This is a story set during Celesta and Lapar’s travels, around episodes 428 to 488.
[Scene]: Tavern Window
[Dialogue]:
[Customer]: “The snow melted in just a few days.”
[Bar Owner]: “The wind blowing through the tavern window is cold, but Sebori leaned against the window edge and narrowed her eyes contentedly.”
[Hanna, the tavern owner, also known as ‘Okami-san,’ replied while working on something.]
[Bar Owner]: “The northern shadows still have stubborn patches of ice left, so be careful. Newcomers often get caught in that trap because they’re lured by the warmth and decide to picnic there.”
[Customer]: “Ah, they sit down without noticing the frozen ground.”
[Bar Owner]: “If they’d just check first, they’d notice, but they’re so set on finding shade under a tree and the grassy area around them is so open that they end up doing it. Then, after a while, they go ‘Hyaa!’”
[Customer]: “Ahahaha. Elves wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake.”
[Bar Owner]: “I wonder. Well, if you think about it, we’ve lived side by side without ever meeting before. Maybe I was being too preachy.”
[Customer]: “Yeah, something like that. And you know, me and Oregano might look like little girls to humans at around 16 or 17, but we’re actually close to 30, you know?”
[Bar Owner]: “Oh my.”
[Bar Owner]: ”…But keep it a secret from our master. Apparently, when you’re somewhere between human ages like that, it’s hard to express certain emotions properly.”
[Bar Owner]: “Could be.”
[Bar Owner]: “Just so you know, elves treat anyone under 100 as if they’re children. It’s not like we’re especially childish or anything, okay?”
[Bar Owner]: Sebori desperately tried to explain, and Hanna couldn’t help but laugh.
[Hanna]: “Fufufu, I know, I know. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family.”
[Customer]: “It’s complicated being called mature compared to him…”
Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.
As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.
[Hanna]: “Hey, Kuto. Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greetings.”
Girl: “Ny… Oh, good morning~!”
[Hanna]: “There we go.”
[Hanna]: “Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for ‘yes’ either!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say ‘good work’ or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all.”
[Bar Owner]: “Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use ‘good morning.’”
[Hanna]: “I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning.”
[Hanna]: “Kuto! Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori… If you can tell the difference between the same ‘nya’ sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?”
[Bar Owner]: “No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using ‘nya’ just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!”
[Sebori clenched her fists and passionately argued.]
[Hanna]: “I don’t really get it, but Kuto, listen to Sebori’s words at least a little.”
[Hanna]: “Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for ‘yes’ either!”
[Sebori]: “Listen up, Kuto! Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for anything!”
[Hanna]: “Stop it with the ‘nya’ already!”
[Sebori]: “You’re being too stubborn, Kuto. If you can’t even tell the difference between the same sound, then just leave it at that.”
[Hanna]: “It’s fine, really. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family.”
[Customer]: “It’s complicated being called mature compared to him…”
Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.
As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.
[Hanna]: “Hey, Kuto. Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greetings.”
Girl: “Ny… Oh, good morning~!”
[Hanna]: “There we go.”
[Hanna]: “Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for ‘yes’ either!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say ‘good work’ or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all.”
[Bar Owner]: “Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use ‘good morning.’”
[Hanna]: “I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning.”
[Hanna]: “Kuto! Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori… If you can tell the difference between the same ‘nya’ sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?”
[Bar Owner]: “No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using ‘nya’ just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!”
[Sebori clenched her fists and passionately argued.]
[Hanna]: “I don’t really get it, but Kuto, listen to Sebori’s words at least a little.”
[Hanna]: “Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for ‘yes’ either!”
[Sebori]: “Listen up, Kuto! Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for anything!”
[Hanna]: “Stop it with the ‘nya’ already!”
[Sebori]: “You’re being too stubborn, Kuto. If you can’t even tell the difference between the same sound, then just leave it at that.”
[Hanna]: “It’s fine, really. And neither Sebori nor Oregano-chan are treated like children. There are plenty of people who act like kids even after turning 20, right? Like Kiel-kun from the Lindon family.”
[Customer]: “It’s complicated being called mature compared to him…”
Kiel, who was known among the tavern regulars for his childlike—or rather, petty—behavior, took it as a compliment when others said he was more mature.
As they were talking, a cute girl energetically opened the front door and walked in.
[Hanna]: “Hey, Kuto. Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greetings.”
Girl: “Ny… Oh, good morning~!”
[Hanna]: “There we go.”
[Hanna]: “Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for ‘yes’ either!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori, wouldn’t it be fine to just say ‘good work’ or something? It’s not even morning anymore, after all.”
[Bar Owner]: “Well, according to Hilda-san, in the industry, there’s no such thing as night or day, so the moment you start working is considered your morning, and that’s why they always use ‘good morning.’”
[Hanna]: “I don’t know what kind of industry she’s talking about, but here, we have mornings and nights, and I’d like them to greet me properly in the morning.”
[Hanna]: “Kuto! Don’t use ‘nya’ as a substitute for greeting or saying yes!”
[Bar Owner]: “Sebori… If you can tell the difference between the same ‘nya’ sound, maybe it’s fine to leave it at that?”
[Bar Owner]: “No way. We need to teach young people proper manners. And using ‘nya’ just because you have cat ears is already sneaky enough. Stop relying on tricks and own up to your shame!”
[Sebori clen
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[Translate the following Japanese text to English. Paragraphs are separated by ”
”. Output each translated paragraph with the same delimiter in between, preserving the exact number of paragraphs. Do not add explanations. Do not merge or split paragraphs.]
“But honestly, when it comes to service, the leftover group can’t match the accompanying group… It’s the quality, isn’t it? Definitely.”
The atmosphere lightened slightly, and Fenner decided it would be better to steer the conversation toward topics that wouldn’t cause trouble for Irena, who was still settling into her seat. She chimed in with a suggestion.
“Christie nodded.
“I think we need to focus our service and make sure this Polka is seen as the first place you want to return to. For example… since Master likes group sex with a twist, we could refine that aspect.”
“Our four homes are already separated from others, so we’re suited for that… Maybe we should try waiting in a way that stirs up Master’s desires.”
“Desires? Are you suggesting we make Oregano create some kind of courtesan outfit?”
“That might work too. Oh, and putting up a sign might be good. Something like, ‘Elven Territory Public Bathhouse.’”
“But if we don’t keep it secret, the other clans would turn bright red with anger.”
“Of course, once we put up the sign, Lady Irena, you’ll become one of our courtesans too, right?”
Fenner spoke with a hint of mischief, and Irena nodded hesitantly, not entirely opposed to the idea.
“Well, if only Lord Smison is the customer… it wouldn’t hurt to take off the collar and indulge in some springtime pleasures.”
“Everyone would be bought for a single coin and used to satisfy their desires. It might even be fun to deliberately limit the play and say things like, ‘Anything beyond this requires extra payment.’”
“Hmm. Not bad… Of course, Christie, you’ll join us too, right?”
“I feel like I’d be out of place…”
“Then how about you team up with Lady Lyla or the Glorious Princess, Hilda, and open a separate bathhouse? It could have a different approach from ours.”
“I feel like I’m being treated as someone older…”
“Just ignore it. The Glorious Princess and Lady Lyla aren’t much different from me, are they?”
“The special bathhouse plan for Andy.”
“Later, it would involve dragging the cat beastfolk’s ‘Cat Mansion’ into it, making Jeanne even mint special coins, but that’s another story.”
“And in the middle of all that, a certain courtesan from Talc would get involved as technical advisor, but let’s not go there either.”
“But setting that aside, when it comes to what I miss most about this Polka, it’s definitely the hot springs.”
“Indeed. That sensation of the travel fatigue melting away like water is indescribable.”
“I think we should try healing Master with the hot springs without having to sneak around and serve him.”
“What are you saying? Whether it’s the men’s bath or the women’s, we can’t completely shut out other guests. As for the branch from the water source, it’d be too awkward to ask Baron for permission.”
“I think the best solution right now is the barrier prison.”
Irena and Fenner offered a sensible answer.
“That’s true, but actually, there might be a way to build hot springs outside the town.”
“In a spot just past the ancient barrier, closer than the water source. It seems there’s a spring about 2 kilometers from the town. Baron has known about it for a while, but since it’s in the forest, he worried it might stir up the elves and left it untouched. But since we’re elves, that’s no longer an issue…”
“You’re suggesting we take that spot?”
“Let’s not make it sound so bad. When I asked Baron if we could use it, he said, ‘The townsfolk already have a bathhouse nearby, so they wouldn’t go all the way into the forest.’ In other words, if we set up our own bathhouse there, it could become a dedicated service bath for Master. But…”
“But?”
“That means we can’t use anyone else’s help for the construction, right?”
“Ah…”
“It’s true… It’d be hard to ask an elf instructor to keep it secret.”
“I think that’s just your imagination. The Glorious Princess and Lady Lyla aren’t much different from me, are they?”
[Human beings wouldn’t go deep into the confusing forest just to reach a hot spring, but for elves, publicly announcing its location would inevitably attract some curious visitors. All the springs on the Trot side are officially (procedurally) considered the baron’s property, so if someone asked to use them, we’d have no choice but to let them in.
The three elves shared the wish to use the spring for a private rendezvous with Andy without any worries and began brainstorming.
“Diane is said to be skilled in architecture—what do you think? When will we even find the time to build something like that?”
“Or perhaps there’s not enough manpower. We can’t exactly rely on the dragon’s massive body to help us…”
“If we take our time, could even we manage it? All we really need is a bath with easy-to-clean walls and a changing room where clothes can be stored.”
“A meandering water channel to cool the hot spring would also be useful. Ideally, we’d want to draw cold water from somewhere to make it easier to adjust…”
“Being greedy requires more specialized knowledge. Kristy, haven’t you studied that kind of science?”
“At least I haven’t trained with a hammer…”
The three elves exchanged ideas in hushed whispers.
And the half-elf’s ears, better than those of humans, caught every word.
[Half-Elf]: “It seems you’re in trouble!”
[Half-Elf]: “If it’s about Andy, you’d naturally come to us.”
With a confident expression, Jeanne opened the door and entered with Selen, who was carrying a baby on her way to give birth.
(Continued)