Chapter Fifty-Seven

As Muichiro and Cuthbert approached the area where the explosion had occurred, they entered the manor and found themselves standing before a door from which smoke was seeping through the cracks.

Cuthbert knocked gently before entering, causing a billow of smoke to pour out of the room.

Reacting quickly, Muichiro summoned a gust of wind with a wave of his hand, clearing the smoke and revealing the room's interior.

Cuthbert sighed, addressing a petite young woman who was covered in soot. "Thank you, Master Muichiro. And as for you, Miss Alice, how many times must I tell you to keep your experiments in the experimental room?"

However, instead of looking guilty, Alice wore a mischievous smile on her soot-covered face.

She began mumbling about things that were difficult for both Muichiro and Cuthbert to comprehend, but Muichiro caught a few words like "magic stone dust" and "explosion" related to temperature and triggers.

Taking a closer look at her, Muichiro observed that she was around 5'2", quite small for a human, and definitely not a Pallum.

Her emerald green eyes stood out amidst the soot covering her. Her naturally curly hair was cut short to her shoulders, and her expression bore a resemblance to that of a mad scientist.

Alice's energetic and slightly eccentric demeanour didn't seem to wane as she greeted Muichiro.

"Oh, heya Cuthbert, whatcha doing all the way over here on this side of the manor? Could it be my shipments from Altena have arrived? Oh, goody, now I can start on that magic wand."

Cuthbert gently reminded her, "No, Miss Alice, the package hasn't arrived. It should be coming in half a month. I came here to introduce you to the second newest member of the Familia."

Muichiro interjected with a deadpan tone while surveying the room, filled with broken bottles and unfamiliar scents. "Hello."

Alice, unfazed by Muichiro's demeanour, approached him with an exuberant smile.

"Nice to meet ya, kid. Wow, you're even more handsome than the rumours say. Yep, definitely a nine out of ten." She couldn't resist patting his hair and squeezing his face.

Muichiro remained unfazed by her antics. "Why such a stiff face? You should smile more," she laughed. "So, why are you here again?"

Cuthbert chimed in, "We're here because Demeter-sama wanted the two of you to meet, and because there's something important that you need to see."

Alice had completely forgotten the reason they were there. "Oh, is that so? Why didn't you just say so in the first place? So, what is it you wanted me to see?"

Cuthbert suggested, "Before that, could you please take a bath? Then we can get started."

Alice suddenly remembered that she was covered in soot.

"Haha, yep, I'll be back real quick after I clean myself off..." Her words trailed off as she finally noticed the soot she had transferred onto Muichiro's hair and face.

She teased, "Haha, my bad, my bad. Hey, since I'm gonna go take a bath, wanna join me?" Her tone was playful, but Muichiro interpreted it differently.

"I suppose a bath would be best...okay," Muichiro replied casually. Alice didn't expect such a response, but her wide grin couldn't be hidden.

"Baha-haha, you're hilarious, Mu-Kun! Can I call you Mu-Kun? I'm just gonna call you that. What are you waiting for? Let's go take a bath!" She said, excitedly dragging Muichiro along with her.

Meanwhile, Cuthbert remained in the destroyed room, sighing as he started the process of cleaning everything up.

....

( Manor Bathhouse #3)

As Cuthbert diligently worked to repair the room that Alice had inadvertently demolished, Muichiro and Alice found themselves in one of the private baths within the manor.

Alice placed a token on the door handle, explaining to Muichiro, "This is just to let anyone who comes here know that it's being used. Now, enough questions, it's bath time."

Inside the bathhouse, they encountered rows of baskets meant for holding clothes.

Alice had thought ahead and brought a fresh dress with her, leaving her with nothing to worry about.

Muichiro, on the other hand, had his trusty haori and pants made from moon silk, ensuring they would remain clean, unstained, and free from odours.

Both Muichiro and Alice disrobed, each wrapping a towel around themselves before entering the hot, steaming showers.

Alice couldn't resist offering a playful compliment. "Hoho, never mind my previous assessment. Who knew you were packing such a rocking body underneath? You're now a 9.4 out of ten."

Muichiro didn't quite understand the grading system, but he acknowledged her compliment with a simple thank you.

After a brief exchange, they both took shower stalls to wash away the remnants of soot and grime. As the soot washed away, Alice's smooth skin and chestnut brown hair were revealed.

Alice seemed to revel in the hot water. "Haaaa, this hot water feels so good. What about you, Mu-Kun?"

Muichiro's response was succinct. "It feels...nice."

Alice playfully teased him, "Not much of a talker, huh? Going for that cold, mysterious type of vibe? I like it. I bet the women go crazy over it."

Muichiro looked genuinely surprised by this suggestion, causing Alice to clarify, "Women won't actually go crazy over your vibe. Well, 99 percent of them, anyway. There's always that one crazy chick."

Once they had thoroughly cleansed themselves, they entered a large, steaming hot bath that could easily accommodate over forty people.

Alice disrobed herself exposing her body, and Muichiro finding out it was custom to be completely nude did the same as well.

Alice took a peek at Muichiro and whistled in appreciation.' Damn, he's decked down there as well, he looks small and fragile but he's packing a leviathan.'

She had expected Muichiro to also take a quick peek at her body, but he just looked straight ahead not looking at her once.

'Heeeeh~, so he's not like the typical guy, he's not embarrassed about being naked in front of me, and doesn't even react to me...is he gay, no that doesn't seem to be the case.

Maybe he's just not had the birds and the bees talk yet..hahaha he really is innocent isn't he.'

Alice thought in mild amusement as she left her towel in one of the baskets and followed behind Muichiro to the large Roman-like bath.

As they settled into the relaxing water, Alice turned to Muichiro and asked, "So how is it so far, living in the familia..."

Muichiro considered his response carefully. "...I'm learning a lot from everyone I meet. They're all nice to me... especially Demeter-sama."

Alice nodded. "Yeah, she's a big old softie. Not many adventurers want to join such a familia. I'm surprised you joined, considering that I've heard you had no interest in agriculture whatsoever."

She said, her right eye glowing for a brief second before it suddenly disappeared.

"But looking at you now, I see why Demeter was so obsessed with having you...I think you made the right Choice."

Muichiro added thoughtfully, "I think I did too... because I followed my heart."

Alice's eyes briefly glowed with surprise before she grinned widely.

She wrapped her arm over Muichiro's shoulder, allowing his head to rest on her chest. "Hehe, yep, I knew it... me and you are gonna get along great."

Muichiro nodded, savouring the feel of his head resting on her bare chest, It wasn't as bouncy or as comfortable as when he rested on Demeter's chest...but they were warm, shapely and soft.

...

(Alice's Picture)