The bathing room in Danton’s mansion was quite large.

  All of the male chiefs were able to fit in quite comfortably.

  I took off my clothes and went inside. Grulf was patiently sitting down and waiting by the area used to wash yourself.

  “Groof.”


  “Good. You waited for me.”


  He was waiting to be washed. It was a good thing he didn’t dive into the bath first.

  On the other hand, Lord Gerberga was following close behind me.

  He rode on my shoulder while I was still clothed, but I had him walk once I took them off in order to avoid being pierced by his claws.

  “Thank you for understanding, Lord Gerberga.”


  “Cluck-cluck.”


  I started by washing Lord Gerberga first.

  Danton watched us with a worried expression.

  “Should you really be washing Lord Gerberga?”


  “You’re right that usually, you must be careful about washing chickens.”


  Chickens took sand baths and did not need to be washed.

  If anything, it was better if you didn’t.

  “But Lord Gerberga is not an ordinary chicken. And he likes to bathe in order to relax more than to be cleaned.”


  “I see. He is a God Fowl after all.”


  “Grulf also likes to bathe every day, even though there really isn’t a need for it.”


  “Groof?”


  Grulf tilted his head as he sat there quietly.

  After a while, I finished washing Lord Gerberga.

  He wasn’t actually dirty, to begin with, so it didn’t take long.

  “Lord Gerberga. You’re good to go now. You can enjoy the bath.”


  “Cluck-cluck.”


  Lord Gerberga ran off to the bath.

  “How’s the water, Lord Gerberga?”


  “Cluck-cluck.”


  The other chiefs seemed quite happy that Lord Gerberga had joined them.

  I started to wash Grulf then.

  “Grrr.”


  He growled pleasantly.

  I finished washing him and sent him off to the baths so I could wash myself.

  Then I went and joined the others in the hot water. Danton said, “You must be tired.”


  “Yeah. But I’m used to having to wash them.”


  “Groof.”


  Grulf looked very relaxed inside of the water.

  And so did Lord Gerberga.

  I myself felt very good.

  As we took our time soaking in the water, one of the chiefs talked to me.

  “Mister Locke. What are your thoughts on recent vampire activity?”


  “They are certainly growing bolder.”


  “Yes. Do you suppose they are mass-producing Fool’s Stones……”


  “That seems like a safe bet to me.”


  The other chiefs nodded.

  There was a strong sense of danger.

  Then one of the younger chiefs said, “The barrier of the god of the dark ones is most terrifying. Is there anything we can do to fight it?”


  The beastkin wolves traded information with Eric.

  And so they knew about the barrier.

  “Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do now.”


  “.……I see.”


  “Currently, we are always one step behind them. If only there was something we could do to change that.”


  I said and they all agreed.

  Generally, the vampires attacked us and we struck back.

  There was one time that we attacked their main base.

  However, it was the same pattern. We only attacked them after being attacked and searching for their base.

  “If only we could find the place they are making the Fool’s Stone.”


  “We are searching for it……”


  “It is their lifeline, so they will make it as hard as possible for us to find it.”


  The oldest chief said sadly.

  “In any case, it seems we will have to continue to search for it while also defending our own lands.”


  “Locke is right.”


  As we discussed this, Grulf swam quietly in the water.

  Lord Gerberga rode on his back. They seemed to be having fun.

  I watched them as I made a suggestion.

  “Um……If you don’t mind, I could go to all of your mansions and reinforce them with magic?”


  “You would do that?”


  The young chief looked at me with glimmering eyes.

  “Yes. Of course.”


  “But we can’t bother Mister Locke……”


  One of the chiefs said.

  “I see. I understand that you might not want an outsider to cast magic onto your houses, but……”


  “Oh, no! That is completely fine. But we don’t want to take advantage of your generosity.”


  “But this would be for us all.”


  “What do you mean?”


  “You beastkin are the strongest force that is fighting the vampires.”


  “Even though you are just flattering us, it is good to hear such a thing from a great hero.”


  “I’m not flattering you. Also, I am worried, that since you are the main force opposing them, that you will be targeted.”


  “I see……”


  They groaned as I continued gravely.

  “Many of their plans would have succeeded had it not been for you all.”


  “Yes, and things are quite dangerous now. And there are children in the mansions. We would be grateful if you could reinforce the houses.”


  “Leave it to me.”


  And so they all agreed to allow me to reinforce their houses with magic.