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

 

 

Villa with Hot Spring

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The following day, after finishing breakfast at the inn, I went to the Real Estate Guild together with Rosso, the other three girls, Verde, and her two attendants, seven people in total. I had originally intended to sightsee around the town first, but that proved impossible. No, rather, I was the one who could not manage it.

Before anything else, the villa. I was determined to acquire a fine property and use it as our base before beginning our exploration of the town. I walked at a brisk pace.

“Come now, let us go to the Real Estate Guild!” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, the villa isn’t going to run away, you know.” (Rosso)

“Indeed, Oji-sama, you ought not to be so impatient.” (Blanche)

“…Oji-san, you are overdoing it.” (Ao)

“You are behaving like a child.” (Verde)

The four young women treated me as though I were a restless child. They were not wrong. Ever since coming to this town, I had been thinking only of the hot springs. I recalled a memory from long ago, when my father, grandfather, and I had gone on a hot spring pilgrimage together. My father had won five million yen in the lottery, and the three of us decided to spend it all on that journey. Grandfather had always loved hot springs, and my father inherited that love from him. Naturally, so did I.

The hot springs in this other world were marvelous. When I soaked in them, my skin became smooth and my body warmed from the very core.

“I must obtain an excellent villa. I shall not compromise. I am prepared to pay up to one billion Sedols!” (Gentoku)

My savings amounted to about 1.5 billion Sedols. That included the payment for the Raslanuf music box repairs, the motorboat engine, and the royalties from the winter magical tools. Even if I spent all 1.5 billion, it would be worth it. The hot springs were worth that much to me.

Then, I caught sight of my reflection in the window. My expression was full of greedy anticipation. Realizing how ridiculous I looked, I slapped my own cheek.

“C-calm down. All right, that’s better. Let us go.” (Gentoku)

“…” (All)

“W-what is it, all of you?” (Gentoku)

“Ossan, you looked like a shady merchant just now, but it seems you’ve returned to normal.” (Rosso)

I really needed to be more careful. I apologized to everyone, and we continued on our way.

 

—

 

We arrived at the Real Estate Guild. The interior layout was similar to that of the one in Zanad, but this building was made of brick, and a large fireplace filled the room with comforting warmth. I went to the reception desk and handed over Gloria’s letter of introduction.

“Excuse me. Is Hank-san available? Here is my letter of introduction.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, please wait a moment.” (Receptionist)

The older receptionist went into the back, and soon afterward, a man in his mid-thirties emerged. He was tall and well-groomed, his slicked-back hair giving him the look of a competent businessman.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Hank, vice-master of the Leredore Real Estate Guild. Please, come this way to the reception room.” (Hank)

Since our party was rather large, Verde’s two attendants waited outside the room. The remaining five of us entered and sat down on the plush sofas. Hank placed Gloria’s letter on the table and spoke.

“A letter of introduction from my sister, I see. It says, ‘A wealthy man is buying a villa, so take good care of him’. May I ask what your relationship is with her?” (Hank)

“We are drinking companions. I often share a drink with her and Hexen from the Adventurer Guild after work. I’ve even been made to listen to her complaints about her husband.” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha, that sounds just like her. Well then, you are looking to purchase a villa, correct?” (Hank)

“Yes. Oh, and there is one more customer.” (Gentoku)

At my side, Blanche inclined her head politely.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Blanche, also known as the Scarlet Camellia. I, too, intend to purchase a villa in this town.” (Blanche)

“My word, the Scarlet Camellia herself. It is an honor to meet you.” (Hank)

After a courteous handshake, Hank cleared his throat.

“In that case, I shall take this matter seriously. Now, may I ask what kind of property you are seeking?” (Hank)

Hank smiled with the polished composure of a professional merchant.

 

—

 

A villa with a hot spring, preferably with an open-air bath as well. A sauna would be ideal. A large garden, tatami-matted rooms, perhaps a basement that could serve as a workshop for magical apparatus construction. Somewhere near the town center, but not in a noisy district. Even I thought I was asking for the impossible.

“It exists.” (Hank)

“What!?” (Gentoku)

I stood up in shock.

It exists? Truly? Surely, he is joking.

Hank calmly spread a document on the table.

“This property comes equipped with an open-air bath, an indoor bath, and a sauna. It has a basement, a spacious garden, and is only a seven-minute walk from the center of Leredore. The grounds are surrounded by a forest enclosed by a fence, ensuring privacy. It has many rooms and would be ideal as a villa.” (Hank)

“…” (Gentoku)

“Is there something wrong?” (Hank)

“No, it is just that… there are no ghost-type magic beasts inhabiting it, are there? Or is it perhaps one of those infamous places where the owner died mysteriously several times over?” (Gentoku)

“N-no, nothing of the sort.” (Hank)

It sounded too good to be true, which made me suspicious. A property like that sounded more like an inn than a private home.

Wait a moment, could it be?

I looked down at the document and realized.

“Could this perhaps have been an inn before?” (Gentoku)

“You are correct. It was a ryokan that went out of business. The guild purchased it, refurbished the facilities, and put it up for sale. We thought it wasteful to let such fine establishments fall into ruin, especially since there are wealthy individuals who wish to own villas here in Leredore. However, as it is priced at 1.2 billion Sedols, no buyer has yet been found.” (Hank)

“I shall buy it! 1.2 billion, yes, that is acceptable. I’ll buy it!” (Gentoku)

I placed my bank card decisively on the table. I still had 300 million left. Though my sense of money was starting to waver, that was more than enough. The royalties would continue to come in. I could afford to be extravagant.

“Thank you very much, truly, thank you.” (Hank)

“No, no, not at all. Hahaha. But before we proceed, may I see the property first?” (Gentoku)

“Of course.” (Hank)

“Please do not forget that I am also here.” (Blanche)

Blanche raised her hand delicately. Hank cleared his throat again and began asking for her preferences next.

“Oji-san, you really are rich. This will be your second villa.” (Ao)

“Yes, one must spend boldly when the time calls for it.” (Gentoku)

“How audacious. I may want one as well.” (Verde)

Verde muttered to herself about “savings” and “maintenance” under her breath. Rosso, meanwhile, had fallen fast asleep. It seemed she had little patience for lengthy discussions.

I leaned close to Verde and whispered.

“Hey, Verde, this could be your chance to apologize. How about doing it in the villa’s hot spring?” (Gentoku)

“Wh-what? Y-you and I, together in the hot spring!?” (Verde)

“Idiot! Not with me, with Rosso and the others. When people soak in a hot spring, their guard lowers. It’s the perfect opportunity to talk and start over again. Clever, right?” (Gentoku)

“That might work.” (Verde)

“See? Once I buy the villa, I’ll invite everyone. That’ll be your chance.” (Gentoku)

“Yes.” (Verde)

We continued our quiet discussion, unnoticed. Ao was talking with Blanche about villas, and Rosso remained sound asleep. I failed to realize.

“…” (Rosso)

Rosso had opened her eyes just slightly and was watching Verde and me through half-closed lids.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)