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

 

 

Taurus Witch Aries Taurus

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now then, I made my way to the Commerce Guild.

I decided to purchase a large quantity of usable materials and, by paying an additional fee, have them delivered to the villa. There was a linen room in the basement, which was currently vacant. It would serve well as a place to store the materials and convert into a workshop for crafting magical tools.

First, an air conditioner. I would make a kotatsu as well. And a heated carpet… yes, a sake flask for hot sake too. The refrigerator I had was a large one, and as for an ice maker, perhaps I should make a small one.

As I pondered these things while leaving the Commerce Guild, someone bumped into me.

“Oh!” (Gentoku)

“Ah, I-I’m so sorry.” (???)

I hurriedly apologized, then froze in surprise.

“Do not worry about it. However, it is not wise to walk while lost in thought.” (Gentoku)

“Ah, yes, I understand.” (??)

Silver hair, long ears, and golden eyes. It was an Elf. Taller than I, her short silver hair partially covered one eye. A beauty with a mysterious air.

She tilted her head at me with a curious “Hm?” and I suddenly felt a dreadful premonition.

“You, are you the otherworlder Raslanuf spoke of?” (Aries)

“Ah, well, that is…” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha! So, it seems I was correct! I heard that you repaired Atsuko’s keepsake, that you are a magical tool craftsman who, with ideas unique to another world, created fascinating devices. For Raslanuf to praise and be moved, such a thing has not occurred in a thousand years! Ah, forgive me, I have not introduced myself. I am Aries Taurus, the Witch of Taurus.” (Aries)

Her energy was overwhelming. She spoke all at once, introduced herself, then seized my hand and shook it vigorously. She was quite different in temperament from Raslanuf. For now, I introduced myself as well.

“I am Gentoku, a magical tool craftsman for the Alexandrite Company. Um… is it all right if I do not use formal speech?” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha, I prefer it that way too. I have wanted to speak with you for some time, but this is not the proper place. Shall we move elsewhere?” (Aries)

There is something about her that makes refusal impossible. Oh well.

 

—

 

We arrived at an izakaya.

A yakitori restaurant, just my kind of place. There had been such food stalls in Zanad as well, the type where the chef grilled the skewers right in front of the customers.

Aries and I both ordered cheap sake, properly warmed, and skewers of grilled meat were laid out upon the table.

“This is my regular spot. I stop by every day after work.” (Aries)

“It’s still before noon, though…” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha! My work is finished for the day. After all, I have met a compatriot of Atsuko’s.” (Aries)

Aries extended her glass. I raised mine, and we lightly clinked them together.

Hot sake… yes, it has a slightly sweet taste. It pairs well with the salted yakitori.

“Mmm, delicious! Room temperature is good, but hot sake is wonderful too!” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha! Gentoku, you seem to handle your drink well. In the Edelstein Kingdom, there are few taverns that serve cheap sake, so you should drink your fill here.” (Aries)

“Yeah. This sake reminds me of something from my world, you know? Over here, it’s mostly lukewarm ale, or strong liquors like brandy or whisky. When I first had this in Zanad, I was genuinely moved.” (Gentoku)

“Oh? Fascinating. Tell me more about your world.” (Aries)

“Sure thing. Oh, right, do you have any of Atsuko’s mementos?” (Gentoku)

“Of course I do. However…” (Aries)

Aries drew from her pocket a round metallic object wrapped in cloth.

Wait, that is–…

“This is one of Atsuko’s keepsakes. It is not a magical tool, but rather some kind of mechanical device, though it seems broken.” (Aries)

“This… it’s a pocket watch, isn’t it? Quite the antique.” (Gentoku)

At that, Aries widened her eyes, seized my face, and forcibly turned me toward her.

“You know what this is!?” (Aries)

“Guehh!? Ow, ow. You’re hurting me!!” (Gentoku)

“Ah, my apologies.” (Aries)

Aries released my face.

Just from looking at it, I could tell it was a palm-sized round piece of metal, with a loop for a chain and a small winding crown. It is rather rusted. Well, it has been nearly two thousand years. Raslanuf had mentioned that Atsuko’s keepsakes were preserved through the secret magic of the Elves. It’s not perfectly, but well enough.

I asked Aries for permission, then took the watch into my hands.

“The rust has sealed the cover shut.” (Gentoku)

“I feared that if I touched it carelessly, it might break.” (Aries)

“You sound just like Raslanuf. Well then, excuse me a moment.” (Gentoku)

I decided to use purification magic.

I had actually tested its versatility during my free time. Though I mainly used it for cleaning my mouth, it also worked well on bath grime, and even stains on walls and floors vanished when I visualized their removal. I suspected it might also remove rust, and sure enough, it did.

“Purification magic, rust removal… there.” (Gentoku)

The rust upon the pocket watch vanished entirely. I had been truly delighted when I discovered that purification magic could also remove rust.

“Now then, will it move?” (Gentoku)

It was a wind-up pocket watch.

When I wound the crown properly, the second hand began to move, though somewhat irregularly.

“With some maintenance, it will work perfectly again. Shall I repair it?” (Gentoku)

“Please, I would be most grateful!” (Aries)

“All right, leave it to me. It should be ready by tomorrow.” (Gentoku)

“S-so soon!?” (Aries)

“Yes. I will disassemble and clean it, reproduce the worn parts through alchemy, and replace them. I’ll oil it as well… good thing I bought oil from an Old Oil Frog.” (Gentoku)

“My gratitude, Gentoku. As for the repair fee, Raslanuf once called such a job worth 10 billion. Then, I shall also pay ten billion.” (Aries)

“Whoa… no, no, that’s far too much! Just covering the bill here is more than enough.” (Gentoku)

“That will not do. To neglect fair compensation for skill is something no craftsman should ever do.” (Aries)

“Ugh…” (Gentoku)

“For one to repair so easily what neither I nor the other witches could even touch… I had considered commissioning you eventually, but to find a solution here in a tavern of all places, remarkable.” (Aries)

“Fine, fine. 10 billion it is then…” (Gentoku)

To think that just after worrying about my savings following the villa expenses, I would suddenly receive ten billion Sedols the very next day.

I wrapped the pocket watch in cloth and placed it in my pocket.

“…” (Gentoku)

“What is it, Gentoku?” (Aries)

“Well, Aries, you were the one who created the heating devices, weren’t you? You also developed the ‘heat’ way of magic character?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. As you can see, it is quite cold in these parts. I dug the hot springs myself and redeveloped the land.” (Aries)

“Amazing, that must have been quite difficult.” (Gentoku)

“It was. The first 500 years of the settlement were arduous. Few humans followed me, and at the time, we had nothing one could truly call a heating device that emitted heat. Many gave up the frontier, and many more perished in the cold. Yet, after about 700 years, this land prospered. The hot springs gushed forth, and people gathered. For the sake of the clans that had remained loyal to me, I founded a nation and became its first queen.” (Aries)

“So, that was the beginning of the Snowden Kingdom.” (Gentoku)

Well, she has lived for 2000 years, which means…

“Then, the Snowden Kingdom also has hot springs?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. This town, Leredore, I built after the development of Snowden. In terms of the quality of the hot springs, this place surpasses even the royal capital.” (Aries)

“I see… say, Aries.” (Gentoku)

“Hm? What is it?” (Aries)

“Um, are you planning more development or town reconstruction projects? The thing is, I’m currently on vacation, so I’d rather not take on anything too big.” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha! Raslanuf did mention that. He said Gentoku dislikes having his rest disturbed.” (Aries)

“Well, honestly, I just want to enjoy my break… wait, no, don’t tell me–…!” (Gentoku)

I looked around. Thankfully, Sandrone was nowhere in sight.

She had a habit of appearing at the worst possible times, and she’d been sulky when I said I wanted to spend time in the hot springs.

Aries tilted her head.

“Well, repairing this watch is fine, but I cannot accept any major commissions, understood?” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha! Very well, very well. Even if I find myself in trouble, I shall refrain from asking you. Enjoy your hot spring vacation here in Leredore to the fullest. Ah, but inviting you for a drink now and then should be permissible, yes?” (Aries)

“Of course. Show me more of your favorite spots. I might end up frequenting them myself.” (Gentoku)

“Hahaha, you truly are amusing. Now then, shall we toast once more?” (Aries)

Aries and I clinked our glasses again and enjoyed our drinks.

All right, this time, no more events would occur during my stay in Leredore. I have broken the flag myself, ha!

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)