Chapter 67: Joyful Morning at the Bathhouse

In the small, tranquil room of Flora's family room inside the large mobile floating fortress, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Flora woke up from her cozy bed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Today was a significant day as she embarked on her journey as Narumi's disciple, a path that veered away from her ordinary life as a town girl.

With a skip in her step, Flora made her way to the living room, where her parents were already engaged in conversation. "Good morning, Father and Mother! The bed was so soft and comfortable! The magical device called a cool box are amazing! and the fruit juice inside was incredibly sweet and delicious!" Flora greeted her parents, her excitement contagious as she shared her delight about her private room.

Flora's parents reciprocated the greeting, their eyes filled with love and pride for their daughter. Despite their slightly fatigued appearance and hints of exhaustion, they wholeheartedly engaged in conversation, cherishing these precious moments together. Sensing her parents' weariness, Flora proposed a revitalizing idea. "Father, Mother, why don't we all take a bath together in the large mixed-gender bathroom exclusive for the crew members of the large mobile floating fortress, just like Narumi-sama mentioned yesterday?"

Flora's parents exchanged glances, their tiredness momentarily forgotten as they contemplated Flora's suggestion. Realizing that their daughter's happiness was at stake, they nodded in agreement, willing to push aside their weariness and embrace this new experience.

As they stepped out of the room, a young maid accompanied by a cylindrical-shaped robot crossed their path. The young maid gracefully bowed, acknowledging their presence. Intrigued by the robot, Flora couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "What is the purpose of this fascinating robot?" The young maid beamed, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "This is our helpful cleaning robot. Have you recently moved in, little lady?"

Flora's eyes widened with excitement, and she eagerly delved into a conversation with the young maid, discussing the marvels of the cleaning robot. "Oh, yes! My name is Flora, and my parents and I just moved in yesterday. Maid-nee-san, could you please tell me more about the cleaning robot? How does it work?" Flora asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a touch of eagerness.

The young maid's face lit up with a warm smile, delighted by Flora's interest. "Of course, Flora-chan! The cleaning robot is a technological wonder designed to make our lives easier. It's equipped with advanced sensors and intelligent algorithms that allow it to navigate through the rooms in three dimensions and clean efficiently," she explained, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. Flora leaned in, hanging onto every word. "Wow, that sounds amazing! Does it clean all the rooms in the large mobile floating fortress?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

The young maid nodded, her gesture filled with affirmation. "Yes, that's right! The cleaning robot is set to work every morning by us, the maids. It diligently cleans every corner of the large mobile floating fortress, ensuring that no speck of dust is left behind. We also receive requests to clean the private rooms of the crew members, so it ensures that the entire fortress remains clean and tidy for everyone to enjoy," she answered, her voice exuding pride in the technological marvel.

As the lively conversation continued, the young maid was truly impressed by Flora's eagerness to explore, offered to be their guide, leading them to the large mixed-gender bathroom and teaching them its usage. "Now, shall we go to the large mixed-gender bathroom? I'll be more than happy to guide you and show you how to use it," she said, her voice brimming with eagerness and a genuine desire to assist.

Flora and her family exchanged grateful glances, appreciating the young maid's willingness to share her knowledge. Flora's mother spoke up, her voice filled with sincere gratitude, "Thank you so much, Maid-san. We would love to learn more about this place," her words were met with nods of agreement from Flora and her husband, who shared the same sentiment.

Inside the dressing room of the spacious bathroom, the air was thick with anticipation and a sense of tranquility. The room was adorned with delicate, translucent walls that partitioned separate areas for men and women, ensuring privacy and comfort. The soft morning light filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow upon the surroundings.

Flora stood in the dressing room, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she marveled at the serene atmosphere that enveloped her. The young maid, her movements deliberate and gentle, assisted Flora in undressing, carefully removing the fabric and revealing her young delicate body. Flora's parents, too, shed their clothes, momentarily forgetting their weariness as they embraced this new and extraordinary experience. The young maid, with unwavering attention, ensured their comfort at every step.

Once Flora's family stood together, clad in nothing but thin bath towels, the young maid led them towards the washing area. Flora's eyes widened with awe as she took in the sight. "Wow, this place is amazing, Maid-nee-san! I've never seen a bathroom like this before!" Flora exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. Her mother nodded in agreement, his voice filled with amazement. "That's right, it surpasses any bathhouse in the grand fortress city."

The young maid smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting Flora's excitement. "I'm glad you like it, Flora-chan. This is one of the perks of living in the large mobile floating fortress. Now, let me show you how to use the magic shower." Her voice resonated with warmth and guidance as she explained the functions of the shower. With a flick of her wrist, a gentle stream of water cascaded from the showerhead, demonstrating the proper technique.

Flora watched intently, eager to learn. "Oh, that's so cool! Can I try it now?" she asked, her eyes shining with anticipation. The young maid nodded, stepping aside to let Flora take the reins. "Of course, Flora-chan. Go ahead and give it a try." Flora tentatively adjusted the water pressure, feeling the soothing warmth envelop her body. A delighted smile graced her face. "It feels amazing, Maid-nee-san! Thank you for teaching me," Flora exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome, Flora-chan. Now, let's move on to the bath soap and shampoo," the young maid said, holding up the products. With deftness and skill, she demonstrated the proper technique, assisting Flora in washing her small body. The water cascaded down, cleansing away the remnants of sleep and rejuvenating their senses.

As Flora's family completed their washing routine, a sense of anticipation filled the air once more. "Now, it's time to immerse yourselves in the large bathtub. The warm healing water will do wonders for your weary bodies," the young maid said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. With eager steps, Flora's family followed her lead, their bare feet lightly padding against the smooth tiles.

"Ah, this is pure bliss. I could stay in here forever," Flora's father sighed, his voice filled with contentment. Flora's mother nodded in agreement, her voice carrying a hint of tranquility. "Indeed, dear. It's the perfect way to unwind and recharge." Flora chimed in, her excitement palpable. "Yes! The warm healing water feels so good!"

Submerged in the embrace of the warm healing water, a collective sigh of contentment escaped their lips. The soothing waters caressed their skin, melting away the fatigue and tension that had accumulated. Flora's father, however, couldn't help but feel a slight self-consciousness, aware of the young maid's presence nearby. Sensing his unease, the young maid, her understanding gaze filled with empathy, offered a gentle bow, her gesture conveying both respect and the desire to honor their privacy.

As the young maid gracefully retreated to the dressing room, leaving the family to bask in the warm healing waters, a profound sense of relaxation settled upon them. Grateful smiles adorned their faces, their eyes reflecting their deep appreciation for this sanctuary amidst the tumultuous world outside. The bathroom had become a haven, where fatigues faded away and only peace remained.

Flora's mother closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the serenity that enveloped the room. She took a deep breath, allowing the enchanting fragrance of the bath to embrace her senses. "This is truly heaven. In moments like these, I feel like I can accomplish anything, but I can't help but feel a sense of awe that we are granted such an extraordinary experience," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a touch of anxiety.

Flora's father, now more at ease, nodded in agreement, his face reflecting a mix of gratitude and contemplation. "Indeed, it's a haven of tranquility. We are truly fortunate to be able to experience something so remarkable. It makes me ponder what I can do to show our gratitude to the Goddess Apostle," he remarked, his voice tinged with a profound sense of appreciation.

Flora, sensing the weight of their thoughts, interjected with a worried voice, her eyes filled with earnestness. "Father, mother, you're thinking too much! Narumi-sama told us yesterday that we should simply relax, work, and live our lives as we always have. He never expects us to repay any favors or burdens. We should cherish this moment and let go of any worries," she exclaimed, her words filled with conviction.

As their conversation unfolded, a soft melody began to fill the air, its gentle notes floating and weaving through the bathroom. The music embraced them, blending harmoniously with the gentle ripples of the water, creating a symphony of tranquility that further enhanced their serene state. The serene melody seemed to carry away their concerns, replacing them with a profound sense of calm and harmony.

Amidst this enchanting ambiance, Flora's family exchanged heartfelt smiles, their unspoken love and deep connection flowing between them. In the silence of the moment, they understood that this bath was more than just a luxurious experience—it was an opportunity to strengthen their bond and create cherished memories together.