Chapter 74 – The Open-Air Bath
74 – The Open-Air Bath
I noticed the planks on the ceiling were misaligned.
「What the heck are you doing, Celine?」
「…Well spotted, my lord.」
The sheep Demi-human butler Celine, who was hiding above the ceiling, removed a plank and jumped down silently.
「Also, my apologies. I am sure that my lord has realized that this was my lady’s order. After all, I am but a person for hire, I cannot refuse if money is thrown my way…」
Celine cries crocodile tears with an expressionless face. Considering how I’ve seen her interact with Florence, I find it hard to believe that she could not go against her orders…
「I see… So, ordered to do what?」
「Nothing grand… I was merely given strict orders to monitor whose yukata, or in fact underwear, my lord shows an interest in…」
「Is that…so?」
I hear her words, but I don’t understand what they mean.
「I cannot afford to return empty-handed… My lord, if you wish to assist me, could you please give me a name? Anyone will do…」
Celine stares straight into my eyes. I’d like to help if she’ll be in trouble, but whoever’s name I give her will probably spread among all of them like wildfire. I can only imagine those that would be angered or upset by that.
「About that, I wonder…」
Celine stared at me while I struggled to answer, but eventually shrugged her shoulders as if she had given up.
「It was a joke.」
「Huh?」
「I deeply apologize for taking the joke too far. I, Celine, shall undertake whatever punishment you deem fit. Whether it be whipping my buttocks, or stripping off my yukata here and now, so long as it will earn my lord’s forgiveness, I shall do anything.」 said Celine, seemingly indifferent. It’s hard to tell if she’s serious or kidding.
「No, I’m not mad at you.」
「If it is a whip you require, here.」 Celine pulls out a whip.
…Where did she get that? 「Really, it’s fine.」 I said
「Are you sure?」 Celine sounded somewhat disappointed. 「Well then, my lord. This is the changing room. Please take off your clothes and proceed to the open-air bath.」
「Oh, yeah. Right…」
「My lord truly is the Savior Master Rain to have such deep compassion to forgive the Seven Maidens who wish to bathe with a fifteen-year-old, even if that is this nation’s age of consent.」
Was that a…compliment…?
「You are like a herbivore riding alone into a herd of carnivores… Such courage can be said to be that of a great man that none can imitate.」
Is there a servant who would liken their master to a carnivore? Well, there’s one right here.
「Now, my lord, please enjoy.」 Celine bows politely and leaves the changing room.
Or so she pretended to. When I was taking off my yukata, I noticed that she was trying to steal a glance.
「I forgot to mention… Perhaps out of compassion or cowardice on their part, my lord – and only my lord – is allowed to wear a swimsuit. It can be found in the basket if it so pleases you.」
「I-I see. That helps, I guess.」
This time, I make sure that I cannot sense her anymore before I take off my yukata. With a swimsuit covering my bottom half, my frame of mind shifts. Right now, this one article of clothing is as reassuring as going into battle with a holy sword.
…If I ever said that out loud, Mika would be furious with me.
I put a hand to the door that leads to the open-air bath. My heart starts beating faster. The moment I slid open the door, the outside air flowed into the room. It was cold enough to make me shiver.
I could hear the sound of dripping water. Steam spread throughout the night sky. When I left my room, the outside was pitch black, but now the moon is out and everything is slightly illuminated.
Then, my eyes were transfixed by the open-air bath.
It was stunning.
Seven girls were waiting for me, all naked as the day they were born. Those with long hair had their hair bundled up behind them, probably so that it wouldn’t touch the water. It leaves a different impression than usual.
Each of them were doing their own thing to pass the time like sitting on the edge of the bath or soaking in the hot water. Eleanor, Lejie, Louto, Vivi, Monana, Florence, even Madge. They were all stark naked. Bodies exposed to the moonlit night.
「Sir Rain?」
Eleanor noticed me. Everyone’s attention was on me. My heart was pounding and my blood was clearly pumping faster. My face was hot. My whole body was hot. I felt like I had spent too long in the hot spring even though I haven’t set one foot in it yet.
They’re beautiful, but it’s not just that. They’re beautiful enough to be considered works of art, but the feeling it instills in me is different from that of admiring such an art piece.
「Uh…I…uhm… I’m sorry…!」
I’m a Hero who did not run from whatever King-level Demon I faced; who would’ve thought that I would pathetically run away from the people who were waiting for me? However, I could not keep my emotions in check as I put on my yukata in the changing room, tied on my obi haphazardly, and rushed back to my room.
「…Master Hero?」 Ferris welcomed me back, but she looked confused at how soon I returned.「Oh no, did Lejie do something wrong?」
I shook my head. 「No…I’m the one…at fault…」
I trudged over to my futon, got in, and pulled the covers over my head. The figures of the seven women were burned into my brain. Just remembering them is enough to easily stir my heart.
Suddenly, someone was stroking my head through the futon. It was Ferris.
「…I don’t think I’m ready for the family bath.」
「It is good to take things slow, Master Hero. Up until now, for a Hero who has faced many a hardship that children should not face, perhaps things that appeared before you had to be dealt with immediately. However, in this world, there are many things that cannot be dealt with so quickly.」
「…Is that so?」
「It is. It is alright if you do not live up to everyone’s expectations. Everyone knows that Master Hero is a kind and gentle person. Even if you were to say you dislike something, were afraid of something, or not good at something, no one would hate you for it. This I promise you.」
I slowly peek my head out of the futon. 「Thanks, Ferris.」
「Yes.」
「I’ll apologize to everyone tomorrow. Well, I guess that’s today.」
「Yes.」 Ferris smiled her usual gentle smile.
I could feel the chest-bursting pounding of my heart calm down.
「Being with Ferris…」
Oh yeah, I was awakened in the middle of my sleep. Wrapped in a warm futon being gently stroked by Ferris, somehow it…
「Calms me down…」
「…!」
For an instant, Ferris’s hand stopped moving; but she soon resumed her calming head strokes.
「I am unworthy of such words, Master Hero. Please, have a peaceful slumber.」
◇
It was the next morning.
While wondering how I would apologize to them, I head to the dining hall. When I got there, everyone’s eyes were intense for some reason, yet they also had dark circles under them.
「Everyone, um… I’m sorry for yesterd-」
Before I could finish, all of The Seven greeted me with a very nice smile. I was kinda worried that their smile was more like a「We know.」kinda smile.
Celine came close to me and whispered「Claiming that it was their own nudity that made my lord aware of how much of a woman they were, they argued incessantly until the morning. Not a single one of them is furious with you – so rest assured. Actually, you should be more worried about how to congratulate them all… What will you do, my lord?」
I suspect that she’s enjoying this situation more than a little…
Anyway, if they aren’t mad at me, then I’m glad. I feel like another problem has surfaced, but I don’t think I can solve that right away; so I’ll put that on hold for now. Remembering what happened before I fell asleep, I looked at Ferris, who was also looking at me.
She gave a small nod. Should I take that as her affirming my thoughts? Anyway, with that…
The curtains close on my first hot spring trip.
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