Kays Translations

Chapter 420: Bathing Together

While Nero and I harvested frantically, Fabienne and Caro took pity on us and joined in. Caro seemed delighted by her first experience gathering medicinal herbs, although this was certainly not a normal harvest.

I picked the overgrown leaves from the tops of the medicinal herbs one by one. Wild plants did not behave this way; normally, uprooting a herb ended its growth. I would have to teach the proper method later.

After the medicinal herbs came the detox grass. I harvested only a modest amount of mana grass because I wanted to preserve and propagate the seedlings, yet we still gathered a considerable quantity. The baskets looked as though they had been stuffed carelessly with weeds.

“This should be enough for a while.”

“Yes. Once we return, we’ll need to start making magic potions right away.”

Fabienne looked delighted; she genuinely enjoyed making potions, which reassured me that I was not forcing her into the work. Caro also examined the harvested herbs with interest.

“Julius, if we used that plant nutrient on a flower bed, wouldn’t it produce an enormous number of flowers?”

“Want to try? Though I think it would be a disaster.”

“On second thought, I’ll pass.”

My smile made Caro stiffen before she wisely withdrew the suggestion. Turning the garden into a jungle overnight would not be amusing.

I divided and replanted additional mana grass seedlings. That should suffice for now. The rest would depend on Lord Leon’s skill when he returned to House Mulan; if necessary, the garden could be expanded.

Back at the mansion, my first task would be making preservation containers. We could not use all these ingredients in one day. In hindsight, I should have requested magic ink and magic stones beforehand.

As soon as I reached the compounding room, I ordered the necessary supplies and began making potions while we waited. Caro wanted to explore the garden further, so I left Mira with her. Both seemed delighted; perhaps Mira simply found Caro especially comforting.

After producing a reasonable stock of potions, I returned to the swimsuits while Fabienne finished the remaining pieces. At this pace, everything would be ready by midday, leaving time for fittings.

Everyone gathered for lunch. Those who had trained all morning with the knight order looked exhausted and uncomfortable, unable to wash away their sweat without a shower magic tool. I needed to build one quickly.

“Julius dear, the magic-tool workshop has replied. They said you may visit whenever you wish.”

“Thank you, Marchioness Mulan. Then, I’ll head there tomorrow morning.”

“Waiting until tomorrow, huh? I’m starting to miss that shower magic tool.”

Axel’s remark drew laughter. I then announced that the swimsuits were finished, and he immediately took the bait.

“If we have swimsuits, we can go for a dip!”

“I can use magic to provide water at just the right temperature.”

“In that case, I’d like to take a bath too!”

Ijidol evidently missed the shower as well; he had grown accustomed to using one at home. I was glad they appreciated the magic tool’s value.

Caro clapped her hands and leaned forwards.

“Then, how about we all change into swimsuits and take a dip? There’s a perfect spot in the garden.”

“What kind of place is it?”

“It’s a nice, grassy area—just soft, green lawn. Right, Mira?”

“Kyuu!”

Mira raised a paw. They and Caro had apparently played there earlier, judging by the dirt in Mira’s fur. A spacious lawn with good drainage would be ideal; we could hardly flood the training ground.

“That’s a great idea. May I observe as well?”

The Marchioness looked to me for an answer. No one objected, so there was no problem, but somehow I was being treated as the organiser. Caro, as the daughter of the house, ought to have taken the lead, although her reserved nature perhaps made that difficult.

“Of course. Sprinkling water around should make it feel a little cooler.”

“It has been getting hot lately. If the swimsuits turn out to be good, maybe I should have one made for myself too?”

My gaze involuntarily dropped to the Marchioness’s chest. She was rather modestly endowed, so Caro and Lady Hilda must have taken after her. Unsure what to say, I merely smiled vaguely.

We changed into swimsuits and followed Mira to the lawn. I had not realised House Mulan possessed such a place, but its soft grass and good drainage made it perfect for an outdoor bath. While I applied sunscreen to Fabienne, Caro arrived with Axel and the others.

“How does the swimsuit feel?”

“It’s a new sensation. I didn’t know swimsuits were so stretchy.”

“It fits perfectly.”

“It’s a little embarrassing…”

Caro’s swimsuit was the same school-swimsuit style as Fabienne’s, yet she still looked embarrassed—understandably, since her thighs were exposed. A suit covering the entire body, however, would be impractical.

“Caro, I’ll apply sunscreen for you.”

“Sunscreen?”

“If you put this on, you won’t get sunburned.”

“Wow, there’s something that convenient?”

“Julius-sama taught me how to make it.”

While Fabienne proudly applied sunscreen to Caro, I cast a spell that showered Axel and Ijidol with comfortably warm water.

“Whoa! This is it!”

“This feels amazing! Just wiping down in this heat isn’t enough.”

“Come on, Nero, join in.”

“If you insist.”

I pulled the hesitant Nero into the water and joined him. Fabienne and Caro followed after the sunscreen had been applied.

“This is incredible! I’ve never experienced anything like this!”

“Kyuu!”

“Julius, your magic skills are really impressive.”

Caro and Mira leapt about joyfully. Nobles did not normally bathe in their gardens, so the experience must have felt wonderfully novel. Fabienne also seemed to enjoy herself.

“Oh my, you all look like you’re having so much fun.”

The Marchioness had arrived, accompanied by Marquis Mulan. Perhaps the commotion—or simply the heat—had drawn them outside.

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