Chapter 85: Tenacity

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Translator: Soafp

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The story rewinds a little… the morning after the first bath.

I, along with El, Marl, Faristea, Yuri, and Noel, were walking towards the academy.

I guess because I had told them last night that I would tell them about the bath on the way to school. The girls were putting a lot of silent pressure on me.

“I get it. Let’s talk about baths.”

When I mentioned it to Lewis before, everyone gave me a lukewarm response, but now they’re all giving me these intense, carnivorous looks… scary.

The girls were mainly interested in the beauty aspect, then cleanliness, and lastly, the pleasure of bathing.

From there, they kept bothering me to let them use the baths. So, after self-study, I arranged to show them the actual bath.

When El saw her, it seemed Marl was all for her getting prettier, and she sided with the women, asking for concessions from me… being a big brother is tough.

At the mansion—

When we actually got to the mansion and I showed them the bath, they were fully clothed and there was no water in the tub, but I explained how to use it.

I didn’t mind, but it seemed to bother the women that it was an open-air bath where you could easily be seen.

I casually suggested.

“Why don’t you women take turns using the bath? If someone stands in the place where it’s easy to peek, then no one can peek, right?”

In my mind, the women were Faristea, Yuri, Noel, Miss Anna, and Marl. Little did I know, this statement would later shake the foundations of the Blue Ring mansion…

My words were generally well-received by the women.

Since I wasn’t needed for a request on Dark Tuesday, I was free to use the whole day as I pleased, which seemed to be appreciated.

Soap was apparently common among elves, so Faristea offered it for free.

The biggest problem was the hot water. How many times could it be reused? Despite being the most enjoyable, there’s a limit when using magic to heat it.

The ones who could boil water were Faristea, Yuri, Marl, and Anna-sensei.

Well, with four magic users, it wouldn’t be a big deal for the bath.

From this point on, I wasn’t concerned about the women’s bath…

Unbeknownst to me, things were developing elsewhere… it probably started with Noel.

That idiot went around telling acquaintances about what happened after I, El, and the old man used the bath.

The maids were gossiping among themselves about me, El, and the old man’s shiny hair, the scent when we passed by, our overall cleanliness…

In no time, rumors started spreading about “using the baths on Dark Tuesday,” and soon, maids, lady knights, and female mages flocked to Noel’s place in droves.

Even Noel, at her wits’ end, eventually brought the matter up to the old man.

And there, Noel messed up again…

She sold me out by saying that I suggested, “Why not let the ladies take turns using the baths?”

With a heavy sigh, the old man said, “Leave it to you.”

The numbers kept increasing, and eventually, all the women at the Blue Ring Manor were set to use the baths. That was around fifty women!

Even with Faristea, Yuri, Marl, and Anna-sensei taking turns to fill the tubs, it wasn’t nearly enough.

But Noel, with her position as a squad leader in the knight order, had some skills.

She displayed her knack for useless things and succeeded in gathering four more mages.

With eight mages in total, it was manageable if they took turns.

And then Noel roped Marl into pulling Olivia into the mix.

Despite being called in as a water heater, Olivia seemed thankful to Noel… poor thing.

What’s terrifying is that despite all the commotion, most of us men, led by me and El, were clueless about what was happening…

Truly terrifying is the surface-level coordination of the women and the underlying coordination when faced with something new, wanting to drag acquaintances along.

And so, the cursed Dark Tuesday arrived…

The Blue Ring Manor, after me and El left, was truly a realm of chaos.

Despite it being a holiday, the head of the house, Balza, quickly retreated to his office.

With the head absent, the Blue Ring Manor spiraled even further out of control.

In this world where only men and women exist, all the women were going wild… What could us weak men do? The sheep just quietly waited for the storm to pass…

Gradually, the number of cleanly women at the Blue Ring Manor increased… These women, admiring their own hair, sniffing each other’s scents and laughing, caused something murky to grow in the eyes of the women who hadn’t yet bathed…

Initially, my attempt to convey the benefits of bathing couldn’t have been more successful.

By evening, about forty women had taken turns bathing. You might think forty isn’t many for a day, but during that time, the tubs were cleaned out after each use, and trips were made to the well to conserve magical energy. Of course, with the help of men…

And then, I returned…

I was surprised by the atmosphere at the mansion, shocked by the way the “ladies” spoke, stunned that I couldn’t get into the baths, and finally, astounded by Noel’s incompetence.

However, the women that day seemed to be having a blast, looking about twenty percent prettier than usual.

With just that simple fact, the men at the mansion seemed to be fifty percent happier than usual…

The next morning—-

For the past week, I’ve been taking baths every day. But yesterday, I couldn’t. So, reluctantly, I headed to the bathhouse for my morning bath…

There were two maids standing in front of the bathhouse.

“What’s wrong?”

With a determined aura, one of the maids spoke up.

“Aldo-sama, please, after your bath, could you leave the water in the tub?”

“Y-yes…”

As soon as they heard my response, they dropped the aura and gave me their brightest smiles… What was that all about?

Without further ado, I enjoyed my morning bath.

(Oh man, I don’t feel like going to school…)

As I thought about middle school stuff, I somehow managed to get out of the bath… just as the maids had requested, I left the water as it was.

When I stepped out of the bath, four maids carrying luggage headed towards it.

I didn’t pay any attention. Nobody would dare use my bath without permission. I mentally prepared myself for school as I headed there…

Today, it’s me, El, Marl, Faristea, Yuri, and Noel, heading to school together.

The women looked twenty percent prettier than usual. El seemed to be mesmerized by Marl several times. Marl looked embarrassed (30%), yet happy (70%) about it.

As El and Marl created their own world, naturally, the conversation turned to Faristea, Yuri, Noel, and me.

Yuri, noticing me confusion at the change in the women, gave a suggestive smile and blatantly tried to tempt us. Last time something similar happened, I laughed it off, thinking, “Is she trying to make me fall for her and then dump me?” But this time, even though I knew what was going on, it still made my heart race. She became more aggressive in her seduction.

Specifically, she leaned in closer. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of soap… Not good.

That’s when Noel made a suggestion.

“Aldo, just for Dark Tuesday. Could we borrow the bath?”

“Rejected, next.”

I replied immediately.

“Why?”

Noel spoke up, but I could feel the pressure from all the women… I told myself firmly. If I back down here, they’ll definitely take advantage of me!

While trying to act unaffected by the pressure, I was actually as nervous as a newborn fawn…

“Why? Even after all that, you all made fun of me… Only El and Marl helped with building the bath. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to flip-flop like this?”

My logical argument made Noel, Faristea, and Yuri look guilty, avoiding eye contact.

“Well, Faristea and Yuri, I still want to be able to borrow soap from you in the future, so if you want to use the bath, let’s discuss it… Of course, Marl, who helped, too.”

I started the division tactic! If I can pull Marl to my side, then El will follow. And if I can pull Faristea and Yuri to my side, then it’s perfect!! I will protect the bath for myself, by myself!! Righteousness is on my side!!

“S-so, what about the maids, lady knights, and female mages?”

“They’ll take turns using it in rotation after my morning bath.”

“What did you say?!”

“…”

“So, the only one who can’t use the bath is…”

“Just Noel.”

Noel looked at me with a face on the verge of tears… Cut it out… It is already 20% more than usual, you know.

“S-stop it! Wasn’t this whole commotion caused by Noel?”

“No, you got it wrong! I just wanted everyone to be beautiful… to be happy.”

“Noel… you cared that much about everyone…”

“That’s right. I did it for everyone’s sake. It’s not like I wanted to use the bath myself!!”

“I see…”

“Yeah!”

“Okay then. Is the idea from before okay?”

Noel paused for a moment, then her face turned pale… Interesting, you.

“Eh? But… just me?? Really?”

I thought to myself… “The airhead quota” – next in line, here it comes!

“Just kidding. Of course, you’re welcome to use it too.”

With that, she returned the biggest smile of the day. So, it really is 20% more…

And so, after me, the maids, knights, and mages took turns using my bath. El and grandpa use it by appointment. About two to three times a week.

Marl, Faristea, Yuri, and Anna-sensei use it every day. It seems they drain and refill the bath once for the maids’ turn.

With each Dark Wednesday, I buy bath buckets and chairs, so our home bath is evolving day by day.

Soap is provided by Faristea and Yuri. I can’t go without paying them. After discussion, the price for one soap was set to five silver coins. We always keep at least one as a necessary expense for the bath.

Grandpa and the butler seem pleased with the women being beautiful, and it was unanimously agreed to include it in the expenses. I really love these guys!

Faristea and Yuri were hesitant, but taking advantage of those you’re sheltering… it’s related to the prestige of nobles.

The rumor “There are many beauties in the Blue Ring Manor” changed to “You become beautiful when you visit the Blue Ring Manor”… and later, it was said that “Blue Ring possesses the secret art of beauty”…

Next time I return to the Blue Ring Estate, I’ll make a bath and place plenty of soap at home too. I really want Ashera to use it… 20% more beautiful… That’s dangerous, really dangerous…

I look forward to returning home next time, while I continue to do my best today.