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

 

 

Gratitude

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

It was decided that I would go to the hot springs with Rosso and the others. The trip was scheduled for next week. Since there remained approximately a week until the journey, preparations were required.

As I walked home, I encountered Snow-san accompanied by Hikoroku.

“Oh, Gentoku-san.” (Snow)

“Good day. Huh, is Yuki-chan not here?” (Gentoku)

“Today, she is staying over at Kuroha-chan’s house. Fufu, she is delighted to have made a friend.” (Snow)

Kuroha-chan… or perhaps Lisa-chan’s house.

Snow-san inclined her head slightly in a polite bow.

“Gentoku-san, truly, thank you very much for helping Lunar-san and the others.” (Snow)

“Oh, no, no. I merely offered the idea. The ones who actually helped were Sandrone and also Barion.” (Gentoku)

“Fufu, but still, thank you. I am glad that my newly made friend has recovered.” (Snow)

Lycos-san… Lunar-san, then. A so-called mother friend, it seems. Snow-san, too, had encountered a pleasant connection.

“Next time, we have also promised to have a meal together. Fufu, I am truly glad to have come to the Edelstein Kingdom.” (Snow)

“Hahaha. Well, that is good. Ah, in truth–…” (Gentoku)

I spoke of the plan to go to the hot springs with Rosso and the others.

“The hot springs, you say…” (Snow)

“Yes. Snow-san, would you like to come as well?” (Gentoku)

“Well… it is a delightful invitation, but in truth we beastkin possess keen noses, so the hot springs, well, the smell is rather strong.” (Snow)

“Ah… I see.” (Gentoku)

The scent of sulfur. Those who dislike it truly dislike it. I cannot compel them. Perhaps I shall purchase some hot spring manju if they are on sale.

“I am most sorry. Truly.” (Snow)

“No, no, please do not concern yourself.” (Gentoku)

After parting ways with Snow-san, I returned home to prepare for the journey.

 

—

 

The following day, I devoted myself to work from the morning at my workplace.

There were repair requests for magical tools and new development of magical apparatus. Among the repairs, ice makers and mist sprayers were most frequent. All of them suffered either damage to the magic stone from overuse or had been broken simply by being dropped.

As for the refrigerator, I examined the version with improvements added to my prototype.

“Hmm, they expanded the interior and designed it so that the cold air circulates efficiently. Yeran’s doing, is it?” (Gentoku)

It did not merely emit cold air. The design considered airflow from top to bottom, making the circulation thorough. Indeed, this was fascinating. Not only the air but also the water circulated through pipes that were cooled, thereby cooling the entirety efficiently.

“So, it does not merely blow air. Well, my role was primarily the idea, and the actual improvements are entrusted to the technicians of the Alexandrite Trading Company, such as Yeran.” (Gentoku)

I proceeded to repair the bent pipes.

Upon finishing the repair of all the brought magical apparatus, the client arrived just as I completed the work.

“Excuse me, has the ice maker been repaired?” (Client)

“Yes, it has been fixed.” (Gentoku)

I set a new magic stone into the ice maker that had suffered damage to its magic stone and showed it to the client.

“The magic stone was damaged. If a high-purity magic stone is used, it should last approximately half a year. This one retained the initial three-star magic stone, did it not?” (Gentoku)

“Ah, yes. Though I had heard that the initial-type magic stones break in about a month.” (Client)

“Moreover, this one has been in constant operation. If possible, it is better to produce only the amount of ice you require and switch it off afterward, which prolongs its life. This time, I have inserted the four-star magic stone, a standard item of the Alexandrite Trading Company. It should last about three months.” (Gentoku)

“Oh, thank you very much. Indeed, during summer, thanks to this, we could offer cold drinks and prosper greatly. Alexandrite Trading Company is truly invaluable.” (Client)

“Hahaha, indeed.” (Gentoku)

After the payment was settled, the client departed.

As expected, the ice maker… no, the magical apparatus I had created being of use to others brought satisfaction. On this day, all repaired magical apparatus were delivered. Gradually, requests for repairs increased. While smaller magical tools could be brought to me, larger items such as refrigerators or ice makers would require my direct involvement. Though that stage had not yet arrived.

“Kotatsu and carpets. I should create several winter-use magical tools.” (Gentoku)

Returning to the office, I drafted specifications for several magical apparatus and proceeded to produce prototypes.

 

—

 

That evening, Sandrone, Richter, and unusually Yeran came to the office.

“Oh, Yeran. That is unusual.” (Gentoku)

“Whatever. My work is done, and Onee-sama said she would go to Gentoku, so I came to play.” (Yeran)

“I see. Very well. So, is there some matter?” (Gentoku)

Sandrone sat on the sofa, Yeran beside her, and Richter stood behind.

While I was engaged in writing at my desk, Sandrone spoke.

“Kotatsu and hot carpet production is progressing well. They should be ready for sale at the beginning of autumn. But honestly, expectations are not particularly high.” (Sandrone)

“Well, winter is short, after all. But…” (Gentoku)

“Yes. We plan to sell them to the eastern and northern snow countries.” (Sandrone)

“By the way, the north is the snow country, isn’t it?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. A land of eternal snow. There, the ‘Magic Stove’ of Aries Taurus-sama, the ‘Witch of Aries,’ is the predominant heating apparatus.” (Sandrone)

“Another chuunibyou witch. Next comes Aries, after Aquarius. The 12 great magical apparatus technicians, was it? Honestly, I feel it will become troublesome. I do not wish to meet them.” (Gentoku)

Then, Yeran spoke.

“The 12 constellation witches, huh. Onee-sama, you met her in Zanad, right?” (Yellan)

“Yes. It is said that Elves cease physical growth in their 20s. But she seemed youthful.” (Sandrone)

“The great magical apparatus technician. I want to meet her. Aries-sama, the Witch of Aries, is the one who created the ‘heat’ magical glyphs commonly used today. She is the progenitor of heating apparatus and a legendary figure who pioneered the frigid northern lands.” (Yeran)

Thank you very much for the explanation. The 12 constellation witches appear to be great inventors. Raslanuf handled sewer systems. Aries, it seems, was related to heating apparatus.

“Ah, Richter, this.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. This is…?” (Richter)

“It is, in essence, a new magical apparatus. And I am uncertain if this falls under the work of a magical apparatus technician. But here is a proposal for an idea.” (Gentoku)

“Wait. Show me such things.” (Sandrone)

I handed the specifications and proposal to Sandrone via Richter. Then, I gave the prototype of the magical apparatus to Richter.

“This… is a dryer?” (Sandrone)

“A hair dryer. A magical apparatus to dry wet hair. When switched on, it emits warm air to dry the hair.” (Gentoku)

Surprisingly, no one else had produced such a magical apparatus. Devices that emit warm air existed, yet no one considered using one specifically for drying hair. The prototype was shaped exactly like an L-shaped hair dryer. When the switch on the handle was turned on, warm air from a ‘warm air’ magic stone was emitted.

“I confirmed it in the Commercial Guild’s magical apparatus catalogue. No one has made this. The term ‘warm air’ has also been registered. The rest is up to you.” (Gentoku)

“Drying hair. Interesting.” (Sandrone)

“Not an explosive hit, perhaps. But I believe there is moderate demand.” (Gentoku)

“And this.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone read the proposal and spoke.

“‘Floor heating’, huh. More of a construction project than a magical apparatus, perhaps?” (Sandrone)

“Ah. Underground water is heated via magical apparatus and piped through the floor. Simple in concept. Even if demand is absent in the Edelstein Kingdom, it may be useful in the northern lands. One could carry this idea north for construction, embedding pipes in floors, or installing magical apparatus to heat underground water for renovation.” (Gentoku)

“I see. We have not yet extended north, but it may be useful eventually.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone smiled slyly. Seeing that expression brought reassurance.

“Gentoku, you are diligent. Something happened?” (Yellan)

“Ah, next week I shall go north. I thought I would work now while I can.” (Gentoku)

“North? To a mine?” (Yeran)

“No, no. I intend to spend one winter month in the hot springs town of Leredore.” (Gentoku)

“You are going out again?” (Yeran)

“Indeed. I act according to my will. That is why I am working now. Kotatsu, hot carpet, hair dryer, and floor heating ideas. Sufficient, yes?” (Gentoku)

“Hmm…” (Sandrone)

Sandrone fell silent.

Richter spoke.

“I will transfer this month’s royalty payment by tomorrow.” (Richter)

“Good. Funds for the villa secured. Thank you.” (Gentoku)

“Grr. Hot springs.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone glared at me.

What is her problem?

“Ojou, I understand your envy, but work is pressing.” (Richter)

“I understand. Hmph. Gentoku, enjoy yourself to the utmost.” (Sandrone)

“Well, that is the intention. You were envious, weren’t you?” (Gentoku)

“Quiet, will you?” (Sandrone)

“Onee-sama, I am with you. Tonight, let’s go drinking. Gentoku, will you join?” (Yeran)

“I have plans with Hexen and Gloria. Sorry.” (Gentoku)

Well then, work is finished. Let’s go for a drink.

 

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