Kays Translations

Chapter 18: Exhaustion and Bath Time

After the meeting with Viscount Hilte, we ran around the dairy farming city.

We visited over a dozen places, including the Adventurer's Guild, Merchant Guild, Carpenter's Guild, and related locations. Like Viscount Hilte, we waved the prospect of a "sweet future and the imminent crisis" and made arrangements to concentrate a large amount of resources and manpower in Malhas.

"I can't walk anymore."

"What about healing magic?"

"I'm almost out of magic power..."

"Come on, pull yourself together."

Supporting the slender waist of the staggering Fimia, I held her close. Normally, I might have been pleased with the perks, but I, too, felt extremely tired. How can Saran be so unfazed?

"I can't…. Jurg, Rolo... I feel sorry for Rolo-kun."

"Coming from someone who looks like they're about to collapse."

Well, I understand what she's trying to say. Being touched by another man is probably not a pleasant feeling for both Rolo and Fimia. However, even walking beside us, Rolo is reaching his limit. He hasn't said a word since a while ago.

The whole party is in a state of exhaustion. Even during our adventures in Silhasta, we rarely felt this depleted. Unexpectedly, Saran is tougher than the monster creatures.

"Hmm. Is this how it is?"

Saran, emerging from the grain storage association, finally utters the awaited words. The sun has already started to tilt, and the sunset is hiding behind the mountains.

"Let's stay overnight at an inn and leave tomorrow morning. In this condition, camping is out of the question."

"Totally, whose fault do you think it is?"

"I told you, didn't I? This is a battle against time. We have to proceed with multiple plans simultaneously to catch up."

Narrowing his eyes, Saran sighs softly, but deeply. What's the matter? Even you seem tired. Putting up with it like that, he must be pushing himself in various ways.

"By the way, what happened to Albert?"

"I'm not interested. I didn't see him in Malhas, so maybe he went back to Advante?"

At the cold response, I can't help but feel sorry for Albert. I may dislike the guy, but we've been together for eight years. Can't we show a little more interest?

"Alright, Jurg. Please choose an inn."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

Suddenly asked, I stumble a bit. If we're going to stay at an inn in the dairy farming city of Hilte, I want to go to a place with good food. It would be even better if they serve chilled barley ale. Additionally, we are exhausted, covered in sweat, and have dust clinging to our bodies. At the very least, a place that offers a bath would be ideal.

"There's a good inn a bit away from the main street. It's a bit pricey, but it's secure, the food is delicious, and it even has a bath... how about it?"

"Oh, 'Hotel Madleña,' right?"

Rolo shows a smile with a keen expression. It's a well-known luxury hotel around here, but for a rare luxury, it's worth spending money on.

"Then let's go. Fimia seems to be at her limit soon."

"Yeah. Rolo, carry her."

In our line of sight, the thoroughly exhausted "Saint" has collapsed onto the cobblestone path.

◆

"It turned into quite a situation, huh?"

"Yeah, I have no idea what's happening with my dumb head...!"

Lathering soap into Rolo's hair, I let out a sigh. We agreed to Saran's plan, but at this rate, it seems like we might meet a death that's not fitting for adventurers.

"Any itchy spots? ..."

"What's that? Sounds like something from an Advante salon."

"We don't even have a decent bath here."

Still, washing Rolo's hair like this brings back memories. In the past—when I was still in Malhas—I used to wash my hair at the request of Aunty. After settling in Advante, I started going to the hair salon often due to the Adventurer's Guild's benefits, so I stopped washing hair.

"This reminds me of the old days."

"Yeah. Later, I'll wash your hair too, Jurg."

"You can do it halfheartedly; my hair doesn't need much care."

Aside from Rolo's thin and beautiful silver hair, I don't feel the need to work on my coarse, bristly hair that much.

Just cast some 'Clean and Fresh' magic or something, as long as there's no smell.

"Jurg, you always say things like that."

"It's just a fact. Everything is made sturdy everywhere, so it's fine to be casual about it."

Rinsing off the foam, I gently comb through Rolo's silver hair. It's been years since I did something like this. Although, Luxuriously Hotel Madleña is a high-end hotel, making it possible to use hot and cold water freely. They seem to have various magic artifacts for this, but I wonder if facilities like this can be built in Malhas?

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, no. I was just thinking that the new Malhas could use baths like this."

"That's a good idea. Let's have you build one at your place."

"Hey, how long are you gonna keep up with that joke?"

"It's not meant to be a joke, though."

Rolo, who stood up, took my hand and gently guided me to a chair.

Though I was a bit surprised, even though I let my guard down, it was quite impressive—perhaps an application of the hand-to-hand combat techniques used in interpersonal combat.

"Switch. It's not fair for only me to just get washed."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. you sweated a lot today too."

In an assertive manner, Rolo poured soapy water on my head.

Ah, it's hopeless. I have no choice but to give in. Truly, sometimes he's so stubborn.

"I'm thinking of asking Saran to build a mansion. It can double as our party's base."

"Stop it; Saran might take that seriously."

"That's not such a bad idea."

Laughing, Rolo behind me continued to lather my head.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time he's washing my hair. Back when I was a kid, I used to do it myself.

"You know, I want to create a place for you, Jurg."

"Well, thanks. I don't need a mansion, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"Yeah. So, let's have a bathroom built too. Casual nudity is important, you know?"

"In the end, that's what it's about, huh?"

I lightly laughed in response to Rolo's words.

Well, indeed... it wouldn't hurt to have a place to spend peaceful moments like this. Thinking that, I silently thanked my best friend in my heart.

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