Our Family Has Fallen

But anyone who underestimated them would surely suffer. As a member of the organization, Amanda knew very well that these individuals were trained. They belonged to a profession among the Romani that integrated dance moves into combat, making killing effortless for them.

Transcendent beings, especially Spellcasters, usually had fragile bodies and lacked close-combat capabilities, thus requiring Guards to buy them time and protect them. For example, the two individuals who drove the carriage for the Romani Elder were indeed such Guards.

Amanda, possessing remarkable Extraordinary Talent and capable of enduring harsh combat training, was one of the few who had mastered both fighting and spellcasting. Otherwise, how could she even be mentioned in the same breath as Tamara, with her heaven-defying talents?

Laura from the Eagle Flock had managed to escape the Warwolf’s pursuit, yet Amanda caught her easily—a testament to her strength.

She could effortlessly knock down the two in front of her, but the real mastermind had yet to appear.

”How could you be so rude to the one in charge~?” a rather flamboyant voice cooed. Amanda looked up towards the gangway to see an alluring woman in her thirties stepping out.

Amanda could see the woman’s luxurious yet thin dress, her exposed, wheat-colored skin, and the various pieces of jewelry adorning her.

The Romani were generally quite uninhibited; only the elderly, or refugees like Tamara, would cover themselves so completely.

Seeing the newcomer, Amanda finally understood why those two small fries had dared to stop her. Someone was backing them from behind. Were they purposely trying to give her a show of force?

Amanda was only in her early twenties, so they weren’t from the same cohort, but she had likely heard something about this woman’s background.

The head of the organization in Totnes, a Transcendent, and a Master Spellcaster at that. Her strength was likely even greater than her own.

She had actually come in person!

As a person in charge herself, Amanda knew a fair bit. The organization had withdrawn many Romani from within the Empire’s borders, but it had still kept its stronghold in Totnes.

That place was simply too crucial, a hub for information gathering and dissemination; it couldn’t be abandoned, even if attacked.

For the organization, Totnes was an independent system, akin to a special administrative zone. It was a web of tangled interests, and Amanda found it difficult to intervene.

But why would *she* come personally for such a trivial matter?

Clearly, she hadn’t come for those Romani, but for her—Amanda!

If the previous person in charge had been promoted, it should have been *her* (the Totnes woman’s) turn to take that role. Instead, *I* (Amanda) was directly parachuted into my current position by an Elder. And now I’m encountering a local power player?

Amongst Transcendent beings, strength usually speaks loudest. Right now, she probably couldn’t defeat this woman, not to mention the newcomer also held actual authority...

As Amanda looked at the woman, she felt an inexplicable pressure.

The confrontation had already begun...

「...」

Part of the Navy was directly formed from Walter’s former assets. Their families were also brought over and allocated housing. Those who wanted land were given land, and those who sought work were provided with jobs.

Thus, they could return directly to their new homes when on leave.

From their families, they learned about the food shortages and various outrageous events occurring in Ovando City.

This starkly contrasted with the peace and abundance in Hamlet, further deepening their sense of belonging here.

”The bathhouse should be open by now. You reek! Go take a bath and then come back.”

”Bathhouse?” The man was somewhat perplexed. It hadn’t even been finished when they left. Was it built that quickly?

”Yes! The town’s bathhouse is complete. In this hot summer, you get all sweaty doing anything—a bath feels so much better!” The woman became excited as she spoke. ”Come on, I’ll take you.”

The woman grabbed a change of clothes and pulled the man to the town’s bathhouse, explaining its benefits and rules along the way.

For instance, one had to cleanse themselves with a special herbal wash in the shower area before entering the pools. Those who were ill were not permitted inside. There were cold and hot pools, as well as services like body scrubbing, saunas, and steam rooms.

The Lord had said that bathing regularly and maintaining cleanliness helped prevent illness. He had also used scientific explanations to clarify misconceptions about bathing leading to sickness and described the symptoms of several common diseases.

Because Lance used the format of public lectures in the square, repeating these points daily, almost like casual chatter, and since it was the Lord himself speaking, the townsfolk mostly understood.

Even she, a common woman who originally couldn’t recognize a single character, could now explain these things eloquently. This highlighted the importance of educating the populace.

They weren’t unintelligent; they simply lacked the opportunity and means. Given a chance and the right environment, they would naturally learn and grow.

The man had grown accustomed to his state and hadn’t thought much of it, but hearing his wife’s words made him feel itchy all over. He was now eager to head towards the bathhouse.

Amazingly, along the way, he saw several of his comrades also being led there.

”Hello there, you two. Will it be the basic service or the upgraded package?”

Thanks to his wife’s earlier explanation, the man understood. Basic service meant just washing and soaking, with no additional treatments. The upgraded package naturally offered more options to choose from, and, of course, cost extra.

”The basic will do.” He had a family, after all, and wasn’t willing to spend money on such pleasures. To be honest, he would have preferred to just wash in the river.

”Alright, that’ll be one copper coin.”

The man was about to pull out his money but was immediately stopped by his wife.

”Wait, I have a coupon!”

The woman pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to the attendant, then turned to explain to her husband.

”It’s a reward from the Lord. As an outstanding employee at my factory, I received quite a few of these coupons.”

The woman spoke with particular pride, as this was a reward only given for exemplary performance—a sign of the Lord’s recognition for their hard work.

”I won’t go in with you. Remember, the men’s section is on the left, so don’t go the wrong way. Take your time and wash thoroughly.”

After saying this, the woman stuffed the clothes into her husband’s hands and turned to leave. Only when he processed her actions did he realize there was only one coupon. She had saved it specifically for him...

”Sir, this is your herbal soap, and here’s a complimentary towel for your first visit. This way, please.” The attendant handed over a small, green, candle-like block and a simple, coarse cloth towel, then gestured for him to proceed.

The man recognized this as the herbal soap his wife had mentioned. When wet and rubbed on the body, it could disinfect and cleanse the skin.

After taking the items, he naturally entered the men’s section to the left. Once inside, he found everything novel and intriguing, and so began his first bathhouse adventure.

Debauched Roman-style bathing parties were certainly not going to happen here; Hamlet’s bathhouse was, after all, a respectable establishment.

Lance placed considerable emphasis on personal privacy. The showering stalls were individual cubicles, and those soaking in the communal pools or walking about had towels tied around their waists.

He entered and, following directions, easily found his way to the showering area, where he picked an empty stall.

As he rubbed the herbal soap over his body, its faint grassy scent finally banished the stench of sweat. When cool, clean water cascaded down, rinsing him off, he felt as if he had been reborn. His body felt lighter and more relaxed than ever before.

The herbal soap, jointly developed by Lance and Grendel, was another of the bathhouse’s core innovations. It was antibacterial, degreasing, and left one feeling fresh all day.

Without such innovations, why else would people come?

Thanks to Lance’s marketing, the bathhouse was no longer as empty as it once was. Now, people started arriving not long after its doors opened each day.

Although many were currently using coupons, the goal was to get them accustomed to bathing. Once the weather turned colder, they likely wouldn’t want to leave the warm pools.

This initial investment in creating the right environment and cultivating consumer habits was essential.

It should be noted that these navy families weren’t the only newcomers in town. The sailors from the cargo ships, after eating and drinking their fill, would also start looking for other diversions, only to be stopped when they arrived at the brothels.

Lance did offer them legitimate work, but there would always be some who preferred to earn money lying down—such is human nature. All he could do was to regulate these establishments, ensure proper hygiene, eliminate coercion and exploitation, and enforce health standards. This last point was especially vital for the prostitutes.

A complimentary shower was offered to these sailors; they had to be clean before they could get into bed.

However, those sailors who weren’t short on cash, after trying some of the bathhouse’s additional services, stopped going to the brothels altogether.

Damn, after working so hard for so long, forget the women; a good soak in the bath is way more comfortable!