New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Sandrone Appears

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Now then, the banquet had reached its height, and it was time to retire for the night.

Though I had declared, “Magic I shall use only for the development of magical tools”, there were, in truth, several spells I had learned for the sake of daily life. One among them was the Purification Spell of the light attribute.

Simply put, it was a spell to “cleanse”. There were several varieties. Some that annihilated ghost-type magical beasts, others that cleansed the body. The one I had learned was the spell to “cleanse the inside of the mouth”. Tooth decay was a frightening matter, and in this world, toothbrushes were questionable at best.

“Just what are you thinking about, I wonder… but this is a fine villa.” (Sandrone)

“Well, thanks. Anyway, I am going to sleep now. You should return to your inn.” (Gentoku)

“I too shall sleep. Ojī-san, good night.” (Blanche)

“Ah. The bath is available whenever you wish.” (Gentoku)

“Hey! Do not ignore me. And besides, I have no inn. I only just arrived, so I shall stay here tonight.” (Sandrone)

“……” (Gentoku)

“What is that expression?” (Sandrone)

“No, nothing. Oi, Richter, there is a good tavern district nearby. Shall we go?” (Gentoku)

“No, I shall refrain tonight.” (Richter)

Richter wore a face that said, “I am terribly sorry for various things…”.

I sighed.

“The shower and bath are on the first floor. Guest rooms are on the second, use them as you will. Ah, Rosso and the others are here as well. And I have no intention of working.” (Gentoku)

“That water scooter thing from earlier?” (Sandrone)

“A toy. Ahh, tomorrow I shall make some for Rosso and the others.” (Gentoku)

“Then I shall observe. Also, I shall borrow the shower. Richter, prepare the room.” (Sandrone)

“As you command.” (Richter)

“Richter, you have always got it rough, have you not. Faaah… sleepy. I am going to bed.” (Gentoku)

Sandrone, huh… sudden and troublesome indeed. Good night.

 

—

 

The following day.

One of my better qualities was that no matter how much I drank, it never affected me the next day. Thus, I awoke sharply, stretched with a great yawn, and descended to the first floor. None were yet awake. I boiled water and set about preparing breakfast for all.

“Hum hum hum~n.” (Gentoku)

Using the oven-toaster I had fashioned (for bread alone), I toasted slices, filled them with vegetables and bacon, and cut them neatly. I mashed boiled eggs for egg sandwiches, and mashed potatoes for potato-salad sandwiches. Not as individual plates, but heaped upon a large platter.

“Nya.” (Yuki)

“Hm? Oh, Yuki-chan. Where is your mother?” (Gentoku)

“In the bath.” (Yuki)

“The bath, eh. Did you sleep well?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. The bed was fluffy.” (Yuki)

“Hahaha. That is good. Here, come over here.” (Gentoku)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

Yuki-chan toddled over to my feet. I sliced a boiled egg and offered it to her.

“Here, you may eat.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaww. Delicious.” (Yuki)

“Hahaha. Breakfast will be ready soon, so relax on the sofa.” (Gentoku)

“Nya~.” (Yuki)

Yuki-chan leapt onto the sofa and rolled about. Then, Snow-san arrived.

“Good morning, Gentoku-san… ah, preparing the meal, I see. I shall assist.” (Snow)

“It is almost finished. Ah, where are Rosso and the others?” (Gentoku)

“They are bathing in the shower, just as I finished.” (Snow)

Within ten minutes, Rosso, Ao, Blanche, Sandrone, and Richter had gathered. I had expected Rosso and the others to be surprised at Sandrone’s appearance, yet they were not particularly startled. However, a slightly unexpected development occurred.

“…” (Richter)

“Oi, Richter, hey.” (Gentoku)

“Eh, ah… f-forgive me.” (Richter)

“What is with you, spacing out like that?” (Gentoku)

“N-no, nothing.” (Richter)

Richter had frozen while gazing at Snow-san. Sandrone offered her greeting to Snow-san, who bowed politely in return. Then, Sandrone beheld the mountain of sandwiches I had made, and spoke.

“…You made these?” (Sandrone)

“Yeah. Did I not say before I was good at cooking?” (Gentoku)

“Did you now? Anyway, we may help ourselves, yes?” (Sandrone)

“Yeah. Snow-san, Richter, you too. Do not hold back.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. I shall partake.” (Richter)

“Let us eat! Oji-san’s food is always delicious!” (Rosso)

“Fufu, we must eat heartily, to fuel our adventurer’s strength.” (Ao)

“…I wished to play a little longer.” (Blanche)

Rosso and the others were to undertake a commission, it seemed. A designated request from the Adventurers’ Guild, slaying a high-ranked magical beast. Meanwhile, Snow-san and Yuki-chan would clean Rosso’s villa, purchase foodstuffs, and stock the refrigerator. Before Rosso’s group returned, they would also prepare the meal.

“Oji-san! The water scooter! Next holiday, we are coming to play, so have them ready!” (Rosso)

“Yeah, yeah. Leave it to me.” (Gentoku)

“Nya!” (Yuki)

“Mm… what is it? Fufu, tobacco is still too early for you. Not until you are twenty.” (Sandrone)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

Yuki-chan had been staring intently at Sandrone, who was about to smoke.

Tobacco… normally one would scold someone for smoking in front of a child, but in this world, it was recommended instead. Like a health product, the more one smoked, the better it was for the body. Accordingly, the price was high.

 

—

 

Now then, with the three gone on their adventure, and Snow-san with Yuki-chan off shopping, I found myself alone. I considered making a water scooter.

“That so-called water scooter, if you have a real one, may I see it?” (Sandrone)

“Sure, but it is meant for the sea. You cannot use it on land.” (Gentoku)

“Richter.” (Sandrone)

“Yes, Ojou.” (Richter)

Richter appeared behind Sandrone, clad in swim trunks.

Ordinarily, this would be where Sandrone donned a swimsuit for service… but, well.

“Were you hoping to see me in a swimsuit? Fufu, too bad.” (Sandrone)

“Shut it. Anyway… Richter, I shall teach you how to use this. Before going into the sea, do some warm-ups.” (Gentoku)

I explained the use of the water scooter. Richter dove into the sea, and with it, sped swiftly beneath the waves. To my surprise, after swimming for over three minutes, he surfaced without even being short of breath.

“…To be frank, this is astonishingly entertaining.” (Richter)

“…I-I see.” (Sandrone)

“You are jealous, are you not.” (Gentoku)

“…I shall hit you.” (Sandrone)

“J-just kidding.” (Gentoku)

Richter had become rather talkative.

“This is marvelous. A magical device befitting the sea kingdom Zanad. While there are those skilled at swimming, this allows anyone to enjoy an undersea stroll, so long as they hold their breath. Without doubt, it will sell.” (Richter)

“Well, I shall give you the design notes and a sample. Is it not fit to be the Alexandrite Company’s first product at the Zanad branch?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Very well… Richter, let us go to the Real Estate Guild and find a building for our branch. Eventually, I would have a magical tools workshop established here too.” (Sandrone)

“Leave the complicated matters to you. As for me, I shall make more scooters.” (Gentoku)

“Good. Fufu, Gentoku… you have already crafted something splendid. As thanks, next time, I shall show you my swimsuit.” (Sandrone)

“Well, that is nice. Then, good luck.” (Gentoku)

Sandrone and Richter departed in good spirits.

At last, alone, I sat upon a chair on the wooden deck and drew out a cigarette.

“Fuu…” (Gentoku)

I did not dislike spending time drinking, eating, and playing with everyone. But equally, I cherished this time, smoking while listening to the sound of the waves.

“…Yes. Perhaps I shall subscribe to the newspaper. Only for the summer.” (Gentoku)

With that thought, I closed my eyes, listening a little longer to the sound of the sea.

 

—

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