146 6-26 Hot spring town Utopola intruders

Finishing touches!　Get fired up!

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I had a look of satisfaction on my face as I listened to the wild men's voices echoing in the background.

As my master told me, I carefully worked on even the rough spots, and I was satisfied with the finished product.

"Oh, it's great!

Thank you, Master.

My master, to my surprise, had built me a covered resting place.

There was even a bed made of soft wood for you to lay down on when you get up on it.

It's not a problem to use this with that intention, right?

Now all we need is a wall and a partition.

Oh. You're all set. We just need to tear down what we've got, put it in place and it's done...

'Well..... Don't you have to do the mansion?

You're good to go. I'm just finishing up.

Well....

The master and I look up at the mansion and then at the soon-to-be-completed hot springs.

What do you think?　Will they be satisfied?

Brrrrr--.

Oops, the guild card glowed and trembled.

Looks like someone contacted me.

'Oops, sorry.'

Oh. Well, we'll work on it when we're done, and you'll call me.

Yeah, okay.

He looks off his master and pulls out his guild card, and the name shining on it is... Iris?

Yes, hello?

"Hello?　You!　Where are you!

'....Shut up....

My ears perked up.

Oh, my God!　I came all the way to Ainsdale to see if I could find out what's going on, but you're not here!

'Uh ... we're in Utopora now.

A spa town.　Strawberries go too!

'No, Princess!　We're here in Ains Hale on business!'

It's Ayame's voice.

It looks as hard as ever........

'Nuh-uh......... 'Nuh-uh........' 'It's boring...... Oh, that's right. I will stay at your house for the duration of my stay.

'That's fine but I've asked Darwin's son, Dharma, to manage it, so you'll have to talk to him, okay?

"Mm. I've already let you in. When you return, I will greet you with straw.

No, it's my house, right?

Which is correct, "I'm home" or "Welcome"?

Speaking of which, I did receive the accessories from Reinrich. It was a good job.

Yeah? Well, I'm glad you're happy.

The money is coming through the Alchemists Guild. You can collect it there.

Yes, sir.

With Rainrich, I don't have to worry about cutting out the middleman.

He seems to be able to make money really in an instant........

''Oh, also--''

Ice cream?　I know.

"Mmm!　Please!

No, if you say "Iris", the image is already chunked up with ice cream.

That's what I thought, anyway.

See you later, guys. I've got to go.

"Mm. Come home as soon as you can. Be back while I'm here. I'm not busy. Let's play in Origor.

No, you're here to work, so do your job.

With my business done, I decided to finish my conversation with Iris and get to work as soon as I could.

Brrrrrrrrrr--.

Ah, yes, yes, yes.

Who's next?　You mean Hayato?

Oh. What's up?

"Ah, it's been a while, Itsuki-san!

No, not that much.

We had grilled onigiri last time.

The second time around, I got some push-on soy sauce, and it would be nice to make it again.

But I want sashimi too.....

Huh?　What does this world look like for raw fish?

"Yes, that's right...

....

Hey hey. What's your reaction?

You're starting to disappoint me, aren't you?

Where's the previous dignified, refreshing, THE protagonist feeling?

So what's up with that?

For the sake of Hayato's honor, let's quickly change the subject and get to the point.

''Oh, no. It's not a big deal, but I thought I'd let you know that in a little while we'll be going to the dungeon and we'll be out of touch.''

Ho................................ A dungeon, huh....

''Yes. ''I heard a rumor that there's a pillar of the Demon King in the deepest part of it...''

Demon King....

Come to think of it, Hayato is a hero, and he's also doing things like defeating the Demon King, right?

For the sake of my peace, please do your best not to die!

''I'll go get that moonflower that Itsuki-san asked me to get, too!

Oh, yeah. I look forward to working with you.

The moonlight grass is essential for spiritual medicine.

I'd like to make sure we have enough for at least a few people.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you're not alone. But the timing is bad.

"Timing?

Yeah, I'm building an open-air bath at Utopora right now. When it's completed, I'll invite Hayato and the others to join us.

We've made partitions just in case we invite Hayato or Yashis.

It's no wonder we're having a mixed bath when other people are around....

'Wow, a hot spring?　

Hmmm, well, when I say "handmade," I'm just buying what was originally made and improving it.

'But it's still lovely!　I wish I could have gone in there...'

I can pick you up if you want.　But it's not finished yet.... I guess we're in the final stages now.

'Oh!　We're going to take a few days on the road, and I'd love to!

Or do you want us to just mind our own business and mix it up?　I don't mind if you're a Hayato?

'What?　

Mm-hm.

You've been a real boy.

Uncle, I'm so happy for you.

But at the same time, it's a shame to feel immoral, because it's as if I've sullied a child who was so pure and innocent.

I'm sorry if I'm a bad influence on you...

Oopsy-daisy. But, well, as long as it's done.

'Yes. I'm looking forward to it!　Oh, mee!

"Brother!　I'm looking forward to a bath!'

Oh, hey, Mee-Mee. How are you doing?

'I'm fine!　You're going to turn into Letty next!'

Okay, okay.

You sound as carefree and full of energy as ever.

"You're... making weird stuff again, aren't you?

"I love the hot springs!　I'll invite you when it's finished, and you can flush it off Hayato's back.

Whoa!　I wouldn't do that!'

Are you sure?　Happy?

"...I'll keep that in the back of my mind.

Letty is still a tsundere, isn't she?

Mm-hm. Hayato's friendliness is as good as ever.

"Well, thank you for your hard work.

Oh. Chris?

'Yes!　I'm going to ask you to do me a favor, I'm running low on whipped cream.

Yeah, sure. I'll have it ready for you next time.

'Thank you!　Everyone ate it well and I'll treat my brother next time!''

Chris makes these snacks. This is going to be fun.

"...and how is Miss Wendy?

Yeah, yeah, of course.

'Master!　I've made you a cup of tea, would you like to take a break?

'....You look fine. I'm so relieved.

Oh. Big smile. Don't worry, she's always in good spirits.

Emily isn't a girl who talks a lot to begin with.

She was strangely talkative during the elixir session.

''Excuse me, everyone...''

All right, all right. Anyway, when do we leave?

''The plan is for tomorrow or the day after. It's not that I'm in a hurry to travel, but the sooner the better. It's a good idea to make sure that you're in the right place at the right time.

'Oh, that's a relief. Come to think of it, isn't there going to be another auction soon?

'Yes. And, you know--'

Oh, you idiot!　Don't push me!

What the hell is going on?　We're falling down now, aren't we!

'Oh, hello, Ma-kun?　Just make sure you're supported.

Bataaan!

As Hayato's words were interrupted, he heard three voices, and the old wood he had been using as a wall fell over.

When I looked at it, I saw that two girls had fallen down, of some sort.

And then our eyes met as the man underneath them crawled out of the room and came creeping in.

"I got one for you, cheerleader!　A slave harem I will never forgive you.　Match me!

Her hair is black. And his hair is black, and his eyes are black.

And he's a cheerleader.

This is him, right?　It's probably a 'drifter' for sure.

In other words, this guy must have been given the cheat ability by the Goddess for sure....

A man like that is competing with me?

The cheat skills the goddess gave me for my 'allowance' and me?

But that's not the point.

Well you're not looking good in that state anyway.

Even if you're on the ground and you're served hot blood.......

Anyway, let's stand up and then calmly, calmly, oh yeah.