Chapter 73 – Mixed Baths
73 – Mixed Baths
It’s pitch dark outside the window. The hallway was lit by candles, though, so I’m able to see my surroundings. I yawn as I ask Ferris about what’s going on and she replies apologetically.
「The others call for you, Master Hero. Of course, if you are too sleepy…」
「Nah, I’ll go… By the way, would happen to know why they’re calling for me?」
「That…will be explained in due time.」
I walk down the hallway, led by Ferris. Perhaps because she is worried that I’d trip cos I just got up and we started walking, she’s kindly pulling me by my hand. I gently grasp her smooth, warm hand and proceed through the building at night.
Me and the kids are staying in a room on the second floor, but it looks like our destination is on the first floor. On the first floor, apart from the various facilities like the hot springs and the dining hall, there are guest rooms such as the special room for Florence’s personal use.
Speaking of, it looks like our destination is Florence’s room.
「Is everyone gathered here?」
「Yes. By the way, Master Hero, are you aware of family baths?」 Ferris stops just in front of the door and asks me that.
「Family baths? No, can’t say I’ve heard of that.」
「This may be difficult for you to imagine seeing as you entered the bath by yourself, but… In this world, some are not comfortable exposing their naked body to others in public bathhouses.」
「…I see.」
The large bath in the Demon King Castle is originally for royalty to use. I’ve heard that ordinary people in the Royal Capital use public baths. In Human Territory, many countries are just like that. A private bath is something only a select few have. However, not everyone can get used to public bathhouses. Some people wish to take a bath but are worried about people seeing them.
「I say family bath, but one would not be wrong in thinking of it as a small scale, specially reserved hot spring. This system was introduced by Lady Florence’s proposal.」
「Huh. Hm? Is the family bath…connected to Florence’s room?」
「Among other things… Yes, you are correct.」
「…Wait a minute. You’re not telling me that they called me to…」
Ferris gently opens the door to Florence’s room while flashing a troubled smile.
「They…wish to share an open-air bath with you. What do you say?」
◇
All seven of them are in the bath.
Not all of them have done this, but there have been times when Eleanor or Lejie took a bath with me while wearing swimsuits.
「That’s…uh… They’re all wearing swimsuits, right?」
「It is with deep regret I inform you that wearing a swimsuit is forbidden.」
Is Florence the one who made that rule? Or perhaps it’s common sense for establishments like this? Unable to make a decision, I couldn’t shake off Ferris’s hand, and we walked into the room.
「Oh, uh… At times like these, I have to go and bring Mika along or else she’ll sulk…」
「Permission was already received from Lady Holy Sword beforehand.」
…When?! Mika is always by my side so whe-…when we went to the baths! When they separated the baths between men and women, she was brought to the women’s bath. So when she said「…Just go.」earlier, it’s because she was convinced to let me go to this family bath thing.
「Good job convincing her…」
「When Lady Monana told her that she would speed up her repairs of the humanization device, Mika gave her express permission.」
「Ah…」
Mika had previously managed to turn into a human. Ever since coming to this Demon nation where Eleanor and the others live, she’s had many an occasion where she felt alienated; so she thought that if she could take the form of a human, she wouldn’t be left behind.
At that time, a lot of things happened and she was convinced about her position as my partner as a holy sword, and changed back into the shape of a blade. But, perhaps as a side effect of the humanization device, her blade portion was rusted for some time. It appears that one incident wasn’t enough to eliminate her interest in turning human.
「From my understanding, in addition to miniaturizing the device, she also wishes for a function that could change Lady Mika back into a holy sword whenever Master Hero requires. Lady Monana’s face turned quite pale at that request, however…」
From Monana’s point of view, this must be a massive undertaking. Mika being Mika, I got hurt the last time she turned into a human and could not be by my side, so she’s worried about that happening again. Her hopes for the reparation are so that she won’t cause me any trouble even if she turns into a human again.
「However, if that meant that Lady Monana could share a bath with you, she agreed to the request heartily.」 Ferris extols Monana’s bravery.
How could I refuse now…
「Incidentally, if Master Hero were to come to the family bath, it would count as everyone’s reward for today’s competition.」
It is now even harder to refuse…
Remembering my awkwardness, I involuntarily look around the room. On the wall where there is a hanging scroll in our room, there is instead a portrait of me when I was five on the wall. The tabletop was decorated with copper ornaments – of me. One point of concern was the long, cylindrical pillow – with a picture of the most recent version of me – rolling around on the floor.
For a place referred to as the special room, it does not feel luxurious. It seems made to prioritize enjoying the rustic interior of the inn over being extravagant.
For a moment, I caught a glimpse of a futon that’s laid out on the floor, rolled up. There were traces of someone who went in and then out. This is Florence’s room, so it has to be her. What came to mind was Florence in her exposed yukata.
「It is rude to stare so openly at a maiden’s room.」 Whispered Ferris.
「O-oh, right.」 I hurriedly diverted my attention away from the state of the room.
Ferris slowly brought her mouth to my ear. 「If it truly catches your fancy, I could invite you to my room at a later date and you could stare at a maiden’s room as much as you’d like.」
Her words felt like they licked my eardrum, so I involuntarily put a hand to my ear.
「Fe-Ferris?」
Different from her usual gentle smile, she had on a smile that was alluring and playful.
「The open-air bath is only for The Seven Maidens… I merely wished to leave something in your memory, Master Hero. Fufu, my apologies.」
「R-right…」
I could feel my chest beating, but not in a bad way.
「Anyway, about it being only for The Seven… Is it because Ferris didn’t take part in the competition?」
「Well, someone had to look after the children.」
「Ah, that’s true…」
Mika and the white fox were there, so I could be at ease, but it’s probably better to have an adult there.
「Well then, Master Hero, please take your time.」
She bowed and then left the room. I headed deeper into it. In our room, there’s a space with a blank area and a window. In this room, it looks like that is where the connection to the open-air bath is. I head towards there.
There’s a changing room, as well as several baskets all lined up. For some reason, they have name tags, so that you can see at a glance whose clothes are where. Among them, there were seven yukatas of the women waiting for me in the bath, all folded up.
I don’t know why, but I gulped down my saliva. I loosened my obi to undress…and looked up at the ceiling.
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