Kays Translations

Chapter 15: The Villainous Aristocrat Makes a Bath

Since Queen Freya arrived in the Draana territory, three days have already passed.

Since then, Freya has been wearing her Mohawk shoulder pads and frequently speeding around the Draana territory on the modified magic-powered motorcycle.

"Phew, this is truly amazing!! It feels like I've become the wind!!"

"T-That's great to hear."

"Yes, praise me to your heart's content!!"

I wonder how long she's planning to stay here.

The first time I met her, she had a dignified aura befitting a queen, and the glimpses of her mother face showed a person full of love, someone kind-hearted.

But now, I'm not so sure.

Wiping sweat while wearing Mohawk shoulder pads, she looks more like a comedian.

Who even said Mohawk shoulder pads were formal wear?

... Right, it was me. My bad.

"Dorana territory is nice, the air here is delicious... It's a shame there's no bath."

"Baths are expensive, and we can't really afford them at our place..."

"Hmm, can't you make one yourself?"

"Huh?"

"No, can't you create one on your own?"

"..."

That's right, exactly!!

Why didn't I realize it before!?

With water magic and fire magic, I could easily recreate a bath!!

I have to get to work on this right away!!

Baths are an essential part of the traditional Japanese soul.

I must make one. I won't skimp on the materials.

"Hey, Kunou? What's going on? Suddenly your aura has sharpened like that of a seasoned warrior..."

"Don't worry about it. I'll be in the workshop for a bit."

I bowed to Freya and retreated to my room.

First, I need to make a bathtub.

If I were to make it inside the mansion, a unit bath would be the obvious choice, but the Draana territory has such a splendid view.

I should make an open-air bath. ...No, scratch that.

Ah, darn it.

If it were an open-air bath, it would be perfect if it were not just hot water but an actual hot spring.

It would be great if there were one springing up somewhere.

An outdoor bath without a hot spring is also an option, but let's reserve that for when we find a hot spring.

"Well, there's no use worrying about what we don't have. Enchanting the tub with water and fire magic is a given... Adding purification magic to keep the water clean is also a good idea."

In my past life, I used to take a bath every day, but by the end of the day, various things would float on the surface.

Like oily sebum and hair. 

That bothered me, so I used to bathe first thing every morning. 

Might as well ensure everyone enjoys a good bath, so implementing purification magic is a good call.

"Alright, should I use magic ore for the bathtub?"

I learned from using magic ore in the fan that it can store a certain amount of magical power.

It's like a magic power version of a battery.

By adjusting the output using this, cleanliness should be maintained for a long time.

"Alright, it's complete."

After fine-tuning and completing the safety checks, the bathtub with a faucet is finished.

...Perhaps I should make bathtubs for a large number of people and open a public bathhouse someday.

There are many aspects of this world that I find lacking in terms of hygiene, and if everyone bathes every day, they should become healthier and live longer.

Yes, baths truly are wonderful!!

"Now then, let's move it to the garden right away!!"

I tried to lift the bathtub—

"Oh, it's heavy."

Unexpected. Unforeseen. Unanticipated.

I never imagined the bathtub would be so heavy that I couldn't move it from the workshop.

Hmm, maybe I should borrow a magic bag from Mother.

If I put it in a magic bag, the weight won't matter. Yes, that's what I'll do.

I was about to leave the workshop and head to Mother's room—

"Oh, are you done already?"

"Ah, Y-Your Majesty."

I ran into Freya unexpectedly.

"Stop. I'm just Freya here. Technically, there's no need for formalities like 'Your Highness.' That's what I'd like to say, but everyone is considerate of me, so I refrain from saying such things."

"I-Is that so?"

"With that said, why are you so flustered?"

I explained the situation to Freya and told her that I needed to borrow a magic bag from Mother in a hurry.

"Then let me carry it for you."

"Huh? It's quite heavy, you know?"

"Hehehe, don't underestimate royalty. The royal family's history is long. It's not an exaggeration to say that we've covered almost all the blood relatives who can use lineage magic within the country."

Saying so, Freya entered the workshop and effortlessly lifted the bathtub.

Amazing!!

"It's called Superhuman Magic. It elevates physical abilities tens of times more than regular body enhancement magic with much less magical power. So, where should I take this?"

"I-It's this way."

I guided Freya to the garden and had her place the bathtub there. 

All that remained was to surround the bathtub with some appropriate mud walls, and the bath would be complete.

"Hmm. It's a bit cramped, but not bad. I'll get in right away!!"

"Huh?"

"Hm?"

Ah, I see. Well, it was Freya's request, and it does make sense for Freya to go first, right?

Damn it!! I wanted to be the first one to use the bath I made!!

"So, then, I'll just—"

"Wait. Now that I think about it, it's something you made. It makes sense for you to be the first one to use it. However, I want to get in too."

"Uh, um? Then please go ahead."

"Therefore, why don't we get in together?"

"...Huh!?"

What is this woman talking about!?

"Hehehe. Fear not, I have no interest in young boys."

"Ack, it's the opposite!! I'm only worried!!"

"Hm? Are you into older women, then?"

"N-No, no way!!"

I don't have a thing for older women.

I like older sisters, specifically. 

And while Freya has two daughters, she possesses a youthful charm and beauty that easily qualifies her as an older sister.

In other words, it's quite complicated.

I vehemently decline the idea of bathing with Freya. However, I do so politely, adding words of praise to avoid being rude.

"T-That is, Your Majesty, you are truly beautiful and full of youth and feminine charm!! But it's not appropriate for a man and a woman to bathe together!! For various reasons!"

There you go, a brilliant tactic: praising the person while pointing out the ethical issue to decline the offer!

I can say no like a true Japanese person!!

"...I-I see. Well, I suppose there's no helping it."

Yes!! I did a victory pose.

"S-So, you see me as a woman. Hmph..."

So, I ended up letting Freya have the first bath, and I was about to head back to the workshop.

Suddenly, I encountered my father.

"Hey, Kunou. What's wrong? You look tired."

"Well, you see, something unexpected happened—"

I told my father about the recent events.

Upon hearing it, my father laughed with a troubled expression.

"Ah, well, Her Majesty the Queen is like that sometimes. She even wields a sword alongside men on the battlefield."

"She's quite brave."

"Oh, right. I was clearing the forest and leveling the ground with the magical two-wheeled vehicle I borrowed from you. There was this strange-smelling hot water gushing out. Do you know anything about it?"

"...Huh?"

T-That means... 

"It was scalding hot, so I thought it was dangerous and was considering filling it in—"

"No!! Absolutely do not fill it in!!"

"Whoa!? You scared me!"

I can't believe it, I can't believe a hot spring source is gushing in the Drana Territory!!

I thought it was just a rural territory with nothing, but it's amazing, Drana Territory!!

I immediately emphasized its usefulness to Mother and decided to mobilize all the residents to create a large hot spring bathhouse.

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