Chapter 46

Even now, when I see the moon, I remember.

──No matter what I did, I was always alone.

When I walked down the street, people would leave, and laughter and whispers would echo. Some would look at the back of my hand with disdain, while others would look at me with hatred.

It took quite a while to recover from that.

Still, following the logic of the world, I decided to live on.

I talked my way into the magic academy and studied magic there relentlessly. Even when I was knocked down, I kept going until my life was in danger.

I wanted to be recognized by everyone again, somehow.

But such a day never came.

So when I look at the moon shining in the night sky, I think deeply.

Of myself reaching out to the unreachable moon, of myself believing that I would see the sunlight again someday...

...

──It's a black history.

Before the reset, my older self used to recite such poems, but burned all the poetry books before dying.

Anyway, when alone, one becomes sentimental about anything. Even yawns and coughs feel special. That was my older self.

But now, I think being alone isn't so bad after all.

There's no need to flatter others. No one will bother you while you read. You can even monopolize the beautiful moon... and take a quiet bath.

So, being alone isn't bad at all.

Now, I can think that way.

"Chew! Those who read the bathing recommendation at the entrance can enter!"

The voice of the ratman echoed under the huge dome-shaped ceiling.

The floor, walls, and roof were all made of marble, so the sound resonated greatly. It almost sounded like there were hundreds, no, thousands of ratmen. In reality, there were about that many...

The place I am now is the great bath of Ars Island.

Historians often compare ancient baths to an ideal world on earth.

They say the empire's obsession with bathing is like a replica of the heavens where the gods reside.

The ancient Luxia Empire split and declined because it created such things... This "ideal world on earth" is often used in a critical sense when criticizing laziness and luxury.

Well, that's beside the point... Anyway, the facilities of this bath are breathtakingly wonderful.

First, the interior is different.

The marble walls are adorned with statues and carvings, and the dome ceiling is embedded with large glass-like objects.

Not only that, there are bathtubs that bubble, and magical devices that emit warm steam. All the faucets and bathtubs release hot water.

Initially, the floor and walls were covered with moss and mold, and the bathtubs were filled with green mysterious liquids, making it impossible to bathe.

However, the slimes meticulously removed the moss and mold, and the golems and blue-haired people repaired the broken floors and walls.

Thus, today, it has regained a shine like a new building. The bathtubs are filled with warm water that has a healing effect.

"Indeed, it's an ideal world on earth... at least in terms of facilities."

"Chew! I want to jump into that hot water right away!"

... Despite such a wonderful bath, it's noisy.

The ratmen seemed unable to hide their excitement at entering the great bath for the first time.

"Make sure to wash your body thoroughly before entering! It's hard to wash your back, so have someone else do it! Absolutely do not dirty the water in the bathtub!"

Tia shouted at those entering the bath.

Everyone seemed to be following the rules properly.

The ratmen scrubbed their bodies with cloth and foamy soap and rinsed themselves with water from the pipes that spouted like rain.

The slimes were also rinsing their bodies with water. They were melting their bodies, which made me worry if they would flow away.

The golems and armor races were also washing off the dirt from their bodies. They seemed to be showing off their shiny rock and armor bodies. They must care about their appearance too.

I sat on a chair and quickly washed my body, just as I did before the reset and at the base.

"Still, warm water is great... huh?"

"... Buhuhu"

I thought I heard a voice other than the ratmen's, but the ratmen's voices were too loud to hear.

Thinking it might be a mistake, I tried to wash my body again.

However, suddenly, a woman knelt next to me.

Her slender limbs and silk-like skin... her body, which drew elegant curves, had a bit of a six-pack.

When I looked up, there was Elicia, with her long blonde hair tied back.

"Eh, Elicia? Why are you here?"

"Master Alec, I'll rinse your back."

"No, no, it's fine... I can do it myself."

"But Master Alec, we'll be going to the capital soon. I want to... practice a bit."

"Practice what...? Anyway, no one will see the bath in the capital, so it's fine."

In the elegant places of the capital, such as the palace, Elicia needs to act like a servant. Indeed, some training might be necessary...

"But someone might peek, right!?"

"What kind of situation? Well, it's possible to be attacked during bathing."

Having servants when nobles and royals bathe is partly to prevent assassination. I've heard that lower nobles, who often bathe alone, are frequently assassinated.

"I'm fine!"

"Excuse me."

Perhaps because I answered a bit strongly, Elicia looked dejected.

– You don't have to be so down.

Thinking about it, I haven't done anything for Elicia, who has followed me this far... I feel a bit bad.

I don't think letting her wash my back is a good way to show gratitude, but for some reason, Elicia keeps asking if she can wash my back.

Well, just the back should be fine...

"Um, well, just the back..."

When I answered, Elicia's face brightened up.

"Really!?"

"Ah, yeah. But just the back."

"I understand. Master Alec is still young... but I'm always ready to welcome you."

What does she mean by "welcome"?

"Anyway, if you're going to wash, do it quickly... or I'll do it myself."

"Yes!"

Elicia answered and moved behind me, washing hard-to-reach places like my back and neck with her hands.

"Don't you want to use a cloth?"

"Do you dislike it?"

"No, not at all."

Elicia's smooth hands made me feel a bit embarrassed.

Still, being touched by someone like this was something I never experienced before the reset. I felt a sense of security from Elicia's gentle touch.

Gradually, the embarrassment faded.

The initially noisy ratmen's voices now seemed lively. Some were even humming songs.

"Hey, Elicia..."

"What is it, Master Alec?"

"It's just... this is nice. Actually, more..."

Being alone is good, but being lively isn't bad either. It could even be better.

Before the reset, I wanted to be recognized and acknowledged.

But maybe... I was just lonely.

Of course, I want some alone time, but I wish I could live a lively life with everyone.

However, there are many worries, like why angels attack me, and that I have to meet the emperor soon. I still have a lot to learn about dark magic...

Once I overcome those, I can live a peaceful life.

Anyway, now I want to thank Elicia for sticking with me this far.

Thinking that, I turned to Elicia...

And saw her with a blissful expression.

"Ah, Master Alec... thank you!! Then, I'll do 'more'!"

"That's not what I meant! – !?"

"Master Alec! I'll thoroughly clean every inch of your body! Buhuhu!"

"Stop it, Elicia! I can wash myself! No, that's enough...!"

When I tried to stand up and leave, there were more breathtakingly beautiful women standing there.

"Yuri... Selena. And Tika and Nate too."

They all had cloths wrapped around their chests and waists... but it was hard to look directly at them.

Yuri puffed out her cheeks and said,

"Elicia is being unfair!"

"That's right! Trying to monopolize Master Alec's cute body...!"

When Selena said that, everyone looked at her in shock.

Tika quickly spoke up,

"No, no, it's just for the sake of learning how to be a servant in the capital."

"Tika... Tika is saying something she shouldn't."

Nate's voice made Tika cover her mouth with both hands.

Selena turned to me, her eyes darting around,

"We also want to learn the manners of being a servant in the capital! Please, teach us the rules of bathing for the royal family!"

"No, you already said what you really think... I'm surprised you believed it."

How do Elicia and the others see me... I'm still a kid.

"Anyway, my body is fine! I can wash myself!"

"Don't say that!"

Elicia tried to stop me in a panic.

But I used the "Transfer" spell...

"Wait, I can't use 'Transfer'? Ah..."

The water in this bath contains holy attribute magic. The hot water and the thick mist are also this water.

Therefore, the bath is filled with holy attribute magic, making it difficult to use dark attribute magic.

"Did you... anticipate this?"

Elicia and the others looked a bit apologetic.

It seems I was plotted against in the bath.

"We just want to be closer to Master Alec..."

"I know you don't have bad intentions... but I'll wash myself – !?"

When I tried to sit on the chair, I slipped on the soap.

I tried to use wind magic to soften the impact, but everyone was rushing to me.

"Master Alec!"

The first to catch me was the slime, Eric. Other slimes came and formed a sofa-like shape.

"Thanks, Eric, everyone."

"Master Alec, I'm so sorry! Are you okay!? ...Kyaa!?"

Selena slipped, and Elicia and the others fell on top of me.

The slimes tried to catch Elicia and the others, spreading their bodies.

But as a result, we all ended up covered in slime.

Elicia and the others turned pale and looked at me. The cloths they had wrapped around their bodies had come off.

"Ah, Master Alec... I'm so sorry!"

... Bathing alone is the best.

Thinking that, but seeing everyone's apologetic faces, I ended up letting them wash my back.