I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 42
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42
[2-3. Solve Nuviar’s long-standing problem and gain people’s recognition.]
[Reward: 150,000p]
“Wow, that’s an unprecedented reward.”
Looking at the quest content and reward, this seemed to be the final quest of Chapter 2.
I had been worried about whether I could clear all the main quests while staying in Nuviar, but if this was the last one, I didn’t need to worry anymore.
“The final quest should automatically clear once I prevent the Raed River from flooding.”
The problem was that I didn’t know how to build a reservoir and floodgates.
I was confident with triangular roofs or drainage systems since I had seen them countless times while following my father to housing construction sites, but this was a completely different story.
“If I just dig the ground, the soil might collapse or water might leak, so I need to make the foundation work solid like with drainage systems.”
I tried to draw blueprints using all the knowledge I had, but kept getting stuck due to lack of confidence.
“What should I do.”
While I was pondering how to solve this problem, a system window appeared before my eyes.
[If you need something, try using the system shop!]
It really appears at any time without warning.
“But what I need isn’t tools, it’s knowledge?”
[The system shop sells knowledge too!]
“That’s a lie.”
When I looked before, there were only tools like hammers and saws. Selling knowledge? That was nonsense.
“…What is this.”
Just in case, I entered the system shop and saw a bunch of items that weren’t there before. Next to them was even a cute [NEW] label.
Work gloves, strong adhesive, lubricant-
“Coffee mix? They sell this too?”
[Coffee mix is like life water for workers doing manual labor.]
That was true, but it seemed a bit ridiculous among the tools. Next to it were cigarettes and chocolate too.
‘Now they sell all kinds of things.’
Scrolling down more, I saw two books.
『Construction and Operation of Reservoirs』
『Structure and History of Floodgates』
“These are exactly what I need.”
It was very suspicious that among countless books, only these two were being sold.
Moreover, the price of the two books matched exactly with the points I had.
“So this is why they give so many quest rewards?”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at the system window.
“Because they can recover the points like this. That’s what you were aiming for, right?”
[Oh no, not at all. I’m always trying to be helpful to you. (´▽`)]
Can’t you stop using that emoticon? It was irritating in a different way from being cursed at.
“I have to buy this, don’t I?”
It was a waste to spend all my points on this, but I had no choice.
I needed this to clear the main quest.
And once I cleared this one, I could get 150,000 points, so I pressed the payment button while consoling myself with that thought. Then the two books dropped onto the desk with a thud.
The delivery speed is really satisfying.
“Should I look at the reservoir first?”
I sat at the desk and opened the book 『Construction and Operation of Reservoirs』.
As befitting a technical book, there were many unfamiliar terms, but the content itself wasn’t difficult to understand.
“I can’t just dig deep randomly.”
Wide and gentle, with a firmly compacted bottom.
And I absolutely had to create an overflow path in case it overflowed.
“This much should be doable with the technology here.”
The reservoir seemed manageable, so should I look at the floodgates next?
The principle of floodgates was simple too.
“The problem is how to implement this…”
This place didn’t have precise materials or equipment like in modern times.
There was magic, but that couldn’t replace modern science.
“At least I can follow medieval methods.”
There were various methods, but a manual floodgate using pulley principles seemed most appropriate.
Since I had to substitute with materials available here, I carefully noted down what I needed.
* * *
The next afternoon.
“Where are you trying to go?”
While I was preparing to go out, Callix Crowbell came looking for me.
“I’m going to Craftsman’s Street.”
I needed to find substitute materials for making the floodgates. And also check if there were any skilled craftsmen.
“Really? I’ll come with you.”
“…You too, my lord?”
“Why. Do you have a problem with that?”
Yes. I have problems with it, and I don’t understand why you want to come along.
“Aren’t you busy?”
Since saying that would get me cursed at immediately, I asked as diplomatically as possible.
“Not particularly. There’s nothing to do here.”
True, what would he have to do in someone else’s territory?
Thinking about it that way, it was strange that he followed me all the way here.
He could have just sent Noah Roheim or other managers.
I put on my coat and left the bedroom.
“Why are you going to Craftsman’s Street?”
Callix Crowbell asked while walking alongside me.
“To look for materials to make floodgates.”
“Floodgates?”
Oops, that’s not a word they have here.
“I decided to call the gates that control water flow so it doesn’t all rush out at once ‘floodgates.'”
“Floodgates. What a crude name.”
“Is it?”
“The name is one thing, and I don’t like how you’re pointlessly bustling about when I told you not to.”
“I’m just doing my best at the job I was given.”
Now that I think about it, this is annoying.
“If you disliked me working hard, you should have refused the Marquis’s request to the end.”
Getting slightly heated, I let out the words I had been keeping inside, and Callix Crowbell’s eyes narrowed.
“So you’re saying it’s my fault that you’re working hard?”
“…It’s not necessarily like that.”
I answered in a small voice. When he glared at me like that, a small citizen like me couldn’t help but shrink back.
Callix Crowbell stared at me like that for a moment, then soon turned his gaze toward the window.
“Doing your best isn’t always a good thing.”
His eyes looking out at the warm sunlight streaming down somehow seemed a little bitter.
“So do everything in moderation. That will be beneficial for you too.”
Was it my imagination that it sounded like his personal experience?
“However, Belheim’s affairs are an exception. Give your best effort to the territory’s matters.”
I was curious about what kind of story he had, but that thought completely disappeared with his additional words.
This man was just selfish.
* * *
I thought we would take a carriage to Craftsman’s Street, but Callix Crowbell brought a horse.
“Get on.”
Do I have to ride together again?
I sighed, but since he wouldn’t listen to me even if I refused, I just gave up.
Riding a horse with him wasn’t as uncomfortable as I had thought.
Since I was sitting facing backward, there was no chance of making eye contact, and most importantly, he didn’t talk to me.
‘I just need to be careful not to let my back touch his chest occasionally.’
As I became conscious of trying not to do that, strength naturally went into my waist.
“If you sit there tensed up like that, it’ll strain your back.”
Then Callix Crowbell grabbed my waist and pulled me toward him.
“Hueok.”
A strange sound escaped me involuntarily at the sudden contact. Then I heard a small laugh from behind.
“For a moment I thought a monster had appeared.”
My cheeks burned at his clearly mocking words.
“It’s because you suddenly pulled me, my lord.”
“Right, it’s all my fault.”
He answered indifferently while adjusting his grip on the reins.
I straightened my back again while trying not to put too much tension into it as he had pointed out.
As we were heading to Craftsman’s Street like that, a woman on horseback brushed past us. Her appearance as she rode with her high ponytail flowing in the wind was quite impressive.
“Maybe I should learn horseback riding too.”
“Why?”
I had been talking to myself, but Callix Crowbell asked.
“If I could ride a horse, it would be convenient for getting around. Oh, and commuting would be easier too.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say it was because the woman who just passed looked cool, so I gave other reasons.
Now that I said it, learning horseback riding did seem like a good idea.
I wouldn’t need help from others in situations like this.
Instead of waiting for a stagecoach, I could just ride a horse to work.
Then wouldn’t my commute time be reduced from 2 hours and 30 minutes to 1 hour?
“Do you have money to learn?”
I flinched at the pointed question that came out of nowhere.
“Do you know how expensive horses are? Where would you keep it? You’d need regular care, and feed costs a lot too.”
My head spun from the barrage of factual attacks.
“Fine. I can just give up, can’t I? I’ll give up.”
When I declared surrender, he laughed as if satisfied.
“As I said before, being too capable isn’t always good either.”
Callix Crowbell slowly pulled the reins to stop the horse.
We had already arrived at Craftsman’s Street.
He dismounted first and extended his hand to me, saying,
“So live moderately, without drawing people’s attention. That way I won’t be bothered.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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