A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 4

Translator: Darling | Editor: Walker

Greetings, 

I am Kitamizato Takeo.

Right now I’m helping the old man named Elliot Henry Elvis down the mountain. We have reached the road now.

It took us 40 minutes to descend the mountain.

The road was closer than expected but far enough for it not to be visible from where we started. Or maybe it’s just that I couldn’t make anything out due to this confusing situation I am in.

I’m slightly tired though so I don’t really care right now.

More importantly, I’m very surprised to see the road in front of me.

It feels like a road that would exist during the early Showa Era.

The road width is about 6 meters wide and it’s a simple pavement made of hardened soil.

These days, all over Japan, the pavements are asphalt, right?

Is this a clod?

So, where is this place?

“Hmm, I know this place. That way!”

The old man next to me pointed in a direction and instructed me.

Perfect timing isn’t it.

“ Then, let’s go slowly.”

After walking for about 10 minutes, I noticed that the old man was sweating profusely.

“Shall we take a short break?”

“Sorry.”

I removed the tea from the bag and had a mouthful.

“How about Mr. Elvis have some too?”

“Thank you.”

I hate to have an indirect kiss that’s why I ask him to look up and I pour some tea into his mouth.

The old man turns towards me and his eyes shoot open, unable to hide his shock.

It seems he thought that it was water and was surprised when he tasted it.

I nodded with a slight smile without saying anything.

He seemed to want to say something, but as I didn’t meet his line of sight he decided not to speak.

I sat down on the grass off the road and started to observe the people on the main road.

…Their clothing matches those of people from medieval Europe, isn’t it?

Anyway, let’s not think about that right now.

A more surprising incident was taking place before my eyes.

The people walking on the street all seemed to have an appearance of human beings but cat ears? Dog ears? Do human beings have those? Even tails?

Hnnnn… I’m frowning and thinking at the same time.

I don’t know, Cosplay? Costume show? All over the town? Impossible isn’t it.

Is this not Japan? No, no, they communicate in Japanese… Ah, Elvis is a western name.

There are some thoughts floating in a part of my mind. They are appropriate for the current situation.

Should I say that I don’t want to admit it? Or must I admit it?

There is a possibility, though why me? No, I’ve never heard of such a thing.

However…

Even though I believe that I keep going around in circles.

“….keo, Takeo, Oii. Can you hear me?”

“Eh? Ah! Sorry. I couldn’t hear you since I was deep in my thoughts.”

“What are you thinking about with complicated expression? Anyway, the purpose is to go to my house.” 

“I understand that and I’m not going to abandon it now.”

“Hmm, there’s no problem if you don’t forget that.”

“By the way, how much longer till we reach your house?”

“That’s right. I guess it should be about half a day.”

Half a day.

I check the watch now to see that its past 3 PM. It seems that we would reach around midnight.

“By the way Takeo, how old are you?”

“I’ll be turning 35.”

As I mentioned my age, he seemed slightly surprised.

“What!? I thought you’re around 30. You look relatively young.”

Japanese people generally look young but for him to say something like that, is this really not Japan???

I casually looked ahead onto the road as I was wondering about this and I saw someone on horseback coming towards us.

Seems to be 2 people?

“Something is coming right?”

“Hmm, it’s alright.”

The two people with swords pass by us, who are walking in a carefree way.

However, they stop a little away and return back to us !??

Eh? What? Will we be beaten up? We didn’t do anything wrong though?

Could it be that they are annoyed because we didn’t lower our heads like during the Edo period!?

“Sir Elvis!!!”

One of them who’s riding a horse said so.

“Sir? Mr. Elvis…..could, could it be that you are someone grand?”

“Hmm, relatively so.”

And the old man grinned.

Eh? Could it be? Did I do something wrong?

My back is sweating and my face is tight.

“Hmm Takeo, you are making quite an interesting face. Anyway, it’s alright.”

I feel like I am losing my mind and may have peed in my pants a little. I may not be able to ever become a bridegroom.