The Sleeping Devil

Although it's clear outside, the sunlight isn't too strong, and there's a slight chill in the air when the wind blows.

After confirming that there were no issues with the facilities check, I gathered the relevant individuals and decided to hold the presentation.

In accordance with my birthday, Didi, who had returned once using his vacation time, and Dior, the lord, along with their respective chief assistants, as well as Bergar, who assists with the business, and Rainer from the trading company, and Dior's former maid who now oversees the training of bathing support staff, and several others, had gathered.

"Today is a tour combining the completion unveiling and the presentation, so feel free to ask any questions at any time."

"Wow, so this is Sheriel's salon. There must be lots of incomprehensible things here again, right?"

Didi's eyes sparkled like those of a child about to embark on an adventure.

Perhaps because this mansion originally belonged to upper-class nobility, there was ample space in the square in front of the main entrance to park several carriages. It resembled a large luxury hotel, with no alterations made to the garden or exterior, but it exuded more than enough dignity.

I led everyone to the entrance and guided them inside. A reception desk was set up in front, and stairs curving from both sides led up to the salon on the second floor. I had taken inspiration for this structure from a mansion I had visited before, which was a former slave market.

"We plan to make it reservation-only, so it shouldn't get too crowded, but the salon upstairs will be used for meetings. For first-time visitors, you'll receive a membership card at reception like this, and from the next visit onwards, you'll use that card for entry."

With a jingling sound, I took out something like a keychain with magic ore stones of fire and water swaying. If you imbue magic into this magic ore when bearing the cost yourself, the price becomes cheaper.

"Oh, is that the entry pass? It looks like a piece of jewelry."

"Sheriel also has a talent for design."

I paid attention to the appearance of the entry pass, making it small enough to fit in one hand. Since it was important not to lose the magic ore, I attached a chain and fittings, and made it like a charm, threading it through a single ring.

Thanks to the efforts of the craftsman, it can be detached with a clasp.

Leading the visitors around the mansion, we went up to the second floor where the spa was located. To let them experience the actual procedure, I guided them to a room where the bath hadn't been filled yet, and everyone exchanged their thoughts eagerly.

"It's even bigger than the baths in the castle. Do you really need such a luxurious room?"

"Furniture and decorations were supervised by me, so it's only natural," she said.

Sergio, accustomed to camping, seemed to find it difficult to understand, but I too was slightly overwhelmed by the extravagance. However, since Dior was burning with determination, I couldn't afford to skimp on room decorations.

"I've prepared ten similar rooms on this floor. First, if you bear the magic yourself, the staff will give you this charm with magic imbued in it, and while they prepare the bath, you'll undress here."

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Behind the partition, there were long benches and full-length mirrors, and enough space for maids and handmaids to join.

Removing the fire magic ore, I attached it to the faucet and twisted it lightly. Everyone exclaimed in surprise as hot water gushed out.

"What's this magical tool... Isn't a magical tool that produces hot water a bit excessive?"

"Ahaha, what's this! Such a strange shape!"

"It's called a faucet. Pipes are installed throughout the mansion, circulating water, so when you open and close this faucet, water comes out. There's a fire magic circle at the outlet, so that's how it becomes hot water."

While generating and heating water requires a considerable amount of magic, simply heating it with the faucet can greatly reduce magic usage.

The bathtub integrated with the shampoo station, except for Rainer, was something everyone was familiar with, but the faucet was being showcased for the first time. Essential oils and salts were added to the bath, filling the room with the scent of flowers.

"When your body warms up and starts sweating, we'll wash your hair here. When you put water and fire magic ore into this magical tool, hot water comes out."

Taking the two magic ores off the keychain, I set them into the slots on the magical tool. Though the chain was rattling, it was small enough not to be too bothersome.

"It's not a box shape. This is also the first time I've seen this shape."

I explained the usage to Dior, who was observing curiously. Everyone gathered around, creating quite a crowded scene.

"We'll adjust the temperature with this slide. Since some customers prefer it slightly lukewarm in summer, it depends on their preference. This slide here adjusts the water volume."

I operated the slide attached to the metal cylinder, and when I pressed the button, a radial flow of hot water came out.

Since there was no hose and only magic circles inside, it was very light. It was much more user-friendly than the showers from my previous life, so I quite liked it.

Since we had the opportunity, let's ask Dior's former maid, who was in a chief-like position, for her thoughts.

"What do you think after actually using it?"

"It's wonderful that magic can be imbued into the magic ore beforehand. It's very helpful since lower-ranking individuals tend to neglect their hands when focusing on magic."

There was that advantage too. Even when the staff imbued magic, they were asked to transfer it to the magic ore once because of the magic circle. I thought it would be cumbersome, but it turned out well.

"With magic ores of this size, you can store one charge of magic each. Since we'll also be doing clay packs and facial cleansing during bathing, we plan to have three staff members assigned."

One for shampooing and facial cleansing, one for preparing drinks and tidying up the room, and one for assistance. With rotation, magic shouldn't run out. The rooms are spacious to ensure that the clients' maids learn the bathing process thoroughly. It's not too difficult, so they should learn quickly.

"When your body is warmed up, we'll do an oil massage on this table, and finally, after washing your body in the bathtub, bathing will be finished. When drying your hair, please wear a gown and we'll dry your hair at the vanity."

"The vanity is made spacious, and while drying their hair, guests can enjoy tea and snacks. Sports drink-like beverages are provided during bathing, so the room is fully equipped with a toilet.

Next, I inserted wind and fire magic ores into a magical tool shaped like the hot water one, continuing to explain while showing it to everyone.

"With this magical tool, you can dry your hair while adjusting the temperature and airflow. Since skincare and makeup will be done while setting the hair, it won't take more than two hours, including changing clothes."

Since clay packs provide sufficient hydration, we'll just adjust the skin with floral water at the end. Instead of conventional powder, we use a mineral powder-like substance made by drying and grinding clay. I don't know if it contains minerals, but it seems to have a faint magical aura, making it gentler on the skin and giving it a nice sheen compared to regular powder.

"This is also used by my mother, so I think once you try it, you'll understand its goodness. If we inform customers about the need for facial cleansing, they'll also use soap, and related products for bathing should sell like hotcakes."

Suddenly, there was a thud, and everyone turned their gaze to Rainer, who had been silent until then, kneeling with his hands clasped in front of his forehead, muttering something in a prayer-like posture.

"...The goddess of business has descended..."

I barely caught those words, so I decided to leave it alone for now. It seemed that Rainer, who had been hesitating to speak surrounded by nobles, had finally become excited and lost his composure.

"Hey, hey, did Sheriel come up with this mysterious contraption too? And what's this box?"

Didier pointed to a hanger with a linen gown and a small chest for storing fabric and accessories.

Come to think of it, I hadn't shown anyone the closet since it was finished, had I?

"This is called a hanger, and if you hang things like this, they won't wrinkle, right? And this here is a drawer, so there's no need to stack wooden boxes."

"What about the key?"

"There are always several staff members present, and the rooms themselves are locked, so there's no need to worry about theft. If there are any misbehaving employees within the mansion, it would be the same with wooden boxes, wouldn't it? Chests are also prepared behind the partition."

With that said, I guided them to the dressing area, and there were admiring voices even from the assistants.

Three-tiered chests were prepared so that the dresses could be stored. Jewelry and accessories could be placed on the top tier, dresses on the middle, allowing for easy organization and smooth dressing when leaving.

"The handmaids and maids would definitely want this. I've heard them complain about their arms getting thick from lifting and lowering wooden boxes."

"Yes, they're stronger than us, after all."

Since the assistants have a lot of paperwork, the maids who do a lot of physical work tend to be stronger. Mary and Sara certainly have surprising strength...

"Sheriel, I don't recall hearing about this at all! When did you come up with something like this!?"

"Well... I believe I reported that I immediately renovated the dressing room after moving into the current room..."

"The dressing room... Wasn't it for organizing the warehouse? You should have confirmed it since it's your responsibility... I'll have you show it to me once I return."

I feel like Dior is in a bit of an angry mode. Indeed, there were various things that happened after the move, so Dior's room check had been put on hold. As a result, I hadn't touched other decorations, so I feel like it would be awkward if they were seen now...

With a cold sweat breaking out at the unexpected crisis, I decided to conclude the bathroom tour and move on to the salon for tea.

Passing through the shared salon above the reception, we descended to the first floor and sequentially guided them to the rooms in the back.

From small rooms to large ones, I left the decorations entirely to Dior while maintaining the original structure.

Friends can synchronize their schedules and enjoy tea together after getting beautiful at the spa, or they can relax alone.

Since we had the opportunity, I decided to treat them to tea and sweets during the break.

"Huh, could it be... Sheriel's chocolate is served here!? Even though we rarely get to eat it, isn't that unfair?"

"Since we can't produce it on a commercial scale, it'll be a special treat available only here. Cookies and meringues will be available for sale, though."

Although chocolate research has progressed considerably, without large machinery, commercialization seemed impossible. Developing magical tools on a factory scale would consume too much magic.

However, since we didn't need a large quantity for serving in the salon, I spent this year training confectioners.

"Was increasing the number of chefs for this purpose? I thought you were going to make sweets in the castle."

"We still have confectioners in the castle. The research will be carried out there, and the finished products will be brought down to the salon."

"Hmm, specialized pastry chefs, is it? If they're well-received, we might consider opening a pastry shop."

Immediately, Rainer's eyes sparkled at Sergio's words. It's good to be ambitious, but it would probably be busier than Rainer thinks. After all, I intend to delegate all management and sales of the products to Rainer...

"Um, the sweets we serve are ones that Mother popularized at her tea parties, so this salon will likely come in second in terms of trendiness."

"Well, of course. Sweets for beauty... Those who can't attend my tea parties will surely gather here."

Dior, who already reigns supreme in the social circles of the territory, may not need to gather more envy, but I hope she'll make good use of it.

There's no point in researching this and that if there's no use for it. The development is for the sake of using it.

I received feedback on the bathroom, magical tools, and facility systems, and it seems to be quite well-received, which relieved me.

"Come to think of it, where does the water circulating in the mansion come from?"

"That's right, I wanted Father to see that the most!"

I had felt like I had finished a job, but the presentation to Sergio was the real deal from here on out.