Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5761 - 784: X Royal Family: Rebirth (24)

Indeed, it proved remarkably effective. Natasha, having had her fill of sleep, immediately indulged in the hot spring upon entering the hotel room. Charles, it seemed, had already pre-adjusted the water system for her, filling the space with a potent sulfurous aroma as the water began to flow.

After nearly ten minutes soaking, Natasha transitioned to the balcony. The outdoor chill necessitated an additional twenty minutes in the water before she finally, with noticeable reluctance, emerged, feeling thoroughly overheated.

Bursting into the second-floor lounge like a projectile, she proclaimed the joyous news: "It actually works!!! I'm completely recovered now!!!"

"Congratulations, truly," Steve offered his sincere felicitations. "It's wonderful that this method provided a solution."

"Ms., you might genuinely reconsider the activities that led to this hot spring therapy being so successful," Dr. Strange interjected, unable to suppress his observation. "If only perhaps you had opted for an extra layer of clothing during winter, the situation might not have escalated to this point."

"Precisely," Tony Stark chimed in, surprisingly in complete accord with Dr. Strange. "Considering you're a cyborg, your physical resilience ought to surpass that of ordinary individuals. How could it possibly deteriorate to such a severe state? It's purely a consequence of neglecting proper self-care."

As Natasha prepared a retort, Bucky interjected, "Nick doesn't dispatch you to the poles daily; using work as a pretext won't suffice anymore."

Natasha found herself utterly silenced. Adjusting the belt of her robe, she sank onto the sofa, explaining, "You must comprehend that my home country views conquering the cold and snow as a badge of honor, instilling the belief that resilience to frigid temperatures must be cultivated from a young age. Displaying even a hint of apprehension towards the cold results in being readily perceived as weak."

"Then why the penchant for alcohol to generate internal warmth and the creation of hearty, soupy dishes?" Matt inquired, demonstrating a considerable knack for logical persuasion. "This clearly indicates a lack of genuine fear towards the cold; you merely feign it. Your culinary traditions speak a far more honest truth."

Once again, Natasha was left speechless. Waving a hand to cool herself, she then conceded, "Honestly, luxuriating in the hot spring felt quite pleasant; I do feel significantly more comfortable now."

"However, at present, you bear the distinct aroma of a gargantuan bar of sulfur soap," Tony Stark remarked.

"Soon, all of you will reek of sulfur soap too," Natasha retorted with palpable irritation. "Cease your teasing."

Their conversation continued for a while, punctuated by the sharing of fruits. Before long, the lounge buzzed with the arrival of numerous individuals, including the Avengers from the local universe.

Truth be told, the interpersonal dynamics among the Avengers from these three distinct universes were somewhat strained. The absence of a mediator to foster harmony and facilitate smooth interactions rendered their initial encounters noticeably awkward.

Nevertheless, this tension dissipated rapidly as the inherent comfort between parallel variants became apparent. A collective decision was made to bifurcate into distinct 'isotope groups' for their discussions, a measure that significantly eased the atmosphere.

Yet, this organizational strategy was largely confined to heroes like Captain America. As for Iron Man, he tended to gravitate towards others, a universally acknowledged strategy to avoid potential conflicts when grouping them together.

"Are you feeling better?" the Black Widow from the Main Universe inquired, addressing Natasha. "Our universe's Captain was expressing some concern for your well-being."

"Much improved," Natasha affirmed with a nod. "The hot spring treatment proved effective. Furthermore, they successfully persuaded me to curtail my consumption of ice water."

"A veritable health guru, it seems," the Local Black Widow commented. "Sometimes, excessive idleness can be detrimental. Had you, perhaps, just concluded your encounter with that purple-skinned individual fixated on Earth last week, and then immediately confronted the quandary of the conventional government aiming for mutual destruction with mutants, you likely wouldn't be experiencing these present difficulties."

"You've already dealt with Thanos?" Natasha expressed a degree of surprise.

"Indeed, otherwise, how could we have remained oblivious to the matter of the Red Orchid Factory? There's simply an overwhelming volume of work; one must always establish priorities, wouldn't you agree?"

"That does present a rather formidable challenge," Natasha sighed. "We've navigated several years without a cosmic-level crisis, making Earth feel like a secure haven... Oh, perhaps I shouldn't phrase it quite like that, as we recently embarked on an excursion beyond the familiar confines of our beautiful Solar System."

Meanwhile, Steve, engaged in conversation with the other two Captain Americas, was recounting his experiences as a navigator.

"We unexpectedly found ourselves in the Void at the time. It was quite harrowing; just as we managed to secure the Gravity Anchor, the first mate burst in, yelling, 'Hull gravity imbalance on the port side!' Everyone’s hearts pounded. It was then that the Star Spirit Clan, inhabitants of the Void, detected our vessel and began transmitting signals on our frequency. Their language was incomprehensible, the signals appearing as mere gibberish, leading us to suspect a trap, especially when our communication channels were disrupted. Fortunately, it was a misunderstanding; they even assisted in towing our ship out..."

"What about the other one?" Strange inquired, glancing at the Local Doctor Strange.

"They took him away," the Local Doctor Strange replied. "I overheard that the 'perfect' support strategy was devised by those two. With them gone, perhaps the Avengers can finally make some genuine progress."

"You shouldn't speak of them that way. If only you had properly maintained the Magical Defense Network, things wouldn't have escalated to this point," Strange remarked, shaking his head. "Your Demon God here lacks considerable skill; perhaps he should relocate to my universe. They are actively seeking to broaden their business endeavors."

"Is inter-universal power borrowing even feasible?" Doctor Strange narrowed his eyes.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Strange inexplicably produced a business card and presented it to Doctor Strange. "Make some time to visit the Holy Sanctuary. You should also see the genuine Hell’s Master and Dark Source in the major city, cease acting like an unsophisticated provincial."

"I genuinely don't know when you became the devils' spokesperson."

"We are all spokespersons for the devils," Strange stated after taking a sip of his beverage. "It has always been this way, unchanging. It is merely that certain individuals, lacking worldly experience, are eager to sell themselves and Earth for a pittance. As long as I remain, that will never happen."

With no counterparts in sight, Matt and Shiller continued their quiet repast of fruit in a secluded corner. However, Charles invariably ensures no guest feels neglected; shortly thereafter, a mutant delivered sashimi, clearly attuned to their preferences.

"They couldn't have caught this fresh from the ocean, could they?" Matt inquired with astonishment, his senses, far keener than most, detecting a distinct oceanic aroma. It wasn't stale but vibrantly fresh, akin to the sea itself.

Shiller, observing keenly, lifted a piece of tuna belly with a fork. Fresh belly differed dramatically from its frozen counterpart. After a thorough examination, he commented, "I surmise Namor procured it directly from the water. How precisely did Charles manage to persuade him?"

"He always finds a method." Matt, however, was preoccupied with eating. Yet, when indulging in sashimi, one ought not to begin with the belly; its rich, fatty essence can overpower the nuances of subsequent fish. The proper approach is to commence with milder white or silver fish, concluding with the more robust tuna and salmon bellies.

Sustained by the exquisite fare, the pair remained oblivious to the ongoing diplomatic exchanges between the mutants and the local Avengers, SWORD, and other factions. This continued until dusk settled, and the entire hot spring bathhouse was illuminated.

Gazing out from the windows of the cliffside hotel lounge, the scene was brilliantly aglow. The extensive use of crystal materials allowed the internal luminescence to permeate outwards, resembling a scattering of brilliant stars, painting a magnificent cosmos against the twilight sky.

Numerous individuals congregated on the balcony, savoring the panorama. As the baths began to fill, delicate white mist ascended, heightening the ethereal ambiance, evoking the sensation of being in an elven celestial realm.

Warmed by the cascading water, the banquet commenced in earnest. Donning robes, attendees proceeded to their chosen baths, each offering distinct therapeutic properties beyond mere temperature variations. Some were sulfur pools, emanating a strong sulfurous scent, lauded for their antiseptic qualities. Others were herbal infusions, incorporating indigenous Clarkia herbs, including the famed Clarkia Flower, reputed to enhance physical vitality.

Nevertheless, the most sought-after attraction was the gently flowing stream encircling the indoor hot spring. This live water current provided a sensation akin to a massage, its soft caress against the body making it exceptionally difficult for most to depart.

Furthermore, mutants with telekinetic abilities were observed providing chilled beverages and fruit to other guests. These items seemed to float effortlessly through the air, with patrons requesting drinks and snacks, leading to an unending stream of airborne refreshments and a scene of remarkable vivacity.

Having been in the hot spring all day, Natasha, along with others who weren't fans of the springs, convened at the bar for drinks. Prioritizing her health, she opted against ordering ice cubes this time. As she took a sip of whiskey, the unpleasant taste caused her to grimly frown.

"If you seek to avoid making yourself feel worse, perhaps you should drink less, miss," Shiller approached, offering advice. "Alcohol enhances blood circulation, which in turn could intensify any discomfort."

Natasha immediately ejected the half-swallowed mouthful of alcohol. It wasn't agreeable anyway, so opting for a different drink seemed preferable.

Matt also did not linger in the hot spring for long, emerging feeling overheated. He took a deep inhale and, while adjusting his bathrobe, commented, "I should not have started with such a piping hot pool; easing into it would have been wiser. The intense steam left me feeling rather lightheaded."

"That's quite normal," Shiller replied. "You shouldn't immerse yourself for more than ten minutes consecutively. Would you care for a drink?"

"No, I have abstained from alcohol since our son Little Jack was born," Matt stated. "I aim to be a positive role model for my child."

Natasha was on the verge of making a teasing remark when she noticed a change in Matt's expression. Shiller also inquired with evident concern, "Is something amiss? Do you feel unwell as well?"

"Perhaps so," Matt responded. "Despite my martial arts training and the inner Qi I possess, this Clarkia Island might still exert an influence on me. For reasons unknown, I'm experiencing a touch of nausea and a peculiar..."

As he was speaking, Matt swayed precariously, gripping the bar counter for support. He then added, "Maybe the hot spring was excessively hot; I feel rather dizzy, akin to experiencing motion sickness."

Shiller promptly supported Matt, saying, "You've likely just become overheated. Allow me to escort you back to your room so you can rest."

Merely two steps from the bar, Matt suddenly extended an arm. Shaking off Shiller's grasp, he staggered, then exclaimed, "No, something is shaking... the very ground is moving!"

He strained to regain his balance before shouting, "Earthquake! It's an earthquake!! Everyone, evacuate!!!"