The Dwarf Onsen and Della's Promotion
Della bent down and whispered into Marim's ear. Marim jumped in shock and shouted,
"What?! You get a baby if you drink that?!"
"Uh-huh... Babies come from the belly... so if you eat that..."
"Hey! You comin' or what?!"
Ukun flung open the door to the women's bath with fiery rage.
"Sorry!"
"Why're you yellin'?!"
We followed Ukun inside to the actual bathing area. The first thing that caught my eye was the row of private lockers lining the walls. Tall and narrow, each one had a small key on a hook.
"See? You strip here, hook it to your wrist, and you won't lose it."
Besides the lockers, the changing room had sofas for resting and a small counter. They sold simple snacks and drinks for during the bath, plus bathing supplies. Across from it was a long mirror where you could groom yourself while checking your reflection.
This dwarf kid... he's outdone himself...
"But... where do you actually bathe...? No tubs... nothing..."
Idwild looked around with a dumb grin, and Ukun chuckled darkly, rubbing his hands like he was unveiling a secret weapon or treasure. He threw open the double glass doors opposite the changing room.
"Whoaaa!"
The all-white marble bathhouse revealed itself, drawing gasps from the staff. Sunlight streamed through the clerestory windows high on the walls, giving it the air of some ancient forgotten temple. Steam rising from the massive pools added to the mystical vibe.
"It really looks like a temple, Ukun!"
"Of course. Bathing is sacred."
Ukun declared it solemnly.
This mad bastard...
"What's this...?"
Idwild muttered, standing before the row of pipes on the wall. She fiddled with a handle, and water poured down over her head.
"Gyaah...!"
Soaked in an instant, she flailed back.
"What the hell...! It sprayed me...!"
Ukun launched into a detailed explanation. Basically, no need for buckets—you just stand and rinse.
We headed up to the lounge on this floor and were stunned again. This crazy dwarf had turned the entire wall facing the Buren River into glass. All the sunbeds faced it perfectly.
Lying back and taking in the view? Perfect.
Up on the roof, there were several round tables with parasols. The layout was unique. The area where the stairs came up—about a third of the roof—was still building. The wall facing the tables was wide open.
"Hey, Ukun. I said make it one floor, why'd you do three? And only part of it? What's that?"
"You idiot. You gonna sit on the roof without a drink? Gotta have somethin' to sip while yappin' or enjoyin' the view!"
Only then did I realize it was an outdoor café. Ukun, you bastard... Incarnation of the bath god or somethin'?!
The staff were all praises after touring the bathhouse. Functionally and aesthetically, it was unparalleled—not just in Rosens, but the whole region. Ukun crossed his thickly muscled arms and grinned smugly.
"So, you headin' back to the mines now?"
"What're you talkin' about? Gotta stick around at least a month to make sure it runs smooth!"
Music to my ears. I happily agreed.
For the completion celebration, after closing, we became the bathhouse's first customers. Me and Ukun hit the men's side; the rest went women's. We alternated hot soaks to loosen up and cold plunges, soaped up head to toe, rinsed under those weird "faucet" things, lounged on the sunbeds gazing at the Vurn Mountains by night, felt the crisp autumn breeze on the roof...
"Hey, Ukun."
"Yeah?"
"Impressive. Didn't expect this level."
"Hah! What'd you think dwarves were made of! Oh, and..."
Ukun looked up at me.
"Don't take customers for a week, Balder. No issues expected, but test the facilities anyway."
"Perfect. Time to promote and hire."
"Gotta name the bathhouse too, right? Just call it 'the bathhouse'?"
"Got any ideas? You must've thought about it during construction."
Ukun scratched his chin, then blurted,
"Dwarf Onsen."
"Wh-what...?"
"Dwarf Onsen. 'Cause a dwarf made it, dumbass."
"Hahahahahaha!!"
I laughed till tears welled up. Ukun cracked up too.
"Aigoo, that's hilarious. We'll consider it. Not bad."
That night, I called Della down to the first floor.
"Master? What's up?"
She hurried to me at the bar.
"Sit, Della. We need to talk."
She sat across, eyes wide and sparkling.
"What'd you think of the bathhouse today?"
"It was amazing! So pretty, fancy, clean... And after bathing, I feel so refreshed, like I could fly!"
Della's blue eyes shone as she gushed about her experience. I smiled faintly, then spoke when she paused.
"We're promoting the opening and taking customers soon. But handling the inn and bathhouse alone? Too much."
"Right... I've been worried about that. It's too much for you."
Her joyful face fell; she clasped her hands, genuinely concerned.
Della's so kind, gentle, pure. That's why she couldn't guess why I'd called her alone at night like this.
So I cut to the chase.
"That's why—how about you manage the bathhouse outright?"
"W-wait, really...? M-meee?!"
Her eyebrows shot up; she squeaked in shock. I repeated kindly,
"I think you'd be perfect."
"M-me...? Why...? I'm just a clueless waitress..."
She fidgeted with her clasped hands, rolling those big, jewel-blue eyes.
"Clueless? You're studying accounting and more every night."
"Ah... But that's... not enough to run something yet..."
"I'll hire staff under you. Ukun's staying a month to oversee. No worries."
But she shook her head.
"But... others could do it..."
"Marim's deliveries. Pelle's no people-person. Francois is kitchen. Idwild lacks your knowledge. You're ideal."
"Then hire a pro..."
"Can I trust a stranger like you? You've been with me since day one. You're the one I trust most, Della."
She mumbled uncertainly,
"No... I like just waitressing..."
"But someday you'll run your own inn."
She fell silent.
This wasn't a snap decision. I'd planned it since meeting Ukun and fleshing out the design. I'd explained why: Della had the knowledge, and I could trust her fully. Most importantly... she'd inherit an inn someday.
Her family's "Fog on the Horizon" in Bue, passed down from her grandfather, now run by her father. When he dies or can't anymore, it's hers. Sure, I'm the real owner as creditor on the debt he took against it. But that's just to keep him from squandering it—I'll hand it all to her eventually.
So she needs to learn management now, not just clean tables and rooms. I could've given her the inn staff, but bossing around her close coworkers? Nah. Better give her full bathhouse authority with new hires.
"What do you think?"
"I... get what you're saying... but deciding now is hard..."
"No rush. We've got a week. Just know you're my only pick."
"Yes... Sorry I can't say yes right away."
She bowed deeply, truly apologetic.
Such a sweet, naive girl... How'll she handle jerks?
"Still... thanks for considering me, Master. And trusting me."
"Obviously. My first hire, suffered through it all with me."
"Haha... Yeah, it was rough."
She beamed innocently. Her smile lit the dim hall like daylight. We reminisced about the inn's early days, enjoying the moment.
The next few days, we were all busy. After meals, everyone but Francois hit the streets promoting the bathhouse. We printed flyers in Bue, loaded the staff on hell horses to Bue and Fribourg. Three teams covered Bue, Rosens, and Fribourg daily, handing out flyers and hyping it.
"New Bathhouse at Crossroads Troll Inn. Open year-round. Hot water always. 1 donghwa per person."
The staff's beauty made it a hit—flyers vanished fast. I visited the printer every other day.
That day, after morning promo, we returned. Francois greeted us with a letter.
"Mailman brought it. For you, Della."
"For me? Who...?"
Della took it, tore the envelope, read the contents. Her face hardened instantly.