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

 

 

Great Hot Spring Vein

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I returned to my villa.

“What a splendid house.” (Sandrone)

“It cost 1.2 billion Sedols.” (Gentoku)

“1.2… You really went all out. Very well, I have decided. Richter, we shall stay here tonight.” (Sandrone)

“Yes, Ojou.” (Richter)

“I do not mind, but the bath is a hot spring and mixed. Will you be fine bathing together with me?” (Gentoku)

“I… I do not mind. This is your house after all, and being naked is nothing to fuss over.” (Sandrone)

“I was joking, but you truly are weak to this sort of jest.” (Gentoku)

“I will hit you.” (Sandrone)

I decided not to provoke her further since she might genuinely lose her temper. Although I had been teasing her, the mixed bath part was actually true, and I was half-serious about it.

Aries had come together with her two subordinates. Both were female elves who appeared to be around 20 years old. They gave off a competent air.

We entered the house and moved to the living room where the kotatsu was placed.

“Please sit wherever you like.” (Gentoku)

“This is a kotatsu, is it not? Where are the chairs?” (Aries)

“The kotatsu is meant to be used while sitting on the floor to warm yourself.” (Gentoku)

I turned on the air conditioner. Daifuku and Shiratama, who had been sleeping, awoke.

“Nyaa.” (Daifuku)

“Mii, mii.” (Shiratama)

“Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up?” (Gentoku)

“Cats? You keep cats?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. They are something like the guardian spirits of this house. Have you heard of a Hundred-Year cat?” (Gentoku)

“I have heard the term, but this is my first time seeing one. They are pure white and adorable.” (Sandrone)

“Mii.” (Shiratama)

When Shiratama rubbed against Sandrone, her expression softened, and she gently stroked the kitten. Daifuku, as usual, lay stretched out on the cushion without moving. After glancing at us once, he closed his eyes again.

Sandrone continued to dote on Shiratama for a while, but when she noticed Aries and the others waiting, she hastily sat at the kotatsu. I brewed black tea and served it to everyone. Richter remained standing behind Sandrone rather than sitting at the kotatsu.

Aries spoke at once.

“Now then, let us discuss the matter at hand. A large-scale hot spring vein has been discovered within the territory of the Snowden Kingdom. The decision has been made to develop the area.” (Aries)

“Oh, that sounds great.” (Gentoku)

“I see. So, development is planned.” (Sandrone)

“Yes. Furthermore, the location of the vein lies between the Edelstein Kingdom and the Snowden Kingdom. Because of that, a proposal was raised to build a town there and use it as a relay point connecting both nations.” (Aries)

“That sounds like an excellent idea. What is the problem then?” (Gentoku)

I tilted my head. Honestly, it sounded like there should be no issue at all. Aries continued.

“First of all, at the King’s request, he wishes for this to become a hot spring resort unlike any that has existed before. The second issue, however, is more serious. While it is good to pioneer new land and establish a town, there are no settlers who wish to move there.” (Aries)

As I listened, it became clear that in this harsh, snowy kingdom, there were no people willing to leave their already established towns or villages to start from nothing in a new land and build houses again.

“There is one more problem. The vein is inhabited by a large magic beast, an SS-class target called the King Rock Titan. Eliminating it is also part of the request. Although I am capable of defeating it, it would require considerable effort.” (Aries)

The King Rock Titan. Even the name sounded dangerous.

At that point, Sandrone smiled faintly.

“Aries-sama, regarding the matter of development, do you have enough personnel?” (Sandrone)

“No. There are some merchant associations willing to help, but none large enough in scale. I have lived for over 2000 years, but I have always been focused on my own affairs. Unlike Raslanuf or Farzan, I do not possess such a wide network of connections.” (Aries)

I wondered who Farzan was, though given the name, she was most likely one of the Twelve Zodiac Witches.

Sandrone spoke again.

“In that case, please leave the manpower for development to me.” (Sandrone)

“You have the means?” (Aries)

“Yes. The very best.” (Sandrone)

“Wait, do you mean…” (Gentoku)

Sandrone smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I will commission Amethyst Cleaning. The strength of the beastkin will be invaluable in pioneering new land.” (Sandrone)

“That is an excellent idea.” (Gentoku)

“Richter, you heard the conversation, did you not? Write a letter in my name and deliver it to Barion at once.” (Sandrone)

“Understood.” (Richter)

Richter turned to me and asked if he could use the adjoining room, then left. I spoke next.

“As for the magic beast, what if we asked Rosso and the others? They are on vacation, but I can put in a word myself.” (Gentoku)

“Scarlet Camellia, is it? That is quite the formidable group. I wonder if they would accept.” (Aries)

“We will not know until we ask. Besides, we have Verde now. With four members of Arc-en-Ciel, I think it will be fine.” (Gentoku)

I do not know how strong the King Rock Titan is, but somehow it feels manageable. Now, the last issue remained.

“The problem of residents, and the concept for the hot spring town.” (Gentoku)

A hot spring town, hm.

I thought for a while.

“We must construct houses and recruit residents. We also need to consider employment, and we will have to reach out to merchants and request them to open shops. There are countless other matters that must be addressed.” (Gentoku)

Aries seemed deep in thought, and her two subordinates were nodding with furrowed brows. Sandrone spoke thoughtfully.

“If we were to announce that a new hot spring has been discovered and that a town will be built there, inviting people to come, perhaps some from other countries or towns might apply. Those seeking new lands might be interested, but to choose to live in a frigid land in the middle of winter would be another matter entirely.” (Sandrone)

I paused as an idea came to mind.

“Wait a moment.” (Gentoku)

“What is it? Did you think of something?” (Sandrone)

“Well, you could say that.” (Gentoku)

I explained what I had just thought of. Sandrone and Aries both looked surprised.

“I see. That might indeed be a good idea.” (Aries)

“Interesting. I like it.” (Sandrone)

“There may be some issues at the beginning, but it is worth considering.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, let us proceed with that plan. Sandrone, may I entrust this to the Alexandrite Trading Company?” (Aries)

“Of course. Please leave it to the Alexandrite Trading Company’s Snowden branch.” (Sandrone)

“Good. Then, we are finished here. It may be a little early, but shall we have some drinks?” (Gentoku)

“Hold it right there. You said yourself that you would ask for assistance from Scarlet Camellia, so go and make that request properly.” (Sandrone)

“Ah, that is right. I will go then.” (Gentoku)

I had been thinking of having a meal, but it could not be helped.

I stood up and left the villa to meet Rosso and the others.

“Gentoku, we will be using this room for a meeting.” (Sandrone)

“Do as you like.” (Gentoku)

Somehow, I realized that although I was staying at a hot spring resort, I had done no sightseeing at all and was instead buried in work.

 

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