落とし穴番外：文化の違い (Part2)
I’ve kept my origins as an otherworlder a secret from the start. When I first met Seraria and the others, I was just a run-of-the-mill Dungeon Master—a fact I’ve also kept officially under wraps.
Then, when I supported Roschur, I was just a wandering traveler.
After that, I was granted a noble title that was more name than substance, but then I married Seraria, Rurua joined us, and Shera followed. Eventually, when we became independent as Weed, I officially became the Prince Consort...
Then, when I went to the continent, I was acting as a mercenary captain, causing such a stir between Zilba and Enaria that, before I knew it, I was designated as a minor royal with no succession rights...
"Yeah. When you think about it, it really is a nonsensical mess."
"Isn't it? Even I get confused, so it's only natural that you two can't make heads or tails of it. *Itadakimasu*."
"For now, the position you two recognize me as is 'Prince Consort,' right?"
"Ah, u-um, yeah."
"But that makes sense. If you were a commoner originally, it'd be weird to act all high and mighty, wouldn't it? So that's why you handle things that way."
"I suppose. Besides, if I acted all high and mighty, you two wouldn't be able to sit here and chat while we eat like this. That’s why I prefer it this way. In more ways than one."
"Ahaha. Is that why you didn't cut my head off when I, um, suddenly called out to you, Yuki?"
"Probably. I heard about that appeal of yours in Nilua; normally, that would be grounds for summary execution."
"I did, um, consider that, though."
Well, I could tell that Nilua’s move back then was truly a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble. If she hadn't, at best, she would have spent the rest of her life running or living in the shadows.
"Well, thanks to that courage of yours, we can sit here and talk about such trivial things. You should eat plenty and celebrate."
"Indeed. It’s a banquet today, after all. Come now, eat more. You’ll be back to your research tomorrow, won't you?"
"That's right. I still want to find Hivia’s remains, too."
"Y-yeah. For Hivia-senpai’s sake, too."
"Oh, come to think of it, you two are researching together, right? Any problems so far?" I asked Comet.
"Ah, none at all. Everything is perfectly fine. We get along quite well. That said, when we all get obsessed with something, pulling all-nighters—or even multi-day marathons—is just standard practice. Controlling that part is tough. When Agil was around, Yuki would come to call us for dinner, so that was fine, but she’s on her way to the Goblin village now, isn't she?"
"Ah, she's over there, huh? And honestly, if you two don't learn to take care of yourselves, Hifii is going to get angry. By the way, what kind of diet are you two living on?"
When I pressed them, the two of them looked away slightly...
"S-Super Ratz is, um, really convenient, isn't it?"
"Ahaha, just buy some frozen food, toss it in the freezer, and you can have a delicious meal anytime just by popping it in the microwave... Well, other than that, we just eat out."
"I hear you, I hear you. As long as you have that, you can get by, right? Well, in my case, Hifii usually raids the place and drags me off."
*Sigh.* These two are hopeless. They are absolute idiots when it comes to nothing but research.
"Kirue, would it be better if we handled all of their salaries from now on?"
"Yes, if we are considering their health, I believe that would be appropriate. Furthermore, there has been no mention of bathing..."
"Are you two bathing properly?"
" "Eh? We just use magic for that, don't we?" "
Hey, they just said something outrageous. They’re so obsessed with research that they’ve neglected even that. Or perhaps it’s precisely because they can use magic that they’ve let it slide.
"For now, both of you, head to the bathhouse immediately. You can finish your meal later."
" "Eeeeh!?" "
"No 'eeeh' about it. Cleena, Samantha, help them out."
When I said that, Cleena and Samantha, who were eating at a separate table, immediately stood up.
"...Hm. I shall teach you both the concept of 'hygiene'."
"Indeed. To think you’ve been interacting with the children in such a state."
"W-wait a second, it’s like you’re saying we’re dirty..."
"We told you, we use magic to keep clean! Besides, aren't baths something only wealthy nobles can afford to take once in a while? We only got to use them during that training because it was special..."
Ah, so that’s how it is.
"Deryu, did you ever give them a tour of the public bathhouse?"
"Hm? They were buried in training, so come to think of it, that topic never came up."
"Oh boy. I’ll have to take them there sometime. For now, why don't you all go to the bath together and relax?"
"Mm. That would be for the best."
And so, like that, it seems Nilua and Wazfi finally realized what a "bath" actually is in Weed and started bathing every day.
*Sigh.* Cultural differences are truly a handful. The culture of bathing is surprisingly rare, even in the modern world. There are showers, but that’s a modern convenience. People from the old days would be even more hesitant to use hot water.
More than anything, it just shows how Spartan Nilua and Wazfi’s lives have been. I’m sure they’ll get used to it from here on out.