episode_0146

In Esther’s mansion, there were two bathrooms.

One in what used to be Esther’s room, originally meant for a couple. And another small bathroom at the end of the second-floor corridor.

Freida and I detoxified ourselves while bathing there.

“Ah….”

The bathwater was so warm that steam rose like mist.

Rumor had it that there was a hot spring beneath the mansion. Esther had purchased this property and built the mansion during her time as a kingdom knight, knowing about it from the start.

Thanks to that, we could immerse ourselves in warm water without the hassle of heating it with firewood.

Of course, before that, we had to rinse off the dirt and sweat from our bodies and hair by pouring water from a basin.

“This feels nice….”

I tied up my wet hair and stepped into the bathtub, leaning against the wall, enjoying the warmth seeping into my body.

As I took deep breaths, my chest gently rose and fell with each inhale and exhale, creating small ripples.

The sensation of the warm hot spring water was pleasantly ticklish.

“It, it’s nice. I like it…!”

Freida, sitting across from me, nodded hesitantly in response. Her face was flushed, perhaps from the heat or the touch of our skin.

Perhaps not considering that multiple people might use it, the bathtub in this bathroom was somewhat narrow. If two people entered, it would be quite cramped.

It was probably originally intended for Belloren’s daughter or one maid to use.

Sharing such a bathtub naturally led to me and Freida touching skin.

While Freida had short arms and legs, I could wrap my legs around her waist when fully stretched out.

As a result, I stretched out my legs slightly apart, while Freida sat between them, her backside resting against mine.

Unlike me, with half my chest above the water, she sat normally, immersed up to just below her chin in the bathwater.

“Are you okay? Not uncomfortable?”

I asked, looking up at the ceiling.

“Yes, yes! I’m not uncomfortable at all! In fact….”

Freida nodded, her face turning even redder. I decided not to ask what she found enjoyable.

“Oh… good. That’s a relief.”

I smiled awkwardly, still gazing at the ceiling.

It was a bit difficult to look down.

The bathwater was clear enough that if I leaned forward, Freida, sitting with her legs drawn up, was fully visible.

It was a sight that dealt a significant blow to my conscience, almost to the point where it would be rated R if described in detail.

If we were just ordinary friends, I wouldn’t have cared much, but our current relationship was too far removed from mere friendship for me to ignore it.

Given that I had only recently faced Freida’s nudity properly.

Until now, our nights had been mostly about her taking the lead, so I hadn’t even touched her underwear properly.

It was all about her receiving, wasn’t it?

Or rather, should I say I was the one serving? Anyway, because of that, bathing with Freida was unfamiliar to me.

The inns where we stayed during our travels either didn’t have baths, or if they did, they were more like personal tubs, making it impossible to bathe together.

As a result, it was indeed the first time we had entered a bathtub together.

Freida seemed to be enjoying it immensely, but for me, it was a bit—no, quite burdensome.

At least she could have covered herself a bit down there… Ah, that’s it. A sudden solution came to mind.

“Freida, come here.”

“Uh, uh? Yes? Oh…!”

With a sudden movement, the bathwater splashed and overflowed.

Something slightly heavy but soft pressed against my chest in the water, as warm as hot spring water, snugly touching my skin like a blanket.

Freide’s back.

I grabbed Freide’s hand, pulling her towards me, turning her body halfway and embracing her into my arms.

Wrapping my arms around her small shoulders, pressing my chest firmly against the back of her head.

“Uh, uh, there. Suddenly? Here?”

Freide, with her mind seemingly in disarray, breathed out heat frantically. I gently calmed her down, whispering in her ear.

“It’s more comfortable this way, isn’t it? It’s too narrow to face each other, so let’s stay like this.”

“Uh, ah, hah…”

Freide let out a strange moan, bowing her head deeply. The flesh that had become a substitute for a pillow trembled slightly up and down.

With that, Freide settled down. I finally lowered my head and smiled at her appearance.

Good. Now that I can’t see her face, I can relax a bit. Earlier, it was really uncomfortable because there was nowhere to look.

And so, I held Freide like a doll, enjoying the hot spring bath with a much lighter heart.

Honestly, deep down, I was a bit anxious about being drowned in the bathtub, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Well, Freide, when she’s in control, shows unstoppable drive like a tank, but when the situation reverses, she freezes up instead.

Strong on the offense but weak on defense type, huh?

Well, that aspect is quite charming.

Anyway, we finished bathing like that, put on our regular clothes over our refreshed bodies, and had a late dinner with Beloren.

It was disgustingly bad.

The stew was too salty, the bread tasteless, and the meat burnt black like charcoal.

It felt like a meal that prisoners in hell would be served.

“….”

Freide, receiving the food—or rather, something that shouldn’t even be called food—stared blankly at Beloren with a horrified expression.

Honestly, it was a bit rude, and I was so bewildered that I couldn’t even think to stop her.

“Ahem. Well, it’s been a while since I cooked, so there were some minor mistakes. Still, it should be somewhat edible.”

Beloren coughed awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

…This is considered ‘minor mistakes’?

Could this possibly be grounds for divorce?

Forcing down something that looked like burnt meat from hell, I barely suppressed the rising doubts in my throat.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“…For the meal.”

After the hellish meal, Freide and I went straight to bed, covering ourselves with one blanket and fell asleep.

…We really just slept.

Doing that in someone else’s house is a bit much.

Freide might be fine, but I wasn’t. If anyone heard us, how could I face Beloren?

Honestly, it’s an embarrassing situation where there’s nothing to say even if I’m kicked out.

◆◆

The next morning.

– Knock, knock.

In the early hours before the darkness of dawn had completely disappeared, a gentle knock woke me from my slumber.

“Wake up. Laziness is the path to decline.”

It was Beloren.

It felt like it was around five in the morning… Is Beloren waking up at this hour? And do I have to as well?

Truly a frightening prospect.

Waking up at five, even the military bugle doesn’t sound until six.

– Knock, knock.

As if urging my trembling self with fear, the knocking sounded once again.

“Wake up.”

“Yes…”

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and struggled to get up.

Honestly, I felt like I needed at least another hour of sleep… But I couldn’t keep sleeping when I was being called.

As long as I’m freeloaded in someone else’s house, I had to endure it.

“Wake up. Then change into your outdoor clothes and come down. There’s something you need to do.”

What, are they trying to make us do morning drills…?

Ah, no way. No matter what, that can’t be it.

I shook my head, instinctively dispelling the rising fear and the stubborn drowsiness that clung to me.

Morning drills? This isn’t a military base or boot camp. It’s absurd to be asked to do such things from the crack of dawn. It made no sense at all.

◆◆

“We’re going to spar. Get ready.”

As always, Soma has caught someone. If you count the kill score, it’s probably around a hundred thousand for real.

Descending to the first floor after waking up the grumbling Freda, I was greeted by a bland stew and salty bread.

The meat looked fresh as if it would come back to life with a resurrection spell.

…There’s no middle ground with this woman.

After a painful breakfast in the opposite direction from yesterday, Veloren led us to a spacious courtyard at the back of the mansion.

Surrounded by walls, the ground was flat with grass laid out. Training scarecrows and blunt training swords were stacked on one side.

It clearly looked like a training ground.

“Spar…?”

I asked with a face that said, “What nonsense is this from the crack of dawn?” Although I tried to manage my expression.

“Uh…”

Covering her mouth and yawning softly, Freda’s face showed confusion, tiredness, and a hint of irritation.

Veloren seemed unconcerned, simply selecting two longswords and a greatsword from among the weapons in the training area.

“Yes. You are said to be sincere about the duties of a hero. After shedding your aliases and gaining enough strength when the opportunity arises, you are expected to focus on subjugating the depths of the dungeon.”

Handing me a sparring sword, Veloren said, “Until the day you can withstand the Demon King.”

There was something dignified in her blue eyes as she looked at me. A strange mix of respect or perhaps expectation.

“Although retired, I was once a knight who aimed to contribute to this cause. Therefore, out of respect for that spirit, I have decided to offer my help in my own way.”

Similarly, Veloren handed a sword to Freda, then stepped back a few paces and explained why she had called us.

“You also asked me for help. While you may not be proficient as knights, you are still inexperienced as heroes and their comrades. So, you requested guidance to equip yourselves appropriately for that role.”

Argantir. That guy was the mastermind behind this early awakening and unexpected sparring.

“So, first, we spar. It is necessary to carefully assess your current level, strengths, and weaknesses.”

“We defeated the kingdom’s knights though, didn’t we?”

“Defeating the average knights of the Order does not prove anything. The power required for heroes and their companions far exceeds that.”

Drawing the sparring sword, Veloren replied.

“Motivation is also needed. Strength tends to bloom in desperation and pain.”

Wait, is she saying she’s going to beat me up a bit…? And that she’ll keep doing so until she’s satisfied with my skills.

I felt like I was already losing my mind.

“So, get ready.”

Veloren pointed her sword at me, releasing her restrained energy without hesitation.

– Hoooh…!

The air suddenly became heavy. The displaced atmosphere created a strong wind that scattered around.

“Ugh…!”

Instinctively, I drew my sword and took a defensive stance. My body reacted before my mind in the face of the looming danger like a lightning strike.

Drip. Cold sweat ran down my back.

I could intuitively sense it.

Her level.

A high-ranking knight.

A top-tier warrior of this era surpassing the elite.

At least at this point, there stood before me a being more powerful than a hero.