Chapter 11: My Days Bricklaying in Another World
Although Durin appeared curious about the goblin slayer, being an adventurer from the Northern Territory, far removed from their Southern Territory, it was unlikely that anyone knew the specifics.
Therefore, after Zat and Aya completed their adventurer procedures, the group promptly left the somewhat desolate adventurer's guild.
...
In the afternoon, on an open space outside the outskirts of Nosrick town.
"Sir... no, director, do you really want to build a watchtower here? There are hardly any monsters around here, and even if we build it..."
Hearing the words of the rugged-looking man who seemed like a foreman beside him, Durin just smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, you'll be paid fairly. Just follow my plan and build the watchtower."
Despite the strange title of "director" that Durin insisted on using, the foreman refrained from saying more after considering the situation. After all, he was facing a lack of work opportunities this spring, so if someone was willing to pay for the construction of a watchtower, he had no reason to refuse.
What puzzled him the most was the nobleman's insistence on being addressed as "director" with such an odd title. While it wasn't unacceptable to him as a foreman who had never heard the term before, he couldn't shake off the feeling of strangeness.
"Anyway, building the watchtower only requires four or five people. With your two assistants, director, I only need to find two more..."
"No, get me ten people. Don't worry, I can afford to pay them. A regular extra earns two silver coins for an afternoon's work, so I can manage it."
Surprised by Durin's request for additional manpower, the foreman, increasingly convinced that the "director" was indeed peculiar, sighed and immediately went back to the city to recruit more workers. According to the "director's" instructions, these workers were not considered laborers but extras. Despite the unfamiliar term, the foreman couldn't resist the allure of the generous payment.
Thus, under Durin's meticulous planning, the scene was quickly set up to resemble the environment of an anime production.
And in this situation, Durin suddenly realized that, for the sake of filming this show, he was doing far more than what a director typically does.
Because Durin's role extended beyond that of a director—guiding performances and designing shots—he effectively took on all aspects of filming for the anime live-action adaptation.
He needed to personally find actors, manage the script, design shots, shoot the footage, make props, and design special effects. This workload would likely leave an average director bald from stress.
But fortunately, this was a world of magic, and Durin himself was a powerful wizard. Otherwise, an ordinary person would have no way to produce a qualified anime live-action adaptation in this era. Of course, this was all possible due to Durin's personal commitment.
The reason that drove him to persist like this, aside from the fifty-thousand-debt owed by the Edward family, was his determination to change this world.
The more he interacted with the ordinary people of this world, the more dissatisfied Durin became with it in this sense. Whenever he saw those people sitting on the streets sunbathing, not knowing what to do once they lost their jobs, he felt a sense of fatigue, as if he too would fall into this boring state.
Despite the existence of magic and the constant singing of adventurers' stories by minstrels, everyone seemed accustomed to this mundane daily life, lacking any drive to make life better.
Although he understood the limitations of the era, Durin, as someone from beyond this time, was unwilling to fall into the same situation. Even if it meant making subtle changes, he was willing to try. Rather than being assimilated by these boring people and getting lost in the mundane power struggles and magic research every day, he preferred to spend his time filming anime, even if it seemed meaningless.
After all, these were traces of his belonging to another world. If he abandoned even these, what right did he have to say that he had come to another world?
...
"Excavation team, get ready. That guy named Zat, hurry up and get the tools."
"Has the wood been brought over?"
"Hey, girl over there, hurry up and come pour the water!"
As the construction site was completed, the construction of the watchtower began immediately. During this process, Durin, situated in a corner, tirelessly recorded the scenes, almost exclusively capturing moments where Zat and Aya faced setbacks. Though this might seem unfair to the two who were already giving their all in their work, this was a precious opportunity to sacrifice oneself for art, one that others couldn't take away!
Indeed, the filming approach Durin mentioned earlier, aimed at not confusing the locals, was this: filming with a hands-on attitude. This way, what was captured would also be more authentic.
Although Zat and Aya, who were not the typical heartthrobs from another world, might have found it tough, Durin had no intention of finding substitutes for them. They had to handle these tasks themselves.
Moreover, this scene wasn't meant to be filmed for a long time. Durin only needed to capture a few shots before the watchtower was completed, and then he could easily edit them with the fusion crystal.
"The focus of this scene is mainly to highlight the contrast between your daily life and that of adventurers, creating humor for the audience. So, the more exaggerated the actions, the better, and try to maximize your expressive intensity!"
During break time, Durin explained the scene to the two who were having boxed lunches, much to the exhaustion of Zat and Aya, who barely got any rest time as Durin squeezed it for work.
Meanwhile, Winry, who had been busy running around, held a handwritten work plan and explained Durin's requirements to the "extras" working on the site, such as not working too quickly and not worrying too much about the relationship between Zat, Aya, and Durin.
In a sense, Winry was already acting as a semi-assistant director. Just as Durin was about to step forward to praise her and consider what salary would be appropriate for her later, Winry hurriedly ran over and handed him a towel and a water bottle, saying, "You've worked hard, Lord Edward. Remember to take a good rest."
Unexpectedly, she took the initiative to care for him first. Durin, with a wry smile, accepted the towel and water bottle, then said, "You're the one who's been through a lot, putting up with me and my foolish antics."
"It's okay, or rather, I'm looking forward to it too. I'm looking forward to that moment when Lord Edward's work is completed..."
Winry's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she spoke, and Durin, who understood her sentiment, just smiled and patted her head. He nodded, chuckling at Winry's slightly embarrassed expression, and said, "Don't worry, we'll see it soon enough!"