Rainbow Cloud Wetlands

The weather in Luen Nore was cool in the evening.

High, overlapping clouds obscured most of the remaining sunlight; a gentle breeze rustled the grass and trees, and the clear air was invigorating.

Sitting in the magical carriage driven by Fairy, Larkspur gazed at the orange-red sky, and his previously turbulent emotions finally returned to calm.

The carriage traveled along the cobblestone road in the Mana-Free District. Because they were passing through a residential area, there were relatively low-rise houses on both sides of the road.

These residences resemble mansions in the Material Realm, mostly in white, red, and blue as their main colors. However, unlike those in the Material Realm, they are built using magical devices, resulting in a wide variety of unique shapes and even strange structures that defy the laws of physics, making one wonder if they are in a dream.

Along the way, the group also saw a shop built on a pond. To avoid damaging the pond's original ecosystem, the shop was supported by only two wooden poles, and a spiral staircase was built along the poles to connect the shop to the ground. The staircase even turned into an arched bridge halfway up the stairs...

The strange and unique buildings finally roused Lin Xiaolu, who was almost reduced to ashes. She sat up without realizing it, gripping the handrails with both hands, silently watching the scenery along the way.

Xia Liang was taking photos, Bai Jingxuan had fallen asleep leaning against Larkspur because she was hungry. The carriage, which should have been somewhat noisy, was surprisingly quiet at this moment.

"We're almost there, bosses! We can already see where you're headed."

The Fairy driver at the front of the carriage babbled a string of strange syllables, which didn't sound like a language used in the Material Realm, but the magical girls on board could all understand what he was saying, "How was your ride? Tell me if you're uncomfortable at all, I'll listen carefully, so remember to give me a good review!"

The Mana-Free District restricts the use of magic by those who come and go, but that doesn't mean there is truly no magic here—some Spell Formula that affect the entire Luen Nore region still influence this land, including the auxiliary Spell Formula "Mutual Understanding," which helps overcome language barriers.

After all, most of the local residents speak the Kingdom Tongue, some Fairy from small settlements speak Fairy Tongue, and people in the Material Realm also have dozens or even hundreds of languages depending on the region... Without similar Spell Formula to assist in communication, it would be far too inconvenient.

The magical carriage left the Mana-Free District along the path and stopped beside a secluded meadow. Then, the Fairy driver gave a notification:

"Arrive."

The few people still awake on the bus looked out of the carriage and could only see a patch of grass gently swaying in the twilight, and a sign standing in the grass with signs written in multiple languages:

[Takeoff Point 43]

Apart from that, there was only the group of them and the magic vehicle; nothing else.

"So where is this? Weren't we supposed to be looking for a place to stay?"

Jumping out of the car, Lin Xiaolu turned back to Larkspur with some confusion. "Why is there nothing here?"

"Perhaps there's some secret passage, or maybe it's just a diversion?" Xia Liang had somehow gotten to the sign on the grass, taken a selfie with her phone, and then began to analyze the situation more seriously:

"This sign says 'takeoff point'... Does that mean there will be airships and hot air balloons coming to pick us up later?"

There is no such thing.

After paying the Fairy driver in the front seat, Larkspur led the sleepy-eyed Bai Jingxuan to the signboard. "So, let's keep going, we're still quite a distance from our accommodation."

"Hmm, could it be..." Lin Xiaolu seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes twitched. "We're not going to have to fly there ourselves, are we?"

"Otherwise what?"

Larkspur gave her a strange look, while simultaneously making a fist with one hand, and a magic wand appeared. "The use of magic is not prohibited at the flight point, so wouldn't it be faster to fly there ourselves than by means of transportation?"

That's what they say, but...

Lin Xiaolu opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't continue arguing. Instead, she sighed helplessly and summoned her magic wand, "Sigh, it feels like a country bumpkin coming to the city in a period drama. I was so stupid to expect this place to be some kind of fairytale kingdom."

"You mean the fairy tale kingdom?" Because she hadn't heard Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang's conversation clearly at the border, this was the first time Larkspur had heard the specifics of Lin Xiaolu's sighs.

"Yes, it's like that kind of place, like in storybooks or cartoons, a beautiful, exquisite, and cozy fairyland..."

Lin Xiaolu frowned. "But right now I feel like I've just come to a city that's much more developed than Fangting City, and with a different architectural style."

"Oh, if you want that kind of scenery, we should be there soon." Larkspur blinked.

"Huh?"

"You mean the fairytale kingdom?"

Larkspur pointed to the sky above. "The Emerald Zone, you see."

"Wow! Oh! Whoosh! Yaaaaah!"

Half an hour later, in the Emerald Zone, at Rainbow Cloud Wetlands.

Lying on the cloud layer that felt like a Simmons mattress, Lin Xiaolu rolled around incessantly, making all sorts of strange noises as if she had gone mad.

The Emerald Zone is located on a floating island separate from Luen Nore, not only to highlight its special status but also to use its terrain to naturally filter travelers—ordinary people who cannot use magic or Spell Formula must bring expensive flying magical equipment or purchase expensive airship tickets to reach it. Therefore, travelers to the Emerald Zone are mainly magical girls, Fairy, and Mage, with a few wealthy people who can afford extravagant spending.

For wealthy people who cannot use magic, this place offers not only the dreamlike beauty of the floating islands, but also the opportunity to network with people from the Magic Side. They can also purchase high-end services that are not available in Mana-Free District, such as Fairy massages and magical hot springs. Therefore, they are happy to spend lavishly here and contribute to the tourism industry in Luen Nore.

Of course, magical girls still make up the largest number of people here. Many magical girls who settle in Luen Nore choose to buy their own residences in the Emerald Zone or run some shops. Therefore, in the Emerald Zone, you can say that "you can see magical girls everywhere".

Rainbow Cloud Wetlands is one of the most famous hotels in the Emerald Zone.

Calling it a hotel might not be entirely accurate, because it's not a single building or complex like hotels and inns in the Material Realm.

Rainbow Cloud Wetlands is indeed a wetland. However, scattered throughout this wetland are various-sized viewing rooms.

These viewing rooms are far apart, making them difficult to see from each other. Some are built with glass structures, while others have no walls at all, allowing drafts from all sides, resembling pavilions. These viewing rooms are the "rooms" for tourists in Rainbow Cloud Wetlands. Each "room" is fully furnished with furniture and daily necessities, and even has water and electricity supplied by Spell Formula. Except for the bathroom facilities, which are shielded by a magical light curtain when in use, the entire structure of the room is completely visible from the outside, appearing exceptionally transparent. Of course, considering the privacy of tourists, occupied rooms can also be switched to "privacy mode," using Spell Formula to block external views.

Visitors here do not need to wear shoes or socks, because the grass in the wetland is planted entirely above the white clouds, and what flows in the wetland is not swamp, but hot spring water imbued with magic. Simply walking in the wetland is an incredibly healing "foot massage".

As night falls, these dreamlike view rooms emit warm, soft light amidst the wildflower-covered meadows, illuminating the entire wetland. At this time, guests looking out from their rooms can see the moist grass and tranquil water, accompanied by a clear night sky and bright stars. This warm and romantic atmosphere has captivated countless guests, making Rainbow Cloud Wetlands famous.

At this moment, Lin Xiaolu found a patch of clouds that wasn't covered by grass and played on it like a toddler.

"It's amazing that she rushed ahead of everyone else, flying so fast, and still has so much energy after getting here..."

As Xia Liang packed her luggage, she stretched her body, which felt uncomfortable from the long journey, and sighed with a hint of envy, "Right now, I just want to pack my things and go to the hot springs to soak for a while first."

"The hot springs here are worth a try."

The Larkspur beside her raised its head and glanced at her. "When you go, you can transform and soak for a while first, and then deactivate."

Does it have any special effects?

"It is said that the magic power that overflows after transformation can be returned to the body through the spring water, which helps with beauty."

After saying this, Larkspur paused for a moment, then added, "I heard it from someone else."

"Eh..."

Xia Liang blinked upon hearing this, first showing a somewhat tempted expression, then as if remembering something, she smiled slyly, "Since the function is so good, shouldn't everyone go?"

"Yes, I'll tell them when they get back."

Larkspur glanced at Lin Xiaolu not far away, then lowered her head again to pack her luggage. "When you're done, you can go and experience it yourself first."

When booking rooms at Rainbow Cloud Wetlands this time, Larkspur had fully learned from the lessons she learned on the Landship on the way there. To avoid any strange farces and ensure fairness, she specifically chose a large enough room with a view, which could accommodate four single beds.

Therefore, there were no room allocation issues this time, and the group checked in directly upon arrival, with everything proceeding smoothly. Larkspur and Xia Liang unpacked their luggage here, while Lin Xiaolu dropped her things and ran off to play in the clouds. As for Bai Jingxuan, she was so hungry that she had gone to the restaurant to find something to eat and hadn't returned yet.

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. What I meant was... shall we go for a soak together?"

Xia Liang smiled radiantly, twirling a finger around leisurely. "It's a rare treat to soak in a hot spring; it would be so lonely to go alone."

"There's nothing difficult about it. We're going to stay here for almost a month, which is plenty of time for you to soak in the hot springs until you're tired of it."

Larkspur said expressionlessly, "Besides, we're not the only guests staying here, and you're not the only one soaking in the hot spring. It's lively enough already."

"Let's go together."

Xia Liang bent down to the side, making her gaze meet Larkspur's. "Can't you just keep us company?"

"... Sigh, you know my situation."

Larkspur could only sigh, lower her voice, and after confirming that Lin Xiaolu hadn't noticed their conversation, she looked at Xia Liang with some helplessness. "It's just a joke, but you really intend for me to go with you guys?"

"Otherwise what?"

Xia Liang knew what Larkspur was worried about, so she also lowered her voice. "Although I know that you have lived with a different gender for many years and may have gotten used to your identity there, you can only go to the women's bathhouse now, right?"

"Huh?" Larkspur looked at Xia Liang in surprise.

"Hmm?" Xia Liang responded with a similarly puzzled tone.

"What you're saying... you must have misunderstood something, right?" Larkspur frowned slightly.

"Misunderstanding? But I saw male tourists in the wetlands when I arrived, so the hot springs here must have separate baths, right?"

Xia Liang blinked. "If you're planning to go to the hot springs, you'll definitely have to go to the women's bath, and you'll run into other girls. In that case, it shouldn't make a difference whether you go alone or with us, right?"

The Larkspur hesitated, then said, "Well... what you said seems to make some sense, but what I want to say is..."

"What? What hot spring?"

However, before she could finish speaking, Lin Xiaolu's voice came from nearby, interrupting their conversation. She flipped herself up from the clouds and ran over with small, quick steps.

"Are you planning to go to the hot springs? Take me with you!"

"... We were just discussing the effects of the magical hot springs here."

Larkspur paused for a moment, then, confirming that Lin Xiaolu's expression was normal and she hadn't heard anything extra, calmly replied, "If you want, you can go with them later."

"Okay, let's go together."

Lin Xiaolu nodded. "So now we're waiting for Bo Xue to come back?"

The Larkspur's eyelids drooped. "No, I didn't mean 'we,' I meant 'you all'..."

"Hey? Cui... Gentian, aren't you going?"

Lin Xiaolu's eyes widened immediately. "Why?"

"Because I have other things to do." Larkspur looked away.

"What is it?" Lin Xiaolu pressed.

"I brought a lot of documents, some of which we need to use tomorrow."

"Then we can do it again when we get back after washing."

Lin Xiaolu persisted. "Or you can teach me how to do it, and I'll help you organize it when we get back."

"This isn't a job for children." Larkspur closed his eyes.

"I'm not a child anymore," Lin Xiaolu said, dissatisfied.

Xia Liang, who was standing nearby, also intervened at this moment, putting her hands on Larkspur's shoulders from behind. "White Rose is right. Since we're already here, going to the hot springs together is a way to cultivate the spirit of our team."

"I don't think this kind of thing has anything to do with the spirit of the team," Larkspur insisted.

"Then you can come, right?"

Lin Xiaolu was equally unwilling to let go. "Come on, let's do it together!"

"No," Larkspur shook his head.

"Come on, let's go together." Xia Liang gently pushed Larkspur's shoulder and swayed her slightly.

"Don't want."

"Bring it on!"

"No."

Come on.

"No."

The argument gradually devolved into a mere test of endurance, a contest of words rather than a battle of persuasion. Unfortunately, the outcome of this contest was already sealed the moment Xia Liang brought Lin Xiaolu into the fray. After all, few fathers can remain unmoved by their daughters' sweet pleas.

Thirty minutes later, Larkspur, wrapped in a bath towel, sat in the hot spring water, with only her head above the surface. Feeling the temperature of the water around her, she leaned back slightly against the edge of the bath and then let out a long sigh.

Beside her, Lin Xiaolu, Xia Liang, Bai Jingxuan were all gathered together, soaking side by side in the hot spring water. Whether it was lucky or unlucky, they were the only ones in the women's hot spring at that moment.

The hot springs at Rainbow Cloud Wetlands are divided into three types of baths: men's, women's, and Fairy baths. Each bath is further divided into indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor section includes changing rooms, shower rooms, saunas, massage rooms, and some smaller hot spring pools. The outdoor section is a huge, magical hot spring located directly among the grass, resembling a small lake.

Here, Spell Formula are set up to repel mosquitoes and birds. A ring of mist surrounds the bathhouse for dozens of meters, and Spell Formula are also set up within the mist to block passage, ensuring that no one can enter the bathhouse from outside, so as to prevent tourists from "accidentally" going to the wrong bathhouse.

After entering the bathhouse and taking a quick shower, everyone entered the hot spring in their transformed state, just as Larkspur had mentioned before. After sensing a trace of magic dissipating into the spring water, they all deactivated their transformations and returned to their original forms.

Of course, Larkspur is still Larkspur.

"Ah, the Magic Hot Spring truly lives up to its name. This tingling, numb feeling... wow, it's just like the spring water is giving me a massage."

With a blissful smile on her face, Xia Liang floated in the water as if she were melting. "This is amazing! I feel like an ice cream soaking in the water, about to become one with the spring water."

"Is this thing really that comfortable?"

Lin Xiaolu, mimicking the Larkspur, leaned against the edge of the pool, but her expression was slightly strange. "I can definitely feel that tingling sensation... but it doesn't feel comfortable at all! In fact, it's a bit uncomfortable."

"That means your sense of touch is more sensitive than mine."

Xia Liang turned her head to look at her. "Just like a baby's skin is always more delicate than an adult's, this feeling is probably more pronounced the younger you are. So what feels comfortable to me might be uncomfortable for you, right?"

"I'm older than you." Lin Xiaolu narrowed her eyes. "Don't try to find other ways to call me childish."

"Hmm? Is this considered 'insulting'?"

Xia Liang pretended to be deep in thought, then grinned. "Anyway, regardless of age, I'm older than you from any angle, right?"

"Ha?"

Lin Xiaolu sat up abruptly, intending to stand up and confront Xia Liang, but then remembered that she was still taking a bath and it was not advisable to make a big fuss, so she could only give up in frustration.

"I also feel that this tingling sensation is weird..."

But just as the two were about to start arguing again, Bai Jingxuan spoke up. Unlike Lin Xiaolu, who insisted on staying in the hot spring even though she felt uncomfortable, she stood up with a towel in her arms and said, "Soaking in the water is so uncomfortable."

"Look, even Bo Xue finds this feeling strange."

Seeing his actions, Lin Xiaolu felt emboldened and her confidence surged. "Among us, you're clearly the one who doesn't fit in!"

"What's there to say? After all, they're still elementary school students; they really are just kids."

Xia Liang remained noncommittal and composed. "You're two years older than her. Are you comparing yourself to her in this matter?"

"Hmm..."

Lin Xiaolu wanted to refute Xia Liang's fallacies, but couldn't find a point of rebuttal for the time being, so she could only look to Larkspur for help. Then, she saw Larkspur like an old monk in meditation, tightly wrapped in a bath towel, curled up against the edge, eyes closed, silent and motionless.

"Gentian?" Lin Xiaolu asked tentatively, wondering if the other person was already asleep.

"What's wrong?" Larkspur asked.

"Oh, I thought you were asleep because you had your eyes closed and weren't saying anything."

Lin Xiaolu's tone softened, even becoming gentle as she asked, "How do you feel about this hot spring water?"

"You mean the issue you were arguing about?"

Larkspur kept her eyes closed, so her head remained completely still. "From my personal sensory perspective, the feeling of magic flowing into my skin with the water is indeed not very comfortable, but it's not unbearable either."

She paused, then added, "And, for you, this tingling sensation is actually a sign of improved skin texture. If you have this need, the tingling sensation when soaking in water is actually a good thing."

Wow.

Swish!

As soon as she finished speaking, there were two very obvious splashes as Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan almost simultaneously submerged themselves completely in the water, even burying half of their faces.

The hot spring became much quieter. A few of the younger members would still exchange a few words from time to time, making some noise, but at least there were no more arguments.

The people in the bath were all focused on feeling the tingling sensation from the spring water, making sure it was really working on them. After a long time, Lin Xiaolu, who thought the tingling sensation had disappeared, finally spoke again, "Um... Gentian."

"Um?"

"Why have you kept your eyes closed ever since you got into the bath?"

Lin Xiaolu ran her fingers through the ends of her hair, trying to drain the moisture. "Is this some kind of custom?"

The Larkspur paused slightly on its underwater shoulder, but fortunately, the spring water and the surrounding steam prevented anyone from noticing this minor change.

She slightly raised her head, her expression unchanged, as if she were merely considering her words, before giving her answer, "To stimulate sensory compensation."

"What is that?" Lin Xiaolu asked, puzzled.

"When a person loses one of their senses, the brain will enhance other senses to compensate for the missing information."

Larkspur said seriously, "So close your eyes, stay quiet, and your vision and hearing will temporarily stop. This way you can focus on the bath and feel the changes in your body."

"Wow... there's so much to know about soaking in hot springs."

Lin Xiaolu believed Larkspur's words, but she didn't try it immediately, because for her, her bathing for the day was already over, and she didn't intend to focus on it anymore. "I've learned something, Gentian, you're really amazing."

Larkspur nodded, showing no intention of continuing the topic—she had finally come up with a plausible reason, and she didn't want to reveal any flaws by being too talkative. She also couldn't very well say, as Larkspur, "Because I want to avoid suspicion, I don't want to see your bodies," so it was best to quickly move on from the subject.

Besides that, she also sensed that someone was fiddling with her hair.

Because her hair was so long, after a quick rinse before taking a bath, Larkspur had already tied up the long hair at the back of her head. At that moment, she felt as if someone was tugging at the hair at the back of her head.

"What's wrong?"

After a quick assessment of the direction and force with which her hair was being pulled, Larkspur was able to determine who was pulling her hair and immediately asked Xia Liang, "Is there something wrong with my hair?"

"Nothing."

Xia Liang didn't deny it at all, and there was no embarrassment in her voice about being caught in a prank. Instead, she said with a slight sigh, "I just wanted to say, senior, your hair is really nice. Is this one of the benefits of being a magical girl?"

"If you think this is a good thing," Larkspur said ambiguously.

In order to maintain their youth, many magical girls choose to join the Kingdom after their ten-year service period and continue as magical girls. Although their lifespan is not increased as a result, their bodies and True Form will remain youthful until the end of their lives.

This has always been the excuse that Larkspur uses to explain to her juniors why her appearance before and after transformation is almost identical. Fortunately, this excuse is indeed valid. Asō Madoka, who recently moved to Fangting City, also used her appearance to corroborate this point for Larkspur, and no one can use this excuse to expose her identity.

"That's definitely a benefit!"

Xia Liang had no idea what Larkspur was thinking at that moment, and simply continued to play with Larkspur's hair, "I feel like if you separate the strands of hair and look closely, you can see starlight, twinkling on and off."

"You mean I have dandruff?" Larkspur, somewhat puzzled, because as far as she knew, magical girls shouldn't have such metabolic byproducts on their bodies.

"What are you saying that spoils the mood? It's a deep blue with white specks, and it looks very nice and harmonious. It's definitely not dandruff."

Xia Liang said with a hint of helplessness, but her hands didn't stop moving. "Sigh, the more I look, the more envious I become."

"Really? Well, if you really want beautiful hair, I remember there's a beauty salon in the Emerald Zone."

After a brief recollection, Larkspur said, "They offer many services that combine aesthetics and practicality, such as manicures with Fawo Runes to increase magical activity; and hair dyes with small doses of stimulant drugs to aid Soul Meditation."

"That sounds interesting." Xia Liang's voice held a hint of excitement. "Why don't we give it a try?"

"Okay, are you coming along too, Gentian?" Lin Xiaolu's voice reached Larkspur's ears from another direction.

"No, I won't go, because I really have something to do tomorrow."

Larkspur let out a slow breath. "Why don't you explore Luen Nore on your own? You can hire a local guide at the front desk; they'll recommend places worth visiting."

This was not an excuse, but the truth. Larkspur did indeed have a prior appointment with tomorrow, and this appointment was actually quite important to her.

That means she has to go to the Research Institute to find the Emerald.

The way Emerald had promised her—the way to mend the Heart Gem —was right there.

Larkspur began preparing last November, undergoing several True Form examinations and treatments to ensure a smooth completion of her treatment tomorrow.

She was unwilling to wait any longer, because mending the Heart Gem and restoring her True Form was equivalent to restoring her fighting power, and such a thing was naturally better done as soon as possible.

Emerald seemed to have some kind of demand as well, so she kept persuading Larkspur to go to the Research Institute as soon as possible. The two of them were basically in agreement, and finally set the date for tomorrow.

As for whether this meeting is a trap?

Even now, Larkspur can't be 100% sure it's not a trap. In fact, when she first saw the Emerald, she thought it looked like a trap no matter how you looked at it.

In the few months of cooperation, Emerald's assistance and attitude revealed a strange sincerity. Although this chief Research Institute often seemed unreliable and his actions were often tinged with personal quirks, he was also very open about his information and could answer most of the questions Larkspur asked. He was almost excessively honest.

This frankness is the biggest difference between Emerald and Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, and it's also why Larkspur are so reluctant to have too much involvement with Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, yet are willing to come to the Kingdom to see Emerald.

As the Larkspur pondered this, she gradually became lost in her own thoughts, ignoring the hands of her juniors fiddling with her hair, even though the hands behind her head had changed from one pair to two.

The group soaked in the hot spring for a while longer before leaving because some of the younger members started to feel dizzy.

After drying her hair and body in the changing room, Larkspur the scenic room wearing a bathrobe. Barefoot on the wet ground, the feel of the grass beneath her feet and the evening breeze made her squint, but she snapped back to attention when she heard footsteps ahead.

They were a group of unfamiliar female travelers, most of whom looked very young and possessed relatively strong magical energy fluctuations compared to ordinary people. Without a doubt, they were also a group of magical girls.

In the Emerald Zone, it's perfectly normal to brush past unfamiliar magical girls, so Larkspur didn't think much of it and simply moved aside to make way for the group of strange travelers.

The magical girls opposite noticed Larkspur's actions, so they nodded their thanks to her and then passed by Larkspur, heading straight for the magical hot spring not far away.

She thought they were just a group of strangers, and Larkspur gaze barely lingered on the magical girls, only appearing in her field of vision because they happened to be passing by.

However, as the last magical girl in the crowd swept past Larkspur's almost unfocused eyes, Larkspur suddenly felt an incredibly intense sense of familiarity.

This should be someone I know, or even someone I'm very familiar with.

Realizing this, Larkspur subconsciously turned her head, wanting to take another look at the other person's figure to confirm their identity. However, what she saw was not the backs of the group of magical girls, but the faces of several juniors.

Several younger colleagues had already changed their clothes and came out of the changing room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go back!" Lin Xiaolu waved to Larkspur.

"Ah... I feel so much better after soaking in the hot spring."

Xia Liang stretched, raising her hands behind her head. "While I'm still relaxed, I need to hurry back to sleep."

"My head is so dizzy..."

Bai Jingxuan, who had nearly fainted from soaking in the hot spring, staggered over and naturally walked to Larkspur's side, reaching out to hug her arm. Perhaps because Larkspur's Larkspur temperature was relatively low, it felt cool to hug her at this moment, so Bai Jingxuan let out a completely relaxed sigh, "Ah..."

"Never mind, I should take the children back first, "Larkspur thought to herself.

Since it's someone I know, I shouldn't have forgotten their existence. I should first try to recall if I have any acquaintances in Luen Nore, and then contact them when the time comes.

Having made her plans, Larkspur glanced one last time in the direction of the hot spring before leaving, but the group of magical girls had already entered the changing room and could no longer be seen from the outside.