After checking for any remnants and making sure we had killed every one of them, we headed back to the village of Yuvala.
　When we passed through the main gate, the village chief greeted us.
　We told him that we had destroyed the mole's evil web. We killed them all and the boss mole was with us.

I see. You killed them all right? I can't thank you enough. It's thanks to you two that our village will hold together.

　The chief took my hand and thanked me over and over again.
　The village now has its great tourist attraction back in the form of hot springs.

But by nightfall the toxins will have cleared away and we'll be able to go in. You men will have the first bath.
Thank you. So I'll take you up on your offer.

　We still have some time before night falls.
　The chief had already reserved a room at the most luxurious inn in the village, so we decided to go there and change into our yukata.
　Once we were in our cool clothes, we decided to explore the village.
　While we were shopping for souvenirs and tasting the local specialties, the sun was setting. A clawed crescent moon was floating in the night sky.

　The village headman took us to the hot spring at the back of the village.
　In front of the hot spring is a wooden building that serves as a changing room.
　Turn right and you will see the men's room. Turn left and it's for women.
　We split up on either side after talking to each other.
　Meryl was complaining that she was going in with her daddy, but Anna grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and dragged her away, saying she was coming with us.

　I smiled at that and then stepped into the changing room.
　I took off my yukata and put it in the basket.
　I opened the sliding door and stepped outside to see the hot spring. There it was, surrounded by rocks between the trees.
　A thick cloud of steam was wafting over the area.
　You rinse off the water and step into the bath. You dip your shoulders in the water. The warmth pervades my feet and my shoulders.

　I let out a gasp.
　The heavy rust that clings to your body seems to fall away.
　I love that we can rent this spacious outdoor bath to ourselves. As you were enjoying to your heart's content, you heard the door being opened.
　Is it someone else?　
　No, but the village chief said it's our charter today: .......

"Wow. It's huge!
Really. What a luxury to be renting out such a beautiful place.
I can't remember the last time I was in a spa.

　Hmm?　There was a voice that sounded familiar to me: .......
　When I looked over the steam, I saw my three daughters there.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.
　How in the world are they in the same bath as me?
　I look towards the door where my daughters are coming in. It says "women's changing room. I see. The changing room is separate from the hot spring, but the inside is a mixed bathing area.
　You're relieved to know that I didn't make a mistake.

　But what about taking a bath with a girl her age?　Plus, they'll be able to spread their wings more slowly without me.
　Okay. Let's just get out of the tub and come back in later. .......
　Fortunately, the hot spring is very steamy. We can get back to the changing room without being seen.
　That's when I was about to set up a stealth mission to get back to the changing room without the girls finding me.

"Oh. It's Daddy.

　Meryl pointed in my direction and screamed.
　My heart skipped a beat.
　Elsa and Anna's eyes turned to me all at once.

'Huh?　Where?
The steam is too thick to see: ......

　Not yet. They haven't been able to catch sight of me. I mean, how did Meryl manage to find me in the steam?

Windblown!

　Hey!　Don't use wind magic here!
　A gust of wind blew and the steam that had been covering my form was ripped away. We face a world where everything is washed away.

............
............

　Elsa and Anna often freeze, and then

Why is your father here?


No, it looks like the spa is a mixed bath. See, there's a door to the men's changing room on the other side of the door you came in through.
"Yeah. 'Oh, right . 'You should have put a note in the doorway,' muttered Anna, looking towards the man's changing room.
'So what was Dad trying to get out of the hot water for?'
When you guys got out of the spa, I thought I'd go back in. I don't think you guys are gonna have much trouble stretching your wings if I'm around.
What are you talking about. It's stinking of water. Why don't you come in with us. You know what? And Anna asks the other two girls to agree.
"Yes. I have no objection to bathing with you, father.
I've always wanted to go in there with my dad. Lucky me.

　And Meryl hugged me like a puppy.

But first, Meryl needs to wrap a towel around your body: ......
"?　How did you do that?
A girl her age shouldn't show her skin in public.
Hmm. You sound like an uncle," Anna teases me. I'm at the age of a great uncle.
I only show my naked body in front of you, remember?

　It's not okay!
　Rather, it's because it's not the most, okay?

Anyway, I'm gonna go wash up.

　I got out of the bath and went to the washroom. I sat down in the chair. I turned around and asked him stupidly.

"Why are you guys following me?
I thought, since it's a family gathering, I might as well give my dad a good pat on the back.

　Anna said with a smile.
　Elsa and Meryl, who were standing beside her, nodded.

'Oh, come on . Come on . It's indeed awkward to have the Guildmaster, the Knight Commander, and the Wise Master flush my back.''
I left my title in the dressing room at King's Landing. We're father and daughter now. Isn't there anything funny about that?
Let us have a little filial duty once in a while.
You can spoil us, too.

　The girls weren't going to back down.
　I hate to insulate them from the hospitality of others.

All right. So I'll do you a favor.

　I smiled bitterly, and ended up having my back washed away.
I sat down on a chair and Elsa washed my back with a lather of soap. The girls washed my back for me.

But I never thought they'd grow up to be so great. It just never ceases to amaze me how fast time flies.

　Maybe it's because I'm unprotected in the bathhouse, an unclothed environment.
　I whispered to myself sullenly.

Now I'm reminded of a grown child washing his or her parent's back and thinking that the back that was once so big is now so small.
I don't know what you're talking about. You're still working hard.

　Anna said dismissively.

That's right. Your father's back is as big now as it was when I was a little girl. Nothing has changed.
And yet, you're an adventurer with no scars on your back. I'm surprised.
"I love the way your father's bravery shows through. Your back. I hope to do the same someday.
Hey, Dad. Next time I want you to wash me... of course you'll have to wash me by hand.
"Meryl. You said earlier that you wish your daddy would spoil you more. How can you spoil yourself, Dad?
Me and my dad have a sweet and indulgent relationship with each other.

　And Meryl scowled as she addressed her finger to her cheek.

"People say it's called husband and wife. Mmmmmm.
I'm not. You and your father are my daughter and my father.
For now. For now.
"Meryl. What do you mean by that?　Do you intend for your father and Meryl to be more than father and daughter in the future?


Hmm?　Yes, but?
'No!　We can't allow that to happen between family members!
It's okay. My father and I may be family, but we're not blood relatives. You can have a baby with me if you want to.

　Meryl then held up a finger as if an idea came to her.

"Oh. That's right. Why don't we all just have dads and kids?　And that way we'd have a bigger family and more fun.
'Yeah!　A child between your father and us!

　At Meryl's suggestion, Elsa's face was red and upset.

Anna cowered her shoulders, "I don't know what you're talking about anymore," she said, "but I don't know what you're talking about. 'Aside from Meryl, me and Elsa don't have time to raise kids.
Then why don't I raise Anna and Elsa's kid? Anybody who has the time can raise them.
"That certainly makes sense. Collective parenting. Or maybe Elsa and I could take turns taking maternity leave.
Hey, hey!　You're not there!

　You'll have to object to the fact that you're going to marry me first!
　I couldn't help but chuckle.
　My daughters had grown up to be fine over the past decade or so, but the only thing that didn't seem to have changed was that they were still severely fatherless.