Hideout in Another World: I Tried Building a Secret Base in the Middle of Nowhere

Chapter 116: Naked Interaction

“I’m looking forward to the bath!”

“Yeah, me too~. It’s good to see Laura’s mood improve… For some reason, Kuro and the others ended up getting praised too, but well, that’s good!”

“Kuro and the others seemed happy. But Bonus, you always say such things to Shiro and Gisella every time… I’m scared, I can’t look at them with those eyes…”

“Those two are cute, though. Well… you should get along well with Mil.”

“Mil is a very kind woman.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Zamza, Oscar, and I hurried to the bath together. It seemed the women had used it earlier, and we crossed paths with Kuro, Laura, and the others just a moment ago. Laura, who had looked quite tired, was now completely refreshed and happily said she would have Kuro tidy her hair later. I seized the opportunity to shower Laura with compliments, which somehow led to praising Kuro, Shiro, and Gisella together. It was more tiring than making sun-dried bricks.

However, it wasn’t like I forced myself to compliment them. Post-bath, Laura looked strangely seductive and I struggled to choose my words. Her slightly blushing ivory skin and the way her light clothing clung to her slightly sweaty skin were quite charming, but hard to describe.

Just when I thought I had finished complimenting her, Kuro and the others threw meaningful glances our way, forcing me to articulate how attractive they looked after their bath. With Oscar looking annoyed and Zamza somewhat withdrawn in the background, it felt like I was being put through some special new recruit training.

Thanks to that, I was quite exhausted, but ultimately, everyone went happily to prepare dinner, so I think it was worth it.

“It’s all thanks to the bath that everyone’s in a good mood! Zamza, aren’t you happy too?”

“Yeah, certainly. I never used to go to the bath back in the day…”

“Like Shiro and Gisella, you guys are all surprisingly clean for onis.”

“When I first met Bonus, he told me to take a bath right away. Since then, I’ve tried to stay as clean as possible.”

“Yeah… Come to think of it, that did happen…”

The three of us prepared eagerly to enter the steam bath. We had been making sun-dried bricks all afternoon, so we were covered in mud. Thanks to that, we were looking forward to the bath even more. Expectations rose as steam leaked from the small, grilled window.

“Hey, Bonus! It was definitely a good idea to build the bath!”

“Yeah, well… But Oscar, your physique is better than most amateur mercenaries.”

“That’s right! Well, woodworking is ultimately a test of physical strength.”

“You don’t usually do much work.”

“That’s not… entirely untrue. My family is naturally big and sturdy. But still, I can’t compete with onis … Right, Zamza! You’re also amazing~ what great muscles!”

“Is that so? Well, compared to Shiro, I’m like a baby.”

Inside the steam-filled room, you could faintly see long benches. The room was dimly lit, and we carefully walked relying on the faint light from the small window to avoid slipping. After adjusting our eyes, I checked the building for any problems, but there didn’t seem to be any issues. However, if we were to use it at night, we’d need to consider ventilation for candle placement…

After checking the room thoroughly, Zamza and I sat side by side, while Oscar sat facing us. It was similar to a sauna, but perhaps slightly cooler in temperature. Even so, sweat was pouring out profusely. Although I usually took baths, it had been a while since I felt this warming sensation from deep within my body. I kind of wanted to soak in hot water, but this was enough to relax my body.

“This feels great~!!”

“Oscar, don’t shout in such a small room.”

“Oh! Hajiramu, you’ve got quite a good body for your age!”

“Hah…”

Hajiramu, with a towel around his neck, entered the room, complaining to Oscar, and settled comfortably. As Oscar said, he had a bit of a belly, but his body was well-trained. Clearly, having been a mercenary, he bore old scars all over his body.

Hajiramu must have found it too troublesome to deal with Oscar, as he intentionally sat down beside me. Before I knew it, I was surrounded on all sides by naked men. What an unfortunate and stuffy sight it was… Both bearded men were undoubtedly rugged, but Zamza was too handsome, which was irritating. In this 100% humidity space, I needed more relaxation.

I closed my eyes, picturing Kuro and the others after their bath to calm myself. But then Oscar spoke loudly for no reason.

“Oh, by the way, Bonus! You’re going to the hideout tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, I am. Why?”

“I want to come too!”

“No, don’t come. Seriously, why again…”

“It sounds interesting! Come on, it’s okay, right!?”

“It’s basically limited to Bonus Trading Company members! Laura is acting as the deputy lord, so it’s special for her! Besides, there’s nothing special if you come?”

“Ugh… Yeah, I guess…”

“Well, in that case, give it up—”

“Alright! Then let me join the company too!”

Oscar started saying troublesome things. It felt like the humidity in the room had just increased a notch. I didn’t quite understand, but it seemed like he really wanted to come along. While I did trust Oscar as an old acquaintance, I couldn’t just take anyone to the hideout without limits. I wanted to keep that place as secret as possible.

“You’re supposed to be the boss… If you join the company, what about your workshop?”

“Well, actually, I’ve been thinking of quitting for a while now. I always felt like it wasn’t suited for me.”

“Are you serious…”

“I inherited it from the previous boss because I had the best skills, but I’m really bad at business… In the past, I had a lot of apprentices, but now there’s only one left. He’s just a relative’s kid I’m looking after; the imps might be better at the job. Honestly, if I hadn’t met you, my workshop would probably be closed by now. So, this is a good opportunity!”

“Oh… umm… Well, but…”

I had intended to dissuade him because he had his own workshop, but unexpectedly, he gave me a valid reason. I thought it was just a sudden idea, but perhaps he was genuinely considering it. I had been indebted to Oscar, and he was the type of person I liked, making it difficult to refuse.

“I shouldn’t really interfere, but Bonus, if it’s Oscar, can’t you let him join your company?”

“Even Hajiramu…”

“From what I saw on this expedition, Oscar is quite a talented individual. But probably because he’s hanging out with you. He’s the type of person who suddenly shows talent when working with someone. I hate to say it, but if you leave that man alone, I think he’ll eventually ruin the workshop, accrue debts, and become useless. Whether for better or worse, he lacks the ambition needed to survive in Savoia… Well, I may be a bit too harsh.”

Hajiramu unexpectedly sided with Oscar. Considering Hajiramu runs something like a talent dispatch agency at the mediation office, it might be worth listening to his opinion. Hmm, but still… This guy introduced me to a mercenary thief in the past…

But in reality, when I worked with Oscar, we could accomplish various things. His skills were undoubtedly good, and my knowledge and ideas quickly took shape. Although he usually seemed foolish, his mind suddenly sharpened when it came to making things, and he had good taste. Working together with him was honestly quite enjoyable.

This time, with Gisella’s cooperation, we effortlessly realized things like the cart and wooden crane. Yet, Oscar’s presence played a significant role.

“Well, I guess it’s okay…”

“Alright!! Then from tomorrow, count on me!”

“But what about your workshop? It’s also your home, right?”

“Well, for now, you should just change the signboard to Bonus Trading Company.”

“I guess I can’t avoid firing my relative’s child, but I should be able to earn my own living, right?”

I hadn’t really thought about it seriously before, but maybe it would be better to determine monthly salaries and such. Until now, I had been distributing income casually and paying as needed…

As with the individual requests like the subjugation of the black wolves and the current job, there’s decent income for the company. However, stable income from stalls and such isn’t that significant. It’s certainly better for everyone to have some discretionary funds, but can we really keep paying monthly salaries in the long term? Besides, managing it all is a hassle. Ideally, I’d want someone more suitable to handle finances… but there doesn’t seem to be anyone suitable. Someone like Kuro is too unexpected..she’s the type who suddenly wants weird masks or something… No good, this isn’t the kind of thing to think about in a steam bath.

“Anyway, let’s think about the details after this expedition ends… We’ll both have some money in hand.”

“Well, anything’s fine with me! I’ll take care of everything!”

“Since I recommended Oscar, I can introduce woodworking jobs to the Bonus Trading Company. Lady Laura will probably give you work too. Well… without even doing that, Oscar is skilled. Bonus is good at organizing that kind of thing and his name is getting known. There are plenty of guys who want to give you work. Just changing the workshop’s signboard will bring in plenty of jobs.”

“Is that so…? Ah, I’m in trouble. If I think about too many things, I’ll get dizzy. Let’s get out of here soon, Zamza.”

“Yeah.”

Unexpectedly, I ended up taking a long bath. But I managed to sweat plenty, which was good. Now, I just wanted to pour cold water over myself as soon as possible. Thinking that, I lifted my hips, and Azir came in.

“Hey, Bonus! Did you see those breasts? They’re quite something!”

“Ugh, it suddenly got sweaty again… Whose breasts? Hajiramu’s?”

“Yeah, yeah, the chest hair connected to the beard is something… Wait, there’s no way! It’s Lady Deputy Lord’s chest! She used to wear loose robes, so it was hard to tell, but… after her bath, she’s quite… impressive!”

“I’ll convey that to the Lady.”

“H-Hajiramu?”

“Get lost. Hurry up, I’m getting dizzy.”

“You’re always talking about chests and butts.”

Anyway, Azir seemed to be in his usual state, which was a relief. Without anyone heeding to Azir’s rambling, we hurried to the outdoor wash area. There, we competed to grab the wooden bucket, scooped water from a large bottle, and poured it over our heads. The well water washed away the sweat clinging to our overheated body, leaving us feeling refreshed. As the cold water flowed down our body, an incredible sense of relief spread throughout.

“Ahh…”

“Ahh~!”

“Mmm…”

“Phew~”

The indescribable sounds leaked out from the four of us. After that dirty quartet, we basked in the afterglow for a while.

“This is it… I feel like having a drink!”

“I’ve already finished what Menas gave me.”

“I want some sake!”

“Is that so?”

“You’re an oni, but you’re not interested in sake?”

Zamza said that, but when sake was actually served, he drank quite a lot. By the way, Shiro and Gisella didn’t particularly crave sake, but if it was there, they would drink endlessly. They seemed to have fun getting somewhat drunk every time, so there should be no dislike.

“I don’t hate it, but it’s not that big of a deal. I’d rather have Mil’s cooking soon.”

“Tell that to her later.”

“Hey, when we go to the hideout, give me some chocolate after a long time! I’m looking forward to it!”

“Oscar, I’ll tell you that it’s just a slightly different terrain, there’s nothing special there. Don’t expect too much.”

“No, if I’m with you, we’re bound to come across something interesting!”

While chatting aimlessly like that, we rubbed our bodies with a towel, removing dirt and grime. I wasn’t sure how clean I was getting, but it definitely felt refreshing. However, I really needed proper soap soon…

There are also soaps made from animal fat in Savoia, but they smell bad and aren’t of good quality. They do clean dirt to a reasonable extent, so they’re usable for household chores, but they don’t seem very good for the skin. Therefore, in the hideout, we don’t use commercial soaps. For heavy oil stains, we filter ashes and use them instead.

To be honest, if your skin is in good condition and you can bathe regularly, you don’t feel much need for soap. Whether it’s due to a good diet or increased exercise, overall health seems better than before. However, after days without bathing like this time, or after being involved in some kind of battle, you do want to clean off with soap and feel refreshed.

Especially after dismantling monsters or Kidanakemo, it can be tough. Eventually, if the olive groves in Vaintz Village revive, I might try making olive soap scented with herbs and fruits from the hideout.

While thinking about such things and scrubbing my body, I noticed Hajiramu had been staring at me the whole time. Could it be that he’s looking at my body…!?

“Bonus.”

“W-what?”

“Where did you buy that towel?”

“Huh? Ah… Elizabeth’s towel…?”

“Elizabeth? You’ve been using that towel since you came to the village… It always shines so white. Did it undergo some special treatment?”

“Oh, yeah! I was curious about that too! Doesn’t everyone in the Bonus Trading Company use it?”

It seemed Oscar was curious about it too. Actually, one reason I don’t need soap is because of this towel. It was woven and made by Kuro and Mil, so the weave is coarse but it’s quite excellent.

“There’s no special treatment, but the wool used is a bit unique… It’s really strange… It cleans dirt very well, but the towel itself never gets dirty at all. And the texture is really nice.”

“Is it a product of the Bonus Trading Company?”

“No, this one is not for sale.”

“Does that mean I, who joined the Bonus Trading Company, can get one too!?”

“Yeah… Well, I’ll ask Kuro or Mil again.”

“Alright!”

“I see… It’s not for sale…”

Hajiramu looked somewhat disappointed. He certainly has a discerning eye to want Elizabeth’s towel. Indeed, he seems to have a strong attachment to his everyday tools and belongings, which are often stylish or unusual.

I heard that as a mercenary, Hajiramu isn’t the type to rely solely on high combat prowess like Marie, but rather, he carefully observes and studies opponents, whether human or monster, before acting. This nature seems to be fully expressed towards things as well.

“It’s not for sale, but I’ve received various help from Hajiramu… I’ll give it to you next time.”

“I-I see! Th-that’s… much appreciated.”

Come to think of it… Before returning to the hideout tomorrow, I should inform both of them about Elizabeth. They’ll probably be quite surprised when they see her for the first time. I mustn’t forget to do that…