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

 

 

Returning Home

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The journey back from Leredore to the Edelstein Kingdom was an opportunity, so we decided to return by what we called the “Super Public Bath Route.”

It was a new road connecting the Edelstein Kingdom and the Snowden Kingdom, introduced to me by Sandrone. It was a wide, well-maintained highway, with no snow at all upon it.

This sight astonished Rosso and the others.

“Th-the road feels slippery… no, rather, rough to the touch.” (Rosso)

Rosso had noticed.

Indeed, the road was not a mere compacted dirt path but rather like brickwork, or stone pavement, or to put it bluntly, asphalt paving.

To the four girls who looked puzzled, I explained.

“This is what we call an ‘asphalt-paved’ road, the latest style of highway.” (Gentoku)

“Asufaruto…?” (All Four Girls)

All four turned toward me from the carriage window and spoke in perfect unison. They really were in sync.

“Well, to be exact, it is not asphalt. Aries solidified the ground with magic, and during that process, she altered the soil’s composition to make its surface rough and slip-resistant, as well as water-repellent.” (Gentoku)

This was a magic technique developed when I was experimenting to see if I could reproduce an asphalt-like substance through earth magic. Aries had taken an interest in it and completed the technique herself.

I did not fully understand the mechanism, but Aries had said, “I shall register this new magic under your name”/ Apparently, there exists an organization known as the Magic Guild. Honestly, I had no desire to become entangled with such large institutions regarding magic affairs, but Aries had pressed me until I accepted.

Then, Blanche noticed something.

“Oh? There is a hole in the middle of the road… It looks like a showerhead.” (Blanche)

“Oh, you noticed. Look carefully.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed, there seems to be water coming out.” (Blanche)

Embedded in the middle of the road was something resembling a showerhead.

“This is called a ‘snow-melting pipe.’ It is a device that melts snow.” (Gentoku)

“To melt snow… Indeed, there is none accumulated on this road.” (Blanche)

Water flowed gently from the pipe toward both sides of the road.

This ensured that snow would not pile up upon it.

“I designed this as well. Building new highways is good, but it increases the burden on snow removal crews. So, I thought it best to integrate a method to reduce the need for snow clearing.” (Gentoku)

The mechanism was simple. Pipes were laid beneath the soil before paving, and groundwater was circulated through them so that water would naturally flow from the holes. This region, rich in both hot springs and groundwater, made the construction effortless.

Still, what truly astonished me was how swiftly Sandrone began construction once I shared the idea, and how Aries single-handedly managed the paving of such a vast road with her magic. Though the beastkin had assisted, according to Richter, Aries had personally cleared the felled trees with magic, buried the pipes beneath the paved road, and even erected the fences herself.

Her speed was astounding. To think the return journey could be this easy.

“Hikoroku seems to walk more comfortably.” (Aoi)

“Woof.” (Hikoroku)

“The ride is smoother. Quite comfortable indeed.” (Blanche)

“Fwaa… The less it shakes, the better I can sleep. I shall take a nap.” (Rosso)

“Me too, perhaps.” (Verde)

Rosso and Verde climbed to the second floor.

I sipped coffee and admired the sight of the firmly paved road.

 

—

 

From there, our journey progressed smoothly.

We spent a night in a small village along the new highway, visited the under-construction “Super Public Bath”, and after a week of travel, the snow disappeared. Warm, gentle weather greeted us.

Crossing the border of Snowden, we finally returned to the Edelstein Kingdom. It was mid-January, ordinarily a time when snow would linger and one would remain nestled within the kotatsu.

“It’s warm.” (Gentoku)

“Spring.” (Aoi)

It was spring already.

Aoi and I sat on the driver’s bench, watching Hikoroku’s head and the scenery ahead. Blue sky, white clouds, a soft breeze, and the scent of greenery. Even Hikoroku seemed to trot cheerfully along the road.

“Ah, we are home at last.” (Gentoku)

“Mm. Did you enjoy your vacation, Oji-san?” (Aoi)

“Yes. It was the best.” (Gentoku)

My skin was smoother than ever, and I even gained a new family member, a Hundred-Year cat.

“Oji-san, will you be working hard again for a while?” (Aoi)

“Yes. There are things I want to do, so I will take it slow while working.” (Gentoku)

“What kind of things?” (Aoi)

“Building vehicles.” (Gentoku)

“Vehicles…?” (Aoi)

Aoi pointed at Hikoroku and then at the carriage.

“Well, similar but not quite the same. For now, it’s still a secret.” (Gentoku)

 

—

 

We entered the Edelstein Kingdom, and the carriage stopped near my workplace, the Oda Magical Tool Development Laboratory.

There, familiar faces awaited.

“Nyaa, Oji-chan.” (Yuki)

“Gau.” (Kuroha)

“Kyu.” (Lisa)

Yuki-chan, Kuroha-chan, and Lisa-chan were playing with a ball I had made.

As I stepped down from the carriage, the three of them ran toward me.

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“It has been a while. What are you three doing here?” (Gentoku)

“This place is spacious, easy to play in. It is our playground.” (Yuki)

“I-I see.” (Gentoku)

Apparently, they had made the front of my workplace their playground. Rosso and the others disembarked and took turns holding the girls.

“Mmm, it has been a while since I touched cat ears. Yuki, have you been well?” (Rosso)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

“R-Rosso!! Who is that child…?” (Verde)

“Oh, this is Yuki. That one is Kuroha, and that one is Lisa. They’re the children of Miss Snow, who manages our base. Aren’t they adorable?” (Rosso)

“Adorable… Say, may I visit that base as well?” (Verde)

“Of course. You are one of the Scarlet Camellia. What about your two attendants? Will they help manage the base?” (Rosso)

“Of course! Hehe, communal living… how exciting.” (Verde)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“So cute. There, there, I am Verde. Nice to meet you.” (Verde)

Verde gently petted Yuki, Kuroha, and Lisa in turn.

Then Daifuku and Shiratama descended from the carriage, and Yuki leapt from Rosso’s arms.

“Cat!!” (Yuki)

“Nyaa.” (Shiratama)

“Mii, mii.” (Daifuku)

Ah, because they were both cats. Yuki held Shiratama and nuzzled her cheek.

“Oji-chan, cat…” (Yuki)

“Yes, these two are my new family members. They will be living with me starting today.” (Gentoku)

“Cat… If I visit Oji-chan’s place, can I see them?” (Yuki)

“Of course. Please be kind to them.” (Gentoku)

“Gau… no wolves?” (Kuroha)

“Kyun, fox…” (Lisa)

“Ah, well… not this time.” (Gentoku)

Dogs and cats could be raised if found, but wolves and foxes were difficult. I felt sorry for Kuroha and Lisa, but perhaps one day, though who knew if that chance would come. Then, Shiratama licked Yuki’s face, slipped from her hands, and returned to Daifuku.

At that moment, Snow-san arrived to meet us.

“Welcome back, everyone.” (Snow)

“Snow-san, it has been a while. Ah, that reminds me.” (Gentoku)

I handed her the souvenir buns I had brought.

“This is a gift. Please share some with Kuroha-chan and Lisa-chan as well.” (Gentoku)

“My, how thoughtful. Oh? A cat…” (Snow)

“Nya.” (Daifuku)

“Eh? Yes…” (Gentoku)

“Nya, Nyaa, Nyaa.” (Daifuku)

“From Yuki? I see… Shiratama, is it? Yes… Are you certain about this?” (Snow)

“Nya.” (Daifuku)

“I understand.” (Snow)

Eh, what just happened?

Daifuku and Miss Snow had started conversing, and somehow Shiratama walked over to Yuki.

Everyone tilted their heads as Snow-san turned to Rosso.

“Rosso-san, Daifuku-san wishes to entrust Shiratama-san to Yuki.” (Snow)

“What? What do you mean?” (Rosso)

“She says she wants Shiratama to see the wider world, to play and learn with Yuki, and to grow healthy. She believes she has aged and can no longer show her much, and she hopes Shiratama will not turn out like her.” (Snow)

“So, we’ll keep her at the base? We don’t mind, but… are you sure about this?” (Rosso)

“Me? Well, if Daifuku has decided… Though, isn’t Shiratama only about a month old? Is she weaned already?” (Gentoku)

“Nya.” (Daifuku)

“She can already eat regular food. As a Hundred-Year cat, her long lifespan grants her intelligence and strong organs. Recently, she has preferred slices of fish over milk.” (Snow)

I see. That is new to me.

Yuki held Shiratama in her arms.

“Nya…” (Yuki)

“Mii.” (Shiratama)

A white cat and a cat-eared girl, what an adorable sight.

I stroked Daifuku’s back and spoke to Yuki.

“Yuki-chan, this little one is called Shiratama. She wants to be your friend. Would you spend happy times together with her from now on?” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa. Friends! I’ll play with everyone!” (Yuki)

“Thank you. Daifuku will be at my home, so please visit and play together.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaau.” (Yuki)

Thus, Shiratama was entrusted to Yuki.

I unloaded the luggage and watched the carriage depart. When I opened the door to my workplace, Daifuku slipped inside and, without any prompting, climbed to the second floor.

When I opened the office door, I found her already sitting neatly on the sofa.

“Are you sure you want to stay there? This is my workplace. My home is elsewhere, you know.” (Gentoku)

“Nya.” (Daifuku)

“Well, I suppose it’s fine. Ah, it feels good to be back.” (Gentoku)

Thanks to the management of the Real Estate Guild, the room was spotless.

I sat in my chair and stretched.

“Well then, I’ll rest tomorrow… and resume work the day after.” (Gentoku)

“Gororo.” (Daifuku)

“Haha, alright, Daifuku. From today, you’re my new employee.” (Gentoku)

“Nya.” (Daifuku)

And so, I returned home to the Edelstein Kingdom.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)