Mostly, this covers the time around episodes 428 to 488 of the main story, during Celesta Rapal's travels.

"The snow has been melting rapidly over the past few days."

The wind blowing through the tavern window was cold, yet Sebory leaned against the windowsill with such apparent comfort that he narrowed his eyes contentedly.

Hannah, the tavern's proprietress known as "Okasan," replied while busying herself with preparations.

"There will still be stubborn patches of ice in the northern shade, so watch out. Freshcomers often get lured into cheerful picnics and fall right into that trap."

"Oh. They don't notice the frozen ground before crouching down."

"You only have to check once to realize it. If you decide to rest, you assume you'll find shade somewhere. But since the surroundings are completely overgrown with grass now, they end up doing it anyway. And then, a little while later..."

"Ahhhahaha. Elf sure aren't that dumb."

"Really? Well, considering we've never even met but have lived side by side, perhaps my lecture came off as presumptuous."

"Well, that's roughly how it is. Besides, I and Oregano look like young girls around sixteen or seventeen by human standards, but we're actually nearly thirty years old!"

"Oh?"

"...Well, let's just say that keeping this from my master. Emotions that are incredibly difficult to express precisely arise because of having a 'halfway human-like age'."

"Maybe."

"Just so you know, elves under one hundred are basically treated like children? We certainly aren't any more childish than anyone else, right?"

Sebory's desperate attempts at self-defense made Hannah burst out laughing.

"Hehehehe, I understand, I get it. Besides, Sebory and Oregano-chan don't think of us as kids either. Even if you're past your twenties, there are still brats around. Look at Keir from Mr. Lindon's house."

"It's complicated to be called 'adult' when compared to him..."

Among the tavern regulars, Keir proudly boasted a childishness—or rather, pettiness—far superior to others. Would it be flattering to be told he was more responsible than Keir?

While chatting like this, someone cheerfully slammed open the front door with a clang and entered: Cyute.

"Meeeow!"

"Hey, Cyute! Don't use 'meeow' as a greeting."

"Nyy... o-ha-yo-u gozai-mas..."

"Good, good."

Sebory, "For something like this, saying 'thank you for your hard work' would be fine, right? It's hardly even morning anymore."

"But Hilda-san said that in the business world, there are no nights or days; the moment one starts work is considered their morning, so they always say 'good morning.'"

"I don't know what industry it is, but I have mornings and evenings here too. I'd like to hear the morning greeting when morning comes."

"Meeeow!"

"Cyute! Don't use 'meeow' as a way to get my attention. Speak properly instead of just saying it."

"Meeeow..."

"Don't even use it as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

"Sebory... if you can distinguish all that from the same 'meeow', wouldn't it be fine to just leave it as is?"

"No way. If we don't teach proper manners to young people, what's the point? And using 'meeow-meeow' just because you have cat ears is both unprincipled and manipulative. Relying only on short-range attacks! Learn your shame!"

Sebory clenched his fists and delivered a passionate speech.

"I don't really get it, but Cyute, listen to Sebory's words in moderation."

"Meeeow."

"No, so stop saying 'meeow'! You were listening to what I said, weren't you?"

"Somehow I couldn't understand it properly."

The tavern remained peaceful once again today.

"In fact, this is the first spring we've spent in Poruka."

"Hmm. Did I forget that? That's right."

Around the same time, Arnie Boyd was finishing up her morning paperwork. Fennel approached and poured a cup of tea for Irina while striking up small talk. "So, you and your group appeared at Polka around late autumn last year, yes?" "Yes indeed. It was already when the snow began to fall... " "Did neither of you venture out into the forest?" "I had been out several times, mostly handling communications between ourselves and Mist Palace. But I couldn't go near civilization with my skinny arms that couldn't even draw a bow." "That's because you were quite irascible then," Fennel chuckled. "Oh yes. So now... it's almost like flowers are sprouting from the snow as if they've been revived; this is hardly ever. Isn't it wonderful how the land behaves according to the seasons?" "Indeed. The eternal spring of the northern forest is beautiful in its own way, but perhaps it's just like a blacksmith's hammer forging iron—cold autumns and winters along with warm springs and summers are what forge the life of this outer world." She sank deeply into a chair far too large for her, dangling her legs while unconsciously stroking the collar at her neck. Fennel laughed softly at her gesture. "What?" "Well, since we're talking about blacksmithing, I just happened to touch my collar like that." "...I suppose you couldn't help it. You must associate it with the same people, after all." "Oh yes... My dear master, what is he doing these days?" "Let's see. There are too many places Celesta has never even heard of. Well, wherever she sleeps, her accommodations must be first-class, I suppose." "A little bit envious," Irina admitted with a smile. "Indeed. It's utterly frustrating, Kristy. With winter work having almost no urgency at all, you'd think she wouldn't drag us back just because she can't move around freely due to her position." Irina began to complain aloud, but the elf ears of Fennel were much more acute than those of humans. "You're Polka's official Ambassador of Goodwill, Head of the White Clan? Since you've taken upon yourself that responsibility, I worry greatly if you'll keep delegating full authority to a mere proxy from another clan like myself too frequently." At that moment, Kristy entered the office from outside in a perfectly natural manner. Fennel's eyes widened slightly in fear, and Irina's lips curled into an awkward grimace. "You won't run into situations requiring such full authority at Polka often enough. We're on this remote frontier, and Mist's dragons are coming and going right here." "Problems arise precisely when one becomes careless to begin with! Moreover, if everything can be resolved by brute force alone, what's the point of having an Ambassador of Goodwill in the first place?" "Mm... I see..." "Besides, constantly following someone around isn't a woman's true strength. Sometimes it takes being apart to make a bond between men and women even stronger. Like forging iron with cold and heat," Kristy replied. "Mm... well, I can't deny the logic there. But..." "If you keep coming along, in a group where so many other women exist, you'll have to be careful not to attract your master's attention when he already has duties elsewhere? Being exhausted from traveling puts us at a disadvantage compared to physically fit warriors. Wouldn't it be better to do all the preparations ourselves, wait for him with perfect readiness, and then provide special pleasures exactly when the timing is right? Don't you think that would appeal much more strongly?" "...That's quite cunning... I mean, sly," Irina muttered, somewhat flustered. "No matter how many times you rephrase it, you're still no better at saying things, are you, Irina?" "I... I admit as much. Please don't get all riled up." While Kristy managed a cheerful smile, her voice carried an undercurrent of fear. Irina quickly tried to excuse herself with a panicked tone. "But in reality, we—the ones staying behind—simply can't compete with the accompanying group regarding the quantity of service provided... The quality is certainly something," she added weakly. Feeling the tension easing and thinking that pivoting the conversation away from staying put would be better overall, Fennel chimed in helpfully. Kristy nodded in agreement. "If we want this Polka to become the place you most desire to return to first, I think we need to focus our service efforts strategically. For instance... since your master seems to enjoy well-orchestrated group sex, we could put some thought into making that happen specifically." "Our four-family estate is originally separated from other homes, so we're quite suited for such things. Perhaps we should try waiting in attire designed to incite his lust?" "Lust? Do you mean having them make us out of brothel-style garments or even using oregano as a fabric?" "That sounds nice too! Actually, putting up a sign might be good: 'Elf Territory Public Brothel' or something like that." "If we keep this secret... wait, if word gets out to other clans, they'll get furious and turn red with rage!" "Of course, once the sign is up, won't you become one of our prostitutes too, Lady Irina?" Fennel teased happily with a wicked grin. Irina hesitantly nodded, though she didn't seem particularly upset by the joke.

"Well, well, if only Master Samsyn is the sole customer... it might not be a bad idea to occasionally take off that collar and try selling our springtime pleasures for a change."

"Everyone gets bought for a single coin and used freely to satisfy their carnal desires. It could even be fun to restrict the play on purpose and say, 'The rest costs extra' ♪"

"Hmm. That sounds good, not bad at all... Naturally, Kristy will be part of this too?"

"I don't know... I feel like it might make me stand out in this setting..."

"Then how about Kristy partners with Lady Lyra, the Glory Princess, Lady Hilda, and others to set up a different brothel? It would have its own unique style compared to ours."

"It feels like they're treating me as an older woman..."

"N-nothing of the sort. The Glory Princess and Lady Lyra aren't all that different from me!"

The backroom plan for Andy's exclusive use.

Later, it would even drag in the cat-beasts' "Cat Mansion," leading to Jeanne having special coins minted just for them—a story for another time.

And somehow, a certain prostitute named Tark ends up involved as a technical advisor, though that, too, shall be omitted for now.

"For now, aside from everything else, I'd say the thing I miss most after returning to this polka is the hot springs."

"Hmm. Indeed. There's something indescribable about that feeling where travel fatigue melts away with an audible sigh and flows off like water."

"I've been thinking it's finally time to stop being so sneaky and start serving Master directly through the hot springs."

"What? But whether it's the men's or women's bath, we can't completely turn away other customers. Getting permission from the Baron for any modifications to the water source divisions is far too awkward."

"At this point, I think the best answer is sealing it off with a barrier prison."

Irina and Fennel, offering the common-sense reply.

"That's true, but actually, there might be a possibility of building a hot spring outside the town itself."

"Really?"

"A bit inside the forest, just before the ancient barrier lies—a source point located about two kilometers from the town. The Baron seems to have known of its existence for a long time, but since it's deep in the woods, he left it untouched out of concern for offending the elves... But since we're elves ourselves, that problem is gone..."

"You want to claim that spot, then?"

"So uncouth. When I asked the Baron if he wouldn't allow us to use it, he said, 'Since the townsfolk already have hot spring baths nearby, they surely won't venture all the way deep into the forest.' That means if we set up our own bath there independently, it could become a private bath exclusively for serving Master. Though..."

"But?"

"We can't use anyone else's hands for construction if that's the goal."

"Aaaarrrgggh..."

"Indeed... It would be hard to ask Elf masters to do something secretly, even though we need them."

Humans probably wouldn't deliberately trek deep into such a confusing forest just to find hot springs, but for elves, openly announcing its location inevitably means people will come. All the springs on the Trot side are technically the Baron's property (procedurally speaking), so once someone asks for permission to enter, we can only nod.

The three elves, all thinking it would be nice to use this place freely for naked encounters with Andy and now scratching their heads over how to pull it off:

"I hear Diane is good at architecture—what do you think? When will they finally have the free time to build such a thing?"

"Before that, aren't we short on manpower? We can't just lazily rely on dragon-sized bodies inside the forest..."

"If we take our time, maybe we can manage it ourselves. As long as there's an easy-to-clean bathtub and a changing shed where clothes can be stored, right?"

"We'd also need serpentine channels to cool the spring water to the right temperature. Ideally, tap in cold water from somewhere nearby so adjustments are easier..."

"You're greedy! We don't have enough expertise. Kristy, haven't you studied that kind of knowledge at all?"

"At least I haven't trained wielding a hammer..."

The three of them quietly brainstorming various ideas.

And then, the ears of the half-elf who heard their plans are far sharper than those of humans.

"You must be having troubles!"

"If it's something with Andy, we'll get called in."

With a slam of the door and a face full of confidence walking out come Selen, heavily pregnant and belly heaving, and Jeanne holding Peter close.

(To Be Continued)

This is a story set roughly between episodes 428 and 488 of the main series, during Celesta Lapal’s travel period.

"It seems like the snow melted all at once in just these past few days."

The wind blowing through the tavern's window was cold, but Cebory leaned her upper body against the windowsill, squinting her eyes with a look of contentment.

Hearing this, Hana, the tavern keeper commonly known as "the proprietress," replied while continuing to prepare the food.

"Beware that there are still stubborn patches of ice left in the shady spots on the north side. Newcomers often get lured by the sunny weather into having picnics and fall right into those traps."

"Ahh. They don't notice the frozen ground and end up sitting down right on it."

"If you checked first, you'd realize it. But because they have this fixed mindset that 'if I'm resting, it's under a tree's shade,' and the surrounding area has completely turned into open grassland, they just go ahead and do it. Then, after a while—'Hiah!' goes down."

"Ahhaha. Surely elves wouldn't be that clumsy."

"Is that so? Well, when you think about it, we haven't encountered such cases; we've just been living side by side. My little sermon might have been a bit presumptuous."

"Well, I suppose so. Besides, I and Oregano look like young women of sixteen or seventeen by human standards, but actually, we're close to thirty?"

"Oh my."

"...Keep that secret from my master. Apparently, when you reach an age that's halfway plausible for a human, very hard-to-define emotions tend to arise."

"That might be so."

"Let me tell you, elves under the age of 100 are basically treated like children, right? It's not as if we're exceptionally child-like!"

Cebory desperately defended herself, and Hana couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hee hee hee, I get it, I get it. Besides, I don't think you or Oregano are kids either. There are people over twenty who are still brats, aren't there? Look at Kyle from the Ryndon household."

"It's complicated being called an adult when compared to him..."

Kyle boasted of a childishness—or rather, pettiness—that stood out even among the tavern's regulars. Could they really take being told they were more reliable than him as a compliment?

While they were talking like that, Cuted opened the front door with a cheerful clang and came in.

"Meow~!"

"Hey, Cuted. Don't use 'meow' as a greeting."

"Nyu... uh, g-good morning~"

"Good girl."

"Cebory, wouldn't something like 'good job' be better in these places? It's not even morning yet, after all."

"No, but according to Hilda-san, in the industry there is no night or day, so the time you start working is considered your morning, which is why you always use 'good morning.'"

"I don't know what kind of industry that is, but we have both morning and night here, and I'd like you to do morning greetings in the morning."

"Meow~"

"Cuted! Don't use 'meow' as a substitute for a name. Speak properly!"

"Meow~..."

"Don't use it as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

"Cebory... if you can distinguish so many nuances from just one 'meow,' wouldn't it be easier to just let her keep doing it?"

"No way. You have to teach young ones proper manners. And being cheeky by just having cat ears is one thing, but saying 'meow meow' is deviously cute to a fault! Stop using gimmicks and learn some shame!"

Cebory clenched her fists and delivered a fiery speech.

"I don't really get it, but Cuted, listen to Cebory to a certain extent."

"Meow~"

"There! So I told you not to say 'meow'! Did you hear what I said?!"

"I didn't quite get it~"

The tavern was peaceful today as well.

"Actually, this is our first Polka spring."
"Hmm. That must be so, then."

Around the same time, Irina had finished her morning paperwork and was enjoying a cup of tea prepared by Fennel, engaged in casual conversation.

"When you all emerged from Polka, was it about last year's late autumn?"

"That is correct. It was around the time the snow started falling..."

"Had you never ventured out of the forest before then?"

"I made several attempts... partly due to my role in maintaining contact with Misty Palace. However, with weak arms that couldn't even draw a bow, I wasn't able to reach the human settlements."

"It must have been hard for a slave," Fennel murmured softly.

"Yes. Which is why this is nearly the first time I've had the opportunity to see grass and flowers budding up from the snow, as if reviving. It's wonderful, isn't it? The earth's activity in accordance with the seasons."

"Mm. The eternal spring of the Northern Forest is beautiful in its own way, but just as a blacksmith's hammer tempers iron, it may be that the cold autumn and winter and warm spring and summer temper the lives of those on the outside."

Irina sat sunk deep in an oversized chair for her frame, swinging her legs idly while unconsciously stroking the collar at her throat. Seeing this gesture, Fennel let out a faint chuckle.

"What?"

"Talking about blacksmithing makes me touch the collar. It's just a reflex."

"...I suppose that can't be helped. You and I likely associate it with the same person."

"Yes... What is Master doing right now?"

"Well, Celesta has too many places unknown to us for that. Still, I imagine his bed is quite crowded wherever he is."

"I feel a bit jealous."

"Mm. Honestly, that Christy, winter work hardly has any urgency, yet because she can't run around herself due to her position, she keeps wawa held up here too."

Irina began grumbling bitterly, but elf ears are far more acute than human ones.

"Are you the formal Ambassador of Friendship for Polka, Lord White Clan Chief? You took on that responsibility yourself, so it's inconvenient when you delegate full authority so frequently to someone from another clan who is merely a proxy."

Christy came naturally into the office from outside.

Fennel widened her eyes and flinched slightly, while Irina puckered her lips, looking rather embarrassed.

"Things requiring full authority likely won't come up often in Polka. It's this remote frontier, and Misty's dragons are coming and going."

"The problem usually arises when one lets their guard down. Besides, if everything could be solved with brute strength, what would be the point of an Ambassador of Friendship?"

"Mm, mmm..."

"Moreover, constantly tagging along isn't a woman's only talent. Sometimes, separating is what makes a man and woman's bond stronger. Just like tempering iron with cold and heat."

"Mm... well, I suppose that logic is sound enough. But..."

"If you tag along, you have to attract Master's attention in the first place, even though there are already many other women around. And he has other missions. Travel fatigue works against you compared to warriors who are physically fit. Don't you think it would be more persuasive to prepare thoroughly and wait for his return, saving your best pleasures for the right moment?"

"...That is quite cunning... I mean, crafty of you."

"Even rephrased, it doesn't get much better, Irina."

"I, I acknowledge it. So please don't get so worked up."

Christy maintained her smile, but her voice took on a slightly frightening tone, prompting Irina to hastily offer an explanation.

"But actually, those of us who stay behind can't match the accompanying group in the quantity of service... It's a matter of quality, certainly."

Noticing that the atmosphere had softened and deciding it was better to steer the conversation toward getting Irina settled down, Fennel chipped in.

Christy nodded.

"To make them think of this Polka as the place they most want to return to, I think we need to target our service carefully. For example... Master enjoys clever group sex, so we could focus on that aspect."

"Our house is originally separated from the others by distance, so we are well-suited for such things... Shall we try waiting in a manner that stirs Master's baser desires?"

"Basal desires? Are you going to have Oregano make us courtesan costumes?"

"That sounds good too. Oh, putting up a sign might be fun as well. Something like 'Elves' Marquessate Public Brothel.'"

"If we don't keep it discreet and another clan hears about it, they'll turn red with anger."

"Of course. And if we put up the sign, you'll become one of our courtesans too, won't you, Lady Irina?"

Fennel spoke with a pleased expression, enjoying a bit of playful mischief. Irina, not looking entirely displeased herself, nodded hesitantly.

"Well, if it were only Master Smaison as the guest... perhaps taking off the collar every now and then and peddling our charms wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"After all, everyone's bought with a single coin and used to satisfy their lust freely. It might even be fun to restrict the play by saying something like 'There's an extra charge past this point'♪"
"Hmm. That sounds good, not bad at all... Naturally, Christie would join in, right?"
"I'm not sure if I'd feel out of place, though..."
"In that case, how about Christie teams up with Lady Lyra, the Princess of Glory, and Lady Hilda to open a separate brothel? The vibe would be completely different from ours."
"I feel like I'm being treated as an old maid..."
"N-no, don't worry about it. Lady Lyra and the Princess of Glory are not much older than me."

Andy's Exclusive Back-Alley Brothel Plan.
This later evolved to include the cat-beastfolk's "Cat House," eventually realized by having Jeanne mint dedicated coins for the purpose, but that is a story for another time.
Also, one of Talkur's prostitutes was involved in providing technical guidance, but again, that part is omitted.

"Setting that aside, if there's one thing I miss more than anything upon returning to Polka, it must be the hot springs, don't you think?"
"Mm-hmm. Indeed. The sensation of travel fatigue melting away with a sound is something indescribable."
I think it about time we stopped sneaking around and properly served your master in the baths, wouldn't you?
"That's true. However, whether it's the men's or women's bath, we can't completely shut out other customers. Moreover, asking the Baron for permission regarding branch pipe installation from the water source would be far too awkward."
"In the current situation, isn't a barrier prison the most sensible answer?"

Irina and Fennel providing the common-sense answers.
"That's true. But actually, there might be a possibility of creating hot springs outside the town as well."
"What?"
"If you go slightly into the forest, there's an outcrop point located before the ancient barrier. It seems to be about two kilometers away from the town. The Baron has known of its existence for a long time, but since it's in the middle of the forest, he left it alone considering it might be a provocation to the Elves. But... since we are the elves, that problem is gone now, right..."
"You're trying to steal that?"
"How rude. When I consulted with the Baron on whether we could use it, he said, 'The townspeople have hot springs nearby, so they wouldn't go all the way deep into the forest.' In other words, if we set up a private bathing facility there ourselves, it might become an exclusive bath for serving your master. Just... that..."
"That?"
"We can't use others' hands for construction, right? Given such a purpose."
"Ah... that's true."
"It is indeed so... Even if we rely on the Elves' homeward teacher, it would be difficult to say we need to keep it secret."

Humans likely wouldn't venture deep into the easily confusing forest for hot springs, but from an Elf's perspective, making the location public would inevitably lead some to come look. Since all springs in the Trot Domain are (procedurally) considered the Baron's property, if they were asked to let them in, he'd have no choice but to agree.
Sharing the intent to use it comfortably for their naked trysts with Andy, the three elves racked their brains.
"I hear Diane is also skilled in architecture. What do you think? When will we have time to build such a thing?"
"Isn't the bigger problem a lack of manpower? In the forest, we can't get away using the Dragon's massive body for leverage..."
"If we take our time, couldn't we do it ourselves? We just need an easy-to-clean bathtub and a changing room to store clothes, right?"
"We'd also need meandering channels to cool the hot spring water to a suitable temperature. If possible, we should draw cold water from somewhere to make adjustments easier..."
"Trying to be ambitious without sufficient specialized knowledge is not good. Christie, do you not study in that field?"
"At least I haven't practiced swinging a golden hammer..."

The three whispered around, coming up with various plans.
And the half-elf ears capable of hearing such whispers are far superior to human ones.
"You seem troubled!"
"If it's Andy-related, you can count on us."

With a loud bang of the door opening, Selen emerged wearing a confident expression while supporting her full-term belly, followed by Jeanne holding Peter in her arms.

(To be continued)

This is basically the story of Celesta Lapar's trip, around episode 428 to 488.

"Looks like all that snow has melted in just a few days."

Sebory leaned against the window frame as he gazed out at the cold wind blowing through the tavern’s windows. He closed his eyes and appeared quite comfortable.

Hannah, the tavern owner also known as "the landlady," replied while preparing food.

"Still, be careful of the frozen ground in the shade on the north side. People who’ve just arrived often get lured into having a picnic there."

"Oh yeah. They don’t notice the frozen ground and sit down on it."

"They should check first, but they decide to rest under trees or think that everything around them is grass so they end up sitting on it. Then after a while they scream."

"Ahaha. Elves wouldn't make such a silly mistake."

"Really? Well, maybe we just didn’t run into each other because we lived next door all along, huh?"

"Yeah, something like that. And you know, even though people see me and Oregano as 16 or 17-year-old girls by human standards, we’re actually close to thirty?"

“Oh?”

“...Well, my master doesn’t know about this. But apparently, humans at around this age tend to feel a very difficult-to-express emotion.”

“I guess so.”

“Just so you know, elves under 100 years old are basically treated like kids? We’re not particularly childish, though, right?”

Hannah couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Sebory’s desperate defense.

“Hehehe, I get it, I get it. And besides, neither me nor Origan think you guys are kids. There are plenty of people older than twenty who still act like brats. Like Kiel from the Landon family.”

“It’s complicated to be called an adult when compared to him...”

Kiel was easily the most childish—or rather, immature—of the regulars at the tavern. Being considered more mature than him wasn’t necessarily a compliment.

Just as they were talking about this, Cutey cheerfully opened the front door and came in.

“Nya!”

“Hey, Cute. Don’t use ‘nya’ as a greeting.”

“Nya… G-good morning”

“That’s better.”

“Sebory, isn’t it okay to say something like ‘good work’ instead? It’s not even morning anymore.”

“W-well, Hilda said that in the industry there are no nights or days, so people greet each other with ‘good morning’ whenever they start working.”

“I don’t know what kind of industry you’re talking about, but we have mornings and nights here. I’d like to hear a proper morning greeting when it’s actually morning.”

“Nya…”

“Cute! Don’t use ‘nya’ as an address either. Speak properly!”

“Nya….”

“And don’t use it instead of saying ‘yes’!”

"Sebory. …If you can tell the difference between ‘meow’ and that, maybe it’s okay to just leave them as they are?"

"That won’t do. Young ones need to be taught manners. And besides, saying meow just because of cat ears is a bit too much. Stop using cheap tricks!"

Sebory was holding her fist up while passionately lecturing.

"I don’t really get what you’re talking about, but cute, listen to Sebory’s words."

"Meow."

"You there! Don’t say ‘meow’ again! Are you even listening?"

"I didn’t really understand anything."

The tavern was peaceful as always.

"Actually, this is our first spring in Polka."

"Hmm. I see, that makes sense."

Around the same time, after finishing her morning paperwork, Irina was chatting with Fennel while he made tea.

“Was it around late autumn last year when you came out to Polka?”

“Yes. It had already started snowing…”

“Have you ever left the forest?”

“I have a few times… I also served as a liaison between Misty Palace and the outside world. But with my weak arms, I couldn’t draw a bow, so I never ventured into human settlements.”

“Silver was quite restless back then.”

“Yes. So this is the first time for me to see grass and flowers sprouting like they’re reborn from the snow. Isn’t it wonderful how the earth’s activities change according to the seasons?”

“Aye. While the eternal spring of the northern forest is beautiful, perhaps the cold winters and warm summers outside shape life just as a blacksmith shapes iron with his hammer.”

Irina was seated in a chair that was too big for her, dangling her legs while absentmindedly stroking the collar around her neck. Fennel chuckled at this.

“What’s so funny?”

"Since we were talking about blacksmithing, I couldn’t help but stroke the collar."

"...Well, it’s understandable. You’d think of the same person too."

"Yes... Master, what do you think you’re doing?"

"I wonder. Celesta has so many places we don’t know about. Well, wherever she is, her bed must be crowded with people."

"That sounds a bit envious."

"Mm. Truly, Christine, even though your winter work isn’t urgent at all, just because you can’t move around yourself due to your position, you’ve stopped me too."

Iryna started complaining loudly, but elf ears were much better than human ones.

"You’re the official Polka ambassador and head of the White Clan? If you take on that responsibility yourself, you shouldn’t keep delegating full authority to someone like me who’s just a representative for another clan so often."

Christine entered the office naturally from outside.

Fennel widened her eyes in fear, while Iryna pouted unhappily.

"I doubt we'll ever have to use our full authority in Porca. Besides, there are Misty's dragons around here."

"That's exactly when problems arise. If all it took was brute strength, what would be the point of being an ambassador?"

"Mu... Muu..."

"It's not just about following a man everywhere. Sometimes distance can strengthen a relationship. Just like how cold and heat forge iron,"

"Mm... Well, I suppose there is some logic to that. But..."

"If you follow him around, in a place where he already has many women vying for his attention, you'd have to compete with them while also dealing with the fatigue of travel. Wouldn't it be more effective to prepare yourself fully and wait for your chance to offer something special?"

"...You're quite cunning... or perhaps just petty."

"You haven't improved much by rephrasing that, Irian?"

"I-I admit it's true. Don't get so worked up over it,"

Irian hurriedly defended herself against the slightly menacing tone in Christie's voice while she still smiled.

"But in reality, the amount of service we can provide isn’t as much as those who are accompanying him... It’s about quality, right? Indeed." The atmosphere relaxed a bit and Fennel thought it better to steer the conversation towards Iryna sitting down. She chimed in.

Christie nodded.

"If we want Porca to be the place our master wants to return to first, then we need to carefully consider how to serve him. For example... Our master likes clever group sex, so maybe we should put some thought into that."

"Our house is already separated from others, so it’s suitable for such things... Should we wait in provocative outfits to stir his lust?"

"Lust? Are you going to have Oregano make us clothes like prostitutes?"

"That sounds good too. Oh, and putting up a sign might be nice. Like ‘Elven Province Public Brothel’."

"If we don’t keep it secret, the other clans will get red-faced and angry when they hear about it."

"Of course, if we put up a sign, Iryna-sama would become one of our prostitutes too, right?"

Fennel spoke with a mischievous grin. Iryna nodded hesitantly but didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea.

"Well, if only Lord Smisson is to be the customer... perhaps it wouldn't be too bad to take off my collar and sell spring for a change."

"Everyone would buy you with just one coin and use you however they want. It might be fun to limit certain plays and say 'Anything beyond this point will cost extra,' right?"

"Hmm, good, not bad... Of course, Chris蒂也会参加吧？"

"I don't know if I'd fit in..."

"Then why don't you set up another brothel with Lila or the Glorious Princess Hilda? It would be a different kind of fun."

"It feels like they're treating me as an old maid..."

"That's just your imagination. The Glorious Princess and Lila aren't that much older than I am, after all."

Andy’s private brothel project.
It later involved the catkin people in their "Cat House," and even had Joan mint a special coin for it, but that’s another story altogether.
And somewhere along the line, a certain prostitute from Talc got involved as well, but let's leave that out.

"That aside, if there's anything I miss about being back in Porca, it has to be the hot springs."

"Hmm. Indeed, that feeling of your travel fatigue washing away with a sound is indescribable."

"I wonder if we can't do our service without sneaking around when healing my master at the hot spring?"

"What? But whether it's men or women, I cannot completely keep out other guests. Also, asking for permission from Baron to divert water from the source would be awkward."

"Considering all this, wouldn't a barrier prison be the best solution?"

Iriena and Fenner gave reasonable answers.

"That's true, but actually, there's potential to make hot springs outside of town too."

"What?"

"A little way into the forest, before you reach the ancient barriers. There seems to be an outflow point about two kilometers from town. The Baron apparently knew it existed all along, but left it untouched because it was in a forest and he thought it might upset the elves. But since we are those elves now, that's no longer a problem..."

"Are you planning on taking over there?"

"It's a terrible idea. When I asked Baron if he wasn't going to use it, he said, 'The townspeople have a hot spring bath nearby, so there’s no need for them to venture into the depths of the forest.' In other words, we could set up our own bath there and make it a private one just for my lord. But..."

"But?"

"We can't use anyone else's help on this kind of project."

"Oh..."

"Indeed... It would be hard to ask even an elven master builder to keep such a thing secret, wouldn’t it?"

Humans probably wouldn’t go out of their way into the forest for a hot spring, but elves might visit if they knew about it. All the springs in Trotte territory belong to Baron by law (though not really), so we’d have no choice but to let people use them if asked.

The three elves shared the desire to use this place freely for their naked trysts with Andy and wracked their brains over how to do that.

"Deiane is said to be good at construction, too. But when would we even find time to build something like this?"

"I’m worried there won’t be enough manpower. We can't just have the dragon help us out in the forest..."

"If we take our time, couldn’t we do it ourselves? All we need is a bath that’s easy to clean and somewhere to put clothes."

“Also, we need a meandering channel to cool the hot spring to an appropriate temperature. Ideally, we’d pull cold water from somewhere and adjust it easily…”

“You’re asking for too much without having enough expertise, aren’t you? Christie, haven’t you studied that kind of thing?”

“At least I haven’t trained in wielding hammers…”

The three of them whispered back and forth with various ideas.

And the half-elf’s ears are far better than a human’s at picking up sounds.

“Looks like you’re having trouble!”

“If it involves Andy, we’ll help out.”

Selen, who was holding her swollen belly near term, and Jeanne, carrying Peter, opened the door confidently.

(To be continued)

This story takes place roughly around chapters 428–488 of the main story, during Celesta Lapar's travels.

"The lingering snow has melted quite rapidly over the last few days, hasn't it?"

The wind blowing through the tavern window was cold, but Sebory, leaning against the windowsill, narrowed her eyes with a look of contentment.

Hearing this, Hannah—the tavern keeper, commonly known as "the Madam"—replied while tending to her preparations.

"The frozen patches in the shade on the north side are still stubbornly there, so watch your step. People who have just arrived often get lured into a picnic by the sunshine and fall into that trap."

"Ah. They sit down without realizing the ground is frozen."

"You'd notice if you checked a little first. But they've decided that if they're taking a break, they'll sit in the shade, and since the surroundings have turned all grassy, they fall for it. And then, after a while, they go 'Eek!'"

"Ahahaha! Surely an Elf wouldn't be that foolish!"

"Is that so? Well, come to think of it, we've lived side-by-side without actually meeting. Perhaps my sermon was a bit presumptuous."

"Well, that's just how it is. Besides, I think I and Oregano look like human girls of about sixteen or seventeen, but we're actually nearly thirty, you know?"

"Oh my."

"...Well, keep that a secret from my Master. Apparently, when you're at an age that's halfway plausible for a human, it brings up certain emotions that are very difficult to express."

"Perhaps so."

"Just so you know, Elves are basically treated like children as long as they're under a hundred. It's not that we're being particularly childish, okay?"

Hannah couldn't help but burst out laughing at Sebory's desperate attempt at a defense.

"Fufufufu, I know, I know. Besides, I don't think of you or Oregano-chan as children. There are plenty of people who are brats even after they've turned twenty. Like little Kiel from Lindon-san's place."

"It's complicated being called an adult when compared to Kare..."

Kiel, who boasted a level of childishness—or rather, insignificance—that stood out even among the tavern regulars. Should one take being called "more mature" than him as a compliment?

As they were talking, the front door swung open with a cheerful clack, and Cute entered.

"Nya~!"

"Hey, Cute. Don't use 'nya' as a substitute for a greeting."

"Nyu... G-Good morning!"

"There, there."

"Sebory, in a place like this, wouldn't 'Good job' or something similar suffice? It's not even morning time anymore."

"Well, but Hilda-san says that in our industry, there is no day or night, so you should always use 'Good morning' with the mindset that the moment you start work is 'morning' for you."

"I don't know what industry that is, but we have both mornings and nights here, and I'd prefer morning greetings to be delivered in the morning."

"Nya~"

"Cute! Don't use 'nya' to get my attention. Speak to me with actual words."

"Nya..."

"And don't use it instead of saying 'yes'!"

"Sebory... If you can distinguish between different 'nyas' that well, why not just let it be?"

"No way. I have to teach the young ones proper manners. Besides, relying on cat ears alone is cheating enough; constantly saying 'nya-nya' is beyond being calculated. Have some shame and stop using such gimmicks!"

Sebory spoke passionately, her fists clenched.

"I don't quite follow, but Cute, you should take what Sebory says with a grain of salt."

"Nya."

"Hey! I said don't 'nya'! Were you even listening to me!?"

"I didn't really get it~"

The tavern was peaceful as always today.

---

"Truth be told, this is our first time experiencing spring in Polka."

"Hmm. Now that you mention it, that makes sense."

At around the same time, Fennel was enjoying some idle chatter with Irina, who had just finished her morning paperwork, while preparing some tea.

"Was it around late autumn of last year when you all first appeared in Polka?"

"That’s right. It was just as the snow was beginning to fall..."

"Did you never venture out from the forest before then?"

"I have a few times... to act as a liaison with Misty Palace. However, with arms too slender to even draw a bow, I couldn't venture toward the human settlements."

"Well, Silver was in quite a state back then."

"Yes. That is why... this is almost the first time I have seen flowers and greenery sprout from the snow as if being reborn. It is lovely, isn't it? The way the earth works in harmony with the seasons."

"Indeed. The eternal spring of the northern forest has its beauty, but perhaps the cold of autumn and winter and the warmth of spring and summer forge the life of the outside world, much like a blacksmith's hammer forges iron."

Deep in the oversized chair, Irina sat with her legs dangling, unconsciously stroking the collar at her throat. Fennel let out a soft chuckle at the gesture.

"What is it?"

"It's just... being talked about blacksmithing makes me stroke my collar."

"...I-it can't be helped. I suppose you associate the same thing."

"Yes. ...I wonder what Master is doing right now."

"Who knows. There are far too many places Celesta visits that remain unknown to us. Though, I expect wherever he goes, his bed is likely in high demand."

"I'm a little jealous."

"Indeed. Honestly, that Christie... there is hardly any urgency to work in the winter, yet just because she cannot travel herself due to her position, she goes and holds me back as well."

As Irina began to grumble incessantly, Fennel noted that an elf's hearing is far superior to a human's.

"You are the official Goodwill Ambassador of Polka, are you not, Lady Clan Chief? Since you took that responsibility upon yourself, it's quite troublesome when you delegate full authority to me, a mere representative of another clan."

Christie entered the office with a natural air of ease.

Fennel widened her eyes in slight trepidation, and Irina pouted, looking awkward.

"Issues rarely arise in Polka that require the use of full authority. This is the frontier, and the dragons of Misty pass through here."

"It's precisely when we let our guard down that problems arise. Besides, if everything could be solved with brute strength, what would be the point of having a Goodwill Ambassador?"

"M-mu..."

"Furthermore, a woman's skill does not lie in simply following him everywhere. Sometimes, by staying apart, the bond between a man and a woman can grow even stronger. Just as iron is forged by cold and heat."

"Mmm... w-well, I cannot say I don't understand the logic. However..."

"If I were to follow him, I would have to compete for Master's attention with all those other women, even while he has other missions to attend to. The fatigue of travel would put me at a disadvantage compared to the warriors. Don't you think it's more effective to prepare thoroughly and await his return, only to greet him with a special pleasure when the moment is right?"

"...How cunning... no, rather underhanded."

"Changing the word doesn't make it any better, Irina."

"I-I admit it. Don't be so prickly."

Irina scrambled to defend herself against Christie, whose voice had grown a little intimidating despite her smiling face.

"But in reality, as those of us who stay behind, we can't match the frequency of service provided by the traveling party... It's about quality, certainly."

Sensing that the tension had eased slightly and guessing that steering the conversation toward a topic where Irina could settle in would be best, Fennel chimed in.

Christie nodded.

"I believe that in order to make Polka the place they most want to return to, we need to focus our efforts. For example... Master enjoys well-coordinated group sex, so we could put some creative thought into that."

"Since our four houses are originally separated from the others, we are well-suited for that sort of thing... Perhaps I should wait for him in an outfit designed to stir his lust."

"Lust? Are you going to have Oregano make you a courtesan's outfit?"

"That sounds good too. Oh, maybe we could even hang a sign. 'The Elf Territory Public Brothel.'"

"If you don't keep that secret, the other clans will turn bright red with rage when they hear it."

"Of course, once the sign is up, Lady Irina, you'll become one of our courtesans too, right?"

Fennel spoke with joyful mischief. Irina nodded hesitantly, though she didn't seem entirely opposed to the idea.

"Well, I suppose... if you are the only guest, Mr. Smyson... it might not be such a bad idea to take off the collar once in a while and try selling a little spring."

"Everyone is bought for a single coin, used freely to satisfy their carnal desires. It might even be fun to deliberately limit the 'play' and say things like, 'Anything beyond this point requires an extra fee♪'"

"Hmm. I like it. It's not bad... Naturally, Christie, you shall participate as well, right?"

"I wonder if I would just look out of place..."

"In that case, how about you team up with Lady Lyra, the Princess of Glory, or Lady Hilda, and start a separate brothel? It could have a completely different flavor from ours."

"I feel like I'm being treated like an old hag..."

"N-no, it is your imagination. The Princess of Glory and Lady Lyra are likely no different from yourself."

The Andy-Exclusive Back-Alley Brothel Project.
Later, it would involve the "Cat Mansion" of the feline beastmen and involve having Jeanne mint dedicated coins to bring it to fruition, but that is another story.
And while a certain courtesan from Tarc's camp would eventually become involved as a technical instructor, that, too, shall be omitted for brevity.

"Setting that aside, the thing I miss most since returning to Polka is definitely the hot springs."

"Indeed. That sensation of the fatigue from traveling melting away with a roar... it is truly indescribable."

"I was thinking that it's about time I found a way to serve Master in the hot springs without having to be so secretive."

"In my opinion, the most straightforward answer would be the Barrier Prison."

Aulina and Fennel offered the most common-sense responses.

"That's true, but actually, there is a possibility of creating a hot spring outside of town."

"What?"

"It's a spot just a little way into the forest, before you reach the ancient barrier. There seems to be a spring located about two kilometers from the town. Apparently, the Baron has known of its existence since ancient times, but because the location is deep in the forest, he left it untouched to avoid provoking the elves. However, since we are those elves, the problem has been resolved..."

"Are you planning to snatch it away?"

"How scandalous. When I consulted the Baron about utilizing it, he said, 'Since the townspeople have hot springs nearby, they won't bother venturing deep into the forest.' In other words, if we were to establish our own bathhouse there, we could turn it into a private bath dedicated to serving Master. However..."

"However?"

"We can't use outside labor for construction if we want to keep it for that purpose."

"Ah..."

"True... even if we were to ask an elven craftsman, it would be difficult to tell them that it's for a secret purpose."

Humans likely wouldn't bother trekking deep into the forest just for a hot spring, but from an elf's perspective, if the location becomes public, people will inevitably come to see it. Since (procedurally) all springs on the Trot territory side are the Baron's property, if someone asks for entry, he has no choice but to agree.

Sharing the desire to use the spring for intimate, naked trysts with Andy without hesitation, the three elves racked their brains.

"I hear Diane is skilled in architecture, but I wonder. I can't imagine when we would even find the time to build such a thing."

"More importantly, I think we'll lack the manpower. We can't exactly use a dragon's massive size to take shortcuts in the middle of the forest..."

"If we take our time, could we not do it ourselves? All we need is a bathtub that is easy to clean and a changing hut to place our clothes."

"And a winding channel to cool the hot spring to a comfortable temperature. If possible, we should draw in cold water from somewhere to make adjustment easier..."

"I lack the specialized knowledge to be this greedy. Christie, do you not study those subjects?"

"At the very least, I haven't trained in the wielding of a hammer..."

The three continued to whisper various ideas to one another.
And the ears of a half-elf are far more sensitive than those of a human.

"You seem to be in trouble!"

"If it involves Andy, you should call us!"

The door swung open with a click, and appearing with faces full of confidence were Selene, cradling her late-term pregnancy bump, and Jeanne, holding Peter.

(To be continued)

This story takes place during the Celesta Lapal Travel Arc, around chapters 428 to 488.

"Looks like the snow's finally melted in a hurry these past few days."

Sebory leaned against the tavern window, squinting contentedly despite the cold wind blowing in.

Hanna, the tavern owner—affectionately known as "Okaasan"—replied while preparing drinks. "Be careful, though. The shaded north side still stubbornly holds onto patches of ice. Newcomers often get lured by the nice weather and picnic there, only to fall for it."

"Ah. They sit down without noticing the frozen ground."

"They'd realize if they just checked, but they're so set on resting in the shade, and with everything turning into grassland, they end up doing it. Then, after a while, hyaaai—"

"Ahahaha. Elves wouldn't be so foolish, right?"

"Is that so? Well, when you think about it, we just happen to live next door but never actually meet. Maybe I was being presumptuous."

"Yeah, something like that. Besides, people probably see me and Origan as sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls, but we're actually close to thirty, you know?"

"Oh?"

"…Well, it's a secret from our masters. Apparently, being at this awkward age—kind of human-like—makes it really hard to express certain emotions."

"Might be true."

"Just so you know, elves under a hundred are basically treated like children, right? It's not like we're especially childish or anything?"

Hanna burst out laughing at Sebory's desperate explanation.

"Fufufufu, I get it, I get it. Besides, I don't think of you or Origan as kids either. There are plenty of twenty-somethings who act like children, you know? Like Kiel from the Lindon family."

"Being compared to him and called an adult is… complicated…"

Kiel was known among the tavern's regulars for his exceptional childishness—or rather, smallness. Was it a compliment if people said he was more reliable than Kiel?

As they were talking, Cute burst in with a loud thunk of the front door.

"Nya!"

"Hey, Cute. Don't just greet people with 'Nya'."

"Nyu… oh, good morning—"

"Good, good."

"Sebory, shouldn't you say something like 'Good work today' in a place like this? It's not even morning anymore."

"W-well, according to Hilda, in some industries there's no night or day, so people use 'Good morning' as a way of saying 'Good luck with your work,' since the moment they start working is their morning."

"I don't know what industry that is, but we have mornings and nights here, so I want morning greetings in the morning!"

"Nya—"

"Cute! Don't just use 'Nya' as a way to get attention. Talk to people properly."

"Nyu…"

"And don't use it instead of 'Yes'!"

"Sebory… if you can tell the difference between all those 'Nyas,' why not just let her say them as is?"

"No way! I have to teach young ones proper manners. Besides, using 'nya-nya' just because she has cat ears is so cringey it's almost endearing. Stop relying on cheap tricks and learn some shame!"

Sebory clenched her fists and launched into a passionate speech.

"I don't really get it, but Cute, listen to Sebory… somewhat."

"Nya."

"Hey, I told you not to say 'nyaa'! Did you listen to me?!"

"I didn't quite catch that."

The tavern was peaceful as ever today.

"Actually, this is the first Polka Spring for us."

"Hmm. Now that you mention it, I suppose it is."

Around the same time, Fennel was engaged in small talk with Airena, who had finished her morning paperwork, while preparing tea.

"You two appeared in Polka around late autumn last year, if memory serves."

"That's right. It was already starting to snow..."

"Haven't you ever left the forest before?"

"I have a few times... I even acted as a liaison with Misty Palace. But my slender arms couldn't wield a bow, so I couldn't venture into the populated areas."

"Silver was quite eager, you see."

"Yes. So, this is almost the first time I've seen flowers bloom from the snow, like they're being resurrected. It's wonderful, isn't it? The way the earth works in harmony with the seasons."

"Hmm. The eternal spring of the northern forest is beautiful too, but perhaps the cold autumns and winters, and the warm springs and summers, are forging life in the outside world like a blacksmith's hammer shaping iron."

Airena sat deeply in the chair that was too large for her, dangling her feet and unconsciously stroking the collar around her neck. Fennel chuckled at her gesture.

"What is it?"

"You brought up blacksmiths, so I just..."

"...I suppose there's no helping it. You'd likely associate with the same person, wouldn't you?"

"Yes... What do you think Master is doing?"

"Well, Celesta has far too many places we don't know about. Though, wherever he goes, his bed must be in high demand."

"That's a little jealous-making, isn't it?"

"Hmm. Honestly, Christy, there's hardly any urgency to winter work, yet she's grounding me because she can't fly around due to her position."

Airena began grumbling, but an elf's ears are far better than a human's.

"You're the official Polka ambassador, White Clan Elder? If you're going to take on that responsibility yourself, I can't be left in charge of everything, especially as just a representative from another clan, and that too, someone as insignificant as me."

Christy entered the office naturally from outside.

Fennel's eyes widened slightly in fear, and Airena pouted, looking embarrassed.

"There won't be any major issues requiring full authority in Polka. This is a frontier region, and Misty's dragons come and go here."

"That's precisely when problems arise, when you let your guard down. If everything could be solved with brute force, what's the point of an ambassador?"

"Mmm... mmm..."

"Besides, a woman isn't just meant to follow along all the time. Sometimes, distance only strengthens a relationship between men and women. Like forging iron with cold and heat."

"Mmm... Well, I can see the logic in that, but..."

"If you're always following, you have to compete for Master's attention among all the other women, especially when he has other duties? Travel fatigue also works against you more than it does for the stronger warriors. Wouldn't it be better to wait with full preparations and offer him a special pleasure at just the right moment? That would appeal to him much more strongly, don't you think?"

"...You're quite cunning... no, sly."

"Even if you rephrase it, it doesn't sound much better, does it, Airena?"

"I, I admit it. Don't get so worked up."

Airena hurriedly defended herself as Christy's voice became slightly menacing while still smiling.

"But realistically, we, the ones who stayed behind, can’t compete with the accompanying group in sheer volume of service… It’s quality, definitely."

Fennel chimed in, sensing the air had eased slightly and that steering the conversation toward something Irina would settle into was for the best.

Christy nodded. "To make this poruka the first place Master wants to return to, we need to focus our service. Like… Master enjoys clever group sex, so we could tailor things around that."

"Our four houses are already isolated from the others, so it’s perfect for something like that… Maybe we should wait in poses that stoke Master’s baser desires?"

"Baser desires? Should I have Origan make us some whore outfits?"

"That’s a good idea. Oh! We could even put up a sign. Something like Elf Territory Public Brothel."

"If we don’t keep it hush-hush, the other clans will hear and be furious."

"Of course, if we do put up a sign, Lady Irina will become one of our whores, right?"

Fennel was gleefully scheming. Irina hesitated, but her expression wasn't entirely dismissive as she nodded cautiously.

"Well… if only Master Smisson is the client… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to take off the collar and sell springtime once in a while."

"Everyone gets bought for a single coin and used freely to satisfy carnal desires. It might even be fun to deliberately limit the play and say, 'Anything beyond this point costs extra'!"

"Hmm… Not bad at all… Of course, Christy would join in too, wouldn’t you?"

"I feel like I’d stick out like a sore thumb…"

"Then why don’t you, Christy, team up with Lady Lyra, the Glorious Princess, and Lady Hilda to open a different brothel? It’ll have a completely different flavor from ours."

"I feel like I’m being treated like an old hag…"

"N-no, it’s just your imagination. The Glorious Princess and Lady Lyra aren’t that different from me."

The Andy-exclusive back-alley brothel plan.

Later, this would even involve the Catfolk’s Cat Mansion and getting Jeanne to mint special coins for it—but that’s another story.

And Tark’s certain… certain… whore would be involved as a technical advisor, but again, that’s a story for another time.

"Anyway, if there’s one thing I miss most about coming back to this poruka, it’s definitely the hot springs."

"Hmm. There’s something indescribable about that sensation of fatigue melting away with a soothing gurgle."

"I think it’s about time we stopped sneaking around and started serving Master in the hot springs properly."

"What? But whether it’s the men’s bath or the women’s, we can’t completely shut out other customers. And getting permission from Baron for branching off the water source would be far too awkward."

"Right now, the best solution is probably a magically sealed chamber, isn’t it?"

Irina and Fennel offered sensible answers.

"That’s true, but actually, there’s a possibility of building another hot spring outside town."

"What?"

"A little ways into the forest, just before the area affected by the ancient ward. There seems to be a spring about two kilometers from town. The Baron knew it existed for years, but since it was in the forest, he left it untouched out of consideration for the elves. But since we are the elves now, that problem’s gone…"

"You want to exploit that?"

"Don’t be so rude. I consulted with the Baron about using it, and he said, 'The townsfolk already have a bathhouse nearby, so they won’t bother going deep into the forest.' So, if we independently set up a bathhouse there ourselves, it could become a service bath exclusively for Master. But…"

"But?"

"We can’t use outsiders for the construction, not with that purpose in mind."

"Ah…."

"True… It’s hard to ask the elf family headmasters without revealing the secret."

Humans wouldn’t bother venturing into the depths of a confusing forest just to reach a hot spring, but for elves, making your location public inevitably draws some visitors. Since all the springs on the Trotto side are (procedurally) Baron’s property, you have no choice but to nod when asked if they can enter.

The three elves shared the desire to use it without reservation for their naked rendezvous with Andy and scratched their heads.

"Word is Diane’s also skilled in architecture—what do you think? When will we ever have time to build something like that?"

"More than that, aren’t we short on manpower? We can’t exactly rely on a dragon’s bulk to make things easier in the forest…"

"If we take our time, is there anything we can’t accomplish? All we really need is an easily-cleaned bath and a changing room for clothes, right?"

"And a meandering waterway to cool the hot spring to the right temperature. If possible, we should draw in cold water from somewhere to make adjustments…"

"You’re being greedy without enough expertise. Christy, haven’t you studied that sort of thing?"

"I’ve at least never trained with a hammer and nails…"

The three whispered and exchanged ideas.

And the half-elf’s ears—far sharper than a human’s—caught every word.

"Oh dear, it seems you’re in trouble!"

"If it’s about Andy, we’ll be sure to call you in."

With a click, the door opened, revealing Selen, her pregnant belly held gently, and Jeanne, cradling Peter, both wearing confident smiles.

(To Be Continued)

Mostly, this is from around episodes 428 to 488 of the main story, during Celesta and Rapal's journey.

"The snow has melted all at once in just a few days, hasn't it?"

The wind blowing through the tavern window was cold, yet Sebori leaned his upper body against the windowsill with such ease that he smiled contentedly.

Hanna, the tavern's proprietress known as "Okami-san," replied while preparing something upon hearing him.

"There are still stubborn patches of ice lingering in the shaded northern areas, so be careful. People who just arrived often get lured into picnics by cheerful invitations and fall right into that trap."

"Oh. They don't notice the frozen ground and sit down directly on it."

"You'd figure it out if you checked first. But they decide to rest under tree shade without thinking, and because everything around them has turned into a grassy field, they end up doing it anyway. Then, after a while, 'Hyaa!' goes their cry."

"Ahhahaha. Elves certainly wouldn't make such a foolish mistake."

"Really? Well, think about it—we haven't even met before; we've just lived side by side. My sermon might have been presumptuous."

"Well, that's basically how it is. Besides, I and Oregano look like young girls of sixteen or seventeen by human standards, but in reality, we're nearly thirty, aren't we?"

"Oh my."

"...Well, let's keep that secret from my master. It seems emotions that are hard to express arise when one has an age that's only halfway into what humans can experience."

"Maybe it does."

"Just so you know, elves under the age of 100 are basically treated like children? We're not particularly childish, are we?"

Hanna burst out laughing at Sebori's desperate defense.

"Heheheh, I get it, I get it. Besides, neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan thinks of themselves as children. There are even some who've passed their twenties and are still kids. Look at Keir from the Lindon household."

"It's complicated being called an adult when compared to him..."

Keir, a regular at the tavern who boasts unparalleled childishness—or rather, pettiness—among them. Is it acceptable to take being described as more mature than him as a compliment?

As they were talking like this, Cute entered with a cheerful bang on the front door.

"Meow!"

"Hold on, Cute. Don't use 'meow' as a greeting."

"Nyu... Oh, good morning—"

"There we go."

"Sebori, wouldn't it be fine to just say 'You've worked hard' here? It's not even morning anymore."

"But, according to Miss Hilda, in the industry there's no night or day; the moment work begins is considered morning for them, so they always use 'Good morning.'"

"I don't know what industry that is, but I have mornings and nights too, and I'd like to hear the morning greeting in the morning."

"Meow!"

"Cute! Don't use 'meow' as a way to get attention. Speak properly."

"Nyu..."

"Don't use it as a substitute for 'Yes' either!"

"Sebori... If you can distinguish between just one 'meow,' wouldn't it be fine to just leave it as is?"

"No way. We must teach proper etiquette to the younger generation. Also, saying 'meow meow' with cat ears is already underhanded; it's quite deceptive. Stop relying solely on your ranged attacks and learn shame!"

Sebori clenched his fist and delivered a passionate speech.

"I don't quite understand, but Cute, listen to Sebori in moderation."

"Meow..."

"Hey, so don't say that! I was listening to what you said!?"

"I didn't quite catch it..."

The tavern remains peaceful as usual today.

"In fact, this is our first time in Polka."

"Hmm. That does seem right."

Around the same time, Fennel was chatting with Elina over tea after finishing her morning paperwork.

"Wasn't your arrival in Polka back in late autumn last year?"

"Yes. It was already starting to snow..."

"Did you ever venture out into the forest?"

"I have a few times... partly due to my role in maintaining contact with Mist Palace. But with arms too slender even to draw a bow, I couldn't leave the human settlements."

"Silver was quite agitated about that."

"Yes. That's why... this is almost my first time seeing grass and flowers sprout from beneath the snow, as if reborn. Isn't it wonderful? The way the earth responds to each season."

"Hmm. While the eternal spring of the Northern Forest is beautiful in its own right, perhaps it is like a blacksmith's hammer forging iron—cold autumns and winters, warm springs and summers, tempering life beyond these walls."

Elina sat deeply in a chair far too large for her, dangling her feet idly while unconsciously stroking the collar around her neck. Fennel chuckled softly at her gesture.

"What was that?"

"Just a reflex to stroke your collar when we talk about blacksmithing."

"...Well, I suppose it's unavoidable. You probably associate the same things as well."

"Yes... Master, what is he doing now?"

"Well, Celesta knows far too many places we don't. Though beds are plentiful wherever she goes..."

"A bit jealous, aren't you?"

"Hmm. Honestly, Kristie, winter work hardly demands urgency. Yet since you're in a position where you can't roam freely, you've been holding me back."

Elina began complaining loudly, but the elf's ears were far more sensitive than a human's.
"You are Polka's official ambassador of goodwill, Lady of the White Clan? If you've taken on that responsibility yourself, I worry about granting full authority to another clan—one who is merely a representative—to do so so frequently."

Kristie entered naturally from outside the office.

Fennel widened his eyes slightly in alarm, while Elina frowned guiltily.

"Such matters of full authority rarely arise in Polka. Especially here on the frontier, with Mist's dragons coming and going."

"That's precisely when problems occur if you're careless. Besides, if everything could be solved by brute strength alone, what purpose would an ambassador of goodwill serve?"

"Mm, mm..."

"Moreover, constantly following someone isn't a woman's only role. Sometimes distance strengthens bonds between men and women—just as cold and heat forge iron together."

"Mm... Well, the logic isn't entirely wrong. But..."

"If you follow him, you're already at a disadvantage among so many other women, not to mention needing to capture his attention despite having your own mission. Travel fatigue works against you compared to physically fit warriors. Wouldn't it be more effective to prepare thoroughly while waiting for his return, then offer reserved pleasures at the perfect moment?"

"...That's quite cunning... or rather, shrewd."

"Rephrasing it doesn't make me sound much better, Elina?"

"I-I admit it. Please don't get so worked up."

Elina hurriedly apologized, her voice trembling slightly despite her smile, as Kristie looked back with a playful yet wary expression.

"But in reality, we who stay behind can never match the quantity of service provided by the accompanying group... it's all about quality, certainly."

Sensing the atmosphere had softened slightly, Fennel decided that steering the conversation toward something more comfortable was preferable and chimed in.

Christie nodded.

"To make this Polka the first place anyone wants to return to, I think we need to focus our efforts on service. For example... since your Lordship enjoys clever group sex, perhaps we could put some thought into that."

"Our four households are originally separated from others, so we're well-suited for such things... How about waiting in a manner designed to stir up your Lordship's lust?"

"Lust? Are you planning to have the courtesan's attire made by Oregano as well?"

"That sounds nice too. Oh, putting up a sign might be good too. Something like 'Elven Territory Public Brothel'."

"If we don't keep it secret, other clans will hear about it and get furious."

"Of course, once the sign is up, Lady Elina will also become one of our courtesans, won't you?"

Fennel spoke with a mischievous grin, clearly delighted. Elina hesitated but nodded, not entirely opposed.

"Well, well... if only Lord Samson were the sole client... perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to occasionally take off the collar and sell our spring."

"Everyone would be bought for a single coin, used freely to satisfy their carnal desires. It might even be fun to deliberately limit certain acts and say things like 'Anything beyond this point is an additional charge' ♪"

"Hmm. That sounds good... not bad at all... Won't Christie join in as well?"

"I feel like I wouldn't fit in..."

"In that case, perhaps Christie could team up with Lady Lyra, the Princess of Glory, and Lady Hilda to establish a separate brothel. Their tastes would be quite different from ours."

"It feels like they're treating me as an older woman..."

"N-no, that's just my imagination. The Princess of Glory and Lady Lyra aren't so different from me."

The secret plan for Andy's exclusive back-brothel.

Later, it would expand to include the cat-beasts' "Cat Mansion," even going so far as to have Jeanne mint special coins for its use—but that is a story for another time.

And among those involved would be a certain courtesan from Tark, providing technical guidance—but again, that shall be omitted here.

"Setting that aside, if there's anything in this Polka that I particularly miss upon returning, it's the hot springs."

"Hmm. Indeed, that sensation of travel fatigue dissolving and flowing away with a sound is indescribable."

"Healing your Lordship in the hot springs... perhaps it's time we stopped being so secretive about our service."

"What? But whether it's the men's bath or the women's bath, we can't completely exclude other guests. Moreover, requesting permission from the Baron for modifications to the water source branching is far too awkward."

"In the current situation, I believe the best solution is a barrier prison."

Elina and Fennel offered sensible answers.

"That's true, but actually, there may be a possibility of creating hot springs outside the town as well."

"No way..."

"A little into the forest, at a location before where the ancient barrier begins. There appears to be a spring source about 2 kilometers away from the town. The Baron seems to have known of its existence since long ago, but because it was located within the forest, he left it untouched out of concern for provoking the elves. However, since we are elves ourselves, that issue has been resolved...

"Are you planning to seize that spot?"

"That's a bit rude. When I asked the Baron if we could use it, he said, 'Since the townspeople have hot spring baths nearby, there's no need for them to venture deep into the forest.' In other words, if we establish our own bathhouse there independently, it might become an exclusive bathing facility dedicated to serving your Lordship. However..."

"However?"

"We can't use anyone else's hands for construction with that purpose in mind."

"Aaaah..."

"That's true... Even if we ask the elf master craftsmen, it would be difficult to request their help while keeping it secret."

Though humans would never venture deep into the treacherous forest merely to seek out hot springs, for elves, publicly announcing a location inevitably draws visitors. Since all the springs on the Trotte side are officially (procedurally) Baronial property, there's nothing left but to nod when asked for permission to enter.

The three elves, sharing the same desire—to use this place freely for their naked rendezvous with Andy—began twisting their brows in thought.

"I've heard Diane is quite skilled in architecture, but how about that? When will we even have time to build something like this?"

"More pressing is the lack of manpower. We can't just rely on a dragon's massive body for convenience within the forest... and..."

"If we take our time, couldn't we manage it ourselves? All we really need is an easy-to-clean bathtub and a changing shed where clothes can be stored."

"And a winding water channel to cool the spring to the right temperature. Ideally, we'd want to draw in cold water from somewhere nearby for easier adjustment..."

"That's too much; we lack the specialized knowledge. Christie, haven't you studied anything like that?"

"At least I haven't trained in wielding a hammer..."

The three whispered their ideas back and forth. And the ears of the half-elf who overheard them were far more acute than those of humans.

"You seem to be in some trouble!"

"If it's about Andy, you should call us!"

With a loud creak, the door swung open, revealing Selen, heavily pregnant and brimming with confidence, and Jeanne holding Peter.

This is a story set during Celesta and Lapar's travels, around episodes 428 to 488.

[Scene]: Tavern Window

[Dialogue]:

[Customer]: "The snow melted in just a few days."

[Bar Owner]: "The wind blowing through the tavern window is cold, but Sebori leaned against the window edge and narrowed her eyes contentedly."

[Hanna, the tavern owner, also known as 'Okami-san,' replied while working on something.]

[Bar Owner]: "The northern shadows still have stubborn patches of ice left, so be careful. Newcomers often get caught in that trap because they're lured by the warmth and decide to picnic there."

[Customer]: "Ah, they sit down without noticing the frozen ground."

[Bar Owner]: "If they’d just check first, they’d notice, but they’re so set on finding shade under a tree and the grassy area around them is so open that they end up doing it. Then, after a while, they go 'Hyaa!'"

[Customer]: "Ahahaha. Elves wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake."

[Bar Owner]: "I wonder. Well, if you think about it, we’ve lived side by side without ever meeting before. Maybe I was being too preachy."

[Customer]: "Yeah, something like that. And you know, me and Oregano might look like little girls to humans at around 16 or 17, but we’re actually close to 30, you know?"

[Bar Owner]: "Oh my."

[Bar Owner]: "...But keep it a secret from our master. Apparently, when you’re somewhere between human ages like that, it’s hard to express certain emotions properly."

[Bar Owner]: "Could be."

[Bar Owner]: "Just so you know, elves treat anyone under 100 as if they’re children. It’s not like we’re especially childish or anything, okay?"

[Bar Owner]: Sebori desperately tried to explain, and Hanna couldn’t help but laugh.

[Hanna]: "Fufufu, I know, I know. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family."

[Customer]: "It’s complicated being called mature compared to him..."

Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.

As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.

[Hanna]: "Hey, Kuto. Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greetings."

Girl: "Ny... Oh, good morning~!"

[Hanna]: "There we go."

[Hanna]: "Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say 'good work' or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all."

[Bar Owner]: "Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use 'good morning.'"

[Hanna]: "I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning."

[Hanna]: "Kuto! Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori... If you can tell the difference between the same 'nya' sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?"

[Bar Owner]: "No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using 'nya' just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!"

[Sebori clenched her fists and passionately argued.]

[Hanna]: "I don’t really get it, but Kuto, listen to Sebori’s words at least a little."

[Hanna]: "Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

[Sebori]: "Listen up, Kuto! Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for anything!"

[Hanna]: "Stop it with the 'nya' already!"

[Sebori]: "You’re being too stubborn, Kuto. If you can’t even tell the difference between the same sound, then just leave it at that."

[Hanna]: "It’s fine, really. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family."

[Customer]: "It’s complicated being called mature compared to him..."

Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.

As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.

[Hanna]: "Hey, Kuto. Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greetings."

Girl: "Ny... Oh, good morning~!"

[Hanna]: "There we go."

[Hanna]: "Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say 'good work' or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all."

[Bar Owner]: "Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use 'good morning.'"

[Hanna]: "I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning."

[Hanna]: "Kuto! Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori... If you can tell the difference between the same 'nya' sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?"

[Bar Owner]: "No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using 'nya' just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!"

[Sebori clenched her fists and passionately argued.]

[Hanna]: "I don’t really get it, but Kuto, listen to Sebori’s words at least a little."

[Hanna]: "Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

[Sebori]: "Listen up, Kuto! Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for anything!"

[Hanna]: "Stop it with the 'nya' already!"

[Sebori]: "You’re being too stubborn, Kuto. If you can’t even tell the difference between the same sound, then just leave it at that."

[Hanna]: "It’s fine, really. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family."

[Customer]: "It’s complicated being called mature compared to him..."

Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.

As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.

[Hanna]: "Hey, Kuto. Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greetings."

Girl: "Ny... Oh, good morning~!"

[Hanna]: "There we go."

[Hanna]: "Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for 'yes' either!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say 'good work' or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all."

[Bar Owner]: "Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use 'good morning.'"

[Hanna]: "I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning."

[Hanna]: "Kuto! Don’t use 'nya' as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!"

[Bar Owner]: "Sebori... If you can tell the difference between the same 'nya' sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?"

[Bar Owner]: "No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using 'nya' just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!"

[Sebori clen

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[Translate the following Japanese text to English. Paragraphs are separated by "

". Output each translated paragraph with the same delimiter in between, preserving the exact number of paragraphs. Do not add explanations. Do not merge or split paragraphs.]

"But honestly, when it comes to service, the leftover group can’t match the accompanying group… It’s the quality, isn’t it? Definitely."

The atmosphere lightened slightly, and Fenner decided it would be better to steer the conversation toward topics that wouldn’t cause trouble for Irena, who was still settling into her seat. She chimed in with a suggestion.

"Christie nodded.

"I think we need to focus our service and make sure this Polka is seen as the first place you want to return to. For example… since Master likes group sex with a twist, we could refine that aspect."

"Our four homes are already separated from others, so we’re suited for that… Maybe we should try waiting in a way that stirs up Master’s desires."

"Desires? Are you suggesting we make Oregano create some kind of courtesan outfit?"

"That might work too. Oh, and putting up a sign might be good. Something like, 'Elven Territory Public Bathhouse.'"

"But if we don’t keep it secret, the other clans would turn bright red with anger."

"Of course, once we put up the sign, Lady Irena, you’ll become one of our courtesans too, right?"

Fenner spoke with a hint of mischief, and Irena nodded hesitantly, not entirely opposed to the idea.

"Well, if only Lord Smison is the customer… it wouldn’t hurt to take off the collar and indulge in some springtime pleasures."

"Everyone would be bought for a single coin and used to satisfy their desires. It might even be fun to deliberately limit the play and say things like, 'Anything beyond this requires extra payment.'"

"Hmm. Not bad… Of course, Christie, you’ll join us too, right?"

"I feel like I’d be out of place…"

"Then how about you team up with Lady Lyla or the Glorious Princess, Hilda, and open a separate bathhouse? It could have a different approach from ours."

"I feel like I’m being treated as someone older…"

"Just ignore it. The Glorious Princess and Lady Lyla aren’t much different from me, are they?"

"The special bathhouse plan for Andy."

"Later, it would involve dragging the cat beastfolk’s 'Cat Mansion' into it, making Jeanne even mint special coins, but that’s another story."

"And in the middle of all that, a certain courtesan from Talc would get involved as technical advisor, but let’s not go there either."

"But setting that aside, when it comes to what I miss most about this Polka, it’s definitely the hot springs."

"Indeed. That sensation of the travel fatigue melting away like water is indescribable."

"I think we should try healing Master with the hot springs without having to sneak around and serve him."

"What are you saying? Whether it’s the men’s bath or the women’s, we can’t completely shut out other guests. As for the branch from the water source, it’d be too awkward to ask Baron for permission."

"I think the best solution right now is the barrier prison."

Irena and Fenner offered a sensible answer.

"That’s true, but actually, there might be a way to build hot springs outside the town."

"In a spot just past the ancient barrier, closer than the water source. It seems there’s a spring about 2 kilometers from the town. Baron has known about it for a while, but since it’s in the forest, he worried it might stir up the elves and left it untouched. But since we’re elves, that’s no longer an issue…"

"You’re suggesting we take that spot?"

"Let’s not make it sound so bad. When I asked Baron if we could use it, he said, 'The townsfolk already have a bathhouse nearby, so they wouldn’t go all the way into the forest.' In other words, if we set up our own bathhouse there, it could become a dedicated service bath for Master. But…"

"But?"

"That means we can’t use anyone else’s help for the construction, right?"

"Ah…"

"It’s true… It’d be hard to ask an elf instructor to keep it secret."

"I think that’s just your imagination. The Glorious Princess and Lady Lyla aren’t much different from me, are they?"

[Human beings wouldn’t go deep into the confusing forest just to reach a hot spring, but for elves, publicly announcing its location would inevitably attract some curious visitors. All the springs on the Trot side are officially (procedurally) considered the baron’s property, so if someone asked to use them, we’d have no choice but to let them in.

The three elves shared the wish to use the spring for a private rendezvous with Andy without any worries and began brainstorming.

“Diane is said to be skilled in architecture—what do you think? When will we even find the time to build something like that?”

“Or perhaps there’s not enough manpower. We can’t exactly rely on the dragon’s massive body to help us…”

“If we take our time, could even we manage it? All we really need is a bath with easy-to-clean walls and a changing room where clothes can be stored.”

“A meandering water channel to cool the hot spring would also be useful. Ideally, we’d want to draw cold water from somewhere to make it easier to adjust…”

“Being greedy requires more specialized knowledge. Kristy, haven’t you studied that kind of science?”

“At least I haven’t trained with a hammer…”

The three elves exchanged ideas in hushed whispers.

And the half-elf’s ears, better than those of humans, caught every word.

[Half-Elf]: “It seems you’re in trouble!”

[Half-Elf]: “If it’s about Andy, you’d naturally come to us.”

With a confident expression, Jeanne opened the door and entered with Selen, who was carrying a baby on her way to give birth.

(Continued)