Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 343: [Hot Springs] [1]

The Yomi-Tosi city breathes.

Not in the way living beings do, but close enough.

Every two hours, the ground rises before settling flat again, creating the illusion that the entire city is inhaling and exhaling.

And right now, I’m lucky enough to witness it firsthand.

From the tram floating above, my gaze remain fixed as the city gradually sinks.

The towering buildings, designed to adapt to the movement, shift seamlessly with the ground.

"This is beautiful."

A fascinating voice echoed from beside me.

I turned, my eyes landing on Zenith, who sits next to me.

Her ember eyes fixed on the city, with her mouth slightly open.

She wore a form-fitting crimson dress with open shoulders, paired with sleek black pants that hugged her curves.

Her jet-black hair, tinged with a soft pink undertone, was tied in a high ponytail, with loose strands framing her face.

I placed a hand under her chin and gently shut her mouth. "Stop gawking like a country bumpkin."

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She turned to glare at me while I kept my gaze on the sinking skyline.

The tram shudders as the city exhales deeper, buildings moving downward like falling blades.

"I hate you." Zenith grumbled.

She then leaned closer, her elbow brushing mine.

Ignoring her, I glanced at the child in her arms.

"She didn’t even last two hours, huh?" I murmured, pinching Iffa’s cheek.

"How could she?" Zenith replied, gently patting the sleeping girl. "She spent the whole day playing with Mother."

I smiled. "Yeah."

All three of my spirits have grown close to Yenna.

The biggest surprise? Olivia.

Even she couldn’t resist Yenna’s motherly charm.

"How was my mother’s training?" Zenith asked, grinning. "She’s good at it, isn’t she?"

I nodded. "Definitely."

It’s only been two days since I started forming layers under my skin, yet I’ve already completed one.

[<It’s fast. Extremely fast.>]

’...Yeah.’

I remember how shocked Yenna was when I told her about it.

And it was reasonable.

At this rate, I could reach Mid-Overlord in just twenty days.

For comparison, it took Ragnar eleven days to form one layer.

And.

I turned to look at Zenith sitting beside me.

It took her seventeen.

’She’s quite talented too.’

[<How many layers are you planning to form?>]

’As many as I can.’

Unlike others, the more layers I form, the more efficient I become.

Reducing the time to one layer per day isn’t impossible.

’For now, fifty is my goal.’

Noticing my lingering gaze, Zenith narrowed her eyes.

"What? Am I really that nice to look at?"

I leaned close to her ear. "Do you think everyone here sees us as a young married couple with a child?"

She froze.

Then—she scanned the tram.

Several passengers glanced our way, their expressions warm, almost fond.

Zenith blinked.

Then—

Her face turned crimson.

"Shut up!" She snapped, passing Iffa to me before shifting further.

I chuckled softly as Iffa’s body dissolved into mist, merging back into me.

The tram hisses to a stop, floating down as the city settles into its flat phase.

Zenith bolted upright, eager to escape the lingering smiles of elderly passengers.

I rose slower, stretching my body.

The doors slide open, and we step out first.

The neon-lit tram station is the first thing to catch my eye.

Everything looks futuristic—metallic structures, glowing pathways, people moving in smooth, systematic waves.

Some passing gazes flick toward us as we start walking.

"Where are the others?" Zenith asked, looking at me.

I shrugged. "Don’t know. Just call them."

She nodded, pulling out her phone.

Meanwhile, I scanned the area.

With so much modern architecture, the sight of a shrine stands out.

The foreign—but strangely familiar—script written across it caught my attention.

Come to think of it, the Uzume Highbloods are devotees of Amaterasu.

The ancestral goddess who blessed their bloodline.

’Arianell used to talk about that a lot…’

I smile slightly at the memory.

"They’re outside."

I glanced back at Zenith.

"Siersha said they’re waiting for us."

I nodded. "Let’s go."

We moved towards the closest exit.

As we pass through the station, I notice more small shrines scattered about before we reach the parking area.

The lamps bathe the space in a soft glow, illuminating the night.

"Hey! Over here!"

A loud voice makes us look forward.

The group is already gathered—everyone except us.

We make our way over.

"What took you guys so long?" Amaury grumbled, glaring at me.

"Zenith took too long to get ready." I lied.

Then.

I waved towards Elijah and flipped my finger at Aimar.

"Hey! I was ready before you!" Zenith snapped, glaring at me.

"Better question—what were you even doing at her place?" Pasithea asked, folding her arms.

"Her mom invited me." I replied, gazing around.

Until—

My gaze landed on Siersha, standing further from the group.

And for some reason, she wasn’t looking happy as she continued to glare at me.

Ah, right.

I promised to feed her my blood every five days… but then I went and slept for ten.

I walked towards her.

"Must be nice." She whispered with a chilly smile. "Breaking your promises."

"Why?" I whispered back. "Can’t you live without my blood, fucking bloodsucker."

"I can’t." She replied honestly. "Your blood is the sweetest thing I have ever drunk."

"Yeah, I added sugar in it just to please you." I replied sarcastically, staring at her. "Don’t you like it?"

She replied with a cold, frosty glare.

Oh, is she going to attack me now?

[<Be grateful she’s being rational. Vampires do… unpleasant things for their favorite blood.>]

’Nah, fuck her.’

She can never try to do something.

"What are you guys talking about?" Carson’s voice made me turn to look at him.

"Nothing." Siersha replied, while the others also looked at us. "Himmel was just complimenting my looks."

Huh?

"I never said—."

"Don’t be shy." She interrupted, smiling gently. "Just tell them how you admire my—."

"Our ride is here!"

Zenith’s voice echoed, making her stop.

I shot her a glare as I moved away.

Bitch likes to get on my nerves.

[<...>]

A hovering luxury car descended right in front of us.

The door opened up as a man in a driver’s uniform walked out.

"On behalf of the Uzume family." He bowed slightly towards us. "I welcome you to our household."

"It’s already late." I said, acknowledging his bow. "Let’s move."

The man nodded, opening the door.

"I will take the front seat!"

And of course, Zenith had her own priority.

-----

It took only twenty minutes to reach the Uzume palace.

’Well, calling it a palace doesn’t seem right.’

I mused as I stood in front of the huge door made out of wood with delicate engravings.

The entire estate was a single-story building, stretching nearly a kilometer in length.

"What time is it?" Elise asked, standing beside Aimar.

"Almost eight," Heather replied, checking her phone.

Hmm?

I hummed, glancing at Elise.

Is it just me, or have I been seeing her around Aimar a lot lately?

I narrowed my eyes.

No way.

This guy is actually attracting a girl?

Noticing my gaze, Aimar looked back at me.

On second thought, he was good-looking.

So why doesn’t he try finding someone?

’Gay.’

I smirked while he tilted his head in confusion.

The gate creaked open, making me shift my gaze.

A group of women stood on the other side, dressed in black and white kimonos that concealed their figures.

Moving in perfect unison, they bowed deeply.

"We welcome you to the Uzume household."

Then, they made way for us.

"Please follow us to your assigned rooms."

Zenith was the first to walk towards them.

"You all look so beautiful," she commented with a bright smile.

The woman at the front returned the smile. "You are even more beautiful, my lady."

Zenith’s eyes sparkled as she examined their clothing. "Is that a kimono? Can I get one too?"

"There are kimonos in your rooms," the head maid informed us. "Please do try them on."

As we followed them, my gaze drifted around.

The entirety of the place was made out of wood.

Long, delicate patterns filled the pillars, while different old paintings were hanging around.

Even the ceiling had engravings on it.

Aimar slid beside me.

"How’ve you been?" he asked casually. Then, in a lower voice, "And mind explaining what the fuck you were doing at my aunt’s house?"

"Sleeping," I said with a shrug.

"Alone?"

Should I say with your aunt?

[<No!>]

’Yeah… probably shouldn’t.’

"Of course, alone," I said, giving him a deadpan look.

"Get your head out of the gutter. Can’t believe I’m friends with someone like you."

For a moment, guilt flickered across his face.

He sighed. "Sorry."

"It’s fine." I patted his shoulder. "Anyway, where have you been?"

"Training," he answered curtly.

I nodded, leaving it at that.

The maids stopped in a hallway, turning toward us.

"This hallway leads to the ladies’ rooms," one of them announced, gesturing to the right.

"The opposite side will be for the gentlemen."

Then, bowing deeply, she added, "Dinner will be served in an hour. Feel free to freshen up."

As the maids walked away, we moved toward our respective rooms.

"I’m going to look around a bit," Elijah said, glancing at me.

"Sure," I replied with a nod.

"Wait, I’ll come too!" Heather chimed in.

I ignored them and slid open my door.

And—

It’s… simple.

The room contained nothing but a mattress and a wardrobe.

Not that I was expecting luxury.

I threw myself onto the mattress with a sigh.

[<Are you going to sleep?>]

"Nope."

Pretty sure Siersha will visit me soon.

And I don’t want a parasite sucking me off while I sleep.

"I should start working on the second layer."

Crossing my legs, I closed my eyes and focused.

A full image of my body formed in my mind, its surface already wrapped in the mana layer I’d created before.

Now, to form another one over it, starting from my soles.

Layering mana was simple.

All I had to do was condense a small amount in a specific spot—

[<Easy for you to say.>]

Whatever.

Ignoring her, I directed my focus to my soles.

Slowly, the second layer of mana began forming over the first.

But—

Ten minutes in, a noise caught my attention.

"Hm?"

Frowning, I stood up.

The estate was eerily silent, making any sound stand out.

As I followed the noise, it grew clearer.

Is someone arguing?

I turned a corner—

And stopped in my tracks.

At the end of the hallway, Elijah and Heather stood on one side, while two others faced them.

Avril was one of them.

The distress in her expression was obvious, but the other person remained oblivious.

I didn’t recognize him at first, but the purple hair was a dead giveaway.

An Aljanah.

I walked towards Elijah.

The others also noticed my presence.

"What’s going on?" I asked him.

"She bumped into me—!"

"Shut up."

I cut off the Aljanah before he could butt in.

"I wasn’t asking you."

His face twisted with rage. "How dare you speak to me like that?!"

Ignoring him, I turned back to Elijah.

"Priel bumped into Heather," Elijah explained with a tired sigh. "Then he started demanding she apologize."

"Demanding?" Priel scoffed, glaring at him. "I’m just asking nicely, you bastard child!"

Ah.

Now I remembered.

Priel.

A cousin.

And an absolute piece of shit.

"Can you stop lying?" Heather snapped. "You’re clearly just picking on Elijah."

"Yes, let’s leave it at that," Avril pleaded, her voice almost cracking.

Priel’s glare flicked to her. "What did you—"

"All right, enough," I interrupted, stepping in front of Elijah.

"Now, fuck off."

Priel’s face turned crimson.

"Do you even know who I am?!"

"Yeah, a fucking bird." I said tiredly. "Can you fuck off now?"

[<Are we racist to our own race now?>]

’...’

Oh, wait.

That was friendly fire.

Priel immediately touched his bracelet and took out his sword.

I sighed. "You shouldn’t have done that."

Breaking a bone should be enough.

I took a step forward—

"What’s going on?"

A sudden interruption made me halt.

I turned around.

And—

Immediately froze.

Two women approached.

One was my aunt—Tyshara.

Killian and Avril’s mother.

But my attention locked onto the woman beside her.

She wore a midnight-blue kimono, her pristine white hair scraped into a tight knot.

No makeup.

No warmth.

Just empty, white voids for eyes that bore into me.

Himari Kurai Uzume.

Arianell’s mother.