Let This Grieving Soul Retire (嘆きの亡霊は引退したい)

Town of Suls

The Town of Suls.

A tourist destination famous for its hot springs.

Sitri is so pretty.

Is she the type that looks slimmer in clothes?!

Ti.

You must be exhausted after everything that happened.

Make sure you give your body a proper rest.

R-Right!

Nothing beats a hot spring!

From the floors to the bathing area,

everything has been prepared with loving care.

I can't find fault with a single thing.

I guess that's what you get at Suls' luxury inn.

And we have the place to ourselves.

I guess it's true that there haven't been many guests lately.

Looks like a bandit gang is terrorizing the nearby Gladis territory,

so nobody wants to come here.

Let's be grateful for small blessings.

It's like I own the place.

Yup, yup.

Huh?

Is that singing?

Is it coming from the outdoor bath?

Hey, Krai.

Wanna go hunt down a hot spring dragon?

Huh?

Why would I?

And what's a "hot spring dragon," anyway?

Dragon...

Hot spring...

Dragon...

Hot spring...

Hot spring... dragon.

Wait, was she talking about this guy?!

No, no. No way.

That's probably the inn's pet, or something.

Showing fear would actually be more dangerous.

I just need to act unfazed.

Probably... I bet! It's fine!

Its gaze must not be met.

It is a cursed being.

Its nature must never be forgotten.

It is said that this fearsome mythical creature is the most dangerous.

"The hot spring dragon."

He went somewhere with the food again.

He really doesn't let you see you how he eats, huh?

I'm so terrified...

"I Want to Soak It Up in the Hot Springs."

Episode 18

I Want to Soak It Up in the Hot Springs

Let This Grieving Soul Retire

Ti?

Y-Yes?

Sitri?

Ti, this is a special soap I made myself.

Krai really likes this scent.

I'll wash you with it.

Put your mind at ease and just let yourself relax.

B-But Sitri...

Ahhh!

My eyes!

Soap in my eyes!

Oh, my.

My eyes!

My eyes!

Sitri!

There's a dragon!

G-Good thing I had a Safety Ring.

Whoa, hold up! I'm really skinny!

Not tasty at all!

Master! Are you all right?!

Tino! Sitri!

Oh, there really is a dragon.

But why did he get into the hot spring with it?

I thought I heard him call for help...

Ti. Has Krai ever called for help before?

O-Oh, you're right.

Then why...?

This one looks small enough that even you could defeat it.

That's why you called for us, right, Krai?

Huh?

What?!

Mr. Dragon, this girl over here will take you on!

Wh-Why would you say that?!

M-Master is looking at me.

There's no way I can properly fight like this!

Hot water?

Was that just hot water?

Take it down already.

It's just a hot spring dragon!

Master, I see you're telling me that I need to move beyond feeling ashamed.

What the hell is this?

Is it supposed to be a dragon?

That's a baby!

That's so funny.

Liz, please stop laughing now.

Apparently it's one of the hot spring dragons that live in the neighboring mountains.

Well, a dragon is a dragon.

Master!

With this, you're technically also a killer of dragons—

Or a Dragon Slayer.

Yes!

I've felt more in tune with my body ever since I put on that mask.

Still, I never would've expected a dragon to break into a hot spring resort.

The resort staff were apologizing left and right.

It must have been drawn to this place

since it no longer had any visitors.

So, what are you going to do?

Eat it to celebrate?

Should we make it into teriyaki?

Is that what one does?

It is.

I just hope the cooking knife can cut through it.

What should we do?

I mean, it's not like we have to eat it.

H-Hey?!

I can't believe he tamed a hot spring dragon!

Impressive, Krai!

I knew it. You're a god.

And now.

I think I'll invite everyone to do some relaxed sightseeing around Suls.

Huh?

Mr. Gray?

I can't do this.

You're beyond my comprehension.

Huh? What is this?

I... I...

Where is it? Where is it?

I found it!

With this, we're all free!

Now it's your turn.

No, I'm fine.

Well, suit yourself.

See ya.

They said they were heading towards the Gladis territories.

I see.

Yup, yup.

I see.

They really are impatient, though.

We were always planning on setting you free.

Thank you for letting me know.

You're free to do as you like as well.

Wh-What?

It sure is deserted.

What's going on here?

Construction?

That's quite a hole.

I see.

They must've been digging for another hot spring

when the rumor of the bandit gang made them stop.

This bandit gang is really troublesome.

If only some skilled hunters would come along and get rid of them already.

Why don't we do it?

We're on vacation.

Boo!

But really, though.

It's pretty depressing with all the stores closed.

Oh, Krai!

Look! That place is open!

Which one?

Welcome!

They're selling hot spring dragon buns and... demi-human buns?

What are those?

There are legends around these parts

of strange humanoid creatures that sometimes appear.

Huh?

Are they monsters?

Nobody really knows.

Assuming they're undergroundlings, I've done a bit of research on the topic before.

Undergroundlings...?

Now this is something.

This pairing of red bean paste made

from stringently selected beans and the delicately roasted dough...

Not bad at all!

For someone who doesn't like sweets, that's a sharp analysis.

Impressive, Master!

Even I can handle this much.

Huh?

What?

Uhh...

You went into the Night Palace?

Isn't that place level 8?

It seemed like the quickest way to catch up with you.

It was truly hell.

Did Thousand Tricks do all this?

Something's coming!

The power of the high-level phantoms was overwhelming.

So these are the Thousand Trials.

Hide!

We used the phantom corpses to hide ourselves and survived somehow.

High-level phantoms have excessive mana material,

which is why their bodies don't disappear quickly.

Had it been just us, we would have been wiped out for sure.

We really owe Arnold our gratitude.

In the end, we pushed Arnold...

too far.

Hey, Krai.

Can't you just forgive him now?

I think he's learned enough of a lesson.