Chapter 32

"I've caused everyone trouble. It was due to my... immaturity and lack of study. I'm sorry."

After arriving at the guild and completing her report, Brigitte bowed her head slightly.

She had managed to warm her armor, which had been chilled to the bone in the forest, back to room temperature and was now dressed and ready to go home.

...The look of surprise on her face when she received the reward was something else. It was quite a sight.

Brigitte must have been thinking, "Is it okay to accept this?" and "Can I really get the full amount?" In reality, this mission was so trivial that no one would take it.

Of course, it was a meaningless job set up for Brigitte, but the reward amount was officially calculated, which is a harsh reality.

It's probably just enough to stay at a cheap inn and drink some tasteless porridge.

"I... will return home and talk to my family again. I intend to think carefully about my job as well."

"That's a good idea. ...I hope you can choose a path that suits you."

"Aye. Shina, I've been helped by you."

Shina was smiling faintly.

To smile at someone she had almost deliberately let down... she's a great actress. I would probably be overwhelmed by guilt and cry, saying, "I'm so sorry...!"

"If... everything fails and you lose everything and find yourself on the streets... Brigitte, come to Artemis then."

"...Thank you, Shina."

With that, Brigitte bid her farewell and headed back to the noble district.

Once her figure disappeared from sight, we all sighed in unison, without any prior agreement.

No, this is exhausting. Brigitte must have had a tough time, but the mental strain...

"Really... it was a job I didn't want to do."

"Truly... it was."

"Poor thing... but there was no other way, I guess."

Among us, only Nastasha looked calm. She had been fiddling with her nails, showing no interest.

Does she have no heart...?

"But, you shouldn't become a guild member at that age. If you have a good job, you should work hard at it first. If it were my child, I'd give them a good scolding."

Well, that's true. As a mother with a family, Jona's words ring true. As a parent, that's how you feel.

...Whether she can continue depends a lot on her own resolve.

Being a noble's guard knight seems like a tough job, but I hope she can try her best. It's an irresponsible thought, but...

"Oh well. The job at Artemis seems tough."

I took off my hat and slowly unwrapped the bandages.

Wearing a head-covering is not bad in winter, but it feels different and unsettling.

"Mongrel, are we going to the clan house to take a bath after this?"

"Yeah, but let me go back to the inn first. I'll get some hot water and clean myself up."

"...? E, you're taking a bath, right? Why do you need to wash yourself before that?"

"Don't you know, Ulrika? You need to clean yourself before using someone else's bath."

"...???"

"You're even weirder than I thought."

Hey, Shina, that's not a nice way to put it.

Besides, there are various things to prepare.

"Alright, let's解散 here. I'll head back to the clan house first. I'll prepare the bath for you."

"Thanks. See you later."

Well, that's the end of this boring and tough time.

I'm going to enjoy the bath with hot water, which I haven't had in a while!

"So, I'm here to borrow the bath."

"Quick! Did you run here!?"

"I was so excited, I ran."

"You washed your body at the inn, so why are you sweating...? No, you don't have to answer that..."

In front of the Artemis clan house, Rina was waving her arms. It's already getting dark, so she should just go inside.

"Nastasha, Mongrel is here."

"Quick. Can you show him to the bath?"

"Sure."

We walked down the corridor to a room with a "Bath" sign.

From inside, the sound of flames crackling could be heard. It seems Nastasha is in there.

"The changing room is inside, and the bath is beyond that. Mongrel, you're so clean, I'm not worried, but please don't make it dirty."

"I know. I've brought all the amenities, so I'm all set."

"Ameni? Yeah, something like that. Well, I'll leave it to Nastasha."

As I watched Rina run down the corridor, I felt a sense of warmth.

In my previous life, I would have wanted a girl like her to be my manager. I didn't join any sports club, though.

"Excuse me... Wow, the steam is amazing."

"Welcome, Mongrel. The water is already boiling, so you can just get in. ...I didn't plan to let anyone else in besides the party members, though."

The bath exceeded my expectations in a good way.

First, it wasn't a small drum-like bath. It was a long, wide tub like a modern household bathtub, which surprised me.

And it was made of stone, not metal. Wow. It feels like an outdoor bath, which is really exciting.

"...This metal thing embedded in the wall of the tub...?"

"Is this it? This is a water-heating mechanism for mages that I developed... or something like that."

"Developed!?"

When I was surprised, Nastasha's lips curved in a proud smile.

"It efficiently transfers the heat from the fire magic I created to the water in the tub. ...With my skill, it drains my magic just to heat this. When I'm not at full strength, I add heated stones to the tub."

"No... this is amazing. It's a great invention."

"...Hmph. You're not Lord Chaos, are you? A device that requires a fire mage to operate won't sell."

Nastasha's sleeve was soaked. It seems she can't help but get wet during the heating process. Probably because of the device embedded in the tub's wall.

But being able to heat a bath with one person is a great invention.

You could be Lord Chaos, you know?

"Well, my job is done for now. Enjoy yourself. ...Mongrel, thank you for today. I appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it. I should be the one to thank you. Thank you, Nastasha."

I rummaged through my bag and took out a ceramic bottle.

"...Mongrel, what's that?"

"This is chilled ale to drink in the bath."

"..."

"And this bottle is chilled milk to drink after the bath."

Nastasha pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh and then gave a wry smile.

"I'm glad you like it. Just don't drown in the bath."

"Of course."

With that, she left the changing room.

I was left alone.

...It's been a while since I've had a warm bath.

"...!"

I made a fist pump, then quickly undressed.

After rinsing my body and head with the bath water a few times... plop.

"...Ah~~~"

My whole body was enveloped in heat, and the small, unnoticed cuts on my skin began to sting.

It hurts, but it's a good kind of pain.

The feeling of something that couldn't be washed off with a bucket of water dissolving in the tub.

On the other hand, the cold of winter on my face.

Everything I feel all over my body is nostalgic, and I feel like crying.

I took a swig from the ceramic bottle to cover it up and let out a deep sigh.

"Ah... the ale is a bit weak..."

There seem to be no hot springs in this country. At least, not that I know of.

If there are any, they would be in the Federation or the Holy Kingdom... places far, far away from my reach. They might not even exist.

Food can be improved with effort. Clothes can be faked if it's just for myself.

Living conditions are not too difficult if it's just for sleeping.

But the bath. The bath, which I took for granted in my previous life, is so different in value and significance.

The wall of water and fuel is so high.

But I am now, somehow, able to soak in a tub here.

"I want to go home..."

I was so fragile and melted by the hot water that I let out a weak complaint, something I usually try to avoid.

It should be a definitely happy moment.