• Chapter 7 : We each spent some time in the baths.

The city of Clay Shut.

The public bathhouse there was very popular among foreign tourists, and traveling merchants and adventurers who had heard the rumors about it often went there for relaxation.

Many people did business in that city, and during peak seasons, it was so crowded with people at night that it practically turned into a revelry.

It was late in the evening when Seto and Satis finally arrived.

They quickly found lodgings and went to use the facilities.

[Well, enjoy yourself. But make sure not to stay in the water for too long, okay?] (Satis)

[Don’t worry. Back at the barracks, us boy soldiers were instructed to leave the baths after 10 seconds.] (Seto)

[Um, please soak in there longer than that. And clean yourself up, okay?] (Satis)

[Got it.] (Seto)

They both separately went to the men’s bath and women’s bath, and soaked in the bathtubs to wash their fatigue away.

[Aaahhh… I live again.] (Satis)

In the women’s bath, Satis dipped her entire naked body in the bathtub, and stretched in the hot water as it permeated to her core.

All the stress she had accumulated had been lifted off, and her face now looked as full of life as it used to.

[I’m sure that if I hadn’t met him… I would’ve never been able to come here.] (Satis)

Her skin was more even and firmer than humans’, and she truly had the proportions of a goddess.

She was the lone female of the Demon King’s army, and her beauty also put her in a class of her own.

Her whole body was covered in hot water as if it was caressing her, and she was relaxed down to her fingertips.

…How strange. I used to play an active role in the Demon King’s army and hold the humans in such contempt, yet here I am, relaxing in a bathhouse. (Satis)

Originally, Satis had planned to monopolize this bathhouse after conquering the city.

However, she had fallen so low that she did not need to do that anymore.

But strangely enough, she was not sad.

Because she ran into Seto.

If she had not met him, she would have surely been captured by those monsters, and executed.

[…I have to show him my gratitude.] (Satis)

She spotted the first star in the sky through the window near the ceiling of the bathroom, and suddenly smiled tenderly.

The tranquil water was at the right temperature, allowing her to relax even more.

Speaking of which, I wonder if he’s staying in the water like I told him to. …To be fair, this is a large place, so maybe he’s itching to swim in the bath and can barely hold himself back… Just kidding! He can’t be that childish. (Satis)

Meanwhile, in the men’s bath, Seto’s major struggle persisted.

…I wanna swim! (Seto)

The bathtub was very spacious, and although there were many guests, there was still plenty of extra room.

However, swimming was obviously prohibited here.

The water is perfect, there’s no time limit, and I’m really in the mood for it. …With all these conditions combined, would I deprive myself of such an opportunity? (Seto)

He had been travelling on foot after all his battles.

Even so, he had all the vitality he needed to move around as much as he liked.

[Nah, no way I’m holding back. …I’ll be a fish!] (Seto)

Right after that, he was stopped by a bearded man who was next to him.

[Boy, swimming is forbidden here, ya know?] (Bearded man)

[Kh…!] (Seto)

The man once again called out to Seto, who had decided to soak in the bathtub quietly.

[Never seen your face around here before. …You a traveler?] (Bearded man)

[You could say.] (Seto)

[And a good fighter at that. Right?] (Bearded man)

[…Only for small fights.] (Seto)

[Hahaha! Don’t be so modest. …I can tell. You’ve got the eyes of a guy who’s been to hell and back. You’re an ex-boy soldier, aintcha?] (Bearded man)

The man snickered with satisfaction, and wiped his face with a cloth.

The boy gasped at the discerning eye of this man, who deduced at first glance that he was a boy soldier.

[Bathhouses are great, right? One dip in here blows off all your fatigue in one go. …Once you’ve enjoyed your fair share of battles for a long time, both the summer heat and the heat of the battlefield don’t make much difference. But baths are a different story.] (Bearded man)

[Are you a mercenary? You don’t seem like a formal soldier.] (Seto)

[That’s right. Well, part of me wishes to settle down as a guard or something someday, and live a peaceful life, though.] (Bearded man)

The man smiled sarcastically.

He had a dream. To lead a stable life one day.

[I’ve got a dream too. To travel to all sorts of places, and obtain my own house someday.] (Seto)

[That’s a nice dream. …You plan to do all that together with that beautiful sexy lady who was with you?] (Bearded man)

[…!] (Seto)

[Easy, easy. I’m not gonna steal her from you or anything. It’s just a mercenary’s intuition. I don’t think it’s a good idea to get involved in that kinda mess. So I won’t pry any further. Also, if you wanna confront me, do it only on the battlefield. I wouldn’t be able to relax if I made enemies in my private life too.] (Bearded man)

It appeared that this man only happened to see Seto and Satis.

He showed no sign of hostility, killing intent, or any indication that he was lying.

And most of all, his dignity as a mercenary was overflowing from his manly body.

Seto felt that, his personality aside, he was a man with a strong will.

[Welp… I’m gonna go now. What about you, boy? You’re gonna get dizzy if you stay in there too long.] (Bearded man)

[Yeah, I’ll leave too.] (Seto)

[Frankly, I’d love to share a drink with you and toast to our chance meeting, but you’re still a kid and all. Besides, I bet you’d rather spend your time with that missy than with a dirty old timer like me.] (Bearded man)

The man hummed as he walked up the stairs.

Seto felt something when he saw the man’s back, and suddenly wondered what his name was.

[Say, what’s your name?] (Seto)

[Hm? My name? Well… Just call me “Holmes”. …Ah, and no need to tell me yours. We probably won’t meet again, after all.] (Bearded man/Holmes)

[Eh? But…] (Seto)

[If we ever run into each other again, you can tell me your name.] (Holmes)

With those last words, he walked away.

Seto stepped out of the bathtub a few moments later.

When he got dressed in the changing room and went outside, Satis, who had left the bath, waved to him.

[That was quite a long bath you took. …Yup, you’re all clean now.] (Satis)

[And you look full of energy, Satis.] (Seto)

[Thanks to you. …Now, shall we head to the inn? I heard the food there was delightful!] (Satis)

[Really!?] (Seto)

Seto’s eyes sparkled at the mention of food, and Satis smiled with satisfaction at that.

It was completely dark outside, and the stars welcomed them with a pleasant breeze.

[By the way, you didn’t think about swimming in the bath, did you?] (Satis)

[Wha—…!?] (Seto)

[Ah. So you did, huh…] (Satis)

She gave him a funny smile.

Seto’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

The two of them walked side by side toward the inn.