The Private Hot Spring and a Headbutt to Memory

‘Perhaps… those kidnappers were truly just after money?’

Despite her mental preparations before arriving, Gongliang Kuixi found a stark difference between imagining and witnessing the reality. The Mo family’s ‘humble abode’ left her utterly speechless.

This enormous European-style estate, with its towering fences and impenetrable steel plate lift gates, exuded an air of opulent grandeur and domineering power from every angle.

“Ha~ I was quite startled when I first arrived as well.”

Li Yue, observing her reaction, felt a sense of satisfaction, as it at least proved she hadn’t been an overly rustic bumpkin herself back then.

Only after the massive steel gate slowly descended did she guide Gongliang Kuixi towards the garage.

She added, a touch of melancholy in her voice, “The walls here tower above all the neighboring estates and villas. Mo Changhong spared no effort in his attempts to conceal his daughter’s existence, but ultimately, such a secret cannot be kept forever… Should those kidnappers ever expose the young lady’s presence, all these meticulously planned precautions would be rendered utterly meaningless.”

Gongliang Kuixi retorted, “We police aren’t simply twiddling our thumbs; how could we ever allow someone to treat her like a mere treasure chest?”

“Hmm, treasure chest?”

Li Yue, however, as if struck by a sudden thought, allowed a faint, heartfelt smile to grace her lips.

“Halin, the priest in my adventuring party, has an absolute fondness for opening treasure chests, particularly those that are locked. The more challenging the lock, the better, for he believes that a superior lock invariably guards more valuable treasures within.”

She uttered these words deliberately to Gongliang Kuixi, yet the latter remained utterly unconvinced.

“Has a new character emerged in your alternate-world delusions?”

Li Yue simply shrugged, before guiding her motorcycle into the garage.

She continued, “…You’ll discover for yourself whether it’s a delusion or not, in due time.”

The elder maid, Dong Lu, awaited them inside the garage, having thoughtfully prepared bath towels for them to dry themselves.

“You two must be quite exhausted.”

Li Yue, in particular, had foregone her riding gear, having rolled through the mud earlier. Consequently, she was utterly caked in grime, and her thin sun-protective jacket, along with the T-shirt beneath, clung damply to her form.

The rain had stopped.

The torrential downpour had persisted for a considerable duration.

It had even managed to dissipate the oppressive humidity in the air, ushering in a rare, welcome coolness for the summer season.

Yet, as the morning sun would inevitably ascend, people would undoubtedly be reminded of the dread of being subjected to the scorching heat once more.

“Thank you.”

Li Yue accepted the fresh towel, and Dong Lu continued, “The hot water has been prepared. Please, both of you, proceed directly to the hot springs.”

“Huh?”

Li Yue found herself quite baffled by this unexpected turn of events.

“Wait, we’re here to talk, aren’t we?”

“However, the Young Lady believes everyone is quite exhausted today,” Dong Lu replied with unwavering deference.

Compared to their previous encounter, her demeanor towards Li Yue now carried an additional layer of genuine, heartfelt respect.

“Discussing matters while bathing can also help relax both mind and body, and afterward, I shall prepare a late-night snack for everyone… Furthermore, it seems she wishes to speak with each of you individually, and has explicitly instructed both Xia Xi and me not to enter.”

Li Yue, naturally, understood the subject of discussion, but she had never anticipated having to share a bath with the Demon Lord once more.

‘Ale… *cough*, where’s Alezno?’

She had already gone in.

‘She actually agreed to bathe with the Demon Lord…’

‘No, more likely, the Demon Lord had employed the same deceptive tactics she’d used on me last time to lure her inside.’

Li Yue, pressing a hand to her forehead, turned to Gongliang Kuixi and inquired, “Officer, what are your thoughts? Shall we enter?”

“Why not? Since the Young Lady has extended such an invitation. Though, do wealthy households truly possess their own bathhouses?”

“It’s not a bathhouse, but rather a private hot spring,” Li Yue corrected her.

Truth be told, she herself wasn’t entirely sure what distinguished a bathhouse from a hot spring.

Gongliang Kuixi, however, possessed a rather uninhibited personality, and being a woman, she would naturally harbor no reservations about entering a women’s bathing area. The level of psychological preparation required for each of them was inherently disparate.

This unreserved nature prompted Li Yue to speculate, wondering if Gongliang Kuixi’s soul might belong to someone from the Hero’s party—specifically, her own sword instructor and the party’s warrior, Brit?

Brit, a disciple of the ‘Sword Saint,’ as he was revered throughout the kingdom.

His mastery of swordsmanship truly befitted such a grand title. The rigorous training methods he had imparted to Li Yue remained a steadfast part of her routine even after her return to Earth, marking him as a companion who was both a revered mentor and a cherished friend.

Should Gongliang Kuixi indeed be Brit’s reincarnation, it would be an immensely joyous discovery.

Under Dong Lu’s guidance, the two women departed the garage, their footsteps echoing softly on the marble-slabbed path that led them further into the expansive estate.

“I understand,” Li Yue conceded, “Then I shall accompany you inside.”

Only then did Li Yue finally manage to steel her resolve.

Having been tricked into it last time, the prospect of entering voluntarily now presented a subtle shift in her mental state.

Yet, the impending conversation held such crucial importance that she found herself compelled to make certain sacrifices… or perhaps, to unwillingly reap some benefits…

Besides, with Gongliang Kuixi and Alezno present, surely Mo Linyu, however unrestrained her personality, wouldn’t dare to overstep any psychological boundaries again, would she?

****

Shedding the clothes caked with mud from her earlier tumble, and after a swift, refreshing shower, Li Yue wrapped a bath towel around herself and slid open the door leading to the private hot spring.

A gentle mist of steam hovered above the hot spring, yet the air within the space remained pleasantly free of stifling humidity.

“Moon! Come save me!”

Then, Li Yue heard Alezno’s desperate cry for help, laced with a distinct tremor of despair.

“…What’s going on?”

She squinted, her gaze attempting to pierce through the swirling veil of steam.

The two were engaged in what appeared to be ‘playful antics’ within the hot spring—though, more precisely, Mo Linyu was embracing Alezno from behind.

This time, however, Li Yue found no need to tightly close her eyes or avert her gaze.

The circumstances had shifted considerably since their last encounter.

The mind-reading dialogue box now conveniently obscured Mo Linyu’s and Alezno’s chests, much like a digital mosaic.

Beyond her own form, she found herself utterly unable to perceive the ‘spring scenery’ of anyone else’s upper body. ‘Could this,’ she mused, ‘be the true reason this particular item remained tucked away, never to be gifted?’

“What are you two doing?”

“Moon, she’s practically the Demon Lord!”

‘Huh? Didn’t we already know that?’

Li Yue was, in fact, seriously contemplating whether to retreat to a guest room’s bathroom, complete her shower there, and then engage in conversation only after the others had emerged.

Her path of retreat, however, was firmly blocked by Gongliang Kuixi.

“What’s the matter, Miss Li Yue? You’ve already stepped inside, and now you wish to depart?”

Gongliang Kuixi, however, stood before her in a state of complete undress, boldly showcasing a physique with taut muscle lines that rivaled even Li Yue’s own.

Naturally, within Li Yue’s field of vision, the ever-present dialogue box conveniently hovered.

“…Where is your bath towel?” Li Yue inquired.

“Does one truly need to wrap themselves in a towel while soaking in a hot spring?”

A knowing smile played upon Gongliang Kuixi’s lips.

[Heh, this girl is still quite shy.]

Li Yue began to seriously question the propriety of conducting such a crucial discussion within a bathhouse.

Gongliang Kuixi placed a hand upon Li Yue’s shoulder, and the sudden, unexpected touch sent a shiver through Li Yue’s frame, before she was gently propelled towards the hot spring’s inviting waters.

“Welcome, Officer.”

Only then did Mo Linyu finally release the thoroughly flushed Alezno.

“Now, let us discuss the matter of your origins.”

“Huh? Aren’t we supposed to be discussing the kidnapping case?”

This abrupt shift in topic left Gongliang Kuixi feeling utterly bewildered.

“It’s rather complicated to explain. Therefore, Miss Ranger, please begin by attempting to recover your memories.”

At Mo Linyu’s request, however, Alezno awkwardly maneuvered herself through the water to Gongliang Kuixi’s side.

“Sorry…”

Then, like a submerged missile launching from below, she delivered a powerful headbutt to Gongliang Kuixi’s forehead.

Thud—