The inn in the remote world of Ky'lar, with its rustic aura, felt like a trap about to snap shut.

"The most exquisite beauty of all, and the easiest to capture. His body is porcelain; it won't be a challenge." (whisper)

There, observing the trio of new "prey", Desmos (Yuriel) and Ubel (Helen), holding hands, murmured to each other.

"Yes, yes. He looks like the tenderest prey. Big Sister always gets it right." (whisper)

Their eyes, accustomed to measuring the strength and beauty of their victims, scanned the group.

"...."

The first person looked like a swordsman. Shija, wearing a martial uniform, looked like a wall of discipline, like the edge of a sharp sword.

"W-what are you looking at, you! Huh?"

On the other hand, the warrior. Boudica, with her dense musculature and a cautious gaze, also radiated danger.

"This reminds me of home... I feel nostalgic..."

However, the last member of the group was a delicate and fragile-looking boy/girl, so both assassins agreed on their strategy: eliminate the weakest link first, in order to demoralize and destabilize the two strong warriors who would remain.

"We also have natural hot springs in our main shop. They are great for beauty. Come and try them!"

But first, they had to isolate those obstacles.

"Hot springs?! I want to try them!"

To do this, Desmos (Yuriel) acted quickly, proposing a subtle way to separate them that they have continually and successfully used up to this point, whereupon Mireya, oblivious to being measured as meat, took the bait, exclaiming enthusiastically without waiting for his companions.

"Hey, wait!"

"Don't leave me behind, Boss...!"

Seeing the reaction, Shija and Boudica immediately tried to follow him, however...

"Oh, my! What enthusiastic travelers!"

Desmos (Yuriel) quickly intercepted them before they could follow and, exclaiming with his beautiful mezzo-soprano voice, stopped them.

"I see the young one is eager for their bath. So that the two of you, who look so strong, don't get bored waiting, could you help us with a small favor?"

"Yes, yes! We have to go look for some very special medicinal herbs. We need the help of the strongest ones to carry the basket. It's just a short walk outside the inn!"

Following her Big Sister, Ubel (Helen) nodded fervently, her ruby-like eyes shining brightly.

"I apologize, but we must remain with him or..."

However, despite the invitation, Shija objected, maintaining his neutral tone of voice.

"Nonsense, young guide!"

But...

"I'll be right back! So there's no need to hold back waiting for me; go do what you need to do!"

Mireya's casual command, though given out of selfishness, cut off any possible objection.

"If the Boss orders it..."

Thus, faced with the command, Boudica, enslaved to Mireya, easily yielded, and with no loyalty tying her to Shija, she shrugged, ready to follow the order.

"Yes, come with us. The path is short."

To which Desmos and Ubel smiled conspiratorially. Having achieved their objective, they guided the pair toward the back door.

"Haaa... Alright..."

Finally, with no choice but to follow, Shija advanced, praying that nothing would happen.

"It smells so good here..."

Meanwhile, Mireya, already inside the changing room of the bathhouse, began to undress, oblivious to the fact that Yuriel and Helen had already determined that he would be the first victim.

"Alright, Silver! You can come out now."

And oblivious to the danger looming over the inn, in the bathhouse changing room, Mireya cheerfully took off the white jacket he was wearing, placing it aside and pointing to the jacket's inner pocket, giving the "signal".

("Mom!!")

Thus, obeying his "mother", a small silver armor that barely reached the size of a palm, Silver, jumped out of a pocket.

("Recovered!")

The small metallic figure thus performed a perfect aerial somersault before landing on the ground, striking an epic and triumphant pose.

(Clap! Clap!)

"Amazing, Silver! You did it again! Maximum score!"

To which Mireya, impressed, broke into enthusiastic applause, still dressed in his black shirt and blue sports pants.

"And now it's your turn, Goldie."

Then, Mireya turned his attention to his hand, where he wore a discreet golden straw bracelet, speaking to it in an affectionate tone.

("!!")

The golden straw bracelet quickly unwound and reconstructed itself, transforming into a small and timid golden straw doll, which tried to emulate a superhero pose.

"Wait a moment..."

But at that moment, gently intervening, Mireya delicately took the red blanket he had left next to the jacket and placed it softly over the doll's shoulders.

"Perfect! Now you're ready for action."

Immediately after, Mireya took off his black shirt.

"Now it's your turn, Brownie!"

With that action, the bronze exoskeleton that Mireya wore under his clothes was revealed, changing to a liquid state, separating from Mireya's body to mold itself into a spherical shape on the ground.

("Clink! Clanck!")

Finally, the process was completed with the resounding sound of gears coming from inside.

"Thank you very much for the help with mobility!"

To which Mireya slowly and affectionately rubbed it.

"Damn it, it hurts!"

However, at that moment, lacking the continuous support of the mechanical exoskeleton for movement, he again felt the pain of having exceeded his physical limits in his battle against the Spirit Queen run through his entire body.

"Well... I can endure it... So let's go in!"

"Wait a moment."

"Huh...?"

But at that moment, when Mireya was about to advance toward the bath, trying to take off his pants, he heard Echidna's telepathic voice stopping him dead.

"Don't you think some people are missing?"

"?"

And at her question, Mireya tilted his head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

So, without knowing the intent of the question, Mireya asked.

"Since this is the first time you're trying the hot springs, wouldn't it be unfair if the others didn't try it?"

A to which Echidna replied, her mental voice tinged with sharp sarcasm.

"!!"

And in response, Mireya, upon hearing those words, opened his eyes in absolute shock from the surprise.

"You are right!!"

It was then that Mireya observed Silver, Goldie, and Brownie and, realizing his mistake, shouted in a panic.

"What kind of 'mother' would I be to forget the rest of my 'babies'?!"

Thus, Mireya's action of taking off his pants, which he was about to do, stopped and, instead, he gently tapped both front pockets of his pants, giving the "signal".

"Come out, everyone!!"

And upon the command, the next instant...

(They're calling us!)

(Let's go!)

(Charge!)

(I'm coming!)

... A tide of countless straw dolls of different shapes and sizes shot out of his pockets, rapidly filling the small changing room.

"I'm drowning!"

But due to the overwhelming massive quantity of straw dolls that threatened to swallow the entire place, Mireya shouted in a panic.

"Change into more compact forms!"

(Sure!)

(Yay!)

(Okay!)

To which the straw dolls, cheerfully responding to the command, adopted all kinds of forms, transforming into insects, small animals, and tiny figures, all made of straw.

"Oof... That was close...!"

Which made space available in the changing room again, allowing everyone to enter despite the overwhelming number of thousands.

"Although..."

But Mireya, looking at the scene with an expression of sudden melancholy...

"Unfortunately, not all the straw dolls were in my storage pocket when I accidentally arrived in another world, so I can't summon them all."

... He lamented.

"That's why we must enjoy it to the fullest for those who are not present right now!"

Saying that, Mireya, to seal the festive atmosphere, took out a dozen small blue ducks from his pockets, made of hard candy.

"Quack, quack."

"Quack, quack, quack."

"Quack!"

The ducklings then jumped cheerfully, chirping with life, filled with joy.

"Alright, everyone, let's celebrate!"

After saying that, moments later, Mireya took a brain in a technologically advanced jar out of his pocket and carefully handed it to the timid golden straw doll, Goldie.

"Goldie, I entrust Vrain to you."

("I'll take care of it...!")

Who responded with determination, carefully holding the container.

"Alright!"

Once his preparations were finished, Mireya finally stripped off the remaining pants and underwear, then in the blink of an eye covered himself with a towel.

"But you guys are still missing, right?"

Mireya then walked toward the door leading to the hot springs, accompanied by Silver, Brownie, Goldie holding Vrain, the candy ducklings, and his legion of straw dolls.

"I finally feel like I can use it again!"

Then, crossing the door with a smile of anticipation.

(Snap!)

"Prism of the Eighth Purity!"

And snapping his fingers, he immediately summoned again after some time...

"Now everyone can play!"

... He summoned the eight Shikigamis (paper men) who cheerfully floated around him.