Thermae Dwarf

Thermae Dwarf  (テルマエ・ドワーフ) is a game event in Mass for the Dead that was released on November 1, 2023 to November 15, 2023.

Background
In E-Rantel, which has overcome the shock of the disaster and is proceeding with reconstruction. Healing the mind and body of the people of the city is an urgent issue. People set out to the Azerlisia Mountains, seeking clues to a solution at a "bathhouse" said to be located in the country of mountain dwarfs.——-

Incident
Sebas is standing guard the hallway of the mayor's mansion whilst the protagonist works in his office. The undercover miner, notes that the homunculus is getting acclimated back into his duties and seems happy. Though Sebas thinks to himself that things are not going to be like they were before. Sebas who is now acting as an escort to the protagonist finds the measure unnecessary and believes that his comrade is taking things too seriously.

Soi approaches in the hallway, commenting that Sebas and the protagonist had returned from their tour of the city. Their tour was composed of visiting the Adventurer's Guild, Pharmacist's Guild, and even the Temple with members of the Sunlight Scripture acting as intermediaries. The news of the duo visiting those three places comes as a surprise to Soi. Since she can recall that she and the protagonist already had a lot of interaction, yesterday and the day before.

Today's consultation was about expanding the functionality of the treatment facility and the protagonist was following up on conversations from earlier. Considering the current situation in this city, this is a situation that needs to be dealt with urgently. From what Seba knows, the treatment activities are underway to address the increasing number of injured people due to the series of disasters. While the number of injured people is increasing, the facilities to accommodate them are becoming full.

Soi argues that even if they were to increase the number of detention facilities, they would need to secure space for it and it’s not something that can be done overnight. Sebas recalls correctly, that their comrade  spoke to Clementine about wanting to do his best to help her. Still there is an absolute lack of supplies and treatment options. That was the only topic they talked about. Repairs to buildings seem to be progressing more than smoothly, but when it comes to humans, it's not as simple as fixing them and being done with them. Though Sebas finds the situation regrettable for the humans, Soi cannot understand his empathy towards them. So her concern goes to the protagonist who has been running around trying to do something. Last time Soi had visited the Temple with the protagonist, he had been negotiating with the priests there about whether or not they could request treatment using high-level magic without cost.

The protagonist and Surako soon emerge from the room intent to head out to another location. He and his friends then go to Tsuibayaya's workshop to pick up their weapons. The dwarf's work is greatly appreciative by the protagonist. Though Tsuibayaya say's its nothing as his service is covered by development costs for the swimsuits and material from the Sorcerer Kingdom which he praises in being able to not just supply funds but also resource for his work.

The dwarf notices the protagonist's tired looked and questions what is wrong since he expected his patron to be happy since the city is being rebuilt on schedule. Especially after the "cleansing" the other time produced the right motivating effect. Tsuibayaya asks about Clementine, which is a bit unusual for the swimsuit fanatic to be interested, but the homunculus informs his friend that the saint is doing her best to help the city, even though the city's repairs are progressing, the same cannot be said that the injured people are being adequately treated. This includes people who have non life-threatening illnesses, besides suffering from the body but the mind.

Though such traumatic injuries can't be helped by going to the temple and paying healing magic. And while details may depend on negotiation, it would be bad to incur more debt than necessary. Hence why the protagonist reached out to the Pharmacist's Guild to research on treatments using medicinal herbs. However the problem is not just the trauma.

Tsuibayaya thinks aloud about if he were feeling unwell he would just take a bath, drink some alcohol, and sleep to recover quickly. When his comment causes the protagonist to be perplexed, the dwarf elaborates that there is a big bathhouse in the Dwarf Kingdom where he used to live. After work, going there for a bath and alcohol was a special time that helped him refresh.

Hearing the dwarf talk about bathhouses makes the protagonist realize that "hot spring therapy: is the answer to helping the people recover from the shock of life-threatening situations or trauma from losing loved ones. This option certainly seems to be effective as a means of rest. It is said that it not only heals injuries and illnesses, but can also be expected to have a psychological healing effect according to the books in Ashurbanipal.

This begs the question on whether the dwarves have similar customs. While there is a spa resort in Nazarick, for the common people of the kingdom, the custom of bathing seemed to be a luxury for royalty and nobility. Seizing this moment the homunculus intently stares as Tsuibayaya and has speak fully on his story about dwarven bathhouses.

Later after the protagonist heard the story at Tsuibayaya's workshop, he sent a message to Momonga in Nazarick. The message about the dwarves having bathing custom is a bit of a surprise to the Overlord. The protagonist on the other end of the magical connection admits that this is only what he heard from the dwarf craftsman’s so it is not yet confirmed.

Momonga regards the protagonist to be right in gathering outside information is also a priority, so he thinks his report is very good. So he need it worry about authenticity which they can check later. The message ends after Momonga thanks his subordinate. Shortly after that, Momonga summoned Albedo and Demiurge and told them the story.

The news comes as interesting to Demiurge, admitting that even though the dwarves have only started trading with them, there is still much about their culture or customs they do fully understand. Albedo can at least confirm from reports that she received that the dwarves working at the mining sites do take baths to cleanse themselves after work. But does agrees that this information is useful as it could be used to inspire a relatively low-cost means of healing the body and mind of humans. While Momonga finds that the dwarf Tsuibayaya can be a valuable source of information, it should still be noted that the dwarf left his country to research swimsuits, taking valuable minerals and goods with him. And while he is a skilled weapon craftsman, it a bit hard to just take his story at face value.

Plus from what he heard about the dwarven bathhouse, it sounds more or less like a hot spring in the mountains. Thinking about this, this causes the undead to remember the water-related inventions that were made earlier. Albedo hearing her master's musing on the inventions reports that Nazarick is currently checking to see if they can develop an effective market for the products, but it seems that humans do not have the habit of bathing in bathtubs so they are responding cautiously.

It's a pity to Momonga, as if the people of this world also have a custom of bathing, it would leading gaining a market as a trade item. Demiurge then inquires if his liege intends to use the dwarves to acquire a new market? Momonga confirms that to be right and seems to be worth investigating whether they to have a habit of bathing in hot springs. If there is indeed a medicinal bath, they may also be able to use it. That being said Momonga recalls that a lizardman had went to the Dwarf Kingdom. Demiurge confirms that it was Zenberu Gugu. And states that Yuri Alpha and Entoma Vasilissa Zeta will being heading to the lizardmen village to do an audit.

Momonga thinking it would be effective to ask directly then sends a [Message] to Yuri, connecting to the Pleiades maid to query Zenberu. At the village, Zenberu is being interviewed by the two maids, and he confirms that the dwarves do bath, and gives a vague description of their bathing methods, which includes creating heat by pouring hot water on a certain substance.

Once their questioning is done, Entoma contacts Momonga, to give him their results. From them Momonga confirms that the dwarves do have a custom of bathing. There are public bathhouses in each city, and the dwarves who live there are said to frequent them. It seems that not pn;y the injured and sick but also miners after work go there during holidays. There's even a testament from Zenberu which is enough for Albedo to be valid.

Momonga is intrigued that the dwarves working for a few days and then taking a few days off, look forward to bathing at the end of a day's work. It makes sense to him, given their form of manual labor. Demiurge finds it a shame, as while it seems certain that the dwarves have a habit of taking baths, one question is left on where they get the hot water for bathing? Based on the current story, he wonders if they draw it themselves or have a "hot spring" or special mineral spring that exists under the conditions of the mine. It is still not clear whether it was just boiling underground water or not.

Albedo and Momonga admits that there are still things that need to be cleared up. Even if one were to use household magic it would be too much of a burden to use it for bathing. So it's possible that the bath's hot water may be naturally occurring hot spring or groundwater. Regardless if it's just boiling water, it can still be a means to help heal injuries and illnesses and recover fatigue if only to give people some peace of mind.

Despite the uncertainties Momonga wants to offer this, "special hot spring" idea to the people of E-Rantel to ease their suffering. Though it would require a sample of the water from the dwarven bathhouses for study. Seeing that he needs to assemble a team to head an expedition to the dwarf nation. Momonga considers who he has free to participate. If it were not for the current situation, Albedo would recommend Sebas. And depending on the situation, they would need to contact the Frost Dragon in command of the nation. However sending the butler is out of the question by Demiurge since he is watching the protagonist, who is being targeted by Enhela Read Gahi and busying running the daily operations of the city and needs an escort.

Momonga then decides to send the protagonist on the mission for the time being. He sees it as a form of break from E-Rantel, so that he could give the homunculus a chance to rest. It’s Momonga’s hope that the protagonist will take the opportunity to try some hot spring treatment while doing his research, and might be able to distract himself a little. While Sebas is to be included on the expedition, Momonga still wants others to take the stage on this mission to take some of the burden.

The Overlord asks about the Frost Dragon. Demiurge answers that according to reports, it appears to still be in that location. However, it seems like they no longer have the same arrogance the dwarves. Momonga asks for the two to leave him so he can summarize his thought for the upcoming expedition. After confirming that no one was around, Momonga immediately activated the [Message].

After finishing his initial [Message] he makes a second one to direct Albedo to call the Pleiades. Less than a few hours later, Momonga tells the assembled Pleiades about the mission.

Yuri understands that their liege wants them to investigate the bathhouse in the dwarf country. Momonga states that he has already decided to ask Sebas, the Slimeko, to go with the protagonist.

However, he don't know what's going on. As expected, it would be dangerous to send the three of them alone to investigate. That's why he’s planning to choose someone else to accompany them on the investigation. Furthermore, Momonga is thinking of hiring a suitable person from among the Pleiades, though cannot decide.

Before Momonga can make a decision, and interruption unexpectedly comes from Solution who steps forward and volunteers for the mission. This is a bit of a shock, to everyone. Albedo is peeved that the maid would dare interrupt their master, despite Momonga willing to forgive. This does not satisfy Albedo as such behavior cannot be overlooked.

Momonga sees that he still was able to find someone suitable among the maids. In any event there is no issue. Still the fact Solution willingly volunteered is a bit shocking. Momonga then asks Solution why the sudden interest in the mission?

The maid’s reason turns out stems from the events of  Miyoshi Cup. Since then Solution has been learning more about baths and bathing. Therefore, she believes that her knowledge will be useful for this mission. And from what Momonga deduces, she can use this mission as an opportunity to obtain new information about baths and bathing and get a little closer to Miyoshi occupation.

Last time she wasn’t able to win the Miyoshi Cup, making Momonga wonder if the slime is pinning for revenge for that time? Since he doesn’t understand the circumstances, Momonga decides to not say anything and think of this as proof of the NPC's growth.

No one objects to Solution being puni sly part of the expedition. With the protagonist being part of the team, and still being targeted by Enhela, Momonga assigns Lupusregina to shadow the expedition to watch over the party, especially the protagonist. After completing the selection and disbanding everyone, Momonga sends a [Message] to the protagonist, ordering him to carry out the mission.

The protagonist, and his friends, having received their orders stop by the Great Forest of Tob on their journey to the Azerlisia Mountains. Lupusregina attired in her worker outfit is thanked by the protagonist for accompanying them. The undercover worker pays it no mind reminding them that she is "Regi" for now. They are joined by Hamsuke who came to have a chat with them. The hamster learning of their investigation to the mountains, finds the details curious as she herself doesn't mind bathing but never taken a bath in hot water. She wonders if such a bath is really that amazing, thinking perhaps some magic is involved? The protagonist is not sure about that but explains that aside from magical effects, hot baths help creatures recover from wounds and illnesses by warming their bodies. It's not the same thing as bathing, trying to put it in a frame of reference that the hamster can understand. He had assumed that Hamsuke would instinctively know, a place in the mountains where hot water gushes out, where wild animals gather to bath, etc.

Kyuko seems to be familiar with the homunculus is talking about, as there was a place deep in the mountains near her former village where hot water gushed out. From what she heard it was effective against all kinds of illnesses and wounds and where wild animals from the mountains would gather. Slimeko also mentions that Nazarick has something similar....a bathhouse. This interests Hamsuke making her jealous as she would like to go and visit there one day.

Upon hearing the hamster say jealous, the protagonist cannot help but feel jealous himself, as Hamsuke still has the option of visiting Nazarick unlike him. He though casts the negative thoughts aside as they have no place for now. Sebas having approached the protagonist comes with a suggestion, in that before heading to the Dwarf Kingdom, they should stop by the lizardmen village.

The suggestion is accepted, and the group departed from forest and headed to the village. On the way they are harassed by Chaos Beasts which the party deals with. At the village, they locate Zenberu to explain the situation to learn about the bath healing customs of the mountain dwarves. Sebas explains that the Sorcerer King feels that the baths of the dwarves could be used to treat the injured and asks that the lizardman be part of the expedition and serve as a guide. This catches Zenberu by surprise, though Slimeko points out he is the natural choice, given he knows the route to the Dwarf Kingdom.

Not only that Sebas adds that if the dwarves do truly have hot springs and special medicines, the Sorcerer Kingdom may consider asking the dwarves to teach them their materials and manufacturing methods. If that happens, there will probably be negotiations, so having a friendly face like Zenberu, who already has a close relationship with the dwarves would be good. Their points are valid and Zenberu agrees to be their guide to the dwarven nation, plus it would also give the lizardman monk a chance to hone his fighting skills. Sebas then offers a form of advance payment to the lizardman, a mock duel before they head out which Zenberu eagerly greets with his fists.

After the exchange of fists, at the village, the expedition party travel to the Azerlisia Mountains with Zenberu taking the lead. The entrance to the Dwarf Kingdom is soon in sight. Before heading in, Sebas has everyone take a break.

TBA

Aftermath
TBA