Reinhard’s Revenge

Reinhard stood at the edge of the steaming pool, boots heavy with guilt, shame, and just enough leftover pride to ruin everything.

His shame was significant.

Shame for having lost a prolonged battle at the Port City of Crass against the Demon-kin Army Lieutenant, a Kraken.

Shame for knowing that a Dungeon Core befriended the top General of the Demon Lord’s army, the Blackhole Butler, whose tailcoat now dipped in Kazuki’s Sacred Spa like any other client.

On this night, it was this shame that evolved into vengeful action.

Reinhart arrived at Kazuki’s Sacred Spa, amazed at how it had grown from a rocky cave to a resort. The party was still ongoing at this late hour. Patrons going about the hotel and izakaya, partying on floating clouds to healing waters.

All around him: giggling Harpies, snoozing Minotaurs, a Seraph trying to stack towels taller than herself. Demon-kin, Monsters, and Humans, side by side, relaxed in Kazuki’s domain.

He hated how peaceful it looked.

He hated how good it smelled.

But what he hated most of all was that sparkling, sentient, snoozing Dungeon Core, a shimmering red gem half-buried in a steaming pool, who had done more for peace than Reinhard’s entire lifetime of swinging swords.

The difference was that Reinhard’s peace was for the Humans. And the Dungeon Core’s peace was for the interspecies.

He reached out, callused palm trembling over the smooth, warm crystal. The runes to claim this spa for himself were activated.

“I claim you… For the Human Kingdom!”

A soft splash answered him.

“Retract that spell.” Sharlotte yawned, feathers dripping into my private spring. She didn’t even lift her head all the way, just cracked one sleepy eye open like a tired cat.

“So, the Angel’s the watchdog now.”

“Not a watchdog. More like an exhausted business partner. He’s the one who keeps this running, you know. Every drop, every drip, every poor hero who needs their bones realigned.”

Reinhard sneered. “I’ll end it. No more half-peace. Final order and law.”

Sharlotte puffed her cheeks. “Order doesn’t fill these baths. Greed does. And care. You want to shut it down while he’s napping? Pathetic.”

His fingers pressed harder. “Then where is he? Hiding behind you?”

“Hiding? Hah. I was busy checking if you brought a gift for not banning you, Great Hero.”

Reinhard flinched. “You’re– awake?!”

I glowed brighter, steam coiling like gold threads. “I’m always awake when there’s Gold on the line. What’s the plan, Hero? Claim me? Claim our whole Spa? You think you’re the only one with calluses?”

Reinhard bared his teeth. “Mock me again and I’ll–”

“Oh, mock you? I’m the only reason your Knights don’t limp home in rusty armor. You want a hero’s fee? Pay double, wash your boots, and wait in line!”

CRACK! The Great Hero of Humans’ fist slammed down, marble splitting across my altar.

“My precious marble!”

“IDIOT!!” Sharlotte squawked, wings flapping. “You chipped him! And you, stop provoking him! He’s not a customer with a coupon! He’s a Hero on the verge of a breakdown!”

“You– you just… bathe here. Make friends with our natural enemies. Talk about Gold like it matters more than graves. What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry? That my sword was pointless all along?”

Noticing his worries, Sharlotte neared him peacefully. “Say you’re tired. That’s enough. Then say you’ll fix it.”

“Go fix your kingdom solo, Reinhard. Or sit your big Hero ass in my water and let me show you the proper peace comes after war.”

Reinhard barked a single laugh, sharp and broken. “You… you really are insane. My life’s work as the King’s knight… All those battles, the constant destruction. All that hatred, all for nothing? Is that what you want me to say? That my comrades died for a lie? That we could have had this– this stupid peace, with warm water and mixed baths?? To say that we’ve been marching on the wrong path all this time! That we could’ve achieved peace in a much simpler way!” He sobbed.

Sharlotte pressed her wet palm to his armor, sad and soothing. “Reinhard. It’s never too late to change your path. It’s only too late once you convince yourself you can’t. Look at Kazuki. He used to be total scum, now he's better scum.”

“Huh?!”

“He helped me, too. Who would've thought that the laziest Hiki-Angel would be working so hard she passes out next to her business partner?”

“No, you clocked out mid-day.”

“Shut up! This is really embarrassing! Kazuki used to be Human, you know?! Really think about it! Tell him, Kazuki! Tell him the truth!”

“I– Sharlotte, pipe down–”

“No! Everyone thinks you’re just some greedy Dungeon Core with too much water in your head, but look at you – Look at you! Constantly channeling Abilities! Checking everyone’s flow! Tweaking temperatures! Keeping children from drowning themselves in the deep end–”

“That was ONE time–!”

“ONE TIME?! You basically babysit this entire continent every day while you drool on Gold and about your stupid Human body–!”

“It’s not stupid! My hikikomori body was refined!”

“Who else does this? Huh? Who else makes me work this hard? I used to sleep for centuries, CENTURIES! And now I can’t even nap three hours without you screaming about ‘customer satisfaction!’”

Reinhard’s eyes twitched. “Are you two–”

“Shut up, Hero, this is important! Tell him, tell him how you passed out tonight! About how you never stop channeling your precious [Holy Geyser] and your [Healing Flow] and all your other Abilities! It embarrasses you, doesn’t it?! Someone who only cares about getting their body back wouldn’t work this hard for interspecies peace. Admit it! You’re basically the biggest workaholic in our whole Spa!”

“Fine! I’ll stay quiet!”

She snapped to Reinhard, halo spinning. “SEE?! Does this look like a villain to you?! This is our Dungeon Core! A greedy gacha addict, yet a workaholic saint! This absolute moron is saving the world every day while we try to nap! So, think twice before you claim him, Hero Boy! If there’s one thing my business partner needs after a long day of work, it’s his beauty sleep, just like me! So at least let him rest when he needs to!”

“Well!” I interrupted, embarrassedly. “That’s true for most days, but I won’t lie! It just so happens that today, I visited the Bunny Girl earlier to play tag! All her rare friends were there! I can’t miss that, right?”

“You– You were–!”

“Gahaha! It was so much fun! Tagging all those monster girls! I’m so full of energy, I can’t sleep! You’re so nice too, Sharlotte! I’m so happy!”

BOOOOOOOM!

“NOOOO! MY ALTAR! You dare treat me like a piggy bank?! ”

“I can’t believe you!” Sharlotte swatted at me and cried big tears. “Apologize for making me defend you!”

“That’s irrelevant! You made me shut up before your dear speech about your precious business partner! Ow! OW! I get it– Sorry, sorry–!”

Reinhard turned away, boots dripping blessings across the polished reception. “I’ll talk to him. The King. I’ll fix this. Somehow.”

Sharlotte muttered, halo bobbing as she leaned on my side. “You’d better. Or you’re paying triple entry next time for waking me up. I feel like I absorbed your shame!”

“Greed is just how he translates caring. It’s inverted altruism. He can’t admit he’s a peacemaker, so he reframes peace as “profit.” I’m supposed to believe that?”

“Oh, Reinhard. Man is man, but I am a man like no other.”

He smirked back. It was obvious he wasn’t convinced. But at the same time, he knew. Deep down in his heart, he knew there was no victory left in spilling more blood. That road was shutting down fast. And right beside it, another road was opening wide, this stupid, noisy, towel-waving road of interspecies acceptance.

Anyone could see it now. The proof was right here in this ridiculous resort, and in the way its waves had already rolled across Human, Monster, and Demon-kin lands alike. Whether that new road was correct or just some fever dream of a greedy Dungeon Core… that would take more nights, more deliberation and self-reflection, and maybe more baths.

“I see. If you’re greed incarnate, I suppose that makes me the envier of peace.”

He left, steam trailing behind him like a new prayer.

Sharlotte flicked me again. “Stop poking the Heroes and me.”

“Stop chipping my altar!”

She laid her halo on my chipped rim, feathers tickling the water. “If it breaks, you’ll just fix it, greedy Kazuki. Right?”

“This is coming out of your paycheck.”

“What paycheck? You can’t seize my salary if I don’t work.”

“I’ll charge you anyhow. With triple the fee in [Energy Drain Flow]!”

She cracked a sleepy grin. “Now that’s the Kazuki I know.”