The plains, on the south side of the great mine where they faced the great army of dwarves, though the terrain had changed somewhat, peace returned. In the spring that finally arrived after the long winter, the wild plants are growing vigorously.
On the other hand, gray clouds are gathering above the great mine and the northern plains, and new snow continues to fall as if the season doesn’t matter. The weather was clearly divided by the boundary of the large mine’s foothills.
「Why is it so different between here and there?」
Lina-chan, who came to explore the great mine, looked puzzled as she gaze up at the snow clouds overhead.
「That’s because the mountain in the north was created by the snow God. Or so they say」
「God of snow? But there’s blizzard all the time, you can’t make a living here」
Although the area around the great mine had little snow, the further you advance to the snowfield the thicker and thicker the snow clouds become, bringing intense blizzard to the ground. Truly a world of death, where ice and snow rage.
In this world, these kinds of mysterious places remain in various parts of the world. Because they call it the Divine Domain, a place where God’s power remained, few people dare approach it. Monsters that inhabit that place are weak, and the Kiryu who are strong against the cold could endure it, but still, not many would wish to make this place their territory. I already knew that we can’t properly grow crops, and even if we brought people, they would freeze from the cold.
Seems like the area aroudn the large mine, especially the north side, hasn’t been explored that much until now.
Since it’s such an unpopular land, the knights’ patrols also stayed there and they rarely come to the north side. If they come, I can glance from above, and if there’s no abnormality, I ended it.
「Look, everyone, even though it’s hard to see from the sky, the hot springs are bubbling up here too」
Alec, who said he’d explore the north by walking, discovered a hot spring nobody discovered before. A secret hot spring gushing out hidden behind a large rock.
And there was another visitor there.
「What’s that, Alec? It looks weird」
「That’s a snow cattle! It’s rare to see a wild one up close」
Various wild animals, large and small, were soaking in the hot spring, but among them, a group of notably larger bodies was warming up right in the middle of the spring. A herd of cattle wrapped in long, pure white hair.
It’s an animal called snow cattle, which is strong against the cold. Their females give birth produce a large amount of milk that’s rich and delicious in flavor. It’s also a type of major livestock in the north.
「The food made with their milk is delicious」
「Nasha-chan loves her milk. I also like it because it’s delicious~」
「I see. I’m curious now」
Seeing the abundant parts of the two who loves the snow cattle milk, Sophie looked at her plains and looked back at the cattles with a serious look. The small animals were wary as they’re exposed to the dragon’s gaze, and the snow cattle are waiting to see what happens.
In an instant. Amidst the tense atmosphere, an intruder shattered the mood.
「You can’t be rough around the hot springs! Sophie-oneesama, you can’t get involved here! Everyone’s soaking in the hot spring, don’t interrupt」
Of course, Alec loves his hot springs. Anyone who misbehaves in the hot spring will get kicked out.
「Muu. Okay. I’ll do that after leaving the hot spring」
「As long as you understand」
Those who love hot springs are comrades, even though they’re different races. Its satisfying to be able to protect the snow cattle and other animals.
「While we’re at it, let’s all take a bath together! It would be a waste if we don’t enjoy this special open-air bath」
「Agreed! Let’s go in!」
「This might be interesting to bath together with the snow cattle once in a while」
「Ahahaha~ It’s my first time taking a bath with an animal~」
Once the dispute was over, the group of bath lovers won’t be able to miss this secret hot spring.
「There’s nobody around. No problems」
Only Alec and the girls were on the exploration. Since nobody comes to the north side of the mountain, there’s no need to set up watch. With that decided, they made their clothes disappear and headed to the hot spring.
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「Ooh. It’s mushy. This is warm」
「This small one too. It doesn’t have a great texture」
Perhaps because he stopped Sophie just now, Alec who had been recognized as a friend by the animals in the hot spring, reached out and stroked the fur of the snow cattle. It had a coarse hair like a wild animal, and underneath is fine hair growing densely, preventing moisture from penetrating. The small snow cattle Lina was touching is also the same.
After touching the snow cattle, they also went pet the other small animals. It’s probably the charm of the hot springs that the creatures in the snowy wilderness soaks on it happily.
「Phew…」
Sophie lets out a small sigh at the sigh of Alec buried among the animals.
Alec has become very strong. She saw him one-sidedly defeat the lord at the party. How many Kiryu are there can stop Alec who is equipped with the divine iron. He’s become strong that he makes you think that way.
(However, that only applies in close combat. If you take distance, you won’t win, but you won’t lose either)
The divine iron Odachi, which annihilates mana, and boost physical enhancement mean that Sophie will lose in close combat. However, if Sophie takes distance and attacks with Mana from the air… If she unbalances Alec’s footing, draw in the water, and use water to torture him like she did with the dwarves, maybe Sophie will win.
(She knows she would lose so close combat is a no-go. But if it’s long range, I have too much of an advantage. It’s not a fair game)
Our methods are too diferent so it won’t be a fair fight. The outcome is decided whether the initial position is close or far. Therefore, Sophie was troubled.
(If only Alec was stronger, if he were strong enough to beat me)
She won’t mind having a match if he got a little stronger.
(Hurry and start flying in the sky)
Sophie found herself overwhelmed by excitement while watching the boy leisurely enjoy the hot springs.
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After the bath, the mother snow cattle treated Alec and the girls with a glass of milk.
「Hmm, this milk is so good!」
Anastasia grabbed the freshly squeezed milk on her ice glass and took a sip.
After warming up in the hot spring, drinking the ice cold milk slowly soaks into her body, which was pretty flushed.
Alec managed to persuade the herd of snow cattle and successfully lured them to the underground of the great mines due to how delicious it was.
「I knew it, Alec likes the bigger breasts…」
Sophie was casting hot gazes on the large udders of the plump mother snow cattle.