“So, for us, death is the process of shedding old husks and being born anew. The person for whom today’s funeral is held passed away two days ago at the age of 150, so they lived a very long life.”

“A hun, a hundred and fifty…?!”

I seem to play the role of a fool in this village. The others are also wide-eyed in surprise, so I’m not the only one taken aback.

“Living to such an old age without being a mystical being or Dragon Beastkin… Have you received the blessing of the Azure Dragon in this village?”

Arwin asked with an intriguing tone, as if trying to subtly uncover the existence of the Azure Dragon Beastkin. However, the snake uncle, who seemed anything but ordinary, continued to smile pleasantly, skillfully steering the conversation away.
“And the Azure Dragon always watches over us as a benevolent presence. We have maintained this village for over a thousand years, worshiping the Azure Dragon. Over there, you can see the shrine and the sanctuary.”

In other words, they won’t reveal whether the Azure Dragon actually exists in this village. The man was very kind, but he seemed to be someone who could draw the line if necessary.

“In the end, we couldn’t get information about the Azure Dragon.”

“Well, I expected that would be the case.”

The accommodations guided by the villagers. We, who decided to stay overnight here, gathered around and had dinner together. Although most of the conversation during the meal was between me and Arwin,

“Shall we sneak out and investigate in the early morning? I somehow feel that the area near the lake and waterfall is suspicious.”

Arwin nodded his head in agreement with my words, putting a spoonful of food into his mouth. His expression showed dissatisfaction with the taste of the food, and after taking a sip of water, he spoke.

“I have the same thought, but it’s better to move cautiously. Even though the villagers here are friendly, they have lived in isolation for over a thousand years. We don’t know what shadows may be cast, and it’s best to experience it before making judgments.”

This time, I agreed with his opinion and nodded my head. I realize once again that Arwin knows a lot and is knowledgeable. Truly an elder…

“I’ll take on the role of secretly exploring the village. As a wizard, I’m more adept at handling situations if anything goes wrong.”

“Sure… I’ll leave it to you.”

Thus, exploring the village secretly at dawn became Arwin’s task.

After dinner, the villagers provided us with a hot spring, going so far as to prepare an onsen. Thanks to that, our party and I were able to relieve our fatigue with a hot bath. Especially the rabbit seemed to love the onsen.

“April… You’re really good at swimming.”

Every time I bathed with April, I felt this way. She swims so stably with her front and hind legs. An impressive rabbit.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy it in human form as well? After all, it’s not an onsen you can visit every day.”

“…”

Appearing to ponder my suggestion for a moment, April suddenly hopped behind the partition.

Then, after a while, she came back in human form, adorned with a bath towel.

‘Wow… She’s really…’

Beautiful, lovely, and cute!

Activated by the beauty of her alabaster-like skin and her well-kept white hair, I couldn’t help but admire as I meticulously examined every detail.

Will our April become the most beautiful, no, the most beautiful woman on the continent in the future? Am I being too biased?

“April, can I take care of your hair?”

Picking up the wooden comb and fragrant oil exchanged between the villagers, I asked.

April nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression, and because of the warmth of the onsen water, her cheeks turned slightly rosy, making her even more adorable!
“Wow, our daughter’s hair is really nice.”

It truly felt like silk thread every time I combed through it. I continued combing while humming a tune. The fragrance of sandalwood rose from the abundant application of fragrant oil.

“Um… Duchess.”

“Yeah, what?”

When I was almost done combing, April cautiously spoke.

“Well, since it’s a rare hot spring, how about spending some time with the Duke…?”

“…!”

I almost dropped the comb.

Spending time with the Duke in the hot spring…?!

Impure thoughts filled my mind… Oh, no!

“I-I prefer spending time with April!”

I blurted out unintentionally, and April turned to look at me with narrowed eyes. Why is she looking at me like that…?

“I also enjoy spending time with the Duchess. However, the time the Duchess spends with the Duke has a different meaning, right…?”

“…”

She’s twelve years old…?

Actually, is this her second life…?

“Our April… seems surprisingly mature for her age.”

Although she’s quite different when she’s a rabbit.

Come to think of it, I became curious.

Without much thought, I threw a question at April before she could speak.

“But, April, which personality is more like your real self, when you’re in human form or when you’re in rabbit form?”

“…Well…”

Despite the sudden question, April didn’t seem particularly surprised. She just smiled faintly and answered.

“Of course, both are my personalities.”

‘Both are April’s personalities…?’

Contemplating April’s mystery, I gazed up at the night sky. April said she would go call Gray before leaving.

…In other words, Gray would arrive here soon, probably in nothing but a bathrobe…

…Although I wonder why I’m getting nervous when I’ve already seen his naked body…

‘But, this is an onsen!’

Onsen! Event! Romance! I have a premonition that something is about to happen!

Ughhh. Even if I try not to be nervous, I’m still nervous. What awaits me in the future…!

At that moment.

“…Madam?”

“…!”

A voice suddenly rang out, and I stiffened in surprise.

Feeling my heart pounding wildly, I turned around with my hands clasped tightly against my chest.

There…

In a slightly embarrassed manner but with a determined gaze, Gray stood in a wet bathrobe.

“Can I go over there…?”