Fee’s Present

Luna bought the staff then and there.

The sticker price was a single Platinum Coin, but she struck a deal—or rather, a deception. She handed over the Platinum Coin but insisted the shopkeeper record it as a mere Silver Coin.

“Um, what’s going on?” Fee asked, looking up at Emilina. The logic of the transaction escaped her entirely.

“It might be a little early for you to understand, Fee-chan,” Emilina replied with a knowing look. “That is what we call the ‘adult world.’”

“I don’t get it at all.”

Fee tilted her head, her expression a mask of pure bewilderment. Beside her, Luna clutched the staff to her chest, looking far too pleased with herself.

“Now, we still need to decide on a present from the two of us,” Emilina said. “What do you think, Fee-chan? What would you like to give him?”

“...Maybe some Cooking?”

“Oh, that’s a lovely idea. Shall we make something together, then?”

Emilina’s smile was radiant.

“That sounds perfect,” I heard—or rather, imagined—them saying. “I’ll help too,” Luna added.

“...I’ll be the taste-tester,” Fee decided.

“Well then, let’s go find some ingredients.”

And so, the entire female contingent of our group was swept up in a plan to prepare a birthday feast.

◇　◆　◇

I had initially ducked into the Break Room to kill time while Fritz finished hauling the furniture, but I fell into a trance of productivity. By the time I snapped out of it, the smells and grime were the least of the changes. I had gone ahead and installed every Magic Tool I thought might be useful.

The Break Room was now pristine, without a single speck of dust. I’d mounted an Air Conditioning Magic Tool capable of both heating and cooling, and for good measure, I’d deployed a Prototype Vacuum Cleaner designed to roam the floors automatically.

Actually, I built that vacuum on a whim. I have no idea if the logic circuits will hold up or if it’ll just end up crashing into the walls.

I’d have to give the Guild Master and Elie a fair warning about that later.

Next, I tackled the toilet. I’d converted the primitive vault-style latrine into a modern flush-style system. The problem was that this city lacked a proper water supply and Sewerage. Disposal was a nightmare.

Naturally, the solution was more Magic Tools.

Generating Water was easy enough. The real challenge was purifying the waste. A device utilizing Light Magic would solve the problem, but unfortunately, I lacked the aptitude for it. I usually had Emilina infuse Magic Power into stones for me, but my current stock was low. It’s a bit of a waste to use them here, I thought, but Emilina is traveling with us anyway. I can just have her charge more Light-attributed Magic Stones later.

To ensure a powerful flush, I combined Wind and Water magic. By layering in Light Magic Power, the system could handle purification, deodorization, and cleaning in a single, violent burst. Once the commode was functional, I added a Hand-washing Magic Tool to the suite.

I scrubbed the dull stains from the walls and floors until they gleamed, then placed a vase filled with flowers the color of osmanthus to brighten the space. The dim atmosphere was easily fixed by placing Light-attributed Magic Stones in the ceiling. The result was a restroom that wouldn't look out of place in my old world.

I even added a Washlet effect, though that might have been overkill.

By the time Fritz and the others returned, I had finished two rooms to my satisfaction. But a clean bathroom didn't solve the core issue: the "mercenary smell." In my own territory, the Grand Bath kept the odor of a hundred warriors at bay. Here, the air was still heavy.

Maybe a Shower Room?

No, that would be too slow. I couldn't picture a line of impatient Mercenaries waiting for their turn in a cramped stall. They needed volume. They needed a Grand Bath.

“...I’ll just build one,” I muttered.

But first, I needed permission. I turned and headed for the Guild Master’s office.

◇　◇　◇

Assuming she was still knee-deep in sensitive documents, I gave the door a sharp, professional knock.

“Who is it?” a voice called out.

“It’s Yuri. I have a proposal. May I come in?”

“Yes, please.”

I entered and found that the documents weren't just unorganized—they were in worse shape than when I’d left. The desk was buried, and the floor was disappearing.

“I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, looking sheepish. “I’ve never been very good at this sort of thing.”

“I see. I can help you gather them, at least.”

I flicked my wrist, using Wind Magic to whip the scattered papers off the floor and stack them neatly on her desk in a single second.

“What incredible power,” she sighed. “I wish I had a talent like that.”

“This is just Beginner Magic. It barely uses any Magic Power. As long as you have the Wind Aptitude, anyone can do it.”

“Ahaha... my Magic Power Manipulation is a disaster. I’d probably just create a localized tornado and make the mess worse.”

I remember having trouble with fine control in the beginning, too, I thought. Now, it feels as natural as moving my own limbs.

“So,” she said, straightening a stack of papers. “What did you need?”

“Right. As part of the renovation, I’d like to add an extension to the building. Would that be alright?”

“An extension? We don't exactly have the land for it.”

“I know. That’s why I want to use the Basement.”

She paused, considering. “...As long as you don't compromise the structural integrity of the guild, I don’t mind.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Perfect. I have her word now. She can’t complain no matter what I build down there.

“The cleaning... I know it’s a massive undertaking,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry. I’m actually having a lot of fun.”

I gave her a smile and let myself out.

◇　◇　◇

I’d originally planned to put the Grand Bath near the Break Room, but for the sake of the Mercenaries, it needed to be accessible. I decided to put the main entrance in the Grand Hall.

Regardless of the entrance, the first step was excavating the Basement. I used my specialty, Earth Magic, to reinforce the foundation with thick, sturdy walls before carving out the male and female sections of the Grand Bath and their respective Dressing Rooms.

While I was at it, I added a Staff Bath with a private entrance near the Break Room.

Drainage was handled by Magic Stones. Since I was also using them to flash-heat the water, my inventory was disappearing at an alarming rate.

I’ll have to see if the Guild Master will let me have some more Magic Stones, I thought as I installed a row of showers.

After adding a toilet near the dressing area and a staircase leading back up to the Grand Hall, the Grand Bath was complete.

When I climbed back up, I found Fritz and Lark standing in the middle of the hall, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

“Yuri... what the hell were you doing down there?” Fritz asked.

“Just putting in a Grand Bath. Nothing major.”

“...If that isn’t ‘major,’ then I’m terrified to know what is.”

“It’s standard procedure back in my territory,” I argued.

“That’s because it was your territory! You’re in someone else’s guild! In another country! If you do things like this here...”

“What? What would happen?”

Fritz looked me dead in the eye, his expression grim. “There will be a war, Yuri. People will fight wars over the things you make.”

That seems like a massive exaggeration.

I was just using a few Magic Tools. Noble estates had baths. My toilets were just slightly more advanced versions of what already existed. And the automatic vacuum...

Okay, maybe they haven’t seen a vacuum before.

“Tell me the truth,” Fritz groaned. “Did you make anything else ‘weird’ besides the bath?”

“I-I-I haven't made a thing.”

“You definitely made something. Where is it?”

Fritz hounded me until I showed him my handiwork. He let out a sigh so heavy it seemed to rattle his bones.

“God... you really are hopeless without Fee around to watch you. You’re a hazard when you run wild.”

Fritz didn't even argue. He simply told me to decommission the Autonomous Vacuum Cleaner immediately and take it away.