As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of violet and burnt orange, Raizel and Ultear arrived at their destination.
Hosenka Village (also known as Hydrangea Village) was a unique jewel in the Kingdom of Fiore.
Stepping through the main gates felt like stepping into another world entirely.
Gone were the European-style brick buildings of Magnolia; in their place stood rows of elegant, Eastern-style wooden architecture.
Japanese-style taverns (izakayas) hung red lanterns outside their doors, and the sound of wooden sandals clacking against stone pavement filled the air.
It was the most famous hot spring district in the kingdom.
Designed decades ago by a quirky Duke obsessed with Eastern culture, the entire village was a bold, atmospheric tribute to a land far to the east.
"It's beautiful," Ultear whispered, looking around at the paper lanterns glowing softly in the twilight.
"And relaxing," Raizel added, stretching his arms. "This place is famous for washing away fatigue."
This wasn't Raizel's first time here.
Whenever his missions took him west of Magnolia, he would make a detour to soak in the springs.
It was an undeniably excellent way to relieve the stress of battling monsters and dark mages.
They made their way to the center of the village.
Upon entering the main square, a massive artificial rockery waterfall dominated the view to the left.
Crystal-clear water cascaded down the rocks, feeding into a complex system of bamboo channels and stone canals that ran throughout the entire village, providing the soothing sound of running water wherever one walked.
Directly ahead lay a vermilion wooden arched bridge.
Crossing it led to the grandest establishment in the village: the "Super Express" Hotel.
Raizel checked them in.
The hotel adhered strictly to the theme—there were no western beds here.
"Tatami mats?" Ultear asked, poking the straw flooring in their room with her toe.
"It's the style," Raizel explained, setting down their bags. "You sleep on a futon on the floor. Trust me, it's comfortable."
They headed to the hotel's dining hall for dinner.
Being a coastal neighbor to Magnolia, Hosenka Village had access to excellent fresh seafood.
They ordered a feast: platters of fresh sashimi, sushi rolls, and steaming bowls of seafood ramen.
"This place is famous for its speed and its Head Chef," Raizel noted as they waited. "Though the chef looks a bit... peculiar."
The service was lightning fast—true to the hotel's name.
The ramen was rich and savory, the broth clinging to the noodles, and the sushi melted in their mouths.
"This place is always packed," Raizel remarked, looking around the bustling dining hall. "I've never seen it empty."
This time, they had waited nearly twenty minutes for a table, but looking at Ultear happily slurping her noodles, Raizel knew it was worth the wait.
After dinner, the two left the hotel to digest and explore the night market.
The village was magical at night.
Cherry blossom trees were planted along every street, their pink petals fluttering down like snow.
Lines were strung between the rooftops, adorned with glowing lanterns that cast a warm, dreamlike light over the streets.
Clear streams flowed in stone gutters, powering small waterwheels that creaked rhythmically.
At the very back of Hosenka Village stood the crown jewel of the area: the Great Weeping Cherry Tree.
It was massive.
The trunk was so thick it would take ten men holding hands to encircle it.
The tree was fenced off with a sacred rope and a wooden barrier, allowing visitors to view it only from a respectful distance.
Its heavy branches cascaded down like a waterfall of pink flowers, stretching over twenty meters in every direction.
It possessed a powerful, almost spiritual presence.
Lanterns hung from the branches, their orange light illuminating the petals against the dark night sky.
"This weeping cherry tree is over 1,500 years old," a father nearby explained to his child, who was riding on his shoulders.
"The entire village was built around this tree to protect it."
"1,500 years..." Ultear murmured, staring up at the ancient giant.
As a user of Time Magic, the concept of such endurance fascinated her.
"I suspect the Duke who built this place just really wanted a private viewing spot," Raizel joked softly.
He could sense the subtle hum of a mage barrier above the fence.
It was invisible to the naked eye but strong enough to prevent mischievous children—or drunk tourists—from climbing over to damage the tree.
...
A trip to Hosenka wouldn't be complete without the springs.
Raizel booked private times for the gender-segregated public baths.
"Here," Raizel handed Ultear a small basket with a yukata and toiletries. "I'll meet you back at the room in an hour."
Raizel entered the men's bath.
The amenities were top-tier: fresh yukata, wooden slippers, private shower stalls, and even bottles of cold fruit milk to prevent dehydration.
The hot spring's spout was carved into the shape of a dragon, and the water had a unique, slightly pinkish hue due to the local minerals.
Raizel sank into the water with a long groan of satisfaction.
"Ahhh... this is the life."
He leaned his head back against the smooth stones, placing a folded towel on his forehead.
The water was hot, biting at his skin pleasantly, while the night air was cool.
Steam rose from the surface, condensing into mist. Cherry blossom petals floated on the water, drifting lazily.
It felt ethereal, as if he were soaking in a pool in the celestial realm.
He closed his eyes, letting the heat seep into his bones, washing away the tension of the past few months.
For a moment, thoughts of Zeref, Acnologia, and the future faded away.
...
An hour later, Raizel returned to their room, smelling of sulfur and soap. He found Ultear already there, dressed in a floral yukata.
She was sitting on the tatami mat, reading a book under the soft light of a magic lamp.
"How was the bath?" Raizel asked, sitting down cross-legged.
"Hot," Ultear said simply, turning a page. "But nice."
"Anywhere you'd like to go next?" Raizel asked.
Ultear frowned slightly, pursing her lips as she set down her book.
"I don't know much about the geography of Fiore. I've only ever seen maps in books."
"Wait a moment." Raizel reached into his backpack and pulled out a thick book titled "The Ultimate Guide to Fiore" and a large fold-out map.
He spread the map on the low table.
"Okay, look here," Raizel pointed to a large city circle. "This is Crocus, the capital. It's called the 'City of Flowers.' During the annual festival, mages from everywhere flock there. It's crowded, loud, and colorful."
Ultear wrinkled her nose. "More flowers? I think I've seen enough cherry blossoms for a while."
"Fair enough," Raizel chuckled. He moved his finger to the coast. "Then how about here? Akane Resort."
"Akane Resort?"
"It's Fiore's most popular coastal destination," Raizel recited from memory. "Massive theme park, luxury hotels, endless beaches. It's a paradise. The hotel has an underground amusement park, high-end restaurants, and a casino."
"No casinos," Ultear shook her head instantly. "Gambling is a waste of resources."
"Heh, quite principled for a kid," Raizel laughed. "I dislike gambling too. I never win anyway."
He moved his finger again.
"How about the Clover Canyon? It's a geological wonder. Deep fractures, crisscrossing ravines... they call it the 'Spider's Nest.' Many people get lost, but since we can fly, we'd get a great view."
"Is there anything to do there besides looking at rocks?" Ultear asked flatly.
"Well... not really," Raizel scratched his cheek awkwardly. "It's mostly for hiking enthusiasts."
"Pass."
"Tough customer," Raizel muttered. He scanned the map again and his eyes lit up. "Then this! Agave Land! It's the premier summer water park in Fiore. Huge swimming pools, water slides that go as fast as a train, and magical wave pools. Since it's practically summer now, it's the perfect season."
Raizel looked at her excitedly. "Water slides, Ultear. Fast ones."
Ultear looked at the map.
She looked at Akane Resort, then at Agave Land. She tapped her chin in thought.
"We'll visit both," she declared. "Except for the casino at Akane Resort."
"Huh?" Raizel's finger froze mid-air. "Both?"
"I said we'll visit both," Ultear repeated, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips. "We're on vacation, aren't we? Why choose?"
Raizel blinked, then grinned. "You know what? You're absolutely right. Both it is."