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

 

 

Returning Home After a Long Time

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

After a week aboard the sleeper carriage, I had finally returned to the Edelstein Kingdom. I rented the same type of sleeper carriage as before, had Hikoroku pull it, and arrived at the main gate of the royal capital. From there, I was conveyed straight to my home.

The only difference from the journey here was that there were now new members traveling with me.

“This is… the Edelstein Kingdom… It is my first time coming here.” (Snow)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

It was Snow-san and Yuki-chan, held gently in her arms.

Both of them had vacated the house in Zanad and would now live at the base of the ‘Scarlett Camelia’, working there full-time. They would take care of all household matters, such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking. The procedures here were different from Zanad, but Snow-san was skillful and meticulous in her work, so there would be no problems.

Rosso received Yuki-chan from Snow-san.

“Yuki, the royal capital is an incredibly fun place. I will guide you around and show you many things.” (Rosso)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“Mm~ so cute. Nekomimi, nekomimi~” (Rosso)

Rosso hugged Yuki-chan and nuzzled her, reveling in the cat ears. Ao and Blanche also interacted with Yuki-chan, stroking her and playing with her.

While observing such a scene, I spoke to Snow-san.

“Snow-san. If you encounter any difficulties, please do not hesitate to tell me.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, thank you very much indeed.” (Snow-san)

It was one of those mutual-understanding situations where one helps when the other is troubled.

When Yuki-chan came over to me, I lifted her, and she pressed her face against my chest.

“Nyaaa~” (Yuki)

“Hey now, I smell of tobacco, you know? It might be better not to cling so closely.” (Gentoku)

“Nya, Oji-chan smells so nice~” (Yuki)

“Hahaha, is that so, is that so.” (Gentoku)

Kittens were endlessly adorable. I stroked her for a while, then returned Yuki-chan to Snow-san as we arrived at my house.

As we descended from the carriage with our luggage, everyone got out as well. I spoke clearly to all of them.

“Well then, once more, thanks to all of you, this has been the most splendid vacation. Truly, thank you.” (Gentoku)

“What are you saying? That is our line, really.” (Rosso)

“Indeed. Thanks to Oji-sama, this summer has been absolutely wonderful.” (Blanche)

“…Fishing, underwater scooter, the boat. Every one of them was enjoyable.” (Ao)

“I can only express my gratitude. In this new land, I can live together with this little one.” (Snow-san)

“Nyaaa~” (Yuki)

“Hahaha. I am glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Well then… if you encounter any trouble, feel free to come to me. You may also come by when you are free to play.” (Gentoku)

Finally, I patted Hikoroku.

“Thank you too. Next time, I will make a delicious grilled meat bowl for you.” (Gentoku)

“Wauu~” (Hikoroku)

The carriage carrying Rosso and the others departed, and I stretched deeply in front of the entrance.

Then, I gazed upon my home, which I had not seen in a long time.

“Fiii… well then, today I shall take a long bath and resume work from tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

Thus, I had returned to the Edelstein Kingdom.

 

—

 

Although my home had been left unattended for a month, there was no accumulation of dust or disorder. Thanks to placing it under the management of the Real Estate Guild, it was maintained properly. Surely, if I were to visit the villa next year, it would remain in pristine condition.

“Ah, I am tired.” (Gentoku)

I sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette.

Though it was tobacco, indeed, the more I smoked, the healthier I felt. I had been able to dive underwater for two minutes while swimming in the sea, and there was no doubt that my lung capacity had increased.

As I pondered whether to brew some coffee, a knock sounded at the front door. It was somewhat bothersome, yet I did not feign absence and opened it.

“Yo, Ossan.” (Yeran)

“Yeran? Well, it has been a while.” (Gentoku)

Yeran. She was a proprietary magical apparatus technician of the Alexandrite Trading Company, exceptionally skilled with aptitude in three elemental magics. With her talents, she could have succeeded as an adventurer, but she fell for Sandrone and joined the Alexandrite Trading Company, a peculiar young woman. I believe she was still 19.

“What brings you here? Did something happen?” (Gentoku)

“No, no. Today was my day off, so I was wandering the town when I happened to pass by the carriage of the Scarlett Camelia. I thought maybe Ossan had returned.” (Yeran)

“I see. So, you came to invite this Ossan on a date?” (Gentoku)

“Yes, yes. No, that is not it!! Honestly… it seems you did quite a number of things in Zanad. I came to hear those stories and to invite you to drink.” (Yeran)

“You are a rather idle person… being young, you should find a lover and enjoy your youth.” (Gentoku)

“Shut up. So, shall we go drink? I can even pay.” (Yeran)

“…Well, drinking during the daytime is not a bad idea. Very well, let us go.” (Gentoku)

Thus, I went with Yeran to the drinking district. Although it was daytime, as expected of the royal capital, every place was bustling with activity. We entered a random tavern, ordered ale, along with some side dishes. We toasted and drank the chilled ale in a single gulp.

“Puhha!! Delicious!!” (Gentoku)

“Thanks to Ossan. It has been a little over a month since the ice-making machines were released, and every restaurant is using them. The freezers released simultaneously are also selling steadily. Moreover, the lease plans are going smoothly. Many shops even want to purchase the ice machines after the lease ends.” (Yeran)

“As expected, then.” (Gentoku)

“You knew that?” (Yeran)

“Yes. I suspected it would be the case.” (Gentoku)

“Hmm. Also, every magical apparatus you devised has exceeded expected sales. And I heard something? Ossan, you bought a villa in Zanad? Oh, another round please.” (Yeran)

“I will. Yes, I plan to spend next summer at the villa as well. Will you come?” (Gentoku)

“Eh?” (Yeran)

Yeran was astonished. When the ale was brought, she drank it all in one go and ordered another round.

“Hey!! Ossan, even if you do not intend it, do not invite an unmarried woman to a villa in the summer!!” (Yeran)

“Uh… I do not mind.” (Gentoku)

“I do mind!! Honestly, you are utterly lacking in delicacy, Ossan …” (Yeran)

“You seem fierce, yet you are actually very maidenly.” (Gentoku)

“Shut up!! Ah, another round already!?” (Yeran)

After drinking with Yeran for the first time in a while… it really felt like I had returned home. While we enjoyed small talk, Richter entered the tavern.

“Oh? Is that Richter?” (Gentoku)

“Oh, Gentoku-san, Yeran-san.” (Richter)

“Over here, over here, Richter, join us for a drink!!” (Gentoku)

Richter sat down and ordered ale. The three of us clinked glasses, and I asked a question.

“Richter, why did you come to this tavern?” (Gentoku)

“Ah, it is nothing special. I just finished work and thought I would have a drink before returning home.” (Richter)

“I see. And Ojou-sama?” (Yeran)

“She has already returned home. She has a mountain of work tomorrow as well.” (Richter)

“You have a hard time as well. Yeran, are you busy?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. I am progressing with the development of heating magical apparatuses for autumn and winter.” (Yeran)

Incidentally, in this world, the main heating method is the fireplace. Before winter, lumber merchants stock up on firewood in large quantities to profit during the busy season.

Heating magical apparatuses were quite simple. A petroleum stove-like box embedded with a heat magic stone would heat up when mana flowed into it. A wind magic stone would then create a gentle breeze, producing warm air. In essence, it was a fan heater that did not require petroleum. Honestly, fireplaces were warmer, so adoption was limited. Nowadays, with matches available, lighting was easy, but previously, people would buy live embers to ignite fireplaces.

Magical apparatus technicians focused on improving the heat output of the magic stones, as well as miniaturizing or enlarging the devices without changing their structure.

“How wasteful.” (Gentoku)

“What do you mean?” (Yeran)

“Well, heating. I think one could easily make kotatsu or hot carpets.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Richter/Yeran)

They were both staring intently at me.

Oh, they are curious.

“Well, autumn is approaching. I shall attempt a simple prototype tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

“Hm, that is interesting.” (Yeran)

“I am also curious… all of Gentoku-san’s magical apparatuses are fascinating.” (Richter)

“Hahaha. Expect much… Oh yes, Richter, there is something I wish to ask.” (Gentoku)

“What is it?” (Richter)

I set my mug down, feeling slightly tense, and asked.

“Tell me… do hot springs exist in this world?” (Gentoku)

“Onsen? …I have heard that word somewhere. Um… I am sorry, I cannot recall immediately. I shall investigate.” (Richter)

“Alright, thank you.” (Gentoku)

I had heard the word. That meant… there was a high probability that they existed.

Just knowing that was enough to lift my spirits considerably.

 

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