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

 

 

Autumn

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now, today is a holiday.

I was reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, and smoking a cigarette. Then, there was an article titled, “New Products for Autumn. A Kotatsu that Warms You from the Feet Up.” It seemed that table-style kotatsu and electric blankets had already been commercialized. Summer had completely ended, and the air was gradually becoming chilly. The day to change the air conditioner’s magic stone to ‘warm wind’ would soon come.

“Now, today is for shopping. I must buy maps at the Adventurer Guild.” (Gentoku)

I finished my coffee, changed into my clothes of bliss, and left the house.

I was heading for the Adventurer Guild, and then the Commercial Guild. The purpose of my visit was to purchase maps and information about the northern territories.

 

—

 

Upon arriving at the Adventurer Guild, it was a building with which I had little connection, yet I came quite often to buy materials and the like.

At the reception sat a familiar receptionist.

“Yo, Hexen.” (Gentoku)

“Hm? Oh, Gentoku, isn’t it? Ever since you became independent, you hardly ever come by.” (Hexen)

“Hahaha. I leave the procurement of everything except truly necessary items to the suppliers. Besides, quality magic stones also come in.” (Gentoku)

The magic stones that Rosso and the others brought as souvenirs were at least four-star grade. Moreover, they often came in quantities of 10 or 20 at once, so we had them in abundance. Therefore, my visits to the guild had sharply decreased.

Hexen shrugged his shoulders and said,

“Good grief, you are cold. If you were earning well, invite me for a drink.” (Hexen)

“Hahaha. Then, how about tonight? Call Gloria from the Commercial Guild too.” (Gentoku)

“Ho, sounds good. Then, how about at a stall?” (Hexen)

“Alright. Then, tonight.” (Gentoku)

“Alright, see you then.” (Hexen)

Now, I should be heading back… but no! I am not coming to the guild to make a drinking appointment.

I turned on my heel and started walking, then hastily slammed on the brakes.

“Wait!! I did not come to make a drinking appointment!!” (Gentoku)

“Ah, I see. So, you have some business?” (Hexen)

“Yes, do you have maps? The ones favored by the Adventurer Guild.” (Gentoku)

“Sure do. Do you want them by region? The complete map is a bit expensive.” (Hexen)

“The regional ones will suffice. Do you have a map of the north?” (Gentoku)

“The north~? Are you heading into the mountains?” (Hexen)

“That is not certain yet. Here, hand it over.” (Gentoku)

The Adventurer Guild’s world maps were trustworthy, being precise and detailed. For that reason, their price was high. Yet for me, it was a trifling sum.

Hexen handed me a book.

“Here, the map of the north.” (Hexen)

“Ah, thanks.” (Gentoku)

I paid the money and opened it immediately. Whereas maps of other worlds had an image of rolled-up parchment, the Adventurer Guild’s map was a notebook. It contained an overview, with detailed roads, towns, villages, and countries. It was essentially like an atlas.

As I turned the pages, I found it.

“─…Here it is!! The mining town Dodofado.” (Gentoku)

“…Are you going to work in the mines?” (Hexen)

“No, no. I heard there is a hot spring there.” (Gentoku)

“A hot spring… Ah, in that case, why not ask Gloria? Apparently, she once lived in the north when she was young.” (Hexen)

“Really? Alright… then, Hexen, see you later.” (Gentoku)

“Alright.” (Hexen)

I parted ways with Hexen and headed to the Commercial Guild next door.

 

—

 

At the reception of the Commercial Guild sat the plump receptionist, Gloria.

Perhaps there were few people at this hour, as she seemed slightly bored.

“Oh, Gentoku, back from your vacation?” (Gloria)

“Yes, indeed. Oh, Gloria, how have you been?” (Gentoku)

“Fairly well. And you… got a bit of a tan?” (Gloria)

“Indeed. Oh, by the way, I’m drinking with Hexen tonight, would you like to join? It’s fine if your husband is fussy.” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha. Even husbands sometimes drink with their colleagues, so it’s no problem. Besides, the company is a single man with no intention of marrying and a guild staff who is bossed around by his wife. There’s nothing to worry about.” (Gloria)

“Indeed. Well… I have a question. May I ask?” (Gentoku)

“What is it?” (Gloria)

I approached the counter and opened the atlas.

“I heard you once lived in the north. I also heard there is a hot spring in the mining town Dodofado. Do you have a recommended location?” (Gentoku)

“Hot spring. Hahaha!! You are well-informed. Are you really going to the north just to enter a hot spring?” (Gloria)

“Yes. Perhaps at the end of autumn, I shall go and spend one month of winter in a hot spring. I might even purchase a villa.” (Gentoku)

“Hoho~ You have been earning well.” (Gloria)

At that moment, when I showed the map…

“Excuse me!! We came to purchase materials… but, Ossan!!” (Rosso)

“Oh, indeed.” (Ao)

“Not rare… nor uncommon. Oji-san, came to buy materials?” (Blanche)

To my surprise, the three members of Scarlet Camellia had returned from an adventure. I lightly waved, and the three began speaking with other staff.

After placing their materials, they came over immediately.

“Ossan!! What are you doing?” (Rosso)

“Ah, just talking with Gloria. Now… where is it?” (Gentoku)

The three peered over the map at my hands. I did not mind them looking. Gloria smiled slyly and pointed at the mining town Dodofado.

“Gentoku. Choosing the mining town Dodofado is good, but…” (Gloria)

Gloria slid her finger and pointed to a small town to the south, slightly away from Dodofado.

“If you are going to spend the entire winter, this is definitely the place. Heh heh, do you understand why?” (Gloria)

“…A town? What town?” (Gentoku)

“This is the ‘Hot Spring Town Leredore’, a town that prides itself on hot springs. Hot springs are scattered throughout the town, and it also has hidden villa areas… heh heh heh, it happens to be my hometown.” (Gloria)

“Really? A hot spring town…!!” (Gentoku)

“By the way, my younger brother works at the Real Estate Guild. If you want to buy a villa, I can provide a recommendation letter.” (Gloria)

“Please!! Tonight, I shall treat you and you may drink as much as you like!!” (Gentoku)

It was exactly the help I needed. I had no idea Gloria had such connections.

Then, Rosso said…

“Hot spring… Ossan, you are going to a hot spring?” (Rosso)

“Yes. I thought spending a winter in a hot spring after buying a villa might be nice.” (Gentoku)

“Hot spring. I also heard it has a beautifying effect on the skin…” (Ao)

“…Sounds good.” (Blanche)

The three became intensely interested.

Then, Gloria said…

“Heh heh heh, young ladies, would you like to join? Hot Spring Town Leredore also emphasizes tourism, so it should be enjoyable.” (Gloria)

“…” (Rosso/Ao/Blanche)

“Hey Gloria. These three are among the seven strongest in the kingdom, three of them at that. They are obviously busy.” (Gentoku)

“Really? But Gentoku, the journey passes through the mining region, there are magic beasts, so you will need an escort if you go. Moreover, it will take about a week from here.” (Gloria)

“Ah~…” (Gentoku)

An escort, huh… well, what to do?

Then, Rosso and the others exchanged glances and nodded enthusiastically.

“Ossan!! If you are going to a hot spring, we will escort you!!” (Rosso)

“Heh. If there is a beautifying hot spring, I would like to try it~. Also, if there is an affordable villa, I may purchase it next time.” (Ao)

“…Oji-san, let’s go to the hot spring.” (Blanche)

“Huh?” (Gentoku)

They seemed eager.

Thus, once again, I set out with Rosso and the others toward the northern hot springs.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)