"Why do I feel more tired after soaking in the hot spring and relaxing for an entire afternoon?"

"It's strange not to feel tired when constantly cooling the underground magma with Chi, right?"

Nightfall, in a villa on the mountainside estate, Tiran lay wearily on the soft big bed, letting Aya's hands roam smoothly over the smooth spine and shoulders, occasionally pressing and massaging gently. The texture of the skin sinking under the fingertips felt like top-quality jade.

But don't get the wrong idea, it's just a massage.

Although not overly large, this villa on the hillside was exceptionally exquisite and complete, more than enough for the four of them—just the four bedrooms alone were spacious, and the clean and tidy first floor with its living room, dining room, and open kitchen felt very comfortable to look at.

After completely averting the crisis of a volcanic eruption, the four of them returned leisurely. Even though, apart from Tiran, the other three actually didn't consume much physical energy, it was still quite exhilarating to soak in a hot spring on the edge of a possible eruption, not to mention the dizziness from soaking too long, not to mention the psychological stimulation.

"But setting aside whether we're tired or not, being able to enjoy Aya's massage is quite nice."

Tiran let out a content hum, making an effort to turn her head back and smile at Aya.

This statement wasn't a joke at all. Aya's technique could rival the professional masseurs the court's swordsmen used to hire for him during his sword training days. It had a noticeable effect on relieving excessive physical fatigue and muscle soreness.

"Uh, really?"

Out of Princess Tiran's view, Aya was feeling a little nervous.

Was his technique really professional?

Indeed it was. After all, it had even been certified personally by a certain academy principal who constantly flipped between being a loli and an older sister in appearance.

Back when he was tied back to the academy city, besides being an assistant instructor for classes like Alchemy, Formation, and Magic Biology, he had also been asked by that principal to learn massage… Well, it seemed that because of being a Dragon, that principal didn't even care about his gaze, often showing Aya scenes that were too stimulating for the younger Aya at that time.

...It would be better if Miss Tiran remained unaware of this.

"Aya? You seem a bit off. Are you okay?"

"No, no!"

Is this what they call women's intuition?

Aya quickly increased the pressure in his hands, massaging the sore spots on Miss Tiran's back, making her emit a mix of pain and pleasure, which distracted her from further inquiry.

"Oh, by the way, I actually had a dream before..."

Recalling Ciella's comforting words in Milt before, Aya hesitated for a moment before asking.

After listening to Aya's description, Tiran couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Haha, Aya, you're too cute! How could I ever do such a thing? Although the idea is quite tempting, it would definitely outshine all the freight convoys in this era if it ever came true."

Finally, Aya completely relaxed.

It seemed that premonitions were indeed false, purely a product of his overthinking.

"It seems Miss Tiran still hesitates to let me work around the clock, huh?"

"Huh? Not at all, I meant how could I be as calm as you imagined and introduce our business so calmly. I'd definitely be nervous to the point where my heart would jump out."

Hey hey! Is there something wrong with your thought process, or is my focus faulty? I'm starting to doubt myself now!

"Senior Aya, dinner is ready."

At that moment, a knock came on the bedroom door, and little Angel peeked in halfway.

"Oh! Thank you, we'll be right down."

Although the villa was designed with a kitchen space, complete with a fire-element Magic array stove that ordinary families would find hard to afford, seeing this equipment, even Princess Tiran, who was used to being taken care of by Mimi, couldn't help but feel like preparing a meal.

But for the group of individuals who had just resolved the volcanic eruption crisis and saved Godcuste in obscurity, they simply didn't have the energy to cook tonight.

So, the dinner was prepared by the estate's restaurant, even thoughtfully packed and delivered to the door, while little Angel's task was just to set the food on the table.

"Oh, it looks quite sumptuous."

The long dining table was filled with a variety of food emitting enticing aromas—a roasted goose stuffed with black truffles, fresh salad and assorted soup made from local fruits and vegetables, and not the kind of sophisticated dishes served at a royal banquet, but rather the simple and hearty kind that Tiran preferred.

After all, taste was the most important factor when it came to food.

"Mm, too bad there's no seafood, what with us being by the seaside."

Taking a sip from a bowl of potato soup, Tiran expressed some regret.

"How about going out to sea tomorrow? Didn't the host mention that there are fishing boats at the seaside that take visitors out to sea fishing? We could also buy some fresh sea fish."

"Wow! That sounds great!"

"As long as there's good food, I have no objections."

Little Angel mumbled in agreement, still trying hard to chew the beef stew with red wine in her mouth, seemingly having taken too big a bite.

...

In the deep night, the Godcuste volcano was unusually quiet, and the moonlight, like a cold yet gentle goddess, gently caressed the sleeping earth with both hands.

Those who lived on the mountain and at its base were unaware that this very afternoon had nearly seen a disaster that could have destroyed the entire region, and they slept peacefully.

However, at that moment, a figure appeared near the flooded low-lying area where underground water kept gushing out. With his hair hanging low, a pair of blazing golden eyes glowed faintly due to the infusion of magic.

In the world seen through eyes enhanced by spells, different elements and magical powers were clear and distinct. In the spring pool before him, the lingering Dragon magic, even after being immersed in hot water for a long time, was still clearly visible.

"Astelitine Ogrien Elior Ibrou Prest... Hehe, even after searching for so long without finding anything, it's come right to me now."

"This is... fantastic!"

As he closed his eyes and reopened them, the glow of magic in his eyes had dimmed, but his face displayed an ecstatic expression.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

A lazy call came from the needleleaf forest behind him, and another tall figure strolled out as if taking a post-dinner walk. He looked like a grandpa strolling after a meal, a lollipop from the night market in his mouth, waving towards this side.

"Nothing much."

He shook his head, casually shrugged, and then pointed to the hot spring pool nearby, "Just found a hot spring pool, and it seems no one has come here."

"Oh! Is there such a good place for free? We can't let that go to waste!"

"Wait a second! Don't just start undressing without any hesitation!"

"Huh? What's there to be afraid of, there's no one else around here?"

"..."