Chapter 94: 93

There were none.

Such sweet, sugar-coated events were nonexistent in my life.

"..."

Inside the men's bath, in a private bathtub filled with pleasantly warm water.

I was floating in it, fully immersed, like a dumpling in a soup.

The bathhouse's design was strikingly similar to that of the ancient Romans, something I had often seen in books.

It wasn't as hot as a boiling Korean bath, but it was warm enough to be satisfying.

I quite appreciated the luxury of monopolizing a private bath as a Lord.

"The plumbing facilities are well-maintained."

To my mutterings, Lucas, who was tending to me next to my bathtub, immediately responded.

"Isn't it a pride of the Empire? Having experienced many floods, we've mastered water resources management. We're the best in the world."

"There's also the advantage of a small city population. It must be easier to maintain water quality."

More importantly, aren't you going to bathe? You've followed me all the way here just to serve me.

"Isn't it the duty of a guard to protect their Lord at any time and place?"

"Hearing noble words all the time can become tiresome. Enough, you should clean up too. There's a big bath right next to you."

As I urged him, Lucas bowed his head as if reluctantly.

"I'll enter the bath next to you, then."

"Do that, quickly go on in..."

Lucas carefully entered the bath. I lost words for a moment as I looked at his broad back.

Lucas's muscular body was covered with all sorts of scars and wounds. It seemed like a summary of the hardships he had endured all his life.

"You've had it tough, Lucas."

At my words, Lucas smiled faintly.

"It's nothing, my Lord."

On the other hand, Damien was floating next to Lucas. Is he dead? He's alive, right?

"Are you okay, Damien?"

"I... I'm fine, Prince... I'm alright..."

No, he's definitely ascending. It looks like his soul is leaking out.

"What on earth happened yesterday...?"

"It might be better to bury yesterday's events."

Lucas avoided my gaze with a pale, weary face as he responded. Seriously, what happened to make him react like that?!

Anyway, while relaxing like this, I thought maybe the three of us could have a casual chat.

Suddenly, a wave of people poured into the men's bath.

It was the Twilight Brigade. Men and old men alike began occupying the bath here and there with a unified "Ugh~" sound.

The Twilight Brigade was followed by regular mercenaries as well.

Soon the men's bath was packed with bearded, muscular men.

"..."

I felt suffocated.

Trapped in a tight space with bulky muscleheads, my head was spinning.

Damn it, somebody save me. I should have just used the mansion's bathroom alone. I came here swept up in the atmosphere and...

"Maybe we should start heading out..."

"Would you like to do that?"

"I want to get out too, ugh..."

The three of us peeled ourselves out of the tub, bumbling towards the men's section.

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

Every time mercenaries caught my eye as I stepped out, they saluted me.

Don't salute me when I'm stark naked! I said stop it!

***

After cleaning myself, I put on the robe provided by the public bath and stepped inside.

A spacious lounge unfolded before me. A refreshing space connected to the outdoors.

“Oh...”

It looked exactly like a Korean bathhouse.

Of course, there wasn't a sauna, just a breezy, wide hall.

Those who enjoyed their baths were scattered here and there, lying or sitting comfortably, having conversations. Who knew such a progressive facility existed.

‘Regretting my underestimation of a fantasy world. It's not too bad.’

Lost in such trivial thoughts, I lay flat on the hall floor. After soaking in the hot bath, my body felt heavy.

‘Ah~ I'm craving sweet rice drink...’

The environment was so similar to a Korean bathhouse, I inevitably thought of sweet rice drink.

Imagine cracking open a boiled egg, chewing it, and then gulping down a cup of chilled sweet rice drink. That would be heaven.

Times like these make me miss Earth...

“Lucas!”

“Yes, my lord!”

Lucas, who was comfortably seated beside me while I lay down, responded promptly. I lifted my head and scanned the area.

“Don't they sell anything to eat or drink here?”

“I apologize, my lord, but eating and drinking are prohibited here.”

Lucas had an 'it's common sense' kind of expression.

Damned fantasy world! They are strict about such things!

“Uh... isn't there somewhere I can get a drink of water...”

That's when Damien, who was lying next to me, murmured with a face that looked half-dead.

Looks like he was suffering from dehydration after drinking alcohol and sweating in the hot tub. Poor thing.

“Lucas, take him and give him some water.”

“But I'm responsible for your safety...”

“Everyone here is my subordinate, what could possibly happen? I can take care of myself. Don't worry and just go.”

Lucas hesitated momentarily but soon got up.

“I will also bring water for you, my lord.”

“Ah, good man. Go ahead.”

Lucas and Damien left the lounge. I changed my position. Ah, this feels good.

Maybe I should take a nap. I closed my eyes and was thinking when...

“Aha!”

A familiar voice of a young girl echoed.

“It's the senior.”

“Huh?”

Opening my eyes and looking in that direction, Evangeline was waddling into the lounge.

Her platinum hair, wet from the bath, was twirled up in a towel above her head. She looked even smaller like that.

“Why are you here again?”

“I'm a local here. It's only natural that I frequent this bathhouse.”

It seems that even though she's a lord's daughter, she used this place.

Well, it would be stranger if she didn't use such a facility in this small town.

That's when Lilly, wheeling Evangeline in her wheelchair, caught my eye from behind.

With a squeak, Lilly hastily bowed her head at me.

"Your Highness?! Why are you here?!"

"That's my line... Did you two come together?"

Evangeline chuckled and nodded.

"I came to take a bath with Lilly!"

"When did you become friends."

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"If we cross the lines together, wouldn't we naturally become friends? Right, sister?"

"Hmm... Yes, miss..."

Lilly was awkwardly breaking out in cold sweat. No, it seemed like Evangeline was unilaterally pretending to be friendly.

'Well, Lilly is the only same-aged female in the party.'

I could understand why Evangeline was trying to get close.

On the other hand, I could also understand why Lilly was nervous.

She wanted to leave the party... And since Evangeline is the heir to the Margrave, she would be burdened...

"Ah, sister! Let's go claim that spot over there! You can see the mountains from far away, it's a really good spot."

"All right, miss."

"Then, senior, see you later. We're going to have some girl talk~"

Ah, hey! Don't go! Play with me! Save me from these gloomy guys!

I was screaming inside, but the two had already disappeared into the distance, leaving me alone. How merciless.

"Hehe... It's okay, I can have fun with just Lucas and Damien."

...That's what I said, but these two rascals, they haven't come back yet. How far did they go to fetch the water?

That's when it happened.

"Your Highness?"

A clear female voice echoed.

"I'm surprised. I never thought that the royal family would use such a facility."

I widened my eyes and looked in her direction.

A young woman with long brown hair was wringing out her wet hair with a towel. I furrowed my brows. She seemed to be a stranger.

"Who are you?"

"I am Margarita."

"Eh?"

It was none other than the High Priestess of the Temple, Saintess Margarita!

Weren't you always dressed in dark priestess robes from head to toe?

Naturally, I wouldn't recognize you in such open attire.

I quickly bowed in respect.

"Do you also use public baths, Saintess?"

Margarita tilted her head at my question.

"Is there a rule that priests can't bathe?"

"No, that's not it..."

There was this image that priests rarely ventured outside the temple. It seemed to have been just my prejudice.

"Since I had a major surgery yesterday. I wanted to cleanse myself."

Ah, that's right. She was the one who operated on Godhand yesterday.

Margarita's hands were stained crimson.

Perhaps due to a lifetime of dealing with patients' blood and wounds, even after washing, they seemed to remain stained.

As I stared at those hands, a thought occurred to me.

"Did the surgery go well?"

"Didn't Your Majesty send people multiple times during the banquet to inquire about the progress?"

"Eh, me?"

It seems I sent people to check on Godhand while drunk. I don't recall though.

"The operation was successful. He is recovering safely now. I cast a healing spell in the morning and then came here to bathe."

Margarita looked around as she buttoned her robe.

"I didn't expect it to be this crowded."

Hmm, the rest area is packed with mercenaries.

The defense battle ended yesterday and there was a feast throughout the night. It makes sense the bathhouse would be crowded.

"I apologize if my soldiers disturbed your rest after a strenuous surgery."

Feeling awkward, I apologize. Margarita shakes her head.

"War is brutal, yes. But I believe the battles here on the frontlines are sacred."

"Sacred... because it's for the protection of people?"

Instead of replying, Margarita nodded slightly.

"Even washing off the blood and sweat from fighting a holy war holds value. I am glad to share in this experience."

A response fitting of a clergy, yet also very human.

As I was pondering her words, Margarita bowed her head at me again.

"I should go now. I need to move with the other priests."

"Oh, yes. Rest well."

"Please rest well, Your Majesty."

Margarita joined the group of priests, and they all disappeared into the far end of the rest area, chuckling.

They are all much more normal (in a good way) than I thought.

"Master!"

"Prince!"

At that moment, Lucas and Damien returned. I let out an irritated sigh.

"What took you so long!"

Honestly, it was somewhat embarrassing to be left alone!

"Well, it wasn't anything big..."

Lucas, looking around nervously, approached me and showed me what he was holding in his robe.

"!"

I was so surprised that my eyes widened.

It was... an egg!

Lucas nodded firmly.

"It's a boiled egg. I bought it from a peddler at the bathhouse."

"No, what is a peddler doing here..."

From the side, Damien showed me what he was holding. I could see a bottle with water droplets on it.

"This is cool honey water."

Both of them nodded at the same time.

"Let's eat this secretly!"

Goodness, these clever fellows. How did they know my heart?

"You two are all I need!"

I hugged them both tightly. Lucas and Damien wriggled, asking why I was doing this, but I didn't care.

Just as the atmosphere was getting warm and cozy,

"Hey~ You guys brought some good stuff."

A cool voice rang out. What?!

Evangeline and Lilly were approaching us.

Evangeline's green eyes flashed with hunger as if she had already caught wind of our snack.

"You're saying we'll share even a single bean, don't you think our main party of five will have to divide it and take a bite each?"

"I just want a sip of honey water..."

"Y-you, you ungrateful ones!"

But they couldn't be driven away. They were in the same boat, enduring the hardship together.

In the end, our main party of five occupied a corner of the rest area and surreptitiously peeled and ate the boiled eggs, mindful of our surroundings.

There were six in total, so I ate two.

"Ah~!"

There was no heaven other than swallowing cold honey water like ice down a throat blocked with egg.

"Excellent..."

It crossed my mind that I should add a public bathhouse item to the tourist city plan. This should be widely spread!