Chapter 8

The barracks of this military facility, built with the financial support of Count Teresa, are equipped with a large bath.

The bath is a simple structure, with two types of water tanks lined up on three walls, each filled with hot water and cold water. The water source is the pond from which I have benefited in various ways, and the heat source is the stove in the kitchen. The interior is hot and steamy from the rising hot water, perhaps even qualifying as a steam room.

For bathing, a basin and a bucket are used. The basin is filled with water of an appropriate temperature using the bucket, and the body is washed and rinsed with it. Lavender is added to the water tanks for the soldiers with injuries, and the water is disinfected using this.

Apprentice soldiers, who tend to get covered in excrement, usually use this bath twice a day.

"Is this the last time I'll use this bath..."

Today marks the end of my three-month stay in the barracks. It felt long, but it also flew by. I wring out the hem of my bathrobe, which has become heavy with water. The thickly woven fabric, designed to prevent transparency, is nothing but inconvenient, but I can't bathe naked. After all, I'm only six years old, so there's no real need to worry. However, it is said that nobles must be mindful of such things, regardless of their sense of shame.

"When you start working as a viscount, make a public bath in the village, Tsarli."

In response to Kamyl's request to wash my hair, I gave a half-hearted reply, "I'll think about it." I have no idea how much it would cost, and even I, who am still unfamiliar with the finances of my domain, doubt that the budget can be easily allocated.

"If we take the baths of Paktushki as a reference, it shouldn't be that difficult."

"How are we supposed to use that as a reference? Only you know about it, and you don't even remember it well yourself?"

Kamyl mentioned a country far to the south. I only know the name of Paktushki because Kamyl told me, and even the well-informed Mrs. Maleshyan doesn't know about it.

"That's true. If my father were still alive, he might have been able to give us detailed information."

Kamyl laughed and splashed water from the bucket over his head. When I glared at him as water splashed onto my face, he looked back at me with a bewildered expression. I splashed him with water from the bucket, and he dumped all the water from the basin over me, shouting, "Gotcha!"

"You damn bastard, using the basin is cheating!"

"You started it, Tsarli!"

"You were the one who splashed water first!"

Our shouting match lasted only a few seconds before a merciless punch landed, and stars danced before my eyes.

"You brats are too noisy."

The owner of the fist turned out to be Gunther, who had apparently been bathing. His very irritated voice seemed to crawl on the ground. Despite being a young soldier, Gunther, a senior officer in the domain's army, exuded a presence that was... extremely intimidating.

"S-Sorry."

"Thinking about it, if you brats are going to act like rags and then return to being useless nobles tomorrow, this is what happens. Don't get too excited. I'll still be training you from tomorrow."

I looked up at Gunther, surprised. "From tomorrow" meant that Gunther would officially become my martial arts instructor, I supposed. Count Teresa had informed me that I would start learning the ceremonial swordsmanship suitable for a noble, and I was supposed to be prepared for it.

Next to me, Kamyl, who had been cowering a moment ago, said casually, "Oh, really?"

"What's with that face?"

"Can Gunther use the noble's sword?"

"Huh? Of course he can. ...Ah, the one who will teach you the proper swordsmanship will be called from the capital."

So, in addition to the continued rough treatment by Gunther, I would also have to learn ceremonial swordsmanship. Gunther glared at me, saying, "If you vomit in front of the weak noble from the capital, I won't forgive you."

His expression reminded me of something, that... Nio statue. From the vague memories of my past life, which were gradually fading, I suddenly remembered the imposing Buddhist statue. It was so vivid.

The next morning, when I returned to the Golden Hill Manor, Mrs. Galdon and Mrs. Maleshyan greeted me as if they were about to pounce.

"Is it true that you were made to do the work of an apprentice soldier!"

Before I could be surprised by their intense reaction, I shrank back. They were more terrifying than Gunther's Nio statue.

"Even though I thought I was on leave, to find out that you were in such a situation!"

The two women lamented my barrack life as if it were a personal tragedy, and eventually burst into tears, blaming Count Teresa, who had left the manor for a village inspection. No matter how I tried to console them, they only became more agitated, as if I were pouring oil on the fire. Despite my acceptance of the barrack life, the temperature difference was severe.

"Since I have inherited the viscountcy, I considered it necessary to lead the domain's army. Is that wrong?"

"That's..."

"Oh, Miss Eliza, what nonsense. You are a woman. Leading an army is out of the question. After graduating from the Academy, you should immediately find a husband and leave the lord's work to him."

Exhausted by trying to console them, I decided to be straightforward about my feelings. Mrs. Maleshyan fell silent, but Mrs. Galdon became even more agitated. She repeated with a tragic expression that it was shocking to hear that a woman would wield a weapon, reflecting the general belief among the nobility of the inner territories that women existed to demonstrate the power of their husbands.

"Please calm down, Mrs. Galdon. While it is true that traditionally, titles are inherited by men and warfare is conducted by men, it is not entirely unrelated to women. Mrs. Maleshyan, at least, has been teaching me to be a capable lord."

"Indeed, that is correct. Even though men are the ones who wield weapons, it is not right to leave the lord's work to a husband just because one is a woman. The obligation to do what one can is the same for both men and women."

In Arcia, noble children, regardless of gender, learn various things, and the necessary skills for a noble to lead the people are taught as compulsory education at the Academy. However, since the royal family abolished the position of queen, society is indeed male-dominated. Nevertheless, it is not unheard of for women to inherit domains or titles, and there are also women who serve as civil servants in the palace.

"In Grünfeld, it is said that a woman working is proof of a man's incompetence!"

"In the capital, that is not the case. Women are not accessories to men."

"...I initiated this conversation, but please do not argue. That would be improper behavior for a woman."

I hoped that Mrs. Maleshyan would help calm the situation, but the result was far from what I expected. Without Count Teresa or Belway to mediate, the situation could escalate further. To separate the two, I urged Mrs. Maleshyan to start the lesson, and the situation finally calmed down.

"I will not argue about this any further, but I will speak to the count about Miss Eliza."

The furious Mrs. Galdon said this as her final word. However, it was the count who had sent me to the barracks in the first place. It was clear that her efforts would be in vain, but I refrained from saying so. If the count himself were to speak to her, Mrs. Galdon would have nothing more to say.