Chapter 14 Where’s The Bathroom Around Here?
Based on my current knowledge of this world, there were numerous issues that needed improvement.
Despite clearing the settlement, and creating a more conducive living environment, more improvements were necessary.
First and foremost… BATHING!
Yep, that was indeed a factor I had needed to consider when I first arrived here.
"How do you all use the bathroom? What do you do when you wanna 'go'?" I had asked Sarah
As detailed as my favorite novel was, these little things were never addressed—especially because the MC operated as a lone wolf for the most part of his adventures.
On his first go, it was a full-on loner vibe.
That was probably why Damien never got to experience the sort of hardship I was currently facing.
"Seriously? You… do it… like that?" I was honestly appalled.
According to Sarah—who looked mortified when I asked the question—they had public stalls for bathing as well as their excretory activities.
Basically, only two of such facilities were provided and everyone had to share them. In addition the facilities provided were not only inadequate they were also disgusting, a situation no doubt compounded by the numerous people sharing them.
As for bathing, it wasn't a daily routine for the members of the settlement.
Due to the chilly environment, the denizens of this wasteland only used the bathroom about twice a week.
Important people like Sarah had the privilege of utilizing it three times.
And I couldn't even get started about how they used the toilet.
'… The fuck?!'
I realized that some people in certain areas of the world operated using this method, but it was hardly hygienic.
The worst part was the kind of environment they lived in.
It was a dangerous, dirty, and tasking settlement that required tons of effort in order to make it conducive to live in. Unlike in my world where everything was made convenient and people could just stay in their rooms all day, these people had very active lifestyles.
It honestly made me afraid.
"Infections and diseases are real, you know?" I said to Sarah.
Fortunately, thanks to the Hero buff, I was immune to natural ailments.
As for my summoners, apparently, Sarah could use Healing Magic since she was a Priestess.
That solved the problem of constant infection and diseases.
It made me realize how very important the blonde was to the town—and how they would all be fucked without her around.
'This has to stop!'
As a result, I developed a mechanism to assist them.
"It's my third day here. Thank goodness I found out about the problem early…"
***************
I was wiping my body with a towel, after my daily exercise, and checking all my abilities through the System Window, when Sarah returned.
"He—Sam, I am done preparing your bath for you… sir." She said nervously.
I smiled in gratitude.
"About time…" I grinned, definitely feeling the urge to soak myself in warm water and let my exhaustion melt away.
"You may come in." I ordered.
Obeying my order, I saw Sarah's silhouette move as she opened the tent's synthetic door.
As the Priestess entered the room, she blushed slightly and lowered her head until she stared at the ground.
I knew the cause of her bashful behavior, though. It was none other than my current appearance.
My attires were all doffed, so my bare body was in view. Other than my boxer briefs, I was practically naked.
'I didn't plan on feeling uncomfortable about this, though…'
Sarah watched me sleep.
She observed me while I bathed.
She stood guard while I peed.
As she had no consideration for my privacy—neither was she bothered about encroaching on certain important moments of my life—I wasn't going to spare her any longer.
Until Sarah realized the common sense of letting me have my private moments, this was her punishment.
"Well done." I smiled at her, flexing my slightly toned muscles and flat stomach.
I didn't have a big build like many of the warriors around, but that was simply one of my body's appeals.
What woman would love an overly muscular guy like those barbarians? I mean, some ladies were into that, but—
'Judging by how flustered she is, this Priestess actually digs my physique.'
My observational abilities never failed me, after all.
I could see her stealing glances at me from time to time as I finished mopping the sweat from my body.
With one of my constantly active Skills being [Insight], it was easy to detect her movements and reactions.
Soon, I had dried my sweaty body and returned the towel to my Inventory.
I could have thrown it at her and told her to handle the laundry, but…
'… I don't trust these people with my stuff!'
"Lead the way." My gaze shifted to the waiting Priestess as she bowed her head and exited the tent.
'Alright, then… let's head out.'
**************
The rays of sunlight that hit my face as I stepped out were awfully lukewarm.
It contained no heat that accompanied the intensity of its light. It made me wonder if the giant ball of light in the sky was actually producing any heat.
Cold wind sent shivers down my spine despite the insulated robe I had on.
It was one of my favorites, sporting designs of flying dragons on it.
With Sarah stealing multiple glances at the bathrobe every couple of seconds—despite leading the way—I knew it had to be fancy by this world's standards.
The townspeople were busy with certain affairs, so I encountered none of them as I walked in the direction of my newly constructed bathing area.
"We are here, sir."
I smiled as I got closer to where Sarah called 'here.'
It was barricaded with four stakes at all cardinal points, and blue curtains covered the interior—hiding it from view.
It resembled a typical bathroom.
From where I stood, I could feel the heat emanating from the convergence of the water within the spot.
My smile widened instantly.
"Stand outside. I'll be entering now."
With that, I parted the curtain and entered the insulated spot within, feeling more heat radiate through my body.
Before me was a pool—like the kind of portable inflatable swimming pools that were popular in my world.
Yet this one was slightly different because it was well insulated, so not only did it ensure that heat was trapped inside, the properties used to construct the pool weren't wholly rubber—so it couldn't burst due to excess heat.
'Having Sarah heat my bath with Magic sure is convenient…' I smiled and stepped into the pool.
"A-ahhh…." I sighed happily.
The warm sensation of absolute bliss spread through my entire body as I returned both my bathrobe and boxer briefs to my Inventory.
'This is… pure bliss.'
After putting my body through so much hardship, I saw this as my reward.
My tense muscles had mostly been healed by my Auto recovery, however, I simply couldn't get used to using such primitive means to bathe.
'Well, it's not like I am a selfish monster too…'
Thanks to my benevolent heart—and also to obtain more Karmic Value—I installed bathroom stalls in the far corner of the settlement.
The denizens were all probably having the time of their lives there.
There was only one reason why such a thing was possible.
It was because I found one of the root causes of their lack of proper hygiene.
It wasn't just because the weather was extremely cold and they were all busy with several activities.
There was a lack of one critical element that caused them to live the way they did. 𝘧r𝗲𝑒𝔀𝘦𝙗𝓃oν𝑒l.𝐜𝗼m
—Water!
Once I solved that, and provided the appropriate facilities, my loyal followers were more than happy to utilize the bathrooms as much as they wanted.