After exchanging information on Gunma Dungeon No. 1, as well as various sightseeing tips, Inari and Shion left Takeru’s home.
Unlike when he had first greeted them, Takeru now saw them off with a gentle smile.
“The open-air bath at Western Riverbed is a great spot. You two should definitely stop by.”
“Mm, we shall. Farewell then, Takeru.”
“Yeah, see you, Miss Kogami.”
“By the way, this open-air bath—where is it?”
“Right there.”
“Mm? Ah!”
Where Takeru pointed, the sign for Western Riverbed Rotenburo could indeed be seen. Not far from it lay Gunma Dungeon No. 1 as well. One could sense a firm determination: just because there’s a dungeon nearby doesn’t mean we’ll move it.
After all, the area had once been devastated during a monster disaster and yet was restored. Perhaps that resilience was the pride of Kusatsu’s people.
Climbing a short flight of steps, they reached the open-air bath, built in traditional Japanese style. And it was truly vast. To be precise: a ticket booth with reception, a changing room… and everything else was one massive open-air bath. Once a week—at limited times only—the men’s side was opened as mixed bathing, but today was not that day.
Thus, Inari and Shion had no worries as they entered the women’s side. What awaited them was an almost unbelievable sight.
“Oho, most grand indeed.”
“Super amazing.”
The entire walled enclosure was nearly all hot spring water. In the wall dividing men’s and women’s baths, there was a door-like structure—perhaps the passage used on mixed-bathing days. But today was not such a day, nor had they any intention of using it.
As they sank into the clear water, there was no sulfurous smell, yet the strength of Kusatsu’s famous springs could be felt clearly.
“Ahh… what fine water.”
“This is Western Riverbed Rotenburo, but the source isn’t Western Riverbed Spring.”
“Oh? Then from whence is it drawn?”
“Bandai-kō.”
“Oho, a most mighty-sounding name.”
“Mm.”
In truth, Kusatsu Onsen had six springs: the famed Yubatake, Bandai-kō—whose waters they now soaked in—Shiraha, Western Riverbed, Jizo, and Nikawa. Each was strong, each remarkable. For that very reason, it was said visiting too many in succession was not good for the body…
“Well, difficult talk aside, this is enough for me.”
“Mm. Before this splendid bath, all else is trivial indeed…”
The vast waters, the open sky, the breeze unique to outdoor bathing—and the hot spring itself. Such magnificence would be hard to find anywhere else.
Thus, they soaked at ease, and when at last they emerged, warm and content, their eyes naturally turned toward Gunma Dungeon No. 1.
As with all fixed dungeons, high fences and sturdy walls enclosed it to ensure safety. Admission for awakeners required reservation online or by phone. For this dungeon, however, aside from Takeru’s regular bookings, there were few reservations at all.
“I believe we had reserved for tomorrow at midday?”
“Mm. Eleven o’clock.”
Why eleven? Because the plan was to sleep in, take a morning bath, have breakfast, and then go. Since this dungeon posed no urgent threat needing immediate conquest, such a leisurely schedule was perfectly rational.
“Then let’s return to the inn. I feel like resting.”
“Mm, agreed.”
As they walked, Inari glanced around. Kusatsu Onsen. Already famed for its tremendous flow and number of springs, even the small ones had revived, and the existing ones flowed steadily. It was a wondrous thing to behold. If this was due to the dungeon, then one could even call it a gift brought by the dungeon.
Yet still… something troubled Inari.
“A dungeon, a place like another world, influencing reality? Is this unique to Kusatsu—or…”
If dungeons could alter the world, how far might that influence reach? Dungeons were clearly managed by the system. But what was that system trying to bring into the world?
Judging by the stance toward godlike beings, it was likely not humanity’s enemy. But that did not mean it could be trusted without condition.
“Destroying a dungeon is easy. But the system surely has some scheme. If this Kusatsu matter is its doing, perhaps it may serve as a clue to its intent.”
Though, Inari did not expect too much. There was no sign the system was in any rush. Dungeons, jobs, items, the monster disasters—surely all were aligned under a single purpose.
What that was, Inari still did not know.
But… here lay another piece of the puzzle. Another clue toward the truth of the system.
For now, that alone was enough.