New chapter of Single Old Man is out (1/1 chapter)

 

 

I’m Not a Suspicious Person

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Who the hell are you!? What are you doing here!?” (Guard)

“Daaaah!! W-wait!! I don’t get it either!!” (Gentoku)

A voice suddenly echoed out.

A woman who happened to be at the warehouse brushed aside her moonlit, faintly glowing silver-blue hair and turned toward the direction of the commotion. Then, a man who was likely her bodyguard stepped forward.

“Ojou-sama, it appears to be an intruder. Please stay back.” (??)

“Oh my… it’s not a problem. You know how strong I am, don’t you?” (??)

“However… I wouldn’t be doing my job as your guard if I let you handle it alone…” (??)

The man smiled wryly, clearly troubled. The woman smiled with a soft *fufu* and gave the man’s chest a light tap.

“I’m joking. But… what a foolish person. To sneak into the Alexandrite Company’s warehouse… what on earth is he thinking?” (??)

“Indeed. I thought no one around here would attempt something so stupid anymore… most likely, a thief from afar.” (??)

“…Still, it’s strange. There should’ve been magic security personnel, right? He got past them and infiltrated the warehouse? Yet despite being skilled enough to bypass our security magicians, he gets caught by patrols outside… hmm.” (??)

The woman grinned and started walking.

“O-Ojou?” (??)

“Let’s go, Richter.” (??)

The man called Richter, her guard and secretary, stepped in front of her in a flustered attempt to stop her.

“O-Ojou… what are you…” (Richter)

*Fufu*

“A merchant’s intuition… I have a feeling this intruder is going to be interesting.” (??)

“E-ehhhh…” (Richter)

“Now, let’s go.” (Sandrone)

With a bright smile, the woman sidestepped Richter and walked ahead.

 

—

 

I screwed up. I don’t really get it, but… this isn’t Japan. Another world. No way… did I seriously get caught up in one of those trendy isekai reincarnations?

“You suspicious bastard!!” (Guard)

“W-well, yeah, I do look suspicious but at least hear me out!!” (Gentoku)

“Silence!! Don’t move!!” (Guard)

Oh crap, he’s actually holding a real sword.

As he approached and swung down at me, I instinctively dodged. I grabbed the guard’s wrist and twisted it, making him drop his weapon, then kicked it away and threw him.

“Ugaah!?” (Guard)

“Ah, crap.” (Gentoku)

I ended up using the Aikido I learned from my Ojii-san. I picked up karate, judo, boxing, and aikido just because I thought they looked cool. Oyaji started learning with me but gave up quickly. Then, more guards started showing up.

“U-um…” (Gentoku)

“All units, surround him!!” (Guard)

“Knew it’d come to this!?” (Gentoku)

W-what should I do?

There were about ten of them. All wearing armor that looked like medieval knights, swords on their waists.

I’ve been trained to deal with weapons, but not this many!

I dropped my stance and raised my hands.

“W-wait!! I’m not suspicious!! I just found myself here, let me explain!!” (Gentoku)

“That’s fine.” (??)

A suddenly clear, elegant voice cut through. The guards snapped into salute and split to the sides like Moses parting the sea. The one who appeared was… a stunningly beautiful woman with silver-blue hair. She looked just over twenty.

Big chest, slim waist… What is this, a Paris Collection model?

“Hmm, hmm… unfamiliar clothing, black hair, black eyes… You’re not from around here, are you?” (??)

“Y-yeah… probably.” (Gentoku)

With my hands still raised, I watched as she smiled softly.

“I am Sandrone, head of the Alexandrite Company. Mister suspicious person, who are you?” (Sandrone)

“O-Oda, Gentoku…” (Gentoku)

“Oda Gentoku…?” (Sandrone)

“Just Gentoku is fine.” (Gentoku)

“Gentoku, huh. What a strange name.” (Sandrone)

Sorry about that… I think it’s cool, personally.

Lowering my hands slowly, I let out a sigh.

“Phew… so, you’ll listen to me?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. If your story’s interesting, I’ll listen. If it’s boring, I’ll hand you over to the guards and you’ll end up in jail.” (Sandrone)

“…Please don’t do that.” (Gentoku)

*Fufu*

“We’ll see.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone took out a hand-rolled cigarette. One of her subordinates produced a firestarter, clacking it to make a spark.

How primitive.

I pulled a cigarette from my chest pocket and took out my trusty Zippo lighter.

“…?” (Sandrone)

I approached Sandrone. A few people got wary, but she waved them down. When I lit it with the Zippo, Sandrone dropped her cigarette.

“W-what was that…?” (??)

“M-magic?” (??)

“No way, without a chant or a circle!?” (??)

“Hey, that thing in his hand… what is it?” (??)

“A magic tool? A tool to create fire?” “That’s impossible!” (??)

Wh-what? Why is everyone getting so worked up all of a sudden…

“O-Ojou!!” (Richter)

“You. What is that?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone quickly stepped in, got close to my face, and snatched the Zippo from my hand.

“H-hey, that was expensive, be careful…” (Gentoku)

“What is this?” (Sandrone)

“It’s a lighter… ah, right. Classic isekai setup… It’s a rare Japanese tool.” (Gentoku)

“Explain. What is this? Wait… let’s move to a different place.” (Sandrone)

“…Jail?” (Gentoku)

“No. Ultra VIP treatment.” (Sandrone)

Apparently, my life had been saved by a Zippo lighter.

 

—

 

The place they brought me to was a room inside the warehouse.

“My office.” (Sandrone)

“Okay… so, can I get my Zippo back now?” (Gentoku)

“What is this?” (Sandrone)

“I told you, it’s a lighter.” (Gentoku)

“It’s not a magic tool. I can’t feel any mana from it… Fire-creating magic tools don’t exist yet.” (Sandrone)

“…Then, how do you make fire here?” (Gentoku)

“You buy fire from a ‘Fire Coal Vendor’. Don’t tell me… you didn’t know that?” (Sandrone)

“Nope.” (Gentoku)

“…First, tell me your story. Where did you come from, and why are you here? No lies.” (Sandrone)

Man, she’s acting all high and mighty… She’s younger than me, right? Nice rack though. Body like a runway model. Not that it makes my heart race or anything. Well, I am a guy, and sometimes I do go to “those” kinds of places when I’m in need.

“…Anyway, I’m not lying.” (Gentoku)

I explained the situation. That I’d been working in a different place, got caught in an accident and nearly died, then blacked out… and woke up in front of the warehouse. That was literally all I knew.

Sandrone gave me a suspicious look.

“I’ve never heard of a place called Japan. This is Warehouse District 13 of the Edelstein Kingdom.” (Sandrone)

“Yeah well, I’ve never heard of that. I barely know anything about monarchies. Also, the writing is different, and yet you foreigners are speaking Japanese. How is that not shocking?” (Gentoku)

Sandrone toyed with the Zippo lighter in her hand.

“Well, fine. Let’s just say… you’re from another world.” (Sandrone)

“That works. I’ll go with that too… haah, wonder if I can ever go home.” (Gentoku)

“Now, about what comes next.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone grinned.

I have a bad feeling.

The guard standing behind me wore a similar expression.

“Gentoku. You’re interesting. If you don’t have anywhere to go, then work for me.” (Sandrone)

“…You serious?” (Gentoku)

“O-Ojou… are you serious!?” (Richter)

“Serious. Gentoku smells like money. A chance to expand the Alexandrite Company… that’s what I think.” (Sandrone)

“…And what exactly do you want me to do? I’m just a humble contractor back home.” (Gentoku)

“Exactly. Use that knowledge no one else here has… for my benefit. In return, I’ll take care of your food, clothing, and shelter. And since you don’t know this world, I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” (Sandrone)

“…Haah.” (Gentoku)

It looks like… I’ve got no choice but to go along with this.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)