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

 

 

Equal Relationship

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now then, the ice-making machine was finished. After that, the design and the fine decorations would be done by Yeran, and once it became a product, royalties would come in.

It was already night, so I thought I’d eat at the restaurant district and then just go straight home. When I left the workplace and locked the door properly, there was a security guard old man.

“Thank you for your hard work. Is your work finished?” (Security Guard)

“Yes, I finished a job, so I’ll eat and then go home. Are you doing security work, Ojii-san?” (Gentoku)

“Yes, I’m on the night shift. Nii-san, is this the new magical tool workshop here?” (Security Guard)

“That’s right. Well, if there’s anything, please favor us.” (Gentoku)

Then, I noticed something. The security guard old man was patrolling with a torch in his hand. I somehow asked him.

“Um, that torch…” (Gentoku)

“Hm? Ah, we’re guarding the whole warehouse district. We don’t carry fancy magical tools that produce ‘light’ like the rich security guards each trading company hires. But thanks to matches, it’s become easy to make torches, so it’s a blessing. The Alexandrite Trading Company is really appreciated.” (Security Guard)

“…‘Light,’ huh.” (Gentoku)

The town had street lamps. These were magical tools installed by the commercial guild, and the magical character used was supposed to be ‘light.’ There were several magical characters related to illumination.

“…Hmm.” (Gentoku)

“Nii-san?” (Security Guard)

“…I’ll work a little overtime.” (Gentoku)

I returned to the workplace, pulled out a ‘leather hat’ and a ‘nice tube’ from the materials storage, and processed two goblin magic stones. Then, I set those into the tube and the hat. I made a simple ‘flashlight’ and a ‘headlight’. Since it was a good opportunity, I asked the security guard old man to try them.

“Security guard-san, may I have a moment?” (Gentoku)

“Hm? Ah, Nii-san, why did you suddenly come back to the workplace?” (Security Guard)

“Try using this for a bit.” (Gentoku)

I handed him the leather hat and the simple flashlight. He tilted his head in confusion, but I put the hat on him, took the torch from him, and handed him the flashlight.

“Touch the switch and try flowing mana.” (Gentoku)

“Let me see… Oh!? What is this!!” (Security Guard)

It was a good surprise. Like the surprise in an old detective drama. The security guard was amazed by the flashlight’s light and the headlight’s light. Yes, this was a simple light made by engraving ‘brightness’ onto the magic stone, with a switch to turn it on and off. Since it was a goblin magic stone, it wasn’t that bright, but it was brighter than a torch when lighting the front.

“Nii-san, is this a magical tool? Why something like this?” (Security Guard)

“I just tried an idea. Use this for your security work today and tell me your impressions tomorrow. If it goes well, maybe we can commercialize it.” (Gentoku)

“…You’re a magical tool engineer, right? Amazing.” (Security Guard)

“No, no. Well then, see you tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

I felt a little good about what I did. Perhaps, I’d drink some lukewarm sake at the tavern.

 

—

 

The next day.

The weather was good again. I leisurely walked to work. While thinking about what to do today…

“Are you there?” (Sandrone)

Suddenly, Sandrone came in. Behind her was the security guard old man from yesterday, holding the flashlight and headlight.

“Oh, the security guard… Ah, could it be the impressions from yesterday?” (Gentoku)

“You shouldn’t do such things without permission.” (Sandrone)

Suddenly, Sandrone.

What’s with that attitude all of a sudden?

“Listen, I heard about this. A simple magical tool… You made and gave this yesterday?” (Sandrone)

“That’s right.” (Gentoku)

“You really shouldn’t casually make and give things like this. You must go through me first.” (Sandrone)

“Wait.” (Gentoku)

I stopped her. Then, I asked the security guard, who was shrinking behind Sandrone.

“Security guard-san, how was it using it yesterday?” (Gentoku)

“Ah, it was amazing. Just by moving my neck, the direction I want to see lights up, and the light in my hand lets me see fine details.” (Security Guard)

“Were there any problems?” (Gentoku)

“Well… I was on duty all night… but by before dawn, the magic stone cracked.” (Security Guard)

“I see. Goblin magic stones are tough… maybe a two-star magic stone would be better. What about brightness?” (Gentoku)

“No problem there. It’s much brighter than a torch.” (Security Guard)

“Yeah. It might be good to put something like a nozzle so you can focus or spread the light… like a military light. Alright, I’ve got some ideas.” (Gentoku)

“Nii-san, thank you. If it becomes a product, please let our security use it.” (Security Guard)

“Yeah, I’ll send it free as an experimental fee once it’s commercialized.” (Gentoku)

The security guard left.

Sandrone sighed.

“Really… you.” (Sandrone)

“Let me say one thing.” (Gentoku)

I turned around and brought my face close to Sandrone.

“I do appreciate you. You helped me with this world, business, work, and a place to live. That’s a significant debt. But that is that, and this is this. I don’t intend to become your convenient tool.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Sandrone)

“Even with just the matches and ice machine, I’m making decent profit. I won’t say the debt is fully repaid… but our relationship is fundamentally equal. You have no right to tell me what to do with the products I make. This time, I thought of this because that security guard illuminated the surroundings with a torch. From now on, I’ll act on ideas I come up with, and sometimes I’ll lend magical tools to people without going through you. Please don’t interfere with that.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Sandrone)

Sandrone looked at me intently and sighed softly.

“You’re the only man who can say that to me.” (Sandrone)

“Thanks. Sandrone… I’m grateful. So, let’s keep working well together.” (Gentoku)

I handed her the specification sheet and samples of the ‘flashlight’ and ‘headlight’.

“…Got it. Hehe, is this possessiveness? Maybe I don’t want to see your talent leak outside, or you working for someone else?” (Sandrone)

“Hahaha. What’s that, do you love me?” (Gentoku)

“Love? Hehe, no. We are fundamentally ‘equal’, after all.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone snatched the specification sheet and gave it to Richter, who had been silent all along. Then, she waved lightly and left.

“…I apologize. Ojou is quite something.” (Richter)

“Don’t worry about it. As I said earlier, I appreciate it, and if another trading company tries to approach me, I won’t lend a hand unless they offer better terms than Alexandrite Trading Company. I’m independent now and a merchant. Let’s be equal.” (Gentoku)

“…Really, you’re probably the only one who can say that so confidently to Ojou, even in Edelstein.” (Richter)

“Hahaha. Thank you.” (Gentoku)

Then, Richter took the samples and left. Since I said I’d confirm and register the magical characters, I decided to head to the commercial guild today.

 

—

 

At the commercial guild. The ‘brightness’ magical character I created wasn’t registered, so I applied as is. I wrote the character and effect on the application form and submitted it, along with the sample magic stone.

“Gloria, please.” (Gentoku)

“Alright. Oh, again, Gentoku?” (Gloria)

“What? Isn’t it a common sight for a magical tool engineer to register magical characters?” (Gentoku)

Gloria was an employee of the commercial guild. In her early forties, she was a ‘mother’ with a carpenter’s son and a florist’s daughter. She didn’t complain and was fine, but… maybe because I had a strong image of beautiful guild employees in other worlds… this was reality.

Gloria checked the application form and received the magic stone.

“One magical tool engineer’s lifetime submission of magical character applications, you’re already on your third… heh heh, you became independent, huh?” (Gloria)

“Well, yeah. Didn’t your daughter also become independent and a florist?” (Gentoku)

“You’re well-informed. Yes, yes, my daughter became the florist she dreamed of. Small, but it’s doing well… you’re not trying to get my daughter, are you?” (Gloria)

“No way. She’s beautiful like you, but I have no wish to marry.” (Gentoku)

“That’s a nice thing to say. If I didn’t have a husband, I’d invite you for drinks.” (Gloria)

We joked and laughed.

Well, I prefer this kind of joking to an awkward single beauty at the front desk.

After finishing the application, I went to the magical tool shop next to the commercial guild. Since I was here, maybe I’d look at some magical tools that might inspire me.

“…Oh?” (Gentoku)

There were three young girls in the magical tool shop. They seemed to be discussing something.

Ah, these girls were the ‘Scarlet Camellia of Blood Red Tsubaki’. I think their names were Rosso, Blanche, and Ao.

“Ugh, that Killer Tiger broke our tent, really annoying.” (Rosso)

“Hey Rosso, next time, I want a tent made of lighter material.” (Blanche)

“…The old ones were heavy.” (Ao)

“Yeah, definitely.” (Rosso)

A tent, huh. Tents in this world are the style of metal rods covered with cloth. Some people carry just the cloth and got poles locally. In the first place, this world doesn’t have the concept of ‘camping.’ I… really like camping.

“…Tent, huh.” (Gentoku)

I recalled pop-up tents and other simple structures.

Camping gear. Making that with magical tools might be interesting.

While I was thinking and looking at the girls, the blue-haired ninja girl caught my eye.

“…What, Ojii-san?” (Ao)

“Huh? Ah, sorry. I just got an idea about tents.” (Gentoku)

“…Idea?” (Ao)

“Hm? Who’s that Ojii-san, Ao?” (Rosso)

“Oh my, who might you be?” (Blanche)

Oh no. They approached.

I couldn’t run away, so I said…

“Ah, ah… I’m a humble magical tool engineer… well, your ‘lighter tent’ phrase gave me some ideas.” (Gentoku)

“Eh? So, Ojii-san, you’re going to make a light tent?!” (Rosso)

“Rosso, first introduce yourself… Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Blanche, the ‘white mage’ of the Scarlet Camellia of Blood Red Tsubaki.” (Blanche)

“…‘Assassin’ Ao.” (Ao)

“I’m ‘swordsman’ Rosso. And you, Ojii-san?” (Rosso)

“Ah, ah… Gentoku. From the Oda Magical Tool Development Center. Nice to meet you.” (Gentoku)

Oh no, I ended up greeting them… three young girls. And an S-rank adventurer team at that.

“So, about the light tent?” (Blanche)

“Ah, ah…” (Gentoku)

“We definitely want you to make and sell it.” (Blanche)

“…We want it.” (Ao/Rosso)

Th-this… this is the pattern where I have to make it, right?

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)