I’m Back in the Other World? Chapter 23

Maid-san and I

「Your meal shall be brought immediately. Please relax for the time being.」

Upon arriving at the room, Maid-san left those words and departed from the room.

I place down my baggage for the time being, and decide to take a look inside the room.

Inside the room was a rectangular table and chairs which could sit 4 people. A painting and a vase was decorated on the side of the wall.

In addition, there is also a closet, dresser and a large bed placed here.

There are 2 doors inside the room, a washbasin and a toilet appeared when I opened the door in front of me. It appears to be a Western styled toilet.

A bathroom was located in the room from the other door.

If I’m not mistaken, this should be the 4th floor.

Aside from the washbasin, how do you use the bath from this location? Does water need to be carried up here?

Finis.h.i.+ng checking the room, my meal seems to have arrived while I was wondering about that problem.

「I have brought your meal.」

Maid-san who entered, arranged the dishes onto the table from a wagon and made some tea.

I, who was hungry, said「Itadakimasu」and at the same time started to eat.

Roasted pork wrapped in herbs, chicken and vegetable soup and a familiar brown bread.

Could this tea be black tea? There’s a transparent red hue.

I heard it’s a local specialty imported from a country in the south. How fancy.[r1]

I finished the usual thin tasting dinner, I recalled something I wanted to confirm as I was drinking tea.

「Uhm, there’s something I’d like to ask, how does the bath work? This room is on the 4th floor right?  Also, how does the toilet work?」

「Yes, water and sewer development was started 20 years ago in the Royal Capital as a public project. Presently, except for some parts, the installation of water and sewer services has been completed. Taken from the large river which flows from a river source west of the Royal Capital, to an irrigation channel that has been completely stretched around the Royal Capital, from there a Magic Tool which has been supplied to every household is used to pump out water. With the plumbing that’s also been laid throughout the castle, every floor is able to use water which is drawn from a watering hole*. When water is added to the bathtub, it will be turned into hot water by a Magic Tool that generates heat. The toilet itself is a Magic Tool, it will automatically clean itself when you leave it. When any excrements are detected by the Magic Tool, it will be decomposed and washed down the sewers. Once the sewage water is collected into septic tanks outside the Royal Capital, it will be purified with a Magic Tool and sent back to the large river.」*[r2]

I see, it somewhat feels amazingly modern.

「Before I prepare the bath, do you have any other questions or anything you need?」

Something I need, huh?

Which reminds me I don’t have any change of clothes.

My dougi is fine but, it hasn’t been washed after it was worn yesterday, I’d like to be able to do the laundry if possible.

I’ll try asking for it since I’ve got nothing to lose.

「If possible, a change of clothes…. Also, I’d like to wash the clothes I’ve worn so if I could get some soap too.」

Maid-san displays a complicated expression.

「A change of clothes… is, how do I say it. I can prepare a
bathrobe but, the sizes of other clothing would be difficult… Although soap is provided, I do not mind was.h.i.+ng it for you. Would you like to hand over your laundry to me?」[r3]

Size huh…. It’s better than nothing at all. If the size is no good, underwear would be impossible I guess.

「Well then I’d like a bathrobe please. I can do the laundry by myself so it’s okay.」

I’d feel sorry if I left the laundry to her.

「Certainly. Then I will go prepare the bathrobe. Please wait until the bath is prepared.」

Maid-san headed towards the bathroom after saying that, and shortly returned

The tableware and tea utensils, which I had finished using, were placed on the wagon, neatly cleaned the table and left the room after bowing.

Shortly after, Maid-san came back with a bathrobe and bath towel in hand, the preparations for the bath were being completed, while I waited I took my dougi with me and headed to the bathroom.

Before I entered the bathroom, Maid-san let out the words「Do you need any help?」which I politely declined, and went into the bathroom.

I remove my clothes in the dressing room, I fill the washbasin with hot water and do the laundry before was.h.i.+ng my body.

After was.h.i.+ng briefly, I wring as much moisture out as possible and left it in the dressing room.

I slowly submerge myself in the hot bath, while recalling my schedule which was full of trouble that happened in 1 day, I recover my fatigue.[r4]

Stepping out of the bath, I dry off my body, put on the bathrobe and returned to my room with my laundry. While dragging along the hem of the bathrobe.

Maid-san, who was still on standby, bowed and said goodnight as she left, I decide to air my laundry in order to have it as dry as possible.

Finally, the 2nd day in another world has ended.

The time is already 12 koku. It’s 0’oclock midnight.

I turn off the Magic Tool lamps inside the room (an ON・OFF feature was introduced 25 years ago), and went to bed.

In 1 day, one way or another it was incredibly busy, my body was taken over by drowsiness as I hoped for nothing to happen tomorrow.[r5]