Chapter 82: Bathtub

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Translator: Soafp

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On the morning of the 6th day of starting the bath construction, it’s finally Wednesday, the day the bathtub arrives!

By yesterday, I had made 96 stone plates, leveled the ground, and neatly laid out the stone plates.

After finishing breakfast, I sit in the corner of the yard, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bathtub.

After a while, I hear the sound of a carriage in the distance.

Unable to contain my excitement, I rush out to the road and see a bathtub of considerable size protruding from the cargo carriage.

I instinctively wave my hands and shouted.

“Ooooiiii, over here!”

The cooper looks at me and chuckles.

“Hey kid, I brought the tub. I’ve been making barrels since I was a child, but this is the first time I’ve been so appreciated.”

The cooper chuckles as usual, but he seems to be in a good mood.

“Over here. I want it transported to the backyard.”

I move to the backyard and gesture for him to follow.

“Hey, kid, bring the carriage as close as possible. From there, it’s manual lifting.”

“Got it, I’ll call for some help.”

While the carriage is being pulled closer, I go to fetch El and Marl.

I ask them to help carry the buckets for the bath. They gladly agree to help.

When I return to the carriage, the cooper visibly becomes displeased.

“Oi oi, isn’t the helper a kid…”

Although we have the top three strongest people in this mansion.

It’s too much trouble to explain, so I try lifting the bath buckets with the three kids.

It’s quite heavy due to its size, but not too heavy to lift.

The cooper’s eyes widen as he watches the three kids lift the buckets.

“Let’s move slowly like this.”

El and Marl nod in agreement to my words.

“Marl, don’t overdo it.”

“Thanks, Elphus.”

El is showing concern for Marl… I envy that… I wonder if Ashera is doing well.

Recently, Marl hasn’t been hiding the fact that she addresses El informally. Perhaps it’s also to deter other girls.

We take several breaks to carry it safely, even though it’s only about 100 meters away.

Finally, we arrive at the bathroom. It’s just a room with stone slabs laid out.

We slowly place the bath buckets where I instructed… It’s done!

After 13 years and a few months of being reincarnated in another world, I can finally take a bath. It’s embarrassing to think I haven’t bathed in 13 years.

“Thanks, old man cooper.”

I express my gratitude with a big smile. The old man raises his hand with a smile and leaves.

“El, Marl, thank you too. You saved me.”

“That’s fine, but is this the bath Nii-sama mentioned…”

“You don’t need to thank us for something like this.”

The two of them are curious about what I’ll do next.

I plan to bring out a tent from the warehouse and maybe make a screen with wooden boards in the dressing room.

“I’m going to bring out a tent from the warehouse now. I plan to make a screen with wooden boards too.”

“A screen…”

“Ah, you know, those simple toilets with the imposts when the wagons were moving?”

“Oh, is that what you’re talking about?”

“It should give you a window for the time being.”

“Got it, I’ll help.”

From there, El and Marl also helped out. They could use body reinforcement and space kick to move directly from the second floor.

Watching the tent and partition being set up quickly, I realized that it was time for lunch.

(I didn’t think about it, but even if I make a bath, I need shelves, baskets, soap in the dressing room, soap and towels in the bath, and so on.)

I had been so focused on making the bath that I completely overlooked the small items.

“El, Marl, the bath is finished with this. After lunch, let’s search around the mansion for the rest.”

“Are you going to search? Please don’t make Grandpa angry.”

“I don’t think Aldo knows the meaning of restraint…”

Despite El and Marl’s rude remarks, I was so happy that the bath was completed that I laughed them off.

After lunch—-

I began to search the house for suitable shelves, baskets, towels, and other items to place in the bath.

I could overhear the maids and butlers saying from a distance, “It’s another one of his fits.”

I had gathered all the necessary items for the bath. But there was no soap. I searched every corner of the house, but there was no soap. Could it be that there’s no soap in this world??

Just as I was about to despair, I suddenly remembered. Before, when my hands got dirty, Faristea and Yuri were washing their hands with soap… I hurriedly headed to Faristea’s room.

I stood in front of Faristea’s room. If there really was no soap, then… How do you make soap again? I think it was mixing lye and oil… If worst comes to worst, I’ll have to consider making it myself.

I knocked on the door… The few moments before a response felt like an eternity.

“Come in.”

I gathered my courage and opened the door. Faristea was looking at me with a curious expression.

“Faristea, I have something to ask you.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know what soap is?”

“Soap? I don’t know.”

It’s over. I collapsed on the spot. Can I cry now?

Perhaps hearing some noise, Yuri came out of the neighboring room.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s no soap…”

“What’s wrong with no soap?”

“I don’t have any soap…”

“Hmm, wait a moment.”

Yuri returned to her room. No soap. The thought of making it myself was daunting. No, I was already broken.

“Here you go…”

Yuri returned to the room and handed me the soap.

“Oh… considering the effort it takes to make this soap…”

I held the soap in my hand and… huh? As I stared at the soap in my hand, I realized… soap… what?

“Faristea didn’t know about soap…”

“Oh, in Elvish, it’s called ‘mooni.'”

Ah, it’s a word, huh? Well, that makes sense. It sounds like “omutsu” (diaper)…

I regained my composure and continued speaking.

“Is soap common in Elven countries?”

“Yeah, we use it normally for bathing and laundry.”

“I’ve just become Elvish in this moment! Hail to the Elves!”

Faristea and Yuri stared at me with dumbfounded expressions.

“Can I have this soap?”

“…Ah, yeah. Take it.”

I took the soap and headed to my room. It was now late afternoon. Bath time before dinner… perfect… absolutely perfect…

I gathered my change of clothes and an extra towel and made my way to the bathhouse.

Using magic, I filled the bathtub with water. It was about 300 liters of water. I wouldn’t get in immediately. But somehow, I was incredibly serious. I felt like I could cast Condensed Ray with half the usual magic power now.

After managing to fill the tub with warm water using only half of my magical power, I headed to the changing area. I undressed and put my clothes in the basket. One towel would be enough for now.

Then, I moved to the bathing area and started washing my body. I used a regular wooden stool and a bucket about the size of a ladle to wash my body. It was simple equipment, but it felt good. At this point, I felt like crying.

I washed my body thoroughly with soap, which finally lathered up on the third attempt. How dirty was I…

Next was my hair. I washed it until it lathered up, which took three attempts in the end.

Finally, it was time for the long-awaited bath… I reached out to the bathtub and… warm… Without realizing it, tears flowed from my eyes…

After regaining my composure a bit, I slowly immersed myself in the bathtub.

“Ahhhh…”

I couldn’t help but let out a sound, which was the same whether in Japan or this world.

It was still warm due to the lingering summer heat. But today, I just wanted to enjoy the bath from the bottom of my heart. I changed the temperature to cold with Air Conditioning Magic.

My upper body was freezing, but my body was submerged in the warm water. It was a simple but effective barrier. Yet, when I looked up at the sky from the bathtub, I saw the evening sky with its sunset. The comfort was akin to that of a winter open-air bath.

What luxury. I poured all my energy, including magic, money, and time, into this moment.

I enjoyed this leisurely and rich time. Strangely, only thoughts of Japan came to mind… Perhaps the bath truly represents the heart of Japan… And perhaps my heart is still Japanese.

I savored the bath like never before. I should let El and Grandpa join me sometime.

Noel, Faristea, Anna-sensei, Yuri, and Marl too. How about next Wednesday afternoon for the ladies? I’m planning to go on a mission, so the bath will be free around that time.

I got out of the bath just before feeling dizzy from the heat, my head emitting steam as I left the bathhouse.

The maids passing by looked at me strangely, noticing my shiny hair, smooth skin, and even my scent. There was a faint smell of soap around me.

Grandpa and El looked interested, but there was something in the eyes of the women that bordered on fear.

It would be akin to the eyes of a carnivore facing its prey… That’s the closest analogy I can think of.

But I won’t yield to any pressure! I will defend the bath at all costs!

“Grandpa, the bath is finally completed. Would you like to join me at your convenience?”

I spoke to Grandpa while having dinner. I’m sure after dinner, the ladies will bombard me with questions… but before that, I’ll recruit Grandpa as an ally.

“Bath? You mean the thing you’ve been fussing about in the backyard?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t really understand, but it’s Aldo’s doing, right? I’ll come take a look after dinner.”

“Yes, thank you. How about you, El? Would you like to join us?”

“Is it the tubs we brought in during the day?”

“Yes, it is. You’ve helped me a lot, so I’ll give you the right to use the bath whenever you want.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll join you after dinner.”

It’s nice to soak alone, but it’s also nice to have some naked camaraderie.

After dinner, I, El, and Grandpa headed to the bathhouse. Along the way, I caught a maid and asked her to bring three sets of clothes and some milk after we’re done bathing.

In the dressing room, there were spare towels and soap. I quickly handed them to El and Grandpa and then swiftly undressed.

El and Grandpa seemed a bit bewildered but copied my actions. Once they were both fully naked, I asked El for a favor.

“El, can I have some mana?”

“Okay.”

El gave me some mana. He doesn’t ask too many questions, which is probably why he’s so popular.

We moved to the bath and filled it with hot water. There was only one stool, so I offered it to Grandpa.

I spent the time washing El and Grandpa, as I had already cleaned myself in the evening.

“Are you supposed to wash with soap?”

“Yes. It feels good to wash away the dirt.”

Grandpa washed himself hesitantly at first. It’s probably his first time doing this. El silently followed his lead, washing himself as well.

Next was their hair, which was also dirty. In the end, El washed his hair twice, and Grandpa washed his three times.

“Do we have to wash this thoroughly every time?”

“I washed multiple times initially to get rid of years of dirt, but I think it’s fine to wash your body every three days and your hair once a week.”

“I see. You have to bathe quite frequently, huh?”

“I intend to bathe every day.”

“Every day?”

“Yes. I plan to have Rosa make a hot water magic tool, so once it’s done, you can use the bath whenever you want.”

“I see…”

“Shall we get into the tub?”

I got into the tub first, followed by El and Grandpa.

“Cold air is the best. I’ll lower the temperature with magic.”

I lowered the temperature by about 5°C.

(As I thought, outdoor baths are the best… It feels so good without feeling overheated… It’s the best…)

Looking around, both El and Grandpa seemed to be enjoying the bath. It seems that not only me, a former Japanese person, but also people in this world are likely to accept baths.

Looking up at the sky, I see a starry night. I lower the magic light to a minimum.

(Gazing at the starry sky with the moon… If only I had some sake and shishamo…)

After enjoying the bath for a while, before getting overheated, I change in the dressing room. The clothes and milk were all prepared properly.

I pour the milk into three cups and chill it until it’s icy cold. Then I hand a cup to El and Grandpa before swiftly downing mine. Seeing me, El and Grandpa also drink their milk.

“Mmm, delicious!”

Following my lead, El and Grandpa chime in.

“Ah, delicious indeed.”

“Mmm, tasty.”

Cleaning up is a bit rude, but I leave it to the maids.

“Shall we head back then?”

“Got it.”

“Understood, Nii-sama.”

As we head back to the mansion, Grandpa speaks up.

“Aldo, thanks for letting me enjoy the bath.”

“No problem, I’m glad you liked it.”

“If I feel like it, I’ll ask for it.”

“Sure, feel free to use it anytime, even every day.”

Grandpa chuckles at my response.

“I’m looking forward to when Rosa’s magic tool is done, then I won’t even need to ask.”

“I’m counting on it.”

There’s also the matter of Rosa’s value. I deliberately mentioned Rosa’s name.

After sorting out the bath, the next thing to tackle would be the toilet… Rosa might potentially become a golden egg for Blue Ring.

As I parted ways with Grandpa and headed back to my room with El, I found the ladies waiting outside my room.

Swiftly, I utilized space kicks and wall runs to escape into my room, locking the door behind me. I shouted just one sentence.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow morning at school, so let me rest.”

I could still hear their clamor outside, but as I buried myself in my futon and ignored them, their voices soon faded away.

I thought I should have talked to them a bit, but with their current demeanor, they might demand to use the bath right away.

Thinking back on the bath after 13 years, I decide to rest tonight. Good night…