Prime Originator

Walking down the spacious streets of Darkmoon City, Leon's mind was preoccupied with expectations towards the Bathhouse. 

"What do you think of our city, Big Brother Leonhardt?" Ironhead raised the topic while he led the way. 

"The city is quite impressive. It is surprisingly clean, orderly, and spacious. Although it seems like each building are constructed randomly, they are actually nicely arranged with careful consideration." 

Leon gave Ironhead his honest thoughts as he praised the city. 

He was under the impression that the city was being powered by formations. If he had a bird's eye view of the city, he would be able to confirm if it was indeed the case.

Furthermore, although the city was built with primitive means, the interior was far from what he had expected. The city's hygienic practice was surprisingly meticulous, and the air was much fresher than the outside. 

He everything had to do with the formations of the place. 

At the same time, he had a greater expectation for their Bathhouse. He was quite curious where the Darkmoon Tribe was procuring all their water source from when the Infertile Plains was so barren that any precious resource would be extremely scarce and valuable. 

"Also, the city has a surprisingly pleasant scent. It does not have a stench at all. Many demonic beast blood and bones should have been used in the construction of this city, right? How did you guys get rid of the bad smell?" Leon asked with interest. 

"Hahaha, Big Brother Leonhardt has a very keen eye and a keen nose to have noticed these small details. This is all thanks to the efforts of our Venerable Shamans and their divine powers." Ironhead said with a proud look.

Shamans? 

Leon's eyes flickered ever so slightly at the unfamiliar term, but he was not in a hurry to ask in case Ironhead finds it strange.

Shortly after, Ironhead continued to boast, "On these lands, Big Brother Leonhardt will not be able to find many tribes with a city comparable to ours."

"Is that right? I did find it strange that such an impressive city actually existed on these barren lands. This is undoubtedly an awesome feat and a work of miracle. You have every right to boast about it." 

Leon had not seen the other tribes, but he had to agree with Ironhead's boast. With these people's lifestyle, he had expected the city to be reeking with blood and sweat. But that was indeed not the case.

"We're here. This is our public Bathhouse. Feel free to use it for as long as you like, Big Brother Leonhardt. This place is free of charge."

"Oh right, in case you are not familiar with our signs, the left sign is for men only, while the right sign is for women only. However, if you are looking for a bit of excitement, you can just go ahead and head down the middle and use the mixed bath." Ironhead said as he gave Leon a cheeky grin.

"How obscene!" Lumi exclaimed with an embarrassed look after listening. If she still has a living body, her face would have been flushed red like a tomato.

"Hahaha! Obscene? No, no, no. This is actually pretty normal here. Everyone mainly uses the mixed bath. Rarely, does anyone ever use the other baths." Ironhead laughed heartedly.

"You probably don't want to see me bathing, right? Do you want to head inside for now?" Leon asked on the surface. 

In truth, he was afraid that Lumi would continue to say things that Ironhead would find strange.

"Of course not!" Lumi rolled her eyes at him before saying, "Quick, let me inside. I want to go see Little Big Sister." 

"Little Big Sister…" 

Leon smiled wryly and nodded. Shortly after, Lumi vanished right in front of Ironhead's eyes as she entered the Worldspace.

"This… Big Brother Leonhardt, where did she go?" Ironhead was surprised the Banshee's sudden disappearance. Vengeful spirits should not have such abilities, right?

"She… went into my spiritual world. I'm a Spirit Tamer." Leon lied with a straight face. 

"Spirit Tamer? I've heard of a Beast Tamer, but what is a Spirit Tamer? Is it something similar?" Ironhead asked.

"Something like that." Leon nodded before changing the topic with a casual question, "Water must be abundant for your tribe to be this extravagant with its usage. Is this also thanks to the Venerable Shamans?" 

He could hear the overflowing sound of water inside the Bathhouse. Also, he had seen the waterworks system that transfers water to various parts of the city. 

After the question was raised, Leon began to grow nervous due to Ironhead's brief silence. Had he misspoken? 

However, Ironhead cracked a smile and laughed while patting Leon's back, "Hahaha! You are a funny guy, Big Brother Leonhardt. Who doesn't know that water can only be procured from the underground water vein?" 

Leon was startled at the revelation, but he did not show it on his face as he also smiled and laughed, "Hahaha, I was only joking."

"Hahaha, alright. Big Brother Leonhardt can go on ahead and use the Bathhouse. I would also like to join you and wash these wounds of mine, but I need to go arrange your accommodations first." Ironhead said.

"You can still do that after, right?"

"No can do. You are our benefactor, friend, and guest. We will be a bad host if we have to make the guest wait." Ironhead said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Leon was a bit speechless. 

It was not like he was going to rest after he washes. He still wanted to explore the city and try to fish for information about his adoptive mother, Mia, and the others' whereabouts.

Although he found the person to be rigid, he did not hate this kind of person as he smiled and said, "Alright, I won't try to convince you otherwise then. However, you must start dropping the 'big' and just call me Brother Leonhardt. I am not accustomed to being called a big brother."

"If you insist, then I shall call you that from now on, Brother Leonhardt." Ironhead agreed with an understanding look, and his expression became warmer. 

He did not find what Leon said to be strange. It conformed with how lone vagabonds usually are. Vagabond groups might still pay great attention to these trivial formalities, but lone vagabonds simply do not.

After Ironhead left, Leon glanced at the public Bathhouse ahead.

'Now which bath should I use?' Leon mused.

 The women's bath was a no go, but he was not interested in seeing only men bath. Also, Ironhead mentioned it was normal for people to take a mixed bath.

'I guess it's gotta be the mixed bath then.' Leon decided. 

However, he was soon to discover a problem.

At that moment, every bath was packed to the brim. Rarely does this ever happen, but everyone had just finished a great battle. It was expected for them to want to enjoy a nice hot bath.

Apart from cleaning their wounds, taking a bath at the Bathhouse was a great way of relaxing their bodies as the hot bathwater had a natural effect of washing away their fatigue.

Leon waited for some 20 minutes before he saw some men leaving the mixed bath. He took his chance to enter right after with some anticipation and curiosity.

How can people of different gender share the same bathing area? It must be chaotic inside, right?

Not long after entering the mixed bathing area, Leon was not only disappointed but scarred. Everyone was butt-naked without the slightest intention of covering their privates with a towel. 

More importantly, there were no babes nor beauties to feast his eyes on, just muscles on top of bulging muscles. It was a muscle galore. 

He should have expected this, but alas, that faint bit of hope was crushed ruthlessly. 

If there was one thing Leon found surprising about this mixed bathing area, it was that everyone did not part with their Soul Weapons and brought it with them inside.

'Too late to turn back now. I am already inside.' Leon sighed as he noticed that many people have already spotted him.

"Oiyah? Who do we have here? Isn't this Big Brother Leonhardt, our friend, and benefactor? Come join us!" A warrior spoke. 

Everyone had a keen interest in wishing to speak with him. Leon could only smile wryly and approached them.

"Wait, Big Brother Leonhardt. You can't enter the hot bathwater yet. You need to scrub yourself clean on the side over there first." Another warrior pointed.

"Ah, I see. That was my bad." Leon apologized.

The warrior stepped out of the hot bath water with his bone sword and offered, "It must be Big Brother Leonhardt's first time using the Bathhouse. Allow me to help you wipe your back."

"There's no need for that. I can do it myself." Leon quickly rejected with a shake of his head.

However, the warrior noticed how bad Leon smelt and felt compelled to do something about it.

"This brother must not have washed in a long time. This will not do. I insist on wiping your back. You must be squeaky clean before you can enter the bathwater." The warrior said firmly.

"That's right. We always have each other wipe our backs for us. If you want, we can do it instead." A female warrior offered.

"I see… it's fine. This brother will do." Leon reluctantly allowed the male warrior to wipe his back for him while he cleaned the rest of his body with the scrubber and soap the facility had to offer.

"Don't worry, Big Brother Leonhardt. I'll make sure you'll be squeaky clean and free of this bad smell." The male warrior patted his chest with a determined look.

"Thanks." 

What else could he say? He could only force a smile.

Sometime later, he frowned and said, "This brother… would you mind putting away your sword?"

"What do you mean?" The male warrior asked, taken aback.

"..."

Leon peeked over his shoulder and saw the bone sword on the ground next to the male warrior, untouched.

At that moment, he paled in realization. A thousand 'fuck' went off in his head and his heart beated like a thousand rampaging cicadas.

In short, words could not describe what he was feeling in that exact moment.