第５０掘：より良き生活の為に (Part3)
"No, I am merely passing on what I was taught. The same applies to the toilets. By properly managing and disposing of waste..."
"Ah, so that’s how you keep diseases at bay! Wow, toilets are amazing!"
"Thank you for understanding. Therefore, if you happen to see any rats, please dispose of them. Do not, under any circumstances, think of eating them; incinerate them instead. Also, toilets have been installed in various locations, so you should be able to use them without issue, provided you are reasonable. I ask for everyone’s cooperation."
"Understood!"
After finishing the trash collection, we took a short break before moving on to the tour and explanation of the training facility.
"This is the area you arrived at through the gate yesterday. Essentially, this is the lounge room, a place for chatting and relaxing. The drinks here are free, so please help yourself. However, there is a limit to the supply, so you will need to discuss among yourselves and decide on a rotation for restocking. You will also be preparing your own meals. Since this is a training facility, please try various things and get used to the idea of living on your own in the future."
"Wait? Does that mean we’ll be leaving here eventually?"
"Yes. Once you find steady work and earn an income, it is not impossible for you to own your own home. There are residential areas in the city, but for now, it is best to work hard here and save your money. I will guide you through the rest of the facility starting tomorrow, so please look forward to it."
"Wow, I can't wait! My own house! That’s incredible!"
We Fairies usually live in groups of three or four. Only those with special roles, like myself, or those with hobbies that require a private room, own individual houses. It is for safety. Even though we Fairies are individually capable, we rarely interact with other races and live deep within the forest. That lifestyle comes with various dangers.
But here, those dangers do not exist. For these girls, who have been forced into communal living until now, their dreams must be expanding in all sorts of directions.
We continued our tour, visiting the communal dining area, the rooms for training and study, the food storage, and the cleaning supply closet. While we were doing this, Ratz approached me carrying some strange equipment.
"Eris, how is it going? If you’re ready, I’d like to take the photographs."
"Yes, that’s fine, Ratz. Everyone, please follow me to Training Room A. We need to do what is necessary to complete your identification cards."
There, one by one, they were subjected to a device that emitted a strange light. There didn't seem to be any problems, but what exactly is a "photograph"? I had actually missed the explanation regarding the ID cards, so I didn't know what form they would take.
"Eris, the photos for everyone are finished. Now I just need to print, cut, paste, stamp the official seal, and write in the issue dates... wait, there are so many!"
"Calm down, Ratz. Yuki and Labyris will help you, won't they?"
"Yes, that is my only salvation..."
"I am heading to the baths as planned. Things should be sorted out by the time I return, right?"
"Haa... Can I go back to the inn?"
"No. I’ll tell Yuki on you."
"I’m just joking! There’s no way I’d do anything to make our brother dislike me!"
It seems making these ID cards is quite a chore.
"Now, before we head to the commissary, let’s wash off the sweat. In a way, this is a specialty of this dungeon."
Eris smiled brightly and led the way. Was it called a bath? I am accustomed to simple bathing, but to go through the trouble of heating water to a temperature suitable for humans? It is the height of luxury. Why would such a thing exist? With that thought, I stepped into the bathhouse.
"Alright everyone, there is a lot to remember here, so Tori and the others will help you. First, please undress in the changing room."
As Eris said this, perhaps for a demonstration, Tori, Riel, and Kaya undressed on the spot and placed their clothes into one of the many wicker baskets on the shelves. They then took out a large towel and a small one.
"Just like Tori and the others, put your clothes in the basket, take out the large and small towels, keep only the small one, and put the large one back in the basket. Now, take the small towel and come in here. Tori and Riel, please lead the way. Kaya, you come with me to guide the others."
"Understood."
"Leave it to me!"
"...Understood."
And then, the bathhouse revealed a paradise I had never experienced before. The exhilaration of cleaning my body with shampoo, conditioner, and soap in order. The sensation of sinking into the hot water—a pleasure different from being close to a loved one. I apparently stayed in so long that I nearly got "bath-drunk." What is bath-drunk, anyway?
"Now, once you’re out, please dry yourself thoroughly with the large towel. Also, you must wash your own clothes and towels. Let’s go to the place I showed you earlier to do the laundry."
I let the explanation of the laundry drift through my mind while still in a dreamlike state, unaware that this would lead to trouble for me later.
"Elder, how was the bath?"
After finishing a delicious dinner, I was chatting with Eris when she suddenly asked for my impressions.
"It was truly wonderful. Tomorrow, I must tell the girls appointed to bath cleaning duty to make sure they do a thorough job."
Yes, of course. If the bathhouse were to become dirty or muddy, I would have to punish those girls severely.
"I’m glad to hear that. You might have noticed, but there are also bath facilities designed for leisure. There are open-air baths where you can enjoy the view, foot baths, and even baths where the water falls like a waterfall..."
"To think that even that bath was wonderful, yet there are even more elaborate ones!?"
It was a bolt from the blue. It felt exactly as the saying goes—as if lightning had struck! I never could have imagined it! To pile luxury upon luxury—that is exactly what this is.
"Y-yes. Actually, I am in charge of managing those as well..."
"Please, guide me there! The schedule says the tour of the leisure facilities is tomorrow, but as the representative, I must study them today!"
As I pressed her, a hand was placed on my shoulder from behind.
"As expected of the Elder, realizing the wonder of the baths... I, Milly, shall guide you. And then, we shall enjoy the supreme pleasure of drinking sake in the hot springs!"
"W-w-what!? To drink sake in a bath that surpasses even that luxurious one!? Is such a thing permitted!?"
"What are you saying? We are the ones running this place. That means we decide the rules. Whether it’s allowed or not is something we have to try and see, isn't it?"
"No!! You are right, Milly! One cannot find the answer without practice!"
"Let’s go!"
"Yes!"
And so, I grabbed Milly’s hand and dashed out of the facility.
"U-um... I, uh, don't know anything about this..."
***
**side: Ratz**
"Whew, we ended up going past dinner time. But I suppose getting it done is what matters, right?"
"I suppose so. Still, issuing these ID cards is quite a hassle. I’ll consider asking for help from the Fairies next time. There are over 300 people coming next."
"I don't even want to think about it. We’d better swallow our pride and secure the personnel."
As I talked with my brother, I handed out the completed ID cards. Then, for some reason, one remained in my hand.
"Huh? Narjia-san is the Elder, right? Is she in the restroom?"
"Isn't that where she is?"
As we were tilting our heads, Eris arrived...
"Um... regarding the Elder, I believe she went to the hot spring facility with Milly to have a drink. They dashed off about 30 minutes ago, so they’re probably right in the middle of it..."
I want to praise myself for not crushing Narjia-san’s ID card in my hand.
"Are you kidding me!!"
For now, I’ll assume Milly’s behavior is standard, and just pray the Elder isn't a bad drunk.