Chapter 93

When we returned to the inn, my childhood friends were waiting with big smiles, and Rott was looking utterly exhausted.

"Did you find anything good?"

I asked without addressing anyone in particular, and Liz nodded vigorously.

"The village clothes are always the same, but the town is different. I’m buying. Tomorrow, I’m buying!!"

Fia was shouting.

"Rott, are you okay?"

He seemed so exhausted that he couldn’t even respond.

"Well, as long as you had fun. We’re planning to take the last carriage, but if we finish early, we’ll try to come back sooner."

When I said that, the two of them frowned and said, "Eh?" but the other one seemed to regain some energy.

Yeah, at this rate, Rott will collapse. I vowed to be more moderate tomorrow.

We had our usual meal, cleaned ourselves, and while listening to Rott’s report of the day, I practiced water magic.

<Notice. 'Attribute Control (Water)' has exceeded 1.00.>

Suddenly, I heard Mr. 'Sage's voice. Oh, it’s about the trigger. I felt a sense of accomplishment that my water magic had finally reached a proficient level.

I checked my current skill information.

◇Skill Information◇

'Sage'

'Recognition'

'Acquisition'

'Spear Technique' 0.46

'Stealth' 0.55

'Vigilance' 0.73

'Acrobatics' 0.19

'Bravery' 1.19

'Strength' 0.38

'Prayer' 1.84

'Formula Control' 1.59

'Attribute Control (Wind)' 1.53

'Attribute Control (Water)' 1.00

'Attribute Control (Earth)' 0.21

'Attribute Control (Fire)' 0.21

'Attribute Control (Divine)' 1.09

'Formula Resistance' 0.45

'Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Conversation)' 0.49

'Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Reading)' 0.13

'Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Writing)' 0.02

Thanks to repeatedly practicing water magic, 'Formula Control' has also been improving.

By the way, I tried listening to others' conversations without the interpreter, thinking I might understand about half of it, but it felt like listening to rapid English, and I couldn’t understand anything.

A few words were somewhat recognizable, but I couldn’t tell what they were saying. I decided to give up and wait until it reaches 1.00.

At least it has reached 1.00, but I didn’t have any specific goals, so I decided to continue improving my water magic out of habit. I also wanted to use it for bathing and as an attack method.

"…So, it was quite a day."

Rott was giving a long report, or maybe complaining, about today’s afternoon. I wasn’t sure which, but he kept talking.

"Did you give Fia any presents?"

I asked out of curiosity.

"…No, not really… Should I have?"

I was at a loss when asked.

"If you want to advance your relationship, you could try giving her something. Also, do you need to meet her parents?"

"I’ll think about the present. I met her parents before the party, so there’s no problem."

Hmm, I didn’t mean it that way. I thought introducing a close female to her parents might be a good idea, but maybe it’s different in this world.

Well, there’s no point in me worrying. The same conversation was starting to loop, so I decided to go to bed and blew out the candle.

In the morning, the girls were energetic. I guess it’s understandable since there aren’t many opportunities in the village.

We immediately went to the carefully selected stores from yesterday.

The store we arrived at was a high-quality second-hand clothing shop. The prices weren’t cheap, even for second-hand items.

I was impressed by how they found such a store. Liz came over with a few items in hand, as if she had already decided.

I signaled Rott to let Fia handle it, and he went over with a tragic expression. He looked like he would be dominated after marriage.

"Hiro, which one is better, this or this?"

In such situations, women usually have already decided which one they like. They just want to confirm the man’s reaction.

Liz’s preference… Hmm… A thick, sky-blue dress and a light yellow shirt with indigo, slightly loose pants…

"The lighter one looks better, I think. It suits you, and the shoes are cute. You look like a lady."

"Really? Hehe. I was thinking this one was better too."

I looked into her eyes, and there was only joy. Good, I hit the mark…

"Then, this one is decided. Next is…"

There’s more!? And they’re going to do this at other stores too!? I shuddered.

After a short fashion show, I paid for the first store. It’s nice to give presents to your fiancée sometimes.

When I did, Fia started shouting.

"Hey, only Liz gets special treatment. Me too, me too!"

I signaled Rott. He seemed confused, but I showed him the purse and pointed to Liz discreetly.

He finally understood and paid for Fia’s purchases. Fia was happy and hugged Rott. If he looked like he didn’t mind, I wished he had paid from the start.

"This time it’s a present. I always appreciate it, and it’s for the lovely Liz."

While saying that, I patted her head.

She was hugging the clothes wrapped in scraps of fabric.

From the second store onwards, I intended to have her pay for herself, but I wasn’t sure if she understood.

The next store we were led to was a daily wear shop. We visited a few more after that.

I didn’t treat them, but there was a selection time. When I got the right answer, I followed up, and when I got it wrong, I tried hard to make up for it. I was exhausted.

No, this is tough for a 35-year-old man. I didn’t even have time to look at my own clothes. I thought about asking Rott, but Fia was dragging me around.

I gave up and decided to buy my clothes in the village, and I desperately tried to find the answers Liz was looking for.

We managed to visit all the stores just before lunchtime, but I was exhausted. My smile was strained.

Looking back, Fia and Rott were walking arm in arm, talking about something. I thought, "They have a good vibe."

We headed to a restaurant for lunch, guided by Rott. It was a rare, stylish place with slightly higher prices.

It seemed to be a fish restaurant, with pan-fried river fish as the main dish. The taste was refined and delicious, so I made a note on my phone to remember it.

Since we still had time before the carriage, I was taken to a woodworking store with stock. I wanted a basin for bathing.

The store was filled with wooden products. Looking at the basins and barrels, I found a large barrel-like item that I could sit in and immerse myself up to my shoulders.

When I asked about its use, it turned out to be a barrel used by merchants to make large quantities of pickled vegetables. It had a slightly smaller lid.

This could serve as a makeshift bathtub, and it would require less water. The price was surprisingly low, so I bought it immediately. However, it was bulky and difficult to carry back.

After all that, the carriage time was approaching, so we headed to the station.

Later, Fia and Rott’s distance had significantly closed. They seemed to be talking about something intimate. I thought, "Fia is amazing." I realized that when a girl gets serious, a man can’t win.

We paid the fare at the station. I thought they might comment on the barrel, but they didn’t. Maybe many customers bring such items back?

The carriage was sparsely populated due to the odd time.

We arrived at the village earlier than scheduled, thanks to the fewer passengers.

We moved to the adventurer guild’s meeting room and discussed the expedition using tents from the next day onwards.

We addressed several issues from the previous trip and assigned roles for gathering supplies before dispersing.

When we left the guild, it was almost dusk.

I parted ways with the others and returned home with Liz.

After greeting Tisha, Liz went to the kitchen, so I put down my luggage and went to the shed to check the soap.

The soap was almost dry. I tried to stir it with a spoon, but it was hard and almost broke the spoon.

I thought, "It’s done." I planned to have a wooden mold made at the woodworking store tomorrow.

I returned to the kitchen and helped with dinner while talking to Liz.

"Liz, the thing you were making is done. Do you want to try it?"

"The one you said would replace soap nuts?"

"Right, that one."

She agreed, so I asked Tisha for some scented oil.

"What are you going to use it for?"

I explained about the makeshift bath and soap and told her I would teach Liz how to use it today.

I mentioned that washing hair with soap can damage it, so I wanted to protect it with scented oil. She seemed to understand and brought a small bottle from her room.

When I opened the lid, it had a pleasant plant scent.

"Sorry, can I have a little?"

"Sure, it’s for Liz, right? I’m sorry, she’s so much trouble."

She smiled and waved her hands.

We helped with dinner, and when Ast returned, we started eating.

"The baron’s matter has been approved by the viscount."

"Hmm… So, we’re moving towards governing the baron’s territory?"

"Not yet. The design for the central village is complete, but we’re waiting for confirmation from the viscount’s officials."

"I see. Once that’s done, it will get busy."

"Also…"

I brought up the idea of moving to the new baron’s territory that I had been considering.

The hunting grounds are nearby, and the game is abundant. I also wanted to request that they supply meat to the new village.

Tisha laughed.

"Actually, Atten hasn’t come back. It seems he caught a girl in the neighboring village."

She explained that they had sent a letter because he hadn’t returned as scheduled.

It turned out he had fallen in love with a farmer’s daughter in the neighboring village. However, it was taking time to persuade her parents, so he couldn’t return.

While it was convenient that we wouldn’t need to provide lodging, if he got married, I would have a new sister-in-law. She would be much younger.

"If possible, I’d like you to live in the lord’s manor after it’s built…"

Regarding the lord’s manor, I was also designing a separate building for the butchery and a processing and storage facility.

"If Atten gets married, this house will be inherited by him…"

Ast closed his eyes and thought.

"Hmm… I feel bad relying on my daughter’s husband, but can I ask you?"

"Of course."

Ast bowed, and I held his shoulder to lift his head.

"It’s natural to work for your father. Don’t worry about it."

The atmosphere relaxed, and we enjoyed a warm meal together.

After a break, we prepared for the bath. It was too cold to wash outside, so we decided to have a bath experience in the kitchen.

I went to the shed and cut a soap piece about the size of a fist and placed it on a wooden plate. I prepared a large barrel and two large scraps of fabric and called Liz.

"Liz, are you free now?"

I knocked on her door and called out. She came out immediately.

"Trying the soap?"

"Yeah. It might be a bit embarrassing, but please teach Tisha later."

While explaining, we went to the kitchen together.

I helped Liz undress while I prepared.

I used water magic to fill the barrel with hot water and diluted it with cold water. The temperature was just right when it reached halfway.

"Ready…"

I saw her standing with a scrap of fabric hiding her front, and I almost lost my composure, but I reminded myself it was just a bath and continued the instructions.

"Get in the barrel."

I helped her sit in the barrel. She was taller, but the barrel was large enough. Good.

I asked her how it felt while pouring water over her shoulders with a hand bucket.

"How does it feel? Comfortable?"

"Wow… It feels so good… It’s warm…"

She had a melted, soft expression. Haha, she’s succumbing to the magic of the bath?

I let her soak until her body was soft.

"Let’s wash your hair. Tilt your head down."

I gently poured water over her tilted head with a hand bucket. I carefully lathered the soap and washed her scalp and hair.

Since she hadn’t used soap before, the bubbles disappeared quickly. I rinsed her hair with water and lathered it again carefully.

This time, the bubbles started to form, so I massaged her scalp and gently washed her hair. I finished washing her hair and rinsed it with water.

I soaked a scrap of fabric in water, rubbed it with soap, and lathered it.

"Let’s wash your body. Stand up."

I gently washed her standing body. The soap bubbles disappeared quickly, but I washed her entire body once.

"Sit down and put your feet out of the barrel."

I washed her feet thoroughly.

"Let’s soak your whole body again."

I had her soak to rinse off the soap and dirt.

"Let’s wash you one more time. Get out of the barrel."

I had her get out of the barrel and poured the water outside.

I rinsed the barrel with water and made hot water again.

I had her get in the barrel and washed her entire body with the lathered scrap of fabric.

"Stay in the barrel and soak."

I had her soak to rinse off the bubbles and get out of the barrel again. I poured the water outside. I really need a proper washing area.

I cleaned the barrel, made hot water, and had her soak leisurely.

"Finished washing. How was it?"

"Washing and soaking both felt good…"

She had a melted, soft expression. So cute.

After a while, she seemed to be getting dizzy from the heat, so I had her get out of the barrel and gave her a dry scrap of fabric.

I told her to turn around, dry herself, and call me when she was done.

I heard the sound of her clothes and her voice indicating she was done, so I turned around.

Her hair was wet but still felt rough. I created a small amount of warm water in my palm and dripped some scented oil on it.

I gently spread it on her wet hair. The rough hair became smooth and silky.

I used wind magic to dry her hair.

"Let the wind blow through your hair lightly."

The kitchen was filled with the scent of scented oil and the sweet scent of a girl.

"Okay, it’s fine."

I stopped the magic when Liz said that. She ran her fingers through her hair and looked surprised.

"Wow, what is this? So smooth… Wow, wow…"

She lifted her hair in bunches and let it fall, but it didn’t clump together and fell smoothly.

"My whole body feels light. Amazing, amazing."

When Liz hugged me, I could smell the faint scent of oil, plants, and the sweet scent of a girl.

"I’m going to show Mom!!"

She shouted and darted out of the kitchen.

However, her hair, which used to be a bit clumped, was now smooth and silky.

Her skin, which I thought was pale but somewhat dull, was actually very white.

I realized that washing her made a big difference. However, this method is inefficient, so I decided to buy a wooden frame or something to create a simple washing area.

I would rinse my body with the accumulated water, wash with soap, and rinse again. Adding more water to soak and finish would be more efficient.

I didn’t feel overexerted from the training, but I had made a considerable amount of hot water. I decided to skip my bath today.

I heard the cheers of Liz and Tisha from the main bedroom.

I was glad they were happy.

Making soap for profit is important, but making people happy is the best.

With that thought, I went outside from the kitchen to dispose of the accumulated water in the barrel.