Vol 1 : Chapter 10
When I stepped into the hot spring, my body seemed to melt away.
I didn’t think hot springs would be so commonplace and provided in every inn in the city. The problem that often occurs in other-world novels that I read was something like, “Only royalty and nobility can enter into a hot spring!”
There was no one other than me in the bathhouse which was so huge and steamy that you can’t see from one end to the other. I saw a few people in the inn lobby, but they all seemed to be merchants. The reason I knew they were merchants was because I heard from Mimino that this inn is not directed towards adventurers or travelers, but towards merchants. And also because their bodies did not seem like one that was suited for fighting.
It seems that even if you are not from the human race, it is the merchants who treat you equally, followed by the general public, and then the adventurers, then the nobles, then the farmers. Farmers seem to have a strong sense of discrimination because they live in a closed village. As such, they usually dislike outsiders.
…I guess that makes sense.
Nonetheless, the general public is a large group, so there would certainly be some who are prejudiced. And in fact, there are also some merchants who are prejudiced. Mimino-san reminded me to be careful.
「Phew… I feel calm when I’m alone.」
According to 【World Ruler】, this hot spring flows directly from the source underground. It seems to be effective against skin diseases but not petrification.
The large stone-built bathhouse was located in the semi-basement of the building. There was a ventilation window at the top for ventilation.
Since light was scarce, I wouldn’t know even if there was someone else other than me, but it was already late at night, so that shouldn’t be the case.
By the way, Raikira-san said, “There is no way a beastmen would get into a bath!” They shed a lot of fur in the bath, apparently. Whereas, Dante-san said, “I’ll pass.” He seemed to care about people who might think that petrification was contagious.
Therefore, I was able to monopolize the bath all to myself.
…Ahhh, this is paradise.
Just when I was thinking that, I heard the door sliding open. The bath monopoly time was over.
…Well, having it all to myself kinda feels lonely, so I guess it’s fine. But I’m in trouble if they become scared of my black hair.
「Are you there, Reiji-kun?」
…Wait! What?! Why, is she here?
「W-Why are you here, Mimino-san?!」
「Because it’s the women’s time.」
「I am here too.」
Mimino-san and Non-san walked in.
It’s a pity that I can’t see clearly because of the steam— Wait! This is not the time for that!
「Women’s time?! You said you’ll see me later, right!?」
「Yeah, but Reiji-kun is taking so long, so it’s women’s time. Reiji-kun is 10 years old, and you look even younger than that, so I’m fine with it.」
…I am not fine, though! Don’t come closer! They are right behind me!
「T-Then, I’ll be out!」
「Hey, look at my face when you speak.」
「?!」
Mimino-san grabbed my head with both hands and turned it around.
Mimino-san and Non-san were standing under a dim light.
Leaving aside Mimino-san (Excuse me), Non-san’s destructive power (I won’t say exactly what) was amazing.
「…Oh, you have returned?」said Dante-san, who was sitting in a chair, when I returned to the room. Raikira-san seemed to be already sleeping on the bed. I sat on a chair across Dante-san, with a thud.
「What happened? Reiji.」
「…No, it was… nothing…」
「Really?」
The women were in the next room, so Dante-san might not know what happened. If Dante-san, who is usually gentle, found out that I took a bath with Non-san, he might even turn into a demon, saying,「If you did something to my daughter!!!」…If that happens, I will surely wet my pants.
「Anyway… Is it really okay to stay in such a fine room?」
「Yeah. We normally go through the forest, right? So travel expenses are almost nonexistent. And you found wild grass that can be eaten, so food costs were also reduced. Staying in a good inn while in town, that’s what we do…」
When he said “we”, Dante-san looked lonely for a moment. That could most like be how he did it with his previous party.
「Hmm, but you really have a wise look, Reiji.」
「What??」
「I originally thought you were wise, but you look even more so after washing off all the dirt.」
「Thank you very much…?」
I try to remember the memories of when I was a high school boy, rather than the harsh memories of living in this world. Recalling those harsh memories only makes it harder.
Perhaps that’s what makes me seem “wise”?
「I am sure you’ve gotten a good education– Ah, no, forget I said that.」
「No, I don’t mind. I think I did receive some kind of education.」
In this word, I helped with my parents’ work when I was a child. If you decide your occupation, you can join under a supervisor – like an apprenticeship – and receive a skill orb related to your job.
There are timber related guilds for lumberjacks and fishing related guilds for fisheries, and skill orbs are circulated cheaply from those places it seems. This world revolves entirely around skill orbs.
「I think you’re also overflowing with kindness, Dante-san.」
「…Me?」
「Yes. Especially when you’re looking at Non-san.」
「………」
Dante-san gave a troubled look.
…Did I say something weird? Oh no, does he know about what happened at the public bath?! I am s-s-sorry! I didn’t have ill intentions!
「I… most probably can’t cure the petrification and will die.」
「…Wha?」
「It seems to be a really complicated curse. I’ve heard many times that the chances of finding a cure at the Saint Knights Kingdom is low. From every healing mage in every town.」
I didn’t know… that Dante-san was already prepared for death. He had decided to spend his remaining time with his daughter, Non-san.
「That is why I want to do my best, not only for Non, but also for Mimino, who has taken part in this journey. And due to some mysterious fate, Raikira and you happened to join us. That is why I give away my knowledge freely, and I would lay down my life to protect you guys. I hope you don’t blame yourself if that happens. This is just my selfishness. I just want to do some good with my life.」
「………」
「Sorry, I told you a depressing story. Hahahaha…」Dante-san said, laughing as usual.
I heard from Mimino-san that he was always protecting and looking out for the members in their previous party.
…Just how far would this person go for someone.
「Dante-san.」
…I will never betray anyone who “gives” me something. I don’t want to betray.
「What?」
「This is just an if, but if I unreasonably ask you to lend me money, I want you to lend it to me. I will tell you later what I bought. Actually, I’m not sure if I can buy them, though…」
「What is it? Is it something you want?」
「Yes.」
I looked straight at Dante-san.
—The leaves which look like autumn leaves and the tip is further divided into five.
—A very deep silver metal.
—A creature which squirms around like an earthworm.
Those images still come to mind whenever I look at the petrified part of Dante-san.
If it is sold, I’ll definitely buy it. If it is found in the forest, I’ll definitely secure it.
I can’t tell him just yet… I don’t want to make a promise before I can fulfil it.
I just decided that I will try my best to cure Dante-san’s petrification.
「…I see. I don’t mind. Sometimes a man gotta demand for what he wants. Non never pestered me for anything, and it wouldn’t be fun if you’re also as uptight.」
Dante-san stood up and stroked my head, which was still a little wet.
「Now, go to bed. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the adventurer’s guild to sell these things we found on the way.」
「Okay.」
And I went to bed. As soon as I closed my eyes, sleep came over me, and the next time I opened my eyes, it was morning.
Which means, I didn’t have a dream. And something else I noticed is that… isn’t this the first time I went to sleep on a bed in this world…?
