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

 

 

Explanation

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“…and that’s why that bastard Barion came.” (Gentoku)

“…I see.” (Sandrone)

Half a day later. I explained the situation to Sandrone, who came along with Richter.

Seeing the broken window glass and the presence of the bodyguard Scarlet Camellia, she furrowed her brows and pressed for an explanation with a tone that suggested she already had some idea.

Now, Sandrone sat on the sofa, legs crossed, smoking a sweet-smelling cigarette.

“…Well, fine. Like Barion said, poaching is something anyone would do.” (Sandrone)

“Well, don’t worry, Onee-san. We’ll protect the Ossan!!” (Rosso)

“Indeed, to think three of the Kingdom’s seven strongest adventurers would be on guard duty. That’s reassuring.” (Sandrone)

“Sandrone-sama, if the Ojii-sama was targeted, doesn’t that mean you could be targeted too?” (Blanche)

“That may be true. But I have Richter, so I’ll be fine.” (Sandrone)

Richter gave a silent bow. Ao stared at Richter and spoke.

“Onii-san, you’re pretty strong.” (Ao)

“No, not at all. Compared to you all, I am nothing.” (Richter)

“…Hey, Rosso, Blanche, Ao. Are you guys famous adventurers or something?” (Gentoku)

When I asked that, the three of them exchanged glances and laughed. Sandrone held her forehead, and Richter smiled wryly.

Then, Richter spoke.

“I mentioned it briefly before… Gentoku-san. These three are the strongest in the Edelstein Kingdom. S-Rank adventurers of which there are fewer than a thousand. And among them, they are three of the top seven in both achievements and skill.” (Richter)

“…Oh.” (Gentoku)

I was surprised. Richter continued.

“‘Red Rosso’-sama is the strongest swordswoman among adventurers, known by the title ‘Blazing Sword of Explosive Flame’.” (Richter)

“That’s kind of embarrassing!! Nice to meet you again!!” (Rosso)

“And ‘White Blanche’-sama is the greatest healer among adventurers, called the ‘Holy Maiden of White Radiance’.” (Richter)

“Ufufu, if you get injured or sick, feel free to come. Of course, I will charge you.” (Blanche)

“Lastly… we have ‘Blue Ao’-sama. A highly skilled assassin, feared as the ‘Ninja of Flowing Water’.” (Richter)

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

Amazing… it’s full-blown chuunibyou. If I were younger, I’d probably think this is “so cool”, but now it’s kind of embarrassing.

Then, Sandrone stared closely at Richter.

“You seem to know a lot… don’t tell me, you’re a fan?” (Sandrone)

“Eh!? Well, uh, a little…” (Richter)

“Ahaha!! Onii-chan, want my autograph?” (Rosso)

“P-please!!” (Richter)

Richter… you guy. Well, being one of the “Seven Strongest” is kind of cool. I think there are like a million adventurers in the Edelstein Kingdom, right? And the population of Edelstein is about the same as Japan’s, and the territory is even bigger than Hokkaido… That’s pretty amazing.

Then, Sandrone cleared her throat.

“We got off track. Anyway, if you’re being protected by the ‘Crimson Camellia of Fresh Blood, Scarlet Camellia’, then you should be fine. The real problem is… Barion stole the moisturizing cream you developed, didn’t he?” (Sandrone)

“Hmm… yeah.” (Gentoku)

I placed the compact that Barion dropped on the table.

When I opened the lid, there was a mirror and a moisturizing cream set inside. A sweet scent wafted out, and the women’s eyes sparkled as they let out an impressed “Oooh~.”

“This is the cream that makes your skin smooth when you apply it, right?” (Sandrone)

“Yeah. It has moisturizing effects, and the medicinal components stimulate the skin, bringing out its freshness and plumpness.” (Gentoku)

“…According to the newspaper, it says it’s good to use together with the Peridot Trading Company’s sunscreen.” (Sandrone)

“Hey, what kind of stuff is that Peridot sunscreen?” (Gentoku)

“Richter.” (Sandrone)

“Yes, Ojou.” (Richter)

Richter took out the sunscreen from a wooden box.

It was in a small bottle… wait, this…

“That’s not cream, it’s water…? Water with herbs? It’s cloudy and kind of runny.” (Gentoku)

“Isn’t cream supposed to be like that?” (Rosso)

“…The kind of cream I mean is more like this one. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. So… you apply this sunscreen first, then the moisturizing cream?” (Gentoku)

“I use this sunscreen myself. Sunlight is the enemy of beautiful skin, after all.” (Blanche)

“I’ve never used that kind of stuff, but I’ve never gotten sunburned~” (Rosso)

“…Sometimes I really want to punch you. Even though you barely do any skin care, your hair’s silky, your skin is white and smooth… damn you.” (Blanche)

Blanche is scary.

Rosso tilted her head in confusion. Then, Ao reached for the moisturizing cream.

“Nice smell… Can I put this on? Smooth skin?” (Ao)

“Wait.” (Gentoku)

I confiscated the compact. Ao let out a small “Ah” and pouted at me.

“Sandrone, are there doctors in this country?” (Gentoku)

“Of course.” (Sandrone)

“What about herbal researchers, or people like that?” (Gentoku)

“They’d fall under the category of doctors.” (Sandrone)

“…When making things like this sunscreen or cream, do they consult doctors?” (Gentoku)

“I think they might… But it’s common even for amateurs to mix herbs with good effects into things like this.” (Sandrone)

“…” (Gentoku)

I sniffed the cream, then scooped a little with my finger.

“Yep, this is the same as the cream I made. Seems they added a few herbs though…” (Gentoku)

“Is that a problem?” (Sandrone)

“…I don’t know. I’m a magic tool engineer, not a doctor, and I only have amateur knowledge of herbs. I don’t want to sell something meant to go on people’s skin if I’m not sure about it. Honestly… I think this shouldn’t be released.” (Gentoku)

“But mass production has already started, and the showdown begins in a few days. No matter what you say, he won’t back down. And… sometimes that kind of worry ends up being needless.” (Sandrone)

“…” (Gentoku)

I closed the compact and set it on the table.

“…Haa.” (Gentoku)

“Gentoku. Don’t worry too much. The responsibility lies with Barion… Also, the finished version of the mist sprayer is ready. Take a look.” (Sandrone)

Richter took out a magic tool encased in a beautiful glass orb from a wooden box. It had a propeller attached to the lid and a nozzle. When Richter poured water in, added herbs, and flipped the switch, the propeller started to spin, and a fine mist sprayed out with a “shuuuuu” sound.

“Oooh~!!” (Rosso, Blanche, Ao)

“Nice scent. You can use it on your face like lotion, and the cool mist lowers the room temperature. Plus, you can swap herbs to enjoy different fragrances… Perfect for summer.” (Sandrone)

“I want one~!!” (Rosso)

“M-Me too!!” (Blanche)

“…Me too.” (Ao)

“Fufu. You three are Gentoku’s guards, after all. You can choose the design of the glass orb and the lid color. If there’s one you like, I’ll send it to you.” (Sandrone)

“Yay!! Thanks, Onee-san!!” (Rosso)

“I’m so happy~” (Blanche)

“Nice.” (Ao)

Everyone was delighted.

Yeah… maybe it’s better not to overthink things.

We enjoyed chatting for a while. About the mist sprayer, the hair iron… Blanche took an interest in the hair iron and got along well with Sandrone talking about beauty.

When the conversation settled down, Sandrone spoke up.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering for a while now… what’s that?” (Sandrone)

She looked at the ceiling fan and the air conditioner blowing cool air.

“Ah, that’s a ceiling fan and air conditioner. Feels nice and cool, right?” (Gentoku)

“I have one in my room too~” (Rosso)

“Me too.” (Blanche)

“Fufu. Ojii-sama installed one for me.” (Ao)

“…You’re always coming up with such interesting things. Really.” (Sandrone)

“Hahaha. Richter, here’s the spec sheet. Even without a sample, you can make it if you have the know-how from the fridge and ice maker.” (Gentoku)

“Y-Yes.” (Richter)

Glad I prepared that. The ceiling fan circulates air. It’s really effective. The air conditioner’s cool too… well, might not make it in time for this summer, but do whatever you want with it.

“Hey, Onee-san. We formed a mutual contract with the Ossan.” (Rosso)

“Eh, really? Gentoku… when did that happen?” (Sandrone)

“Well, a lot happened.” (Gentoku)

Anyway… the showdown is about to begin.

I had a bad feeling, but… I decided to see how things would unfold.

 

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