Translator Corner
This is Yukkuri
demasu!
Sorry for the last
release…
August is a busy
month.
No. White text or
Weird button this week…… Not enough time…
DISCLAIMER: There is no
guarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I was
wrong.
Translator:
Yukkuri Oniisan
Editor:
TheDefend
Chapter 53 Get a Mochi from a
Mochi Shop[1]
It had been 3 hours since Kazura left the ranch.
Kazura was in the conference corner of a certain construction company
within the prefecture.[2]
The one who meet with Kazura was a middle-aged man who wore this company’s
uniform who had a grim expression when he looked at the massive amount of
documents spread around at the table.
At Kazura’s side of the table was the man’s business card, beside the man’s
name, the card also described his job title, 『Chief Clerk』.
The documents at the table were the copy of flood-control construction documents
that Kazura brought from Isteria.
While en route to this construction company, he visited a convenience store
and made copies of the whole documents in his hand.
「Um you know, if you bring so
many documents and ask us to make flood-control construction plan, even we
will be troubled by it.」(Chief Clerk)
The Chief Clerk raised his head from the documents and began to speak with a
really unpleased expression.
「Also, what do you mean by “make
the construction plan without doing the construction itself”? Furthermore, you
also say there is a restriction to use only the designated technology, but just
by looking at what is written here, you mean for us to make a plan for the
construction, using only ancient technology, right?」(Chief Clerk)
「Well, I deeply apologized for
the sudden weird request. However, I really need a flood-control construction
plan with this geographic feature at any cost. Can’t you somehow accept this
request?」(Kazura)
Kazura requested while bowing his head. The Chief Clerk let out a sigh and
threw his back at the chair.
From his attitude, it was clear that he thought that Kazura as a 『troublesome fellow』.
「Shino-san, you should have
asked a college professor who studies ancient technology for this. To request this
from a company that does public works, isn’t it a bit strange if you think
about it?」(Chief Clerk)
「That might be true, however when
it is about the details of the plan that need to be performed, then it will be
better to request this to your company who always engaged in actual
construction works since I think it will be more accurate this way……
Furthermore, there is somewhat a reason behind this, but there is no much time.
Although it will depend on when the construction will begin, but I need the plan
as soon as possible……」(Kazura)
When Kazura spoke this, the Chief Clerk showed a doubting expression on his
face.
「As soon as possible…… Even
though we didn’t do the actual construction. For what reason you need that plan
badly? Do you want to use the plan for writing a thesis?」(Chief Clerk)
「Ah, umm, that is……」(Kazura)
「Hey, you guys have a somewhat
interesting discussion.」(Old Guy)
When Kazura was at a loss for an answer, an elderly white-haired man who
had come approaching since some time ago, addressed them from behind Kazura.
「O, this is a blueprint for
ancient construction, tight? Although it is written in some letters I can’t
recognize, but this is quite a proper blueprint.」(Old Guy)
The elderly man said, 「Excuse me for a bit」 and took a seat beside Kazura as he began to look with a great interest in
the documents that Kazura brought.
「Let’s see, the used technology
and tools can’t exceed the limitation…… I see, so this detail means a
technology level similar to the Middle East or Europe at 2000 BCE? The scope is
quite huge. Which country is this?」(Old Guy)
「U-um, Director, since I am the
one dealing with this matter, then……」(Chief Clerk)
While showing a troubled expression, the Chief Clerk, who was discussing
with Kazura earlier, addressed the elderly man, who read the documents at the
table one after another while nodding and humming.
It looks like, this elderly man was this company’s director. A relatively
high position.
「Although you saying you
dealing with this, from the conversation I heard until now you didn’t show any
interest to accept this job. Even the client who brought the job bowed his head
down, so what’s with that attitude?」(Director)
「But-but this, whatever the
circumstances may be, but the content…… Brought documents of blueprint from
unknown age and requesting to make a construction plan without doing the actual
construction and only using ancient methods is too……」(Chief Clerk)
When the Chief Clerk gave such an answer, the Director had veins appeared on
his forehead as he shouted in a dreadful angry look.
To say nothing about the Chief Clerk who was the target of that shout, Kazura
who sat beside the Director instinctively duck his body.
「Whether or not you do or not
do the construction itself, this client’s request content is in our field of
expertise! Don’t make a stingy reason to choose your work‼ I will take over
from here on, so you just return to your own job‼」(Director)
The Director rattle on without stop and drove out the Chief Clerk from the
conference corner with a strong kick.
The company employees, who was passing by in the corridor and heard the
Director’s enormous angry shouts, peeked at the conference corner and looked at
each other as if asking what had happened.
「U-umm, then do you mean this
company accepts this request……?」(Kazura)
Although Kazura was taken aback at how the events progressed that passed
away like a storm, he addressed the Director who was muttering in indignation 「Really, young ‘un these days…」.
After hearing Kazura’s question, The Director immediately softened his
expression and made a smile.
「Certainly, although I don’t
really understand without hearing the whole details, but it isn’t something
impossible to do.」(Director)
「Oh, I’m glad to hear that!
Then, the content of the construction plan that I want you to draw up is……」(Kazura)
「Before that please tell me. These
blueprints, what country did they come from? It scope didn’t like something
from Ancient Greece and it is quite unlike the Carthaginian or Assyrian one……
This is embarrassing, but I couldn’t guess where the country this from.」(Director)
Although the Director furrowed his brow, he asked Kazura while his eyes
darted around the blueprints with a really interested expression.
His eyes were filled with curiosity just like a child had been given a gift
of toy that he like.
「Ah, that is, all the blueprint
is from a fictional ancient age.」(Kazura)
The Director showed a bit surprised expression at Kazura’s answer.
「Oh, this is all fictional?」(Director)
「Yes, I want to perform a flood-control
construction project for the river that passed in the city based on this fictional
ancient age blueprint. As for the content of that blueprint, parts of the levee
construction ended up burst when the amount of rainfall increased, that’s why I
want to ask your company to draw a plan to improve these constructions.」(Kazura)
「……Hmhm? This is quite
unusual…… Ah! So that’s the reason! I see I see.」(Director)
After hearing Kazura’s explanation, the Director made an odd expression
before clapping his hand and nodded as if he understood something.
「However, why this work request
isn’t using any national research institution’s name? If you bring this request
using a personal work, it will normally be not accepted.」(Director)
「Eh? Umm, national research
institution? What do you means?」(Kazura)
Since Kazura didn’t know what the Director was talking about, he returned
the question back at the director.
「Hm, no, that’s why, it’s that,
right? This is originally brought for me, right?」(Director)
「Eh?」(Kazura)
「Why? Because I am the former
River Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s……」(Director)
「……Ah! It isn’t of that sort of
thing, this is just my personal request…… So to speak, something like a hobby.」(Kazura)
Kazura could guess, that the Director seemed misunderstood something and
was talking about something else. The Director’s face then showed a rather
flustered expression.
「……I-I see. Well, I am sorry
for speaking something strange. Please forgot what I had just say now.」(Director)
「Me too, I am sorry for the
strange request. By all means, I am thankful for your cooperation.」(Kazura)
Kazura said this while bowing his head that made the Director also
following suit.
Although they had a somewhat strange discussion, they omitted to ask the
details.
In the world of adults, there were many things happened.
✦✧✦
It was 3 hours after Kazura meeting with the Director about the
construction plan began.
The necessary explanation had mostly finished, so Kazura finally could
catch his breath.
In front of Kazura, the Director sipped his tea while looking at the photographs
that Kazura handed over to him.
The whole photographs were what had been taken by Kazura in Isteria, what
depicted in them were mostly a river and its bank.
The locations that collapsed when the water previously swell in the past or
the pictures of the river taken from high altitude.
「Recently, CG technology is really
just like the real thing. It is hard to distinguish this from real photographs.」(Director)
「That’s right. The technology
advancement is really amazing.」(Kazura)
While taking a sip of his tea, Kazura gave a proper response when The
Director showed his admiration at the photographs.
He explained to the Director that the entire photographs that he gave to
the Director were made by CG synthesis.
Even though the Director were surprised by the content of the photographs, he
completely didn’t doubt that this was made with CG. Since the Director seems to
be of quite old age, he might be really unfamiliar with this matter.
「However, the armored soldiers,
the stone buildings and other details that are depicted at several places in
these photographs are really a splendid job. Is this really completely a CG?」(Director)
「Ah, that is a composite using
parts of real buildings and people, so something like a hybrid of real thing
and CG.」(Kazura)
The Director nodded 「I see, I see」 at Kazura’s explanation that seems authentic.
While looking at the photographs for awhile, the Director put them back at
the table and looked towards Kazura.
「Then, let’s talk about the
money and the time limit. With such amount, it will take quite a time to draw
the plans as it is, but how many man-hours that you able to give?」(Director)
「You’re right….. Since I want
the plan to be actually be performed inside the story setting, then I want the
plan to be something that is able to be performed before the start of rainy
season in May next year. The man-hour will be……」(Kazura)
「Hey-hey, no matter what, by
May next year will be unrealistic. With this scope, then a year of time will be
needed.」(Director)
The Director made a sour expression and pointed this out after hearing
Kazura’s answer.
Today was in the middle of August, so for the construction work to be able
finished before May next year, the construction plan would only have 8 months working
period.
By the way, the word 『Man-Hour』 that Kazura used just now is a term to refer to a workload that can be
spent to draw the plan.
For the negotiation this time, the Director was asking how much time that he
can spend for working the plan from Kazura.
「Ah, no, I only mean for the
repair work for the parts where flood occurs. The rest of construction would be
performed after the rainy seasons finished, so I only requested for the parts
that could potentially flood at the rainy seasons next year.」(Kazura)
「Hm, is that so. Then, giving
the weak sections a preferential complete repair, while the remainder sections a
temporary reinforcement, I see. Then what about the man-hour?」(Director)
「Let see, since I am just a
layman in civil engineering, I don’t know how much man-hour is needed…… But if
the amount of payment for 1 hour is this much, then how many the man-hour will
it be?」(Kazura)
Based on his experience from requesting a plan from an outsourcing company
at the company he worked before, Kazura proposed the amount of the money he offered,
which he wrote in the memo book at his hand.
The hour is really a unit of time, if it was XX hour, then the Director
would have XX hours that he could use to draw out the plan.
「Hey, hey, no matter how you
see it, this is too much. Even a 70% from this will be alright. Since this
matter comes suddenly, it is already a bit expensive, though. So, the time
limit, it will be alright if it finished so the plan could be put into practice
before rainy seasons right? Because the content of the plan would put a
preferential treatment at specific location, it might be delivered in several parts.」(Director)
「Yes, I will leave it at your
indiscretion. Also, I hope the plan would be something that can be understood just
by looking so that the ancient people could do the construction according to it.
I would be grateful if it has many illustration or figure explanation……」(Kazura)
「Somehow this is quite an elaborate
story…… Well, I will try my hand on it. After all, I am was quite free with my
position and I really like this ancient-looking talks. Also, this is the
temporary man-hour. Since this is also the first time I receive a job as
special as this, it might pass the number. I think it might not exceed twice of
this number, though.」(Director)
「I understand. Then, I won’t
mind if the man-hour is twice the amount of this number.」(Kazura)
After Kazura’s said this, the Director showed a surprised expression.
「Will it be alright for you to
be this lavish? This would cost quite a lot of money, can you really be able to
pay it?」(Director)
「Of course. After all, it won’t
be a problem if I pay half of the cost as advance payment.」(Kazura)
Kazura answered this with a calm expression, so the Director made a wry
smile while shook his head.
「No need, I’m sorry for
doubting you. However, I can’t accept half of the payment before working. After
all, this is the first time I took a job from an otaku[4],
so how could I accept the advance payment?」(Director)
「Then, for now, should I make a
deposit for the 10% of the whole man-hour?」(Kazura)
「That’s seems right. Then please
do so.」(Director)
The Director nodded and he took out a paper with 『Request Order』 printed on it from the shelf at the conference corner.
The Director scribbled a record of the work content that was contracted by
Kazura and put Kazura’s name at the Requesting Party entry.
「Since I need to settle it with
the Production Management Section[5],
please wait a moment. I will return as fast as possible.」(Director)
After the Director said this, he took the Request Order and left the
conference corner.
✦✧✦
It has been 2 hours since then.
It took quite a time to formalize the payment and delivery so when Kazura
exited the company, it was already dark.
「So tired…… But, I am really
fortunate to be helped by that man……」(Kazura)
Kazura originally intended to go around randomly to construction companies
until he finds a company that will accept his request of drawing up a
flood-control construction work plan.
Although he was half giving up to make a request to this company when he
was almost rejected by the Chief Clerk at the beginning, but he was saved when
the Director, who formerly worked in River Bureau of Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, appeared.
Perhaps, that Director position was just a formality seat in the company,
so he might have lots of free time every day.
Nonetheless, there is no doubt that he was an elite prodigy since he
formerly worked for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Since he also had an interest in the ancient construction technology,
surely he would draw up a nice plan without a problem.
「Now then, maybe I need to
sleep in a hotel today and do the purchases tomorrow.」(Kazura)
Since he was so tired, Kazura decided to postpone the remainder of today’s
plan to tomorrow and took a rest for now. He then searched for the nearest
business hotel at his navigator.
Then when he drove according to the navi’s guide, he noticed a certain
large electronic appliance store.
「……An electronic store, huh.」(Kazura)
Kazura slowed down his car while thinking for a moment and murmured then he
turned the steering wheel towards the electrical appliance store’s parking lot.
☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽
Electronic appliance
store? Where will he get the necessary electricity? Hydrogenerator? Solar
power? Fossil fuel generator? Methane generator? Greysior Assisted Mana to Electricity
Reactor (GAMER)? Loli-Assisted Spirits Energy Reactor (LASER)?
[1] The
original餅は餅屋this is an idiom: Every man to his trade which means for the best
result, one should go to the specialist who knows his business best. Mochi is
Japanese pounded rice cake. Not pound cake. But pounded.
[2] The story
is set in Gunma Prefecture (a mountainous prefecture north of Tokyo) if the
readers forget.
[4] Otaku in
this refer to enthusiast or nerd or geek, in this context, the Director thought
Kazura as an Ancient History Nerd.
[5] I think
he refer to officially draw a proper contract? I never work in a company before
so I don’t really know. Also is the term for the paper is correct?
Thanks for chapter
ReplyDeletei'm thinking more of a "double Dolphin driven discharge device"
ReplyDeleteYou can set up a mini-tiny dam and a mini generator to create enough electricity for one household's use. Everything could be packed in a big backpack.
ReplyDeleteIt is the mini-dam for a village use, or a proper river dam, that is killer.
Well, he can just make one mini tiny dam, then set up a solar power generator, and a mini windmill. That combination should be feasible for several trips using one man's carrying capacity, and provide enough energy for his use, or limited use for the whole village.
thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new chapter! I'm surprised the Director went with the fictional/CG talk. Personally I would try and spin a story about sponsoring a distant, low tech village and teaching them while using their local tools.
ReplyDeletemight work at least until the director searches for it on google maps to get better maps than the ones provided
Delete...techologie you failed us YET again!!
DeleteGood that fiction is always an asnwer xD.
"How does that work?"
"Magic."
"CG"
"Cosplayers as Catgirls"
"My niche as Monster"
"Slime molded from pudding"
"Tentacels are just enlarged natural ones"
"Ehh ... yes?"
Pfft, Loli Assisted Spirit Energy Reactor.
ReplyDeleteOmae wa satou ka yo?!
i wonder why he did not just claim to be a gameprogrammer who made a ingenius physicsengine and now needs to construct floodcontroll in the country he himself created. he could then also add for any additional input from the director
ReplyDeleteThe LASER method is used in most of these world breaking isekai stories, but I wonder if he can add an attachment to all the water wheels he is already planning to have built...
ReplyDeleteHe's kind of just throwing money around, if he's not careful he might just go broke. He won the lottery, but in the grand scheme of things, it isn't that much if he's planning on reconstructing a country.
ReplyDeleteEh?
ReplyDeletewhat about the 'mochi' thing?
Thanks! Nepu!!
ReplyDelete∧_∧
( ・ω・)=つ≡つ🔥
(っ ≡つ=つ🔥
`/ )
(ノΠU
yay, no button this time :D
ReplyDeletethanks for the chapter :D
i wonder why he ask constructor company just for a river flood control design? I mean, he has Bachelor's Degree, and he doesn't know how to design one?
ReplyDeleteBut what Bachelor Degree that Kazura had in the first place?
DeleteI doubt it will be a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with a specialty in Waterworks.
Building a flood control system is unexpectedly hard... You can't just hope to: Slab a concrete at the side of the river and all be done.
To control a flood you need to built a series of dams, water gate, retention ponds, terraces, water diversion channels, levees, bunds, reservoirs, or weirs. Tailored and individualized to local topography.
Even building in building a simplee levee, he need to calculate bearing stability, lateral and rotational movement, the slope, etc...
Ni-san is right!
DeleteAnd just for the heck of it.
We did an flood control minature in our class once.
(for physics)
... 20 poor(ly drawn) stickmans died that day...
There's a good reason. Flood control in my country is so good. Only on rare occasions something more terrible happens. Like an dam breaking ... after lots of other things went to the max and over it.
What did we fail at?
... If X amount of water ... push against an y wide of an cannal. And an z curve is present. WHERE and HOW fast will the water flow and WITH WHAT PRESSURE ....
Answer: ... out of the curve ... duo 16 year olds designing it to funky. Poor village there...
... If X amount of water ... push against an y wide of an cannal. And an z curve is present. WHY can't we just go to mixed bath onsen and enjoy the rest of our day easily?
Delete...
Great work!
ReplyDeleteBut it's "discretion" not "indiscretion" . Unless the author was implying that the M.C. thought the Director was going to do something "echi" with the plans?
... you might never know.
DeleteThere's bibliophiles ... why not tabulaphiles ...
HMM OH MY~ TheHse CuRvEs~
Hrhhr hrhhrhr ....
A few typos caught, but "Terima kasih untuk terjemahannya!"
ReplyDelete「Um you know, if you bring such many documents and asked us to make food-control construction plan, even us will be troubled by it.」(Chief Clerk)
-->
...bring so* many documents ...
...and ask* us...
...to make a flood-control... was food-control... lol
...even we will...
Loli-Assisted what?? xD
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious.
Thanks for the translation.
「Whether or not you do or not do the construction itself, this client’s request content is in our field of expertise! Don’t make a stingy reason to choose your work‼ I will take over from here on, so you just return to your own job‼」(Chief Clerk)
ReplyDeleteCorrection, it should be the Director that talked, not chief clerk, thank you for the translation by the way.
Thanks!
Deletethanks...
ReplyDeleteNot how it works for engineering, but in the legal profession the number of "Man Hours" one can charge the client is referred to as "Billable Hours". The amount is likewise called the "Billabe Rate".
ReplyDelete