After the data harvest we did from the two prisoners, Queen Tanya suggested sparring again with me as she barely had anyone who can match up with her during a sparring session. I am also a bit bored so I didn't decline and accepted her challenge.
The two of us clash our weapons like we are going to kill each other and yet, take it easy as well to avoid harming ourselves. It's quite amazing that I even managed to keep up with Queen Tanya in terms of speed, seeing how she can unleash a quick succession of swings on her attacks. Still managed to keep our battle on equal terms and ended up with both of us remaining standing while our wooden weapons are already out of shape. The soldiers watching us are all amazed or clapping after the spectacle. Those who have seen us fight already know how flashy our fight was and are just watching us to see whether they will see a winner from any of us two or not. As for those new soldiers, they are all amazed by how strong their queen is and also how someone like me is able to keep up and even keep the battle to a standstill between the two of us.
"I am impressed, Bladeheart. You are steadily growing and your strength is starting to surpass mine. It wouldn't take long enough before you can even beat me easily soon enough."
"Eh, you are exaggerating, Your Majesty. I feel sore all over my body after our battle and you think I can win against you with this kind of body who can't even last that long?"
"Hehe, you should be proud of your body for lasting that long. No one has yet to be able to remain standing from my attacks in a spar that long aside from you and even some of the adventurers that I met tried challenging me, no one was able to remain standing like this for long."
To be honest, no one except me is able to remain standing and still ready to fight after the battle against Queen Tanya. If Queen Tanya fought the two prisoners before in the ruins, the two would have ended up dying but since she didn't want them to die as she needed information as to who and what their purpose is, which is why she only have minimal action during that time and besides, Lucia and I were enough to suppress the two.
We stopped sparring and I returned to my quarters. I lie down on the bed for a few minutes until I felt a bit hot in my body while resting. I have rested for a bit now so I think a good time to take a bath in the hot spring is a good idea.
Even if the climate is hot, natural hot springs are still a good bath in this continent. Not only does it refreshes the body but it also removes fatigue as well. Of course, a regular cold bath helps with appeasing the hot weather but in my condition, I think I wanted to try removing the fatigue for once.
The hot spring in this castle is not divided between girls and boys. It's one big pool of hot water for both to enjoy. However, I doubt there is anyone inside right now aside from perhaps a few servants cleaning the bath but it should be fine as they will leave once someone goes in.
As I removed my clothes and proceed with only a towel covering my lower half, I went to the washing area and started cleaning up myself. I didn't notice anyone around though it's a bit misty so I can't properly see if there is anyone other than me there. But for sure, no servants are cleaning the bath which is good.
"Ho... it seems you are quite exhausted for you to head to the hot springs, eh?" the voice of Queen Tanya echoes in the bath. I looked into the hot springs and saw Queen Tanya currently soaked in the hot water, all naked as usual with a floating tray containing a cup of alcohol.
"Ah, my apologies, Your Majesty. I didn't know you are taking a bath. I will be going out, so please enjoy your bath."
"Oh, no, no. No worries. You have seen my birthday suit before, why would you still be shy? Join me in the bath. It's much better to take a good soak in warm water while drinking alcohol with someone. Just finish up cleaning yourself thoroughly first before soaking in."
Seeing as she would get angry if I try to escape, I decided to remain and continue cleaning my body. It's not like my first time seeing a naked woman but knowing that this is an alternate world makes the experience real and I am not just seeing animated boobs and thighs but a real deal.
Once I am done, I soaked in while still keeping the towel but Queen Tanya stopped me and I was forced to remove it if entering into the water. Thankfully, I am not shy about it so I removed the towel and entered the bath.
"Heh, you are a grown man already. Being a wuss like that won't get you any girls, you know?" Queen Tanya chuckled.
"This is a different story you know," I sighed.
"Still, this should be the first time I am seeing you without the wolf mask covering your face and I must say, you are quite a looker."
"Ahahaha, is that a compliment? I don't think I am that attractive of a guy in general?" I scratch my head as I never receive any kind of praise for my looks. Most of the time, it's just normal.
"Why would I lie? I know my fair share of good-looking guys and I also know how to differentiate ugly guys as well. And I don't even categorize you as the latter. I must say that you belong to the former category and I am adding you to the guys I find attractive."
Receiving a compliment like this gives me a bit of happiness and a bit of confidence about myself. If someone like Queen Tanya who is one of the attractive girls in the Alternate World recognizes my good looks, then that means I have it indeed.
"Well, since you insist then it should be fine. Though I don't think I am that handsome."
"Hehehe, alright then. If that's what you believe. Anyways, care for a drink?"
"Don't mind if I do."
And the two of us have a good time drinking the alcohol in the bath. Perhaps it's best to wash away my problems for a while and have a good time for a bit.
"By the way, Bladeheart. Have you heard of the continent named Kamikaze?"
I was stunned for a second after hearing it. From the looks of it, it's here.
"Based on your reaction, it seems you do. But in case I am just reading your face wrong, Kamikaze is the continent where it was protected by a gust of strong wind that only specialized aircraft and vehicles are able to move past it which is why the continent is called Kamikaze. Lately, the wind that protects the continent from any threats has become stronger than usual and the inhabitants are worried that there is something wrong happening and it might be involving the winds. They fear that one day, this divine wind that is covering the whole continent will suddenly engulf them and destroy their whole continent."
"Is the Goddess Titania gonna issue the same task to the pioneers?"
"So far, there is no response from the goddess and no one knows whether they will be given the chance to do so. But due to the stronger winds becoming a much more serious threat, the people are now trying to find a way to get some help from the outside to learn what is happening in the winds. One of my friends has asked me if I could go with my Sister there and check whether there is something happening in the winds because they can't wait for the help that the goddess is promising them to have."
"A race against time huh?" I rubbed my chin. This is a new thing in this world and perhaps a new incident might have occurred and right now, I think I am no longer surprised by it.
"Indeed. This is why, in the following days, I will be going there alongside my sister to help check on the divine wind going crazy. Waiting for the goddess will just spell their demise so the sooner the identification of the problem goes, the better. And it would do great if the source of the problem is also eliminated."
"So why are you telling me this?"
"A pioneer with great skills and has been involved with most of the conflicts in all continents so far. One of the people who have managed to greatly involve themselves in solving the problem or have been the source of the solution, you are a great candidate for this. So I will ask a favor of joining us in this investigation. I want you to help us find the problem of the Kamikaze Continent.