Translator: pinky onee-sama Editor: anirhapsodist
Equipment LimitationsEverybody had all the time to return from taking a bath, but until Misaki wakes up, I won't be able to leave the room. It's practically safe in our current lodgings, but I'd still be worried if she's left alone.
"Theresa, do you have a license? Every seeker should own one, so-"
Theresa shook her head. Mercenaries don't own a license — Losing her life meant she also lost it.
"Hmm? … Do you want me to check your back?
She nodded then turns to show her back. She was seated on the couch. Her lizard mask covered her head down to the upper portion of the neck and under there, black hair has grown. Theresa has lengthy hair.
She collected her hair, then swipes them forward. Part of her back that has always been concealed now reveal themselves to me.
She wore lizard, leather-like armor and on her nape were markings, which looked similar to a seal and noticeably inscribed.
"Is that a "slave crest", Theresa?
She turned and grabbed my hand and guided it to touch the marking on her nape.
Suddenly, it began to glow from red to blue then the shape of its characters transformed.
"….Nngh….."
Theresa moaned in a muted voice. And as soon I the characters finally settled, I let go of my hand.
(Did she perhaps overwrite the ownership of the slave crest? Was it even possible for her to do that?)
Anyway, Theresa's armor perfectly fits the shape of her body. Though her age was not yet known to me, she might be younger than what I was expecting.
She silently turned her head to look back at me. When I was touching her crest, her lips were closed shut but now they were ever slightly opened.
Not just her lips, but also her skin was as smooth as china. Didn't she bear any injuries before she lost her life? Presently, I could not find those scars.
After gazing at me for a while, she notices my license then points at it.
"Oh, my license? Do you want to check it out?"
I handed out to her my license when she confirmed. She slid her forefinger and accessed the party members menu.
She selected her name and thereafter switched to a display containing her list of skills.
◆Skills Acquired by Subordinate - THERESA◆
Lizard Skin 1: Demi-human Passive. Improve Defense and Attribute Attack Resistance.
Accel Dash: Grants the ability to move rapidly within an instant.
Enemy Detection Expansion 1: Extends the field of enemy detection on a slightly wider range.
Vigilance 1: Grants the ability to perceive surprise attacks from behind.
Silent Walk: Produces no sound when walking. Producing a sound is optional.
◆Skills Available◆
Pickpocketing 1: Chance to steal personal items without being noticed.
Escaping: Allows escape, even in a restrained state.
Finger Arts 1: Gain the ability to remove low-level locks and traps.
Remaining skill points: 1
So it's safe to assume that the total skill points at level 3 are 6 in total. For Theresa, 5 is currently allocated.
Rouge jobs don't really specialize in a certain field of expertise, but they are more of a thief based job. I wonder if they can have skills that allow them to master removing traps as well. At any rate, it looks like Finger Arts can be usable since her battle capabilities are not a bit lacking.
For "Escaping", it can counter binding attacks. I just hope that we won't often encounter monsters with tentacles.
"Pickpocketing" can be used on monsters. It's a different story though if you use it on people. Karma will likely increase. I think that "Finger Arts" should be okay. — no, there's no need to rush on things.
"Then let's go with enhancing your strong points if we can. Let's pick up some good skills once you level up. If in case that's its really necessary, then let us pick one among these three."
"Ah, Onii-san, welcome back. Do you know where everybody went?"
I accidentally closed the license when Misaki woke up. She casually approached me while removing the scrunchie that bounds her hair.
"Everyone went for a bath. How about you, Misaki? Will you be able to make it before they return?"
"Oh, it should be alright. Suzu-chan enjoys taking long baths. Onii-san, can you loan me some cash for a change of clothes?
"You don't have to return it. I know that you've been in a lot of trouble."
"Eh, aren't you making it sound like it's a parting gift? I'm already a member of onii-san's party, right?"
"Didn't you say that you would want to do things on your own?"
"Uuu… W-Well… I came to experience how comfortable it is to sleep on a suite's bed. Onii-san, until I could find my own goals, please let me stay with you!"
So, is that's it..? Well, you told me that you would like to join me once in an exploration after all.
"Misaki, why did you choose to be a "Gambler"?
"I thought that it would be fun if such a job existed. I always had excellent luck with items like fortune slips. My card game is also strong, you know? Onii-san, do you gamble?"
"I used to… with lottery tickets, that is. Did you hit for the jackpot? "
"Ehehe, someone in my family hit 100K yen. That's about it, I guess?"
So as it turns out, becoming a gambler meant she had the qualities. She might even strip me bare if I carelessly challenge her to a game based on luck.
Of all things, it is her luck that I find amusing. Say for example, when defeating a Named, it is possible that our drop rate may improve. — Unfortunately, she was not in the party when we defeated the Juggernaut, so she was not particularly involved with the black treasure box.
"I took "Increased Drop Rate" and "Child of Luck" for my skills. Onii-san~, someday, I'm pretty sure that I may be able to help you."
"I understand, I really do. We've reincarnated together, so from now on, I am counting on you too."
"Yay! I'll tell Suzu-chan and everyone that I've made a companion!"
I've always thought of her to be this bratty child, but she acts rather innocent.
"Theresa, will it also be fine if we go now?"
She didn't nod, but when I proceeded towards the bath, she followed me from behind. Well, I guess that she didn't also need to nod every time just to reply, it just means that if she goes with everyone, then it's already understood that she would also want to take a bath. -I'm just concerned of her armor because it won't come off.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
I'm the one holding the key, so I need to be the one to get out of the bath first. I went down the first floor at a quick pace and headed straight into the baths.
I took hurriedly off my clothes at the changing room. There are no restrictions on when to bathe, so it's expected that guests will enter whenever they feel like bathing. It's self-service though, so it's likely that even if you have off-boiled water, it may end up lukewarm by the time you end your bath.
I wonder, how would the royal suite's amenities compare to this? Are there also limitations to reheating water here in the 8th-district? — Can't it be managed somehow by some type of magical skill or craft? If that would be possible, then it should be easy enough for the manager to produce hot water for the baths.
I entered the bathroom and scooped out hot water from a tub using a bucket. It's no different from Japanese baths, that's why I find it easy to enter. It's somewhat inconvenient though since there are no faucets. The amount of hot water that a person can take is fixed at a certain amount and the tub is filled regularly after several people has consumed the water. It's best not to overuse it.
(Luckily for us though, we can always visit it every day. Igarashi-san most especially… If she continued to live in the stables, then it would surely be harsh for her.)
Suzuna herself was concerned about sweating so much which only shows that morale is affected without the basic necessities for living. To accommodate such, there should be a lot of lodgings that should be prepared for the seekers.
Since it has always been my practice to start washing from the head, I poured hot water and then started to whisk my hair with the shampoo-like thing that Igarashi-san has been so excited about. It was fruit scented and it bubbles easily. However, compared to what I have been using, this shampoo-like thing somehow had this squeaky feeling.
-At that moment, I felt something touch my shoulders. My body trembled.
"Uhm…. W-Who's is it?"
I didn't notice anyone coming in but I'm certain that there's a person behind me. I felt someone tap my shoulders once more so I tried looking back, even if foam has been building up on my eyes.
The first thing I saw were reptile scales. It's was lizard's leather armor and I was so familiar with what Theresa has been wearing.
The visible foot was covered with lizard leather. Looking up a little, there was this tight hip and a bare-naked navel. Finally, without looking up further, I understood the situation.
(T-Theresa… Why are you here…!?)
"T-Theresa, if there's one thing that I should say to you, this is the bath for men. Should you be entering here?"
As much as possible, I should remain calm while scolding her. She puts her hands on her chest and made it look that she was somehow reflecting.
"N-No, the armor won't come off so it's okay if you wear them. I mean, the women's bath is where everyone else is, so you have to go there…"
While it was a desperate attempt, Theresa just looks at me. I prayed that she would understand what I have said, but unfortunately, she didn't move, not even in the slightest.
She placed her hand towards the base of the throat, reaching for something similar to a metal-piece. In an instant, after pressing something, I heard a clicking sound.
And because she is a Lizardfolk, the leather armor that should have been impossible for others to remove, has now been "Stripped" from her body.
What unfolded in front of me was a sight way beyond understanding. Except for her mask, her body armor has been taken off.
The equipment on her shoulders, wrists, and ankles did not disengage though it seems as well as some lizard scales on some other places. It's probably the "Lizard Skin" that was listed on her skills column. Now that her equipment had gone, in front of me is a flawless white skin that peered through the gaps of what was once covered with armor.
"…T-Theresa… Is it okay for you to remove them? No… What am I saying?"
She stared in bewilderment while I panicked.
I ran towards the changing room, and for the time being, placed a "Reserved" plate so that others won't be able to come in. — I can only make time for 15 minutes and I hope that they wouldn't even notice.
I took a towel and when I came back to the bathroom. I pressed Theresa to wrap herself up. There is nothing more I can do with what has already been burned to my eyes. - She was elegant beyond imagination and I felt a heart-racing sensation. The sight of her leather armor coming off her body is still being played repeatedly inside my head.
(She's been wearing them for a long time and the rest of her equipment is still there…. No, now that think I about it…. I told Theresa to relax beforehand, but now, I'm the one being conscious…)
I came to regret it later the moment Theresa tapped my shoulder. She doesn't seem to be embarrassed to show herself naked and I couldn't figure out what encouraged her to do so. Or rather, she's got a great nerve in ignoring the trivial things.
All of a sudden, you become bold when I considered that you were being shy. And although I was told that demi-humans have no emotions, is there also such an aspect that makes them unpredictable as well?
Credibility rises, there is also that thing -anyway she came to the baths because she wanted to. This is within her good intentions.
"Did you come to wash my back? Is that the reason?"
She quickly nodded in agreement. I consider not to force her to, but I already gave her the opportunity to unfasten her armor. If only I could have instructed her not to, then she shouldn't have taken it off.
"…W-well… there should be no problems with that, but are you sure?"
When she nodded, she went behind me and started washing my hair. By the way, I was covered with bubbles -If she continues doing this, I won't be able to rinse myself.
After she lightly washed my back, I instructed her to wash too. I soaked in the bathtub with my back turned away from her, so that I couldn't see her.
(…I feel like a master ignoring her after all that she has done… N-No… to rinse Theresa's back would be too much for me.)
Contemplating on what to do with the mask, it seems that it will never come off after all. Not only that, it just doesn't come off even if I wanted to.
Before long, Theresa also finished washing her body. I turned around my head and gave a quick glance. Although there was no towel wrapped around, her body was not clearly visible to me.
"It's a bit hot. Are you sure you want to go in for a dip?"
She nodded while coming over, and I was obliged to close my eyes once more. It's inevitable to remove a towel once you take a bath.
Hearing the gushing of water, Theresa soaks in. Finally, I calmed down a little but I should avoid turning a glance towards her. — I have to say it after all.
"Theresa, I'm glad that you washed my back, but next time, you should be entering the women's bath."
"N-No, I would be in trouble unless you agree to it. I am a man too, so you should be more wary."
Still, she didn't nod. It's good that she is not being forced by the "slave crest", but I feel a strong determination coming from her that she will be entering next time.
"Theresa, I know that you're doing all of these with pure intentions. However, I just can't reserve the men's bath every time…"
After a while, I stepped out of the bath. No matter how you look at it, everyone might eventually grow suspicious of me. Theresa's determination will be the hardest to break through.
"Theresa?"
Her lizard mask turned red. I knew it. Even though it was not that long that she's been soaked in hot water, she was already flushed.
"Hey… lizards are… cold-blooded creatures, right?"
"Whoa… Hang in there… I'll cool you down immediately!"
While it is true that for a lizardfolk, some of their equipment cannot be taken off. And by nature, they may be lizards through-and-through. That is all I can say.
If she gets dizzy quite easily, a lukewarm bath should be well-suited for her. Rather than thinking about what to do hereafter, I have to quickly think of a way on how to relieve her because her whole body is flushed and probably, her consciousness is slowly slipping away.