Chapter 1: The Bath Scene

Hey guys, I uploaded the first chapter of the novel I mentioned in the mission a few chapters ago. Just a small teaser of what's to come.

Check out the novel: Honkai Simulator: Start with Confessing to The Herrscher of Finality

We're looking at around 45 chapters that I'm gonna upload on the 1st (so far).

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The world shook violently.

Our remote location wasn't without reason.

Our town, nestled amidst abundant nature, is surrounded by various mountains of all sizes. One day, one of these peaks erupted unexpectedly. Fortunately, despite being relatively close, the mountain was small enough that our town escaped major damage such as total destruction. However, the ashfall did cause some chaos in its wake.

Considering the risk of secondary disasters like forest fires and such, hunters led an investigation to ensure safety, but it took over two weeks after the eruption before they could confirm everything was clear.

"Is the priest around?"

"Oh? It's unusual for you to ask, Dunker. Is something wrong?"

At times like this, maintaining normalcy is crucial.

So during the day, my duties patrolling the town and providing spiritual care increased significantly, but at night I enjoyed plenty of quality time with Maria—right up until the incident occurred. The dwarf blacksmith, Dunker, rarely ever left his forge, but one evening he showed up looking even more serious than usual.

"You've become quite well-known around town now. That's why I wanted to ask a favor."

"This sounds like a big deal. Sister Maria, please excuse us."

"Yes, Father."

I left Sister Maria at the church and followed Dunker to his living quarters.

Since he was also under my hypnotic spell, he wouldn't notice anything unusual about our relationship with Maria. So this must have something to do with the volcano, then.

"Take a look at this."

"This is a map of the town...? Wait—no way!"

"I'm not much good at persuasion, but I'd feel better if you were in charge."

"You can count on me."

The map he spread out appeared to include some kind of blueprint as well.

Ah, what a wonderful—if completely ridiculous—fantasy world we live in. Thank goodness there's such a skilled craftsman around willing to take on such a crazy plan.

"We'll definitely make it happen," I promised him, both as a former Japanese man and as someone who hoped to marry a curvy, sexy nun someday.

There was no room for failure here.

"This hot spring project!"

With wicked grins that we wouldn't dare show anyone else, we exchanged a firm handshake.

—Hot springs.

The term refers to both locations and phenomena where hot water bubbles up from underground, as well as the waters themselves. It also commonly applies to bathing facilities utilizing these thermal springs or areas with clusters of such establishments.

Dunker, one of the dwarves who participated in our recent volcano investigation, realized it would be possible to bring some of this water to the town. In my original world, such a project would have required massive construction efforts, but here, even a small settlement could accomplish it thanks to magic. Of course, cooperation from everyone involved is essential.

Although bathing culture exists in this world, at best people take showers in remote regions like this. No one has the time or money to heat fresh water for baths every day. Even the church only had a simple shower setup using water drawn from nearby sources.

"Whoooo!"

Under Dunker's leadership, the entire town came together to carry out this massive construction project. With his dwarven knowledge of earth magic, he played a pivotal role, and the work was completed in just one month.

And today...

"Lord Ain! We have baths now! Oh, Father?!" Maria still occasionally slipped back into her old habit of calling me "Father" when she got excited.

I felt bad for her, but I needed a little time—just enough for my emotions to settle down.

"You must be so happy you could cry..."

"Well, yes, it's been quite a journey."

It proved too difficult to install hot springs facilities in every household, as expected, but two large communal bathhouses were constructed. Additionally, some officials' homes received small private bathing areas, including the church.

I secretly asked Dunker to create both an indoor and outdoor bath for our church. Thanks, hypnotic magic! Without it, everyone would've called me out as a cheat.

"So you regularly soaked in baths back in the royal capital?"

"Well, only families with decent means could afford such luxury, but even then, not every day."

Even when we did bathe, my father always went first as the head of the household, followed by my mother and older brothers, leaving lukewarm water by the time I got my turn.

Now, however, I can enjoy piping hot springs anytime I want. If Maria weren't here, I'd probably be jumping up and down, whooping with joy.

"Still, was it really appropriate to have him build two separate baths for us?"

"It's best to graciously accept kindnesses. Receive and reciprocate; repeating this cycle is essential."

"Lord Ain..."

Compared to all I had endured just to be with Maria, pretending to act priestly and hiding my joy at finding this bath was child's play.

"Ohh... Hmm, umm, by the way—"

"Yes?" She giggled softly, seeming amused. "Oh, of course—I understand!"

Maria looked absolutely adorable when she laughed like that.

"It has been quite some time since we've had a proper bath. Naturally, Lord Ain should go first!"

"No, that's not what I meant. Of course, going first is very tempting, but..."

Her puzzled expression made me want to sweep her up in my arms.

Is it appropriate for me to suggest this? Will it disappoint her? But planning things out from here would be too roundabout. Besides, I really wanted to take a bath soon.

"If you're okay with it, Maria, why don't we...go together?"

"What?!" Surprised by my rare proposal, she froze momentarily.

As the meaning sank in, her cheeks flushed bright red. For a moment, I thought she might decline, but then:

"...Y-yes..." Her voice was so soft, barely audible.

Yet...

She nodded affirmatively.