A Bath Cleanses the Soul

Security at the ducal residence had tightened dramatically compared to when we'd arrived.

Having accomplished our objective, we left the estate behind. That was good enough.

I never wanted to see those red-hooded fanatics again.

"Why do people throw themselves that deeply into religion? I simply don't understand it."

"It's a bit rich coming from me, but many people crave answers. Religion provides those answers. Most people find peace through it and go on living their daily lives."

"But willingly offering up your own life is taking it too far."

I overheard Elza and Alexia talking.

Religion, huh. Right now, there was nothing I worshipped more than money.

The prolonged tension had left me utterly drained.

Azu and the others, who'd actually been in harm's way, had to be even more exhausted.

I wanted nothing more than to soak in a tub of steaming hot water.

I'd initially considered some sightseeing, but I was in no mood for it now.

After walking for a while, we found a carriage stop and waited. The moment one arrived, we climbed aboard.

"Phew."

I could finally sit down and rest.

Azu was seated across from me, nodding off.

Before long, she'd leaned against Elza's shoulder and fallen asleep.

"Oh my. She must be tired."

Elza said with a smile.

The Apostle's power burned through energy at a terrible rate, and heavy use always left Azu like this.

Elza had assured me there was nothing physically wrong with her, but I couldn't help worrying a little.

We reached the city center. I paid the carriage fare and we disembarked.

Azu had woken up, more or less, but she was still a bit wobbly.

I stopped by the bank to deposit the gold coins I'd received from selling the Anti-Magic Orb.

In exchange, I was given a tally stick, which I stowed away with extra care.

The streets were as flashy as ever.

Alsarm was a dazzling place, but right now its sparkle just grated on me.

We could head straight to the inn we'd booked, but if I recalled correctly, it didn't have a bath.

Just as I was mulling over what to do, a bathhouse sign caught my eye.

Following its directions, I found a smallish bathhouse tucked away off the main street, in a quieter spot with few passersby.

"Let's go in."

When I suggested it, the girls all nodded.

It was hard to find anyone who didn't like a good bath.

I paid the admission in silver coins, and we were handed a set of towels and bathing supplies.

We headed inside, and at the corridor where the men's and women's baths split off, the half-asleep Azu started to undress.

I hastily stopped her hands.

Thank heavens there was no one else around.

I entrusted Azu to Alexia and Elza, then headed for the men's bath.

In the changing room, I stripped down.

When I removed my monocle for a look, I noticed it was getting noticeably dirty. I'd need to polish it when we got back.

The men's bath was a little smaller than I'd expected.

There was only one other person inside.

No point complaining about luxury.

Right now, a hot soak was more than enough.

I washed up and eased myself into the tub.

Hot. Scalding hot, but before long, my body adjusted.

Gradually, I could feel the tension unwinding.

Small as it was, there was still room to stretch my legs out.

The heat improved my circulation, and my thoughts grew clearer.

As I sat there relaxing, the other man stood up. It looked like he was heading out.

He glanced my way.

"You a merchant?"

"I am. How'd you know?"

"Your hands give it away."

I looked at my own hands.

From all the ledger-writing, I'd developed a slight callus where the pen rested. Otherwise, they looked ordinary enough.

"Not a laborer's hands, but they've seen plenty of work."

"Hm."

I was aware I worked reasonably hard, but I couldn't recall anyone ever putting it quite like that.

The man seemed to have just been making idle conversation. He left without another word.

I savored the hot water a little longer before getting out.

The entrance doubled as a waiting area, and they even sold drinks chilled with ice water.

Pouring one of those down your throat after a hot bath, while your body was still flushed. How good would that feel?

Clever business, I thought.

The synergy of a bath and a cold drink.

Was there something at my own shop I could pair together like that?

Worth thinking about.

I bought a bottled drink, downed it in one gulp, and returned the empty bottle.

I'd thought I'd spent a decent amount of time in the bath, but Azu and the others still hadn't come out.

Come to think of it, Alexia liked long soaks.

I bought a second bottle and was taking my time with it when Azu finally emerged.

Behind her came Alexia and Elza.

The bath seemed to have woken Azu up a bit.

She was practically radiating steam, so she must have been warmed through to the bone.

"Here."

"Oh! This is…"

She was surprised by how cold the drink was when I handed it over.

I urged her to go ahead and drink, and she popped the cap and took a sip.

"It's delicious!"

Her eyes lit up as she said it after the first gulp.

She tilted her head back and drained the rest in one go.

"Ahhh, that hit the spot. Thank you."

Azu returned the bottle and thanked me.

I already knew the other two would want some, so I handed them drinks as well.

"My, how thoughtful of you."

"Thank youuu."

"Well, this much I can manage."

I finally felt like I'd been able to reset my mood.

If you couldn't shake the tension, the stress would pile up and catch up with you later.

Still, I hadn't expected to find a place this relaxing in Alsarm.

Bathhouses served a role in public hygiene, so it would have been stranger if there weren't any.

Maybe I'd just been a bit overwhelmed by the city's atmosphere.

Stepping outside the bathhouse, a cool breeze hit my flushed skin.

We hurried back to the inn before the chill could set in.

We ate dinner at the inn. I didn't want to do anything else today.

Azu had been awake for a while, but by the time dinner was over, her eyelids were growing heavy again.

"Almost there. Hang in there."

I supported her by the shoulder and headed for the room.

Once inside, I sat her on the bed. She immediately toppled over, fast asleep.

Good grief, I thought, only to notice Azu's right hand clamped around my sleeve.

No matter how I tugged, it wouldn't budge.

She had an iron grip on it, apparently.

There was no way I was prying it loose.

"Why don't you just sleep next to her?"

Alexia said, stifling a yawn as she watched the spectacle, then lay down herself.

Elza sidled over with an unmistakable look.

"Should I sleep with you two so we can line up like sardines?"

"We'd fall off the bed."

"What a shame."

In the end, I wound up sleeping next to Azu.