Chapter 149: 149
Chapter 149 – Magnificent Public Bath
The public bath had properly separated women and men sections .
Personally I didn’t think mixed baths are a good thing . The pressure would be too high if I were to enter together with Roxy and the girls .
Recently, we had a soul-switching incident thanks to a certain goblin shaman . Back then, my heart was under heavy pressure . It took every little ounce of willpower I had to not have a look at Roxy’s naked body .
I’m after all, a gentleman at heart .
I took off my clothes and entered the bath . By the way I also brought Greed along . After each battle, this black sword is always noisy about being dirty, so I brought him along for some cleaning .
[Isn’t it a bit too wide…]
『A perfect kind of bath for me . If it’s any less than this, this me wouldn’t even bother to enter . 』
Regardless of Greed’s cockiness, it was a really wide bath! Lishua said that she renovated part of the mansion, but this looks more like complete rework .
The place had an adult vibe to it, probably owing to her personality .
[How luxurious of a bath . This is the first time where I couldn’t see the wall at the end of the room due to the steam . ]
『A holy knight, who is also part of the five great families they say……。This much is just bare minimum for me！』
[But isn’t this a bit too luxurious? You know full well that this kind of thing doesn’t really suit me at all . ]
『Fuhn, if you say so fine then . Either way it is a fairly luxury bath . Best enjoy the moment, correct？』
[… I guess so]
Before soaking in the bath, I washed the dust and grime that stuck to my body . Travelling in the desert always had this inconvenience of sand entering through the small openings on our clothes after all .
My inner young boy’s side was getting excited from seeing such a wide bath . Without further ado, I cannonballed into the bath .
My action made a bigger splash and louder noise than I expected .
『Are you a kid！』
[There is only me in here, so it should be fine . ]
While I was arguing with Greed over whether it’s okay or not, I heard voices coming from beyond the wall .
[Fai, do not jump into the bath!]
[Such a childish action, it’s not fitting for the head of Barbatos family!]
[This bath is an important facility, so please behave yourself!]
Ooo!? Those were the voices of Roxy, Mimir, and Lishua!?
And all of them scolded me .
I looked at the wall from which their voice came out . That wall was most likely the partition separating the men and women section .
Since the wall left some space up to the ceiling, it was possible to talk to other people on the other side .
Out of curiosity, I tried to listen to what happened to Snow who was reluctant to part with me earlier .
[Sorry, my bad . I’ll be more careful next time . By the way, I haven’t heard Snow’s voice . Is she okay? . ]
[She is calm and quiet . ]
The reply came from Mimir who was apparently the nearest to Snow at the moment . Good, good .
It’ll be a big mess if she rampaged in the ladies’ bath .
[There, Snow . Fate-sama is just over there . ]
[Really? Just over this wall?]
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[Yeah, I’m here . ]
Hearing an affirmative from me, Snow’s voice became lively once more .
Un un, good then . Wait, what are you going to do again!?
[If that’s so, I’ll head over there!]
[Fua!? Wait what!?]
Following a female shout, a large hole appeared on the wall that separated the two baths .
Without a doubt, it was Snow who did it .
With a smile on her face, she made her way to me .
[Together again now!]
[Wait…why?]
My eyes moved toward the huge hole on the wall .
There, I saw the nude body of three women… Damn .
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[ [ [ Kyaaaaaaah!] ] ]
I turned around at once, but the sight of their naked figure had already been burned into my brain . I could feel my body temperature rise in no time . And that’s not because of the already steamy hot air inside the bath .
[…sorry . ]
[No, it is… Snow who broke the wal . It is not Fai’s fault . ]
Although it’s by force majeure, I did still see their naked bodies . But Roxy forgave me .
[How horrible . Seeing me naked…]
[Oi, I can hear the giddiness in your voice . It’s not a laughing matter here, you know?]
[That’s not really the case . But since it has come to this, then I shall join Fate-sama over there . ]
[That’s strange . Shouldn’t you be angry instead?]
Peeking over my shoulder, I caught Mimir really coming over to the men’s side .
Really now… I wanted to escape, but I couldn’t, since Snow was hugging me tightly . This isn’t the time and place for you to make use of your Area E power, Snow!
[Fate… not gonna let you off this time . ]
[You too!? At times like this! Snow . ]
There’s no escape for me . Meanwhile Mimir unhesitatingly entered the men’s section . I was like prey being cornered by the hunters .
[Where did your embarrassment from earlier go!]
[There is no getting back on what you’ve seen earlier . Now Fate-sama should also experience the same embarrassment!]
[You just enjoy teasing me, don’t you?]
[Yep!]
That’s a straightforward reply . How refreshing… very straightforward .
Mimir always seemed to get excited whenever she’s teasing me . Just like when she’s sucking on my blood .
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At this rate, I would be swept along by Mimir’s pace .
Snow also prevented me from moving away .
And that was when Roxy interrupted .
[Hold it right there, Mimir!]
[As if I want to . Alright, I’m taking the first dip . ]
[You, hold it . ]
Though she couldn’t stop Mimir at all . Again, I peeked over my shoulder towards the direction of their voice, and saw Roxy following behind Mimir . Did she even realize that she’s also still naked!?
The situation was only getting worse .
[Awawawa, please don’t . Everyone, not in this place . ]
As if it wasn’t enough, way behind the two was Lishua, trying to stop them .
My head could no longer handle the heat . But at least I should try to voice out my concern before getting swept by the flow .
[In the end, everyone ended up coming over!]
I cried, but my voice was easily drowned by the noise of water splashing as they entered the bath .
[Fate-sama!]
[I told you, hold it right there!]
[Awawawa . ]
[Everyone! Please stop!]
There’s no stopping them now… all three came to at the same time .
Mimir, Roxy, and Lishua jumped to the bath .
They raised large water columns and rolled up lots of steam . It was a mess!
There’s no way I could enjoy a relaxing bath… not after all these . I didn’t even realize that I no longer held Greed in my hand, as the poor sword was left submerged at the bottom of the bath . He’ll definitely keep a grudge for that .
Oh well, it can be said that he’s enjoying a thorough bathing there .
All that fuss, coupled with the heat from the bath itself had ended up knocking most of the girls out . I, especially, felt really hot, in various different ways .
Feeling dizzy, I fought my way out of the bath, only to hear another voice coming from the entrance .
[You guys, what are you all doing here? I was asleep, but that doesn’t justify leaving me out from all the fun . ]
[Eris…]
Are you kidding me? At times like this, when I was already at my weakest… . The most dangerous adversary actually showed herself .
This one, it’s way, way too dangerous!
Mimir rushing to me while naked felt like a joke compared to this .
This one, well, this one is real trouble! Far too dangerous!
[By the way, everyone seemed flushed from the heat . Can you even lift all of them?]
[Yosh . ]
[Ooh, you come to help!]
[I want to join in as well!]
Uaaaaaa! It was stupid of me to expect otherwise .
Eris took off the towel that was wrapping around her body . My head was already too dizzy, I couldn’t afford to see her naked now .
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Though, what’s left of my clear mind started wondering . If you think about it, Eris… she had deliberately entered the men’s bath .
It’s already suspicious from the very start .
From the beginning, she intended to enter the men’s bath where I was in .
[Dammit!]
[Oya oya, is that cursing because you’re too happy?]
[That’s a very positive thinking coming from you!]
No good . I couldn’t beat Eris . Perhaps because she didn’t fare that well during the sacred beast fight… she’s looking to release some stress now .
But why does her outlet have to be me!?
Damn, both Roxy and Lishua who could help were still knocked out in the hot bath .
On the other hand, Snow somehow still stuck to me . This… felt like hell on earth .
Maybe, just maybe, I could ask Snow for help?
[Help me . ]
[Fate, I’m dizzy . ]
[Well of course you are!!]
No good . This was really no good .
After saying so, Snow let go of me, and joined the other three girls floating unconscious in the hot bath .
[So somehow, the sacred beastkin has become that little girl huh? That means my natural enemy is down for the count now . ]
[Calm yourself down . ]
[It’ll be alright, no worries! Once I feel refreshed, I’ll carry everyone out from the bath…]
Eris’ voice sounded so distant to me now . Probably, I was already at my limit .
It’s a fleeting hope, but I had no choice but to believe in Eris to do the rest .
I’m counting on you, Eris .
Something cool was draped over my forehead .
It felt good, making me want to sleep longer . Along with the feeling of relaxation, consciousness gradually returned to me .
The warm hand stroking my cheek also added the sense of comfort .
When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself laying on a bed in the guest bedroom .
[Looks like you’re finally awake . I guess it can’t be helped since fighting the sacred beast must’ve been very tiring . ]
[Eris… did you carry us out of the bath?]
Hearing my first question after waking up, Eris angrily puffed her cheeks .
[That was upsetting . Even so I did carry all of them out of the bath, called the maids to put some clothes on them, then brought each of them to their bedrooms . ]
[Thanks . What was I thinking…? Here I am doubting you . ]
[Ahaha, no matter what kind of person do you think I am, I still have a conscience . I couldn’t just leave those girls to stay unconscious in the hot bath area . ]
[I see . Sorry then, for many things . ]
Eris grinned in return .
[Who said that I did not do anything to Fate?]
[What!?]
This little devil . The moonlight shining through the window only added to Eris’ bewitching air .
[What…did you do?]
I gulped, waiting for Eris’ answer apprehensively .
As if playing with my impatience, she deliberately slowed down her reply .
[After having the maids to take care of Roxy and the others, I got to be alone with a naked Fate . ]
[And then?]
[That means, there is no one else to help you to put on some clothes . ]
You arranged all that! So don’t give me that “what to do?” kind of face .
[So I pulled you out of the bath house, wiped your body gently with a towel, and carefully put some clothes on you . Then very carefully brought you to this room and laid you comfortably on this bed . I’ve been watching your sleeping face after that . ]
[…doing whatever you want as usual . ]
[No need to thank me . I enjoyed it, in a lot of ways . ]
[Don’t say it in such a cryptic way . After all, you simply did what I asked of you . I’ve spent a considerable amount of time around Eris . I should at least understand one or two things about you . ]
She told me parts of her past back when we were nightgazing atop the hill at Tetra . Eris usually acted laid back, but I came to know that despite her having lived a very long life, she’s not without a moment of weakness . Thanks to that, I realized that she’s still human, and it relieved me . It made me want to help her more than anything .
In turn, it also sparked my interest to know more about Eris . The way she speaks and her actions might feel like a huge tease, but I knew that she had a good head on her shoulders .
And now Eris, bathed in moonlight, I’m not really sure why, looked at me shyly .
[It was a privilege . But, thank goodness . We actually won the fight against the sacred beast… I mean sacred beastkin . Meanwhile I was stuck there getting cold feet . Sorry . ]
[That’s what the other team members are for . Don’t be too worried about it . ]
[Thank you, Fate . Although I haven’t told you why I acted like that…]
I already had a rough guess from what she said back at the bath house .
[Eris’ natural enemy…that Libra, he is also a sacred beastkin, isn’t he? The battle must’ve reminded you of him, therefore you acted like that . ]
[That’s a good guess . And that’s indeed how it is . But Snow actually has nothing to do with me . Now that I think about it, this is the first time for me to meet her . I guess there were many kinds of sacred beast out there . It’s just that, Libra’s image kept flashing in my eyes when we fought Snow . ]
[I see… that’s relieving . ]
If Eris and Snow actually kept a grudge to each other, the situation would become more complex than already is .
Having that worry to disappear put an ease in my mind .
Eris chuckled, then looked out through the window .
[Fate, I realized this upon seeing your father in the previous fight . Fate’s father, he is…]
[Sorry . But I want to ask Dad personally for that matter . ]
I interrupted Eris before she could finish . It’s after all, something that I, as Dean Graphite’s son needs to ask him directly .
Eris relented and didn’t pursue the topic any further . After some moment of silence, a sigh escaped her lips as she muttered .
[Your life, it’s actually much more complex than we all thought . ]
I didn’t reply to that . Because there was no need to in the first place .
Something was definitely going on even before I was born, the first being I somehow was born with Gluttony skill . All I knew about my Mom’s death was that she died from illness… But now that I think about it, that’s probably just Dad’s white lie… because I was still a child back then .
I needed to know what really happened .