A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 42

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

Takeo was heading to the living room, carrying a tray from the kitchen.

Since it was made using honey, it tasted slightly different but it was well-received by all those that tasted it.

…………..The one responsible for making sweets was crying but…….let’s not bother about that.

The chef informed Takeo that he was free to use the kitchen and the ingredients as and when he pleased hereafter, with a big smile on his face.

Takeo knocked on the living room door.

Once he received permission, he opened the door and entered.

Grandpa Elvis, Smith, Alice, and Fredrick were seated inside.

“Excuse me.”

Takeo came in with the tray carrying pudding.

All of them seemed to be looking forward to the dessert that Takeo had been preparing as they leaned forward.

He gave one portion to each one of them and took a seat.

“I brought it in once I was done making it.”

“Thank you for your hard work.

Can we start eating?”

“Please do.”

All of them started to eat before Takeo finished his sentence.

Little by little they seemed to be enjoying it……..

Smith and Grandpa Elvis were happily eating with a big smile on their faces.

Alice took one bit, looked at Takeo as her eyes became wide with surprise.

‘Lady Alice…………….you already have large eyes, if you open them any wider, they may fall out.’

Takeo thought.

Fredrick said “Hoo” as he nodded and continued eating.

“Do you like it?”

“……………”

Everyone repeatedly nodded their heads without saying anything.

“I’m really glad to see all of you enjoying it,”
Takeo said cheerfully.

Once everyone was done eating, Fredrick served some tea.

“That was enjoyable.”

Grandpa Elvis said happily.

“How was it? I used honey so the taste was a little different.”

“Eh? Sir Takeo, you weren’t satisfied with it?”

Smith asked.

“No, I was greatly satisfied once I saw all of you enjoy it. Young master Smith.

It’s just that I wanted to make some pudding.”

“Yes. This is it isn’t it?”

“No. This is honey pudding.

The one I know uses sugar and leaves a lighter aftertaste.”

“Ohh……..this might be better than a lighter aftertaste though.”

Smith imagined it momentarily and gave his impressions.

Grandpa Elvis and Alice nodded.

“Haha. Certainly if have only pudding then honey pudding might be more popular.”

“Sir Takeo, does the pudding you speak of have other uses?’

Fredrick asked.

“Yes. For example, if you add jam on top of the pudding and the pudding is honey pudding then the topping options that go well with that are greatly limited.

I think it is really amazing that a simple taste can be transformed extraordinarily, in infinite ways by the use of toppings and seasoning.”

“I understand what you’re saying but for now I feel that the one I just had was the best! I cannot really imagine another type of pudding.”

Alice happily contested.

“Then I’ll make it again when there is an opportunity.”

“Absolutely.”

Alice responded with a sparkling, expectant face.

“Now let’s hear Takeo’s report from today, Alice.”

“Yes, yes. Let’s start with the tailor shop.

The total order is for 900 pieces. Our house will pay for 20 percent of the cost over a period of 3 years.

The rank badge and the affiliation badge will be made by the magic goods store.

Both the stores have agreed to these terms.

Sir Takeo’s suit and 2 pieces of the trench coat will be ready by the day after tomorrow afternoon.

The meeting for the provisional price and the delivery date will take place on the day we go to collect the suit and trench coat.”

“Hmm. The delivery date……..what do you think Takeo?”

“Even if there are no measurements required and there are only 4 sizes, the people from the tailor shop will most probably only be able to produce 30 pieces a month.”

“Hmmm……..It will take about 3 years to produce enough for everyone…….”

“Yes. We’ll understand how serious they are when you have a meeting about the delivery date.”

“By the way Takeo, it’s okay to give your expectations but how many coats a month are you targeting in the future?”

Fredrick was listening.

“Do you recruit 50 new soldiers for your territory every year?”

“It should be about that much.”

“……….At least 50. We would like to make about 80 pieces per month.

In order to maintain that, we’ll need orders from at least 7 more armies – approximately the size of the Elvis army………”

Would that be possible to acquire………..Takeo wondered.

Anyway for now we’ve packed for the next 2 years with Mr. Elvis’s order.

However,  those tailors cannot be abandoned after that.

“Hmmm. I’ll entrust the number delivered per month and the price to Takeo with the maximum price of 3 golds per piece.

After all, the contract between the tailor shop and Takeo will also be signed by me.

Can you bring the final draft of the contract to me?”

“Understood.”

Takeo cleared up his feelings as he realized that concluding this contract is of primary importance right now.

“We’ve requested the magic goods store to make the rank badge, affiliation badge, and the name tag.”

“This is the estimate of the lapel.”

Takeo placed the estimation document on the table.

“Hmm……….is it within budget?”

Grandpa Elvis checked the estimate and asked Fredrick.

“Yes, it’s within expectation.”

Fredrick answered.

“So Takeo, will the soldiers be asked to purchase these as well?”

“No. The lapel and the name tag should always be given by the Elvis house. When the soldier retires, it’s okay to only return the affiliation badge.”

“Hmm……..I don’t have a problem with that.

I’ll be requesting 50 rank badges for each rank so please make a final contract for this as well and bring it to me.”

“Understood.”

Takeo nodded.