While the boys were trying to spy on the other side of the fence, which was pointless due to the steam and the heavy amount of elderly people, I relaxed and let my mind wander.

I had a little trouble understanding how I ended up going through so much physical labor when I was walking the wizard's path. This is all Violet's fault.

Violet's seducing figure came to mind. Even if she's one of the most powerful mages in the country, she couldn't defend against my wild imagination.

I remained like that with my eyes closed for some time, it was pure bliss.

At least until I started hearing some kind of commotion coming from the entrance. I opened my eyes to see what was going on.

What now?

A group of six armed people barged in into our side. They wore darkened leather armor and had their faces covered by dark cloths.

Namrick and the others turned to look at the newcomers.

One of the black-clad guys pointed at Edward.

「Masked man: That's the one! Get him!」

Well, shit. What the heck was going on now? Can't I enjoy my damn hot springs? I gritted my teeth.

「Wahhh !」

The villains unsheathed their weapons sending the people in the hot spring in panic.

I stood there calmly. I couldn't move... thinking about Violet had been a mistake.

Now I had to wait for the... excitement to wear off before trying anything.

I really didn't want to climb out with my rod activated, I would never live it down.

Namrick and Grastel moved in front of Edward to shield him.

Just give me a few seconds.

Namrick stepped forth.

「Namrick: You won't have anyone!」

Yes, very heroic. Too bad you're stark naked!

「Masked man: Ahahah, and how are you going to fend us off? With your pecker?!」

Yes, keep laughing. Just you wait until my john has calmed down and you'll see.

I started moving slowly toward them.

「Masked man: Surrender him to us and we won't turn you two into a bloody mess!」

They were almost on them.

Okay, I'm good!

I rose up and climbed outside the water. One of the bad guys noticed me and shouted.

「Masked man: Hey you! What do you think you're doing?」

I gave Namrick a nod. I assumed he had some barehanded combat training since he was a fighter. He got my intention and charged against one of the men that had been distracted by my bravado.

「Masked man: Little skraggs!」

The man cursed as he sprawled back on the ground.

I moved as I had been taught and hit the neck of one of the foes, the flimsy leather protection didn't do much against my mana strength and he fell back choking. At the same time, I took his mace away and I swung it toward one of the other men.

Maces, man's best friends.

The bandit tried crossed his arms trying to block the blow, but my swing was mana infused.

「Allen: I'm military, BITCH!」

* CRUNCH *!

「Masked man: GAaa-ah!」

He stumbled back. One of his arms were broken. I smiled in satisfaction.

「Allen: Come at me, bros!」

I kicked to another but as I was barefoot and wet I didn't do much. I cast heat to dry up a little.

In the meanwhile Namrick had grabbed one of them and performed a throw, sending the bandit flying into the water.

Nice one!

The other three moved against me as one. Uh, that might be a problem. I thought, stepping back.

Thankfully, Namrick tripped one of them making him stumble down while Grastel, who had found a blade, stabbed at his legs.

The masked man yelled in pain.

The other two masked men swung at me with their daggers. I managed to avoid one, but the other cut deep on my left shoulder.

「Allen: GRaaAh!」

Pain blinded me for a split second.

I dropped the mace.

I moved without thinking and grabbed at both of them while casting a good fucking dose of Burn.

The two guys jolted in pain, the smell of burned meat permeating the air.

I grabbed the face of the one on my right and rammed it against the goddamn dividing palisade, sending him halfway through. He went limp.

I heard women crying out in surprise. I ducked down to pick up the mace again.

Can't I have one fucking day of leisure? My left shoulder was throbbing painfully. My knuckles went white as I hardened my grip on the mace.

Namrick was taking care of the one he had tossed into the water, who had now gotten back on stage.

The last masked man, realizing the odds had been turned against them, tried to flee.

NO FUCKING CHANCE!

I sprinted unusually fast and jump-kicked him behind the knee. He fell hard, face down with me on top. I slammed the mace twice against his sword arm and then the other.

「Bandit: Uhaaa- gah- gaaaahrgh!!」

Grastel had secured one of the bandits from behind, his blade pressed against the neck, while Namrick had taken care of the ones that had tried to rise up.

Edward was sitting on a corner, looking at us half shocked.

I grabbed my quarry by the scruff and threatened.

「Allen: Now... you will tell me what was your plan and who hired you. Or I'm fucking freezing every single of your fingers and tear them down, alright?」

It was a bluff because I was almost out of mana, but the bandit bought it and went pale.

「Bandit: W-We were sent here... to kidnap the noble k-kid.」

He stammered, his eyes dancing wildly around.

「Allen: No shit, tell me more.」

Ellin came rushing.

「Ellin: Wha- What's going o- Eeek!」

She blushed and turned around.

I looked down. Right we were all completely naked.

「Allen: Who sent you?」

「Bandit: ...」

He tried to look away.

I grabbed one of the man's fingers.

「Allen: Here we go with the first fing-」

「Bandit: WAIT! WAIT! He s-said he was called T-Torken!」

He started singing like a bird.

He gave a brief description. Aquiline nose, black hair, a mole just over his right eyebrow and a goatee.

Okay.

I got up and covered myself with a towel. The others had already done so.

We walked just outside where Ellin was waiting, still a little embarrassed.

She healed our injuries.

By then the city guards arrived. I introduced myself as a military recruit for extra kudos and explained about the attempted kidnapping, then they took the bandits away for questioning.

「Grastel: What now?」

Grastel shrugged looking left and right. The remaining people were all leaving in a rush.

I looked back at the hot springs. I could feel they were calling upon me.

「Allen: We resume our vacation.」

I said flatly.

「Namrick: Ehh?」

He looked at me wide-eyed.

「Allen: Torken... I bet it's a fake name. He's probably hiding far away and we'd have to waste days to track him down... let the guards handle it. Besides, I have to get back in time to resume my training. We don't have time to chase people and walk into traps and so on.」

I turned and began walking back to the hot spring bath.

「Ellin: But...」

「Edward: Shouldn't we...」

「Allen: Reeeeelax time.」

The other patrons had run away at the first signs of struggle, so the bath was empty now.

I stopped and glanced back.

「Allen: Ah, since everyone here ran away, how about we keep our towels on and have a bath together?」

I stepped into the water, laying down against the rocks. The steamy air and pleasant warmness embraced me once again. Yesssss.

「Allen: Come on, there's something on my mind I want to discuss with all of you.」

Everyone shrugged their shoulders and followed my lead. Ellin hesitated for a few seconds but gave in.

「Ellin: Fine.」

There you go boys, you can thank me later.

Ellin had a slim figure. I was sure that in five years or so she would turn into a beauty. But at the moment she was too young and optimistic for me.

If I had to spend my life with someone, I'd want a strong and confident woman who can shrug off the unfairness of life and can take care of themselves. In short, someone like me.

Ellin is a good kid, I hope she can find a good man for her.

「Ellin: So, what did you want to say?」

She asked, still a little blushed. Hmmm, is it just me, or did she steal a glance at Namrick's pecs?

「Allen: I was thinking... how did these guys know where to find Edward? I didn't see anyone trailing us from Valarest... Grastel, what about you?」

Grastel scratched his chin reflectively.

「Grastel: No, I didn't notice anyone following us. Along the road, there were only a bunch of older people and caravans, all of them riding on different routes.」

As I thought.

「Allen: Second, it's not like we did a spectacle of our wealth... we just left the horses at the stable and came straight here. How could they know he was nobility?」

Edward shifted uncomfortably.

「Edward: W-What are you getting at?」

He asked with a hint of uneasiness.

「Allen: I think... that whoever sent these men, already knew you would come here.」

I narrowed my eyes as I laid down my reasoning.

「Ellin: What?!」

She exclaimed in surprise.

「Grastel: Hmmm, perhaps Allen is onto something. We never said we would go to this specific hot spring, did we?」

The whole city was sprinkled with hot springs.

「Namrick: They could have just followed us.」

Namrick shrugged.

「Allen: Maybe, but still. How did they know he was a noble and not just the son of a merchant? It looks to me that whoever hired these thugs already knew all about Edward and the purpose of his visit.」

Ellin was wearing a worried expression.

「Edward: Huh, but that's...」

The kid went silent, his brain gears grinding.

「Edward: If that's true... I only spoke of this to my father and... my household staff...」

Edward paled thinking about the implications.