Dungeon of Niflheim

353 Chapter 353: Bath etiquette

Frost couldn’t help but show a glint in his eye as he imagined the vast quantity of materials he’d have on hand by the end of the stampede and in such diverse quantities at that. The monster stampede contains all manner of monsters from the Glacial mountains and the Northrend forest, many of which Frost had yet to encounter.

In regards to red alert system, Douglas went into a few protocols that helped ensure a fluid dynamic throughout the monster stampede despite the harsh battle that went on through the day and night. Many which again inspired Frost, Douglas had far, far more experience in regards to managing his population, even more so during times of strife and war.

The bright beam of red light that was still glowing from the government district was a magic device fashioned by artificers for this disaster. A serious upgrade in the emergency beacon soldiers tend to have to call for aid when vibration was less effective.

The bright red beam rose hundreds of metres into the sky and was joined by similar red beams in the other bastion towns Adima and Tunir. This was the warning for the monster stampede, and it could be seen for hundreds of kilometres, warning every one of the disaster.

The three beams would stay lit until the third major wave in the early stages before it’d be put to rest. By then the nearby territories should have had ample warning and if the refuges hadn’t made it to one of the town they were as good as dead. Regular civilians and even adventurers could survive through such dead zone. Keeping it alight after that would only be a waste of magic crystals, pointless. They would however turn it briefly back on during the mid-stages and late stages so as to alert those watching as well as those sheltered in the towns of the stampede’s progress.

Douglas and Leo threw barbs at one another on occasion throughout the meal once they we comfortable again. Leo bravely accusing his father of being a hypocrite since the only reason he was really mad in the first place was because he took the work the old man wanted to do, he was simply jealous. Douglas of course wasn’t one to back down in duel of words, insulting his son back but eventually it was clear that since he was the father and current Viscount there was a double standard, Leo was thus assigned even more paperwork while he left with Cassandra, showing a mocking grin as he did. Cassandra blushed as she left, clearly understanding her husband’s intentions.

Ryuu and Bastion looked at one another and sighed, they patted both Luna and Leo’s shoulders, wishing them luck before they left to retire to their own rooms. They’d been overworked for the past several days and really needed a proper rest. Luna and Leo however though doing no less work it wasn’t as tedious and lacking in excitement therefore they had much more energy plus they were young, young people are full of endless stamina.

The new head servant and a couple guards ‘escorted’ Leo and Luna to the offices so they could begin their work. Douglas and Ryuu would come and check on them in the morning and make sure everything was done and done correctly. From then they’d be working alongside their children, educating them in how to do the work that would soon rest on their shoulders.

Douglas had already contacted Colonel Hamon who was of a similar mindset. Though Leo and Luna were a great boon to aiding the military and preparing the defences of the town their lineage meant they were hallmarked for another sector. They did however leave with him a capable duo that he didn’t have to relinquish control of. Bruno and Taka.

.....

The shield bearing dwarf Bruno and the human archer Taka were very talented and had good heads on their shoulders. Along with Leo and Luna, Hamon had been educating them personally causing their strengths to rapidly climb. The two who were at the very peak of D-rank could now be considered entry level C-ranks and with their new 3 star weapons they were quite a force to be reckoned with. Hamon had high prospects for the young adventurers and had on more than one occasion offered to accept them into the frost wolf battalion.

While everyone was heading off in their own direction and each with vastly differing expressions a servant came to lead Frost, Maya, and the kids to their suite for the night. It wasn’t that late but since everyone else was quite tired Frost decided to follow suit.

Despite the seriousness of the situation everyone had a very peaceful night’s sleep. Even Kiba who slept in the monster stables slept well beside his two new friends the ice wolves from the frost wolf battalion. Unlike other monsters he’d come across in Kranor they didn’t balk in his presence or instinctively feel fear, treating him as just another mount, very refreshing.

They weren’t as intelligent as he was, but he could tell that despite the difference in rank these two wolves were not to be messed with, they had a wealth of battle experience that Kiba couldn’t hope to match. After a really engaging discussion and some playful rough housing they fell asleep while leaning on one another, quite adorable if you look passed their massive sizes and massive teeth.

Frost and Maya woke up early at the crack of dawn.

“Morning beautiful” Frost greeted his girlfriend with a warm smile, finding her face to be the best thing to wake up to. Though of course it wasn’t while lying on the same bed, their suite had separate rooms.

Maya replied with her own warm smile and a tinge of pink on her cheeks. “Morning handsome.’

‘Dark God-sama why did you have to make your son so damn pretty.’ She nearly had to cover her eyes as Frost’s radiance was too much for her to bear this early in the morning.....that man however was now hers so at the same time she couldn’t help but smirk proudly.

After admiring one another’s appearance for a minute or so they woke up Nanna and Loki before heading to their respective bathing areas. Frost had grown quite fond of baths thus if he could he’d use them instead of clean up magic. He took Loki while Maya took Nanna, they were old enough to be separated by gender, especially Nanna who was almost in her teenage years.

They weren’t the only ones up however, it seemed as though everyone planned on getting an early start to the day and a bath was on their agendas.

“Ah morning Frost senpai and hello Loki.” Leo was sitting in the hot bath alongside his father, Ryuu, and Bastion. All of them were sunken till their shoulders and resting their necks against the back wall enjoying the hot water’s effect on their bodies. There was even a mild scent of lavender in the air that helped create a calming atmosphere.

The bath house in the Furano manor was a little larger and of a higher class design wise than the one in Kranor, more fit for someone of noble standing.

Only Leo noticed Frost and Loki walk in wrapped in their towels, the three older men had small wet towels over their eyes to enhance the relaxation. They didn’t even turn to face Frost and Loki at Leo’s announcement, simply waving their hands in their rough direction. Unwilling to do anything strenuous unless absolutely necessary. Once the bath was over, work would begin, and it wouldn’t stop for the next couple months.

After a long night of paperwork with only a few hours rest Leo entered the bath house to find his father and his uncles already there soaking in silence. They’d hadn’t said more than a single word each since, appearing completely motionless.

Frost noticed the situation and showed a gentle smile before whispering, “Morning Leo, we’ll join you in a sec.” His quiet voice garnered slight appreciative nods from the three older men, silence was bliss.

Frost ushered Loki over to the washing station telling him to be as quiet as possible before the two of them lowered themselves into the hot bath, copying Douglas and the rest.

There 5 men and a young child sat in silence, letting the hot water seep into their bones, erasing any tension and stress left within their bodies. Loki began counting to 100 in his head, Frost and Maya said that he needed to stay in the hot water until then before he could leave. His quiet number counting garnered a slight chuckle from Leo and then the three old men who found him adorable.

After he reached 100 Loki popped his body up and swiftly left the hot water, heading towards the drying towels.

“Ah Loki don’t run on a wet floor!” Frost yelled while shaking his head. Loki thus swiftly slowed down his pace but still moved quickly. He wasn’t old enough to appreciate the relaxation provided by a piping hot bath.

To take care of Loki, Frost exited the bath and followed after him. He would have preferred a long, deep soak but when you’re a child’s guardian sometimes other things take priority.

His actions caused the three old men to smile warmly before they too rose from the water, it was about time they left and got to work. Of course this indirectly forced Leo to leave as well. He wasn’t brave enough to continue relaxing while his father and seniors left for work.

Over in the woman’s bath house a similar encounter was going on though with a fair bit more talking.

“Wow Maya I’ve got to say I’m more than a little jealous.”