CH 81.2

“For the sake of my respected uncle, Chancellor Kelve, I intend to fulfill this task flawlessly.”

“Uncle? So you’re the Chancellor’s niece.”

“I am his niece. I have watched my uncle’s work since I was a child and always sought to become a splendid civil servant like him, while also following his example as a gentleman to become a splendid lady.”

Saying this, Erté bowed gracefully.

“And so it is my goal now to help Uncle Kelve. You may not understand, but the Chancellor’s job is a tough one…”

“Yes, that’s right. There are many different races in the Demon Territory. The Chancellor has to concisely convey the opinions of the various races and negotiate with them to ensure everyone is satisfied. He would also be responsible for negotiations with the Empire, crop management, dispatching soldiers and managing food supplies. Compared to the Empire, comprised only of humans, the work of a civil officer here is far more difficult.”

“……”

“Huh? Am I wrong?”

“You’re not wrong, but…”

“When I was in the Empire, I always thought that a civil officer should be ranked higher.”

The Empire venerated strength, resulting in civil officer’s being ranked lowly.

Civilian officials were considered to be “those who cannot fight” and “those who need to be protected” by military officers.

If a noble were to become a civil officer, they would be labeled as “someone who cannot fight despite being a noble.” They would be treated worse than someone  unable to fight. 

“In the Demon Territory, the work of civil officers is valued highly, correct? As expected of Her Majesty the Demon Lord.”

“… Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

” …… His image is different. I’m trying to cause trouble for you, so why aren’t you acting more…… selfish……?”

“Um, Erté-san?”

“I thought you were an alchemist sought to to do whatever you wanted. Huhh?”

Erté grabbed her forehead while muttering something.

I didn’t quite understand, but it seemed like she was troubled by something.

I felt that it would be better to give her a small break.

“I’m sorry, Mabel. Can you make some tea for Erté-san?”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“Agnis, sorry, but could you go to the water heater? I need you to take care of the fire before we begin the experiment. “

“Understood.”

“Soleil… Huh? She’s gone.”

She was here just shortly before, but she seemed to have gone into hiding when Erté arrived.

“The pixies are shy after all. They conceal themselves as soon as strangers appear.”

“They’ve gotten used to Mabel and the others, though.”

“Sometimes they even come to take a bath with me. Soleil finds it embarrassing to be seen naked by me, so she soaks in the bathtub with her back to me. “

“I see. I wanted her to assist me in my experiments with the new magic items, but I don’t think that’s going to be possible.”

“No, if it’s Thor-sama’s experiment. I’m sure everyone would be happy to come.”

“Is that so?”

“I saw some pixies near the workshop a while ago. Soleil likely informed them. As soon as we begin experimenting, it is probable that they will quickly come out of hiding──”

“Yes, that’s it! A new magic item!”

It was out of the blue.

Erté pointed at me and shouted.

She straightened her back and said,

“I heard about the magic item while at the door earlier. Once again, I apologize for eavesdropping. My apologies.”

She lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed deeply.

She truly was a polite person.

“Setting that aside, I would like to analyse that magic item.”

“Eh?”

Erté-san, what do you mean by analyse the item…?

“Does that mean you will test that item, Erté-san?”

“Of course.”

“No, but… that’s…”

“This is also my duty. I am the one who will decide whether Alchemist-sama is employed. To make an accurate judgment, it is best if I experience using the item myself.”

“But I don’t think it’s…… just to ask Erté-san, whom I’ve never met before, to do such a thing.

“I have a responsibility as a civil official of the Demon Territory.”

Erté tapped her chest and declared.

“I am not afraid of it, no matter how horrible the item may be.”

“Are you certain you want to do this?”

“Alchemist-sama, why are you so persistent!?  I don’t care if it’s a deadly weapon or a startling transfer system, I──”

“Bath.”

“I don’t care! Even if millions of baths come at me, I will face them without fear! ── Wait, what did you say?”

“What I have created is a bath that is soft, warming, and relaxing.”

To be precise, it is a grander version of [Footbath].

Items have been attached to each of the 4 corners of the bottom of the bathtub with the purpose of creating bubbles and streams of water. This way, the entire bath would replicate the effect of a [Footbath].

The final experiment had yet to be conducted.

There wasn’t anything resembling a super-sized footbath in the [Mail Order Catalogue].

However, there is no doubt that it exists.

Pictures in the catalogue depicted the residents of the heroes’ world taking a bath, and bubbles and an unnatural flow of water could be seen within.

Mabel suspected that the bubbles, water current, and the mysterious light were used to conceal the figure of the person in the bath, but I found that doubtful.

For a hero with transcendental strength, it should be quite easy to break into a bath and see people naked. There is no reason to go to the trouble of concealing it.

Perhaps all baths in the heroes’ world were equipped with a function like the [Footbath].

Perhaps they recharged their magic power by soaking in those baths.

Because they existed as a matter of course, they were not mentioned in the [Mail Order Catalogue].

After all, if  it was something every person owned, there would be no need to purchase it.

“So, I converted the bath in my workshop into an [Extra-large Footbath]. I named it the [Shuwashuwa Bath].”

“……”

“Just like the [Foot Bath], I applied wind and fire magic stones to create an artificial water flow and bubbles. It’s just that it requires the use of more stones, as there is more water.”

“…”

“Eventually, I’m considering having this installed in the public bathhouses in the Demon Territory. That way, everyone can relax while their flow of magic power improves.”

“……”

“It’s an improved version of the [Footbath], so its safety has been verified. Therefore, there is no need for you to be a test subject…”

“No!”

Erté shook her head.

“A civil official never reneges on their word! The people will be displeased if the civil officials who control their money and property easily do such a thing. To become a respectable civil officer like Uncle Kelve, I must become a test subject for your items!”

“No, but you don’t like the idea of taking a bath in the home of someone you’ve never…… met before, do you?”

“T-that’s……”

Erté-san lowered her gaze.

That’s right. Erté-san is a lady as well.

I don’t believe such a person would undress and take a bath in the house of someone she has never met before, right?

“…… No.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll do it. Work comes first! I will take use this [Shuwashuwa Bath]!”

“But… There are two stages to the experiment. The first requires that you enter by yourself, and the second with the others…”

“You’re coming in!?”

“No, it’s the females who will be coming in!”

“Then there is no problem! If I say that there’s no problem, then there’s no problem!”

Excuse me.

Why are you glaring at me? Why do you have tears in your eyes, Erté-san?

“I-I’m a civil servant, as a respectable civil servant──”

“I understand! I understand now.”

It’s good that she was serious, but she seemed to be a stubborn person.

There was nothing I could do.

I asked Mabel to fetch a towel (made with magic cloth with excellent absorbency).

Then I went to the bathroom and started preparing the [Shuwashuwa Bath].

After a few minutes…

Shuwashuwa, shuwashuwaーー

The sound of bubbling hot water emanated from the bathtub.

The [Shuwashuwa System] installed in the four corners of the bathtub seemed to have successfully activated.

“How do you feel, Erté-san?”

I called out to Erté from the changing room.

“……Fuaaaah!”

“Erté-san?”

“Oh ……Y-yes?”

“How is the water flow and the quantity of bubbles? Not too strong?”

“…… No problem. The bubbles are coming from all directions and seem to be melting…… my body……”

“I see.”

I jotted a note on a piece of parchment.

“How’s the hot water? You should be able to feel the heat from the jet of water.”

“I personally like hot water.”

“I see. By the way, what about Chancellor Kelve?” 

“…… Uncle likes to drink a cold drink after a hot bath.” 

“Chancellor Kelve likes hot baths and cold drinks.”

Let’s use this as a reference when we ask Chancellor Kelve for a favor.

“………… Ha!”

The sound of water splashing was heard.

“‘W-what am I doing! Why am I relaxing when I’m in the middle of an experiment for a magic item right now!”

“‘Just relax. That’s what this item is for.”

“T-tempting me! As expected, you’re a scary person, fuahh…”

*Splash*

Once again, the sound of Erté-san sinking into the hot water resounded.

“I-I’m not going to lose. I’m a splendid civil servant and lady. Doing this in the bath of someone that I just met for the first time… To think about not doing work today… Muu… Fuafuaah.”

I wonder what Erté-san is fighting against.

“Speaking of which Erté-san. Can I please get your approval for this [Shuwashuwa Bath]?”

“… My stiff shoulders are cured. The stiffness in my shoulders that had been troubling me for years is gone…”

“Hello? About granting permission…”

“… But I won’t lose. I have not lost yet. I won’t be corrupted by the alchemist’s items…”

“… The permission”

” ………..Fuahh.”

Erté-san fell silent.

After that, a pleasant sigh followed.

She seems tired.

I could understand. 

She just came to Reisenga’s territory, she had to accompany him on the search for the magic circle.

It’s hard to work in an unfamiliar place, isn’t it?

I’m probably the only exception, someone who would enjoy focusing on my job after arriving in this new land.

“I’ll ask for her approval later. Let’s leave her alone for today.”

“I think the same.”

“Erté-san is such a serious person. She’s probably been on edge the whole time.”

Mabel nodded next to me.

Agnis – from inside the boiler room- answered me only with her voice.

Anyway, the experiment was a success.

The [Shuwashuwa Bath] offered a pleasant experience. 

I think that we are likely to receive permission for its implementation. 

I don’t think she would say that she doesn’t want others to use it when she herself was enjoying it this much. Chancellor Kelve’s niece must be a kind person.

And then…

“By the way, Erté-san…”

“Fuaah…”

I called out through the door, after which a voice returned. 

“‘I think it’s time for me to begin the next experiment.”

“Experiment..?”

“We intend on having another person join Erté-san.”

“… Ha! Now that you mention it…”

“Is that okay?”

“I-I’m in the middle of my job! It’s no problem.”

Is that okay?

Well, I’ll take your word for it.

“Erté-san says it’s fine, but what about you guys?”

I called out to the outside of the house.

Then…

“”Excuse us! Heave ho!””

Many pixies flew into the bathroom.

I left a small opening in the bathroom window for this purpose.

This [Shuwashuwa Bath] was originally created for all the pixies to use together.

The [Footbath] could only accommodate one or two pixies.

I wanted to make it so that all the pixies who liked it could use it at once.

Originally, it was Agnis and Mabel who were supposed to go into the bath with the pixies. Well, Erté-san said the she was fine. 

” ─ Excuse me, civil officer-san.”

“─ chapooo. Hot!”

” ─ I’m melting.”

“─ It’s fuwawa and shuwawa and… “

I heard the voices of the pixies.

The pixies are shy, but it seems they couldn’t resist the temptation of the [Shuwashuwa bath].

Well, but…

” …………Fuah”

Well, it looks like Erté-san is relaxing, too, so that’s good.

Anyway, I left the changing room and went outside the workshop.

When I went around to the back of the bathroom, where I found the pixies’ clothes hanging on a tree branch.

I knew it.

The pixies must have taken off their clothes here.

For now, let’s just hang a towel (made of Earth Magic cloth) on the branch.

No one comes around here, and no one will peek at them changing their clothes. Just when I thought that a wind pixie came out! Isn’t that too soon!? Didn’t they like the [Shuwashuwa Bath]? Eh? Am I mistaken?

Fumufumu. It felt too good, so she wanted to take her time to enjoy it.

Take a bath, go outside to cool off, and then go back in, that way she can enjoy it for longer…I see. So there was a demand for something like that. Thanks for letting me know. 

If that’s the case, we should build a place outside to cool down.

If we have chairs and a partition around here to block people’s sight── Um pixie-san? I’ll be troubled if you lie on my palm. The height of my hand is just right for a nice breeze?

I guess it can’t be helped. Let’s dry her off with a towel… Let’s leave her there until she’s satisfied. In exchange, let me know your opinions.

And so, the civil servant Erté and the pixies enjoyed the [Shuwashuwa bath.

Of course, it was a great success.

And after the bath was over, Erté-san was…

” …… Alchemist-sama is a frightening person. I never thought I could relax so much …… b-but I haven’t lost yet. I am a civil official of the Demon Territory, and I have to keep an eye out for dangerous people. M-my stiff shoulders are healed. Thank you very much. And who were those girls who came in during the bath? I kind of remember their voices… N-no, I didn’t sleep. I was awake, okay? I was at work, how could I sleep? I swear to god! Excuse me!”

She left in a great hurry, saying such things.

Incidentally, she gave me permission to use the [Shuwashuwa Bath] for “personal use and for public facilities in the Demon Territory.”

Now Princess Sophia can use it too.

I will ask General Reisenga to build a bathhouse exclusively for her at the trading post.

It shouldn’t be too difficult, as long as we install a wooden bathtub inside the tent. It’s for the sake of diplomacy, so I think we can manage.

At that time, let’s ask her if he has any idea who used the summoning magic.

I’m curious too about who was wearing that robe.

While thinking about these things, the design for the [Shuwashuwa bath] for Princess Sophia began.