CH 231.3

(Are they perhaps mercenary Knights?)

The caravan in front of me seemed to be planning to wait for the group of Knights to pass by.

(I should wait for them to pass too)

Unlike the caravan who formed a line, the Old Lady was alone. It would only take a moment for me to cross the street.

However, I decided to line up behind the caravan.

The other side was a group of armed men, more than half a dozen of B and C-class. There was no guarantee that they wouldn’t be offended by me crossing in front of them and getting myself in trouble.

(Most of all, I want to see it)

I like to look at Knights. And if I have the chance to see one in person, I wouldn’t want to miss it.

Without much waiting, the line of knights arrived at the crossroads and continued to pass by to the west.

The Knight at the front and some of the riders along the way raised one hand as if to say, 『Sorry about this』.

(This kind of thing isn’t bad either)

I raise my hand in return. It’s like when you’re driving and someone gives you the right to pass.

(They had Lily crests huh)

On the Knight’s shoulder is a matched symbol, inlaid in white. They’re probably the Lily Knights.

In this world, many of the symbols of a knight order are in the shape of flowers, such as roses and chrysanthemums. I think they’re elegant.

(They’ve a good taste)

Unlike the Kingdom knight order’s symbol, which always seemed to be freshly painted, I could feel the deterioration, or weathering on theirs.

(I’ve seen something great)

After the group of Knights passes by, the Old Lady passes the merchant caravan and continues onward. However, we soon entered a town along the road.

This is a stopping point for the regular golem wagons. It’s the same kind of place where I stayed overnight when I left Landbarn for Awoke.

(The town has no brothels or bathhouses, but I heard that you can take a bath in the barbershop here)

The booklet I flipped through in the cockpit was 『Let’s Travel the Kingdom』. Corneal had told me about it and I had bought it.

I parked the Old Lady on one knee in a spot reserved for big golem carriages, and took a rope ladder to the ground. It’s not as good as a wooden ladder because it swings and spins around too much.

After that, I used magic to lock the cockpit. Then I open the page that shows the map and look for my destination.

(Ah, there it is)

It’s a small town, after all, with all the stores on both sides of the street.

『Gentlemen’s and ladies’ dressing room』

I went to the store with that sign and entered through the men’s entrance. I was greeted by a group of women in pale blue uniforms.

The entrance is separated for men and women, but there are no services like in a brothel. I guess it’s meant to be like a public bath or barber store.

(It is actually convenient)

I was thinking of using a brothel to take a shower instead of as a bathhouse so I wouldn’t have to wash myself. I don’t dare to play elsewhere before the play with Light cruiser-sensei tonight.

(This place is quite big)

There were about eight chairs on the tiled floor, where customers were having their hair cut or their hair washed.

In the back, there was a shallow bathtub and a cot for lounging. There are two sets of these.

There are rails running along the ceiling, so I think they can be separated by curtains.

(Full body? So this is what they means by the replacement for a bath)

I looked at the price list on the wall and predicted. It was largely about hairdressing and hair washing, but each was divided into head and full body.

「Then, I will go with hairdressing and washing, full body ones for both」

It was the most expensive one. The price was one silver coin and five copper coins.

A woman about my age stepped forward with a smile. She wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she wasn’t that unattractive either, just very ordinary.

「I’m going to cut your hair first, so please have a seat here」

After about ten minutes, she finished shaving me. But it’s not the time for the hair wash yet.

「Next I’m going to fix the hair on your body, so please move over there」

She led me into one of the four empty bathtubs. A woman pulled the curtain and told me to take off my clothes.

And did as I was told, stripped naked, put my clothes in the changing basket, then I lay down in the tub.

(I’ve sure gotten used to it over the past year)

In a space separated by a single curtain, I had no hesitation in exposing my naked body, even in front of women. I grew used to it very fast if I do say so myself.

(It’s just like visiting a hot spring. Embarrassing at first, but you’ll get used to it midway)

As I was thinking about this, I was gently washed off with body soap.

After wiping my entire body with a bath towel, I was placed on my back on a bed that was also covered with a bath towel.

(Eh?)

I was a little frightened when I saw it in the woman’s hand. It was the shaving brush I used when I shave, except the size was about two times bigger.

Smiling, she makes a foam and spreads it over my chest. Then she started to rub it all over my body.

「Uhyahyahya」

It tickles like hell. But it seems she was so used to this kind of reaction that she didn’t even bother and kept doing what she was doing.

I was relieved when she finished, but when I saw the knife she took out next, my whole body went stiff.

(So they use that to shave the hair all over the body huh)

I wasn’t afraid when she shaved me. Maybe since it was my face that time, so it was too close for me to see.

But now it was different. I could clearly see the blade approaching with a smile on her face.

「Yes, it’s okay to keep your eyes closed. And please refrain from making sudden movement」

I closed my eyes and stiffened as she gently talked to me like a salesperson.

I wonder how long she’s been doing this? My chest, abdomen, armpits, crotch, as well as the thighs, shins, squirrels and blades are shaved.

「Get down on your face, please」

Now I’m completely at her mercy. With my eyes closed, I turned over, and panicked.

(Ah! That place is!)

To my surprise, the shaving brush started to work its way down to my butt. She spreads it to left and right and goes on applying a generous amount of foam around my flower.

(Ouh!)

It can’t be helped that I almost leaked my voice. The knife began to shave my buttocks.

A few minutes later, I was soaked again in the tub and she washed me thoroughly.

The unnecessary hair was removed and some parts where it needed to be trimmed were neatly trimmed. My appearance as a gentleman is now perfect.

(I would be troubled if it was too short or even too clean, since it could hurt both me and my partner)

It was one thing if it wasn’t there in the first place, but if it was shaved off, there needed to be a lot of consideration.

(I can see why it’s popular with women)

I remembered the words of the guidebook and was convinced. It’s easier to ask for help if it’s too difficult for you to take care of that place yourself.

In the women’s entrance next door, there were signs of a lot of people coming and going.

(I feel like my attractiveness as a man has increased)

I glanced at the mirror on the wall while putting on my clothes. I put my hand under my chin, nodded to myself, and left the store, feeling refreshed.