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

 

 

Sleeping Carriage Journey

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The sleeping carriage pulled by Hikoroku had surprisingly little sway. I wondered if it had suspension, and indeed someone in this world had already made spring mechanisms. I inspected the carriage. The undercarriage was solid, the wheels were articulated so corners were no problem, and the shafts used iron, so they would not break or bend on bad roads.

“As expected of a high-grade carriage, hmm, coffee while enjoying the scenery is exceptional.” (Gentoku)

“It is true. Fufu, it has a pleasant taste.” (Blanche)

“……” (Rosso/Ao)

I and Blanche enjoyed coffee while taking in the view, but Rosso and Ao made dubious faces.

Rosso pointed at Blanche’s cup and said…

“Blanche, you said that black stuff was gross, yet you are drinking it normally.” (Rosso)

“Yes. At first, I drank it with milk and sugar, but when I tried it without sugar it was delicious, and when I decided to drink it as is, well, I became hooked.” (Blanche)

That was it for me too. As a child I copied my father and grandfather and thought coffee was bitter and horrible. Yet as I aged I came to drink it naturally, and now I could not do without it. Addictive is an exaggerated word. It had simply become part of life.

“Hahaha. As expected, Blanche, you are the most mature of the three.” (Gentoku)

“Fufu, so they say, you two children.” (Blanche)

“Muu, I am already an adult. Ossan, give me some of that black stuff.” (Rosso)

“…I prefer to remain a child.” (Ao)

The carriage journey had just begun, but it promised to be less boring than I thought.

 

—

 

A few hours later, Hikoroku stopped.

“Oh, about noon, I guess.” (Gentoku)

“…Now that you mention it, you said you would be the coachmen, yet you are inside.” (Gentoku)

Rosso responded with something like, “Well, we will jump out if anything happens, coachman-style,” which made little sense.

Outside, we had stopped on a riverside along the highway and Hikoroku wagged his tail. Ao patted Hikoroku and removed the harness, not horse gear but dog gear.

“All right, lunch is the sandwich assortment we bought in the castle town. Ao, Blanche, set up the table.” (Rosso)

“Yes.” (Ao/Blanche)

“I will help too.” (Gentoku)

We fed Hikoroku Zatsumai mixed with meat and vegetables, and ate sandwiches on the riverbank.

After eating we rested a little. Hikoroku lay under a tree with Ao, Rosso dipped her feet in the river, and Blanche and I sat in chairs for coffee time.

“Nice weather, it is the best.” (Gentoku)

“It is true. No magical beasts, today is a good day.” (Blanche)

“…Will one appear after all, a magical beast?” (Gentoku)

“Yes, kobolds often appear around here. Ah, look.” (Blanche)

Blanche pointed to the opposite bank, where a kobold drew a bow from a tree. I froze. The kobold aimed at Rosso wading in the river.

“Don’t worry.” (Blanche)

Blanche spoke and released an arrow. The aim was precise, the arrow flew toward Rosso, but Rosso yawned, raised her right hand, and pinched the incoming arrow between her index and middle fingers.

“Huh? A kobold, too far and bothersome.” (Rosso)

Rosso glared and the kobold trembled, fell from the tree, and fled.

“Well, she is one of the strongest seven in Edelstein.” (Blanche)

“R-Reassuring.” (Gentoku)

This trip would be fine even if magical beasts attacked, so I was grateful in that respect.

 

—

 

After the break, Hikoroku pulled the sleeping carriage again.

“Tonight we camp. Maybe we can reach the nearby town tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

“Let’s go slowly. The weather is good. How long to the sea country Zanad by carriage?” (Blanche)

“Hikoroku would take four days. This one can work for about a week without sleep or rest.” (Blanche)

“Is that okay? I feel bad.” (Gentoku)

“If you feel that way, let him eat fish in the sea country Zanad.” (Blanche)

From the window the coachman’s seat showed Hikoroku steadily pulling the carriage. From this angle he looked like a slightly large Shiba Inu, with an adorable back of the head. After several hours of Hikoroku running, it grew dark, and we stopped near rocks along the highway. There was no nearby river, so we used water from barrels.

“All right. For dinner, meat hot pot.” (Gentoku)

“Wow, I love that.” (Rosso)

“Meat is good. How shall we season it?” (Blanche)

“Three kinds, spicy, mild with milk, and salted. Good thing we brought three small magic stoves.” (Gentoku)

As usual I cooked. I filled three pots with plenty of vegetables and meat, seasoning them with spices, milk, and salt.

“Now, enjoy.” (Gentoku)

The three began eating with shining eyes.

“Wow, spicy meat is delicious.” (Rosso)

“The milk pot, who would put milk in a pot, so mellow.” (Blanche)

“Salt is simple and good, tasty.” (Ao)

They ate happily. I put Zatsumai into a bowl, mixed chopped block meat and vegetables, and brought it to Hikoroku. I filled the water bowl and set it before him.

“Good work today. Eat well, see you tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

‘Off, off’ (Hikoroku)

He barked and began eating.

Back at the table, the pots were nearly empty.

“Hey, they are already empty. Only scraps of soup and meat and vegetables left.” (Gentoku)

“Ehehe, sorry, it was delicious.” (Rosso)

“I am sorry, a lady should not be so indecent.” (Blanche)

“…Satisfied.” (Ao)

“Muu, wait a moment.” (Gentoku)

An idea struck me. I took an emergency onigiri from my bag and put it into the pot that only had soup. I added a little meat and vegetables and, once nicely cooked, said…

“Heh heh heh, finishing a hot pot with rice porridge is the best. The broth has the meat and vegetable flavor. Noodles would be ideal, but this world has no ramen.” (Gentoku)

“……” (Rosso/Blanche/Ao)

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. It is my dinner.” (Gentoku)

They watched intently despite calling mixed grains dog food earlier. I ladled three kinds of rice porridge into bowls and slurped the spicy pot rice porridge.

“…Yes, delicious. Warming.” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, it looks tasty.” (Rosso)

“Somehow the mixed grains looks tasty now.” (Ao)

“I only thought it was Hikoroku’s food, but…” (Blanche)

Ao gripped my arm and pressed her chest slightly against me.

“Ossan, please feed me a little, please.” (Ao)

“All right, all right, fine.” (Gentoku)

“Hey, Ossan, me too.” (Rosso)

“Don’t cling to me.” (Gentoku)

“You two are unfair. I also want some.” (Blanche)

“All right, all right, don’t cling.” (Gentoku)

Thus, the pleasant dinner passed.

Hikoroku gave a large yawn beside us.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)