"Splash, splash~"
Soon, Shuna led the two of them to a slightly elevated area.
There was a bathhouse there.
The small section used by Rin and Ogerpon wasn't open to the public on regular days.
It was reserved specifically for esteemed guests, a place to welcome them and wash away the dust of travel.
"This feels pretty nice…"
Leaning against the edge of the bathhouse, Rin let out a relaxed sigh. "How are you feeling, Ogerpon?"
"Ogerpon feels all squishy…"
Right beside him was Ogerpon.
She was completely sunk in the hot water, with only half her head floating above the surface.
Technically, she should've gone to the women's bathhouse.
But Ogerpon was worried about Rin's safety and stubbornly insisted on staying with him.
Rin didn't really have a choice and ended up letting her bathe with him.
'Honestly, it's not a big deal, right?'
'There's nothing to see anyway.'
"Rin, these are your clothes and Miss Ogerpon's."
"I've put them outside."
While they were still soaking, Shuna and Souei had already prepared their change of clothes.
"Oh, thanks!"
Although Rin had plenty of clothes in his Spirit Space, this was a kind gesture from the Ogre clan, and it felt wrong to refuse.
Soon after, both Rin and Ogerpon, having washed away their fatigue, changed into the outfits the Ogre clan had prepared.
The style was reminiscent of Japanese yukata.
Considering the Ogre clan's origin, Rin didn't find it strange for them to have this kind of fashion.
"Let's go."
Walking out of the bathhouse, Rin saw Shuna and Souei already waiting for them.
He didn't say much and followed the two women straight to the village square, where the Ogres had prepared a banquet.
"They're here! They're here!"
"Is that child the legendary Oni?"
"She's so small, but the amount of magicules she has is terrifying!"
"Don't you think she's cute?"
"Hey, don't be rude. Ogerpon-sama saved all of us!"
"..."
Compared to Rin, Ogerpon was clearly way more popular among the Ogres.
There was no helping it—Ogerpon was an actual Ogre, after all.
Among the Ogres, she was a living legend.
It had been who knows how many years since they last saw a high-ranking monster from their own kind!
"Go on, Ogerpon."
Rin gently patted Ogerpon's back, signaling her to step up. "Let them see what you've got."
"Pon-yo?"
Ogerpon blinked, then after thinking for a moment, suddenly understood.
"Ponooo!!"
The girl summoned her Ivy Cudgel, and several enormous, shimmering masks floated behind her, glowing like brilliant gemstones and reflecting off one another.
That dazzling, majestic sight instantly seized the hearts of every Ogre present.
"Oh oh oh!!"
"What an incredible aura!"
"Is this Ogerpon-sama's power?"
For a moment, the entire village square erupted in cheers.
But she wasn't done yet.
"Ivy Cudgel: Burst Strike!"
Ogerpon concentrated magicules into her Ivy Cudgel, then swung it fiercely toward the dark sky.
Boom!
A massive beam of light, woven from green, red, blue, gray, and other hues, shot into the sky, then exploded into a spectacular display of fireworks.
"Wow~"
The vivid, colorful fireworks reflected in the eyes of the Ogre children.
Meanwhile, the adult Ogres were stunned by the overwhelming power radiating from Ogerpon's casual swing.
While the adults stood dumbfounded, the kids had already surrounded Ogerpon, cheering and laughing.
Seeing this, Rin gave her a subtle signal not to worry about him.
After all, the two of them were connected by Life Link.
If anything happened to one of them, the other would know instantly.
"Go have fun, Ogerpon."
After saying that, Rin headed toward the Red Ogre Chief, who had been waiting for him.
"Oh, right."
Rin turned to Shuna, who was walking beside him.
"Let me add some extra flavor to tonight's feast."
He opened his Spirit Space and pulled out a large stash of ingredients and seasonings he'd brought from the Konosuba World.
At first, Shuna tried to refuse.
But once she tasted Rin's spices, she couldn't resist anymore.
The aroma and flavor were on another level, something she had never experienced before.
When she used those spices on the Ogre clan's usual roast meat, the wild flavor exploded across the entire square.
"This!"
"What is this smell? It's incredible!"
"This is roast meat?!"
"So good! This is insanely good!"
"It's the spices, right? They're magical!"
That night, bonfires blazed in the village, celebrating not only the successful hunt of the Insect Monster that had been plaguing the forest, but also welcoming Rin and Ogerpon.
At Rin's encouragement, Ogerpon returned and sat down with Shuna, Shion, and the other female Ogres.
Ogerpon, who came from the Japanese Momotaro legend, had a personality and lifestyle that perfectly matched the Ogres. She blended in effortlessly.
Elsewhere, Rin sat with Hakurou, accompanied by Benimaru and his father.
"Old man, you're the eldest here, right?"
Rin poured the old man a cup of wine, then gestured for him to try it.
He wasn't worried about any threats.
Thanks to Life Link, even fatal attacks were meaningless.
Even if Hakurou tried to slice his neck open, the damage would just be transferred to Ogerpon as numerical loss.
In the past, Rin would've worried about Ogerpon being drained to death because of him.
But now…
With Super-Speed Regeneration, Ogerpon could recover from full damage within minutes.
That's why Rin could sit across from a sword master like Hakurou without flinching.
"Thank you, young man."
Hakurou smiled, picked up the cup, and took a sip, his eyes immediately widened.
"What a sweet, mellow wine…"
Even someone as calm as Hakurou couldn't help but get lost in the flavor of Rin's drink, and he began speculating about Rin's origins.
Rare spices, exquisite wine, and unmatched power…
'Is he a reincarnator from another world?'
Still, Hakurou held no ill will.
Rin had saved the younger generation of the village.
That alone was a debt too large to repay.
So, the danger Rin had feared upon arriving in the Ogre village simply didn't exist.
The Ogres were a race that valued loyalty and repaid kindness.
They would never harm their benefactor.
"Rin-san, your kindness is more than we Ogres could ever repay."
"If you're willing to settle down in this village, it would be our greatest honor."
The Red Ogre Chief knew Rin still needed time to think, so he suggested gently, "You and Ogerpon-sama can stay at my house for now. Tomorrow, we'll begin construction on a new place for you."
"If you'd prefer to live somewhere outside the village later, we'll do our best to help you find a suitable spot."
Even though he said that, the Chief was clearly hoping Rin would stay.
This temporary stay would be a great trial run.
"Then I'll be in your care."
That night, Rin and Ogerpon slept at the Red Ogre Chief's house.
Even though they were deep in the Great Jura Forest, Rin was able to enjoy all the comforts of a civilized life—food, clothes, and shelter.
It was undoubtedly far more comfortable than building a camp from scratch.
(To be continued.)