Nothing Happens in the Tutorial
「You hated it so much before, and now you're willing to take on a mission full of risks just for a few baths?」 soone might say.
I would have to agree completely. The risks and the benefits don't balance out at all. I think it's foolish too—go ahead, laugh at , a foolhardy adventurer...
But, you see, having a bath... It's impossible to replicate on your own...
If I had a house by a pristine, natural river surrounded by freely harvestable trees (that inexplicably didn't attract monsters), and I was living as a lumberjack, maybe I could make it happen. But, according to the common logic of this world, it's an impossible dream.
In this world, there are no magical devices that produce endless water, nor are there mysterious stones that emit constant heat. Even if they did exist, I doubt their price or value would be within my reach.
Common folks make do with washing themselves with water. Even that's considered unusually clean here. So people genuinely never wash, and those who sll like a mix of sweat and ale aren't all that rare.
Even those with a bit of money barely manage to heat a bucket of water and wash themselves bit by bit. That's the situation I found myself in. I'm the shabby custor who buys hot water at the inn every day. Doing so much labels you as a cleanliness freak in this world.
As for public baths... They don't have showers, the hot water isn't circulated through filters, and generally, everyone is filthy when they get in... You probably understand why I wouldn't want to use them. If I can't get in as the first bather, I give up. They're really that dirty, seriously discouraging even a casual attempt.
Noble-run pleasure houses have clean personal baths, but... yeah... going there could easily embroil you in unnecessary trouble...
... Why didn't I gain any decent magic when I got reincarnated in this world?
If I had water and fire magic, I could have solved so many things... Damn it...
The Halperia Kingdom isn't rich in stone or tal. There's no city gas pipeline either. Not to ntion, firewood isn't sothing you can use endlessly...
Even if I designed sothing with the efficiency of a firewood boiler as Lord Chaos, it'd likely have no effect on the bathhouse's price. Plus, the sense of hygiene wouldn't change. That's more about perceptions around here.
Creating a bath is incredibly challenging.
So, maybe in this world, being a skilled magician is essential for casually enjoying a bath...
「Well, I'll be counting on you today.」
「... It's still before dawn, though.」
On the day of the mission, I arrived in front of the Artemis Clan House.
The one who greeted
was Sheena. However, she didn't seem to be half-asleep; she appeared fully prepared.
「Thinking about baths woke
up early.」
「You're not a kid, you know... I heard from Nastasha and the others, but you really got persuaded by that, huh.」
「It's important to . At least once in my life, I'd like to enjoy a warm bath three or four tis.」
「Could you not exaggerate? I've heard all those stories.」
「Tch.」
There were many tis when passing by, I thought, "They must have money," but never did I imagine visiting this building. Let alone chatting occasionally with the leader of Artemis...
「... You're wearing a hat instead of a helt.」
「Ah, this? As long as it covers part of my hair, it's fine. I chose one that hunters often use. You can't wear a tal helt in this weather.」
Winter is cold. Many things get cold, especially tal.
It's often underestimated, but the way tal chills is extraordinary. I've heard workers wearing safety boots complain about their toes freezing.
tal equipnt is ten tis worse. I'm always lightly armored, but in winter, I wear only leather. Instead, I carry a small shield.
「I wonder if our dear noble will be arriving in full armor.」
「Haha, no way. There's no fool who will do that... right?」
「I hope not... If anyone could fall ill due to such attire, we would have to end the mission early. It'd make my job easier.」
「Is it okay to treat a noble lady like that? Won't the baron's family complain later?」
「You worry too much. You should have more faith in the guild's backing. We Artemis aren't taking dangerous risks.」
Sheena opened the door and gestured for
to enter.
「We'll et up with Bridget at the guild, then head out. Let's have a briefing inside first. Not that there's much to discuss.」
With that, I was led into the Artemis Clan House.
In the lobby in front of the fireplace, a few mbers were already gathered and prepared for the journey.
The participants from Artemis were Sheena, Nastasha, Gorillana, Ulrika, Raina, and Jona. Including , the hired one, we were seven in total.
Jona was a married woman in her late thirties who lived with her husband after having children, and was a bow shooter who commuted to the clan house. Her main job seed to be cleaning the clan house, and she rarely participated in hunting missions. Apparently, there are quite a few mbers like her in Artemis. The female party often serves as a daycare alternative as well.
That explains why, despite having a fair number of mbers, I keep seeing the sa faces.
「This mission ends in a day. It's a grateful job for half-retired guild mbers like .」
Jona laughed heartily.
... Am I being overly cautious about this mission?
「The frontline will be Gorillana, with Bridget assisting. Jona and I will be at mid-range, covering Bridget. The backline will be Raina, Ulrika, and Nastasha. Mongrel, you'll cover our rear.」
Perhaps being considerate, I was placed to guard the rear opposite Bridget.
I might have to break formation and move forward if sothing happens, but... well, it's winter. It's unlikely.
「Mongrel, we'll rely on you for our rear defense.」
「I hope there's nothing to protect against, but let's see.」
「Hey, Mongrel-senpai, it's rare to see you with a shield.」
「Oh, this? I haven't used it much, but just in case. I have another shield at ho, but that one's big and heavy, so I opted for this small one.」
「I never knew...」
「It's a good shield. I'll show it to you next ti, Raina.」
「Why are you so excited?」
And so, our formation was decided.
Now, we just had to et the rambunctious noble.
「I am Bridget, of the Iron-rank. I have so skill, but have not yet crossed swords with a monster. I have joined this mission for that training. I will endeavor not to hinder Artemis. Looking forward to working together.」
Inside the guild, Bridget was fully armored.
... I'm relieved she's not overly arrogant for a noble, but are you alright with that armor? It's quite cold today, and we'll be walking in the forest for quite so ti...
「Welco, Bridget. I'm Sheena, the leader of Artemis, a guild mber of the Gold-Rank. Since you're a beginner who knows nothing, you'll follow our instructions during the mission.」
Sheena made a high-handed declaration, treating Bridget as a guild mber rather than a noble. It's nerve-wracking but inevitable.
Well, I prefer not to be blad later, so I'll keep quiet as much as possible.
「Ah, I have much to learn, and I would be grateful for any guidance.」
「Alright. However, if problems arise, we will abort the mission imdiately and return. Rember that.」
「That includes when monsters appear, and soone gets hurt, I assu.」
「Of course, that's one possibility. Now, let's start moving. It's a long way from the East Gate to near the Baroa Forest.」
Thus, we set off toward the winter woods of Baroa.
The greetings and introductions among the participants were kept brief, only exchanging nas along the way.
Bridget didn't seem to take much interest in us individually and responded collectively with "I appreciate it" to our introductions. She was likely the silent type, which suited my preference for easygoing companions.
As we walked, Bridget occasionally exchanged words with Gorillana and Jona.
I couldn't catch much of their conversation, but what snippets I heard suggested they were discussing the mission or monsters.
For soone who joined on a whim, she seed to have a serious personality.
「Mongrel-senpai, I've never been to the Baroa Forest in winter. What kind of monsters are there this ti of year?」
「... None.」
In a quiet voice, I replied so Bridget wouldn't hear.
「Really, there's nothing.」
「There are reports of sightings, but it's usually just past occurrences. The beasts either hibernate or retreat deep into the forest.」
「Seriously? What about monsters that failed to hibernate...?」
「They don't appear. Sure, after five days camping in the forest, you might see so, but generally, nothing.」
「True, nothing cos out during winter.」
「Really...?」
If adventurers caught sothing even once every three days, they might consider winter work.
But the fact that everyone stops working the forest in winter speaks volus...
There's no ominous sign, nor is this a setup or foreshadowing.
The Baroa Forest in winter genuinely has nothing.
Frankly, the emptiness of the mission was a reason for my reluctance, but... today, it's all worth the bath.
Bridget, let's endure this ordeal together!
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