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

 

 

Klein Magical Trading Company Workshop

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

A few days later.

At the workplace gathered were me, Sandrone, Richter, and the four members of the Scarlet Camellia.

Today, from now, we are going to the magical apparatus workshop of the Klein Magical Trading Company. Well, it is something like observing a workplace.

“I feel kind of excited about the magical apparatus workshop!!” (Rosso)

“…You have only ever seen the Oji-san’s work, haven’t you?” (Ao)

“Rosso, please remember, no rampaging, no making noise, and no shouting.” (Verde)

“Fufun. I shall properly fulfill the escort request!!” (Rosso)

Rosso and the others are as reliable as ever.

When I looked at Sandrone, she had a complex expression while holding her kiseru.

“Hey, are you alright?” (Gentoku)

“…What do you mean?” (Sandrone)

“Well, you looked like you had a complicated expression.” (Gentoku)

“It’s nothing. On the contrary, I am excited. To think we can observe the workshop of one of the Four Great Trading Companies, and moreover, the world’s greatest magical apparatus trading company.” (Sandrone)

I had also informed them that Sandrone would come along, but the reply was a simple “OK.”

Perhaps they do not see her as a business rival, or perhaps it is Michaela’s composure.

Then, two carriages arrived in front of the workplace. From the driver’s seat descended an elderly man, who bowed to us.

“Gentoku-sama, Sandrone-sama. I have come to escort you.” (Elderly man)

“Ah, thank you.” (Gentoku)

Since my name came first, I guess I am the main guest.

Sandrone and I boarded the first carriage. The rest boarded the second. Richter, surrounded by four women in a cramped carriage, might consider that heaven.

After an hour of travel, we arrived at the industrial district of the royal capital of the Edelstein Kingdom.

“The industrial district, huh. I’ve never been here since there aren’t any restaurants around.” (Gentoku)

“…Our workshop is also located in this district.” (Sandrone)

“Haha. Back then, your place was small, with the main office and the workshop together. You’ve come a long way.” (Gentoku)

The industrial district.

This area contains the magical apparatus workshops of large trading companies and factories that produce components and parts. It is next to the district where I often go to restaurants, and after work, the people working here tend to flow directly into the dining area.

For independent artisans like me, the shop and the workshop are one, but for large companies, it is common to establish factories and workshops in this district. In a way, having a workshop or factory here is considered proof of being first-class.

After about another hour, the carriage stopped.

The door opened, and Sandrone and I got out. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to offer my hand to help her down.

“…This is incredible.” (Gentoku)

The reason I forgot to lend my hand was the sheer size of the workshop. It was enormous, towering above us like a fortress. It resembled a school gymnasium or perhaps an airport hangar. It looked like airplanes could be stored inside. Such a building stood before my eyes.

Sandrone stood beside me.

“It is as large as ever. As expected from the workshop and factory of one of the Four Great Trading Companies.” (Sandrone)

“It’s insanely big. How many people work here?” (Gentoku)

“Roughly five thousand.” (Abel)

Before us appeared Abel.

“Good afternoon, Gentoku-san, Sandrone.” (Abel)

“Hey. Thanks for having us today.” (Gentoku)

Honestly, this felt like a sightseeing trip.

Abel glanced briefly at Sandrone and smiled.

“I did not expect you to come as well.” (Abel)

“…Is that a problem? I intend to observe thoroughly today.” (Sandrone)

“Of course not. Now then, let me guide you.” (Abel)

Rosso and the others joined us, appearing surprised by the scale of the building unlike anything they had seen before.

 

—

 

Guided by Abel, we entered the workshop.

Beyond the large gate was another massive door. When it opened, rows upon rows of desks appeared, with a large number of people writing something. There were more than a hundred of them.

“This is where we design the magical apparatus.” (Abel)

“Design? Then those people are designers?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Based on the magical apparatus designed by Michaela, the designers create new variations. For a single magical apparatus, over a hundred designs are born.” (Abel)

“Heh…” (Gentoku)

“A hundred people. That is an incredible number.” (Rosso)

Rosso and the others observed the designers’ tables. I did not intend to watch their work, so I talked with Abel.

“Basically, Michaela conceives the magical apparatus. The others refine her designs, create numerous new patterns, produce them in the factory, and then sell them. That is the process.” (Abel)

“Michaelaalone comes up with the ideas?” (Gentoku)

“No. Other magical technicians also propose ideas. The Klein Magical Trading Company’s executives then review them, and with Michaela’s approval, production begins.” (Abel)

“I see. I do everything by my own ideas, but that sounds like quite a process.” (Gentoku)

Well, I suppose that is how normal companies work. I do not know exactly how Sandrone handles production, but it is probably similar.

“Now then, let us move to the next area. The production factory is currently in operation, so we will visit the magical technicians’ workshop instead.” (Abel)

“Got it. Hey, you all, come along.” (Gentoku)

“Yes!!” (All)

Rosso and the others came running. I felt like a teacher leading a group of children.

 

—

 

We arrived at a room where the magical technicians gathered.

It was quite spacious, resembling a conference room. There was a large table at the center, huge bookshelves along the walls, and countless drawing desks. Documents and unfinished specifications were scattered across the floor.

Everyone was working silently, muttering to themselves. Men and women, young and old, all had unfocused eyes.

“This feels scary in a way I’ve never seen before.” (Rosso)

“Is this what they call a battlefield?” (Ao)

Rosso and Ao hid behind my back.

There were about 30 magical technicians in the room.

Abel spoke.

“They are currently trying to determine the magical script for the lightning attribute. They discovered the lightning attribute itself and have ideas for using it in magical apparatus, but they have yet to find the crucial magical script that symbolizes lightning.” (Abel)

For fire, one carves “fire”. For water, “water”. However, the magical script for “lightning” has not yet been discovered by anyone.

Richter warned us not to step on the documents on the floor.

“The magical script for the lightning attribute. If discovered, one’s name will be recorded in history.” (Richter)

“Yes. Gentoku-san, in fact, this was originally the request we intended to commission to you. The magical script for lightning. You might already know it, don’t you?” (Abel)

At that moment, all 30 magical technicians turned their bloodshot eyes toward us.

“Eek!?” (Rosso)

“They look like ghost-type magic beasts.” (Verde)

Verde grabbed my arm, and Blanche flinched. I was also startled. 30 silent people staring at me was unnerving. When I shook my head, all 30 of them turned away simultaneously.

Terrifying.

“My apologies. Everyone is desperate for the special bonus and the honor of discovering a new magical script.” (Abel)

“T-that’s too scary. What kind of bonus are we talking about?” (Gentoku)

“20 billion Sedols as a special bonus, and a workshop in the most prestigious district of the capital.” (Abel)

No wonder they were desperate.

Then, Sandrone spoke.

“Abel, the request to Gentoku. It was for the magical script?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. The discovery of the magical script that symbolizes lightning. That is why the Klein Magical Trading Company gathered so many magical technicians.” (Abel)

Magical script. The symbols for earth, water, fire, wind, light, and darkness were all discovered by someone across long history. For me, they are obvious, but in a world without kanji, it must be difficult.

Rosso and the others spread out to observe the technicians’ work.

“Abel, how did you discover the lightning attribute?” (Gentoku)

“It was by chance. While Michaela and I were conducting trade negotiations around the world, we purchased several mines. From one of them, a mineral used by the Fairies in rituals was excavated. It is called the charm stone.” (Abel)

“The charm stone…” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Michaela then consulted with Mr. Wenty of the Wenty Food Trading Company to research the charm stone. They found that when two are rubbed together, they emit a violet light. Upon closer investigation, it was neither fire nor light but an entirely new phenomenon. We reported this to Lord Poisson and demonstrated it before him. He then named the phenomenon lightning.” (Abel)

That sounded like a very otherworldly story. What even is a charm stone?

Abel took out a small iron box from his pocket and showed the violet-colored stone inside.

“This is the charm stone. The Fairies believe that a god dwells within it.” (Abel)

“I see.” (Gentoku)

It was a deep violet stone. Abel rubbed two together, and indeed, electric sparks burst out. It was a phenomenon I could not explain even with my knowledge from Japan, truly an otherworldly material.

“Lightning, a completely new source of energy. Michaela believes that this attribute can infuse power into magic stones. And she intends to use that energy to create new magical apparatus.” (Abel)

“Wait, energy. Do you mean the energy that drives magical apparatus?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. If we use the power of lightning as energy to operate magical apparatus, the magic stone serving as the power source would no longer be destroyed. In other words, by replenishing lightning alone, the magical apparatus could be used permanently.” (Abel)

“…!!” (Gentoku/Sandrone)

That was it.

Michaela intends to create a battery that utilizes lightning. If the battery alone can be replaced, the magical apparatus can be used forever. For example, a freezer uses a cold air magic stone. If this is replaced by a lightning-powered battery system, the effect of cold air remains, but the burden on the magic stone and the energy required are completely supplied by the battery.

The cold air magic stone remains intact, while the battery bears the strain. Just replace the battery, and the device itself stays the same.

I realized it, and Sandrone realized it as well.

“Could it be that Michaela intends to monopolize the mechanism of that energy?” (Sandrone)

If all magical apparatus become battery-operated, then repairs would no longer require complex work, only battery replacement. If the battery is cartridge-based, even an amateur could replace it. In other words, the work of magical technicians would decrease.

“In time, the magical technicians will all fall under the umbrella of the Klein Magical Trading Company.” (Abel)

“…” (Gentoku)

Abel looked at me.

As if saying, Join us.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)