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

 

 

Scarlet Camellia

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At that time, the members of Scarlet Camellia were engaged in a rather childish quarrel.

“My chest is bigger!” (Rosso)

“No, mine is!” (Verde)

Rosso and Verde pressed their foreheads together, glaring fiercely into each other’s eyes. Ao and Blanche watched them with exasperation and sighed at the ridiculous sight.

Just then, several carriages arrived along the highway. From the leading carriage, Sandrone, Richter, and Aries stepped down, only to be struck speechless by the absurd scene before them.

“What in the world is this?” (Sandrone)

“Oh, perfect timing, Onee-san! Look at this!” (Rosso)

“Excellent. It seems we can expect a fair and impartial judge.” (Verde)

Rosso and Verde ran toward Sandrone and, at the exact same moment, shouted together.

“Which one is the bigger prey?” (Rosso and Verde)

The two pointed toward a colossal sight, two King Rock Titans.

 

—

 

After Rosso and Verde withdrew, Ao and Blanche began to explain.

“We came here to subjugate a King Rock Titan, but there were two of them.” (Ao)

“Two of them? Those are magic beasts with an SS subjugation rating.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone was astonished and could not immediately find her voice.

An SS subjugation rating signified a large-scale magic beast that appeared only once in several years. Such a creature was powerful enough to require the Royal Knights to mobilize, and its mere emergence would throw the entire kingdom into chaos.

Yet there were two of them.

“At that point, Rosso challenged Verde to a wager. I, Ao, served as their assistant. They each agreed to hunt one in pairs, and the one who completed the subjugation first would be declared the winner. The victor would then inherit the position of leader of Scarlet Camellia.” (Blanche)

“…” (Sandrone)

Sandrone could only stand speechless.

These were not foes to be taken lightly, nor adversaries meant for competition. Yet before her lay two rock giants, each thirty meters tall and more than ten meters wide, now reduced to shattered remains.

“Their defeat occurred almost simultaneously. Both claimed to have finished first, and neither would concede. So, they decided to settle the matter by comparing which of the two King Rock Titans was larger. That is how this situation came to be.” (Blanche)

“I see.” (Sandrone)

It was an utterly foolish matter, though Sandrone refrained from saying so aloud.

From the other carriages, beastkin workers dispatched by Amethyst Cleaning disembarked one after another. They had originally been sent to dismantle the magic beasts and clear the land for the super public bath project, but they now stood dumbfounded at the sight of two slain magic beasts.

Then, Rosso spoke.

“So, Onee-san, which one’s bigger?” (Rosso)

“It is obviously mine!” (Verde)

“No way, it is mine!” (Rosso)

“Grrr!” (Rosso/Verde)

The two glared at one another again, their standoff showing no sign of ending.

Seeing this, Sandrone cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Listen carefully, both of you. The King Rock Titans you defeated have had their heads completely pulverized. Therefore, it is impossible to determine their exact size. This contest is void.” (Sandrone)

“What?” (Rosso/Verde)

“As the leader of a team called Scarlet Camellia, one should not act selfishly in such situations.” (Sandrone)

“…” (Rosso/Verde)

Rosso and Verde exchanged glances and sighed in unison.

“Well, fine.” (Rosso)

“Yes, Rosso, I shall leave the position of leader to you.” (Verde)

“All right, all right. Ah, I am starving. Onee-san, can we head back now? You will take care of the cleanup, right?” (Rosso)

“Yes. Oh, but what about the materials?” (Sandrone)

“It is fine. We only needed some exercise anyway. You are going to use the materials here, are you not?” (Rosso)

“Yes. In that case, I will pay only the official subjugation reward. Receive it at the Adventurer Guild.” (Sandrone)

“Got it. All right then, Scarlet Camellia, withdraw!” (Rosso)

“Yeah!” (Ao, Verde, and Blanche)

The four climbed aboard the carriage drawn by Hikuroku, chatting cheerfully about how hungry they were and how they should visit the old man’s place next.

Aries, who had been silent until now, spoke to Sandrone.

“It is astonishing enough that there were two SS-class subjugation targets. To think that only four people managed to eliminate them.” (Aries)

“Indeed. Their heads were the only parts destroyed, while the rest of the bodies remain intact. Let us have the beastkin handle the dismantling.” (Sandrone)

“Agreed. We should also establish a base for the beastkin in this area. There will be land development for the super public bath as well. I shall handle that part with my magic. It has been some time since I last excavated a hot spring.” (Aries)

“All necessary building materials have already been ordered through the Alexandrite Company. The flooring materials for the underfloor heating are scheduled to arrive from the Edelstein Kingdom as well.” (Sandrone)

“Excellent. The planned construction period is two months. In that time, we shall excavate the hot spring, construct the buildings, and complete the roadworks. Beastkin workers of Amethyst Cleaning, I am counting on you.” (Aries)

“Understood.” (Beastkin)

Thus, began the Snowden Super Public Bath Project conceived by Gentoku.

 

—

 

When Rosso and her companions returned to the villa, Schwan and Miles greeted them.

“Welcome back.” (Schwan/Miles)

“We are home, you two. Is dinner ready?” (Rosso)

“Yes, everything is prepared.” (Miles)

Miles bowed respectfully, and Rosso spoke again.

“Dinner sounds good, but I would like to take a bath first.” (Rosso)

“The hot spring is already prepared.” (Schwan)

“Yes.” (Rosso)

Schwan had anticipated her request.

The group decided to bathe first and eat afterward, then proceeded to the bath. Blanche’s villa was smaller than Gentoku’s but had its own hot spring and open-air bath.

In the changing room, the four undressed and entered the bathing area.

“Ah, I am so tired. Hey, Blanche, could you wash my hair?” (Rosso)

“Honestly, but I suppose your poor hair would be pitiful if washed carelessly. Very well.” (Blanche)

Blanche seated Rosso and began to wash her hair. She worked up a fine lather with the hair soap and gently massaged Rosso’s brilliant red hair, scrubbing her scalp with expert care.

“Ah, that feels so good.” (Rosso)

“Do not make such strange noises.” (Blanche)

“Mmm, I am jealous.” (Verde)

“Sit down, Verde.” (Ao)

Ao tapped the stool beside her, and Verde smiled brightly as she sat down. Ao lathered the soap and began to wash Verde’s hair.

“Your hair is softer than Rosso’s.” (Ao)

“Of course. It is fluffy, is it not?” (Verde)

Rosso’s hair became heavy when wet, whereas Verde’s remained soft and buoyant. As Ao washed Verde’s hair, she noticed something.

“Ah, that feels wonderful.” (Verde)

“…” (Ao)

Her chest.

When Ao massaged Verde’s scalp, Verde’s chest trembled slightly. Ao glanced to the side and saw Rosso’s chest swaying as well, and Blanche’s too.

Ao looked down at her own chest.

“…” (Ao)

It was not small, yet compared to the others, it was modest.

“Ouch, Ao, that hurts.” (Verde)

“Oh, I am sorry.” (Ao)

Without realizing it, Ao had begun to scrub Verde’s scalp too roughly. She sighed softly.

“It does not matter. They only get in the way anyway.” (Ao)

“Ao, did you say something?” (Verde)

“No.” (Ao)

“Then, it is my turn to wash your hair. I have always wanted to touch it. It looks so beautiful and silky.” (Verde)

“All right, please do.” (Ao)

Their work for the day was at last complete.

The four relaxed in the hot spring, enjoyed a delicious meal afterward, and talked about visiting Gentoku’s place the next day.

Thus ended another peaceful day.

 

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