Chapter 30

You might be thinking, "Even though you were so reluctant, you’re going to face a risky mission just by taking a few baths, huh?"

I can’t help but admit that it’s entirely true. The risks and benefits don’t balance out, do they? I think so too. Laugh at me, the foolish adventurer...

But, you see, about the baths... it’s impossible to recreate them individually...

If I had a house by a clean river surrounded by trees that I could freely cut down (for some reason, no monsters spawn there), I might have been able to do it. But in the general sense of this world, that’s impossible.

This world doesn’t have magical devices that produce infinite water, nor do we have mysterious stones that constantly emit heat. Even if they existed, I doubt I could afford them.

Commoners can only wash with water at best. I’m already considered quite clean. There are people who really don’t wash at all, and some of them have a terrible smell, a mix of sweat and ale. It’s not that rare.

Even a moderately wealthy person can only manage to boil a bucket of water and wash a little bit. That’s my current situation. I’m a shabby customer who buys hot water at an inn every day. In this world, if you go that far, you’re treated as having a phobia of dirt.

As for the bathhouses... there are no showers, the water isn’t filtered and recirculated, and basically, everyone who enters is extremely dirty... I think you can understand why I don’t want to use them. If I can’t get the first bath, I’d give up. They are so dirty that I can’t just casually try them.

If I went to a brothel used by nobles, I could get a private, clean bath... but... yeah... that’s not a good idea... I’d end up in unnecessary trouble because I’m not that rich...

...Why didn’t I learn proper magic when I was reincarnated into this world?

If I could, I could use water and fire magic to... do all sorts of things... damn it...

The Kingdom of Halperia doesn’t have an abundance of stone or metal, and there’s no urban gas pipeline. We can’t use infinite firewood either...

Even if I, as Lord Chaos, designed a highly efficient firewood boiler, the price of bathhouses wouldn’t drop significantly. And probably, the cleanliness wouldn’t change either. This is a matter of hygiene.

Building a bath is really difficult.

So, in a sense, to easily take a bath individually in this world... being a skilled magician might be essential.

“Hey, thanks for today.”

“...It’s still before dawn, you know.”

On the day of the mission, I arrived at the Artemis clan house.

Seina greeted me. She wasn’t half-asleep; she seemed to be already prepared.

“I woke up early thinking about the bath.”

“You’re not a child... I heard from Natasha and the others that you were really persuaded by that.”

“It’s important to me. I want to take a warm bath a few times in my life.”

“Don’t exaggerate the number. I’ve heard that too.”

“Tch.”

I often thought, “You must have money,” when passing by this building, but I never imagined I’d visit it. Let alone talk to the leader of Artemis regularly.

“...It’s a hat, not a helmet.”

“Yeah, this one. I just need to hide part of my hair, so I chose a common hunter’s hat. I can’t wear a metal helmet in this weather.”

Winter is cold. Everything gets cold, but especially metal.

People often underestimate how cold metal can get. I’ve heard that workers who wear safety boots for their jobs complain about the cold in their toes. Metal armor is even worse. I always wear light gear, but in winter, I only wear leather. I carry a small shield, though.

“Will the nobleman come in full armor?”

“Haha, no way. There’s no such fool... right?”

“I hope not. ...If he comes in such an outfit and starts to feel unwell, we’ll just cut the mission short. It might make our job easier.”

“...Is it okay to treat a noble lady like that? Won’t the baron’s family complain?”

“You’re so worried. You should trust the guild’s backing more. We Artemis aren’t crossing dangerous bridges.”

Seina opened the door and beckoned me in.

“We’ll meet up with Brigitte at the guild and then set off. Let’s have a quick meeting inside first. It won’t be much, though.”

I followed her into the Artemis clan house.

In the lobby by the fireplace, several members had already gathered and were preparing for the journey.

The participants from Artemis were Seina, Natasha, Gorilliana, Ulrika, Lina, and Jona, making a total of seven with me.

Jona is a married woman in her late thirties who lives with her husband and children. She mainly works as a cleaner at the clan house and rarely goes on hunting missions. Apparently, there are quite a few members like her in Artemis. The group sometimes serves as a makeshift daycare, among other things.

I see, that’s why I always see the same members despite the large number of people.

“This mission will be over in a day. It’s a blessing for guild members like me who are half-retired.”

Jona laughed heartily.

...Am I overthinking this mission too much?

“The vanguard will be Gorilliana, with Brigitte as her support. Seina and Jona will be in the center, keeping an eye on the front while assisting Brigitte. The rear guard will be Lina, Ulrika, and Natasha, with Mongrel covering the back.”

Perhaps to be considerate, I was placed almost opposite Brigitte, guarding the rear.

If something happens in the front, I might have to step forward, but... well, it’s winter. It’s unlikely.

“Mongrel, we’re counting on you to guard us.”

“I hope nothing happens that needs guarding.”

“Hey, Mongrel-senpai, it’s rare to see you with a shield.”

“Yeah, this? I hardly ever use it, but I brought it just in case. I have another shield at home, but it’s bigger and heavier, so I chose this one.”

“First time I knew...”

“It’s a good shield. I’ll show it to Lina next time.”

“Why do you sound so happy?”

So, the formation was decided.

All that was left was to meet up with the troublesome noble lady.

“I am Brigitte of the Iron Class. I have skills, but I have never fought monsters with a sword, so I am taking this mission to train. I will try not to be a hindrance to your group, Artemis. Please take care of me.”

In the guild, Brigitte was fully armored in metal.

...Well, I’m glad she’s not as high-handed as a noble usually is, but is that armor okay? It’s quite cold today, and we’ll be walking in the forest for a while...

“Welcome, Brigitte. I’m Seina, the leader of Artemis and a Gold Class guild member. Since you’re a noble and a beginner, you’ll basically follow our instructions during the mission.”

Seina said this assertively, but I get it. She’s treating Brigitte as a regular guild member, not a noble. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but it’s only natural.

I’ll try to avoid talking to avoid any trouble later.

“Yes. Since I lack experience, I would appreciate guidance whenever necessary.”

“Sure. However, if any problems arise, we will immediately suspend the mission and return. Remember that.”

“Is that in case a monster appears and someone gets injured?”

“Of course, but that’s not the only reason. Let’s start moving. The eastern gate is far from the Baroa Forest.”

And so, we set off for the winter forest of Baroa.

The greetings and introductions among the participants were brief, just names being stated as we walked.

Brigitte seemed to have little interest in each of us, responding to our introductions with a collective “Please take care of me.” She’s probably the quiet type. For me, it’s a relief.

While walking, Brigitte occasionally exchanged words with Gorilliana and Jona.

I couldn’t hear the content clearly because I was a bit away, but from what I could catch, they were talking about the mission and monsters.

Despite being a newcomer, she seems to be quite serious.

“Mongrel-senpai, I haven’t been to the Baroa Forest much in winter. What kind of monsters are there this time of year?”

“...None.”

I replied in a low voice so Brigitte wouldn’t hear.

“Nothing really comes out in winter. There are reports, but it’s more like something that might happen. Animals either hibernate or retreat deep into the forest.”

“Really? So, what about monsters that failed to hibernate?”

“They don’t come out. Well, if you go to the forest every five days, you might see something, but basically, nothing comes out.”

“Yeah, nothing comes out in winter.”

“Really?”

If there were prey to be found every three days, guild members might take winter jobs.

But since everyone stops forest jobs, that’s not the case.

It’s not a sign of trouble or a flag or anything.

The winter Baroa Forest is genuinely empty.

I didn’t like this mission because it felt so pointless... but for today’s bath, it’s worth it.

Brigitte, let’s suffer together...!