Some Rest and Relaxation

As expected of a professional.

Finn's restraints on Owen were impeccable.

Her arms and legs had zero room to move, and a cloth gag prevented her from biting her tongue to end her own life.

She was unconscious for now, but even if she woke up, there was nothing she could do.

"Just because you're older doesn't mean you can underestimate me."

It had been a close fight, but Finn had pulled through magnificently.

On our end, Aogiri had suffered severe burns, but taking down the enemy without any deaths was a stroke of luck.

"That's enough… There won't even be a scar. You've got quite the skill, Sister. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like you to take a look at some of our girls who are bedridden."

Aogiri marveled at Elza's treatment.

Someone who could heal a severed limb had earned that reputation for a reason.

The burns that had charred Aogiri's arms from grabbing Nephilim were slowly but surely healing.

So with enough time, even severe burns could be treated.

Of course, that was only because Elza was a high-ranking priestess… Occasionally, clerics offered healing in the plaza, and now I understood why people flocked to them.

During those events, they accepted donations under the guise of "voluntary contributions." Adventurer clerics who did this on the side were sometimes called "heal hawkers."

"You've done me a favor. Elza, if it would serve as thanks, you don't mind, right?"

"Of course. Bringing healing miracles to those in need is an important duty. I only wish I could do so for everyone, but sadly that's not possible."

"That can't be helped. If they're right in front of you, that's one thing, but if you don't even know they're suffering, there's no way to treat them."

Alexia responded to Elza's somewhat dejected words.

Alexia was right.

Even if you had the strength to reach out and save someone, that only extended to those within arm's reach.

All that remained where Nephilim had stood was a khakkhara and the burnt remnants of a bible.

I wondered if they could serve as evidence, but the khakkhara was warped from the heat and the bible was too charred to identify.

The slightest touch caused it to crumble.

I brushed the soot from my hands.

Owen might wake up at any moment, despite the restraints.

And if they had backup waiting somewhere, someone might come to check on them.

We shouldn't linger.

I had Alexia destroy the underground passage entrance so it could never be used again.

Blowing up the small cave that served as a landmark would make infiltration from this side impossible.

I could tell Jacob about the entrance on the Kassad side.

Normally I should have asked for instructions first, but as a resident of Kassad, I made the call that something like this needed to be eliminated immediately.

A passage that the residents knew nothing about but enemies had full knowledge of. That was nothing but a liability.

"I would have done the same thing. Finding out there was a passage leading into our territory… it would give me an ulcer."

"Jacob's been going through stomach medicine at an alarming rate since coming to this city, I hear. Poor guy. Maybe I should send over some of Ramiza-san's specially compounded remedies."

"Isn't that like half your fault?"

"No way. If anything, I'm running around solving problems."

"If that's what you think, then I'm sure that's how it is."

Finn heaved a deep sigh.

There was something loaded in how she said that, but pressing further felt like it would backfire, so I let it slide.

Trouble shows up uninvited…

We'd come from outside the castle walls when we should have been inside, so there was a bit of a fuss at the gate, but the credentials from the princess came in handy.

Telling them to check with Jacob, the lord, if they had any doubts got us through.

"Um, Master. Isn't it the accumulation of things like this that causes stress?"

"Azu. I hear what you're saying, but otherwise it would take a whole day to get in. Gates can be quick to pass through, but once you get held up, the delays drag on forever. We have citizenship, so it's not like they'd refuse us entry, but…"

"Then I suppose it can't be helped."

Azu smiled a little awkwardly, as if she understood.

Getting held up here would affect the work Princess Tianis had entrusted to me.

That would cause problems for Jacob too, so we had to choose the lesser evil.

That was my reasoning, at least.

We explained that Owen was a criminal.

Apparently she was on a wanted list. Officials and guards came running in a panic, and we handed her over.

She wouldn't meet a pleasant fate, but if she'd offered up countless women as sacrifices to the Sun God, she was getting what she deserved.

"I really want a bath…"

"Same. That barrier made me sweat like crazy. I can't wait for our turn at home. Let's hit the public bathhouse."

"Understood. Treating you all is part of my job."

We headed to a public bathhouse in Kassad and I paid for everyone.

This place was known for its large baths.

With Finn here, there was no worry about Azu and the others being harassed despite being slaves.

The slave bracelets were normally hidden, but they'd be visible when naked. Aogiri would notice.

I'd told her beforehand, but she didn't seem to care.

"All kinds of girls work as prostitutes. I'm not going to look at someone differently just because they're a slave… That said, three women at once? You've got quite the appetite."

The way she looked at me seemed to change slightly, but I wanted to believe it was my imagination.

They'd be tired from the fight, so this was going to be a long soak.

I got in and out quickly to wash off the sweat, then arranged fresh clothes for everyone and asked the bathhouse attendant to pass them to Azu and the others.

Putting on sweaty underwear and clothes after a bath would ruin the whole point.

"You're almost too thoughtful, and I'm not sure what to make of it."

"I was happy though!"

"Merchants sure have it rough."

"Is this the kind of underwear you like?"

As expected, they took their time, and when they emerged, I received thanks along with some mixed reviews.