第１６１９堀：物を作るということは (Part1)
Chapter 1619: What It Means to Create
Side: Deryu
"Wait, so you’re saying you haven't actually prepared anything yet?"
After that bombshell of a meeting, I asked Yuki just how much preparation he had actually done...
"Hmm? Well, I haven't heard the specific requests from each nation yet, and I’ve really only got the base models ready."
His answer was delivered with such nonchalance, as if it were a trivial matter. Honestly, to stir up such a commotion and then have nothing ready to show for it...
"Is that really going to be okay? If they demand them immediately and you have to tell them, 'Actually, it's not finished yet,' you’re going to ruin your reputation, you know?"
As Seraria pointed out, after making such grand claims, admitting to having nothing ready wouldn't exactly sit well with them emotionally. Every nation is undoubtedly eager to improve their medical infrastructure, to say nothing of the vehicles.
However, Yuki didn't seem the least bit concerned as he replied to us.
"It won't ruin anything. Each nation is going to have their own specific demands anyway. I have to make modifications to suit those needs. I need to create machines customized for each country, starting from the base models. There’s no way I could have had those ready by now. Though, Firia did mention that Zargis and the others had started preparing to implement those kinds of changes."
"Hmm... I think I understand the gist of what you're saying, but it’s still a bit hazy. Could you explain it in simpler terms?"
I sort of understood why he couldn't have them ready, but it felt like looking through a fog—I couldn't quite grasp the details. Seraria seemed to be in the same boat, nodding along as she spoke.
"Riel, did you understand your husband's explanation?"
"Um... he means we need to adapt the machines to each country, right? But what does it actually mean to 'adapt' a machine?"
Indeed. Prompted by Seraria, Riel had been ruminating on Yuki's words, but she tilted her head, clearly still confused. I was in the same position.
"Ah, I see. Well, let me put it simply. First, look at this."
With that, Yuki held out a television remote.
"A remote."
"It's for the TV, isn't it?"
"That's right."
It was an ordinary, unremarkable remote. Then, Yuki produced something else.
"...Eh? Where did you get that light switch? Did you rip it out of the wall?"
Seraria looked around the room in surprise. Riel and I followed her gaze toward the doorway, where the light switch was sitting perfectly normal and undisturbed. Since it was just a single button, there was no other place it could have come from. While we were flustered, Yuki continued his explanation.
"I didn't rip it out. It's a sample. Look at this switch. Now, imagine a machine that only has one single button to start it. Which one do you think is easier to understand?"
" " "Ah..." " "
Once he demonstrated it like that, I finally understood what he was getting at.
"So, you mean the existing ones are too complex and wouldn't be usable for other nations?"
"Well, there are various factors, but generally, yes. Besides, the ones we’re making now are heavily customized to suit our own convenience. Starting with Narjia-san, of course."
" "Ah..." "
Just like Seraria, I found myself nodding in complete agreement.
"...That’s true. The things Narjia-san makes always have these strange gimmicks."
"...You can't just touch any button you see."
"They'll self-destruct, after all."
Indeed. Narjia installs self-destruct mechanisms on those kinds of things for the sake of security. We’ve all complained to her that she should just make them "self-disabling" instead, but...
*"What are you talking about? That would mean letting people just steal things at will! You have to teach them a painful lesson. Besides, it’s a trope that prototypes get stolen. It would be unthinkable not to have countermeasures for that."*
She says that with a smile. The troublesome part is that she’s even improved the recent weaponry so that if the wearer and their allies are registered, they won't be caught in the blast if it self-destructs. It’s quite malicious. By the way, that last line of hers is clearly from watching too much anime, but all the technicians just nod along without denying it, and no one stops her. I mean, I understand the need for anti-theft measures, but still...
"I’ve digressed, but that’s the point. It works fine for Weed, but it has too many unnecessary functions for other countries. That said, just stripping everything away isn't the right answer either. And then there’s the issue of their ability to understand the technology."
"I see. Riel, did you and the others understand that?"
Seraria checked in with Riel and the others.
"Yes. That was very easy to understand. It’s hard to figure things out when there are too many buttons."
"But if you make them too simple, you lose the ability to make adjustments, right?"
"It’s difficult, isn't it? I can see why you’d want to customize the specifications for each country, just as you said, Yuki-sama."
"Ahaha... I’m not good with machines, so I prefer fewer buttons."
Everyone’s eyes turned to Yayui at that last comment.
"Eh? Did I say something strange?"
"No, not at all. For someone who isn't good with machines, that’s the best way, isn't it?"
Seraria smoothed it over. Deep down, she probably thinks that with Yayui’s driving skills, the number of buttons shouldn't matter at all. I think so too, and I’m sure everyone else does as well. After all, Yayui has even been training with fighter jets lately. She’s probably handling more buttons than any of us ever have. Still, when she’s not in a vehicle, she’s just like that...
"So, you’re saying that even if you can't provide them immediately, there won't be any complaints?"
"That's right. Even with vehicles, each country has cars that are best suited for them. It’s not like there are that many types, but for a snowy country like White Forest, you need snow-spec tires and equipment, or they won't be able to move at all. Yayui, you understand that better than anyone, right?"
"Yes. On roads covered in snow, standard cars struggle. You really need vehicles specifically designed for it."
Hmm, I had assumed that as long as it was a car, it would be fine, but it seems that’s not the case. In other words, the conditions for an "optimal" vehicle vary by nation. It’s only natural that deployment will take time.
"On top of that, there’s the question of where to get the raw materials."
"Raw materials? If you’re going to say 'just produce them with DP'... then we’re right back to the discussion from the meeting earlier, aren't we?"