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

 

 

First Comes the Prototype

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

After returning to the Edelstein Kingdom, several days passed before I resumed work.

My primary duties involved the repair and production of magical tools. However, I did not intend to immediately start creating items like “Cheat tools made from Japanese knowledge to amaze the people of this world”. Truth be told, I had already done plenty of that. During my time in the Snowden Kingdom, I had freely shared many of my ideas. For now, I decided to simply jot down new ones and focus on crafting toys for my personal enjoyment.

At present, I was in the first-floor workshop of my workplace, processing the bones of a Metal Orc. By applying magic to my fingertips, I transformed them into burners, cutting, joining, and shaping the bones accordingly.

“Alright, this should do.” (Gentoku)

What I had made was a wheel. However, it was not particularly large, about the size of a discus used in athletics. My ultimate goal was to build a motorcycle, but for now, I intended to start with a miniature version.

“I suppose the tire section can be made using the hide of a Rubber Cobra.” (Gentoku)

The Rubber Cobra was a snake as black as pitch, known for its rubber-like skin. In this world, its hide was occasionally used as a substitute for rope, but due to its high cost and the availability of cheaper alternatives, it was not in common use.

I carefully cut the hide of the Rubber Cobra.

“Ordinarily, one would cover this and insert an air-filled tube, but that seems a bit difficult to craft. Perhaps wrapping it around the wheel will do.” (Gentoku)

I wrapped the Rubber Cobra’s hide around the wheel, allowing it to serve as a substitute for a rubber tire. When I lightly dropped it to the floor, it bounced up like a rubber ball.

“It bounces quite a bit. Well, let’s test it like this for now. Hm? Wait.” (Gentoku)

As I looked at the discus-like tire, an idea came to mind.

“I should test the frame’s strength as well. Perhaps I’ll craft that next.” (Gentoku)

With that thought, I began processing the Metal Orc bones into a frame.

 

—

 

When I paused my work to take a short break,

“Kyuuun, Oji-chan.” (Lisa)

“Hm? Oh, Lisa-chan, isn’t it?” (Gentoku)

“Wauu.” (Hikoroku)

Lisa-chan had come to visit, riding atop Hikoroku.

Surprisingly, she was alone. After dismounting, she hugged a fox plushie to her chest and approached me.

I crouched down and gently patted her head.

“Welcome. It’s unusual to see you by yourself today.” (Gentoku)

“Kyuu… Kuroha went out with Mama, and my Mama is helping Papa. Yuki is also with her Mama.” (Lisa)

I see. So, Yuki-chan and Kuroha-chan are spending time with their mothers, and Lisa-chan’s mother is helping her father. That must be why she came to visit me.

“Oji-chan, can we play?” (Lisa)

“Of course.” (Gentoku)

Lisa-chan was often the quiet one behind Yuki-chan and Kuroha-chan. Even now, she half-hid her face behind her plushie, her large fox ears slightly drooping. She was probably a shy child by nature, though she seemed somewhat comfortable around me.

“Ah, that’s right. Lisa-chan, would you like to help me with my work?” (Gentoku)

“Help?” (Lisa)

“Yes. I’ll make sure to pay you properly.” (Gentoku)

“Okay… I’ll do it.” (Lisa)

Her large, fluffy tail swayed cheerfully.

I seated Lisa-chan on a chair in the workshop, just as Daifuku came down from the second-floor office. Daifuku curled up beside her, and Lisa-chan smiled as she petted the cat’s fur.

Taking advantage of the moment, I completed the frame, attached the wheels, and fixed the saddle and pedals.

“All done. Lisa-chan, are you ready?” (Gentoku)

“Kyuu… what is this?” (Lisa)

What I had built was a child’s tricycle. It was a simple model, exactly like the kind toddlers would ride, with pedals attached to the front wheel. I needed data on such vehicles to prepare for building a motorcycle.

“Lisa-chan, first, sit on this seat.” (Gentoku)

“Kyuu.” (Lisa)

She sat on the tricycle’s seat and grasped the handlebars. As she did, her large golden tail swayed gently from side to side.

“Your feet go on the pedals. Yes, right there.” (Gentoku)

“Like this?” (Lisa)

“Yes. Now, try moving your legs slowly to pedal.” (Gentoku)

“Pedal?” (Lisa)

“Yes, move your legs in a circle like this, and…” (Gentoku)

As Lisa-chan began to pedal, the front wheel started turning, and the tricycle began to move.

“Wow, it’s moving!” (Lisa)

“Slowly now, keep it steady.” (Gentoku)

Lisa-chan pedaled along, the tricycle making cheerful squeaking sounds. She circled around the wide road in front of the workshop while I observed her carefully.

“The tire’s rubber section seems fine. The frame is sturdy and doesn’t deform either.” (Gentoku)

Although the load on a tricycle was much lighter than that of a motorcycle, the data would still be valuable.

After a while, Lisa-chan stopped in front of me.

“Kyuu, that was fun!” (Lisa)

“I’m glad. Did you notice anything strange?” (Gentoku)

“Hmm… my bottom hurts.” (Lisa)

“I see. I should make the saddle a bit softer.” (Gentoku)

As I recorded the data into the specifications sheet,

“You’re making something interesting again, aren’t you?” (Sandrone)

“Hm? Oh, Sandrone and the others.” (Gentoku)

Sandrone, Richter, and Yeran had arrived.

Startled by the three, whom she was not very familiar with, Lisa-chan hid behind me.

“So, you’ve returned, Sandrone, Richter.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, we came back from the Snowden Kingdom yesterday. We handed over the remaining tasks to another team, so now it’s back to work here in the Edelstein Kingdom.” (Sandrone)

“Yo, Gentoku. You’re making something again, huh?” (Richter)

“Yes, a tricycle, a vehicle for children.” (Gentoku)

Sandrone looked at the tricycle before me.

“Oh… this is quite interesting.” (Sandrone)

“It’s basically a children’s toy. There isn’t even a magic stone used in it.” (Gentoku)

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

“I do, but I’m still collecting data, so don’t take it yet.” (Gentoku)

“Kyuu, that’s mine…” (Lisa)

Lisa protested softly from behind me.

Sandrone smiled wryly, crouched down, and spoke gently to her.

“I’m sorry, dear. Don’t worry, I won’t take it. May I just take a quick look?” (Sandrone)

“Okay.” (Lisa)

Then, Sandrone and Yeran examined the tricycle while looking over the specification sheet I had handed them.

“This is quite fascinating. What do you think, Yeran?” (Sandrone)

“It’s a genuine children’s toy, without any magic stone embedded. If we just adjust the design, we could move it into production right away. It’s really interesting.” (Yeran)

“Then, let’s submit it as a new product candidate for this month’s meeting.” (Sandrone)

“Yeah, that sounds exciting.” (Yeran)

I had yet to agree to anything, but somehow the tricycle had already been designated as a new product.

 

—

 

As payment for her help, I gave the prototype tricycle to Lisa-chan.

“Thank you, Oji-chan.” (Lisa)

“You’re welcome. But make sure to watch your surroundings carefully when you ride.” (Gentoku)

“Okay, kyururu… I’m so happy.” (Lisa)

Lisa-chan was overjoyed.

When she tried to ride home on the tricycle, I stopped her and asked Yeran to escort her instead.

Afterward, I invited Sandrone and Richter out to a tavern.

“Tomorrow, we’ll be processing the royalty payments.” (Sandrone)

As soon as we sat down, Sandrone mentioned it.

The amount, it seemed, was considerable. It included the licensing fees for the Super Public Bath concept, the massage chairs, and the bubble bath units. Even the 10 billion transferred from Aries had already arrived. It was enough to distort one’s sense of money.

“That’s perfect. I’ll be needing quite a bit more soon.” (Gentoku)

“And what exactly are you making now?” (Sandrone)

“That’s a secret, heh heh heh.” (Gentoku)

I was sorry, but even after completing my motorcycle and riding freely, I would not be showing anyone the specifications immediately.

An otherworldly motorcycle. First, I intended to enjoy it myself.

 

—

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