It's been about a month since I was attacked.
"Tou-chan, Tou-chan. I'll give you this!"
"Why thank you very much."
Since then, I haven't had any major problems and have been living a peaceful life.
Today I'm once again in charge of babysitting Sedol. My job was to receive and arrange the mud balls that he had been busily making.
"These are special dumplings! They're delicious."
"That's wonderful."
When I was surrounded by soldiers returning from the battlefield, I wondered what would happen…
Each of them was persuaded by Mr. Gorski and his family and changed their minds.
Our relationship has settled down to the point where we just frown when we see each other.
"Let's put white sand on it."
"Wow, it's so pretty."
However, since then, just to be on the safe side, Sedol and I have made sure to play only on the grounds of the house.
So if something were to happen, at the very least I'd be able to get Sedol inside the house.
Their hatred is directed at me. They won't chase Sedol if he hides in the house.
"You're really well-liked, Touri."
"Oh, Kusha. Hello, is the shop okay?"
"I've sold almost everything, so I'm going to close up shop for now. I'm waiting for my husband to get some more supplies."
Kusha arrived as Sedol was playing in the dug-up ground near the house.
She looked cheerful, carrying a bag likely containing the day's earnings.
"Mommy, do you want a dumpling too?"
"Oh, thank you, Sedol… Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah. I love Tou-chan."
Since this isn't a battlefield, the clinic isn't always full.
So I get plenty of time to play with Sedol.
Days passed by in this village with a tranquil atmosphere that was unimaginable on the front lines.
"You're really popular with Sedol. Mommy's a bit jealous."
"Hahaha…"
Maybe Sedol feels so close to me because I'm small.
To him, I must seem like a friend close to his age.
"Touri, can you hang out with me for a bit?"
Kusha gave me a meaningful smile.
…I wonder where she plans to take me.
"Where are we going?"
"Just nearby. I thought I should introduce you to the villagers. I don't want dangerous things like before to happen again."
"Oh, I see."
She frowned a little as she told me that.
It's true that until now my social circle has been limited to those who speak Austinian.
That is, only the Gomuji couple, Mr. Gorski, and Anita from the clinic.
Now that I'm beginning to understand the Sabbatian, I should start communicating with the other villagers.
"Please, Kusha."
"I'll get Sedol changed, you get ready to go out."
"Yes, I understand"
Kusha and Gomuji were well integrated into the village.
I guess it was because these two had fit in well with the village that I was accepted here as well.
In a small village community, smooth interpersonal relationships can be a protection.
It is finally time for me to take on the efforts that I have left to the Gomuji's until now.
"I'm not very good with talking, but I have some party tricks prepared. Would a puppet show be well-received?"
"…I don't think you should bring puppets. Just talking will be fine."
When I got excited thinking it was my turn to perform my special party tricks, Kusha scolded me.
That kind of thing isn't well-received in Sabbatian culture.
"Okay, so what about bringing some Vok or some sweets instead?"
"Some people drink it, but it's dangerous now, so you shouldn't bring that."
"That's true."
She's right. That liquor is so strong it's dangerous.
No one would drink something like that unless they were someone who mistakenly believed that the stronger alcohol the better it tastes.
"Just bring a change of clothes and a towel. You're not on your period, are you?"
"No?"
Kusha advised me and went back to the house.
…A change of clothes and a towel?
"Oh, since men will see you naked, make sure to trim your hair down there too."
"…?"
What..?
"Um, Kusha, I do have a partner. It may be an old-fashioned way of thinking, but I believe I should still maintain my chastity, even though my partner has passed…"
"What's with that weird look on your face, Touri?"
I underestimated Sabbatian culture.
Is this country's sexual customs that lax?
I didn't think it was a country so depraved that you had to show your naked body as a greeting.
"You seem to have a strange misunderstanding. It's probably not what you're imagining."
"Misunderstanding?"
While I was trembling in fear at the unknown culture, Kusha grinned and stroked my head.
It was the face she made when she was teasing me.
"In the Sabbath, it's called 'having a naked relationship'. If you want to become friends with someone, you should show everything and talk."
"…Oh."
"And for that, we're going to…"
Kusha smiled mischievously.
"…a place called 'Vanya,' which is essentially a steam bath."
***
Following her lead, I was guided to a large wooden building.
We took off our clothes inside the crowded building, and then Kusha and I went into a sauna-like steam bath.
"Tou-chan! It's burning over there, it's burning like crazy!!"
"That's the furnace, Sedol. You'll get burned if you touch it."
"Okay!"
The steam bath was a large room that could accommodate about 20 people. Hot steam billowed from the central furnace, and someone with a large branch broom stirred it, spreading the hot air.
People in the room were already chatting away, from older men and women to elementary school-aged children.
Completely naked, without a stitch of clothing.
"This is the village's social hub. If you get embarrassed and try to hide with a cloth, you'll be teased and have it pulled it off, so be careful."
"I see…"
Kusha stood boldly, completely naked, without even trying to hide her voluptuous body.
Hiding your body is considered bad manners here.
"This bath is good for beauty and your skin, you know."
"…"
Vanya is a place similar to a public bathhouse in Japan.
It's a long-standing popular recreational facility in the Sabbath, with rules for mixed-gender bathing.
Though it looks like a sauna, it's not as hot as a sauna. It's more like a slightly hot day.
"Make sure you step outside to cool off and drink water from a bottle if you get too hot."
"Yes, I understand"
Taking a child into a sauna is very dangerous, but this temperature should be fine.
Sedol was excitedly patting Kusha's thigh.
I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't get heatstroke, just in case.
"…Oh, it's the Aust girl. She's here too?"
"Yeah, I brought her along to introduce her. Let us join in on the conversation."
Kusha was used to this, so she didn't try to hide anything and went to talk to an elderly couple who seemed to be acquaintances.
I followed her and bowed my head.
"This old man knows everything about the village and is like the village chief. Touri, come here."
"Y-Yes, it's nice to meet you."
I was quite surprised at the culture of open nudity, but the villagers in Vanya were so open about it that I started to feel less self-conscious.
I should accept it as it is. In a place like this, feeling embarrassed is what's truly embarrassing.
"What do you think, Touri? Vanya is nice, isn't it? Makes you feel ten years younger."
"Yes, it's a very pleasant space."
"Right, right. Even an Aust can understand the goodness of it. It makes you feel like your heart is cleansed."
For the people of the Sabbath, this place seemed sacred.
On holidays, they come to Vanya to wash away their fatigue and sins, and then go back to work with renewed energy.
"Isn't it inappropriate for men and women to be naked together?"
"Oh, such behavior is strictly prohibited. If anyone tries anything in this sacred place, they'll be kicked out of the village.
So, any improper behavior in Vanya is forbidden even though men and women are naked together.
Apparently, it's an absolute taboo because it traps strange smells and makes the room dirty.
"Though it seems like a place where single men and women might meet."
"Well, I suppose so."
While such acts are taboo, it's quite common for people to fall in love with someone they meet at Vanya.
"Aust girl, you had a terrible experience before. There are still many who can't forgive Austin."
"Yes, I understand."
"But once you bathe together in Vanya, you're comrades. Try talking with those rough men here once. Not when they're drunk, but sober."
The older man spread his legs wide and made no attempt to hide himself.
"This is the only place in the world where we can talk without hiding anything."
He said so with a charming smile.
***
"How was it, Touri?"
"It was great."
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this steam bath.
I'm sure Vanya would be considered a pleasant spa experience even in Japan.
In essence, it's a health spa where you can communicate easily.
Since it's not as hot as a sauna, you can stay inside for a long time and talk to many villagers.
All the villagers casually talk to each other in Vanya. This is the kind of place it is.
After the bath, washing away your sweat and quenching your thirst with a glass of water is pure bliss.
I didn't expect to experience such a refreshing feeling in this world.
It may be my favorite place in the world right now.
"Even though everyone was naked, the men were all gentlemen."
"Well, there are some perverts who come, especially after work hours in the evening."
"…I see."
"In broad daylight, it's usually old couples with time on their hands, or housewives with children like us. If you're going to Vanya, do it in the daytime."
"Got it."
From now on, I'll visit Vanya more often on my days off.
It's a great place to make new acquaintances and feel good, killing two birds with one stone.
"You can become best friends if talk to someone over a glass of Vok in Vanya. If you know a girl your age, try inviting her out."
"…Friends my age, huh."
Kusha gave me this advice.
Come to think of it, I haven't made a single female friend my age since I left the orphanage.
I should try to expand my social circle and integrate into the village.
It would be great to have friends who would step in during tough times like before.
"I understand, I'll do my best."
"Well, don't overdo it, just take it easy."
***
So, I started visiting the steam bath frequently.
It seemed that almost everyone in the village used Vanya,
"Oh, you came too?"
"Hello, Mr. Gorski."
One day, I ran into Mr. Gorski, who was in Vanya with the retired soldiers.
They say that if you converse in this steam bath, you can become comrades.
I'm an Austin soldier and they're Sabbatian soldiers.
Even if we can't fully understand each other, I thought it was necessary to establish at least a minimal relationship, so I greeted them.
"Thank you for your guidance the other day."
"Don't mention it."
Mr. Gorski is a very magnanimous person and doesn't show overt discomfort at my presence.
The three returning soldiers look away from me uncomfortably, but that's fine.
"Irigol, at least give us a nod if you're a soldier."
"…Hey, little girl."
"Yes, hello."
I don't have any intention of actively becoming friends with those three people.
I just wanted to make sure that such incidents wouldn't happen again.
"But you, you're quite confident, aren't you?"
"What do you mean, Mr. Gorski?"
For now, I'll consider it a success just to have exchanged nods with the returning soldier Irigol.
As long as I'm going to live in this place, I have to make compromises.
"Girls your age usually feel embarrassed and try to hide their bodies."
"I thought Sabbatians didn't care about nudity, Mr. Gorski."
"Well, aren't you bold."
…Oh, am I supposed to hide?