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

 

 

Donburi Rice

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Very well, Snow-san had returned.

The timing was perfect for lunch. Immediately, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare the midday meal. Rosso and the others were taking a bath. Since it was a special occasion, Snow-san joined them, and all the young ladies went together. I received the shopping bag and examined its contents carefully.

“Wheat flour… I cannot discern whether it is soft flour or strong flour. Well, it matters little.” (Gentoku)

With seafood such as shrimp and crab, wheat flour, and oil, there was only one course of action.

“Today’s menu shall be a tempura bowl… moreover, a seafood tempura bowl. Kukuku, I have long wished to attempt this.” (Gentoku)

First, I began by cooking the rice. I had prepared a magical stove specifically for rice, so I placed the pot upon it. Next, I mixed wheat flour with water and eggs to create a batter, dipped the seafood such as shrimp and crab into it, and fried them crisply in heated oil… I tried frying one first, and it had turned out excellently.

“This wheat flour seems to be soft flour. Later, I shall inquire of Snow-san where it was purchased.” (Gentoku)

I timed the frying of the seafood to coincide with the completion of the rice. Shrimp, crab, shellfish, cuts of white fish… I would have liked to include squid, yet I have never observed squid in this world. By the time I finished frying, Rosso and the others had emerged from the shower.

“Ah~ that was splendidly warm!!” (Rosso)

“It was pure bliss~” (Blanche)

“…Refreshing.” (Ao)

“Thank you for the warm bath.” (Snow)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

Everyone was freshly bathed, emanating a certain charm. Observing the tempura I had fried, their eyes shone with anticipation.

“““Oh!! It smells wonderful!!””” (Rosso/Blanche/Ao)

“Hahaha. It shall be ready soon… ah, what shall I do for the tempura bowl sauce?” (Gentoku)

For the moment, I prepared a broth from fish bones, diluted it with fish sauce, and added a small amount of sugar. Honestly, it was not particularly delicious, but certainly better than merely pouring fish sauce over the rice. Perhaps I should take the time to prepare a more refined sauce later.

I placed the rice into the donburi bowls, arranged the seafood tempura atop it, and poured over the sauce.

“Here we are, complete. Seafood tempura bowl!!” (Gentoku)

“Waa~ it smells wonderful!!” (Rosso)

“A curious fragrance…” (Blanche)

“…It looks delicious.” (Ao)

“This is a dish I have never seen before. Gentoku-san, you truly know so many things.” (Snow)

“Nyaa~” (Yuki)

The appraisal was evidently favorable.

I had recently realized that in this world, although the techniques for brewing alcohol were fairly advanced, the culinary arts were, regrettably, somewhat lacking. They could boil, grill, and steam, but the method of frying was rather uncommon. Extensive use of oil was one reason, and even simple frying was often circumvented by boiling or grilling to save effort. Even frying, if performed, was generally limited to plain frying. A dish such as tempura, requiring battering and frying, was scarcely known. I was curious to investigate in the nation of Azuma.

Well, for now, the meal takes precedence.

I handed each person a bowl (with a smaller one for Yuki-chan), and they immediately began eating.

“Delicious!! It is piping hot, and unlike grilled fish!!” (Rosso)

“Indeed, it is truly delicious!!” (Blanche)

“…Delicious.” (Ao)

“I am accustomed to consuming fish in this country, yet to encounter such a method of preparation…” (Snow)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

The reception was clearly positive. Yes, the sauce was not bad at all.

If I were to refine the sauce more thoroughly, this could very well become commercially successful.

Seafood tempura bowl… yes, this was an unmitigated success!!

 

—

 

Later that evening,

Rosso and the others had departed, and I was cleaning the room when Sandrone and company arrived. Moreover, Raslanuf was present as well.

“Good work.” (Raslanuf)

“Ah. It seems coming here has become rather routine.” (Gentoku)

“That is quite fine. Fufu, perhaps I should purchase a villa as well.” (Sandrone)

“By the way, this villa was once considered a property of misfortune, inhabited by ghost-type magic beasts.” (Raslanuf)

“Eh?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone’s face turned pale. Richter examined the back of a framed picture and noticed a talisman attached, but Raslanuf laughed heartily.

“Hahaha. I was surprised to hear that a buyer had acquired the villa sealed by the Adventurer Guild. There were even talks that it would be demolished and the ghost-type magic beasts released would be eliminated by the Guild’s forces. I was also asked to lend my cooperation.” (Raslanuf)

“Is… that truly so…?” (Sandrone)

“Indeed. Yet, as you can see… the purification has been done so thoroughly. Moreover, that talisman likely prevents magic beasts from approaching for a century. Blanche of ‘Crimson Camellia Scarlet’… with light magic, she is rivaled only by the ‘Archer Witch’.” (Raslanuf)

“Ah, more importantly… the boat is complete.” (Gentoku)

“Ha!? Only the first day, and it is finished!? I intended to inspect it in three days.” (Raslanuf)

“Show us!!” (Sandrone)

I led the three to the private beach. Upon the sand lay the engine-equipped boat, which the three examined with scrutiny.

“This is a magical apparatus…? How does it function?” (Sandrone)

“The screw is beneath. Grasping this rudder and channeling mana rotates it… thus, it traverses the sea.” (Gentoku)

“Ah… may I verify it slightly?” (Sandrone)

“We have performed a startup test.” (Gentoku)

“Very well then, Richter.” (Sandrone)

“Yes, Ojou-sama.” (Richter)

Richter, demonstrating unexpected strength, placed the boat in the water. Sandrone boarded, followed by Raslanuf and Richter. Although evening approached, a brief trial would suffice. I boarded as well, grasped the rudder, and flowed mana through it.

“It moves!!” (Sandrone)

“Hoho, it can move so swiftly.” (Raslanuf)

“At full power, the consequences would be formidable. When constructing, it might be wise to select three-star quality magic stones.” (Gentoku)

“…With this, fishing offshore seems feasible as well.” (Sandrone)

“Indeed, Richter!! Let us fish together next time.” (Raslanuf)

“Certainly, that would be enjoyable.” (Richter)

Departing the private beach, I tested its speed lightly. I experimented with serpentine maneuvers, reaching approximately 60 kilometers per hour, and even reversed.

Raslanuf was thoroughly satisfied.

“Hahaha!! This shall undoubtedly become the new means of traversing the ‘Kaido.’ Gentoku, you possess creative power surpassing even my own. Would you not agree, Sandrone?” (Raslanuf)

“Yes, I am equally impressed.” (Sandrone)

“A fine gentleman indeed. Were I younger by a thousand years, I might have sought your hand. And you, Sandrone?” (Raslanuf)

“Perfectly satisfactory. I have no interest in marriage.” (Sandrone)

“Hahaha, like Gentoku, then. You have both truly impressed me.” (Raslanuf)

Raslanuf was evidently pleased.

Returning the boat to the private beach, we headed once more to the villa. I placed the meticulously written specifications of the magical apparatus upon the table.

“Here are the blueprints. Beyond this, proceed as you wish.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Not limited to the Kaido, by enlarging this, one could create a vessel capable of carrying many passengers. A sea route that takes a hundred days by sail may be traversed in merely ten days with this vessel… how much to pay, I wonder?” (Raslanuf)

Raslanuf pondered, then handed the specifications to Sandrone.

“Eh?” (Sandrone)

“Sandrone. First, employ the Alexandrite Trading Company to actualize this ‘engine’ and make it available commercially. ‘Engine,’ maintaining the Kaido shall require time, and when it is operational, humans shall operate the boats. It may be prudent to familiarize oneself with handling beforehand.” (Raslanuf)

“B-But… is that acceptable? This is a magical apparatus requested by Raslanuf-sama from Gentoku.” (Sandrone)

“Indeed. Furthermore, Gentoku’s reward shall consist of royalties from the ‘engine’. Gentoku’s personal reward, coupled with the endless royalties from these engines… fufu, one could live leisurely for a lifetime repeatedly over.” (Raslanuf)

“Even if I became that wealthy… Oji-san said that money is meant to be spent. Hoarding it does not allow one to take it to the afterlife.” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha!! What a humorous grandfather. Very well, I shall deposit my personal reward into your account. Moreover… should you wish to conduct business in Zanad, you may rely upon me.” (Raslanuf)

“Indeed, I shall rely upon you.” (Gentoku)

Raslanuf then departed, bidding, “Very well, then”.

A mysterious lady… no, rather, an elderly lady. While demanding in many ways, completing her requests proved enjoyable.

“Raslanuf-sama was involved in the founding of Zanad. Even the royal family bows before her. Rumor has it she taught the first king to enjoy maritime pastimes and were lovers as well.” (Sandrone)

“Truly remarkable.” (Gentoku)

“You spoke casually to such a person. Honestly, it must have shortened your lifespan.” (Gentoku)

“Well, she seems generous. You now have a considerable backing in Zanad.” (Sandrone)

“Indeed. Fufu, delightful in every regard.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone was in high spirits. Observing Richter, a smile naturally arose as well.

“Today, Raslanuf-sama has formally declared her support for the Alexandrite Trading Company to the commercial guild. Though there has been no small measure of hostility, with Raslanuf-sama as patron, such behavior shall cease. Anyone daring to oppose her would render themselves incapable of conducting business in Zanad.” (Sandrone)

“Ah, what a delight. Previously, burly, tanned, muscular old men claimed, ‘Young girls cannot conduct business on this sea,’ or ‘Leave the sea to men and women should tend to men,’ yet upon Raslanuf-sama declaring support, they all fell silent. Simply exhilarating!!” (Sandrone)

“That is excellent…” (Gentoku)

This one endures hardship, yet enjoys the rewards in equal measure.

“Once the Zanad branch flourishes a bit more, I shall delegate work to the branch manager and enjoy a brief vacation. Tomorrow, I intend to purchase a villa via the Real Estate Guild while attending to business.” (Sandrone)

“Ah, I hope you find a fine villa.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Fufufu.” (Sandrone)

Thus concluded my work in Zanad.

Though it may be many years hence, Raslanuf and the Alexandrite Trading Company Zanad branch shall collaborate to construct the Kaido, allowing navigation of the country by boat.

Perhaps in ten or twenty years, I too shall travel domestically by ship. Awaiting that time, I would finally be able to enjoy a vacation free of work… so I thought.

 

—

 

The following day,

I was drinking coffee and reading the morning paper when Rosso and the others came rushing in.

“Ossan, terrible news!! A kraken has appeared!!” (Rosso)

“…Ha?” (Gentoku)

It seemed my vacation would continue to be fraught with disturbances.

 

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