I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Qing Deng turned to look at the commander.

The commander stared straight at him with shining eyes.

"Tachibana-kun! I'm feeling a bit tired! Why don't we soak in the hot spring here and rest for a bit?"

After saying that, the Chief clenched her fists in front of her chest with great excitement, stood on tiptoe, and leaned her whole body towards Qing Deng.

Her slender ponytail swayed gently with her movements.

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I'm so sorry! I went to see my mother today, so the update wasn't very good. I'm guilty!

What follows is a bonus storyline brimming with Arknights flavor, sure to thrill Arknights fans! (Laughing emoji)

Chapter 427 Aoto and Souji's Flirting and Souji's Jealousy [4600]

"Hot spring?"

Qingdeng paused for a moment, then quickly pressed for an answer.

"This pool is too shallow for a hot spring bath, isn't it?"

"Although I can't soak my whole body, at least I can soak my feet!"

The commander argued his case forcefully.

"It's rare to find a natural hot spring that hasn't been taken over by wild monkeys. It would be a shame not to experience it... Ah, no! I've been walking all the way from Edo to here and I'm already feeling a bit tired. I was just thinking of taking a break! Since I've stumbled upon this hot spring, I might as well soak my feet here and rest for a bit!"

—Hey, you just let it slip!

Even though he'd already let it slip, he could still act all serious as if nothing had happened... I have to say, that takes skill.

Qingdeng turned his head and glanced at the hot spring beside him.

—Soaking your feet...

To be fair, Qingdeng didn't want to stop and rest.

First of all, his body was not so fatigued that he urgently needed rest.

"Strength +1", "Iron Lungs +2"... These talents that greatly enhance physical fitness are not just for show.

However... he couldn't ignore the feelings of Souji and Sanako.

After all, the two women didn't possess the same many extraordinary talents as him.

Just because he isn't tired doesn't mean the two women aren't tired either.

Besides, what the commander just said wasn't wrong.

Since they set off, they have basically not stopped to rest.

Based on the simple idea of ​​"balancing work and rest," it is indeed time to take a break.

To respect the opinions of everyone present, Qing Deng asked Sanako beside him:

"Miss Sanako, what do you think?"

"I don't care."

"Zanako replied without hesitation."

"Whether we continue climbing or take a short rest, I have no objection."

One vote in favor, one abstention... the result is clear.

At that moment, Qingdeng felt a strong gaze.

He turned his head and was met with the commander's bright and spirited gaze.

A happy expression was on her face.

Although Souji didn't speak, her eyes betrayed her true thoughts—look! Miss Sanako doesn't object to soaking in hot springs either!

Seeing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but give a helpless, bitter smile.

"Alright... let's rest here for a while then."

"Great!"

The commander cheered, then squatted down and quickly took off his snow boots and socks, before eagerly dipping his feet into the hot spring.

The next instant, she let out a satisfied moan:

"Haha~~"

At the same time, her entire face turned into a "(=ω=)" shape, her waist bent, her shoulders slumped, and her delicate body became limp as if it had melted.

Following Souji, the second person to sit down by the spring was Aoto.

A gentle warmth enveloped Qingdeng's calves and feet like silk.

A warm feeling traveled up the soles of my feet to my calves, then down my back and into my heart.

The leg muscles, which had become slightly stiff from walking for a long time, relaxed instantly.

Is it just psychological? Qingdeng always felt that hot spring water was significantly different from regular hot water.

The former feels softer, gentler, and more comfortable.

Feeling completely refreshed, Qing Deng couldn't help but feel relieved that she had agreed to the chief's "foot bath request".

Compared to Aoto and Souji, Sanako, who comes from a samurai family, is undoubtedly much more elegant in her movements.

Sanako first gently pulled up the skirt and pants of the women's kendo uniform, and slowly took off her snow boots, revealing her delicate feet wrapped in white socks. Her slightly protruding, bony ankles could be vaguely seen through the white socks.

She raised her hand to hold onto the tree trunk beside her to maintain her balance, and then, in a posture as if turning around, lifted one leg backward and took off the cloth sock on her right foot in one breath.

Then, in the same way, she took off the sock on her other foot and put the two folded socks into her snow boot.

Sanako's feet were perfectly natural, their whiteness gleaming.

Her calves were long and shapely like solidified cream, her ankles were round and smooth, and her ten adorable toes were crystal clear.

Despite being a skilled and diligent female warrior, her feet had no calluses or dead skin; the soles of her feet were white with a rosy tint, and her arches were beautiful.

Sanako barefoot... that's quite a rare sight.

Sanako, who values ​​etiquette above all else, pays great attention to her clothing and appearance.

Even in the sweltering summer, or even at home, she always wears impeccably clean white cloth socks.

During the Edo period, wearing clean white socks was a symbol of status.

Japan has a temperate maritime climate, with mild and humid conditions year-round, and annual rainfall ranging from 1200 ml to 2000 ml.

In short, Japan is a rainy country.

No matter how advanced the infrastructure was in the feudal era, it was still just so-so.

During the Edo period, roads were mostly dirt roads, which would become particularly muddy after rain.

If you wear cloth shoes and socks, you'll be covered in mud with every step you take. Just washing your shoes and socks will exhaust you.

If you wear leather boots and shoes in such a damp environment, the shoes will rot over time.

In this situation, wearing straw sandals, wooden clogs, and not wearing socks is the most suitable option, as it is both economical and easy to clean. Even if you step in mud, you can just rinse it with water.

This is why everyone, from samurai lords to ordinary people, has a special fondness for straw sandals and wooden clogs.

Of course, only those from well-off families can afford to wear shoes.

Most poor families usually wear very little clothing on their lower bodies, go barefoot when working, and weave simple straw sandals that are no different from flip-flops when going on long trips.

Over time, wearing socks... especially white socks that get dirty easily, became a symbol of status.

If you see someone always wearing clean white socks, you can tell that they must come from a well-off family.

As for those who wear silk shoes, they are the nobles and officials of the Kyoto court who do not engage in production or labor.

When officials went to work, almost all of them wore white socks—Qing Deng was an exception.

Because he disliked white socks for getting dirty easily, Qingdeng usually preferred to wear black socks.

After placing the shoes and socks, Sanako slowly walked to Aoto's side.

She didn't sit down immediately, but first stretched out her right foot, lightly touched the surface of the pool with her toes, and then slowly lowered both feet and immersed them into the depths of the hot spring.

Reflected in the shimmering water, Sanako's jade-like feet looked like lotus flowers emerging from the water.

The reflection in the pool water showed a calm, reserved smile. The reflection rippled and undulated in the water as the two little feet gently moved.

It seems that Sanako is quite satisfied with this hot spring.

Whether it was Sanako's intention or her unintentional act, she sat down precisely to Aoto's right.

Souji was sitting to Aoto's left.

In this way, the two of them can put Qingdeng in a pincer movement.

Qingdeng: "..."

Souji: "..."

Sanako: "..."

The surroundings were filled with a leisurely atmosphere and were completely peaceful.

Even though no one said a word, no one felt awkward.

At this moment, Qingdeng belatedly realized that he hadn't relaxed like this in a long time, without thinking about anything.

He has been busy investigating the "strange drug case" recently and has not had time to rest.

Thanks to the enhancements of talents such as "Divine Brain +9", "Strong Muscles +1", and "Strong Essence +1", Qingdeng has an extremely strong ability to resist fatigue, and he does not easily feel tired even after long periods of work.

—When will the next break be?

Thinking of this, Qingdeng's face showed a mixture of emotions.

At that moment, the commander suddenly burst out laughing out of nowhere:

"...Haha, hahaha."