"...What in the world is all this?" I found myself gaping, utterly bewildered by the staggering mountain of goods piled up right outside the Guild Branch door.
"They're 'tokens of apology' from Doorn Count, they are. Seems that little 'lesson' worked on him better than we ever thought, eh?" Jan, the Guild Master, rumbled, his voice low and seasoned. He gave my shoulder a good-natured, rough pat-pat and added, "Also, the bounty for taking down Glantz the 'Bloody Axe Ogre' is here for you, along with the paperwork about the fish business. Now stop your gawking and get inside." With that, the grizzled old man turned his back and lumbered into the building.
It had been a full week since that rather awkward meeting with the Lord. I'd certainly expected some follow-up, a sort of 'agreement' for how things would go, but I'd never imagined this much groveling. As the other adventurers buzzed and muttered around the massive, intimidating stack of boxes and crates, I made my own way to the Guild Master's private room.
Inside, sitting there as if they were permanent fixtures, were Raid-kun and Milia-san, who had truly become the 'usual suspects' of my life here. I took a seat directly across from Jan-san.
"What on earth did the Lord send?" I asked, my voice a touch reserved. "All those goods outside... it's a terrifying amount."
The Guild Master gave a heavy sigh. "Mostly consumables. Guild supplies, medical goods, that sort of thing. Stuff that had been held up as a spiteful little delay, but now, thanks to your recent episode, he finally coughed it all up. He's obviously got an ulterior motive, man: He needs me to somehow soothe the temper of the 'Giant Boar Killer.'" Jan took a small sip from the drink on the table, then set it down with quiet precision.
"I've heard the story, but honestly," I said, a slight shake of my head escaping me. "He certainly changes his tune quickly, doesn't he?"
"Seriously, man! You should've at least gotten a few bones from him that day, Shin-san, you really should've!" Raid chimed in, standing beside Milia.
"We're in agreement, Raid-kun," Milia affirmed strongly. "If you make two combat-type Gold-Class adventurers angry, you won't have enough lives to pay for it, no matter how many you have." The two older men exchanged wry smiles at the words of the two young adventurers, and Jan shifted the conversation.
"As for you, Shin—they've sent over a 'proposal' regarding the fish and birds."
"Oh? What about the toilets?" I inquired.
"Not a word about that, strangely enough. Guess he decided to just let that go, didn't he?" The Guild Master pushed a paper across the table. I picked it up and quickly scanned the conditions:
* The fish and birds will be transferred via the Count's official merchant in the town.
* The transaction price for the fish and birds will be whatever Shin says it is.
* The number of fish and birds transferred is entirely up to Shin.
"Is this man simply incapable of anything between zero and a hundred?" I groaned, rubbing my forehead in exasperation. If I said ten gold coins per fish, would he actually pay it?
"He was just being a little annoying to the Guild Master, man, but with you, Shin-san, he's going full-on enemy!" Raid observed, shaking his head.
"Well, getting two Gold-Class fighters mad is not a wise choice, as we said," Milia stated with certainty.
Still, it's a bad idea to make a permanent enemy. I'll keep the prices reasonable.
"Right. And about the reward for the 'Bloody Axe Ogre' Glantz," Jan continued, leaning forward. "The Royal Capital sent five thousand gold coins. The Lord himself added one thousand. That's a total of six thousand gold coins."
"...Six thousand!?" I yelped.
While I didn't think it was too cheap for risking my neck, the sheer number made me reel. My astonishment was instantly mirrored by Raid-kun and Milia-san, who burst out with their own cries of surprise.
"Whoa, you're rich all of a sudden, man!" Raid exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Even Gold-Class adventurers only get a payout like that once in a great while, if they're very lucky," Milia confirmed, breathing heavily.
So it does happen sometimes, then. Jan-san placed his elbows on the table and let out a huge, weary sigh.
"Of course it does. But you can bet your boots I don't want things like that happening all the time."
"Hmm... with that much money," I mused aloud, mostly to myself, "I might actually be able to build a sewer system..."
At my strange, quiet comment, all three looked at me with utterly baffled expressions.
"A... Sewer?" Jan muttered, eyes narrowed.
"What's that, man?" Raid wondered, scratching his head.
"Shin-san, are you inventing something else?" Milia asked, her voice a mix of expectation and pure curiosity. The two young ones, especially, were leaning in, their faces alive with mixed expressions.
"Ah, well, you see," I stammered a bit, trying to find the right words in this backward place. "It's like a hollow space, or a road, underneath the ground..." I began to explain, struggling with my limited vocabulary to convey the concept.
After about ten minutes of my clumsy explanation, the Guild Master was left with his arms crossed, staring down at the table with a deeply troubled face.
"Hmmmm..." he hummed, clearly perplexed.
"Is it... difficult, then?" I asked tentatively.
The two younger adventurers, who had finally taken seats on either side of me, offered their opinions.
"It's not hard, man! You just wanna dig a hole under the ground and connect it to the river, right?" Raid declared.
"Someone who's decent with Earth magic could manage it, I think. What's the big problem, Guild Master?" Milia questioned, leaning in.
Jan finally lifted his head, his face still grave. "It's the town's defenses, man. We can't just go digging secret little tunnels like that. It would make too many weak spots."
Ah, right. Coming from a peaceful world, I had completely forgotten about the need for defense. Especially after our recent scare with the Lord.
"Right. Well, since it's just for drainage," I explained carefully, "for the town's underground part, we only need narrow holes running down from above. We would, of course, need a main passage for maintenance, large enough for one person, perhaps near the gate."
"The gate already has guards, so that's fine," Jan conceded. "We'll allow that. But why, for the love of all that's holy, do we need to drain the water away like that?" His question was fair, given that they had lived without such necessities their entire lives.
I started to explain the concept of a flushing toilet and then the other thing I needed the water for. When I mentioned the second purpose, Milia-san practically leaped to her feet.
"That's essential! Absolutely essential! If Shin-san says it, it must be right, man!"
Jan-san and Raid-kun recoiled a little at her sheer intensity, but she was pushing hard.
"S-so, um," I continued, a little flustered. "I wanted to use the money I've saved, plus this new reward, to build it. Will it be enough, do you think?" It would be a huge construction project—it might take six months, maybe even a year! The worry was clear in my voice.
"Well, yeah, it'll take money, but I don't think it'll cost more than three hundred gold coins, man," Jan scoffed. "Just for the sewer system and the equipment? We can round up all the right magic-users and have it done in ten days, I reckon."
"Yeah, man," Raid agreed, nodding. "The fiddly bit will be those narrow pipes you were talking about, Shin-san. That'll take time and effort."
What? That's all? Only three hundred gold coins? Long live the other world! Long live magic!
"Oh, oh, oh! Then I'm off to the Guild to start recruiting people right now!" Milia declared, her excitement bubbling over.
And just like a gust of wind, Milia-san was gone.
"H-hahaha..." I chuckled awkwardly. "She certainly seems motivated, which is good."
"The toilet thing, yeah—it's a tempting offer for any woman, I'll give you that," Jan agreed, and then turned to the remaining young man. "Raid, you go and put in an order with the local merchants for those pipes Shin was talking about."
"Got it, man!" Raid affirmed.
"Ah, wait just a moment," I interjected quickly. "Take this too." I handed him a crude sketch and a small note I'd made during my explanation. He took them and then left the room, leaving only two men in their forties and fifties.
"Are you sure about this, though?" Jan asked, giving me a subtle, uneasy look.
"About what?" I countered, puzzled by his meaning.
"Well, you catch your fish in the river, don't you? And you're planning on running the toilet drain right into that same river..." Jan trailed off, raising an eyebrow.
"We'll connect it way, way downstream! Don't worry about that, please!" I said, my voice rising a little in a panicked sort of defense. Seeing me so flustered, the Guild Master simply threw his head back and laughed a deep, rumbling laugh.
* * *
Two weeks later.
The sewer system was complete. It had taken a little longer than expected because we needed to ensure the correct slope for drainage and, to avoid any bad rumors about the town's water, the outlet was extended five hundred meters downstream from the town.
We didn't connect a water supply to it for two distinct reasons. The first was defense: to minimize the number of tunnels leading into the town's underground. The second was practical: there were many Water magic-users, and we didn't want to take away their livelihood. The tunnels were first dug by Earth magic-users, and while they worked, Wind magic-users were kept busy blowing air in. I didn't think they'd understand 'oxygen depletion,' so I just told them it was for 'heat management.'
Next, Water magic-users softened the tunnel's surface. Then, Earth magic-users coated it with a thin layer of stone, and finally, Fire magic-users fired it all to create a hard, smooth surface. And just like that, a magnificent flush toilet system was born! It was still a manual system—you had to pour water in with a bucket—but it worked!
The essential piece of this system was the pipe connecting to the underground. It was the S-bend type, designed to trap water and block the smell and any small animals from climbing up. This, too, was a collaborative effort of Earth magic and Fire magic, resulting in a perfectly functional, stone S-bend pipe. These toilets have been installed in the public restroom on the edge of town, the Guild, and my own accommodation, the 'Clan' Inn. We've sent out a notice that we will install more, complete with modern-style toilet bowls, for anyone who wants them.
But that was only one of the things I was building. There was one more thing.
"Shin-san! Raid just let me know that the other side is ready, man!" Mile-san, one of the gate guards, called out to me.
"Ah, yes. I'll be right there. Lieben-san, come on up."
We had created a maintenance shaft, like a manhole, just outside the main gate. I had just finished inspecting the passage with Lieben-san and another Fire magic-user. This shaft was at the very top of the gradient, the end of the sewer's main line. From here, the wastewater would travel under the town and exit far downstream. We plan to do maintenance once a week by having a Water magic-user flush a massive amount of water through the system. I also arranged for Lieben-san to use Wind magic twice a week to ventilate the sewer to manage the odor.
"I'm sorry for giving you extra guard duties," I said, bowing slightly to Ron and Mile-san.
The guards both placed a hand on their hips.
"Don't worry about it, man, it's just nearby," Ron said easily.
"Besides, when the 'Giant Boar Killer' bows to you, it kinda makes you feel silly," Mile-san added, a touch of self-deprecation in his voice.
I waved goodbye to them and hurried off toward the "ready spot." It was a building not far from the Guild Branch, and upon entering, I found a familiar woman waiting for me.
"Honestly, you're the most demanding new adventurer, I'll give you that. Though, if the money's right, I'll do it."
"Thank you, Inn Mistress," I murmured.
It was Claire Age, the owner of the 'Clan' Inn. Her cooperation was absolutely vital for the other thing.
Which was...
"Hey, Shin. I'm already in, man!" Jan called out.
"Oh, this is the best, man! I never knew a big bath could feel so wonderful!" Raid's voice was full of booming pleasure.
I quickly stripped off my clothes in the changing area and headed inside. There, Jan-san and Raid-kun were already thoroughly immersed in the hot tub.
Yes, the other thing was building a public bath.
The large tub itself was easy enough—digging a pit, building walls, and having Fire magic-users bake it hard. The real problem was the need for massive water drainage. That's why the sewer system had to come first.
Another difficulty was finding people who could adjust water to a decent temperature, and it turned out the most skilled person was Claire Age. However, she couldn't realistically heat the volume of water needed by herself. So, we decided to bring in less skilled temperature-magic users and have the Water magic-users simply dilute it to the perfect warmth.
"But how did you get the Inn Mistress to cooperate?" Jan asked, his eyes closed in total bliss, a small line of worry still furrowing his brow. "Her bath was the biggest selling point of her place."
"Ah, about that," I explained. "I convinced her by promising to build her a smaller, private tub just for her inn."
"Smart, man! Hey, was that thing over there also something from your village, Shin-san?" Raid pointed with his chin toward a simple, gravity-fed shower contraption.
It was just a tank of hot water placed high up, connected to a funnel-like outlet that narrowed the stream and sent it down through countless small holes. It was simple, but it was also proving very popular.
"Yes, it was," I replied. "Apparently, one of my ancestors in the village was very, very particular about baths and toilets."
"I can certainly believe that, seeing this for myself..." Jan sighed in contentment.
"This is gonna be a famous thing in the town, man. Did your village have a bunch of people who could make hot water?" Raid asked, meaning the magic. The question of how was omitted in this magic-first world.
"Well, yes, to some extent," I admitted. "But also, as I've mentioned before, people in my place used magic only as a supplement. They weren't afraid to use simple tools to assist the magic."
"Ah, I see, man!" Raid exclaimed, snapping his fingers.
"Exactly. It's amazing how much more comfortable things are with just a little bit of extra thought," Jan observed.
Now, all that was the surface story. If I were to tell you the real story, the honest truth beneath the surface, it came down to one thing: not to clash with this world's values. If I made a system that worked entirely without magic, it would instantly attract too much attention. I couldn't have that. I wasn't here to negate this world, but to protect myself. My ability only kicks in when I am in danger, so I would only use it in self-defense.
That's why I made sure magic was involved in every single step. But even so, it had an impact.
"So, Shin," Jan asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. "You're really okay with this bathhouse being a joint venture between the Guild and the town?"
"What's that, man?" Raid asked, popping his head out of the water.
This was something Jan-san and the acting Town Mayor had worked out.
"Well, I'm just happy to be able to catch fish and birds in peace, that's all," I replied. That was the public reason. The true reason was that I had no experience running a business, and I needed to hand it over to someone. Also, it vastly increased the applications for magic-users.
In this magic-first world, there are strong, weak, and uncontrolled magic-users. Now, they could all find a useful place through combination. For example, a person who can only heat water to scalding hot can now work with a Water magic-user to dilute it to the perfect bath temperature. People who can only summon weak Wind magic can work as natural fans in the relaxation area. Someone who can only cool things, but not make ice, can help with water temperature and chilling drinks. In short, jobs and careers were expanding.
"It's good for the Guild, too," Jan noted. "We can put the folks who are short on work here. And if their pockets are full, they won't get any stupid ideas. Working with the town might even soften up some of the bad feelings about the Guild."
Hmm? That didn't sound good. It sounded like the Guild wasn't very popular.
"Um, is the Adventurer's Guild... unpopular?" I asked gently.
Raid-kun gave a wry, uncomfortable smile. Jan-san took over, explaining the truth.
"Well, 'adventurer' sounds good, but the simple fact is, the impression that we're the last resort for folks who couldn't hold down a 'real job' is hard to shake. Silver-Class and above are fine, but the majority are Bronze-Class, and they're... those kinds of people. Raid, Milia, and I are from this town, so people don't look at us that way."
Ah, I see. The Guild's joining criteria had no restrictions on background. I myself was from another world. The reputation and image were clearly suffering because of that.
"Anyway, let's get back to your condition," Jan said, pulling me back to the present. "Are you sure that's the only condition you want?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "As long as that is honored, we'll talk about anything else that comes up later."
Jan gave a curt nod and said he was 'getting out now,' then climbed out of the tub.
"Shin-san, what condition was that?" Raid asked, looking at me, curious about the conversation he'd missed.
"Oh, I just asked that the admission price be kept as low as possible so that everyone can enjoy the bath," I explained. The labor costs were high, though. I hoped the town would absorb a decent amount of the costs, since I was covering the initial construction. I'd simply handed all the negotiations over to Jan-san.
"Yeah, man, that's great," Raid said with a sigh. "If it's cheap, I can bring the little ones here sometimes."
"Little ones?" I asked, confused. I didn't think he had any siblings, but I asked carefully so as not to be rude.
"Uh, well, something like that, man. I guess I never told you? Milia-san and I are both from the orphanage at the edge of town." He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"Oh..." I was mortified. We had just discussed how the Guild was a haven for those who couldn't get a 'real job.' In this world, orphans were likely included in that group.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking," I apologized earnestly.
"No need to be so stiff, man! Did they not have any kids without parents in your village, Shin-san?"
We did, of course, but they were under protective custody, a situation incomparable to what he was describing.
"A-actually, that reminds me! I had one more condition. In my village, public facilities like this were free for children. So, I asked them to do the same here. The kids you mentioned, Raid-kun, they'll be able to use this place for free!"
"Seriously, man!?" Raid shouted, practically leaping out of the water in delight. Seeing his genuine joy eased some of my guilt, and I felt a sense of accomplishment for doing something good.
"Ah, but a guardian must accompany them, that's mandatory," I added.
"That's fine, man! I'll bring the boys, and Milia-san will bring the girls. We have the Directors, too." He wiped his face with a cloth. "Speaking of which, are there many kids?"
"The little ones, man? Right now, there are five boys and seven girls."
"That's quite a few. If you don't mind me asking, how are they coping?"
"It's tight, man, but we're not on the brink. The Guild Master looks out for us, and Milia-san and I send money home."
I continued my intelligence-gathering, letting the bath run a little long, then finally parted ways with him for the day.
* * *
Another week passed.
I was now walking toward the orphanage, tools from the town's craftsmen in hand, with Raid-kun and Milia-san accompanying me.
"What are those things, Shin-san?" Raid asked, looking at the strange wooden contraptions I was carrying.
"It's better if I just show you what they do, so I'll need your help." I'd originally wanted to test it on Jan-san, as he was the oldest, but he'd refused, claiming the core Guild members couldn't all be absent at once.
"Um, do you need me for this, too?" Milia-san asked hesitantly, a little worried.
"Yes, please," I replied. "I think both men and women will find this very useful."
The two young people exchanged looks but continued to the destination. Upon arrival, we set down the gear. The building was on the edge of town, just as Raid had said, and it looked like a large, dirty warehouse, not nearly as nice as the inn. Still, the structure itself seemed solid enough.
"Director! Are you in there, man... whoa!" Raid called out, only to be instantly swarmed by a gaggle of small children, ranging from lower elementary to about ten years old.
"Big Brother Raid!"
"Oh! Big Sister Milia is here, too!"
I watched them get completely surrounded when an older woman's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Excuse me, who might you be?"
I bowed my head quickly. I gestured to the things Raid and Milia had carried in. "I'm Shin, a fellow adventurer who works with Raid-kun and Milia-san at the Guild. This is just a little something I brought for you all..."
At the word "souvenirs," the children instantly rushed over, abandoning their heroes to surround the bundles on the ground.
"Whoa! Fish!"
"And birds! Meat, meat!"
Hmmm. Children are indeed the purest embodiment of curiosity and appetite. I'd brought ten live fish and five birds as a small gift, and it seemed to be a hit. Though healthy, the children's clothes were not what one would call clean.
"Thank you very much. Please, come inside. It's not proper to stand outside! Hey! All of you, settle down!"
Finally, the Director led me, Raid-kun, and Milia-san into the building.
"...So, what is the purpose of your visit?" she asked, after we were seated in what looked like a reception room.
"Ah, well, describing it with words is a bit complex," I admitted. "Do you have anything we can lay down on the floor?"
Raid-kun quickly laid out a thin blanket, and I arranged the tools I had the craftsman build. They were wooden frames, like miniature track hurdles, which I set up on both sides of the blanket to act as handrails.
"Right, Director," I addressed the older woman. "Would you mind lying down on your stomach for a moment?"
Looking mystified, the elderly woman did as she was asked.
"Also, could we call in one of the children?" I requested.
A boy about ten years old was quickly summoned, and I explained the next instructions to him.
"What!? Step on the Director!?" the boy cried, his eyes wide and fearful.
"N-no, we're not going to do anything mean to the Director! This is a common practice in my village," I explained, calming the boy down, assuring him it wasn't bullying, just a custom from my village. With the handrails for support, I had him start by pressing down, being careful not to use his full weight, and then tread softly on the Director's lower back.
"...Nnn, fuh, fuu," the Director began to exhale, not in pain, but in a slow release of air.
This was a foot massage.
I had assumed that in a world where food was scarce, therapeutic massages would also be non-existent. It seemed my assumption was correct. I had wanted to bring the Guild Master for this very reason—to test it on the oldest person first.
"Director, are you okay, man?" Raid asked worriedly.
"Stop if you're in pain, please..." Milia pleaded.
I intervened gently. "Is there a spot you would like him to press a little more?"
"A-ah, yes... J-just a little... l-lower..." she breathed.
I instructed the boy above to follow her request.
"What's going on, man? What is this?" Raid questioned, utterly confused.
"Director, what is happening to you?" Milia's voice was full of confusion.
Leaving them bewildered, I let the foot massage continue for about ten minutes. I then helped the Director stand up and asked for her thoughts.
"My back feels incredibly light..." she said, looking amazed. "What is this?"
"It's a tradition from my village, originally a ritual offered to the gods," I lied smoothly. "We say the god takes the form of a child, and by stepping on a person, it stimulates and activates their magic power. Now, Raid-kun and Milia-san, you should try it too." I used 'magic power' as a placeholder to make the concept palatable in this world. In my old world, people talked about 'chi' or 'vital energy'—it was all similar enough.
The two of them were then massaged by other children, so they could understand the miracle of the foot massage.
* * *
Ten minutes later.
"Agh... what is this, man? It's the best thing ever..." Raid moaned in pure bliss.
"Oof... Mmmph... It really, really hits the spot!" Milia sighed, utterly defeated by the pleasure. We had the children step on their shoulders, backs, and legs, not just their lower backs. It was a massive hit. Especially for Milia-san, whose back was probably sore from all the desk work.
We then had a serious discussion with the three adults. My proposal was to have the children offer the foot massage as a paid service at the new public bath. It would not only be a nice service for the townspeople but also a way for the children to earn income.
Raid-kun and Milia-san were completely on board, but the Director's face clouded over with worry.
"I appreciate the offer, but... with children doing the work, wouldn't people try to haggle the price down? Or refuse to pay? I worry they might even be treated roughly." That last part was likely her truest fear. It was a valid concern, and I was considering simply building the cost into the entrance fee, since I had paid for the initial construction.
The two young adventurers quickly cut in.
"Don't worry about that, man! This is the idea of 'Giant Boar Killer' Shin-san, remember!" Raid declared proudly.
"Who would be foolish enough to treat an idea from the town's benefactor—the one who took down the 'Bloody Axe Ogre'—with disrespect? No one is that reckless!" Milia affirmed with great certainty.
The Director stared at my face.
"A-are you the... 'Giant Boar Killer'...?" she whispered.
And then she promptly fell over backward, leaving the three of us scrambling to help her.
Notes:
• Glantz - A notorious bandit known as 'Glantz the Bloody Axe Ogre' for his massive weapon and brute-force approach. He has muscular build, bushy beard and unkempt hair. He carries a massive, 3-meter axe, and Wears bandit gear.
• Jan - The sturdy branch manager of the local Adventurer's Guild. He is short, has muscular build, and gray hair.
• Milia - The young receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild. She has short hair, tanuki-face like (cute), wears round glasses, and business attire.
• Raid - A young, 'normie' adventurer who gets saddled with the job of escorting Shin. He is carefree and friendly but is instantly put on edge by Jandou's ominous warning. He has short black hair, sun-tanned skin, and wears casual adventure gear.
• Shin - An average, middle-aged Japanese salaryman who prides himself on his common sense and average abilities. He was forcibly sent to a fantasy world by a God and granted the 'ability' to prevent anything 'outside his common sense' from occurring in his presence.
• Mile - One of the two gate guards. He's relatively open and friendly towards Shin after their initial encounter. Wears rough leather armor, has weather-beaten face, and strong build.
• Lieben - A tall man Shin hires for his Wind Magic to help create his dried fish product. He has thin, tall frame and slightly tired eyes.
• Ron - The second gate guard, usually supporting Mile. He is observant of Shin's methods, though he misinterprets them. Wears same as Mile.
• Claire - The sharp-witted owner of the inn 'Clan,' which was previously famous for its private bath. She is a powerful water-magic user.