Chương 344: Chapter 327. Springs And Earth Magic

/ WOOSH! SPLASH! /" See!?"" Harold, calm down. It's just water."" But look at it, it's coming from the ground and it's super-hot! It's a hot spring, isn't it?"" Even with that, did you really need to run at us screaming bloody murder?"" But Mr. Doug said we needed to find Ms. Emily to see what we should do?" Ruby spoke to her little cousin Harold, and they were going back and forth about the current issue.

Simply put, while digging around the Northeast area outside the walls of Paradise, the Miners struck a natural spring that erupted out of a hill side... No, maybe I'm wrong? Looking at it closely, it looks more like the top of a mountain. How the top of a mountain has blended into the hillside is more of a question for Anna, since she can speak to the Water Goddess that cursed this land all those years ago. Regardless, the water was shooting out of the wall that was struck, like a volcanic eruption.

Thankfully, the hot water that was currently raining down and soaking the area was eventually hitting a stream that was behind us. Apparently, they did some testing, and it seems there's a few places that are likely connected to the same underground spring that caused this strange sight. Along with that, it didn't seem to have any adverse effects on the Demons around the erupting spring." How nice, it's like a natural bath, isn't it, Char?"" Yes, I've heard of these before, Del.

Apparently, the original Darkheim had a bunch of bathing areas called "hot springs". Now they're mostly in the Northern parts of Promethia and the Southwestern parts of Elfheim."" Yes, those lands in Elfheim were the original Darkheim after all." Princess Charlotte and Prince Delcan were having their own conversation, the first thing I need to do is speak to the Captain of this Mining Group to see what can be done." Harold, where is the Mining Group Captain?"" Hm? Oh, you mean Old Man Frank? He's right there."

Harold pointed to a yellow-skinned Demon with a long white beard and a bald head. He had a new hardhat made from the shell of a D-Class Monster called Killer Turtle. It's a fairly weak Monster, but its shell is hard enough to withstand attacks from some A-Class Monsters. From that fact, Matthew wanted to make sure that all jobs centered on Building and Mining had helmets made of Killer Turtle Shells for their protection while working.

Thankfully, just last week, the last of the quotas for the hardhats were met, so there was one more item to check off of Matthew's list for Paradise's Safety Checklist.

I thought he was joking with me when he first brought up his Safety Requirements, but once I saw the order list he sent to the Blacksmiths, full of things like bright-orange leather armor for the Hunters to not accidentally attack each other in the forests when looking for game or face masks with small Magical Devices to create a small Wind Barrier for the Botanists and Farmers, so they don't breathe in any harmful substances from the Plants or manure they come into contact with.

Of course, this also included protective gloves to make sure they don't absorb anything in through their skin, which I didn't even know that was a risk, but he explained it was the same for something like rubbing lotion on a person's skin. I was surprised at how he was able to connect these things, since I've never heard of something like that, even when dealing with different Business Owners in Atheis." What would you like to know, Lady Emily?"

I pushed those memories to the back of my mind as I finally walked up to Old Man Frank. He seemed ready to do what I asked of him, though I couldn't tell if that was because of who I am, or the fact that Ruby was right next to me glaring at him." Harold told us while moving here that you found several other spots that seem to connect to the spring that is currently shooting out of the wall."" Yes, Ma'am. What would you like us to do with them?" Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere.

Support the author by seeking out the original." Does anyone here know how to use Earth Magic?"" Yes, Ma'am, but he's currently passed out."" Passed out?"" Yes, he's the one that struck paydirt with the stream, it shot out of the wall and blasted him around 70 feet away, I'm guessing the shock and the heat is what did him in. He's currently snoring over there."" Ah, it's Snops!" Ruby shouted in exasperation as she saw the figure of the Demon who was currently sleeping." What's the matter, Ruby?"" It's Snops!

He's not going to wake up!"" What?"" Allow me to explain, Lady Emily. You see, Snops spends most days extremely sloshed. Today was no different."" I thought Lord Matthew had already outlawed working while drunk, Mr. Frank?"" Indeed, he did, but you see, Snops is a rare case. His body doesn't reabsorb mana correctly unless he has alcohol in his system. The more alcohol, the more mana he regains.

Lord Matthew gave him a Special Privilege to work while drinking as long as it's in the acceptable range and under the watch of me and my Vice-Captain to make sure he doesn't go past it. There's not much we can do about him sleeping however."" So, we're out of options?"" It seems that way, My Lady." Mr. Frank gave a sigh after he spoke. It seems he's not a big fan of the current predicament either." What do you want Earth Magic for, Ms. Emily?"

Prince Delcan asked me a question as I was currently trying to think of a new solution to our issue. I looked back at him and began to explain what I was thinking." I wanted to create pools around the spots that the crew found, then pierce them. Depending on how many we can find, we should be able to create a few different hot spring baths. It would also drop the pressure from that wall, and we'd be able to turn this whole portion of land into a Public Bathhouse as well.""

You don't think it's too far for something like that?"" No, not if we create walkways, Lord Matthew plans on making paths through the forest and the like once the Botanists figure out what groves hold the best plants for things like Medicine and Spices for Cooking. I'd imagine he'd be all for creating pathways for the townsfolk to enjoy a hot bath and unwind after a hard day's work. Least I'd remind you that the Magical Devices for the hot water bathtubs usually take a year's wages for the regular working people."

Right, he is always trying to do what's best for the Commoners, doesn't he?" Prince Delcan began to think to himself for a few minutes before beginning to speak." Alright, I'll do it."" You'll do it?"" Oh right, you can use some Earth Magic, can't you, Del?" Prince Delcan said something strange and then Princess Charlotte explained what he meant. Once he nodded to Princess Charlotte's words, he turned to me and began to ask what I wanted to be done."

So, how big do you want the walls to be and how many spots are there?" I turned to Mr. Frank for an answer." Currently, we've found 12 spots including the one in the wall, Ms. Emily, Prince Delcan."" I'd say around 4 feet high, and I'd like the size of it to be around 50ft by 50ft."" Em, we're Demons not Humans." Ruby pointed to her limbs and then put one of her hands above her head." I see, keep it at 4 feet but double the dimensions."" I see... I should be able to do 2 pools a day, I think? With Snops awake...

Just looking at him, he should be able to do 1 pool by himself."" Right, it takes more mana for you, doesn't it?"" Yeah, it's the most draining Magic System for me to use, Char. Well, at the very least, this should be good practice for me with it, maybe I'll adjust to the mana usage?"" Yes, I'm sure that's all you're hoping for, right?" Princess Charlotte gave a teasing smile to her brother. It looks like he does have another reason why he's doing it. It didn't take any of us much time to understand what it was."

Well, look, every time I tried to befriend him, he dodges the issue and pretends that being a Marquess is too low of a Status to be Friends with a Prince. It's obvious I need to play somewhat dirty to get him to stop running from me."" You sound like you're in love." Prince Delcan scoffed at Princess Charlotte's observation." I'm thankful I'm not, I can't begin to imagine how tough it must be for al...

For any women that fall for him, he can't pick up on hints of Friendship, I'd hate to think what he'd think about hints at romance. Thank the Gods I'm going to have an Arranged Marriage."" Yes, I hear Mom and Dad were really close with choosing a Fiancée for you. Maybe, when you head back, you'll meet her?."" Enough about that, I'm going to get to work, Ms. Emily, do you want me to start here?" Prince Delcan and Princess Charlotte finished their conversation and he wanted to know what I'd like done first.

It may surprise him what I thought would be the correct first step." I want you to make a waterway around the area we're in so the hot water can flow through it. Then I want you to make the waterway go next to the cold-water stream that runs around the Northern side of Paradise."" Why all of that?"" The water will need an escape route to the nearest river or ocean, otherwise it'll flood at some point, Prince Delcan."" Oh, I see. I'll get to work!"

Prince Delcan took off, and I sat in the area to make sure all of my ideas were correct. If they are, I can't wait to see the look on Matthew's face when I've finished making a new attraction to bring in tourists to Paradise!