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

 

 

It is About Time for Some Sightseeing

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Rosso and the others, brimming with enthusiasm, went to the Adventurers’ Guild. There, they met up with Aries, heard about the King Rock Titan, and seemed ready to set out for its subjugation. As for me, rather than going for a stroll around town, I returned to the villa and headed straight to the underground room for magical tool development. There, I decided to develop magical tools that would likely be needed in the near future.

“Well then. Even though this is a hot spring resort, I am buried in work. I only meant to discuss matters, yet it seems my idea will end up being adopted. Besides, if they are to use my idea, there are some magical tools that are absolutely necessary, so I have no choice but to make them.” (Gentoku)

I sighed. It could not be helped. Moreover, it was also a kind of magical apparatus I had long wanted to attempt, so I decided to regard it as an experiment.

Now then, I should get started.

“Let me see. I have a decent amount of materials. Sandrone is around as well, so even if the prototype lacks quality, it will be fine. The magical tool development division of the Alexandrite Company will create high-quality ones anyway.” (Gentoku)

As for what I am planning to make, kukuku, it is still a secret.

 

—

 

A few days later, having finally completed a satisfactory magical apparatus, I was taking a break under the kotatsu.

“Mi, mi.” (Shiratama)

“Ah, I am exhausted. You are the best kind of comfort.” (Gentoku)

“Gorororo.” (Shiratama)

As I relaxed, Shiratama affectionately rubbed against me, and I stroked her gently.

Daifuku, looked sleepy as always, occasionally purring or walking past me. When I tried to pet her too much, she would show displeasure, so I only stroked her head now and then.

Shiratama, on the other hand, had her eyes fully open and was brimming with energy. I wondered whether she too would live for a hundred years. If so, perhaps she would eventually become a dignified, boss-like cat, much like Daifuku.

While I was petting Shiratama, the bell rang.

I stood up and went to the entrance.

“Oh, Sandrone, Richter, and Aries.” (Gentoku)

“What is this?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone pointed toward the switch by the entrance.

“That is an intercom. This house is large, and I live alone most of the time, so I would not know when guests arrive. When the switch is pressed, the mana travels along a conduit and causes the bell in the living room or the bath to vibrate.” (Gentoku)

Indeed, the magic stone was engraved with the character for “vibrate”. When mana passes through it, it merely shakes. By combining it with the bell and embedding another magic stone engraved with “amplify”, the sound becomes louder and easy to hear.

Sandrone spoke with interest.

“How fascinating. Do you have a specification sheet?” (Sandrone)

“Of course. Come in for now.” (Gentoku)

I led the three of them into the living room.

Shiratama began to rub herself against Sandrone’s feet, and Sandrone smiled warmly as she picked her up.

“Hehe, how adorable.” (Sandrone)

“You really like cats, don’t you?” (Gentoku)

“Is that a problem? They are cute.” (Sandrone)

The three of them sat down, and I served them tea.

After a moment’s rest, Aries spoke.

“Gentoku, we have decided to adopt your idea. The royal family was very pleased. This will surely become a new tourist attraction for the Snowden Kingdom.” (Aries)

“That is good to hear. What about the magic beast?” (Gentoku)

“Yesterday, the four members of the Scarlet Camelia went to subjugate it. I was astonished. For ones so young to possess such mana, there is no doubt they are the strongest of our time. Even if King Rock Titans were to appear in a group, they would be fine. I did tell them, ‘Since the King Rock Titan’s materials can be used for development, please defeat it with as little damage as possible,’ though.” (Aries)

“Well, if it is Rosso and others, there should be no problem.” (Gentoku)

Incidentally, there would be no “I went along and easily defeated it with cheat powers!!” type of development typical of another world. After all, I was a magical technician, and battles were not my domain. Rather, my own battle began here.

“Now then, Gentoku. Based on your idea, we have drafted some plans. We would like to hear your opinion.” (Aries)

Aries spread out the blueprints on the table with a rustling sound.

Written on them were the words…

“‘Snowden Super Public Bath’ Project. That is a fine name.” (Gentoku)

 

—

 

My idea had been rather simple.

A few days earlier, my conversation with Aries had gone as follows.

“So, you discovered a large hot spring vein, and the plan is to build a town around it?” (Gentoku)

“That is correct.” (Aries)

“And you cannot find anyone willing to move there, so the town cannot function, right?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed.” (Aries)

“In that case, it does not need to be a town.” (Gentoku)

“What do you mean?” (Aries)

“Instead of a town, make it a lodging facility. Even the largest inns in Leredore have at most 20 rooms, accommodating only about a hundred people. Build something larger, a facility that can host a thousand or more guests.” (Gentoku)

“A lodging facility, you say?” (Aries)

“Yes. Make the hot springs vast, with many varieties. Add dining areas, create spacious rest zones beyond the guest rooms.” (Gentoku)

“Such an enormous facility?” (Aries)

“Yes. That hot spring vein lies midway between the Edelstein Kingdom and the Snowden Kingdom, does it not? Then, properly maintain the road and run tourist carriages from the Edelstein Kingdom. Travelers can depart from Edelstein, stay a night at the hot spring, and then go sightseeing in Snowden. You could sell travel plans like that. What do you think, Sandrone?” (Gentoku)

“That sounds wonderful. Tourist carriages to the Snowden Kingdom…” (Sandrone)

What I had proposed was a large-scale hot spring resort. Rather than constructing a new town or village, we would build one vast facility. Instead of dividing the hot spring veins among several inns, we would use all of them in a single enormous complex.

That was my idea, the Super Public Bath Project.

 

—

 

I looked at the blueprints and spoke to Sandrone.

“The main bath should be large enough for at least a hundred people. Add a herbal bath with medicinal herbs, a large sauna, a cold bath, and perhaps a waterfall bath. Also, Sandrone, we could test the floor heating you mentioned earlier by using the hot spring’s heat.” (Gentoku)

“S-such a large-scale design?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. The larger, the better. It will draw attention. Oh, and we must also have a bubble bath.” (Gentoku)

“Bubble bath?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. We install a magical tool in the bath that generates air bubbles, making the water bubble up pleasantly.” (Gentoku)

“…?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone did not seem to grasp the concept. Aries and Richter appeared equally puzzled.

“Well, I have prepared the magical tool, so we can experiment later.” (Gentoku)

“You already have one?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. I made a prototype.” (Gentoku)

“I am curious to see it.” (Sandrone)

“It is an embedded type, so we cannot test it here.” (Gentoku)

“How unfortunate.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone turned away, looking disappointed. Then Richter spoke.

“However, Gentoku-san, while constructing such a facility is fine, what about the staff? Even if it is not a town, people will still have to live there, will they not?” (Richter)

“That is true. We will need housing for the staff within the premises. Recruiting from the Snowden Kingdom and the Edelstein Kingdom should suffice. There are not many workplaces that provide guaranteed food, lodging, and wages. There must be plenty in Snowden struggling without employment.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed.” (Richter)

“Sandrone, will the beastkin assist with the development?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. When I requested assistance for the Amethyst Cleaning Company’s reclamation project, they arranged for 200 beastkin. All of them are long-haired types strong against the cold.” (Sandrone)

“200 hundred? Wasn’t the Amethyst Cleaning Company only about 70 people?” (Gentoku)

“It was mainly a cleaning company, but Barion expanded the business. By adding agricultural labor, carpentry work, and security jobs, beastkin companies rushed to collaborate. Now, it has become a great trading company of over 2000 beastkin.” (Sandrone)

“That is incredible. When did that happen?” (Gentoku)

“It is Barion’s skill. Do not worry. As you advised, we have introduced a weekly day off and paid leave. At this rate, Amethyst Cleaning may rival the Alexandrite Company within a year. It is becoming a very attractive workplace for beastkin.” (Sandrone)

“With Barion as he is now, he will not do anything underhanded.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. I have assigned two capable secretaries to him, so he gets proper rest.” (Sandrone)

Barion, truly amazing. I should invite him for a drink sometime.

Aries nodded approvingly.

“Then, Gentoku, following your advice, we shall commence the Snowden Super Public Bath Project. The royal family has granted us generous funding, so the results should exceed expectations.” (Aries)

“Ah, and here, take these specification sheets with you. One for the bubble bath, and another one.” (Gentoku)

I placed two specification sheets on the table.

One was for the bubble bath. The other was–…

“What is this? ‘Massage Chair’?” (Sandrone)

“A vital item for a Super Public Bath. I have a prototype. Would you like to try it?” (Gentoku)

“That sounds interesting. Where is it?” (Sandrone)

I led the three of them to the underground magical tool development room.

Inside the room stood a comfortable-looking massage chair.

“A chair?” (Sandrone)

“Sit down.” (Gentoku)

I had Sandrone sit and picked up the remote attached to the chair.

“All right, let us begin.” (Gentoku)

“W-wait, what are you–…” (Sandrone)

“Relax, it is fine.” (Gentoku)

I pressed the switch.

Then, the spheres built inside the chair began to roll, stimulating Sandrone’s back.

“Ah, ah, ahh.” (Sandrone)

“…” (Richter)

“Hoho, a magical tool that stimulates the back.” (Aries)

I, Richter, and Aries all watched.

Well, of course we did. Sandrone’s expression as she moaned and trembled slightly each time her ample chest moved. It was hard not to look. Her face flushed, showing both pleasure and embarrassment.

Richter silently left the room. I spoke to Aries.

“These will be mass-produced and installed in the Super Public Bath. They will feel wonderful.” (Gentoku)

“Hmm, I wish to try one as well.” (Aries)

“After Sandrone is done. So, how is it?” (Gentoku)

“It feels so good.” (Sandrone)

Good grief, what is with this woman?

Incidentally, it was later discovered that I had been watching her with indecent thoughts, and Sandrone elbowed me sharply.

For now, it seemed my work was complete.

 

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