At the time Alfried and the others were soaking in the bathtub, Aleusha and Ilya were in the women's bath, entering the bathhouse.

　Aleusha's long dark blue hair was randomly tucked back, while Ilya's slightly quirky pink hair was tied up in a bun.

''Wow, it's so spacious,''

The flooring material in the changing rooms, it's very different from the baths in the kingdom.

　The two of them let out an exclamation of admiration at Kagura's bathhouse, which is completely different from the Kingdom's.

''........I prefer this one to the Kingdom's baths.

It's not bad, but it's a bit flashy.

　The baths in the high-class lodges of the kingdom and the mansions of the nobility were often fancy and built with something like marble. Compared to that, Kagura's baths are decorated in such a way as to soothe the eyes and feelings of those who enter the baths, so the two of them must have felt more fresh.

''I'd like to get in as soon as possible, but we need to wash up first.

'Yes!'

　Unlike Irvine and the others, who only thought about getting into the bathtub quickly, the women were firmly reading the warning signs in the changing room. Even without that, though, Aleusha and Ilya would never get into the hot tub without washing themselves.

　Of course, the same warning signs were written in the men's bath changing room, but the men who were arguing about the mixed bathing were not supposed to notice it.

　Ilya is a noblewoman and Aleusha is the daughter of a merchant family. Her sense of hygiene was different from that of Molt and Irvine to begin with.

　Surprised by the rocky floor material, they moved to the washroom with their towels.

　They re-positioned their chairs side by side, and two crackling noises echoed in the bathroom.

'What a nice sound!'

Yeah.

　They look at each other and giggle.

　Then they both observe what is in front of them.

'Huh?　What's this?

　Aleusha picked up the hose's magic tool and looked at it curiously.

'What is this?　I've never seen one, but it's connected to a magic tool on the faucet and has holes in it, so isn't it supposed to be something that lets the hot water out?

　It's fair to say that it's the nature of those who handle magic to be curious about unfamiliar magical tools. In Alfried's case, though, he knew about the thing called a shower in his previous life, so he wasn't that surprised.

''I see.... You're twisting the handle over here.''

　Hot water came out of the hose as Aleusha twisted the handle, admiringly.

'I see, so you can keep the hot water flowing as long as you turn the handle.

'Yes, that's true. It's certainly easier than pouring hot water into a tub, but the amount of water is also less than a tub. But if we can improve it, even those who can't use magic very well should be able to at least take a bath in it easily.

''Well I see, maybe there's already a place for that kind of thing in Kagura, surprisingly.

　What they are thinking about is the so-called shower room, but it is not yet widespread in Kagura. At the moment it is only being used by inns on an experimental basis.

I would like to look at it some more, but my body is getting cold. Let's quickly wash up and soak in the tub.

Yes.

　The two of them poured hot water over the mages in moderation. At first they were using a new hose, but because of the amount of water, they were still pouring hot water into a tub to bathe in it.

　Ilya calls out to Aleusha, who was lathering up a towel with soap, "Hey, Aleusha.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you have to be in a position to do something. Since it's time for you to go, let's wash each other!

'Oh, will you wash every inch of me like a handmaid?

'No, sir!　We wash each other's backs!　It's a wash!

　Ilya's cheeks puffed out in exasperation at Aleusha's mean-spirited manner.

　Ilya was secretly interested in hearing that Irvine and Malt had washed each other's backs because it was easier. Even as a countess, she often had her maidservants wash her back for her, so she was probably curious that she had never done it before.

'Just kidding. Then you'll take care of my back, please.''

'Yes!　After that, you'll have my back, please!

　When Aleusha giggled and turned her back to him, Ilya's face broke into a smile and she got on her back.

　And then carefully lathered towel was placed against Aleusha's back, but then there was something soft against her back other than the towel.

''--?

　It's something that Aleusha doesn't have and Ilya does. The overwhelming mass and softness comes through Aleusha's back, giving her despair and jealousy.

''.........''

"...What's wrong?　Aleusha?

　Instantly, Ilya casts a questioning voice at Aleusha, who instantly turns her back and covers her face.

''You're ... right.

What's that?

　It was Aleusha who muttered to herself, but Ilya didn't know what she was talking about.

　It gouges Aleusha's chest even more. No, the size of her breasts aren't as big as they are actually gutted.

''Well I'm not going to wash up with Illya anymore.

'What?　Oh no!　Why, Aleusha, why?　Let's not sit back down and wash up!


　◆ ◆ ◆


I hit it!　It's a hit!

'Ugghhhh!　My eyes, my eyes aaaaaaah!

　I accurately sent hot water flying into Irvine's eyeballs, causing him to fall into the hot tub.

''Irvine!''

　I'm relaxing in the bathtub, and I'm just about to be defeated when Irvine and the others pour hot water on my face.

　I poo-poo the hot water with my hand to the eyeballs of Malt, who was distracted by Irvine.

''Meh, my eyes aaaaahhhh!

　The hot water I sent flying hits the eyeballs of the splendid, and Malt twists his body to escape.

　You don't need to use magic for this level of skill. I'm not going to be the only one who can do this.

The first time I saw him, he said to me, "You know.........

　Irvine stands up, paying off his wet eyes with a scrubbing arm. I'm very uncomfortable that Irvine's crotch is just at my eye level because of the height difference.

'Irvine, we're teaming up!　You can't beat Master Alfried alone!

Hey!

　They looked at each other and nodded at each other. It's not fair that a large adult would set up a two-on-one against such a small child. However, they wouldn't mind, since they are two people who are attacking the magic-weakened demons without mercy.

　The two of them put their arms into the hot water with big motions and try to pour it over my face.

　As long as I don't damage my eyes, which is a major weakness with the hot water splashing, I'm good to go. As long as you prevent that, your eyes won't get hurt and your vision won't be blocked. In other words, you just have to prevent the attack on your eyes alone.

Drown!

　The hot water, scooped up by two strong arms and big hands, hits me.

　You're trying to drown me, you're trying to choke me.

　With that thought in mind, I quietly put up an unmagical shield around my eyes and nose.

　This will keep water out of my weak eyes and allow me to breathe satisfactorily.

"'Uri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-ri-...

　Irvine and Malt, who don't realize that, are going to attack you here and pour a lot of hot water on you. Is there anything these guys can do to help themselves?

　If you are pouring this amount of hot water over your body, you can't breathe unless you get out of the bathtub.

　However, it's not a problem now, thanks to the shield.

　It's a bit humiliating to have Irvine and Malt do what they want and pour hot water on my face, but I'll be fine with it since we'll get even in the end.

　As expected, if I cover my whole face, they'll know.

'Whoa!　How do you like that?

"I'll forgive you if you're sorry!

　Irvine and Malt continue to pour hot water on me while saying such supercilious things.

　In contrast, I don't do anything but expose myself to the hot water. I don't even turn my face away to escape or get out of the hot tub.

　As long as my weaknesses are overcome by the shield, I don't feel any pain.

''Oh, hey?　Mr. Alfried?　Are you okay?

He's not passed out or crying or anything, right?　I'm afraid to stand on a stick this far, but...

　They stopped attacking me, probably worried that I was going to continue to cough up an amount of hot water head on.

　I gave them both a nimble smile as they bent down to worry.

''Shh, shh, shh--''

　They realize it's my plan, but it's too late.

　I'm going to be able to send the hot water to their eyes as they bend down.

''My eyes are aaaaaaaaahhhh!

　Irvine and Malt hold their eyes and warp their bodies. I follow them there, sending hot water flying into their earholes.

'Hi!'

　When Malt reflexively held his ear, he quickly skipped the hot water to his right eye where the gap appeared.

''Ah!　In my eyes again!

　While Malt is spooked, I fly hot water into Irvine's nostrils as he tries to fight back.

'Bwah!　Geho, Geho!

　It caused Irvine to cough loudly. 'It's hard when you get hot water in your nose.

Do you still want to?

I give up.

Good.


　◆ ◆ ◆


　After the battle of the hot water, we moved to the open-air bath at the back of the building because we were tired of the big tub.

　We opened the sliding door, which was covered with water droplets due to the difference in temperature, and there was an open-air bath dotted with large stones.

　Looking around, you can see trees and gravel stones as if they were the garden of a ryokan.

　The floor was not as smooth as the one in the bathhouse, but this one was a little more stony and rough. The color is also more of a blue-green tint than a calm stone color. Perhaps the material of the stone used was different.

　The open-air baths covered with brightly colored walls made me feel like I was in the garden of a quaint inn.

'Whoa, are you finally done?'

　Rumba and Tori were relaxing by a large stone. They were clearly having an elegant drink here, with a choko and a tokuri in their hands.

　I mean, that's a type of sake, right?　It's not fair!

　No wonder the two of them had slipped out of the tub halfway through.

　On the other hand, behind me, Malt was bouncing around trying to get hot water out of his ears and Irvine was coughing with tears in his eyes.

''From the looks of it, Alfried-sama wins, right?

It's not fair to use magic.

Because we're both going to attack you.

　I blurted out behind me and rebutted Irvine. If it weren't for the two of us coming together, I wouldn't have any intention of using magic.

Well, Irvine, don't let it get to you. Here's a good one.

""Booze!"

　We quickly run up underneath Roomba, who holds up the virtue.

''No, no, Alfried-sama is a child, so no?''

　No!　That bottle definitely looks like sake, right?　You mean like junmai sake?　How could you possibly leave my favorite sake in front of me?

Just one bite!

No, you can't. It's easy to drink, but it's too strong.

Yeah, that's right. You kids can drink hot water.

We'll have a drink, and you, Alfried, go away.

　Irvine and Malt pay me a shish as I plead with them.

　'You're rooted to the fact that you were copped out by me earlier.

'If you were going to call me a child, you could have just let me go to the women's baths like that, lying about my age!

Dear Alfried. That line is out.

　Tory muttered in a dumbfounded voice sound as I screamed in frustration.

　Meanwhile, the Rumba's were tipping their moral compasses.

'It's small, isn't it?'

That's why I drink so much. It's a small price to pay for that.

　Irvine looks at the clear liquor poured into the cupboard and mutters, "Heh.

''It smells great,''

'Right?　Now drink it.

　Urged by Rumba, Irvine tilted his chopstick.

''Whoa whoa whoa!　Easy to drink!　It's nothing like ale or wine!

'Right?　They say it's made out of Kagura rice or something.

Another one!

One more drink on an empty stomach and you'll get drunk.

'That's right, Irvine!　I'm next!

　Rumba, Irvine, and Malt enjoy their sake happily saying that.

I'm jealous that I get to have a drink in a beautiful open-air bath!

　It would have gone well with sashimi.

''........What's stirring Alfried-sama up so much?　If you put up with it for another five years, they'll give you a drink, right?

　I was comforted by Tory as I listened to the three of them enjoying themselves.

　........Five years is a long way off.