With Windie at the front, it leads the group back to the hot springs chamber where they find Tatsuo and Mr. Springbottom.

Sharon: Hey look! It’s Tatsuo!

Victor looks around the area with torn pieces Mr. Springbottom’s lodging littered everywhere.

Victor: Woah…! What happened over here…? – He says startled at seeing the newfound wreckage of the place.

Tatsuo notices the group and greets them, “you guys are here.”

Sharon: You…Don’t sound that surprised at seeing us…

Tatsuo: I heard and smelled you guys coming here. How’d you all even know I was here?

Darren and Victor points at Windie.

Victor: This thing found us when we were both here, and led them (Sharon and co.) to me. It then took us to you after we all heard a really loud yell.

Darren: Your yell was so loud that it knocked it (Windie) out unconscious for a bit…

Sharon: Yeah, was that you who made that yell…?

Tatsuo confirms, “Yeah, it was me.”

Sharon: Well…It did help us find you…But it was super loud, I thought my ears were going to explode! Why did you do that?

Tatsuo: I was fighting a monster.

Victor interjects – “Hold on…Did it look like a huge clump of dirt and vines, with a rock mask…?”

Tatsuo: Ah, yeah. That sounds like it.

Victor: What!? That thing still isn’t dead yet…?! – He exclaims, baffled by the monster’s persistence.

Darren: So…Where is it now…?

Tatsuo:Oh, I killed it. Turns out the hot springs here are its weakness. So I just dumped it in one of the ponds. It just melted with the water.

Hearing how casual Tatsuo was in eliminating the threat, the group says nothing for a moment.

Victor: Wow…So you just took that thing out by yourself…Huh…

Tatsuo: Yep. Did you guys fight it too?

Victor’s eyes widened briefly, surprised that Tatsuo knew about their encounter with the monster.

Victor: Did you…Also know that through your smell or something…?

Tatsuo: Nope. I didn’t smell anything from you guys on it. Earlier when we were fighting at the area above us, it seemed like it was trying to recover itself.

Upon hearing Tatsuo, some of the group question to themselves how Tatsuo wasn’t able to discern their scent from the monster; however Queenie comes to a conjecture that it must be because of the Moss Goliath’s ability to freely reconstruct itself. If it reformed its body after they’ve fought, none of their scents would linger on it. For Victor, however, this discrepancy is quickly ignored after hearing Tatsuo talking about fighting above them.

Victor lifts his head up to gaze directly at the gleaming light atop them, “Above us…?”

Victor: You mean…Up there…?! How…?! Did you climb out of this hole…?!

Tatsuo: Yeah. Also, it turns out that climbing out from here doesn’t lead to the outside like we thought.

Victor: Huh?! Then what is that bright light then?! Is that not sunlight…?!

“I can attest that isn't the sun…I can feel an enormous amount of magic emanating from it…The Moss Goliath could benefit more than just recovery with it…It’s possible this was partly how it evolved if it leeched off of this magic source periodically…”, Queenie says while also looking up at the illuminated ceiling.

Darren turns his attention to the chubby man next to Tatsuo, “So is that the missing husband? Mr. Springbottom?”

Tatsuo: Oh yeah, this is him. Look! Me and Victor found him!

The group focuses at the top of Mr. Springbottom’s head, confirming that there was, indeed, a flower popped out of his balding head. The group’s expression flips into a grimace at the harrowing evidence.

Victor: See…I told you there was a flower… – He says in an unenthused tone.

A gloomy atmosphere hangs in the air, in contrast to Tatsuo's blissful ignorance of the significance of the flower.

Tatsuo: By the way, I’ve been trying to get Mr. Springbottom to be more responsive, but I’m having a hard time getting through to him.

He attempts calling out to Mr. Springbottom, “Hello~?? Mr. Springbottom!”, but it fails to register as Mr. Springbottom remains unresponsive.

Tatsuo closes his head in near Mr. Springbottom’s ear, yelling his name even louder, but not reaction.

Tatsuo: Hey! My guildmates are here~!! Remember that guy?! (*points at Victor) Look, it’s Victor~!!

Sharon: Tatsuo… – Sharon says solemnly while Tatsuo tries more attempts to get Mr. Springbottom to react.

Darren walks up to Tatsuo to break the bad news, “Hey Tatsuo…It’s not gonna work…I don’t know how you haven’t figured it out yet…But he’s dead…”

Tatsuo: Huh?!

Darren: Yeah, dude…He’s–

Tatsuo: No ways! – He instantly nonchalantly retorts.

Tatsuo: There’s just something wrong with him right now! I mean, just look at him! His eyes are even still open…!

The group continues to pitifully watch Tatsuo’s hopeless endeavor.

Darren: Uh…No…That doesn’t mean anything…Look…I know it may be hard for you to accept…But Queenie herself said…That flower, it came from the monster you just fought…Apparently it’s a sign that it took over his body…Like a puppet…Now that the monster is dead, he’s never going to respond…

Tatsuo annoyingly clicks his tongue, “Tch! Now look! Everybody’s confused because of this!” He says to the rigid body of Mr. Springbottom. Tatsuo waves his hand directly in front of Mr. Springbottom’s face.

Tatsuo (waving his hand): Hello~??

Mr. Springbottom: Hm?

Mr. Springbottom: Sorry, are you talking to me?

The group’s eyes widen while being completely flabbergasted.

Tatsuo: Finally!!! Gosh, I should’ve just done that sooner~!! Guess, that yell did a number on your ears–

Mr. Springbottom: WHAT?!

Mr. Springbottom: I’m sorry!! I can see your mouth moving, but I don’t know if you’re talking to me or your friends!!! I think that shout you did broke my ears!! Are you talking to me…?!!

Tatsuo: …

The entire chamber pauses in silence for a bit.

Mr. Springbottom: WHAT?!

Tatsuo: No one even said anything.

Darren twists his head back at Queenie, “Uhm…Hey…!! For a dead body, he seems very much alive to me…!! Does the hosts carry on even if the monster is dead…??” – He says utterly confused.

Queenie’s mouth hangs open as she could’t find a way to respond to Darren’s inquiry, she was also perplexed by the unexpected turn of events.

Tatsuo: See! I told ya all he’s still alive!

Darren: Y’know what? Screw it!

“Move it!” – he says as he pushes Tatsuo aside.

Darren presses his ears against Mr. Springbottom’s chest where he can hear his heartbeat thumping repeatedly.

Darren: Yep, this guy is alive.

Victor: What?!

Mr. Springbottom: WHAT?! What’s going on?! Is there something wrong with me?! – He yells abruptly in the background.

Sharon: But how…?

Queenie: I…I don’t get it…He should be dead…!!

Tatsuo: Look, like I was telling you guys, if he was dead I would’ve known a long time ago.

Mr. Springbottom continues to yell in random intervals.

Darren: Yeah, so he’s alive, that’s great. So…What are we gonna do about that (Mr. Springbottom’s yelling)...?

Tatsuo: I mean…We don’t really have to do anything. We just need to find a way out of here and carry him with us.

Queenie: Just give him a potion. Assuming his auditory senses aren’t permanently damaged, it should help restore his hearing.

Sharon: Oh yeah! That’s true!

The group feeds Mr. Springbottom a potion. His hearing partially returns shortly after, enough for him to understand what the group is saying as long as they talked loud enough.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Mr. Springbottom: Sorry about all that! I was having trouble hearing!

Darren: Clearly.

Tatsuo: Right, but you could still see us talking, why didn’t you say anything?

Mr. Springbottom: Oh, I was just losing my mind at first that I couldn’t hear anything. When I finally came to, I saw you and your friends talking. I thought you were talking among yourselves. It looked serious with how gloomy they were all looking, and so I thought best to mind my own business!

From hearing Mr. Springbottom’s response, the entire group besides Tatsuo blankly stares into space with the most dumbfounded expression.

Victor: Ok…That’s cool I guess…But what about that flower…? – He points at the flower on top of Mr. Springbottom’s head.

Mr. Springbottom: Hm? Oh this?

He proceeds to casually grab and pluck out the flower from his head as if a farmer picking out his daily vegetables from the ground.

Mr. Springbottom: I can take it off.

The group: WHAT?!

Mr. Springbottom: Aye, anytime I picked this flower off my head, it would grow right back again after a ye’ while. So I just leave it on there…And I quite fancy it now.

Victor: …So…You’re not infected then…?

Mr. Springbottom: Hm? Infected? By what?

Queenie: No…He clearly is…Or he should be…The symptoms are the exact same as those hosts that we saw, how else do you explain a flower sprouting on his head…? I’ve never read about anything like this happening…

‘What could be the reason for this…?’ – She thinks to herself while facing the hot spring pond. An answer finally sparks inside her.

Queenie (thinking): That’s it! Tatsuo said that the water here was the Moss Goliath’s weakness…! He even mentioned that it melted into the water!

She shares her findings with the rest of the group, “I think I got it…!”

Queenie: I think the extensive exposure to the hot springs here provided Mr. Springbottom to build an immunity to the Moss Goliath's spores. Mr. Springbottom, how long were you here for?

Mr. Springbottom: …Moss Goliath…? Are you talking about that fearsome monster the boy (Tatsuo) here fought? I can’t tell you exactly how long I’ve been here, but ever since I was stuck here, I never ventured away from this spot. This was my first time seeing that monster!

Queenie: Interesting that you say that…The slimes here and what you said helps support my theory, but then you said that you never met tha Moss Goliath until now…Now I wonder how its symptom of infection appeared on you…

Victor: Oh! You’ve said before that other monsters it controls or infected could pass spores as well, right? Mr. Springbottom is friends with some of the monsters here. Me and Tatsuo saw him being friendly with the slimes and mushroom monsters, but some of the mushrooms had that flower on their heads, just like the ones that attacked us! Do you think that could be it?

Queenie: Most likely. They must’ve blended in with the healthy mushrooms so Mr. Springbottom wouldn’t notice.

Mr. Springbottom: Hm, well…I just thought they were some sort of different species…

Darren: But then it’s strange how this guy never got attacked by the Moss Goliath the entire time.

Queenie: There are a couple reasons I could think of. One was that it was afraid to approach this area due to the hot springs, which is why it sent its infected mushrooms instead. Another reason could possibly be that it was purposefully using Mr. Springbottom as a bait to lure more victims to it.

Victor: Yeesh…! That’s scary thinking how cunning that monster might’ve been…!

Tatsuo: Welp, mystery solved. Let's get on out of here then.

Sharon: Windie can lead us out of here!

Darren: …Does it even remember the way it brought us here…?

The group follows Windie as it successfully leads them all back to the outside. A streak of sunlight glimmers from the exit of their final passageway, gradually it grows bigger until the group are finally out.

Standing high atop one of the Ellen’s massive roots, the group is welcomed by a vast, beautiful view of a lush green landscape. Victor looks below to see the local town below them.

Victor: Wait, this doesn’t make any sense! How did we fell through this discreet hole at the top of here if I fell down from our lodging down there?

Tatsuo: Mr. Springbottom said that the slimes carried us, so I guess they carried us all the way here…Unless there’s more passageways hidden around the Ellen.

Before heading back to the town, Mr. Springbottom requests that they stay for a while, for it has been a long while since he last saw the beauty of the outside. The group easily complies, and encourages him to take his time, as so will they.

While chatting together marveling at the view, Darren wonders just how amazing the view would be if they were to look at it from the top of the Ellen. Sharon fancies the notion that they could probably see the entire land of Irene. Hearing their notions, Mr. Springbottom entertains the idea of one day they, along with visiting travelers, venture to the top of the Ellen.

Later on, the group finally scales down the root, returning back to Clara’s inn. The group proudly reveals her missing husband.

Immediately Clara froze in face. Her eyes widen and her face droops; clearly she was having a rough time trying to accept what she is seeing is real.

Mr. Springbottom: Clara…? It’s you! My word, you still look exactly the same…!!

Clara: Y-you…!! – Her old croaking voice quivers.

Mr. Springbottom’s face rolls down, facing the floor in embarrassment and guilt.

Mr. Springbottom: Err…I’m finally back–!!

Clara begins to make a mad dash for her husband. Her arm reaches around to her back towards her giant fan. Mr. Springbottom flinches, bringing his arm up to defend himself from his wife’s incoming abuse.

But much to the surprise of everyone in the room, Clara wraps her arms around her husband, hugging him dearly.

Mr. Springbottom opens his eyes. He can feel the slight shaking coming from his wife’s body. He feels the wet sensation of her tears wetting his shirt.

Clara: You….!! You big fool….!! Look at how big you’ve gotten…!!

Clara: Where have you been…?!

Mr. Springbottom lets out a sigh. He gently places his arms around her, hugging her back. He couldn’t believe what was happening, for normally his wife would nag and berate him for the most minute of problems. Seeing her being this vulnerable to him showed him just how sorely his wife has been missing him, contrary to what he thought.

Mr. Springbottom: I’m back…

After their tearful reunion, Clara immediately thanks Geld for bringing her husband back. She then questions her husband why he went missing all this time. She opens up to him, telling her husband throughout all this time, she thought he had grown tired of her and went out to chase after his adventuring dream.

Mr. Springbottom immediately denies this, professing that while his lifelong dream was to become an adventurer, he had forsaken it for something more dear to him; running an inn with his wife. Clara feels elated hearing her husband’s words, and begins to tear up again.

Mr. Springbottom and the group begin to explain to Clara how he was trapped inside the Ellen, and how they found him. Clara immediately apologizes to her husband for her mistrust in him, and once again, thanks the group.

The mood is high, and a missing husband has finally been reunited with his wife. The group looks on with emotional expressions, happy for the two. Tatsuo then opens his mouth:

Tatsuo: Actually, that’s not true. You could’ve returned whenever you wanted. There were adventurers searching for you who even offered to help you out, you told us. You just didn’t want to go back because this whole time you were scared of what your wife was going to do to you.

Everyone turns their heads at Tatsuo, shocked by what he revealed, and for different reasons. Victor’s mouth drops from Tatsuo ratting Mr. Springbottom out.

“Welp…This has been such a touching moment…I think I’m gonna just…Head on back to the room…”, Darren quietly says as he sneaks away.

Victor: Dude…

Tatsuo: Hm?

Victor: That’s messed up…

Tatsuo: What is?

Mr. Springbottom (sweating): Y-you…!! T-that’s…!! I-I said no such thing…!!

Clara: So that’s how it was, huh….

Mr. Springbottom’s body finches from Clara’s voice.

Mr. Springbottom: D-dear…! Obviously he’s just saying things…!! Don’t mind what he said, he’s just a boy….!!

Clara’s eyes lights up in a fury, and she breaks out the giant fan, holstering it high up in the air. Clar begins to whack her husband viciously with her fan. The snappy sound of the smacking can be heard from the other rooms. A series of domestic abuse ensues in front of the group, as they watch horrified.

Mr. Springbottom attempts to crawl away, cowering in fear; but Clara pulls him back. She continues to beat him in a submissive pose while berating him. Eventually, the rest of the group returned to the room, and the “reunion” between Clara and her husband went on for the rest of the night.

*Morning.

The group are set to head out. Both Clara and Mr. Springbottom are present to give their final thanks and farewell to the group. Before departing, Clara presents the guild their rewards for finding her husband.

Clara: Here you folks go, your rewards.

Sharon: Wow~!!! – Sharon exclaims delighted.

Sharon: These are scrolls?!

Clara: Yes they are; magic scrolls.

“Long before, it was said that the makings of the earliest scrolls used the skins of monsters. Nowadays, the materials used to create scrolls reflect the quality of them. Ours are made from the great Ellen here itself, so it’s high quality magic scrolls.”

Sharon: This is great! Are you sure?!

Darren: …You do know it is our reward…Right?

Clara softly smiles: Please. To show you all my sincerest gratitude…

Clara then yanks her husband by his ear, “Hey! You! You sorry excuse of a husband, go thank these young folks for saving you…!!”

Mr. Springbottom personally thanks the group after he grumbles to himself about the ear.

Mr. Springbottom: Again…Thank you…All of you…For returning me back here…!

Tatsuo: No problem. Sorry for exposing you to your wife.

Mr. Springbottom: Why, it’s a little too late for that now isn’t it…?!

Me. Springbottom calms himself down.

Mr. Springbottom: Well…Even then…I forgive you for that…Especially since you’ve given me something special…

Tatsuo: Wow, you two really are married I guess. You really know your way to smooth talk out of your wife.

Mr. Springbottom: That’s not what I was getting at!!!

Mr. Springbottom: You’ve given me a special experience back there boy. All my life, I’ve dreamt of going on an exciting adventure…And you’ve given me that…! When we were scaling up the wall…You fighting that monster! Escaping out of the place…! It was the most thrill I’ve ever had…! I thought my heart was about to leave my body! It really felt like I was on an adventure with ya!!

Mr. Springbottom: So…Thank you…!

Tatsuo’s mouth pops open. The group reels back, anticipating in fear of the possible trigger that may come out of his mouth.

Tatsuo: I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Everyone calms back down, relieved that Tatsuo said something normal this time. Mr. Springbottom, however, pauses in silence.

Tatsuo: Hm? What’s wrong? Was it something I said again?

Mr. Springbottom: H-huh? Oh…No, it’s nothing. Sorry, I was just spacing out…You know, I’ve been stuck inside that tree for more than six years, so I’m still adjusting.

Tatsuo: Oh, ok.

Mr. Springbottom’s eyebrows furrows slightly for a bit.

Mr. Springbottom (thinking): That was odd…Maybe it’s just me…But the way that boy said it…It felt almost as if…He meant to give me that experience…

The group finally leaves the lodging. Clara and Mr. Springbottom look back from the inn as they slowly grow smaller in the distance.

Mr. Springbottom: You all are always welcomed here!!! We’ll have our hot springs open for you when any one of you comes back!!!

Finally, the group have left the town, but the wife and husband remain outside the inn for a while longer. Clara notices a huge grin forming on her husband.

Clara: Hm…? Are you happy about something? – She asks curiously.

Mr. Springbottom: Oh? Was it that obvious…? I didn’t even noticed it myself! I think I’m going to go reread some of my old books…!

Clara tiredly sighs: There you go again, getting hooked back up in your fantasies…It hasn’t even been a day yet…!

Mr. Springbottom: Hey, Clara…Do you remember what I said, about the ancient techniques that the warriors of the past used to do…?

Clara: The ones that you’ve read from your books? Yeah…Even if you were gone for six years, you always pestered me about your fantasies…! I couldn’t forget even if I wanted to…!

Mr. Springbottom grins merrily to himself again.

Mr. Springbottom: Well…Just yesterday…I think I got to experience one of them!!

Clara: Oh? Really? How lucky for you…Which one was it? – She says in a crass tone.

Mr. Springbottom “Hmphs,” softly to himself.

“It was the dragon’s roar”.