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

 

 

The Mining Town of Dodofado

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now then, guided by Hikoroku, we proceeded toward the mining town of Dodofado.

As we advanced northward, the scenery changed within several days. First, the trees and grass diminished, and we found ourselves traveling along a highway stretching into the wilderness. There were many rocks and wastelands. However, the highway alone was well maintained. It was the main street leading northward. Its width was broad, and we passed by merchants’ wagons and groups of guards several times.

While gazing out of the window, I noticed something.

“…Somehow, it has grown colder.” (Gentoku)

“Well, the northern country is cold, after all.” (Blanche)

Incidentally, the northern country beyond the Edelstein Kingdom is said to be called the Snowden Kingdom. Its size is not particularly large, and most of it is surrounded by forests.

Blanche explained.

“The Snowden Kingdom possesses only three large towns and three small towns apart from the royal capital.” (Blanche)

“Is that so? That is surprisingly few.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Due to the heavy snow, the maintenance of highways cannot keep up in small villages, and thus they become isolated. Therefore, the country employs a special corps known as the ‘Highway Maintenance Corps’, who specialize exclusively in snow removal, and they constantly maintain the six highways extending from the royal capital.” (Blanche)

“The mining town of Dodofado is in the mountainous region near the border. From there, one proceeds to the hot spring town of Leredore.” (Ao)

Ao spoke.

The mining town of Dodofado was the town within the Snowden Kingdom with the least snowfall, and the one closest to the Edelstein Kingdom. It was one of the larger towns, and since it was near the border, it was said that human traffic was abundant.

“The hot spring town of Leredore is a tourist destination. There are quite a few who go there from Dodofado.” (Ao)

“Oh. I see.” (Gentoku)

“Fufu. This time we shall not go as far as the royal capital. However, it would not be unpleasant to visit someday.” (Blanche)

Blanche chuckled with a soft smile.

Then, Rosso descended from the second floor. Though it was already near noon, she seemed to have been sleeping soundly.

When I inadvertently looked at her…

“Faaaah… I overslept.” (Rosso)

“Pfft.” (Gentoku)

“Ro-Rosso!! You fool!! Cover your chest at once!!” (Blanche)

“…Oji-san, you must not look.” (Ao)

Rosso had untied her twin tails, was bare on her upper half, and wore only undergarments below. Her large chest shook vigorously as she scratched her head and yawned grandly. I averted my eyes. I had thought them large, but they were indeed remarkably large. At last, I had seen them, the great bosom of a seventeen-year-old girl.

Blanche rose and pushed Rosso’s back, urging her upstairs.

“Oji-san, did you look?” (Rosso)

“…Well, yes.” (Gentoku)

“Oji-san, you pervert.” (Rosso)

“…I beg your pardon.” (Gentoku)

Is this truly my fault? Yet well, I did see something good.

 

—

 

Crossing the border of the Edelstein Kingdom, we at last entered the territory of the Snowden Kingdom. It had taken five days thus far. Without particular incident, we proceeded leisurely. Then, passing through a rocky region, it came into view.

“Oh, there it is. That is the mining town of Dodofado!!” (Blanche)

“Ohh…” (Gentoku)

The mining town of Dodofado.

How impressive. Brick houses, few trees, and smoke rising everywhere. The ground was hardened earth, and the comings and goings of wagons were immense.

At the entrance of the town, Blanche presented her adventurer’s certificate to the gate guards, and we entered without difficulty.

“For now, let us secure an inn.” (Blanche)

“Ossan, the destination is the hot spring town of Leredore, but shall we simply pass through here?” (Rosso)

“That is so. Yet it would not hurt to sightsee for a day. Are there any specialties?” (Gentoku)

“This is a town of craftsmen. Many adventurers come here to commission weapons from blacksmiths or request equipment. It is better not to expect much of the food.” (Ao)

Ao explained.

The food consisted largely of dried provisions, though the kinds of alcohol were abundant. Moreover, many dwarves lived here. Their diet was mainly meat, and they were said to drink alcohol as though bathing in it.

As I gazed upon the town from the window,

“Oh, are those Dwarves?” (Gentoku)

Short in stature, yet robustly muscled, and with full beards. They were the very picture of a template. Rosso pressed her chest against my back as she too looked out of the window.

“There are Dwarves in the Edelstein Kingdom as well. Our own exclusive blacksmith is a dwarf, you know.” (Rosso)

“Is that so? I have never seen one before. I have seen Elves, though.” (Gentoku)

The softness against my back. Indeed, large. I wondered whether there might be brothels here. Though, well. As such thoughts drifted, Hikoroku came to a halt.

“Woof.” (Hikoroku)

“We have arrived. This is the inn Hikoroku recommends.” (Ao)

What awaited was a three-storied brick inn. Rather than an inn, it seemed more like a fortress. We parked the cart in a designated space, released Hikoroku from the harness, and Ao began brushing him. Meanwhile, Rosso and I unloaded the luggage, and Blanche obtained the rooms.

“I have secured two rooms.” (Blanche)

It went without saying. I had a room alone, while Rosso and the other two shared one. After stabling Hikoroku, we entered our rooms. Indeed, it was a single room. A bed, a desk, a fireplace. Oh, beside the fireplace, a great pile of firewood was stacked. So then, it would become cold at night.

“Ossan, shall we go out to play?” (Rosso)

There was a knock upon the door, and Rosso entered.

“You see, I heard there are many good taverns here. Shall we drink while dining?” (Rosso)

“That sounds good. What of Ao and Blanche?” (Gentoku)

“Ao cannot handle alcohol, and Blanche does not like it either. The two of them are going to eat together. Since I drink, I came to invite you, Ossan.” (Rosso)

“I see. Then, shall we go eat together?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Fufun, it is a date, a date.” (Rosso)

Rosso teasingly took my arm. Of course, I did not misunderstand. Thus, Rosso and I went into the town together.

 

—

 

Though called a mining town, the name was indeed apt. Wagons transporting ore, the sound of blacksmithing echoing everywhere, and the scent of alcohol.

“Hmm, this place has its own fine atmosphere.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. I do not dislike it.” (Rosso)

“But our destination is…” (Gentoku)

“The hot springs, right? Nishi-shi, I am excited, Ossan.” (Rosso)

“Indeed. Hot springs are excellent. They warm you, they soothe you, and they make the skin smooth.” (Gentoku)

“Nfufu. Shall I wash your back, Ossan~?” (Rosso)

“Fool. Do not tease me. Oh, shall we choose this place?” (Gentoku)

We stopped before an open-style public tavern. Dwarves and adventurers, just off work, were reveling. Rosso and I entered and sat at a vacant round table, then placed our order. What we ordered was ale. Moreover, it was served ice cold.

“Well then, cheers.” (Gentoku)

“Cheers!!” (Rosso)

When I drank the chilled ale in one gulp, it sent a tingling numbness through my head.

“Delicious!!” (Rosso)

“Exquisite!! Ahh. Truly, alcohol is wonderful.” (Gentoku)

“Yes yes!! Excuse me, another please!!” (Rosso)

Rosso and I made merry, eating dried nuts and steak while laughing together.

“Ahaha!! So then, Blanche said ‘Since I am a delicate maiden’, yet while saying so she crushed a stone in her hand to powder, and the other party was dumbfounded!!” (Rosso)

“Hahaha!! Now that you mention it, she is superhumanly strong, is she not? Remarkable indeed.” (Gentoku)

“Yes yes. Ao is an excellent swimmer, you know. Also, she frets about the smallness of her chest. Incidentally, the order is me, Blanche, then Ao.” (Rosso)

“Chest size, really!! No no, such matters are–…” (Gentoku)

“Ossan. Be honest. You were staring at my chest, were you not? Do you want to see? Do you?” (Rosso)

“Fool. Good grief, speak of such things after you are older.” (Gentoku)

“Then, what of you, Snow-san?” (Rosso)

“…Excuse me, another ale please!!” (Gentoku)

Ale is indeed delicious. Blast it.

Then, before our table…

“Ahh~ra? If it is not Rosso.” (??)

“Hah? Oh. Verde, huh. What do you want?” (Rosso)

What appeared was a young girl with emerald green hair.

Remarkable. Her hair was curled into ringlets. Upon her head she wore a flamboyant hat, and her shoulders were bare in a dress that exposed her chest. She wore makeup, yet was quite a beauty. Moreover, her chest was also large. I spoke while sipping my ale.

“An acquaintance?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. She is an adventurer called Verde the ‘Green’.” (Rosso)

“What a careless introduction!! For you not to know me is inconceivable!!” (Verde)

“Eh, ah… My apologies.” (Gentoku)

Then, from somewhere appeared two young men in black suits, who stood beside Verde and, by magic, conjured glittering light for effect.

“Greetings. I am one of the ‘Seven Rainbow Adventurers Arc-en-Ciel’, Verde the ‘Green!!’ That dull fellow there, you had better remember me!! O~hohohoho!!” (Verde)

“Ahh, how do you do…” (Gentoku)

“You need not remember her. Despite being fairly strong, because of such behavior she is despised by everyone.” (Rosso)

“D-Do not say foolish things!! I-I cannot possibly be despised!!” (Verde)

“Yes yes. So, what do you want?” (Rosso)

“…Nothing, I merely happened to see you.” (Verde)

“I see. Well then, goodbye.” (Rosso)

“Ugh…” (Verde)

How pitiable. Well, never mind.

“If you would like, why not drink together? The two with you as well.” (Gentoku)

“Eh, truly!? Schwan, Miles, bring chairs!!” (Verde)

“Yes, Ojou-sama.” (Schwan/Miles)

“Eh? Ossan, she is noisy. We do not need her company.” (Rosso)

“Now now, since we are headed to the hot spring town of Leredore, let us be friendly for today.” (Gentoku)

“…Leredore?” (Verde)

Well then, though she is an incomprehensible one, the merriment shall yet continue.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)