落とし穴外伝：風呂といふもの (Part1)
### Pitfall Side Story: The Thing Called a Bath
**The Thing Called a Bath**
The concept of a bath has a surprisingly long history.
The oldest confirmed instance is said to date back to 4000 BC in Mesopotamia.
Originally, bathing began as a necessity for hygiene or due to religious beliefs, starting with simple immersion in bodies of water. Eventually, people began utilizing naturally occurring hot springs to ward off the cold, promote metabolism, and remove waste products. Furthermore, they began heating water and creating steam, allowing for warm bathing even in places without natural springs.
By the 5th century BC, the ancient Greeks were building public baths accessible to the citizenry. By 100 BC, the ancient Roman Empire had constructed numerous facilities known as *thermae*, which featured large communal tubs and various entertainment amenities.
In short, the bath is by no means a rare culture.
If anything, it is a time-honored and legitimate practice.
Therefore...
**Side: Yuki**
"But why hasn't bathing become popular over here?"
"You ask that now, of all times?"
Taiki-kun responded to my casual question, but as expected, an easy answer didn't come to mind.
"Well, it is a strange story. Still..."
"We are relaxing in the hot water right now, so couldn't we talk about this later?"
Following Taiki-kun’s lead, Taizo-san and Zargis also questioned why we were thinking about such serious matters, and the sound of a wooden bucket echoed *clack* against the floor of the bathhouse.
Yes, we were currently here to soak in the hot springs to heal the fatigue of the day—or rather, the fatigue of our daily lives.
"Ah, I suppose you're right. Let's just soak in peace and think about it later."
"Eh? Are you going to think about it seriously later? And why are you even questioning why bathing isn't popular here?"
"Well, Taiki-kun is right. But Yuki-kun’s question is also valid. While it’s true that the culture of bathing has been confirmed since ancient times, there is also a history on Earth where it declined due to religion or the spread of disease. It wouldn't be strange if the same thing happened here."
"It’s not that complicated. For starters, there is no threat of monsters on Earth. Because of that, it was easier to utilize things found in nature. Conversely, here, there is the threat of monsters, so people couldn't afford to use resources that liberally. In fact, it’s not that the act of bathing is completely non-existent; it remains in records as a luxurious activity. That serves as convincing evidence."
"That’s true."
As Taizo-san said, even in Earth's history, there were times when traditions were severed.
In regions where the custom of bathing died out due to religious reasons or epidemics, the very act of bathing remains sparse even today.
Well, even on Earth, there are places where taking a shower and masking body odor with perfume is the default, so it’s not particularly strange.
Furthermore, as Zargis pointed out, due to monsters and poor public safety, the act of bathing itself carries risks, making it a situation that people were forced to abandon.
Above all, it’s not that the concept of bathing in warm water doesn't exist. It is simply considered something only wealthy nobles do.
Commoners do perform the act of cleaning their bodies by drawing water from wells, but since they lack a concept of hygiene, they view it only as a way to feel refreshed or to dampen body odor, so they don't do it proactively.
"I don't know what Yuki-kun is hung up on, but there is no doubt that the bath culture is spreading, centered around Weed. That is a good thing. It means we have that much leeway."
"Indeed. As I said earlier, unless natural hot springs are gushing out, it’s quite difficult. Whether you are royalty or a commoner, to take a bath, you need to draw water and prepare fuel to start a fire to heat it. It’s not like Weed, where everything is provided."
Indeed, for this world, the act of bathing with hot water is currently a luxury.
Starting a fire is a chore, and drawing water is hard work.
There are no gas stoves or running water here.
"In other words, they don't have the leeway to prepare a bath in the first place. To be specific, they can't bathe because the lifelines aren't properly established."
"That’s right. That’s what it boils down to."
"Indeed. Weed can do it because those lifelines are well-developed."
"When we try to implement what we consider 'normal' in this world, we stumble on those very things, don't we?"
*Clack...*
The sound of a bucket echoed in the bathhouse again.
This sound, too, is a part of the atmosphere.
"So, why are you asking about such an obvious thing now? I don't think you, Yuki-san, are unaware of these issues."
"Well, yeah. It was partly to confirm my thoughts. The reason I’m bringing this up is that there’s talk of building public baths in other countries, and I’m being asked for advice."
"I see. That makes sense. In that case, I’d want to confirm the conditions too. However, there probably aren't many places that can meet these requirements."
"Yes. As I said before, unless natural hot springs are gushing out, it’s quite tough. More than anything, there’s the question of whether the citizens would even come to bathe if we went out of our way to build them in a country that has no concept of bathing."
"That’s the thing. The people who want to build baths understand the value because they actually bathe, but there’s the issue of whether it will be profitable to build them where the habit doesn't exist."
Yes, I think the ambition to build public baths for the sake of the citizens is admirable.
I understand well that it includes spreading hygiene and providing entertainment, and above all, installing public baths is meaningful for monitoring the health of the citizens.
Rurua, Lilishe, and Enola are of the opinion that we should actively cooperate, as it would be a trigger to check the health status of the populace.
However, even if we go to the trouble of building them, if customers don't come, the baths cannot be maintained. It would be a failed project.
For a while, it could be maintained with national funds, but the members who manage the economy—led by Eris and Ratz—have expressed the view that if it fails, it will be very difficult to install public baths a second time.
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to lure them with something else?"
"Something else?"
"Yes. Isn't it the same everywhere? If you don't know if the target product will sell, you bundle it with something everyone wants. That’s the best way."
"Ah, the 'bonus' strategy. That would certainly bring in a certain amount of customers. But that would eat into the budget even more."
"So, we need to install something that more than compensates for that cost?"
"Is there anything that convenient?"
Just as the conversation reached that point...
"There is! There is something that will be a reason for everyone to come to the bath!!"
*Kiiin...!*
My ears rang from the high-pitched, booming voice.
Wait, that voice was...
"Er, Narjia-san?"
"Yes, that’s right. It is I, Narjia, who loves baths above all else. What is the meaning of not consulting me, the 'Bath Representative'!"
Just as that strong self-assertion echoed over the wall from the women's side, she poked her face through the wall.
She was at least refraining from showing her whole body, which I suppose was her way of exercising some self-restraint.