118: Utopia

February 12, 2021 - 7 minutes read - 1431 words

I think I’ve had a small cold the last few days, at least, I can say that I’ve been under the weather this week.

Despite the various temptations of the Kagura street food, we managed to arrive at the inn, guided by Triela.

“Welcome Triela party, welcome to the Sunny Inn.” Landlady

We are greeted by a landlady in a pale pink kimono bowing her head, along with a number of employees making the same movements. It seems like this is a sophisticated inn. The adventurers are surprised at the welcome we’re getting at this inn, you wouldn’t see this kind of welcome in Misfilt Kingdom.

“Alfred has traveled far to arrive today, please relax and refresh yourself today.” Landlady

“Thank you” Alfred

The landlady came to greet me personally and politely, so I answered back politely. When Triela made the reservation, he must have told them I was an aristocrat.

“Then, let me guide you inside.” Landlady

We enter the inn behind the landlady as the other employees bow lightly. As we enter the wooden corridor, I can spot a lush courtyard through a window. The courtyard is carpeted in gravel and there is a large pond in the center that exudes calmness. Walking around the inn seems like a nice activity.

As we made it to the end of the long corridor and ascended the stairs, the landlady stopped.

“The second floor, this floor, is reserved for the men of the Triela party. Please be assured that the entire floor is reserved for the Triela party, so you should not encounter other customers.” Landlady

“The whole floor is reserved!” Irving

“Mr. Triela is generous!” Mark

Apparently Triela booked the entire second floor of this inn. That isn’t too surprising when you consider how many employees Triela has on this trip, but still a bit ambitious. I guess that’s the reason for our welcome. I don’t want to think about the cost for our accommodation, but I’ll make sure to enjoy the inn so the money will be enjoyed.

“Dinner is a little while off, so I would recommend some time in the public bath to heal the fatigue from your trip.” Landlady

“A bath!” Alisha & Ilya rejoice.

“I’ll be in very soon, so please guide me! I was weary of what passed for a bath in that narrow ship.” Alisha

“My skin feels sticky, perhaps from the sea breezes. I’d like to visit too.” Ilya

There is a small bath area that uses magic tools installed on the ship, but it’s quite small. It wasn’t popular with the women since they couldn’t soak in it to rest. I’d also like to enjoy the luxurious bath in the inn.

“So there is a bath? Great!” Rumba

“That’s right. I’d like to refresh myself before I have a lie down in the room!” Irving

“Then, should we go in the bath right away?” Mark

After we were shown our assigned room, we immediately headed for the bathhouse. By the way, I was given my own room, but it was of a moderate size, about the size of the dining room in our mansion. When I saw it, I was delighted to see that the floor was covered with tatami mats. I’m definitely planning on purchasing tatami mats in Kagura and placing them in my room in Koriat Village.

We don’t need to worry about bringing clothes to change into after bathing or towels as they’re provided by the employees. Based on the inn, is it going to be a yukata?

The women are worried about their underwear, but it seems the employees will see to that as the luggage will be delivered while we’re in the bath. I walk to the bath with others while looking forward to the Kagura-based Japanese-inspired bath. On the way, I spot an interesting sign, I stop and read it out.

“There is no mixed bath at this inn… So Kagura has mixed baths.” Al

“What is a mixed bath?” Men muttered.

“What is that? I haven’t heard the phrase before, but I feel like there’s something important there.” Irving

“Oh, I feel like there’s something special with that word ‘mixed’.” Mark

“Do you get food served during the bath?” Rumba

Rumba went to left field, but Irving and Mark react as if they aren’t too far off. I feel like they are close to guessing the meaning, right? Hopefully they don’t turn it into sexual harassment.

“What is mixed bathing?” Ilya

“Well, it has bath in the name, so it must be a type of bath?” Alisha

It seems Alisha and Ilya aren’t guessing it like Mark and Irving. Having the landlady explain it seems close to harassment, so I’ll explain it myself.

“Mixed bathing is when men and women go into the bath together.” Al

“What? You can find such wonderful baths here?” Irving

Mark and Irving grab my shoulders. I don’t care that you’re excited, please calm down.

“Eh? Men and women who aren’t married can be in the same bath?” Alisha

“Fufufu, filthy!” Ilya

Alisha and Ilya retort with red cheeks.

“But, it’s not here, like the sign says?” Al

After my response, Irving and Mark act like the world is ending. They look pleadingly at the landlady.

“As the sign says… we do not have mixed bathing.” Landlady

“Damnnnnnnnnnnnnn!” Mark and Irving shout while collapsing in front of the landlady.

“I wondered what kind of inn this was for a second.” Alisha

“Mixed bathing is a cultural practice, isn’t not a service.” Landlady

“K-Kagura has a strange culture.” Ilya

“In order to avoid that sort of thing, I looked for a luxury inn close to the port.” Triela

That was bad, I accidentally explained mixed bathing.

“What? So mixed bathing doesn’t involve food?” Rumba

“There is a practice of drinking our delicious Kagura sake while enjoying a bath. How about it?” Landlady

“Oh, really? I’d love to have some!” Rumba

What’s that? I envy you being able to enjoy delicious sake at a luxury inn. I’d also like to do that.

“Wait… Even if it isn’t here, it could be elsewhere?” Irving

“As Irving says, we might be able to go to an inn with mixed bathing?” Mark

It seems Irving and Mark have certain ambitions.

Well, that’s no good since we’re already booked here? Plus, you’re supposed to be Alfred’s escorts as well." Triela

“Damn it!” Mark and Irving

The ruthless words of Triela cause Mark and Irving’s dream to fail again. They’re too desperate for their own good. Alisha and Ilya are looking at them with eyes of disgust. However, they’re still keeping true to their base desires.

“Mr. Alfred! Please say you want to move to an inn with mixed bath!” Irving

“That’s right! I even ate that octopus that attacked Elam!” Mark

Irving and Mark are begging on their knees. For that selfish reason, they want me to act like a horny aristocrat. I don’t want to be part of a disgraceful joke. Plus, how much do you think it costs to move inns with the size of our party?

“That’s too difficult, it’s impossible.” Al refuses.

At the edge of my vision, I can see Triela wipe his forehead. That would make me insane. I’m not an aristocrat who has such selfish desires. Would I really make a costly and annoying request?

“Well, I’m a small child, so I usually go in with my mother.” Al mutters.

“I see, then the escorts of Alfred should guard him in the female side…” Irving

“Don’t be silly” Alisha

“There’s no way that will happen, right?” Ilya

Irving’s suggestion is immediately denied.

“That’s right guys. What do you think the female escorts are for? I can have Alisha and Ilya protect me, so you can enjoy the quiet male bath!” Al

“Ugh! So envious!” Irving

“Is this a noble privilege?” Mark

“That wasn’t part of our duties.” Alisha responds while shaking her head in denial.

Well, I wish you would humour me. Before I could think of an argument to convince Alisha and Ilya, the landlady tapped my shoulder.

“How old is Alfred?” Landlady

Oh, so there’s a maximum age? I didn’t expect this. Certainly, you’re an adult at fifteen years old, I’m seven, which is halfway to adulthood. If you converted that to my previous life’s relative age, it would be a ten year old going into the female bath. Perhaps if I reduce my age by two, I could fall under the maximum age.

“I’m five-” Al

“This kid is seven years old!” Mark & Irving