Chapter 56: The Bath Once More
I returned to the rented house and stoked the fireplace.
Lighting the fire in the fireplace serves two purposes: to create the illusion that someone is home and to alert the Fireplace Spirit of any visitors. The Fireplace Spirit usually sleeps, hiding among the cracks of the bricks or within the ashes, but when the fire is lit, it awakens and flits about inside the hearth like a tiny sprite.
These small spirits, while weak, can communicate with one another even when separated. This is especially true for spirits that cannot move from a specific location, and the Fireplace Spirit possesses this ability.
I had asked it to inform me if any guests arrived while I was home. Today, I was expecting visitors for sure. That’s because Ash and the Butler were coming to deliver my share of the reward from the guild report I had fled from midway.
I had requested Kaina to ensure that the reward would be given to the two of them. The payment? A bath.
With that in mind, I filled the bathtub in the rented house halfway with hot water. This was to warm the bathing area and to simulate my presence in the bath. I had no intention of using the soap from this world, so I planned to bathe at home.
While there is soap in this world, it’s made from animal fat and is rather soft. Maybe I should try making some soap.
Oh, and I should also light the stove.
“Rishu, I’m back.”
I teleported to the house and patted Rishu, who rushed over, before lighting the fire in the fireplace.
I leisurely soaked in the bath, washing my body, though I was so dirty that it wouldn’t lather… I ended up washing three times.
Feeling refreshed and playing with Rishu, the Fireplace Spirit began to stir. By “stir,” I mean the flames grew stronger, and the crackling sound intensified, though it didn’t speak.
“Visitors? Thank you.”
I called out to the fireplace, and the flames flickered before returning to their original size.
“Just a moment.”
Upon arriving at the rented house via teleportation, I called out toward the door and headed to the bath. I drained the lukewarm water from the bathtub and retrieved fresh water from [Storage].
Once the steam began to rise, I filled it with water, ensuring it was slightly hotter than the ideal temperature. The water bucket was set for temperature adjustment, and the towels were ready.
“Please, come in.”
I opened the door and welcomed the two of them inside.
“Excuse us. First, this.”
As soon as they entered, Ash said, and the Butler placed a bag filled with gold on the table.
“Thank you. The bath is prepared hot, and the towels are the same as last time.”
“I appreciate it.”
Since it was the second time, no detailed explanation was necessary.
The Butler took the towels and basket from the shelf attached to the partition wall of the bath and entered. I heard the sound of water, indicating it was indeed hotter than Ash preferred.
“Miss, everything is ready, so please go ahead.”
“Very well.”
Listening to their exchange, I prepared for the next steps. I wondered if I should have created a changing area, even if it was cramped. If they took a long bath, the towels and clothes brought in might get damp.
“Excuse me.”
As I was about to draw water from the well, the Butler pulled the rope of the bucket for me. I finished preparing hot water for the Butler by filling the large pot on the stove.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
I took a moment to breathe and served tea to the Butler, with walnut pound cake as a snack.
“If you don’t mind, could you tell me where you purchased this bathtub?”
Instead of discussing spirits or the current investigation, the topic shifted to the bath.
It seemed he wanted to create a bath as he had received a substantial amount of gold from the requests and material sales.
“It’s from a town called Eddi in the Pasteur Kingdom.”
“Pasteur… It seems it would take about six months to order it. I suppose I’ll have to settle for a wooden bathtub instead.”
Three months for the request and another three for delivery. Moreover, there were risks of encountering bandits along the way, and crossing several countries posed the risk of having it confiscated by the lord. It was uncertain whether it would arrive safely. There was also the possibility that noble reservations would fill the stock, making it hard to purchase immediately.
I sensed a misunderstanding about my origin due to the displayed pottery, but it would be odd to correct it, so I decided to leave it as is.
“About the robe I borrowed, would you be willing to sell it?”
“Sure, I intended to give it to you anyway.”
“No, that would be too much of a burden.”
It seemed he was planning to participate in the subjugation in the Deep Forest, which was decided based on the results of the current investigation. He insisted on it for that reason. Another camping trip… and it seemed I would be staying longer at the base.
Since the Butler was being considerate, I decided to take the price of the Giant Lizard skin as a reference for the payment. If we went again, this time with a larger group, the price of the Giant Lizard skin might drop, and I wouldn’t charge for processing.
In the meantime, I transferred water from the pot to a basin to heat more water.
“Note, you’re up.”
A warm Ash emerged from the bath.
“Ash, have some tea.”
“I’ll help.”
“Miss, please rest.”
At Note’s suggestion, Ash returned to his seat, as a servant shouldn’t make their master prepare the bath.
I lightly rinsed the bathtub with water and transferred hot water from the basin into it.
“Excuse me.”
The Butler entered the bath with a basket containing the change of clothes and towels.
“Take your time.”
I called out through the closed door and returned to the table where Ash was sitting.