”

“But, Milady …”

“No, buts, just butts! We’re all ladies here!”

Kind of…

“Th-that’s not the problem …”

Oh~ she came out! But …

“I’ve been wondering for a while now, but what’s with that mysterious steam floating around you two?”

“Oh, this? It’s just a natural phenomenon that occurs at a hot spring. With all your excitement, I’d assumed you’d been to a hot spring before. Shouldn’t you be aware of it already?”

“No, well … I know of it … but …”

Damn it! The mysterious censor steam strikes! I thought it was just a myth developed by TV broadcasts!

“D-don’t stare so closely! If we’re gonna do this, let’s just do it already!”

Embarrassed Arileia is good too. But, I wonder what she was so worried about? She has a great figure worth being proud to show off. Ahh …

“Did you finally notice them?”

Enika whispers to me while Arileia climbs into the bath before us.

“Yeah, but, is it really something to be so sensitive about?”

“For her, the scars from battle are a badge of honor, I’m sure, but they’re not something she can show off without revealing the much deeper wounds. Those scars on her back, they’re from a past that she would rather forget. Or, at least, one that she doesn’t want to advertise.”

The long, crossing scars on Arileia’s back dip beneath the water’s surface and out of sight.

“Are you two getting in or not?”

“The lady calls! Come on, Enika!”

“Wait! Don’t pull!”

*Splash*

“Ahh~”

The hot water soaks in deep and warms me to my core. Yep, I definitely needed this. And, as an added bonus, the buoyancy from the water relieves some of the stress on my shoulders. Win-win!

“So, Arileia, have you ever considered wearing something a little more like Enika’s outfit? You definitely have the body for it.”

“Are you saying that I don’t? It’s not my fault that elves aren’t blessed with the chest of a dragon or demon lord.”

“No, no, it suits you just fine. Although, I have wondered on occasion if you weren’t a bit cold.”

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“I don’t need your concern.”

“Oh! I get it now!”

“What do you think you understand, exactly?”

“Your outfit is the reason for your cold attitude! Waah--!”

C-cant … breathe …

“Milady, Enika, stop fooling around in the water!”

“Ahem. I don’t mean to interrupt your fun, but our meal is almost ready, and we would like for you to join us.”

Enika removing her hands from me before I drown allows me to see the harpy who had approached us just in time to see a naked dragon trying to pry a naked elf from the naked demon lord. Baths are fun.

“But the water is so nice. Do you think you can give us a few more minutes?”

"Please be quick. We'll take you to the great nest as soon as you're ready."

"Okay, okay."

Even though they said 'great nest', I wouldn't really describe it as great, nor a nest, to be honest. The so called great nest they brought us to is similar to the building containing Toa'ka's throne, except for the lack of said bird throne. Instead there's a long table spanning the middle of the room.

The wooden chairs, if you can call them that, which are lined up on either side of the table have four legs like any normal chair, but rather than a seat, the legs are connected by a wooden bar.

"So, how do those of us without talons sit on these?"

If it wasn't for the few harpies already perched at the table waiting, I don't think I would have even realized they were meant to be harpy chairs.

"I think the lizard's feet are clawed, she could probably pull it off."

"I most certainly cannot."

"Don't worry, the hatchlings are bringing you chairs more fitting for your posture."

Just as Tuwa explains the situation, three little harpy girls come dragging three stools behind them. They're absolutely adorable with their fluffy little feathers and the way they're struggling to move the small stools.

Arileia ruffles the feather-like hair of the children and thanks them for working so hard. At first, the little harpies just stare at her with wide eyes, but after looking back and forth amongst each other, they pile on top of Arileia at the same time.

"It's a dragon! There's a dragon here! Rawr!" The little ones shout with excitement while making cute little dragon noises. I never expected Arileia to be so popular among children.

“Wah … Milady! Please help me!”

“You don’t seem to be in any trouble to me. How about just enjoying the attention?”

“Th-that’s not the issue!”

"To think that the great dragon would be overwhelmed by a group of children. These last two years sure have made you soft."

"You two are enjoying this, aren't you?"

Perhaps. It's definitely fun watching Arileia being unsure how to react to her situation.

“Go for her horns! They’re even weirder than her claws!”

Rather than not helping though, I think Enika might actually be making it worse. Uh-oh, they’ve finally noticed us too!

“An elf, an elf!”

“Can I touch your ears?”

“Absolutely not. Hey, hey! I said no! What are you--?”

You definitely deserved that one, Enika. I better slip away before I become the next target of these little harpies. There’s only one part of me that is likely to capture their attention, and I just don’t feel like accepting that kind of sexual harassment right now.

“Do you mind if I set my chair here beside you, Tuwa?”

“Of course not. I would love the opportunity to sit next to the demon lord. But was only one chair brought out to you? I’m sure we asked for three.”

“Oh, don’t worry, they were brought out. Enika and Arileia were so happy to be given a place to sit, that they decided to play with the children.”

“Is that so? I’m sorry if the hatchlings bothered you at all. Those three are a rather rambunctious clutch.”

“Not at all! Arileia and Enika absolutely love children. I’m sure they’re happy to get the opportunity to play with them.”

“Really? That doesn’t seem to be the case to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Milady, how could you just walk away and leave me like that?”

“I’m going to remember this, Master.”

“Welcome back, you two. You escaped quicker than I expected.”

“No thanks to you! There was a whole other swarm that showed up. If it wasn’t for Kali forcing them to leave us alone, there’s no telling how far they would have gone!”

Kali?

『Kali: One of Tuwa’s Valkyries.』

Got it. Thanks, Echo.

『Any time.』

“Thank you all for waiting,” Toa’ka stands up and calls out from her perch at the far end of the table. Her voice carries like a songbird’s and draws everyone’s attention. “You’re all probably aware of our guest of honor. The demon lord has returned to us after a long absence and will be staying with us as our guest. Being guests, make sure not to disrespect them while during their stay with us. Now then, let’s eat.”