Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

In this way, a luxurious rock bath was completed alongside the modest kitchen area. Using logs from palm trees here and there, the rock bath exuded an exotic, tropical atmosphere.

Honestly, I didn’t think there was any need to draw water all the way up here and create a waterfall in the bath, but Kaara insisted on it.

「Then, Nation’s Father, the water is always ready to be heated up!」

「Well… I feel kind of bad for everyone else.」

Since Antil Island is close to the tropics, everyone’s probably sweating a lot. I’d like to freshen up in the bath, but everyone probably feels the same way. Being the first to use it with just us feels a bit selfish.

The common soldiers would be content with merely a decent meal. Even finding a place to sleep tonight was a struggle, with everyone just huddling together wherever they could.

「Won’t Barland and the others take a bath?」

I peeked into the command tent set up in the town square and suggested to the generals, who were busy directing the soldiers into their respective units, that they use the bath.

Even the demon generals, including Damons, who had sworn allegiance to me, were still busy consulting and working under the light of a large bonfire as darkness fell.

Messengers were constantly coming and going in and out of the large tent serving as headquarters in the square. Everyone was far from being able to rest. 「We don’t have time for baths today. We need to finish assigning troops to the nearby villages, or we won’t even have time to rest.」

The busy Barland, still wearing his armor, smiled as he wiped his sweat-soaked face with a cloth wrung out from a bucket of water. Wearing armor and working in this heat would certainly make anyone sweat. Though it would be easier if he took off his heavy iron armor, a commander can’t show such a lax appearance on the battlefield.

They assign the soldiers their sleeping arrangements and are the last to rest themselves—that’s what it means to lead an army.

Incidentally, in Abysspania, where cloth is considered a luxury item, even using a towel to wipe one’s face is seen as extravagant. Supplies have been unloaded from the warships, but there’s nowhere near enough.

「Sorry about the shortage of cloth, Barland. It must be difficult. I know we can’t provide it for everyone, but it would be nice if there were enough for at least the knights.」

「No, no, we appreciate what we have. By the way, Hero-sama, if there is a bath, please make sure Queen Amorette has a chance to soak. And, if you could, check on the handmaidens in my stead as well.」

Just in case, we brought the baby queen, along with a few handmaidens and her nursemaid, Pudding, here so they could escape to the sea if pursued by enemies.

His first concern is for the queen—what a loyal retainer he is. Although, he’s probably also worried about his wife, who’s serving as the nursemaid.

「I see. Alright, I’ll do that.」

They came to the battlefield carrying a baby. The handmaidens must also be having a tough time. I headed toward the stone-built town hall, which was the only intact building in town.

When I informed Pudding and the others, who were temporarily residing there, about the bath, they were delighted.

「Oh, a bath has been made! We were troubled by the lack of a bathroom even in Antil’s town manor. This is wonderful news.」

「I’m glad to hear that.」

It seems that the custom of soaking in hot water exists in Abysspania as well, but it’s only for the upper classes.

There were no baths on Antil Island, a remote area far from the continent.

「It wouldn’t do to say I’m happy for myself. It’s because I can now bathe Queen Amorette.」

Pudding said, laughing along with the young handmaidens.

She seemed genuinely delighted at the prospect of being able to take a bath.

I was also relieved to have a valid reason. If it were just said that this large bath was built for me, I would have felt a bit guilty.

But if it’s to give Queen Amorette a bath, then it serves a greater purpose. Pudding was holding another baby.

If she’s able to be a nursemaid, then this child must be…

「Is this Barland’s own child, perhaps?」

「Yes, he was born after we arrived on this island. We named him Barmond.」

It must have been tough to go on the run while pregnant. Though Pudding is still young, she’s a resilient woman, raising both her own child and the baby queen.

Queen Liliella’s bloodline is quite noble, as evidenced by Amorette’s pale silver hair. In contrast, this child had chestnut-colored hair.

Although both babies were adorable, it seemed this one was a boy.

If we’re bathing Amorette, then of course we’ll bathe Barmond as well.

Even though both are babies, being alongside Queen Amorette makes it clear the queen will take priority.

I hope Barmond isn’t overlooked, even though he’s the biological child, but I’m sure Pudding will handle it well.

「Well then, let’s get going quickly. Let’s all go together.」

I led the delighted Pudding and the handmaidens, who were excited about their first bath in a while, to the bathhouse.

「Wow, is that huge rocky area over there the bath?」

「Apparently. From there, a waterfall of hot water flows into the bath. I thought it was a bit too much.」

「It’s a wonderful idea. It feels like something for nobles.」

Given the absence of high-ranking officials in the Abysspania royal palace, I thought Pudding and the others, being Queen Amorette’s nursemaids, could be considered proper nobles by now.

But I didn’t say anything, as it felt too blunt.

「I’m glad you like it. We’ll go in later, so you handmaidens should go in first. Kaara, are you ready?」

「Yes, Nation’s Father. The water is ready to flow in at any time.」

「Oh, no, what are you saying? We can’t go in before you, Hero-sama. That’s only natural!」

I hadn’t expected them to refuse like this.

I had planned to let them go in first, hence why I led them to the bathhouse.

「Well… It’s one thing if it’s just Pudding and the others, but I can’t very well put us ahead of the queen.」

My wives are also here. Ideally, I wanted Pudding and the others to go in first so we could all enjoy the bath leisurely without concern, but they kept refusing.

「Oh no! We could never go in before our hope and savior, the Hero-sama.」

「Standing in front of the bathhouse like this isn’t great, and the water will get cold. Why don’t we all just go in together? I made it big enough for that.」

Even though Kaara says that, it’s not really an option.

If it were just my wives, that would be fine, but the handmaidens are all young, unmarried women, and Pudding is Knight Commander Barland’s wife.

「That sounds fine. As long as there’s enough space for everyone…」

「Uh, no way. I mean, it’s a bit awkward to be naked together, right?」

「Naked? Oh, Hero-sama, what are you thinking? We have bath wraps, so it’s fine!」

「Ah, I see… I misunderstood. Well, in that case, there’s no problem.」

Pudding and the handmaidens all laughed at me. I even felt like Queen Amorette, cradled in Pudding’s arms, was laughing at me, though that might have just been my imagination.

In Silesie, too, people wore bath wraps, and it seemed that they did here as well. If that’s the case, then there’s no issue. No, I’m not disappointed about missing out on a bit of a show… not at all.

They were even kind enough to build a wooden changing room. If they can create things like this with magic, why not improve the soldiers’ quarters more?

Just as I was thinking that, Kaara popped in.

「Nation’s Father, magic isn’t all-powerful, you know. This changing room was just put together using scrap wood from the battlefield, and if we were to build such intricate structures for everyone, we wouldn’t have enough magic to create housing for 20,000 soldiers.」

「Fine, but isn’t this the men’s changing room?」

There were two buildings, so I had assumed one was for men and the other for women, but Kaara walked right in without a second thought.

「Ara, you don’t have to be shy about it anymore.」

「Right, that’s just like you, Kaara.」

Kaara quickly undressed right in front of me.

Even though we were now married, my other wives still felt a bit embarrassed about undressing in front of me (even Ria, who liked to show off, would usually use the women’s changing room). However, Kaara and Oracle, being demons, didn’t seem to care at all.

「Still, there’s even a basket to put our clothes in.」

Naturally, the furnishings and small items in the bathhouse weren’t made with magic—they must have been taken from the ship. When I thought about how rough the soldiers’ living conditions were, I felt a bit guilty.

「You worry too much, Nation’s Father. A ruler should be bold enough to say, ‘I’ve won, so all the enemy women are mine!’ 」

「What kind of devil king would say that?」

Kaara, now stark naked, stood confidently in front of me, her well-shaped chest pushed forward as if declaring herself a conqueror. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her words.

「I don’t know about your homeland, Nation’s Father, but here, it’s common sense that the victor takes what they want. That probably isn’t different even on the Abyss Continent. If you’re content just to take the first bath, that makes you a benevolent king.」

「Is that so…?」

It seemed Kaara wanted me to become a demon king. Knowing I had no intention of doing so, she must have been thinking of making my son, Orakeru, the next demon king.

「Well, it’s also fine if you remain as you are, with your lack of desire, Nation’s Father. Given your love for baths and wanting the soldiers to enjoy them too, you might eventually be known as the ‘Bath King’.」

「Please, no.」

I definitely didn’t want to go down in history with such a ridiculous title. It seemed Kaara was joking, as she chuckled softly.

「Then, for the Bath King, I’ll make a chilled cocktail with sweet and sour guava juice mixed with your favorite mead later. So please, enjoy a luxurious bath with your wives.」

「Very well, I accept your offer.」

Kaara was being playful, so I responded in kind.

Since Pudding and the handmaidens would also be joining us, we couldn’t exactly be completely naked. It should be fine as long as we wrap a towel around our waists.

「Kaara, since there are others here, no being naked this time. At least wrap a towel around yourself.」

「Understood.」

On the Eura Continent, I had to be cautious whenever Kaara, a demon, revealed her blue skin. However, since there are many demons here, there’s no need to worry about that.

「What are you doing?」

Rara-chan came into the men’s changing room from the bath area.

「Hey, you’re naked—」

「What?」

Seeing her underdeveloped body… well, she’s just a child, so it seemed fine. Her childlike skin glistened, and her large tail swayed between her smooth buttocks.

As I watched her tail swaying, I wondered if it was possible to create a world on this continent where demons could coexist as a matter of course.

「Anyway, everyone’s already in! Let’s hurry up and join them!」

「Right, let’s go…」

Rara-chan took my hand and led me into the rock bath. The steamy bathhouse felt like an entirely different world.

It was hard to believe this was an island at the edge of the world, on a new continent. No matter where I am, seeing a grand bathhouse makes me feel like I’m back home.

As I looked towards the large rock bath with a cascading waterfall, I saw Louise and Ria already soaking in the water. It seemed the handmaidens were also in the bath with them. I was glad there was enough space for everyone.

「By the way, where’s Pudding?」

「She’s bathing the babies.」

Pudding, dressed in a white bathing wrap, was beside the bath, bathing a baby in a large basin of water.

「Ah, I see. The babies need care first, after all.」

I was wondering why the handmaidens were in the bath before Pudding, but it seemed they were taking turns. You can’t take your eyes off a baby, so caring for them is quite a task.

「Is there anything I can do to help?」

「Ufufufu.」

「Why are you laughing?」

「Well, it’s just funny hearing that from you while you’re dressed like that.」

「Oh, right.」

It was probably because I was only wearing a bath towel. Maybe it was inappropriate. I might have grown too accustomed to this since I’m always like this in the bath.

「Besides, it’s not really the role of royalty to care for babies, is it?」

「No, that’s not true. Even I, as a parent, can wash a baby.」

I’m good at bathing children. Just as I was about to reach out, the baby started crying.

It wasn’t Queen Amorette who cried, but rather Barmond, the brown-haired boy, Pudding’s own child.

「Oh, sorry. Did I do something wrong?」

「No, no, Barmond is just a bit timid. It was his first time being in the bath, so he probably got scared when water splashed on his face. There, there, it’s okay.」

Pudding comforted Barmond, who grimaced and cried, ‘Waaah waaah’. Babies often start crying in unison once one starts, but the silver-haired girl remained calm, soaking quietly in the water.

「Amorette seems so composed. Even at this age, she already has the presence of a queen.」

Feeling a bit guilty for relaxing while everyone else was busy, I decided to wash Amorette instead.

Even without soap, just gently rubbing her in the water should be enough.

「Amorette is the oneesan, after all.」

「Hmm, is that so?」

Born and growing up amidst war, these children are in a tough situation. But if they’re raised by Pudding, who’s already a good mother despite her youth, they should grow up just fine.

I’ve decided to seriously get involved now. It would be best to end this pointless war before these kids are old enough to understand what’s going on.

「However, you’re quite unusual, Hero-sama.」

「Am I?」

「No one takes care of babies like this, not even Barland.」

「True, that rough guy doesn’t seem like the type to do housework.」

That knightly man certainly wouldn’t. I wonder how it would be with Louise and the others. If told to do it, they might, but it would look terribly out of place. I chuckled at the thought.

「It’s surprising that a Hero-sama and king like you, Sawatari-sama, would do something like this.」

「Is it strange?」

I’m used to being told I’m not like a typical Hero-sama or royalty, but that didn’t seem to be what Pudding found odd.

「No, I just think it’s nice.」

I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Pudding smiling. At that moment, as if switching places with Barmond, who had stopped crying after being comforted, Amorette, who had been quietly soaking in the bath, also started crying.

「Oops, maybe Amorette didn’t like being washed by someone unfamiliar.」

「No, this kind of crying means she’s hungry. Excuse me for a moment.」

As a nursemaid, Pudding could tell what a baby needed just by the way they cried. Right there, she bared one shoulder and started breastfeeding.

Amorette latched onto Pudding’s full breast and eagerly suckled. It seemed she really was hungry.

Breastfeeding is perfectly normal when there are babies, but it feels awkward to watch. I probably shouldn’t be looking. It would be fine if it were my own wife, but this is someone else’s.

I wanted to leave the area, but there was still another baby here. Since they were in the bath, I couldn’t just leave them unattended.

「Hey, could someone give me a hand here?」

Feeling uncomfortable, I called out toward the bath.

「What is it?」 「What’s going on?」 「What’s the matter?」

「No, not all of you need to come over.」

And you, it’s fine in the bath, but Ria, Louise, Kaara—you should cover yourselves with towels when you’re out here.

I’ve mentioned there are also handmaidens here today.

「Hero-sama, I’ll ask the handmaidens to take over caring for the babies, so there’s no need for you to help.」

「I see. In that case, Pudding, please take your time in the bath.」

Perhaps it’s best not to meddle any further. It’s been quite a day, and I’m a bit tired.

Soaking in the warm bath feels soothing. Even though I complained it was over the top, seeing the flowing waterfall of hot water like this, it’s actually quite charming.

「Flowing water has a way of calming the soul.」

「I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying it, Nation’s Father. Here’s a cold drink.」

「Yeah.」

The chilled, sweet-and-sour cocktail glides smoothly down my throat, refreshing my tired body.

Having a drink in the bath—what a luxury. Since all that’s left to do today is sleep, I suppose it’s fine.

「Takeru, I’ll make sure to clean myself up in preparation for tonight.」

「Right…」

So, I thought I could just go to sleep, but I guess I should be careful not to drink too much.

「Nation’s Father, I’m already expecting, so tonight it will be with Ria-sama, and then with Louise-sama.」

「Okay…」

Louise, who must have overheard, silently gets out of the bath and heads to the washing area. Rara-chan, who had been swimming nearby, comes over, her eyes shining with curiosity.

「Hey, are you going to have a night vigil? Are you?」

「No, I’m not!」

At least not in front of the kids.

As I say this, Ria snuggles up behind me and whispers in my ear.

「Ara, are you really not going to?」

「…Later.」

That tone of voice—Ria’s teasing me again. Even though she tends to be unexpectedly vulnerable when on the receiving end.

I briefly consider surprising Ria right here, but with children and others around, it would be too embarrassing, so I hold back.

「Hey, Rara-chan, let’s go over to the waterfall and play.」

「Wow, it’s flowing!」

She’s definitely still a child. As soon as I carry her over to the waterfall, she starts playing immediately.

The waterfall isn’t just a single stream. There are places where a lot of hot water pours down and places where it trickles gently.

When the hot water cascades onto your tired shoulders, it feels like it melts away the tension, and it’s quite comforting.

「This is called a ‘waterfall bath’, you know.」

「It feels kind of painfully good and fun!」

Watching Rara-chan delight in the waterfall for the first time is heartwarming. Kids should just play innocently like this. I need to make sure she doesn’t pick up any of Ria’s bad habits.

I should probably cool my head a bit by standing under the waterfall too. Still, the warm water flowing down feels so pleasant.

This is nice, the ‘waterfall bath’. It doubles as a plaything for the kids, and maybe we should build one in the Silesie Palace bath next time.