Published: January 13, 2026
【Jarpa】
Guided by Van, we came close to the building that had been visible from afar. There, the advance party led by Murcia was already preparing to camp. Around the building, tents were being pitched swiftly as if in competition, but I couldn’t help but wonder why they were so efficient after such an early march.
Sensing my gaze, Van, who was walking ahead, turned and pointed toward the building.
“This building was hastily prepared as a rest area for each knight order. The first floor is a large bathhouse divided evenly between men and women, and from the second floor upwards, there are private rooms that can accommodate up to two hundred people. We plan to have the heads of the various families and their escorts stay in Seato Village, but what would Lord Jarpa prefer?”
Van said this as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, but I furrowed my brows and snorted.
“It’s impressive that such a large building was constructed, but the entire first floor is a bathhouse...? How do you plan to prepare such a large amount of hot water? At best, you’d have about a tenth of that.”
Upon hearing this, Van pointed inside with a troubled look.
“That’s right. It was very difficult to prepare the hot water. You can’t see it from here, but there’s a waterwheel at the back that pumps water into a reservoir. Some of that water is constantly heated and fed to the bathhouse. So, once the hot water tank is full, it continues to supply water at a steady temperature. If common soldiers are already using the bath, you’re welcome to enter if you don’t mind.”
“Common soldiers using the bath first? Even if it’s just a bath, those with noble titles should have priority...!”
How could I possibly allow those without noble rank to use the bath? I shouted angrily, but Van waved his hand with a wry smile and explained.
“No, separate bathhouses have been prepared for His Majesty and the heads of the families. There’s a three-story large bathhouse in the town built for adventurers and merchants, as well as another one in Seato Village. This facility is intended only for barons and those below that rank, or for common soldiers.”
“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way I can believe that...”
As I spoke, I recalled the time Van constructed a huge catapult-like device right before my eyes in Scudetto. I don’t know much about production-type magic, but there’s no doubt Van possesses some special power.
With that in mind, I looked down at Van once again.
“Very well. Then show me.”
“...Please, this way.”
Surprised by my words, Van blinked and immediately smiled with a knowing expression before heading toward the building.
The more I looked at the building, the more mysterious it seemed. Not only did I not know the materials used, but the construction appeared unlike anything I had seen before.
“Ah, Father...!”
Inside the building, Murcia was already there. It seemed she had been talking with the commanders of the soldiers in a hall filled with chairs and tables. And further inside, Dee was also present.
“Oh! Lord Jarpa! I’m glad to see you well!”
Dee noticed me and greeted with a deep bow.
“Hmm. Dee seems well. I heard you cut off a dragon’s head, but you don’t seem to have any serious injuries.”
Saying that, Dee patted his chest and nodded.
“Hahaha! As you can see, I’m unharmed!”
Seeing Dee laugh cheerfully, I worried whether he remembered that he had unilaterally left the marquis family’s knight order.
However, it’s not uncommon for capable knights to be recruited by other orders, and since I myself have recruited many skilled knights from neighboring territories, I couldn’t say anything about it.
While I was thinking this, Stradale stepped forward from behind me.
“Dee-dono, it’s been a while.”
Showing respect, Stradale bowed to Dee. Dee was older and now belonged to another knight order, so Stradale was being considerate. Seeing this, Dee raised the corner of his mouth sharply.
“Oh! Knight Commander Stradale! Long time no see! Wahahaha! Still wearing that unsmiling face, huh!”