Chapter 31: The Eldritch Godness and the Hotel

The hotel run by Frieda’s family was an impressive one.

"Whoa! This is it?!"

The gleaming white exterior and large windows basked in the summer sunlight. It was a Mediterranean-style building, an architectural design rarely seen in the imperial capital. The exotic atmosphere made it feel like we’d traveled to another country—so exciting!

"Come on in, come on in. Just remember, our job is to check the service quality before the grand reopening. Like I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to fill out a questionnaire afterward—sound good?"

"Got it. Leave it to us."

We nodded firmly at Frieda’s explanation.

"Alright, let’s check in and head to our rooms. Both the ladies and gentlemen will be staying in the most luxurious Imperial Suites!"

"Wow."

Staying in such a high-class hotel—let alone its most expensive rooms—was a first for me, even including my past life. I couldn’t help but feel giddy.

After checking in, we took the elevator to the top floor. Yes, they did have an elevator—though it was the manual door type, not automatic.

And then, we arrived at the Imperial Suite.

"This room is huge..."

"Part of the renovations for the reopening. What do you think?"

"It’s amazing."

The suite was incredibly spacious, complete with a bedroom, living area, dining space, and even a kitchen. The bathroom was just as lavish.

Not a speck of dust could be found—everything was impeccably clean, and the amenities around the sink and bath were plentiful. Every detail screamed first-class luxury.

"So, what’s the main attraction around here for sightseeing?"

"Hmm… The beach, probably. You can swim this time of year. Did you bring a swimsuit?"

"Ah, no… I’m still not quite up for physical activity yet..."

"Oh. Sorry, Iris. Let’s think of something else."

If I carelessly wore a swimsuit, who knew where tentacles might pop out to say hello? Still, it’d be a shame to miss out on the beach, and worse, Frieda and the others wouldn’t get to enjoy themselves.

"I’ll just sunbathe, so please don’t mind me and go ahead with swimming."

"But..."

"It’s fine, really. I’ll happily settle for admiring cute girls in swimsuits."

Both Frieda and Emilia were beauties. Getting to see such lovely girls in swimsuits? No complaints here.

"Geez, Iris, you sound like some old man. But alright, let’s all go to the beach together later!"

"Sure!"

After settling into our rooms, we decided to invite the guys to join us at the beach.

From the hotel, we could already see the sandy shore, where adults lounged elegantly under the sun and children splashed around by the waves. It looked fun.

It was a shame I couldn’t swim, but it wasn’t like I was much of a swimmer in my past life either. Oh well.

"Alright, let’s go, Iris, Emilia!"

Frieda declared energetically, and we headed off to fetch the men.

"Lord Albrecht, Prince Leonhardt, Lord Felix."

Frieda knocked on the door and called out, and soon it opened.

"Ah. Miss Frieda, what is it?"

Albrecht was the one who answered.

"We’re going to the beach. Care to join us?"

"Of course. Give us a moment."

Albrecht agreed, and within minutes, the men were ready. Felix seemed indifferent, but Leonhardt was clearly in high spirits. Why?

"I’ve always loved the sea. After all, the ladies’ swimsuits are magnificent!"

"Your Highness Leonhardt..."

"Of course, the only swimsuit that interests me now is yours, Miss Emilia!"

Wait, so in the past, he’d just show up at the beach and leer at every woman in sight…? To think this man was the Empire’s Second Prince—truly astonishing.

"Miss Iris. Can you swim?"

Then Felix posed that question.

"I can’t, so I’ll just stick to sunbathing."

"...I see..."

Felix suddenly seemed gloomy. Did he… want to see me in a swimsuit? No, unlike Leonhardt, Felix wouldn’t think like that. Probably.

"Is there a changing room?"

"Yep. There’s a proper one outside, so no worries."

Frieda reassured Emilia, who had voiced her concern.

Well then—off to the beach we go!

──Pure White Sands and Azure Seas. And the Glittering Sun!

"The sea breeze really gets your spirits up, doesn’t it?"

"Yeah. The capital doesn’t have an ocean, so it feels like we’ve traveled to another country."

Frieda replied as I spread out a sheet on the sand and sat down.

Frieda was wearing a navy-blue one-piece swimsuit—modest but undeniably cute. Very cute. Extremely cute.

"The men already went swimming, it seems. I suppose even they get excited when faced with the ocean?"

"More like they’re just being childish."

Frieda’s opinion was rather harsh.

The men had dashed into the water first, but once the women finished changing and arrived, they returned to the shore. Leonhardt immediately sprinted toward Emilia.

"Miss Emilia! What a stunning swimsuit! Magnificent! Ah, if only I could keep this sight of you for my eyes alone...!"

"You’re exaggerating, Your Highness."

"I am not! Not in the slightest! You are truly breathtaking! Like a water spirit—an Undine made flesh!"

"Ahaha..."

As the one who had once reshaped Leonhardt’s brain, I could only pray Emilia wouldn’t lose patience with him. Otherwise, I might have to reshape it again.

"Miss Frieda. You look lovely."

"Thank you, Lord Albrecht."

"Shall we take a walk? I might find inspiration for my next work."

"Of course."

With that, Albrecht led Frieda down the shoreline.

"Miss Iris."

"Yes?"

This time, Felix turned his attention to me. Too bad for him—no swimsuit here.

"Aren’t you hot dressed like that?"

"I’m fine."

"...I see."

I was, as usual, covered from neck to toe in high-coverage clothing, gloves, and tights. Even I couldn’t deny it looked stifling, and Felix had every right to question what I was even doing at the beach like this.

"Shall we walk along the shore as well?"

"Uh, s-sure."

I hadn’t expected him to invite me, so it caught me off guard.

But even so, Felix didn’t bother making conversation—we just... walked. The silence was painful.

"Do you like the ocean, Lord Felix?"

I had no choice but to break the ice.

"Yeah. I used to live near the sea."

"Around here?"

"No. Up north. The northern seas are colder, but the scenery isn’t so different..."

His gaze grew distant as he stared at the water.

"I’d love to see the northern seas you remember someday."

"You’d probably be disappointed. It’s nothing like this resort—just a few fishing villages and an absurdly large military port."

He gave a wry smile at my words.

"But it holds precious memories for you, doesn’t it?"

"...Yeah. Important ones. And the fact that you care enough to ask... well, I appreciate it."

Felix stopped walking, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

"My father—my real father—never liked the ocean. Maybe he feared it. He believed things lurked in the depths beyond human understanding. Sometimes, things that defied logic would wash ashore. I’ve seen a few myself."

Grotesque deep-sea creatures, wreckage of foreign ships, cursed treasures, even relics of heretical gods worshipped on distant Pacific islands—

I listened quietly as Felix spoke.

"Some of those things were... evil. Hints of blasphemous faiths. Maybe growing up by the sea is why I can sense them. A survival instinct, warning me to stay away."

"Can you... feel anything like that now?"

I couldn’t help but ask.

"No. Nothing at all, Miss Iris."

……………………