Chapter 184 (2/2)

“What is this? Why are there so many humans here? Are they here to declare war on my town…?”

“Christina-san, these are our first guests.”

“…hou, really? Didn’t you say it would still be a couple more days?”

“Some unexpected things occurred that led to this informal pre-opening.”

“Hmm?”

The loligon glanced around the baths at all of the nobles present before she seemed to make her mind up on something.

“If that’s the case, I’d like to hear what they have to say.”

The loligon’s eyes scanned the bathhouse before eventually locking onto the one person not enjoying themselves in the bath, Nannuzzi-san. She was sitting in the corner trying to make herself as small as possible with her knees pressed against her chest. She reminded me of a student trying to avoid participating in gym class.

Or rather, in this case, a noblewoman that’s been sentenced to death.

“What do you think? Isn’t this the most amazing bath you’ve ever seen!?”

“….”

“You see that sculpture over there, the pattern on the floor here, umm oh and the spout where the hot water is coming from? All of that was done by me. That human over there can’t make such fine carvings on his own so I made all of them! What do you think!?”

The loligon was really excited.

Her innocent smile is the best.

She’s like a kid telling her friends about the new toys she got.

She has been working hard for the last few days, so seeing her enjoy herself like this is nice.

“….”

“Isn’t there something called a mayor in your human towns? Aren’t they the humans that have accomplished the most for a city? So that must mean I’m the most qualified to be mayor of this city. Don’t you agree, human!?”

The miserable looking woman wasn’t much of a conversation partner.

“….”

“Don’t hide over here in the corner when the bath is just right over there. I know it looks like normal water but trust me, it feels amazing. It’s such a waste for you to be standing over here so get moving!”

I wasn’t expecting this.

Is the loligon actually showing concern for a human being?

This is a huge step forward.

It’s a moving sight.

I wasn’t sure if it would be possible, but the noble mage might actually have a chance. That’s amazing. Truly amazing, loligon. It could actually be possible with this loligon.

Majestic loligon. Cute loligon.

“…be quiet.”

“Oh? What was that?”

Nannuzzi-san finally spoke as she was slowly getting to her feet.

And —

“I told you to shut up and leave me alone you annoying brat!”

Nannuzzi-san lunged forward and hit the loligon’s cheek.

She slapped her.

The sharp crack of flesh hitting flesh reverberated around the bathhouse.

It’s likely that Nannuzzi-san assumed Christina was a normal peasant girl. She’s wearing clothes suitable for a commoners and she’s covered in dust from working outside all day. In fact, it will only make sense for her to assume that Christina is a normal commoner. Why would anyone suspect that a massive dragon is hidden behind her loli exterior?

“!?”

“That’s what you deserve for so casually addressing your superior….”

The broad smile that was on her face remained, but her eyes were now open wide in shock and her fingers were tracing a circle around the bright red spot in her cheek.

This isn’t good.

“Christina-san, just wait a moment….”

“You hit me?”

Her voice sent a chill down my spine and I realized that there wasn’t a single thing I could say to stop her.

The loligon responded to the slap with a straight punch directly into Nannuzzi-san’s abdomen.

For a brief moment, the entire bathhouse fell into complete silence as Nannuzzi-san glanced down to see what had happened. It almost seemed as if she were trying to say something, but before any words left her mouth, her body began to emit a sickening crunching sound.

Those of us in the bathhouse were unable to even manage to scream as we were left watching this disturbing scene transpire in front of us with our mouths hanging agape.

A crimson mist splattered the back wall as bits and pieces of what had formerly been Nannuzzi-san were sent flying across the bathhouse. The power behind that attack must have been immeasurable. Even her bones had been turned into mince.

The only part of her body that remained intact was her head and it was sent flying across before hitting the wall with so much force that it ricocheted up and hit the ceiling. It hit another wall before landing on the ground, tumbling a few feet, and finally coming to a rest.

Her mouth was still open; her lips forever locked in position for whatever word she was about to speak.

“Christina-san….”

What am I supposed to do?

I just need to stay calm and speak up as the manager of this establishment.

“….”

Her shoulders started to shake before she turned to face me.

The streaks of red across her porcelain skin created a jarring image.

“S-She started it!”

“….”

“Stop looking at me like that! It’s not…. I-It wasn’t my fault!”

With blood still dripping off of her body, the loligon took off flying out of the room.

For maybe the first time since meeting her, I wasn’t planning on criticizing or blaming the loligon.