Yubara, the hot spring village where the request to defeat the demon was made, was a day's ride away from the capital.
　We stayed one night in a town on the way and arrived the next day before noon.
　From Yuvala at the base of the mountain, we could see a huge volcano. The mountain rises into the sky, with clouds hanging near its peak.

Whew. We're here at last.

　I got off the platform and stretched out.

Thank you. You've been very helpful again.
No, no. I don't have to worry about the monsters when I'm with the masters. Besides, they used to give me such a great reward.

　Your man smiles with a smile as he rubs his hands.
　He feels indebted to me for giving him several times the market price of the reward money when he was on his way to defeat the Ancient Dragon because of the risks involved.

''Take it easy until we return.
Yes. I'll have a dip in the hot spring too. Bathing together with your husband's beautiful daughters isn't so bad.
I won't let you do that while I'm black in the eye.
Ha, ha. I'm just kidding. So mister, please don't have a straight face. If someone as strong as you give me that look, I'm going to seriously pee my pants. ......

　I'm gonna have to be careful and keep my word.
　I'm not going to let my daughters get away with it. ...... Am I too stupid to be a parent?　No, but it's what any parent would do. Yeah.

"I hate my ass for sitting all day.
I know. I can't say I liked that carriage very much. I hurt all over. I need a soak in the hot springs to loosen up.
Would you mind if I... How about we beat the demon first?
It's okay. You can take a hot spring bath first. If you go into battle with an exhausted body, even a lower-ranked opponent might get a leg up on you, right?
Yeah, yeah. You have to be in tip-top shape to fight those demons!

　In front of Anna and Meryl, who were in a touristy mood, Elsa was outnumbered. They look towards me for reinforcements.

I'm going to meet with my client and get the details of what we're going to kill. You're welcome to take a dip in the hot springs as long as you wait.
That's my dad. That's so sweet! Anna is happy to hear that.
"But I wish I could go in there with you, Dad.
Then why don't you go in again after you've defeated the monster? It's not like you can only go in the hot springs once.
Oh. Right. Anna, you're so smart.
So let's get going... -See, Elsa. You don't have to be in here alone, do you?
...... ... Your father is too soft on you both.

　I mutter bitterly to myself.
　I think with a wry smile. She's wrong about one thing. It's not just the two of them that's sweet. She's sweet on all three girls, including Erza.
　Anna had just taken Elsa's hand and was heading to the hot springs with Meryl when I heard a voice calling them back. I heard a voice calling out to them.

"Traveler. Are you going to use the village hot springs?　So you might not want to do this now. . if you value your life.

　Standing in the path of the girls was an old man.
　He was bald and had a white beard on his chin. He wore a cloth robe and carried a wooden staff. He looked like a definite resident of the village.

What do you mean? Elsa asked.
Our village baths now emit a poisonous gas. The hot springs in my village now emit a poisonous gas... and if I tried to go in, it would kill me instead of heal me.
""What?"

　We looked at each other.

"Poison gas?
Hmm. Apparently there's a group of mole animals that live near the village, and they've been poisoning the waterways with poisonous gas that spews from the hot springs. Thanks to this, their business is up. The hot springs are the village's only tourist resource.


'Oh, that was a close one: ....... We almost died in the hot springs," said Anna, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead as she paled.
'We literally nearly ascended to heaven!
Meryl . It's not funny at all. ......

　Elsa laughed at Meryl and said dumbfounded.
　The old man said.

I sent a request to the Adventurer's Guild for a mission to take them down. ....... But we've been having financial difficulties and haven't been able to pay you enough money. And I never got any orders.

　But," the old man continued.

"At last someone was willing to take the mission. We've been waiting for these men and women for a long time.

　I chuckled at his words. Lower your head.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for your patience.
Are you sure you're not one of those adventurers?
Yes. Sorry it's taken so long, but I'm here.
'Oh!　Thank God for that!　I'm glad you're here!

　The old man's eyes widened and he took my hand.

You are the village's only ray of hope. I beg you to kill these foul demons and bring the hot springs back to this village.
I'll take care of it.
"Otherwise we wouldn't be able to get in the spa," said Meryl.
"You don't have anything to worry about. We have two of the most skilled men in the Adventurers' Guild. We'll kill the monster before you know it.
I'm counting on you.

　"I'm the mayor of this village," said the old man.

I'm the village chief of this village. When the hot springs are back, I will give you the inn for free and for a private bath.
Are you sure?
"It would be so much cheaper if the village spa was restored. But be careful. Those demons are tougher than you'd think. Even with the village cavalry in tow, they were no match for us. Carelessness, even for an adventurer, can lead to pain.

　I don't need to be told. though he's a lower-ranked opponent, a demon is still a demon. It's possible that we could lose our footing if we're not careful.
　It's best to brace yourself and put your best foot forward.