Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 26: Holy Weapon
When Jeanne and the soldiers entered the armory, they found Hirune asleep in the corner of the room.
She was using a Hinoki stick as a pillow.
The two soldiers were impressed that she really could fall asleep so quickly.
"Hirune-sama, please wake up."
Jeanne gently shook her shoulder.
When she did, Hirune woke up, mumbling, "Mmmm.”
“I have a pain in my neck.”
“It's because you were sleeping on a cypress stick. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine -- holy magic, self-healing."
The light flashed and stardust fluttered, and Hirune's neck felt lighter.
“I'm fine now.”
“I'm glad. Now, the carriage is coming back. Let's go."
Taking Jeanne's hand and rubbing her eyes, Hirune stood up.
After greeting the soldiers, they left the armory and returned to the main church by carriage.
(Carriage rocking...... makes me sleepy......)
Resting her head on Jeanne's shoulder, Hirune fell asleep again.
(),
A week later, a demon strike team was formed using the weapons that Hirune had purified and blessed.
Since the miasma was flowing toward the royal capital from the south, the kingdom decided to mobilize.
As the first group, ten troops of about a hundred people were formed, and each of them went on an expedition to a designated location.
In one of the ten troops, there was an incident.
“Who brought such a useless weapon?”
A soldier in charge of weapons management lifted a cypress stick.
The stick was seventy centimeters long and shaped like a baton. It was actually a weapon that was owned by the royal capital's guards and had been left behind in the armory when the weapons were replaced.
"This is very difficult to use.”
The man waved the stick like a boom.
A mysterious force prevented him from swinging it properly.
It's was as if he was waving it in water.
“What's wrong with this thing?”
He shook it again, but it felt awfully heavy.
“I can't even beat my wife with this thing.”
The soldier in charge of weapons management said, and the soldiers around him laughed.
Morale was high, everyone was in high spirits for the upcoming battle with the demons.
"Hey, Ponte!"
"Yes, sir!"
A young soldier who had been called out suddenly rushed over.
The small young man had to reposition his large helmet several times because it kept shifting.
“Ponte. You're not very good with a sword or a spear, are you?”
"Yes. I'm ashamed to say I'm not very good with them.”
“You're too kind. ...... Everyone here knows that you work harder than anyone else. ......”
The man in charge of weapons management had his eye on Ponte.
Ponte volunteered as a soldier when the village he lived was attacked by a demon. He wanted to defeat the demons with his own hands so that no more people would be killed. He had such noble intentions.
However, he was too kind-hearted.
During training, he couldn't hit his opponents, and in mock battles, he would always lightly hit his opponents, only to be struck back.
Even in training, he was not capable of hitting his comrades.
He was also a big softie. If someone was in trouble, he would reach out to them, and was willing to sacrifice himself. He had been hurt by it several times, but he refused to stop.
That's why the weapon management guy liked Ponte.
He was simply a good guy.
“If you die, everyone will be sad. Can you slay a demon?"
The man pointed to the sword Ponte was wearing.
Ponte hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“I think I can, sir.”
"Well, you're not very sharp, are you?"
The man slapped his thighs and held out the Hinoki stick to Ponte.
“If the sword doesn't work, hit him with this one, and if you need to, you can throw it.”
He would usually never let a soldier carry an extra weapon. This was special.
"Yes, sir. Thank you very much."
Ponte bowed dutifully and touched the Hinoki stick.
That's when it happened.
A dazzling light rose from the Hinoki stick.
Stardust bounced like dancing stars and clung to the Hinoki stick.
"......, what is it?"
“This ......."
Ponte fixed his helmet, which had slipped down, and looked at the Hinoki stick with his mouth open.
Stardust is dancing around the stick. It looks like the holy magic of a saint.
"This didn't happen when I had it, ....... Let me have it."
The man in charge of weaponry took the Hinoki stick from Ponte, and the stardust instantly disappeared.
He tried it with all the soldiers around him, but the stardust only appeared when Ponte held it.
After that, the Hinoki stick became Ponte's personal weapon.
The performance of the stick was astonishing: a light tap of the stick would cause a demon to disappear. One flash of the stick and the demon would burst away. It was a holy weapon specialized for fighting demons.
It was also a perfect match for Ponte's fighting style.
Just as his name implied, a simple tap would annihilate the demon. He was able to fight without worry.
The first group of demon slayers had succeeded in their mission.
Thanks to the weapons purified by Hirune, each of the troops achieved great results, but of the ten troops, Ponte's troop was the most successful.
The kind-hearted young soldier became an ace in the fight against demons with his Hinoki stick.
“I'm sure the goddess gave me a Hinoki stick for my lack of courage. ......”
Ponte stroked the Hinoki stick around his waist with great care.
In time, the Hinoki stick became famous as a weapon that could only be used by kind-hearted and honest people, and was named Hinokibolg, after the Hinoki stick and the legendary spear Gaebolg. It is said that ten noblemen and the leaders of the Mephistopheles Church gathered for the naming, but I won't say anything about that.......
Certainly, they'll find out soon enough that a certain saint used it as a pillow, but it's still a long way off.
.()
"Hirune-sama."
“What is it?"
Jeanne looked at Hirune, who was in paradise mode lying in the chair that ruined people.
“I heard that the soldiers with the weapons that Hirune-sama purified were very successful. Thanks to the holy magic that Hirune-sama granted them, we’ve received letters of appreciation from everyone."
"Well, that's good to hear. I'm very happy I could help them.”
(I'm glad I did my job diligently. ........ Next time I'll do both, purify and grant.)
When Hirune smiled, Jeanne also smiled.
“The main church also has its eyes on you, you know? Since that’s the case, the day when you become a great saint is near.”
Jeanne made a big smile.
(It's already been four months since I became a saint. ....... I can't wait to become a Great Saint.)
Repositioning her head with a crunching sound, Hirune looked up at the ceiling.
(But if I become a Great Saint, there's a good chance I'll be sent to the southern region. Only in the south, there are no Great Saints. ....... Well, if that happens, I'll just have to deal with it. It’s probably better to be free in the middle of nowhere. It'll be great to have a church ...... dedicated to the Great Saint with fluffy bedding and fallen angels of immorality everywhere .......)
Hirune’s face beamed as she dreamed of herself as a great saint.
"...... Haaah. ...... It's peaceful again today. ...... I'm getting sleepy, Jeanne... ..."
As she was thinking about this and that, a drowsiness came over her, and Hirune faded into unconsciousness.
“It's peaceful, isn't it? It's thanks to the hard work of Hirune-sama…..”
Jeanne murmured happily and gently pulled the quilt over Hirune.
Chapter 27: During the Break
Six months have passed since Hirune became a saint.
Jeanne is in a good mood these days.
“It seems that the subjugation of the demons in the south is going well. The flow of people is also returning to the area, as I heard a very skilled saint was assigned there!”
Jeanne, who was born in the south’s, steeple-colored eyes shone.
Her maid's uniform and ponytail suit her well today.
Jeanne's aunt and uncle, the people who raised her, sacrificed themselves as shields to protect the people of their village. The news of the liberation of the southern region is of great concern to her.
“The weapons purified by Hirune-sama and Holly-sama have been very well received, and as your maid I’m very proud.”
Jeanne puts her hands on her hips in a cute way.
Seeing such a cute maid, Hirune narrowed her eyes happily.
"Jeanne looks happy and I'm happy too. It was worth all the hard work of purification.”
After the purification, she had fallen asleep, but she thought she had done her best.
She’s been using her arm as a pillow ever since Jeanne asked her if she thought it was a good idea to use a weapon as a pillow. It was not the birth of the second Hinokiborg.
“Oh, by the way, I and Holly have reading in front of the soldiers today, don’t we?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It's been a while since I've seen Holly.”
“Just the day before yesterday, Hirune-sama pulled her into bed and slept with her.”
“is that so?”
"That's right."
Jeanne giggled.
Holly strongly refused, saying, "I'm going to sleep in my room. I don't want to be forced to clean the thousand-hall corridors while I'm a saint," but when she got under the covers, she was asleep in seconds. Jeanne remembered this and found it funny.
“It's nice when the three of us sleep together, isn't it?”
Jeanne, who was used to sleeping with Hirune, nodded her head.
Hirune also nodded in small increments.
“It's warm. Holly's body temperature is a little high, so she's a great hugger. She's the first saint pillow.”
Jeanne didn’t quite understand, but Hirune nodded in satisfaction.
“I'm sure Holly would be furious if I told her.”
Jeanne smiled and pulled Hirune’s arm from lying on the bed.
"Come on, Hirune-sama. We should get ready. Everyone is waiting for us.”
“It can't be helped. Thinking of the soldiers, I can’t help but change my clothes.”
With a look of disappointment on her face, Hirune got off the bed and made a hail Mary pose.
Jeanne made quick work of preparing Hirune.
(Well, let's go.)
"Good morning, Hirune. You look sleepy today.”
"Good morning, Holly."
They met up with Holly in the saints’ common room and headed for the chapel.
It seems that they were already ready.
“You're not going to fall asleep during the reading, are you? I'll pinch your butt if you try to sleep.”
Holly said in a whisper as they prepared.
Hirune nodded obediently.
“Please," she said. “I'm about to fall asleep.”
“Hey, hey.”
Holly sighed softly.
In the chapel, where the atmosphere is solemn and tranquil, there are about a thousand soldiers lined up.
The elite of the kingdom are upright and immovable. It was so quiet that I could hear my own breathing.
When the two ten-year-old saints stood in front of the statue of the Goddess, there was a resounding sound and the soldiers all knelt down at once.
(Oh, wow. It's spectacular.)
Hirune opened her sleepy eyes and looked at the chapel.
Faint light spilled from the elaborate stained glass windows, illuminating the soldiers.
The bishop, who was facilitating the event, said solemnly, "We will hold a reading session to ask the goddess Sophia for her blessings.”
()
Holly pinched Hirune’s butt a few times, but the reading session ended without incident.
The next step was to look around the soldiers' dormitory.
The purpose of the visit was said to be to check if there was any miasma in the area, but the real purpose was to improve the morale of the soldiers. When the saints make their rounds, the soldiers are motivated to work hard again.
In fact, the beautiful Hirune and Holly were very popular.
When they saw them in their pure white, finely crafted saint's uniform, both the feeling that they must be protected and that they were being protected by the blessings of the goddess came to mind.
The effect of being the youngest saints of the Mephistopheles religion is very strong.
The mystique of Hirune seemed to strike a chord with the soldiers, many of whom murmured things like "precious" and "beautiful" as they gratefully made the holy seal.
(I feel like a local celebrity. ......I know I'm a beautiful girl because the goddess gave me this body, but ......I'm not sure about what's inside...... Let's not think about it too much.)
She’s still surprised when she looks at her face in the mirror, because it's too neat.
Hirune thought back to her own self, who dozed off everywhere, and thought that she was clearly wasting her looks, but she soon became sleepy and it didn't matter.
(I'm so sleepy. ......)
She lets out a big yawn.
The patrol of the soldiers' dormitory was over, and it was time for a break.
After this, they were going to visit another dormitory then return to the main church.
When she looked up at the window of the waiting room, she saw a chimney.
White smoke was blowing in the breeze and changing its shape.
"Jeanne, what is that chimney?"
The royal city was huge. Hirune pointed to a chimney she had never seen before.
Jeanne and Holly, who were resting together, also looked up at the chimney.
“There’s a bathhouse over there. I've seen a lot of them in the royal capital, but you've never seen one before?”
"A bathhouse? Did you just say "bathhouse"?”
“Oh, yes, I did .......”
Jeanne's eyes fluttered, and Hirune stood up with a rare agile movement.
Jeanne and Holly were surprised to see it.
“Let's go. We can't stay like this. It's time for a bath, a bath. You know how much I've been wanting to take a bath, don't you?"
Hirune pointed to the chimney.
Holly, who had a bad feeling about this, opened her mouth in a panic.
“You're not going to the bathhouse, are you? You're kidding, right?”
“Is it a joke?”
Hirune brought her face closer to Holly. Her starry blue eyes twinkled as if they were a sea of stars.
Ugh," screamed Holly, squirming.
“I find that I sleep much better after a bath. It's the best. I want to take a bath every day.”
“You're always a good sleeper.”
“No, Holly, there's a big difference between having a bath and not having a bath, like having dessert after dinner.”
Nodding her head, Hirune opened the window with a quick movement.
“What are you doing?!”
“We're going to the bathhouse. Let's go."
Holly grabbed Hirune’s waist as she put her hand on the window sill.
“Jeanne! Do something about Hirune! It's outrageous that a saint would go to a bathhouse!"
In the almost one thousand years since the establishment of the Mephistopheles religion, not a single saint has ever gone to a bathhouse in her saintly clothes while on a break from work.
Jeanne was waving her arms in panic. It was kind of pitiful to try to stop such a happy-looking Hirune.
“You’re going, too. So is Jeanne."
Hirune looked back at them happily.
"Me too?”
"Me too?"
'It'll be fine as long as we can get in and out quickly. Oh, are you worried about the towel? No problem. Holy magic will take care of that.”
"I'm not worried about towels!"
While Holly was saying that, Hirune casts the holy magic of levitation.
As the stardust sparkled and danced, the bodies of Hirune, Holly and Jeanne floated.
"Wow, we’re floating!"
“Hirune! Stop it!”
Jeanne widened her eyes and Holly held the skirt part of the saint's dress. Holly's saint uniform was short.
"We're off!"
Hirune said in a relaxed tone, and the stardust fluttered happily, carrying the three out the window.
Chapter 28: At the Bathhouse
The two saints and one maid landed in front of the bathhouse.
Hirune, who thought walking was troublesome, had used levitation magic to get them there from the soldiers' dorms.
Hirune looked up at the red brick building with deep emotion.
(Public bath. This is a public bath ...... with a bit of a western style ...... before I died, I came to take a bath once as a reward for my hard work ......)
The "Healing Hot Spring” located on the outskirts of the royal capital, was a public bathhouse for the common people. It cost three copper coins - that's about three hundred Japanese yen. It was a place where locals could relax and enjoy themselves for a reasonable price.
The noren (curtain) hanging from the ceiling was, oddly enough, the same as in Japanese culture.
The blond-haired saint, Hirune, and the light blue-haired saint, Holly, stood out in a row.
People were coming and going on the street in the afternoon, and there were voices such as “the Saints’ are there” or "She's the dozing princess !" and so on. No one approached them, perhaps feeling intimidated, but they looked at them from a distance, made the holy seal, and passed on. It was a scene that showed how much the saints were cherished.
"Hirune, let's go back quickly. If anyone finds out that we went to the bathhouse during our break from work, it won't be enough to clean the thousand-hall corridors. Wanda will be very upset.”
Holly tugged at Hirune’s hem.
"Don't worry. We'll just go in quickly and it won't be a problem.”
"Let's go back~"
She knows that once Hirune says something, she never listens. It was mainly demonstrated by her desire to sleep, but this time she was motivated by the desire to take a bath. Holly looked at Jeanne half-heartedly.
"Jeanne. Stop Hirune."
"Hirune-sama can't see anything else when she's like this, so I wonder if it's possible."
Jeanne said, and dropped her head, thinking Holly was right.
Jeanne tapped Hirune on the shoulder to say something.
“Hirune-sama, I've never heard of a saint going to a bathhouse before.
“Jeanne, I'm really looking forward to it! Let's go in together!”
Hirune's eyes were dazzling as she looked back at her.
They looked like sunflowers blooming in the south.
Jeanne was so happy to hear Hirune say "together" that she unknowingly agreed saying, "Yes! Let's go in together! I'll go in with you!”
After she said it, her steeple-colored eyes widened in surprise and she made a face of shame.
"Haah, ...... you're no deterrent......."
“I failed.......”
Holly shrugged, and Jeanne made a pathetic sound.
“ what's wrong with you two. Let's go in quickly. We're running out of break time.”
Hirune nodded her head.
Holly clapped her hands as if she had thought of something and opened her mouth with a confident look on her face.
“Yes. That's right. I'm sorry, Hirune, but we don't have any money. We need three copper coins to enter the bathhouse. So we can't enter the bathhouse.”
Holly said proudly, and Hirune’s face which had been glowing darkened instantly.
The sunflower plants shriveled up and became like dried radish.
"Oh, yes. ...... Saints aren't supposed to carry around money. ...... That's right. ...... I thought I could take a bath. But ......"
Hirune was seriously depressed.
In the two and a half years since she was reincarnated, she hadn't taken a bath once.
Jeanne cleans her body every morning and evening, and she takes a bath in the summer, but as a former Japanese, she has a special attachment to taking a bath. It was understandable that she felt depressed.
Holly choked up when she saw Hirune’s sad face.
"......!"
She regretted what she had said.
Holly was a good girl who was kind and caring. She hurriedly opened her hands.
'No, it's okay! I'll ask the bathhouse to let us in! So cheer up. Okay?”
"Yes! I'll ask them too! Nothing is impossible for the maid of a saint!"
In addition to Holly, Jeanne also encouraged Hirune.
" You will? But I don't think it's a good idea to not pay for it. The bathhouse also has a life......”
Hirune, who was originally poor, couldn't help but be worried.
“I'll take care of it. Both of you, stay here.”
Holly walked through the store's curtain, determined not to make Hirune any sadder.
She had completely changed her mind.
A few moments later, Holly came out with an expression of pride on her face and said, "They said we can come in for free.”
“Really? As expected of you! Thank you! I love you!"
Hirune smiled and jumped on Holly, shaking her body from side to side in happiness.
(Bath! Thank you Holly!)
"Well, it's okay ...... Hey......"
Holly's cheeks turned red in embarrassment, and she was at her mercy.
When Jeanne saw this, she smiled and nodded several times, as if she was watching the ending credits of a movie with a happy ending. Where did the maid who was trying to stop her earlier go?
The people around them saw the two holy women embracing each other and made their holy seals happily as if something good had happened. It was a smiling scene.
“We're going to the bathhouse. Let's go, Hirune."
In the end, Holly pulled Hirune’s hand.
“Let's go. Come on, Jeanne.”
She took Jeanne's hand and the three of them went into the bathhouse together.
()
The bathhouse was clean and tidy, and was divided into a men's bath and a women's bath.
（It's spacious. It looked like a public bathhouse, but the walls are made of stone. People are sitting on chairs to cool off after taking a bath. Oh, there are clothes hanging out to dry.)
Hirune moved her head around to observe the bathhouse.
"......!"
The old woman tending the store was skeptical that the saints would take a bath in her place, but when she saw the happy Hirune, Holly and Jeanne pass through the curtain, her eyes widened and she began to sweat because of the preciousness and her remorse.
Despite her bent back, she stepped down from the welcome stand with quick movements, bowed several times and made the holy seal.
“Saint Hirune, Saint Holly, my name is Carla, and I am the owner of this bathhouse. I'm so glad that you came to this rundown, long-running bathhouse. ...I'm sure my dead husband would be really happy to see you."
After hearing Carla’s story, Holly took her hand.
"I apologize for the unexpected visit. I would like to thank you so much for allowing the three of us. I'm sure the Goddess Sophia has seen your kindness.”
Holly's sincere words struck a chord with Carla.
She let tears spill from her eyes at the straightforward gratitude.
“I've been running the bathhouse alone since my husband died and my soldier son hasn't come home after he went to defeat the demons a year ago. I thought about quitting many times, but ...... I wanted to leave a place for my son to come back to, so I was still running the bathhouse with a lot of regret. I'm so glad that the saint came to visit me. ...... I'm so glad that the saint came to visit me….”
Hirune stepped forward.
“Thank you, Carla. I selfishly asked to go into the bathhouse. It's a really nice bathhouse. I'm looking forward to going in here!"
Hirune looked into Carla's eyes and laughed, her blue eyes crinkling at the sides.
Carla’s throat quivered when she saw Hirune and she began to cry out loudly.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you so much."
Seeing the bent-waisted Carla crying, Holly and Hirune slowly patted her back.
After their bath, some of the regular customers said, "Good for you, Grandma!" and "Carla, this is a lucky thing for you," and "Thanks for everything! and so on. Jeanne took a handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped away her tears.
(Carla, ...... this store is handing out little happiness to everyone, isn't it? ......)
Hirune's eyes watered as she looked at her bent back.
After waiting for Carla to calm down, Hirune, Holly and Jeanne took the towels and walked through the curtain of the women's bath.
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Chapter 29: Let's Take a Bath
Hirune entered the women's side of the "Healing Hot Spring" bathhouse.
The changing room was simple, with individual lockers ay wooden keys.
(It's all made of wood, isn't it? You have to lock it up then hang it around your neck with a string. ...... hehe)
Hirune gave a Hail Mary pose in an unusually quick movement, admiring the otherworldly bathhouse.
Then Jeanne took off her saint's clothes without saying a word.
With brilliant hands, she folded Hirune's saint's clothes and put them in a locker, and then she took off her maid's uniform and put it in the same locker.
“Jeanne's movements are so artisanal.”
Holly murmured with dismay and admiration, and Jeanne said, "Excuse me," then took off Holly's saint's clothes as well. Holly shuddered and covered herself with a towel as she was completely undressed in about thirty seconds.
“Hirune, the last person you want to offend is Jeanne. Okay?”
“Jeanne never gets angry, does she?”
Holly nodded her head in agreement, seeing Hirune's reassurance.
While this was going on, Jeanne took a hair tie and put up the hair of both Holly and Hirune. She put her own ponytail up as well. She also put Holly's saint's clothes in her locker, locked it, and hung the key around her neck.
“Holly, Jeanne, let's go in.”
Hirune took the initiative and opened the door to the bathroom.
The three girls walked into the steamy water.
(Whoa, whoa, whoa! A public bath! A public bath in another world!)
The inside was spacious, with only one large bath in the center of the room.
The hot spring water was flowing from the stone baths.
The women who were already in the bath looked as if they were in paradise. They looked like they were in heaven.
(I can't wait to get in. I can't wait to get into the bath. The hot water for washing your body is taken from the bath in the back. ...... There are no showers?)
A large wooden bathtub was set up in the back, and several customers were sitting on chairs nearby, drawing hot water from the tub. They seemed to scrub their bodies with hand towels. No soap, apparently.
“Hirune-sama, Let's wash your body first.”
"That's right. This is a time-sensitive matter. Let's wash up quickly and get into that big bath.”
As Hirune walked quickly, Holly called out from behind her.
“Hey, Hirune, don’t fall.”
“I'll be fine.”
The girls walked in happily, and the guests looked on smiling.
When Hirune sat down on a vacant chair, Jeanne fetched some hot water and washed her body with a hand towel she had.
"Jeanne. Jeanne, please pour the hot water over me.”
"Like this?"
Jeanne generously poured hot water over Hirune and wiped her body.
“So good. We've been missing this."
“Maybe we were.”
Jeanne giggled as she moves her hands.
(I always wipe with just hot water from a tub. ...... this is the best. ......)
While Hirune was pondering this, Holly, who had fetched the water herself, sat down next to her.
“You've got the dumbest face in the world.”
"Really?"
“It’s a face that doesn’t look like a saint. You should be more careful.”
“No frowns in the bath.”
Looking at the laughing Hirune made her feel like she was losing her mind, so Holly started wiping herself down with her mouth in a straight line, looking like a mechanic doing maintenance on a carriage.
Then Jeanne, who had finished washing Hirune, came up behind Holly, said "Excuse me," and began to wash her.
“I'll do it myself--"
A startled Holly froze as she lifted the hand towel and eventually closed her eyes.
'Ah ...... ah .......'
Holly began to squirm, perhaps ticklish or maybe it felt good.
“Please let me know if it hurts, Okay?”
“...... doesn't hurt.”
“That's good to know."
Jeanne happily polished Holly off.
After a while, Holly slackened and relaxed her body.
“Hirune, do you get this done every day?”
'Yes, I do.”
“That's not fair. Jeanne is better at this than my maid.”
“Jeanne is the most powerful maid ever you know? So it can’t be helped.”
Hirune said this with a look on her face that said it was only natural.
It was a bit of a joke, but it was true, as she had received more blessings from the goddess in her sleep than anyone else. Jeanne was embarrassed.
"Well then, Jeanne, please lend me your hand towel. I'll wash you this time.”
“What? Oh, no! That's okay, I'll do it myself!”
“It’s my way of saying thank you for everything. Come on."
Hirune took Jeanne's washcloth.
“I'll do it for you."
Holly stood up, took Jeanne by the shoulders and sat her down in a chair.
"Oh."
Hirune and Holly began to wash Jeanne's body carefully.
“Ah ...... it's ticklish ...... ahaha! I'll do my own armpits! No, no, no!"
Jeanne started laughing, and Hirune and Holly looked at each other, pouring hot water over her and concentrating on her weak points with a hand towel.
As they were washing her body, laughing and squealing, a lady in the hot water spoke up.
"Ladies, after you wash, get into the hot water. It feels good.”
At her words, the three of them stopped and replied with a simple "yes.”
Carla was the owner of the store and the customers seemed to be friendly.
Hirune, Holly, and Jeanne approached the large bath, climbed up the stone steps, and stepped into the hot water.
The three of them sank to their shoulders as they entered the water.
(The bath is great~...... It feels good~......)
“Huh. ...... It's so warm.”
"It feels so good. ......"
“It's so ......”
The three of them narrowed their eyes.
(It's so deep, I wonder if I can sit down. ......)
When Hirune opened her eyes, the woman who had called out to them told her that there was a step for children over here.
“Thank you."
With a smile, Hirune replied and walked through the hot water and sat down on the high step for children.
When she sat down, it was at shoulder height.
She took Jeanne and Holly by the hand and they sat on either side of her.
(It's a nice bath. ......)
The middle of the hot water bulged irregularly, probably because the hot spring water was coming out from the center of the large bath. The flow of the gushing hot water also changed the shape of the water against their shoulders. The slight change in texture was pleasant.
When Hirune looked up at the ceiling, she saw a series of round droplets of water formed by steam.
(Those water droplets ...... look like chairs that ruin people. ......)
The water droplets that she was staring at fell off and splashed into the hot water.
“I'm glad I came too......."
Holly's large hanging eyes and Jeanne's steeple eyes made Hirune laugh.
The hot bath made both of their cheeks rosy.
"That's right. I'm really glad we came. It's so nice and fun."
Jeanne gave her a clear smile.
Holly's mouth twitched, but eventually she gave up and pouted.
"Well, ...... I admit it feels good. ...... Thank you, Hirune."
“No. I'm sorry I'm always so selfish. Thank you for teaching me so much, Holly."
Hirune smiled gratefully at Holly for always taking care of her, and Holly turned away.
“it’s okay. You don't seem to be able to do anything without me.”
"I'm counting on you, Holly."
“Oh, no. I'm always out of sorts when I'm with you. If Wanda knew I was doing this, I'd be cleaning the thousand hallway.”
Holly looked up at the ceiling, and her face was happy unlike her words.
Chapter 30 - Holy Magic in the Bath
As she let out an "ah" at how good the bath felt. Hirune suddenly remembered Carla’s bent back.
(I'll heal her back later. ...... But since there’s a hot spring, it might be better to heal her with the benefits of the water. Then everyone will be fine.)
Hirune turned her sleepy eyes towards the large bath, watching the water droplets forming grains on the ceiling, thinking that this was a good idea.
“It feels so good. Jeanne, have you ever taken a bath before?"
Holly asked over Hirune.
“I've only taken a bath once. In the south, there are hot springs deep in the mountains, so there are paid guides who lead you in a convoy to the hot springs.”
“Oh, that's interesting.”
“Yes. I'm sure we'll be able to go back again when it's safe in the south.”
“That sounds great.”
As Holly and Jeanne were laughing with each other, a magic circle suddenly unfolded from Hirune in the middle of the room.
The magic circle floated up like the large bath was being cut.
“What?!”
" Hirune-sama?!”
The two of them immediately looked at Hirune's face.
The ladies, who had been relaxing in the hot water stood up while screaming, "Kyaa!" and "What is this?” in anxiety.
(Holy magic - healing power - may it continue to have an effect on Carla's bathhouse. ......)
As Hirune closed her eyes and prayed, stardust flew into the large stone bath, whirling and dancing. The stardust flies towards the men's bath as well. The stardust bounced as it played on the surface of the hot water.
"The Stardust is leaping!"
Jeanne pointed in surprise.
“It's true. I've never heard of this kind of holy magic ...... before.”
Holly, the saint, looked at Hirune in surprise.
When the stardust was sucked into the large bath, it then ran to the ceiling.
They clung to the ceiling as fast as they could and then disappeared.
“I've seen it before! It's holy magic!”
The woman who had called out to Hirune and the others before said so that everyone in the bathroom could hear, and stared at Hirune in the center of the magic circle. The people in the room all looked at Hirune at once.
“ Oh, young lady ... I didn't think so, but is that child, a saint ...?"
The woman asked Jeanne fearfully.
“Yes. This person is Saint Hirune, who became a saint by showing the biggest holy light of all time.”
Jeanne proudly puffed out her chest.
The woman and the other guests hung their heads as they repeatedly made the holy seal.
The pious women even shed tears.
There was no such thing as a holy woman coming to a bathhouse, so the surprise was quite great.
"......, that should do it."
When Hirune stopped the magic, the stardust leapt and dispersed in a dancing mist. Like it was saying, "Call me again.”
“Huh, what's wrong with you guys?"
"Hirune, don't use holy magic out of the blue."
Holly pushed Hirune’s arms around.
“Oh, I'm sorry, it's ingrained in my body to act immediately upon an idea.”
“I don't know about that but everyone was surprised.”
Hirune looked around and saw that all the women were hanging their heads.
“I'm sorry I made a lot of noise. Carla's bathhouse is a very nice place, so I thought I should do something to repay her. ...... I cast a spell to make you feel better after taking this bath."
When Hirune smiled, the old woman from before began to turn her shoulders.
“I haven’t been able to lift my shoulder since I got injured. ...... My shoulder is light. ...... Huh?"
The old lady was twirling her right shoulder like a pitcher before pitching.
In the end, the surprise turned to excitement and she immediately ran out of the bath.
“Grandma Carla, come on in. Come on, come on."
She seemed to be a regular customer and brought the proprietress, Carla, with her.
Carla, with her bent back, smiled with a confused face, saying, "I take a bath everyday.”
“The saint has cast a holy spell on the bath! Look at my shoulder, see?”
The regular customer turns her shoulders with pride.
Carla was surprised to see this.
“I thought you fell off the roof and couldn't lift your shoulders. Did the saint really use holy magic on you ......?"
"That's what I'm saying. Take off your clothes and come in. I'll take care of the store for you.”
The regular walked briskly out of the bathroom.
Carla looked at the large, old stone bath and saw Hirune, Holly and Jeanne inside. Her wrinkled eyelids were moving impatiently.
"Carla, I took the liberty of casting a holy spell. I'm sorry."
(I hope I didn’t trouble you? )
Hirune lowered her eyebrows and apologized.
Then Carla thanked her, "Not at all," and hurried to the changing room, took off her clothes, and with a washcloth, entered the large bath.
"Oh ...... are those stains ......."
When Carla muttered, the water droplets on the ceiling fell into the hot water.
The water droplets turned into stardust as they bounced and shone brightly.
“Oh, The water drops have turned into stardust.”
“It's because I used holy magic.”
When Hirune smiled happily, a drop of water fell on the tip of Hirune's nose and sparkled with stardust.
“Ah, It's a little cold.”
“Is that so?”
“It's beautiful.”
Holly and Jeanne smiled happily at her.
Hirune rubbed the tip of her nose with her finger showing her white teeth.
Carla found the scene somehow precious, and a smile naturally appeared on her face.
"Carla, your waist is ......”
One of the customers noticed and pointed to Carla’s back. Then the other customers also noticed and exclaimed in surprise.
“My back is straight! Oh, this is amazing......."
Carla's hips had been bent from cleaning the bathrooms by herself every day, but now they were straight.
"I'm glad to see that, Carla-san.”
(Carla, I hope you'll be healthy for a long time.)
Hirune nodded her head in a happy manner.
The gesture was so cute that Carla felt as if she were looking at her grandchild. When she saw how happy Hirune looked, she felt that her title as a saint was not important, and her true feelings leaked out.
"Thank you, Hirune-chan.”
"Thank you, too. It was a wonderful bath.”
"Come and take a bath anytime. Your friends too.”
Carla's wrinkled eyes narrowed, and she smiled like a mother.
“Yes, I want to come back again. Thank you for your kindness.”
"Thank you."
Holly and Jeanne also thanked her again.
"Mmmm."
Hirune was already not listening and was lazily opening her mouth, trying to eat the falling drops of water.
Holly, Jeanne and Carla giggled at this.
“She’s a laid-back saint, Ain’t she?”
Carla said, and Holly chuckled, "I'm always in trouble.”
The guests around her smiled as they looked at something gladdening.
A drop of water fell into Hirune’s small mouth and stardust fluttered.
“Did you just see that? It went in my mouth. Jeanne, did you see it?"
(Baths are fun. ...... Let's come back again.)
Jeanne smiled and nodded at Hirune, who fluttered her big blue eyes open and closed.
Holly shrugged her shoulders with a sigh, and Carla felt happy as she remembered her only son's childhood.
(Carla's son. I hope he can come back. ...... Goddess, please bless him. ......)
Hirune opened her mouth and looked at Carla and prayed for such a thing.
The stardust glittered.
No one noticed that the stardust danced at the edge of the ceiling.
()
In the northern land, there exists a lost forest.
It was covered with miasma, a kind of magic that prevented those who entered from leaving.
“......”
A man was wandering in the lost forest.
He was wearing tattered soldiers' armor.
The flesh of a dried beast hanging from his waist.
The man walked through the forest, but came back to the same place again, sighing and leaning against a large tree.
(It's been a year since I strayed from my unit. ...... Hah ...... I need a bath. ......)
The fearless face of the man who used to be a troop leader was now dirty and unrecognizable.
He discovered a beautiful spring, secured water, and somehow tried to escape from the lost forest, but no matter how many times he tried, he was always sent back to where he came from. What held him together was his wife, his children, and his mother, who ran a bathhouse.
(When I return to the Royal Capital, I'll follow in my mother's footsteps and run the bathhouse. ...... Now that I think about it, I should have taken over right after my father died......)
Hope and regret went back and forth in his mind over and over again.
(The water in the spring is about to run dry. ...... I'm not giving up until it’s gone. ......)
The man raised his back from the large tree that stood by the spring and sat up.
They say there's an escape route to the Lost Forest....... Hmm? What's that?)
He saw something glittery fly into the dark forest.
He reached for the sword at his waist, thinking it was a demon, but relaxed when he realized it was stardust.
(Stardust in the shape of a doll?)
The stardust, glowing faintly, gathered together to form a small Hirune.
To the man, it looked like a doll.
The stardust doll was floating in the air, pointing into the forest.
(...... stardust usually comes out when the saints use holy magic ......)
The man's back stretched as he remembered the holy magic he had seen before going into battle.
(Are you showing me the way out?!)
A hot feeling welled up in the man's chest. It had been a year since he had been separated from his unit. He had tried many times to escape from the Lost Forest and had failed. He didn't know how many times he had thought of giving up.
When the man stepped forward, the stardust doll swooped forward softly.
(I'll believe in this stardust..... ......)
The man stomped his foot on the ground.
That day, he made his escape from the lost forest.
()
A month after Hirune went to the bathhouse, a soldier made a miraculous comeback and became a big rumor in The Royal Capital.
The soldier's story soon became an anecdote passed down by bards.
The soldier returns home and takes over a bathhouse, and with the blessings of the saint, it becomes very prosperous. The story in the bard's song ended with such a happy ending. In the story, an eccentric saint appears. The saint is said to be very popular and loved by men and women of all ages even after a long time.