#509 The Wise Man in the Bathtub

It took me a few hours to realize how awful the situation was, being naked side by side with the Great Demon King because I got so cozy in the hot spring.

When I processed what was going on, I freaked out.

Still, the hot spring feels good enough to keep me glued to my position!

Not only does it feel good, but the view is excellent, too.

Built in the mountains, the ryokan offers a magnificent panoramic view of the mountain range.

While pleasing to the eye, my body also feels as if it is melting in the warm water.

If I recall, this is called the Sky Bath.

The view makes you feel like you’re floating in the sky—just like its name suggests!

The bath is located at the top of the six-story building, a rare sight even in the capital.

Who knew I’d get to indulge myself like this?

The fatigue I’ve accumulated from daily political duties seems to seep into the hot water!

“Ahh! What a paradise this place is!”

Meanwhile, the other not-so-tired person is having the time of his life.

If only he weren’t here, I could have a more peaceful and relaxing vacation.

“I suppose genuinely tired people would benefit greatly from this ryokan.”

“Have you come to admit how good this place is? See? I told you so! Anyway, let’s move on to the other spots!”

Huh? Move on? 

But I want to stay here a little longer...

“I heard this ryokan has many other kinds of baths on other floors, such as a bathtub, a bubble bath, a waterfall shower, and so on! It would be a waste not to visit them!”

Please calm down.

For an old man, he’s brimming with so much energy...

I’m halfway through my soothing therapy, so my body is now reminded of how tired it is. 

I’d like to take my time and let the fatigue soak out of my body, but...

Oh, well.

It’s not like this is the first time I’m seeing the Great Demon King so lively and energetic.

I remember getting carried away by his tempo and pushed through making reckless budget proposals back then.

Thinking about it now brings back good... no, bad memories.

“We have plenty of time. I suppose I’ll entertain you for a little bit.”

“That’s my loyal subject!”

Please don’t call me your loyal subject.

Thus, I reluctantly left the sky bath temporarily.

* * *

And I’m back once again.

I went around the other bathing facilities on the other floors and beat the Great Demon King with a game of ping-pong or something before we went our separate ways.

Lord Baal wanted to see the hidden treasure museum outside, but I was too tired to keep him company.

And so, I returned to the sky bath and soaked in the hot water.

“Ahhhhhh...!”

As I thought, the hot water feels so good.

My tired body melts into its soothing heat.

I start to realize more and more how tremendous this facility is.

It must’ve taken a lot of effort to get the hot water to flow here. The fact that it’s done so unsparingly is nothing short of amazing in itself.

This bathtub can easily accommodate 20 people, even if men keep ample distance from each other.

I wonder how powerful the pump would need to be to bring this much water up to the sixth-floor rooftop to fill such a large bathtub?

And that too, on a regular basis...!

“I may need to proceed with caution here.”

Even if I’m relaxing in the bath, I can’t forget I’m still the Prime Minister of the Demon Kingdom.

A person with access to such advanced technology. I do not know who they are, but if they’re an enemy, they’ll inevitably be a handful to deal with.

However, if I make a fuss when I don’t even know their identity, wouldn’t I be causing unnecessary trouble instead?

It’d be nice if I could get more details from the Great Demon King, but I doubt I can get a straight answer from him...

“You don’t look so happy, sir.”

“Woah!”

I was surprised when someone suddenly spoke to me that I ended up flailing in the water with a loud splash.

“Who’s there?”

“My apologies. I seem to have startled you.”

Before I knew it, another person is in the hot tub.

Who is he? I’ve never seen him before.

Then again, this is a public bath, so it’s not that surprising for other people to be here.

Here, I am not the Prime Minister of the Demon Kingdom but just an ordinary guest. I must not act authoritatively.

“Pardon me... I was just thinking about something.”

“Ah, that explains your furrowed brows. I enjoy contemplation, but this is a place to heal the weary and nurture the vigor for tomorrow. Complex thoughts won’t help in rejuvenating your soul.”

He’s right.

Maybe I should forget all my work here for a while.

However, this person who spoke to me out of the blue has such a calm demeanor.

He looks young... maybe in his 20s or 30s?

His complexion suggests that he is of the human race, but even so, he has a certain aura that contrasts his youthfulness.  

It’s easy to tell at first glance that he’s no ordinary man.

“Still, this bath is magnificent, don’t you agree? How in the world did they carry all this hot water to such a high place?”

“Is that what you were thinking about?”

Ah. He saw right through me.

I was trying to change the subject by initiating small talk... Really, just who is this man?

“The construction of the bathhouse on top of the building was the owner’s idea. The wellspring is deep in the ground, equivalent to about 60 buildings lined up vertically.”

“That deep?!”

“The water is pumped through a magic formula Belena devised. Since the water comes from deep under and is transported to a much higher place above ground, I’d say it’s within the margin of error.”

The more I hear about it, the more I’m amazed.

If this magic pump is real, wells can be dug from even deeper depths, and the water situation in the Demon Kingdom will improve.

I knew it...

This hot spring ryokan, disguised as a mere recreational facility, is the epitome of terrifying technology!!!

“Um, if I may be bold to ask...”

I ask the young man, choosing my words carefully.

“You seem to be quite knowledgeable about this place. Are you related to this ryokan? Perhaps, you’re the owner...?”

“Oh, no. I’m merely a friend who lives close to the master of this place.” 

He says it so nonchalantly, but who would’ve known he has a close relationship with the owner?!

I must establish a more intimate relationship here and squeeze information out of this man.

“That won’t do, Mr. Prime Minister. You’re furrowing your eyebrows again.”

“?!”

He knows that I’m the Prime Minister of the Demon Kingdom...?

“I was once in a similar position as you, so I can sympathize with your sense of responsibility. That’s why I advise you to relax here and forget about everything.”

“I-Is that so...?!”

“What truly matters will eventually come back to you even after you take your mind off them. But for that, you must first be as pure and clean as a blank sheet of paper to regain the necessary strength.”

What profound-sounding words...!

It’s not a line a young man in his twenties or thirties could have uttered!

Looking closely, isn’t this man surrounded by a strange magical power that makes him seem almost inhuman?

I don’t know whether to describe it as mighty or sinister...!

“Pardon me for asking this now, but may I know your name?” I ask. “I’ve ascertained that you are a man of considerable talent, with your powerful magic and wise appearance despite being of the human race. If you don’t mind, would you please share more of your wisdom with me? The Demon Kingdom could highly benefit from your knowledge.”

“Oh, no no...”

He laughs and makes small ripples in the hot water.

“You and I are mere guests, soaking naked in the same bathtub. Neither our titles nor our duties matter not.”

“Y-Yes...!”

“Do not fret. As long as Lord Zedan is king, the Demon Kingdom will be safe and sound. An old man like me is not fit for the task. Now, why don’t we wash away all our anxieties in this hot water?”

With that, he stands up and gets out of the bath.

“U-Um...! Where are you going...?!”

“If you soak for too long, you’ll start feeling dizzy. Get out of the bath, let the cold breeze cool you down, and then take another soak to warm up. Repeat this, and the fatigue from your body will soon disappear.”

With these words, the man left.

Hmm...?!

This hot spring ryokan may be a more fantastic place than I imagined.

I never thought I’d meet such a wise man.

I want to welcome him to the capital and have him participate in national politics.

I wonder if I can somehow persuade him during my stay here?

When I thought about this, I realized how much of a workaholic I am, even during my day off.