「Final touches, men! Put your backs into it!」
「「「「Ohhh! 」」」」
With the deep voices of the men echoing behind me, I allowed myself a satisfied smile.
Just as the foreman instructed, I carefully went over every rough spot, and sure enough, the end result was something I could be proud of.
「Oh, that’s not bad at all」
「Thanks, Foreman」
The foreman, for his part, had gone and built a roofed rest area.
It even had beds made of soft wood so people could lie down immediately if they felt faint from the heat.
This was meant for that purpose… right?
「All that’s left is the walls and partitions」
「Yeah. Those are ready too. Once we tear down what’s there and put them up, it’ll be done…」
「Right… You’re not doing anything with the mansion?」
「That’s fine as it is. The finishing work comes first」
「I see…」
The two of us looked up at the mansion, then at the almost-completed hot spring.
I wondered… will everyone be happy with it?
Brrrr…
Oh, my guild card lit up and vibrated.
Looks like someone’s contacting me.
「Ah, sorry」
「No problem. Once you’re done, call me so we can finish up」
「Got it. Thanks」
After seeing the foreman off, I pulled out my guild card. The glowing name was… Iris?
「Hello?」
『Don’t you “hello” me! Where are you?!』
「…Too loud…」
My ears were ringing now.
『Honestly! I came all the way to Einzheil to… uhm… ‘inspect’, and you weren’t even there!』
「Ah… I’m in Yutopola right now」
『The hot spring town?! I’m coming too!』
『You can’t, Princess! We came to Einzheil for work, remember?!』
That was Ayame-san’s voice.
She still sounded as busy as ever.
『Ugh… I’m bored… Oh! I know. I’ll stay at your house while I’m here』
「That’s fine, but… I’ve left it in the care of Darwin’s son, Dama, so make sure you check with him」
『I already have, so don’t worry. I’ll be there to welcome you when you come home』
Wait, That’s ‘my’ house, right?
Am I supposed to say “I’m home” or “Welcome” in that situation?
『Oh, and I got the accessory from Reinrich. It’s very well made』
「I see. Glad it met your expectations」
『I sent the payment through the Alchemist Guild, so you can collect it there』
「Understood」
If it’s Reinrich, there’s no need to worry about any skimming.
That person could probably earn money in an instant anyway.
『Ah, and…』
「Ice cream, right? I know」
『Indeed! I’m counting on you!』
Yeah, when it comes to Iris, ice cream is already the image I have of her.
I figured that’s what she was going to say.
「Alright then. I’m still busy, so I’ll hang up」
『Very well. Come back as soon as you can. Make sure to return while I’m still staying there. Ah, I’m so bored. I suppose I’ll play with the Origol』
No, you came there for work, so do your work.
Since our business was finished, I ended the call with Iris and was about to get back to work when….
Brrrrrrrr
Ah, yes yes.
Who’s next now? …Hayato?
「Hey. What’s up?」
『Ah, it’s been a while, Itsuki-san!』
「No, not really」
We just had grilled rice balls together not long ago.
The second time, I even got push-type soy sauce, so maybe I should make them again.
Ah… but I also want sashimi…
Wait, how is raw fish in this world anyway?
『R-right, that’s true…』
「……」
…Hey. What’s with that reaction?
You’ve been acting more and more disappointing when you’re around me lately.
Where did that dignified, refreshing, “THE protagonist” vibe of yours go?
「So, what did you want to talk about?」
For Hayato’s dignity, I quickly changed the subject and moved to the main point.
『Ah, well, it’s nothing serious, but in a little while, we’ll be heading into a dungeon, so I wanted to let you know we might be out of contact』
「Oh… is that so? A dungeon, huh…」
『Yes. There’s a rumor that one of the Demon Kings is in its deepest part…』
「A Demon King…」
Come to think of it, Hayato is a hero who has taken down Demon Kings before.
For the sake of my peaceful life, I hope he works hard, just not to the point of dying.
『We’ll also gather the Moonlight Grass you asked for, Itsuki-san!』
「Ah, I see. Thanks, I’m counting on you」
Moonlight Grass is essential for elixirs.
At the very least, I’d like to secure enough for everyone.
「I see… be careful out there. But still, the timing’s a bit unfortunate」
『Timing?』
「Yeah, I’m in Yutopola right now building an open-air bath. I was planning to invite you all once it was finished」
Since I planned to invite Hayato and Yasis too, I was adding partitions.
I mean, it’d be a bit much to have mixed bathing while others are around…
『Wow, a hot spring!? And handmade too… that’s amazing!』
「Well, “handmade” is a stretch. I just bought something that was already there and made improvements」
『Still, that’s wonderful! I wish I could have gone in…』
「If you want, I can come pick you up. Though it’s not finished yet… it’s in the final stages」
『Oh! Since it’ll take us a few days to travel, then yes, please!』
「If you want, we could even step aside and let you use it as a mixed bath. I don’t mind if it’s you, Hayato」
『Eh!? Ah… well, maybe… I might take you up on that offer』
Yep, still a healthy young man.
Makes me happy as the older, well, older brother figure.
But at the same time, I feel this awful sense of guilt, like I’ve sullied such a pure-hearted kid.
If I’ve been a bad influence… sorry, okay?
「Alright, alright. But only when it’s finished」
『Right. I’m looking forward to it! Ah, Mii!』
『Oniisaaaan! I’m excited for the bath nano desu!』
「Oh, Mii. Doing well?」
『I’m doing great nano desu! Next is Letty’s turn!』
「Alright, alright」
Still as carefree and full of energy as ever.
『You… making some weird thing again?』
「I’m a hot spring lover, what can I say! When it’s done, I’ll invite you too, so give Hayato a good scrub on the back」
『Wh…! As if I’d do that!』
「You sure? He’d be thrilled」
『…I’ll keep it in the back of my mind』
Letty’s still a total tsundere.
Yep, Hayato’s group is as close as ever.
『Um, good work today』
「Oh, Chris」
『Yes! Um… I have a favor to ask. We’re running low on whipped cream…』
「Ah, sure. I’ll have some ready for next time we meet」
『Thank you! Everyone’s been saying it’s delicious, so I’ll treat you too next time, oniisan!』
Chris’s sweets, huh? That’s something to look forward to.
『…Is Wendy-sama doing well?』
「Hmm, of course」
「Master! I’ve made some tea, so would you like to take a break?」
『…She sounds lively. I’m relieved』
「Yeah. Full of smiles and brimming with energy, so don’t worry」
Emily was never the talkative type.
She got unusually chatty during the elixir incident, though.
『Sorry about everyone…』
「It’s fine, it’s fine. More importantly, when are you leaving?」
『Probably tomorrow or the day after. It’s not an urgent journey, but sooner is better. Ah, and when you come to the royal capital, I’ve already told Freed you can use my mansion however you like』
「Oh, that’s a big help. Speaking of which, isn’t the next auction coming up soon?」
『It is. And, well…』
「Hey, idiot! I said don’t push!」
「Wait, aren’t we falling over? We’re totally falling, right!?」
「Ara ara, Ma-kun? Make sure you catch us properly」
‘Bataaaan!’
Just as Hayato was speaking, three voices interrupted, followed by the sound of old wooden boards, used as a makeshift wall, toppling over.
When I looked that way, I saw two girls sprawled on the ground.
From beneath them, a man wriggled out, and when our eyes met,
「Found you, damn harem bastard! I’ll never forgive anyone with a slave harem… Fight me!」
Black hair. Black eyes.
And he just called me a “harem bastard”.
Yeah… this guy’s almost certainly one of those ‘drifters’.
Which means he must have gotten a cheat ability from the Goddess too…
And this guy wants to fight ‘me’?
Me, whose cheat skill from the Goddess is ‘Pocket Money’?
Well, whatever. More pressing matters first.
「…For starters, you don’t look cool at all like that」
Trying to act all hot-blooded while lying on the floor… come on.
Let’s at least get you standing before we have a nice calm ‘discussion’.
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