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The bathroom of the inn where Fritz and his friends are staying is located at the back of the first floor. The bathtub is about the size of two tatami mats and can easily accommodate four people.

"...... warm."

Gloria and Rita soaked in the hot water side by side after washing their bodies. Little by little, Rita began to talk to us.

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"Hmmm, isn't that right?　I heard that it is not customary to take a bath in the Rebus region.

"Yes, but it feels so nice to take a bath.

The dry climate in the region of Ribas, where water is scarce in many areas, also contributes to the lack of bathing customs.

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"Right?　Okay, now let's wash your head."

"What?　I'm afraid that's not possible.

"No, of course not. Rita and I are the same person.

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Gloria sat Rita down at the sink and poured hot water over her head.

"Keep your eyes closed."

"Yes, yes."

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Since there is no soap in this world yet, it depends on the region, but here in the Kingdom of Celuloa, they use ground grass roots called sapon.

When I washed Rita's hair with the juice of sapon, it did not foam at all the first time.

"That's pretty dirty," she said.

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"I'm sorry..."

Rita shrugged, perhaps taking Gloria's soliloquy as a reprimand. Gloria gently washes her hair.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad at you. ...... look, it's clean now!"

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The second time it bubbled and the dirt seemed to have been cleaned out. Her hair, which had been dull and grayish yellow, is now bright yellow.

The hair, which had been cut at the shoulder, was not aligned and had little shine. Still, it was better than before.

"Oh, thank you very much. ......"

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"Okay, now wash my hair."

"Yes, yes!"

Gloria's hair was short, so it was washed quickly.

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Then they got into the bathtub together again.

This time Gloria was facing Rita in the bathtub and looking at her body from the front.

She has a black choker around her neck and what appears to be a tattoo on her chest.

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She was not very lean, and her ribs were slightly raised.

"Hey, Rita, were you sold?"

"Yes. ......"

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Rita looked down.

"Rita, neither I nor Mister Fritz who brought you here are from this country. So why don't you tell us what's going on?　I may be able to help you."

"Yes. ......"

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Rita's guard was still up, but Gloria's kindness seemed to have been felt and she began to speak softly.

"I am from a village called Lario, in the region of Ribas. I have no family ......."

"So ......."

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"I couldn't pay the additional taxes that were imposed on me, so I was ...... sold to make up for it."

"......, that's a lot of work."

Gloria, for her part, can only reply in passing.

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"Are there other children who have been sold?"

"Oh, yes. ...... and 10 others besides me ......."

"That many? ......"

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Gloria could sense the depths of darkness in the kingdom of Selroa.

"Well, I'd better get out of here."

Rita followed Gloria out of the bathtub.

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"Oh, you can put on what you have there. Here are my clothes, but roll up the sleeves or something.

Gloria is 168 centimeters and 58 kilograms, and Lita is about 155 centimeters, It's no wonder that the clothes don't fit Gloria, who is 168 centimeters and 58 kilograms, and Rita, who is about 155 centimeters and scrawny.

"Yes, but ......"

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"The underwear might be too big, but it's brand new. You'll just have to bear with me tonight."

"No, I mean ......

Gloria smiled at Rita, who was still reserved.

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"Hey, Rita. Look, Rita, neither I nor Mister Fritz, who bought you, are saints. But I want to help you somehow. Now will you please listen to me?"

"......"

Rita looked down in silence, but eventually spilled a tear or two.

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"......Why are you being so nice to me?"

Gloria's answer to this question was simple.

"I don't like it when you say that. Can't I help you because I want to help you?"

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"......"

Rita could not answer the question.

"Oh, thank you, Gloria. Rita is looking good."

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When she returned to her room, she found Fritz drinking alone.

Rita is a bit jumpy when she sees him. Gloria held her shoulder reassuringly.

"Rita, are you hungry?　I only have this, but you can have it if you want.

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Fritz showed her a pile of dried meat that had been prepared as a snack. Rita's stomach rumbled when she saw the food.

"Ha ha, you can eat all of it."

Fritz tried his best to speak softly to Rita, whose cheeks were stained.

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Look," Fritz says, "you can eat it. You can eat all of it.

"Yes, thank you. ......"

Kneeling on the floor, Rita gently reached for the dried meat and took a bite or two.

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"Delicious ......!"

The dried meat had been seasoned with spices as well as salt. It must have been a surprise to Rita, who had only eaten dried meat that tasted like nothing.

"Oh, um, can I have another bite of ......?"

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"Yes, I told you you could have it all."

With that, Fritz pushed the plate toward Rita.

"Thank you ......."

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Rita said thank you for the first of several times and devoured the dried meat. During the meal, when she was about to choke, Fritz offered her a glass of water.

After eating all the dried meat, Rita bowed her head to Fritz again. Gloria saw this and said,

"You'd better get some rest now. ......Mr. Fritz, you too," she urged.

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She urged him. Hearing her words, Rita's body stiffened.

"Yeah, I'm going to have a few more drinks, you two can go to bed first. ......Yes, Rita can sleep in my room."

Hearing these words, Rita's body stiffens even more and she turns a little pale.

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Gloria saw this and had an idea. Gloria saw this and had a guess that Rita was worried that Fritz would play with her.

Gloria was not fully aware of Fritz's true intentions, so she gave him a test.

"......Dr. Fritz, tonight I would like to sleep with Rita, is that alright with you?"

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But Fritz is not concerned about their concerns,

"Yes, that would be fine, but won't the bed be too small?　I can sleep on the sofa here.

Gloria felt relief in her heart. Gloria breathed a sigh of relief.

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"Rita must be feeling a bit nervous. I will stay with her tonight.

With these words, Gloria accompanied Rita into her bedroom.

"Oh, um, Gloria ......?　Are you sure you want to ...... be with us?"

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Rita asked with some dismay as she got into bed.

"Yes, it will be a little cramped, but bear with me. I think we can get another room tomorrow ......."

Rita relaxed her body.

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"Don't worry for now. It's time to sleep and rest for the night."

Gloria patted Rita on the head, who was standing right next to her, and closed her eyes.

She closed her eyes and wondered if she had been such a good caretaker.

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