CH 82.2

Mabel and I hid in the cleaning room.

Listening carefully, we heard the voice of Princess Sophia.

They had just finished touring the trading post and were heading this way.

” ─ It’s a very easygoing trading post, isn’t it? The tents were especially wonderful. The people of the town of Nosa can use this place with peace of mind.”

“Thank you for your kind words. This will be the resting facility made for you.”

“Well, it’s a magnificent place…”

“There is a bath inside. You must be tired from all the walking. Why don’t you wash off your sweat?”

“- General, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t think that it’s a good idea to recommend a bath to Her Highness in a place like this. It’s not that I don’t trust the Demon Territory, but…”

” – You are being rude. Isaac Omawarisan Muira.”

“…… Y-yes. Your Highness.”

“This trading post is for the sake of the friendship between the Empire and Demon Territory. If my good neighbors in Demon Territory have offered me the opportunity to bathe, I would be happy to accept it.”

“May I take a look inside?”

“No problem. Isaac-dono…”

After a while, I heard Isaac and the others walking around the restroom.

They opened the bathroom door and went straight back out.

They didn’t seem to have noticed the hidden door.

This cleaning tool closet is double-layered, we could also have hidden it in the [Simple warehouse] but I guess I didn’t have to go that far.

“It seems like there’s no problem inside… Then we will be waiting outside. We will have two maids accompany Your Highness.”

“Okay. I’ll be washing off my sweat.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Take care.”

…… It seems to have worked smoothly.

Princess Sophia will be alone in the bathroom.

All we have to do is talk to her through the door.

” …… It seems to have worked. Thor-sama.”

” ……I’m glad to see that not only Princess Sophia, but also Isaac-san seems to have faith in the Demon Territory.”

“…… That trust was created by Thor-sama, you know?”

The room that they hid in was small and narrow.

The two of them were touching each other with their faces looking at each other.

“It would have been unimaginable to be friends with the Imperial Princess or to establish a trading post without Thor-sama.”

“When I was in the empire, I never thought I could be of any use to anyone, either.”

“I’m so happy to see the changes in Demon Territory with …… Thor-sama at my side.”

Mabel put her hand on her chest and said so.

‘With Thor-sama here, the relationship between Her Majesty, Agnis, and I have changed and time seems to be flowing by faster… What will happen to the Demon Territory in the future… I can’t help but be excited when I think about how Thor-sama and I will witness it.

“Mabel…”

“So, please, let me stand beside you.”

Mabel gently held my hand.

“I want to be the first to try Thor-sama’s magic items. Please let me help you by your side. Just like this…”

“Of course, Mabel.”

I held Mabel’s thin hand back in mine.

The first person to recognize me in Demon Territory was Mabel.

She was the one who came to pick me up after I was sent to the border area.

Because of Mabel, I was able to enter Demon Territory without fear.

She is also my benefactor.

“I want Mabel to be by my side no matter what happens in the future. That’s why I’m going to ask her for a favor. You know, this bath was made possible thanks to Mabel’s idea.”

“… Yes… What about the bath in the workshop?”

“… The steam and the mysterious lights?”

“……If you are going to go in with Agnis-sama, it would be better without the interference. But there are other cases too…”

“Rukie-sama might also come too. It would be better to have steam and light.”

“I agree. I guess so. ”

For some reason, Mabel tightened her grip.

Why are you entwining our fingers and lifting up your lips?

Mabel, what are you trying to do?

“… Thor Canaan-sama are you in there?”

Suddenly, I heard the voice of Princess Sophia.

While Mabel and I were talking, she entered the bathroom already.

“I’m in the room next door. I made it so that you can hear me but I can’t see you, so please have a peace of mind.”

“I understand. There’s also the safety system of this [Shuwashuwa bath].”

Princess Sophia’s voice replied.

“─ As expected of Thor Canaan-sama. Now I can talk to you without worry.”

“I am honored by your praise, Your Highness.”

” ──Well, then, excuse me.”

……eh?

**click**

I heard the sound of the knob turning.

The wooden door opened from the bathroom side

A white arm, damp with steam, held the doorknob

She leaned forward into the room…

“Your Highness? What are you doing here!?”

“Yes. I was told that there is a safety system in place.”

Yeah, I can see that.

Because from her collarbone down, Princess Sophia was hidden by steam and light.

The [aristocrat Shuwashuwa bath] is perfect.

The white light diffused by the steam completely hid Princess Sophia’s body.

“As expected of Thor Canaan. Thanks to your magic item, we can talk face to face even while bathing.”

“…… Yes?”

“This bath is equipped with the ability to cover the body with steam and mysterious light, isn’t it? That is so that we can talk face to face, isn’t it?”

I see.

I created the system to cover her body with steam and mysterious light so that even if someone mistakenly opens the bathroom door, they will not be able to see Princess Sophia’s body.

But Princess Sophia thought that I created the system so that she can see and talk with me even while she is bathing.

Come to think of it, I remember when Princess Sophia was boldly wearing her underwear in front of me.

At that time, she said, “I shouldn’t hide the fact that I was wearing underwear given to me by my fiancée.”

So, this time…

“I-it’s embarrassing but I can’t let Thor Canaan-sama’s concern go to waste. I have heard rumors that it’s fine to do what your heart and body wants with your fiancée.”

“I understand. So like this…”

………………No, that’s not a good idea.

The hidden door would be left open in this state.

If the maid comes to check the bathroom, she might find out that Mabel and I are in there.

I don’t think I can talk to her in this state.

It’s a shame. I’m so sorry.

Besides, I don’t want Princess Sophia to misunderstand and do the same thing in front of other people…

“Listen to me, Your Highness Princess Sophia.”

I explained to her the function and purpose of the [Shuwashuwa Bath].

As Princess Sophia listened to me, her face gradually turned red.

She looked at me, then at herself, hidden by the steam and the mysterious ray.

” …… I-I was mistaken. It’s so embarrassing……”

She quickly walked back to the bathroom.

“I apologize for the unsightly appearance. Thor-sama. Mabel-sama.”

“No, it wasn’t unsightly at all… or rather, I couldn’t see you.”

“D-don’t worry about it, Your-Royal Highness.”

“I am glad to hear you say so. I, too, still don’t know much about the world.”

I felt Princess Sophia sighing.

I sighed as well.

It was a close call.

I was about to continue the conversation.

“By the way, this bath is wonderful. The sizzling bubbles and the stream of water are massaging my whole body…”

Princess Sophia murmured pleasantly.

“I can feel my flow of magic power getting much, much better than in the [Foot Bath]. To be able to create something like this Thor Canaan-sama must truly be a special person.”

“I just copied items from the heroes’ world.”

I said.

“Then about the magic circle. We found a new clue in the Demon Territory.”

“I know. The magic circle found on the rocky hill and the bloody robe.”

“I have sent a copy of the magic circle to Her Highness. Have you seen it?”

“Yes. I’m pretty sure that’s summoning magic.”

“I knew it.”

“The robes mentioned in the letter… I’m afraid that it was made in the Empire. But there were no markings to indicate the identity or affiliation of the person was there?”

“Yes. It was decorated with golden threads so it should be expensive.”

“Then …… it might have belonged to someone who hired the person.”

Princess Sophia said.

“It could belong to a high-ranking nobleman or a member of the Imperial Family – those could be possibilities. Those people could have employed a magician to experiment with summoning magic.”

“Would it be possible to investigate that?”

“It might be possible to ask my sister Liana, but…”

“If we are too obvious, it would be exposed that Her Highness Sophia is investigating the magic circle.”

“Yes, I will try to give her a hint in the letter. In the meantime, we should proceed with our own investigation. If the magician intends to continue his experiments, he may still be near the border.”

“I understand. I will advise General Reisenga to strengthen security at the border area.”

“I will also ask Isaac and his men to patrol the area.”

I could hear Princess Sophia stretch her body.

“And as for the Imperial City, …… since the situation has come to this, there should be movement there as well.”

“A meeting?”

“There is that, too. But …… there may be someone else coming to investigate.”

“By someone else you mean…”

“The one granted autonomy within the empire, Archduke-sama.”

── The Archduke.

I’ve heard of him, if I’m not wrong ──

“…The Archduke should be the sword saint.”

“Yes. Since he was injured, he has hardly left his territory.”

I was told many times about the sword saint when I was in my family.

The previous generation’s sword saint was our grandfather.

The Archduke was the next in line. As I recall, he retired due to an injury.

Incidentally, it seems that the current sword saint has not yet been chosen, and the position remains vacant.

“I have heard that the Archduke loathes the current state of the empire. If that man finds out about the new species of monsters, he may come to investigate the border area.”

“I understand. May I tell Her Majesty Demon Lord about this too?”

“Of course. I wish for peace and tranquility in the border area as much as you do.”

After that, we continued to chat.

Princess Sophia became Soleil’s best friend. Isaac, the unit leader, is open to exchanges with the Demon Territory. The people of the town of Nosa were happy that the Demon Territory and the Empire had worked together to protect the security of the town. Everyone in the town is looking forward to the opening of the trading post.

As we were talking about these things…

“…. My body is feeling very warm. I think it’s time for me to get out.”

I heard the sound of Princess Sophia standing up.

Then followed the sound of the door to the dressing room being opened.

It seemed that Princess Sophia had gotten out of the bath.

“I guess this is the end for today.”

Anyway, I found out some information about the magic circle and the robe.

We also learned that a magician hired by someone in the empire was experimenting with magic near the border.

Princess Sophia had advised Isaac-san to increase security near the border.

I will pass on the information to Rukie and Chancellor Kelve and have them send out soldiers to the border of the demon Territory as well.

“After Princess Sophia and the others return, let’s drain the hot water and maintain the [Shuwashuwa Bath].”

“Yes, I’ll help you too.”

When Mabel and I nodded at each other…

Click!

I heard the hidden door open again, and Princess Sophia appeared… eh?

“I have come to thank you, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“Your Highness Sophia? What brings you here again?”

“Don’t worry, I have a towel wrapped around my body now.”

Princess Sophia held her chest with an embarrassed expression.

It seems that a towel is wrapped around her body.

But the steam and the mysterious light made it impossible to see the towel.

I see.

This [Aristocrat Shuwashuwa bath] was designed to hide the bather’s body with steam and light.

So, because of this, it is impossible to see whether the bather is clothed or not.

That was something I missed

“I wanted to thank you for the wonderful bath you made for me”

Princess Sophia bowed deeply.

“Thanks to you, my body is feeling much better. The [Foot Bath] and this [Shuwashuwa Bath] seem to have melted away all my chronic ailments.”

“That’s good.”

I’m really glad.

It was worth my effort to create the item.

“I will never forget this favor, Thor Canaan-sama.”

It came out of nowhere.

Princess Sophia took my hand in both of hers.

“If I had not met you, I would not have lived so long. It is thanks to you that I am healthy and able to walk around normally. Therefore, this life of mine belongs to you, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Saying this, she let my hand touch a place that was invisible to me because of the steam and light.

Somewhere where I could feel her heartbeat.

“Sophia Dolgalia will use this life for your desires. If I violate this promise I have no objections to you taking my life.”

“… Your Highness Sophia.”

” … It’s probably not something appropriate to talk about after a bath, right?”

She put her finger to her lips and laughed.

Then she bowed again.

“A-as expected, it’s embarrassing. I’ll leave you …… then.”

With a satisfied smile on her face, Princess Sophia returned to the bathroom.

After that, I heard the door to the dressing room close.

This time, it seemed she had really left.

” …… I’m surprised.”

” ……I wasn’t that surprised. Thor-sama.”

Mabel was smiling just as kindly as Princess Sophia.

“I think she’s probably already made her choice.”

“Choice?”

“What is more important, the empire or her own feelings?

“…… I see.”

Then I have to make up my mind.

I’m the one who made Princess Sophia healthy.

If she chooses to live differently than she has in the past, I will accept it.

I’ll make preparations so that Princess Sophia can defect to the Demon Territory at any time.

“Speaking of which, Mabel…”

“Yes. Thor-sama.”

“Did the Demon Territory prepare the towel for Princess Sophia?”

“Yes. I think the commander of the Imperial Guard checked it.”

“I see. So Princess Sophia was using a water magic cloth that sticks to the body.”

“No, I think we prepared a regular cloth towel…”

… Eh?

That’s weird. Because when I touched her just now… what?

……Was a towel really wrapped around Princess Sophia?

“What’s wrong, Thor-sama?”

“N-nothing. We have to go and see Princess Sophia off. Then we’ll clean up the bathroom, write a letter to Rukie and Chancellor Kelve, and…”

There are many things that I have to do.

I’m also concerned about those who used summoning magic, and also the Empire’s movements.

I also want to make some improvements to the [Aristocrat Shuwashuwa bath].

While I was thinking about these things, Erte-san came over and told us that Princess Sophia would be returning soon.

Mabel and I nodded to each other and left the hidden room.

There was no sign of anyone around the rest area. We were supposed to be helping the guards, so we went and joined the soldiers.

And so I – along with everyone else – saw off the glossy-skinned Princess Sophia.