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

 

 

Barion Jasper

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now then, a few days have passed since the mutual contract with the Scarlet Camellia.

Well, there’s nothing particularly dramatic has changed.

I was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper at work.

The headline read, “Ice Maker. Alexandrite Trading Company’s New Product is This Summer’s Savior”. Even the bar I frequent had started offering whiskey with ice, and ale (something like beer) served in an ice-cold glass was truly exceptional.

When I asked the staff, they said, “The Alexandrite Trading Company’s ice maker is a hero to the dining guild. From now on, we’ll never be able to raise our heads against the Alexandrite Trading Company”, and they were delighted.

I turned the page of the newspaper.

“…Hmm?” (Gentoku)

There, I saw a headline that caught my attention.

“…Peridot Trading Company’s new product. A cream that makes women’s skin smooth…? As a measure against summer sun… no way, the Peridot Trading Company made a cream?” (Gentoku)

As I was reading absentmindedly, there was a knock at the door.

At this hour, it’s probably Sandrone. But the door isn’t opening. Sandrone would have Richter open it without hesitation… Who is it?

I stood up and opened the door.

“Hey there.” (Barion)

“…Marquis Barion Jasper.” (Gentoku)

“Fufu, that’s not how you treat a noble, but since we’re both magic tool engineers right now, I’ll overlook it… May I come in?” (Barion)

“…Go ahead.” (Gentoku)

After letting him into the office, he pulled out a handkerchief and held it to his mouth.

What’s with this guy?

“So, this is the workplace of Sandrone’s secret protégé, huh?” (Barion)

“Do you need something? I think this place is a bit too dirty for a noble like you.” (Gentoku)

“…Hahaha. That’s true. I don’t intend to stay long, so let’s get to the point… Gentoku-kun. How about switching from Sandrone to me?” (Barion)

“…Hah?” (Gentoku)

“It’s called headhunting. Poaching magic tool engineers is common in this world, you know? I’m aware… the match, the ice maker. All of them were your ideas, right?” (Barion)

“…” (Gentoku)

“With someone as inflexible as Sandrone, products like that couldn’t be made. And the composition of those magic runes, simply wonderful.” (Barion)

“Thanks for the compliment. So… what are the terms? Can you pay more than the Alexandrite Trading Company?” (Gentoku)

“Of course. I’ll pay double what the Alexandrite Trading Company pays you.” (Barion)

Currently, I receive 20% of the monthly sales from the products I develop. If 1,000 matches sell, I get the sales equivalent of 200 of them. The ice maker, the headlights and flashlights coming out soon, the mist sprayer, the hair iron, and even refrigerators… the more I make, the more money I earn. Plus, the Alexandrite Trading Company pays all the taxes, so all the income is mine to spend freely… It’s almost terrifying how grateful I am for it. No, wait!!

“Double? Hey now, that’s pretty generous.” (Gentoku)

“You’re worth that much. For example… the moisturizing cream, perhaps.” (Barion)

“…Hey, how do you know about that?” (Gentoku)

“Fufufu. I wonder why.” (Barion)

I gasped.

Now that I think about it… the prototype and specs for the moisturizing cream I left on the first floor had suddenly disappeared. I looked for them but couldn’t find them, and then Rosso came to talk about air conditioning, so I forgot all about it.

I looked at the newspaper still open in front of me. It had an article about Peridot Trading Company’s new product.

“Don’t tell me… you stole the moisturizing cream and specs I made!?” (Gentoku)

“How rude. There’s no proof of that, is there? The moisturizing cream is the Peridot Trading Company’s new product, you know? Combined with sunblock, it moisturizes women’s skin, a product made for women.” (Barion)

“…You bastard.” (Gentoku)

Acting all innocent, huh.

As I instinctively took a stance, several brawny men entered.

“Now then, Gentoku-kun. I have a job for you… Could you make a minor complaint about Sandrone’s new product under development?” (Barion)

“…Huh?” (Gentoku)

“For example, say ‘There was a structural flaw, so we made a small adjustment’… If you do that, then I win the competition, and Alexandrite Trading Company, having sold defective products, will lose their credibility… and that’s when the Peridot Trading Company will come to the rescue. That’s the story.” (Barion)

“…Are you seriously saying this?” (Gentoku)

“Of course. Just so you know, even in a fair competition, I don’t intend to lose. But Sandrone’s been getting a bit cocky lately. A little punishment is necessary.” (Barion)

“…Hah.” (Gentoku)

I snorted through my nose.

“You’re garbage. Seriously pathetic… Instead of pulling this underhanded crap, how about competing honestly? Your beloved moisturizing cream versus my magic tools… I mean, I’d win anyway.” (Gentoku)

“…Oh? You dare say that in this situation?” (Barion)

Men who looked like bodyguards stood on either side of Barion.

Also, mohawks and shaved heads? That’s such an outdated choice. They’re pretty buff. Clearly some muscleheads.

“Well, whatever. I didn’t expect to successfully poach you… but if I hurt you, maybe Sandrone will suffer emotionally.” (Barion)

“Try it. I may not look it, but I’m actually pretty strong.” (Gentoku)

I took a stance.

Wing Chun taught by my grandpa, and the boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, and Bajiquan I picked up as hobbies. Let’s see what they can do.

When I lowered my hips and extended my hands forward, one of the guards spoke.

“Boss, this guy knows some stuff.” (Bodyguard)

“So what? Break a bone or two.” (Barion)

“You got it… Here I come, bastard!!” (Bodyguard)

They came at me.

Two big guys, barehanded… Honestly, I was scared. But if I back down now, I lose my manhood.

“Let’s do this! Hoooooo───…!!” (Gentoku)

 

—

 

“Hun!!” (??)

“Being naughty is not allowed, okay?” (??)

 

—

 

In the next moment, the two men were blown out through the window. As I stood there, unable to comprehend what just happened, Rosso and Blanche were on either side of me.

“Eh, eh? Y-you guys…?” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, were you in trouble? Did we overstep?” (Rosso)

“Ufufu. Ojii-sama, are you okay?” (Blanche)

“O-oh… W-what did you do?” (Gentoku)

“We threw them.” (Rosso/Blanche)

I-I see. You threw them.

“Hii…” (Barion)

“Move and die.” (Ao)

Ao was pressing a wrist blade against Barion’s neck. Wearing a hood and a mask covering her mouth. She looks like an assassin.

Barion screamed.

“N-no way… ‘Red Rosso’, ‘White Blanche’, and ‘Blue Ao’… Don’t tell me, the S-Rank adventurers, the strongest team of the ‘Seven Rainbow Adventurers Arc-en-Ciel’, the ‘Scarlet Camellia of Fresh Blood’!?” (Barion)

“W-why are you narrating… That’s so cliché.” (Rosso)

Ao narrowed her eyes and spoke.

“I don’t like being called ‘Blue Ao’ like that…” (Ao)

“Hiiiii!?” (Barion)

“Ao, don’t kill him. Why was Ossan targeted?” (Blanche)

“Ah, well, it’s sort of a job thing… Ao, please don’t kill him.” (Gentoku)

“Can I cut off a finger?” (Ao)

“Hiiiii!?” (Barion)

“Don’t. That guy’s a noble.” (Rosso)

“…Muu.” (Ao)

Ao retracted her wrist blade with a click and came over to me.

“Kh… D-don’t get cocky!! Fine, I’ll face you fair and square. You… I’ll make you regret turning down my offer!!” (Barion)

With that, Barion left. As silence fell, I looked at the broken window and sighed.

“Haa…” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, what happened?” (Rosso)

“…Not sure where to start explaining.” (Gentoku)

“Ojii-sama, if you’re being targeted, shall we act as your bodyguards? Of course, we’ll charge for it.” (Blanche)

“…That’s a good idea. I’ll protect you, Ossan.” (Rosso)

“Yeah… Anyway, thanks for coming.” (Gentoku)

“It’s fine. We just dropped by for fun. Now tell us what’s going on.” (Rosso)

Well, since I got the three of them involved, I should explain.

Just then… Blanche said “Oh?” and picked something up.

“What is this, I wonder?” (Blanche)

“Hmm? What is it?” (Gentoku)

“There was a white compact on the ground.” (Blanche)

I took it and opened the lid. Inside was white cream.

This scent, no doubt about it… It’s the same as the moisturizing cream I made. It seems slightly modified, though.

“Damn thief.” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, I want tea.” (Rosso)

“And sweets too.” (Blanche)

“Ojii-sama… Sorry about the window.” (Ao)

Well, guess I’ll start by entertaining these three girls.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)