Chapter 91

I ran my eyes through the letter that had arrived from the Great Nation.

Six months ago, I had received a letter stating that the King of the Great Nation wished to send a delegation to inspect the medical university—and that I should make the necessary preparations. In response, I had already taken action.

I had renovated a manor adjacent to the hot spring resort to welcome foreign guests. This included repairing stone walls, re-roofing, and preparing guest rooms with new beds and clean linen.

I did the same for the food. In addition to the grain and meat that could be stably obtained within the territory, I had salted and dried meats prepared, as they could be preserved. However, that alone would be monotonous. I had the meat cooked slowly at low temperatures, using medicinal herbs to suppress any gaminess. Even dried meat, which tends to be tough, becomes easy to eat if rehydrated with wine and water and simmered with aromatic herbs. Roasted meat was prepared so that the outside was fragrant while the inside remained moist. I had the salt adjusted so it wasn’t too light, but not too strong.

To suit the palates of those coming from afar, I used aromatic herbs to lighten the heaviness of the fat. Grains were made available for both porridge and baking, so guests could choose according to their physical condition. Water was always boiled to remove any impurities. I also ensured a sufficient stockpile of alcohol, ranging from light drinks to strong ones that warm the body. I couldn’t allow anyone to fall ill because of the food.

Security was also strengthened. I increased the number of guards at the gates and shortened the intervals between patrols. This land sees many people flowing in from the outside. To prevent theft and disputes, I issued a renewed notice, including penalties. I also increased nighttime lighting, reducing dark spots on the main streets.

…As for the preparations to welcome them, the bare minimum was in order. That was my judgment. However, my finger stopped at the final sentence of the letter.

“…Princess Elysia, huh.”

I muttered softly. The delegation had already departed, and the Princess’s name was listed as its representative. This was no ordinary envoy. If a member of the royal family was moving, the story changed. I placed the letter on the desk.

“It’s not enough,” I said quietly.

First, the grade of the lodging needed to be raised. I would have one room specifically prepared, fit for welcoming royalty. The furnishings should not be excessively decorated, but they must not look shabby either. The fabrics would be replaced with even higher-quality ones. I also reconsidered the guard placement.

It wasn’t just about threats from the outside. The screening of those entering the manor would be made stricter. The Princess’s movements would be predetermined to avoid unnecessary contact. I decided to appoint a dedicated staff for her meals. Including a poison taster, the cooking process would be fixed, and the source of all ingredients used would be managed. The water would also be checked to eliminate any possibility of contamination.

The roads as well. I would hurry the repair of the main streets so that the carriages wouldn’t rattle and they wouldn’t become muddy even if it rained. I raised my gaze.

“…I’ll be watched.”

I muttered to no one in particular. The actual state of the academy. The power of the territory. And myself as well. I immediately called for my staff.

“Pass the word. We are re-initiating preparations for the welcome. The subject is royalty; do not cut corners.”

This wasn’t just an envoy. This was a place to see if we would be chosen. I reached for the next set of instructions.

“Get the bathhouse ready.”

The maintenance had already been completed, but that was insufficient. I had them minimize the slipperiness of the stone floors, add handrails, and strictly manage the water temperature. I also had lukewarm water prepared so that there would be no strain even if someone stayed in for a long time.

And, I added one more thing.

“Place herbal water there.”

Marc moved his brow slightly. “…Herbal water, is it?”

“Yes. To be used after leaving the bath.”

The water of the hot spring is good, but the minerals are strong. If left on the body, it can be a burden on the hair and skin. This is particularly noticeable with hair.

“It’s for rinsing the hair at the end. It also arranges the scent.” I pointed them out in order with my finger. “Rosemary to promote blood circulation. Lavender for sedation, and sage for purification—make it so they can choose.”

Marc let out a slight breath. “…You go that far?”

I didn’t answer. I had tried it myself. The scents of chamomile and mint are catastrophically mismatched with the hot springs.

Instead, I continued. “Place plenty of cloths in the bathhouse. Do not let them move while wet. Keep the floor dry at all times. Do not make the incense too strong; it will kill the scent of the hot water.”

I added further instructions. “Prepare a place to rest as well. Chairs to sit in after the bath, water, light fruit. …The longer someone stays, the more they seek such things.”

I had seen this more than enough in my previous world. Evaluations are decided by the details. Marc muttered under his breath.

“…Meticulous.”

I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard that. Whatever the task, if I do it, I do it with everything I’ve got. Half-heartedness devalues things the most.

…That being said.

Suddenly, I turned my gaze outside. In this territory, it was becoming established that work ended before the sun went down. Both I and everyone else moved that way. In exchange, everyone’s movements during the day were fast. There was no waste, no hesitation.

“Not bad,” I muttered softly.

I returned my gaze to the room. “Time is limited. But what we do does not change. If they come, we welcome them in the best possible state. However, everyone is to finish at the scheduled time.”

A moment of silence. Eventually, a slight ripple of atmosphere was born among the waiting officials. No one looked at each other, but the tension relaxed just a little. They weren’t being forced to overwork, but the required standard was high. Everyone understood both of those things. The voices responding with a short “Yes, sir” were somehow composed.

…It’s not only expensive herbs or rare meals that move people’s hearts.

What first bothered me in this world was the scent. Body odor, damp clothing, bedding that wasn’t fully dry. The heavy smell of oil from lamps using animal fat. Even if you tried to mask it with incense, the dreg-like odor remaining underneath wouldn’t disappear. If it piles up, that alone is exhausting.

Those who don’t notice, won’t notice, but those who understand can tell clearly. That’s exactly why. Even medicinal herbs that can be obtained close at hand are sufficiently meaningful. It doesn’t have to be a strong scent like rosemary or mint; a soft smell like chamomile or lavender is fine. Purifying and arranging things—that accumulation becomes the difference.

Besides, even without soap, there’s much dirt that can be removed with just hot water. Most sebum can be removed if warmed and rinsed. Of course, it’s even better if there is soap. But refined soap is by no means cheap in this world.

The rough kind made from ash and animal fat is everywhere. But that is strong and harsh. It removes dirt, but it also scrapes the skin. The scent is also by no means good.

On the other hand, things where the oil is chosen, impurities are removed many times, and they are finished with care are different. They are smooth, the lather is fine, and the feeling left on the skin is soft. They don’t leave an unnecessary scent after rinsing, or they possess a faint fragrance. Especially those where the scent of roses has been infused are in a class of their own. You gather the petals, transfer them to the oil, and take time to bring out the scent. Considering the labor and quantity, it’s natural for the price to be high.

“…That is a luxury of the nobility,” I muttered softly.

But just because that’s the case doesn’t mean that’s everything. What’s truly necessary is to be clean—to have no unnecessary odors and to be able to spend time comfortably. Up to that point, things can be made cheaper and spread more widely.

…Princess Elysia will likely bring her own soap. She is royalty. She must habitually use things carefully crafted with aromatic oils. There’s no need for her to rely on someone else’s.

“Then, is preparing it a waste?” I thought, then immediately dismissed it.

No. It’s natural for her to bring it. But that doesn’t settle everything. The quality of the water, the way the bathhouse is arranged, the cleanliness of the cloths. The water used after the bath, the scent of the air, the comfort of the resting place. It’s not something that can be overturned by a single bar of soap.

Rather, the difference appears in those kinds of places. Whether, even after using her own soap, she still feels comfortable. Whether she can spend her time without a care. Whether she can be made to unconsciously think, “This is good.”

I let out a small breath. “It won’t be a waste.”

I chuckled slightly at myself for becoming so knowledgeable about medicinal herbs in this world. I had been reading up on them because I was involved with the medical university in between work.

…It can’t be helped. I was curious. The disposition that was ingrained in me from the world I was originally in doesn’t disappear so easily.

That’s all it is.