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

 

 

Motorboat Engine

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Ossaa-n!!” (Rosso)

“Oji-sama, forgive my intrusion.” (Ao)

“Oji-san, I am coming in.” (Blanche)

“Nyaa. Oji-chan.” (Yuki)

Early in the morning, basking in the sunlight while drinking coffee and reading the newspaper on the wood deck, I heard voices calling me by different names. Upon opening the door, Rosso and the others, Hikoroku carrying a wooden crate on his back, and Yuki-chan perched atop Hikoroku’s head were present.

“Oh, what brings you here so early?” (Gentoku)

“This is most disagreeable. We have come to deliver some materials.” (Blanche)

Blanche lowered the wooden crate from Hikoroku’s back, revealing materials from a magic beast. Upon inspection, gleaming silver bones, the bones of a Metal Orc, were contained within. Sliding my fingers over them, I tapped to check their density. Yes, the hardness was perfect, and the weight was excellent.

“This is splendid. Very well, let us transport it to the basement immediately.” (Gentoku)

“I shall assist.” (Blanche)

“I as well.” (Ao)

“I too!!” (Rosso)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

Thanks to everyone’s help, we managed to transport the crate in a single trip. Returning to the first floor, I offered everyone some fruit water.

“By the way, today… since Yuki-chan is here, does that mean it is a day off?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. I thought we might also let Yuki enjoy the underwater scooter. Right, Yuki?” (Ao)

“Nyaau.” (Yuki)

“Fufu, how adorable.” (Blanche)

“…By the way, Snow-san said she would come after cleaning the villa.” (Ao)

“I see. Then, for lunch… may I prepare it? I have a little experiment I wish to try.” (Gentoku)

“Oh? Ossan’s cooking? Excellent. Everyone agrees?” (Rosso)

“Of course.” (Blanche)

“…I look forward to it.” (Ao)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

Immediately, everyone changed into swimsuits in the vacant room and headed to the private beach.

I would like to relax as well, yet I must keep my promise.

“Very well, then. It is time to tackle the motorboat engine.” (Gentoku)

 

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We moved to the basement, and I began my work without delay.

“The preliminary preparations with the magic stones are complete, so now comes material processing.” (Gentoku)

The engine consisted of a magic stone, a drive shaft to transmit mana, a pinion gear to rotate the propeller, and the screw portion. Using a magic stone made cooling considerations unnecessary, simplifying both the structure and the labor.

“The drive shaft… the Metal Orc bones are ideal. Light, sturdy… perhaps as hard as titanium alloy. But… with my magic…” (Gentoku)

I concentrated flames at my fingertips, using them as a makeshift burner. I processed the shaft, designed it, and created the pinion gear according to measurements. Using earth magic to form a metal mold, I poured in molten Metal Orc bone to complete it. With my fire magic… envisioning a smelting furnace, I was able to melt the Metal Orc bone with ease.

Magic is, indeed, an art of imagination.

“…Very well. Material processing is complete. Next, I shall assemble according to the blueprints.” (Gentoku)

I assembled the parts and attached the rudder, which I named the Mana-Control Rudder. By channeling mana through this rudder, the drive shaft would rotate, which in turn rotated the screw via the pinion gear. There were two Mana-Control Rudders, one for forward motion and one for reverse. When mana was applied, the drive shaft rotated, turning the screw. With more mana, rotation and speed increase.

“Excellent, it is coming along nicely… for now, I shall transport it outside and perform a test start.” (Gentoku)

Carrying the prototype outside, I proceeded.

 

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Outside, Rosso and the others were playing along the shoreline.

Blanche was holding Yuki-chan, Ao was showing shells, and Rosso.

Oh, she had surfaced. It seems she had been diving in the sea.

“Gentoku-san.” (Snow)

“Hm? Oh, Snow-san.” (Gentoku)

Snow-san sat beneath a parasol. Her swimsuit was dazzling.

Honestly, it is exactly my type.

“Thank you for your hard work. May I assist with anything?” (Snow)

“No, it is fine. Ah, then… could I ask a favor?” (Gentoku)

“Of course, please do.” (Snow)

I asked Snow-san to handle some shopping, and she replied, “Leave it to me”, before departing. I would see to her payment properly later.

Then, I approached the boat by the shoreline and began installing the engine.

“Oji-san.” (Ao)

“Hm? Ao, what is it?” (Gentoku)

“Nothing, I just came to watch.” (Ao)

Today, her swimsuit was a tank-top bikini. Since I was crouching for the work, her cleavage was visible.

Well… it is only natural for a man to notice.

I constructed a base on the boat, hammering it firmly to ensure it would not come loose, and installed the motorboat engine.

“Alright, this should suffice. Now… for the startup experiment.” (Gentoku)

“A magical apparatus?” (Ao)

“Indeed. A motorboat engine… a magical apparatus to propel the boat.” (Gentoku)

“Oh.” (Ao)

I pushed the boat into the water and boarded it, gripping the Mana-Control Rudder.

“…Oi Ao, why are you boarding?” (Gentoku)

“Is it forbidden?” (Ao)

“It is still an experiment, so it could be dangerous.” (Gentoku)

“All the more reason to ride. I excel at water magic. Even if the boat capsizes, I can save Oji-san with magic.” (Ao)

“…Very well then. Hold on tightly.” (Gentoku)

I gradually flowed mana into the rudder… the screw began to rotate, and the boat moved forward slowly. Excellent, the startup went smoothly.

“Good, now I shall gradually increase speed…” (Gentoku)

“Oji-san, why not leave the private beach and head toward the publicly accessible beach?” (Ao)

“Now that you mention it, I have never been… very well, let us try.” (Gentoku)

Increasing mana gradually, the screw’s rotation accelerated.

Rosso and the others noticed.

“Ah!! That looks fun!!” (Rosso)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

“Oh my, Ao is cheating!!” (Blanche)

Ao waved from the boat, saying, “Oji-san, increase speed”.

Very well.

With increased mana, the boat reached approximately 40 kilometers per hour.

“…Yes, this is more than sufficient for a boat’s speed.” (Gentoku)

“Oji-san… it is beautiful.” (Ao)

“Hm? Oh…” (Gentoku)

Leaving the private beach, I sailed along the public beach. The horizon was visible. The sun shone brilliantly, the view was magnificent. Along the public beach, many people were present, and the scent of food stalls wafted in the air. Some noticed us and seemed surprised. Ao waved in response.

Moving considerably away from the private beach, I operated the rudder, right, left, sharp turns, reverse… all was in order. However, one final challenge remained.

“Ao…” (Gentoku)

“Yes?” (Ao)

“For the final part of the startup test… I must perform one last procedure.” (Gentoku)

“What will you do?” (Ao)

“…Top speed.” (Gentoku)

Yes, we must check whether the boat could endure maximum speed.

The boat, reinforced with wood and metal, was sturdy. The Metal Orc bone engine would likely be durable as well. Thus, testing the top speed was essential.

“This may be frightening, but I shall accelerate along a straight path… hold on tight.” (Gentoku)

By rough estimation, it was approximately three kilometers to the private beach in a straight line. I accelerated straight ahead at full power. Ao nodded in agreement.

“I am excited. Oji-san, please.” (Ao)

“Very well… hold on tightly. Seriously.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, please.” (Ao)

Taking a deep breath, I gripped the rudder firmly and poured in mana with all my strength. The screw spun violently, the boat accelerating uncontrollably.

“!!” (Gentoku)

“Oh!” (Ao)

The speed surged instantly.

This is dangerous, far too fast. Over 100 kilometers per hour. Critical.

With a screech, the boat jumped, as if performing a wheelie.

“Uoooooo!?” (Rosso)

“Ooooooh!!” (Blanche)

*Thud!! *

The boat landed. I released the rudder and clung to it. It had flown more than 10 meters above the water.

“This is insane!!” (Gentoku)

“Leave it to me, ‘Water Column Aqua Passion’!!” (Ao)

Ao cast her spell, and a column of water rose from the sea, cushioning the boat’s landing. Slowly descending, it brought us to the private beach in front of the villa. The boat settled upon the sand, and I was left breathless.

“…I thought I would die.” (Gentoku)

“That was enjoyable. I did not expect we would fly.” (Ao)

“Unforeseen. The waves acted like a jump ramp… ugh, that was terrifying.” (Gentoku)

As we disembarked, Rosso and the others approached.

“Cheater!! Ossan, I want to ride too!!” (Rosso)

“That looked like so much fun!!” (Blanche)

“Nyaauu.” (Yuki)

“Fufufu. That was enjoyable.” (Ao)

“…That was genuinely frightening.” (Gentoku)

Rosso and Blanche grabbed my arms and shook me.

“Cheater!! Hey, hey, do it again!!” (Rosso)

“No, it is forbidden. That was the startup test, and this is the prototype.” (Gentoku)

“Muuu, Ao is the only one being unfair!!” (Blanche)

“Fufufu. I could ride because I watched Oji-san’s movements. Sorry.” (Ao)

“Arrogance makes me furious!! Ossan!!” (Rosso)

“No, wait. Once it is commercially available, you may buy it.” (Gentoku)

And furthermore, Rosso and Blanche, please refrain from pressing your chests against me!! I thought it would be harmless since you are children, yet your bodies are fully grown young women!!

Thus, until Snow-san returned from shopping, the two pursued me relentlessly.

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“Fufufu. I am the winner.” (Ao)

Ao, who was holding Yuki-chan, was triumphant before I realized it.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)