Lost Everyday Life
「I caused trouble for everyone. It was due to my... immaturity and lack of study. I'm sorry.」
After arriving at the guild and completing the report, Bridget bowed her head slightly.
Despite her armor having been chilled to the bone in the forest, she managed to bring it back to room temperature and was now ready to go home at any time.
... That stunned face she made when she received the reward was something else, wasn't it? Quite the sight. Bridget was probably torn between the thought, 「Is it really okay to accept this?」 and, 「I'm getting the full amount for this?」
In reality, this mission, one of the trivial nature, is one nobody wanted to undertake.
Of course, the void of a job was arranged for Bridget, but the reward was calculated properly, reflecting the harshness of reality. It might be just enough to stay at a cheap inn and have some bad porridge.
「I'm going to return home and talk to my family once more. I plan to think deeply about my work, too.」
「You should do that. I hope you find a path that suits you.」
「Indeed. Sheena, you've been a great help to me.」
Sheena smiled faintly. To smile like that at someone she almost intentionally made stumble—now that's some acting skill. If it were me, I'd probably break down crying, apologizing, 「I'm sorry...!」
「If... everything falls apart, and you lose everything and wander with no place to go... Bridget, come to visit Artemis then.」
「... Thank you, Sheena.」
After that, Bridget bid us farewell and headed towards the noble quarter. Once her figure disappeared from sight, we all sighed collectively, even though we didn't plan it.
Man, that was exhausting. Bridget must have had a hard time, and the mental fatigue is...
「It's really... a tedious job.」
「I totally agree...」
「It's a pity, though there's not much we can do about it.」
Nastasha was the only one among us who looked unfazed, idly playing with her nails as if disinterested. Doesn't she have a heart...?
「But you know, becoming a guild member at that age isn't right. There's a better job out there for her; better start with that. If it were my child, I'd give them a good scolding.」
Well, true enough. Hearing that from Jona, a mother, I had to agree it was sensible. It's parental instinct. Whether she can carry on or not largely depends on her will. Being a noble's guard knight sounds tough, but I hope she gives it her best. It's an irresponsible thought, but it's the truth.
「Good grief, Artemis's job must be tough.」
I removed my hat and began unwrapping the bandages. Being bundled up in the winter wasn't bad, but change can be unsettling.
「Hey, Mongrel, are you going to take a bath at our clan house?」
「Yeah. But let me return to the inn first. I'll grab some hot water to wipe myself down.」
「...?? What? You're taking a bath now, right? Why clean yourself beforehand?」
「Ulrika, you don't know? You must clean yourself well before using someone else's bath.」
「...???」
「Sheena, using such language isn't right.」
Besides, I had various things to prepare, you know.
「So, we'll split up for now. I'll head back to the clan house and prepare the bath.」
「Thanks. See you later.」
Finally, the dull and arduous time was over. I was ready to thoroughly enjoy a long overdue hot bath!
「And so, here I am, borrowing the bath.」
「You're fast! Did you run here?」
「I was so excited I sprinted over.」
「After cleaning yourself at the inn, why run to work up a sweat again... Never mind, no need to answer...」
In front of Artemis's clan house, Raina was splitting arrows. She could have just stayed inside since it was already getting dark.
「Hey Nastasha, Mongrel is here.」
「That was quick. Can you show him in?」
「Sure thing.」
Walking down the hallway, at the end, there was a room marked "Bath.」
From inside came the sound of flames crackling. It seemed Nastasha was inside.
「As you're a clean freak, Mongrel, I don't worry, but please use the bath without making it dirty.」
「I know. I brought everything I need. No worries.」
「Uh, sure. Well, I'll leave the rest to Nastasha.」
Watching Raina running busily down the corridor was heartwarming. Back in my previous life, I wish I had a girl like her as a manager—not that I ever joined a sports club.
「Excuse me... Wow, that's a lot of steam!」
「Welcome, Mongrel. The water's already heated, so just enjoy. I didn't plan to invite anyone outside the party, though.」
The bath exceeded my expectations in the best way possible.
It wasn't a small drum-can bath. It was a long, rectangular tub like modern household bathtubs, where you could barely stretch your legs. It was quite a surprise. And it wasn't made of metal, but stone. Just perfect. It felt like an open-air bath, and it thrilled me.
「... This metal-like fixture embedded in the tub wall...?」
「That? It's my invention—a heating mechanism for mages, so to speak.」
「Invention!?」
When I expressed my surprise, Nastasha smirked proudly.
「It transmits the heat from fire magic created inside effectively to the bathtub's water... Unfortunately, my magic power runs dry just heating the water. In desperate times, I toss hot stones in to aid in heating.」
「Wow, that's amazing! It's a wonderful invention, isn't it?」
「I'm not Lord Chaos after all. Without a fire mage, it's useless and wouldn't sell.」
Nastasha's sleeves were soaked. It seemed she got wet while heating the bath. Probably fiddling with the device on the tub's side. But for one person to heat a bath, that alone was a remarkable invention.
Maybe you should just become the Lord Chaos already.
「Well, my work here is done. Enjoy at your leisure. Mongrel, thanks for today. I owe you one.」
「Don't sweat it; I should be thanking you. Thanks, Nastasha.」
I rummaged through my belongings, pulling out a ceramic bottle.
「... Mongrel, what's that?」
「It's chilled ale to drink in the bath.」
「...」
「And this bottle is chilled milk for after the bath.」
Trying to stifle her laughter, Nastasha pressed a hand to her mouth, then gave a faint, amused smile.
「Glad you're happy. Just don't drown in the bath.」
「Of course.」
And with that, she exited the changing room, leaving me alone.
... A warm bath, at long last.
「...!」
I clenched my fists in a victory pose, quickly undressed, and washed multiple times using the tub water before sinking in.
「... Ahhh~~~」
My entire body was embraced by the heat, and the barely noticeable tiny cuts on my skin started stinging. Painful, but it was the good kind of pain.
There was something indescribable that couldn't be washed away by merely wiping with a bowl of hot water; it was dissolving into the bath. Yet, the cold of winter touched my face.
Everything I felt was nostalgic, and tears threatened to spill. Trying to suppress it, I took a swig from the ceramic bottle, letting out an old-man sigh.
「Ahh... This ale is thin...」
Apparently, there aren't any hot springs in this country. At least, as far as my research goes. If anything, they might exist in the Federation or the Holy Kingdom... but that's a distant utopia beyond my reach, if they exist at all.
Food could be improvised, and clothing managed if only for personal use. As for shelter, so long as it was just a place to sleep, there were no hardships.
But the bath. The value and gravity of it, having been taken so much for granted in my past life, was far too different. The barriers of water and fuel were alarmingly high.
But here I was, somehow soaking in a hot bath.
「I want to go home...」
The feeble words I normally kept suppressed slipped out, showing just how vulnerable and melted by the hot water I was at that moment.
For sure, it should have been a blissful time.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
MC feeling nostalgic.
It seems the MC has a more powerful gift than what Nastasha had guessed.
【(⩌‸⩌ )】