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

 

 

Kraken Subjugation (1)

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Suddenly, it was the “Kraken”. I gazed at Rosso, utterly bewildered. Come to think of it, Blanche and Ao were not present. I closed the newspaper and inquired of Rosso.

“What is this, what is this, it seems far from peaceful so early in the morning.” (Gentoku)

“Listen to this. Yesterday, two sailing ships that had gone fishing were sunk. The remaining fishing vessels that barely returned… were also sunk by a Kraken…” (Rosso)

“Kraken… that is… a squid?” (Gentoku)

“Squid? What do you mean by squid?” (Rosso)

As I suspected, squid does not exist in this world… Is a Kraken not a squid? Well, that can wait. There is a matter of far greater importance.

“Ao, where is Blanche?” (Gentoku)

“At the Adventurer Guild. They are currently devising countermeasures against the Kraken.” (Rosso)

“…The Kraken is a sea magic beast, is it not? Would it not suffice to avoid the sea?” (Gentoku)

“That is true, but if we do not go fishing, we cannot eat fish in Zanad.” (Rosso)

“…Indeed.” (Gentoku)

The inability to consume fresh seafood… this is a matter of life and death.

“The troublesome part is that the Kraken ‘lingers’. Once it learns the taste of humans, it remains long in the vicinity where it has devoured them… The master of the Adventurer Guild mentioned that it lingers for at least 30 years.” (Rosso)

“3-30 years!?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. During that time in Zanad, no fish could be eaten. It was a 30-year hell.” (Rosso)

“In other words… a national crisis, then?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. In truth, Zanad is a monarchy, yet it devotes tremendous effort to tourism, so soldiers and military forces are quite few. They focus more on tourist ships than military vessels, and the number of soldiers and knights is scarce.” (Rosso)

“…Peaceful, and that is fortunate.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. And so, we have a request of you, Ossan.” (Rosso)

Ugh, what could it be… I felt a most ominous premonition.

“Ossan, your ship can reach considerable speeds and maneuver finely, correct? We, Scarlet Camellia, want you to take us offshore. There, we will utterly destroy the Kraken!!” (Rosso)

A girl uttering “utterly destroy” yet, perhaps it was the only option. However, there were problems.

“We may not have much time. The Kraken carries poison, so if we do not subjugate it quickly, the sea will become contaminated.” (Rosso)

“…” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, please… we love this country. The fish are delicious, we have met Yuki and Snow-san, we have played at your villa, ridden the underwater scooter… all wonderful memories. Thus, we wish to protect this country and our memories!!” (Rosso)

“…” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, lend us your ship. I will do anything.” (Rosso)

“…Haa~” (Gentoku)

I patted Rosso’s head gently as she approached, almost pressing close.

“Rosso, you are truly remarkable. Really.” (Gentoku)

“…Eh?” (Rosso)

“That ship requires a certain technique in the flow of mana… If time is limited, it would be quicker if I piloted it myself.” (Gentoku)

“…Ossan.” (Rosso)

“I shall navigate the ship and deliver you to the Kraken. If I pilot, Rosso, Ao, and Blanche will be able to attack freely, shall they not?” (Gentoku)

“…Ossan!! Thank you!!” (Rosso)

“Indeed. Shall we depart immediately?” (Gentoku)

“If possible, we want to settle it today. The Adventurer Guild is planning around ‘response after the Kraken releases poison’, and the Zanad royal family is requesting aid from other countries, acting as though the Kraken cannot be defeated. But we, Scarlet Camellia, have not given up.” (Rosso)

“Very well. Then, let us proceed to where Ao and the others are. And the two of you, where are they?” (Gentoku)

“Waiting at the beach. We have been preparing for combat.” (Rosso)

“Understood. Then, let us go.” (Gentoku)

“Yes!!” (Rosso)

I donned the ‘life jacket’ I had prepared for emergencies. Constructed from water-repelling material derived from magic beast hides and embedded with a magic stone of ‘air expansion’, it inflates swiftly upon the flow of mana, granting buoyancy.

And then… I grasped my ‘weapon’.

“What is that, a spear?” (Rosso)

“Yes. I intended to try spearfishing while freediving. Just in case, I carry it.” (Gentoku)

Well, though I refer to it as a weapon, it is merely a spear. Better than having nothing.

Rosso pushed the boat as we both boarded. She bore a crimson greatsword upon her back.

“Let us go, hold on tight.” (Gentoku)

“Yes!! –…Whoa!!” (Rosso)

I directed a generous flow of mana into the rudder, and the boat surged forward with speed comparable to a motorboat.

“Uwahho!! This is exhilarating!!” (Rosso)

“Oi, where are Ao and the others!?” (Gentoku)

“Over there!!” (Rosso)

Guided by Rosso, I drove the boat at full throttle.

 

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“Oji-san!!” (Ao)

“Oji-sama!!” (Blanche)

“Goodness, quite an event from early morning, is it not?” (Gentoku)

We arrived at the beach and halted the boat… Yet, the normally bustling morning beach was deserted.

Come to think of it, it is my first time here. Stalls are present, as were beach chairs and sunshades. I now understand that this place is usually quite lively.

Disembarking, I spoke.

“I have heard from Rosso. I shall accompany you in subjugating the Kraken.” (Gentoku)

“I-Is that acceptable? It is dangerous, though…” (Ao)

“Oji-sama…” (Blanche)

“This boat, I am most accustomed to operating. Leave it to me.” (Gentoku)

““……”” (Ao/Blanche)

The two exchanged glances and nodded toward me.

Then, Rosso spoke.

“Are you both prepared?” (Rosso)

“Yes. Archery, after so long.” (Ao)

“I am ready as well. And you, Rosso?” (Blanche)

“Of course. Now, it is time for Scarlet Camellia to take the stage. We shall bathe the Kraken in blood!!” (Rosso)

The three boarded the boat.

Only I remained. I lit a cigarette to calm my mind.

“No save points… I suppose not. Curiously, I do not feel fear.” (Gentoku)

I exhaled smoke into a portable ashtray.

Then, I slapped my face lightly and boarded the vessel.

“Very well!! Guide me to the Kraken’s location.” (Gentoku)

“Understood, leave it to me.” (Rosso)

Now, to subjugate the Kraken… once this is done, the vacation shall finally commence!!

 

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