【The Old Man of the Expelled Inn Unwittingly Dominates Today Too】Although I Want to Lead a Slow Life, for Some Reason the Strongest Beauties Who Hold Important Positions in the Country, and Were Once My Disciples, Gather Around Me Asking to Be Hired – Even Though I Only Taught Them a Little～ - Chapter 29: The Old Man Gets Excited Over the New Laundry Kiln

“Wow! This is amazing! I can wash so much with this!”

Looking at the ten brand-new shiny laundry kilns lined up in a row, gifts from the king, I found myself nodding in agreement.

A week had passed since the defense battle. The flow of customers was returning to what it was before, or perhaps even more incredible.

Alesia’s former subordinates each went back to their hometown in Fridania. No longer affiliated with the national army, they would likely find various jobs independently.

General Nuketel and his men also returned to the Kingdom of Fridania. After all, the defense of Natol was a great victory. They left buoyantly.

Incidentally, I also gave them a few new white T-shirts. That guy wears his armor over his bare skin, after all. He was crying joyfully, calling it the “hero’s underwear.” But seriously, it’s just an older man’s undergarment.

But then…

What a sight these ten brand-new kilns make.

Indeed, the best reward. I doubt I’ll have any issues related to laundry now.

“With these many, everyone can use a separate kiln from the old man.”

The risk of mixing the clothes of the beauties with the older man’s white T-shirts should now be eliminated.

I quickly began to take out the freshly washed laundry from the kiln.

Damn, it’s so white! Wow, this is a good one.

As I excitedly hung up the laundry, giving each item a shake, I noticed a white garment with a smaller fabric size.

…Huh? Were white T-shirts triangular?

Wait, isn’t this… underwear?!

Hold on! Why are my white T-shirts mixed in with this?

“Oh, Baldo-sama, retaking the underwear! You like them, huh♡?”

In a perfect or somewhat imperfect timing for me, Liena caught me in the act. Being labeled as an underwear lover, well… I wouldn’t say I dislike them, but what am I even saying?

“More importantly, Liena. Why are you washing them together? We have so many kilns. You should be washing them separately.”

“What?!”

“Why did she sound so surprised? Oh, wait a minute… Washing machines do use water and detergent. It’s best to use them efficiently and avoid waste.

I see; Liena is reasonably prudent. She doesn’t come off as a princess with such a practical approach to daily life.

“But I like it when it smells like Baldo-sama~.”

―――That was unexpected.

Are you serious?! It’s a scent, you know… I’m an old man! I’m an old guy!

“Er, Liena… normally, people wouldn’t like their clothes mixed with others’, right?”

“Hehe, Baldo-sama, you say such funny things. Let’s continue washing them together~♡”

What is she talking about?! This girl!

I’m worried… Can Liena continue to work at my inn?

What if the king tells me, “You’ve turned my precious daughter into a weirdo! What are you going to do about it?”

To begin with, Liena has always been so clingy, and I feel like she’s too close. Maybe she’s showing some stress from transitioning so quickly from royal life to a commoner’s life.

If I suddenly changed my working environment from my current innkeeping job to something entirely different, I’d probably be mentally exhausted, too. As I pondered what to do, I slapped the laundry in my hands to straighten out the wrinkles and hung it on the rod…

―――No, that was underwear…

Was I deep in thought while holding underwear? I’ve indeed become a perverted old man.

“Ah, Baldo-sama~ We must exchange the magic stone in the washing machine. Can you do it again, please?”

As I was feeling down, Liena handed me the magic stone with a beaming smile.

Well, as for Liena, I guess I’ll have to watch and see how things go. If there’s something I can do as an older man, I will. That said, I infused the magic stone with 【Fighting Spirit】.

“Here we go!”

“Woah~ Baldo-sama, thank you. 【Fighting Spirit】 is so handy.”

“Well, 【Fighting Spirit】 can be used by anyone with some training. But I guess no one probably uses it for washing machines.”

“Anyone can use it?”

Liena looked puzzled.

I continued the conversation while hanging the laundry to dry.

My father used to do this, and so did my grandfather. Our family has run inns for generations. Hence, anyone with some training can manage it. Even my disciples picked it up quickly when they were kids.

However, training every day is a must. There’s a need to consistently nurture the sensation of a Fighting Spirit coursing through one’s body. It feels like your entire body lights up with energy.

As I was droning on, someone commented, “There you go again, Baldo-sama – gripping the laundry too tightly,” which got a laugh.

Oops, I exerted too much force. As you get older, you can unintentionally sound like you’re lecturing.

Wait, am I clutching underwear again!?

Oh no, I’ve been gripping underwear all day. I’m just a pervy old man at this rate… The employees could sue me for harassment.

“Mas…Master! Liena! Can you handle the front desk? I can’t manage on my own…”

As I hurriedly hung the underwear, Alesia came rushing over, her face pale as a sheet. Alesia might be a tad socially awkward, but she’s been doing her best at the reception lately. I can’t help but smile seeing her progress, even if it’s little by little.

“Baldo-sama?”

Liena asked, tilting her head in confusion, likely catching a glimpse of my smile. Even though she’s not my daughter, seeing someone grow and put in effort warms my heart.

But now’s not the time to be smirking – it’s time to work.

The lobby’s reception is already lined with guests. Our clientele has been increasing lately.

Is it because the king’s been telling the citizens about the “Heroic Inn of Natol” or something? It’s not entirely false since the Heroic Swordmaster Alesia is working here.

“Thank you, Master! I’ll take the… not there, the other guest’s luggage to their room!”

Alesia, dressed in her maid uniform, dashed off in a hurry.

“Baldo-sama, I’ll handle the accumulating paperwork once the front desk is clear. Oh, and I need to place a food order,”

Liena busily said, engrossed in attending to the customers.

“Master… I left a dish cooking, so I’ll return to the kitchen. After that, I’ll clean the lobby, fix the lamp in room 204, and then…”

“Wait! Sera! There’s smoke! Smoke!”

I quickly snuffed out the smoke and had Sera sit on the sofa.

Hmm, isn’t this too much work? Even Sera, the magical doll capable of superhuman tasks, seems worn out…

“Are you alright, Sera?”

“Master… I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t been able to get enough sleep lately, and due to the lack of maintenance, I’ve been feeling irritable. I can’t help but binge on ice cream every night.”

Wait, she’s mentally exhausted!

Oh no, this isn’t nice. I’ve been overworking her. At this rate, we will become a “black” inn infamous for overworking its employees. Hmm, maybe I should consider hiring more staff…

Alright! I’ll put out a job advertisement and conduct interviews!