Chapter 293
by post_apiChapter 293: The Bathhouse
After stationing several Antkin guards outside the bathhouse, Magic Rainbow shut the main door.
She began filling the pool with steaming water, and once it reached the desired level, removed her garments one by piece.
Besides the central pool, enchanted showers adorned the walls for rinsing—magical fixtures Magic Rainbow had initially overlooked, her attention captured by the basin and wolf sculpture.
After undressing completely, she first stood beneath one of the cascading showers.
This step proved perhaps redundant, for unlike the human race, Antkin in humanoid form shed neither grime nor oils from their alabaster skin, remaining pristine even without bathing. Only stray dust required occasional cleansing.
Having rinsed, she approached the pool’s edge.
Jade-smooth toes breached the water’s surface, sending delicate ripples across its warmth. Deeming the temperature suitable, she descended and settled against the stone rim until liquid silk lapped at her shoulders.
Enveloped in soothing heat, a contented sigh escaped her lips.
*This must be the comfort Mother envisioned…* she mused. *She should return within days—then this bathhouse will serve its true purpose.*
Her breath hitched as imagination painted the white-haired girl submerged in misted waters, veiled contours shimmering through vapor. Thighs pressed together involuntarily, rose hues blooming across her cheeks while natural allure deepened her gaze.
*When will Mother return?*
*She’s wandered that human town for days now…*
During this absence, the daughters—no, *sisters*—nesting within her had emerged. Remarkably, a hundred of the five hundred eggs she’d birthed were Demonic Ant spawn, far surpassing Mother’s typical yield of ten per laying—a testament to her enhanced lineage. Many had already hatched.
Most hatchlings now puzzled over her title—*Sister* or *Mother?* The minority’s spontaneous use of "Mother" would surely bewilder them when their true matriarch returned.
…
*How I wish I’d joined that town excursion.*
*My teasing must have provoked Sister Red Pupil’s uncharacteristic pique, leaving me to oversee the colony.*
Within the pool, the beauty stirred milky thighs, conjuring gentle ripples across the water’s mirror. Her distant gaze studied her own form, mind conjuring an image of dark-haired youth.
Compared to Sister Red Pupil… beyond the superficial mantle of Queen Ant, this vessel remained her sole advantage.
*How best to wield such grace?…*
Thus immersed in aqueous meditation and scheming—
Knock, knock, knock…
A knocking sound came from outside the bathhouse door.
"Is Sister inside?"
"Demon One?"
"Mhm, it’s me."
"Come in."
"Okay!"
Demon One from outside responded and pushed the door open. The grayish-white Demonic Ant with red and blue hues on her right antenna closed the bathhouse door again using two forelegs after entering.
"Sister really is here! Did you come to test if the bathhouse works properly?"
"Yes, why have you come too?"
"Because I wanted to try it too, and I’ve already mastered the ‘Chaotic Fire Rain’ magic you taught me."
"Really?! You’ve mastered this spell in such short time? My sister’s truly remarkable."
Magic Rainbow’s initial surprise blossomed into delighted praise. Among the nine sisters born simultaneously with her, Demon One currently learned magic fastest while mastering two systems – fire-type and water-type magic. The Talent of Magic each possessed could be discerned through their right antenna’s coloration: crimson for fire, azure for water, golden for earth, and emerald for wind-type. As for her own rainbow-hued antenna…
"Sister’s the truly amazing one! You grasp any magic type instantly."
"Enough flattery – join me for bathing."
"Right!"
After rinsing herself, Demon One leaped from the pool’s edge. Her ant-form caused complete submersion upon entry. As she flailed toward the surface, Magic Rainbow extended assistance, cradling her securely against potential resubmergence.
"Thank you, Sister. The human race’s form seems so convenient!" Demon One flexed her forelimbs while observing Magic Rainbow’s embracing hands. "Five fingers accomplish far more than these limbs. How I crave the Transformation skill!"
"Mother should grant it upon her return," Magic Rainbow reassured while privately appreciating her S Qualification. Fewer than ten ants among them held A Qualifications, while B Qualification Ants numbered nearly twenty thousand in their hundred-thousand-strong colony. Bestowing Transformation upon all would require astronomical Magic Value, especially with Immortality skill taking priority. Though sufficient for now, Magic Recovery Potions’ medium-grade limitation slowed B Qualification skill-bestowal – a process needing patience…
"Sister, you were frowning earlier – is something troubling you?" Demon One’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
Magic Rainbow blinked before smiling. "What do you think of my physique, little sister?"
"Yours?"
"Mhm." She lifted the large ant playfully. "Well?"
"I… I’m not certain…" Demon One rubbed her head shyly with forelimbs. "Why ask this?"
"Does Demon One think Mother prefers my form over our sisters’?"
"Mother? Ah… perhaps we’ll know during group bathing later. But compared to sisters already transformed… I prefer you, Sister."
"Truly?"
Magic Rainbow’s eyes curved happily as she tapped the ant’s head.
"Absolutely! Demon Two and Demon Three surely agree!"
Though warm sisterly interaction, the scene retained peculiar charm – one humanoid figure peacefully bathing with an articulate ant.