Ossan Boukensha – 165

Hot Spring Tour: Hot Spring

---

“Mr. Ajifu! Over there!”
“Aye, leave it to me!”

The blade glimmered under the sun. The blade of the saw.
My carpentry skill aided with processing wood.

The work of drawing the hot water started on the following day. I made sure of it, after ruthlessly using Cure Poison on all of the men with hangovers.

The chief had chosen some men to go with me and inspect the location. And roles were assigned based on jobs and skills. Then one group returned to the village to gather materials, while the others started working. The first thing we did was build an office of sorts.

I was serious. I was not going to hold back now.

The temporary office was surrounded by abatis and clappers, allowing us to sleep there at night. I had chosen the location, thinking that I could build a charcoal making hut there later.

I measured the elevation and planned based on the results. Drew out the boundaries and cut down trees. Ocne that was finished, it was time for the construction.

The plan was to make a place where the water could gather, and then have pipes to deliver it to the tub.
So that the villagers could use it later, I decided on a place that would be away from the river during flooding. This meant I needed a way to draw the water out, which we did by changing the main flow of water that poured into the valley river.

As for the pipes, we used wood. They would be buried in the ground to protect them from beasts and monsters.
It would be exposed in places that were not flat, which could not be helped. But for the most part, I wanted to keep it covered to prevent it from cooling, or any other pollution from dirt or rain. Still, you would have to be able to open it for cleaning.

The tub was half underground. While I was worried about monsters going in when people were away, it could not be helped. It had no roof, and so when not in use, the flow of water would be stopped, and a lid would be placed over it.

There would be a changing room. And it would be durable enough that you could stay inside if you were attacked. And since there were gaps, you would be able to attack from inside.

Of course, we had also altered the flow a little in order to secure an area for salt for the animals. It wasn’t just about respecting the environment. It would prevent the animals coming here instead for the salt.

Before the work started, I gathered everyone together and did a presentation, showing that this would also be for the village.
Thanks to this, many agreed to help, which made construction go faster.

And so it was all completed just one week later.

The hot water in the tub was a little brown and cloudy, but mostly clear.

I controlled my excitement and washed my body. And then dipped a foot in after checking the temperature.

The feet rose up through my leg.

“Ah…”

I sighed, once I had sunk in to the shoulders. Reverse Age was putting in work.

The water was on the hot side, and my body was quickly heated. I closed my eyes and a cool breeze brushed my cheek. Hot spring… How many years had it been? I had not thought that I would be in one again here.

I had a small tub in my house in the old village. But it was a small thing that I barely fit inside.
But now, I could stretch all four limbs. It felt like all the fatigue of the training and fighting was melting away. It was amazing. I could stay in it forever.

I scooped up some of the water and splashed it on my face.

“Mr. Ajifu. Were you a carpenter?”

Metto said, after he had washed up. Those who had participated in construction had the honor of being the first to use it.

“I’ve lived in a village for a long time. I even built a house.”
“Oh? You seem to have done a lot for one so young.”

Oh, right. I am twenty-five. That might sound unnatural. Well, a house was fine. But I had done quite a lot. It could not be helped. I used my knowledge from earth as well. Not that I knew that much. But it was all for this great cause.

“Ah, but bathing out like this. It is a luxury that even nobles don’t get. It is quite wonderful.”
“Isn’t it?”

We looked down at the valley. It had been made near the edge of the forest, which did not offer the best view at first. But we cut down the surrounding trees. Mostly to ward off the monsters.

“By the way, Mr. Ajifu.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“About the name…”
“Name… Yes, what would be a good name…”

A name related to ogres, perhaps? Ogres…oni. There were a lot of myths involving oni and hot springs. But here, they had nothing to do with hell.

“The chief wanted to call it the Ajifu Hot Spring.”
“…What!?”

You have to be kidding me. I would never allow it to have such a name!

“No-no-no-no. Not in a thousand years. That is a terrible name. Absolutely not.”
“Really? I don’t think it is so bad. And the others in the village liked it.”

What the hell… While I was staying over here, things were going in a different direction over in the village. I could not leave things like this. I had to go at once.

“I’m going to the village!”
“Hey? Mr. Ajifu!?”

I quickly got out of the water, made preparations, and climbed onto Mulze’s back.

“Hyah! Ha!”

There was a beaten path through the mountains, making it easy enough for a horse to travel.
And so it only took me about two hours to return.

My heated body was cooled by the wind, and as I rode, I began to sweat again. I was in danger of catching a cold.

“Get out of the way!”
“Woah!”

I apologized to the villager that I passed, and went through the gate. I left Mulze in the stable and then rushed into the chief’s house.

“Chief!”
“Oh, Mr. Ajifu. How was the water?”

When I arrived, the chief met with me immediately.

“Ah, it was amazing… But nevermind that! I heard something about you calling it the ‘Ajifu Hot Spring’?”
“Oh, you heard already. That was quick.”
“I strongly object!”

I said as I slammed my fist onto the table. The chief looked surprised.

“A part of the land is being named after you. We meant it as a great compliment.”

In this world, places were often named after people. Lands had the names of their lords. And countries their kings. And saints and heroes as well. So what the chief was saying was completely normal.

“I appreciate the thought. But surely there is a better name. Something related to ogres.”

I understood the reason, but if I bent now, it would create a bad precedent. I could not allow a place to be named after me.

“But if it is named after an ogre, people might be too scared to come.”
“Tsk.”

That was one difference between this place and earth. Here, they were a real threat.

“As we have had a request out at the guild for half a year, many people know that there were ogres here. And if they know the Adventurer ‘Ajifu’ defeated them, they might feel safe visiting it again.”

The chief said as he glanced at me. That won’t work!

“We can sell salt to merchants and have them experience the hot spring. If it was just the salt, they may not tell others where they got it. But a hot spring will be more difficult to keep secret. They will tell others, and more people will visit the village. That will bring in more profits than merely selling salt. Was this not your suggestion, Mr. Ajifu?”

Salt was a valuable resource in these regions. And so merchants would travel far in order to buy some. Indeed, I had talked about it in my presentation, not realizing that it would backfire now.

“We should increase our income in case ogres appear again. That is what you said. And we were all impressed. Not only did you defeat the ogres, but you were trying to save our future as well. Without a doubt, you have saved us. And we wish for your name to be spread, along with the hot spring.”

Grr… It was all to gather personnel for construction. Still I could not accept that name. I would be stubborn. I would be clear. It was embarrassing.

“I do not want fame and glory. Many people helped to build the place. I have received enough of a reward already. As for the fact that the ogres were defeated, I will be sure to spread the word in Deroslo.”

I said, leaning towards the chief. He stepped back under the pressure.

“Mr. Ajifu… Could it be…that you don’t like it?”
“I! HATE! IT!”

I knew that he and the others did mean well. They wanted to show their gratitude. But I had to make my position known.

As that name was turned down, that night, the village gathered together in order to discuss it.

In the end, they thankfully settled on the name, Jideruru Valley Hot Spring. Though, more than a few people still hoped that we could use the former name. I was grateful to them for helping with the construction. And so in accordance with their wishes, it was decided that a different line that would be drawn later, would be called Ajifu Water.

If it was just water, then rumors were not likely to be spread about it outside of the village.

And so the whole matter was settled.

---

Hello. Thank you for reading! Unfortunately, this is the last chapter for now. The author appears to be on hiatus, so I do not know when the next chapters will be posted. Regardless, thank you for your support up until now.

In the meantime, I have picked up a new series, so please consider checking it out. I think it should be interesting for those who enjoyed Makai Hongi.

Kamigami