Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 57

Chapter 57 – The First Smithing Practice and the Boat Trip

Eiji decided that his apprentices would be allowed to do the whole process from the beginning.

After fixedly gazing at the metal hammer, Katharina smiled broadly[1].

I wonder if it’s due to her being happy from holding a tool for the first time. – Eiji thought.
While lightly hammering the anvil, which had nothing on it, she made sure of the sensation.

– With this I’ll strike and craft things, won’t I?

– Ah, yes.

– Like this?

Once Katharina carefully grabbed the material with the pair of firetongs, she inserted it inside the furnace.
Using the fire shovel, Eiji stirred the charcoal inside and placed them on top of the iron.

– Hey, pull the right string. We need the watermill to operate and deliver the wind.
– Uwa, Uwaa.  The charcoal is turning red! What’s more, it’s becoming hot.

Gigigi – the creaking sound of the wood was heard as the watermill began to rotate.

Despite the furnace shining dazzlingly, she watched the flames with her serious pupils.
Her usual remarks fell silent, and her face directly expressed the scene before her eyes.

– Master, the front of the furnace turned hot at once, didn’t it?

– Yes, please!

Katharina placed the iron lump on the anvil.
The iron lump was radiating deep red and emitting heat.

For a short moment, she stared at the heated iron while remaining silent.

And then, produced a big sound—-
The metal mallet swung downward.

Holding a large mallet, Eiji took the charge of being an Aizuchi.

The lump stretched and hardened, changing its shape freely.
Interjecting his words from time to time, Eiji continued to adjust the iron’s form even though he was stretching it with a large hammer.

Usually, a skillful master would hold a small mallet, whereas, his disciple would use a big one.

It was so as to learn the joy of making everything.
What’s more, it’s possible to create an item using a large hammer as long its making is simplistic to a certain degree, just like it would be possible with the spring hammer and the water-powered one.

Her movements are good – Eiji thought.

Because the lower part of her body and her shoulders area growing balanced, the mallet won’t shake when swung.

After making a hole with a chisel, the shape will be adjusted so as to to give it a pattern.

It took them about 30 minutes.
The time was slightly short, but a mallet was created as the result.

Eiji could understand that she was excited with her first set of works.

Her posture of wiping the sweat with her arm was charming everywhere.
As soon as Katharina deeply exhaled her breath, she sighed as if getting burned.

– I’m deeply moved….

– It was the best. It became hot, making it impossible for me to think. And when I started to swing the mallet with no obstructive thoughts… the item was done before I noticed.

– Ehehe….thank you. Master, ah…

Katharina, who was praised, turned bashful, as she smiled like getting embarrassed.

Once Eiji checked, he noticed small blisters appearing on her hands due to the repetitive hard labor.

She noticed his sight.

– Ehehe, my hands don’t look girlish, do they?

– You mean so? It doesn’t sound cute.

Katharina looked sad, which was a rare sight coming from her.

As if trying to console her, Eiji took Katharina’s hands.

– Master’s hands are much more rugged than mine. Both fingers and palms are full of blisters.

– Proud, you say?
– Yes. They are the proof of your good work.

Katharina gazed at her hands.

The proof of my good work? – she muttered with a small voice.

– I, don’t mind!

– Oi, Master. The two of you seem to be quite in good moods, but, just when are you going to teach me?

– Understood, Master. *Sound of sticking one’s tounge*

Sticking out her tongue toward Dante, she switched places with him.
I wonder whether or not she wanted to craft more items – Eiji thought.

– Hehee, so is it finally my turn? Good grief, it’s not good to only wait.

– Aye, leave that to a huge guy like me. With my power, even 10 kilos will be light.

– How about you think a bit more before speaking?
– Shut up. It’s about one’s spirit, spirit. I’ll show you what I’m capable of.

Holding a pair of fire tongs, Dante quickly inserted the steel material inside the furnace.

There were unusually many of small misses in his conduct, nevertheless, his movements themselves were quick.
Tagging next to Dante, Eiji added some pieces of advice.

– Strike it while it’s hot, and operate with the tongs so as to properly adjust its shape.

– There’s too much heat.

– When you add too much of heat, the carbon will fall out, making the iron become soft at the time of cooling it.

– I think you were the one who told me not to say anything when you’re concentrating.

– Hey there, be silent.

Was it perhaps due to Dante being boisterous?

Dante moved skillfully.

There was still a need to correct its shape, but the item was made even faster than the one made by Katharina.

Provided his skills improve in the future, Dante will probably become a laborer who can surpass Katharina’s delicate job in terms of speed.

– Well then, I think Pietro has made it several times up to now, but will you try it again?
– With pleasure!

With all the new disciples finished, it was Pietro to be last in turn.

The right timing of the heated furnace, the right time to take out the material, Pietro understood well when to pay attention to various points.

The experience, which he gained during the last half a bit year, was actually showing its fruit.

Katharina, Dante, and the rest were first going to memorize his work so as to follow after Pietro.
By teaching the other disciples his own experience, Pietro will be able to reconfirm his possessed skills.

A system where a lack of knowledge and imperfectness were supplemented by Eiji had been developed.

– Well then, shall we test out the things you’ve made?

– Mine’s way too light, I guess.
– In my case, it’s just right.

Every one of them held and lightly swung with their mallets while checking them.

Unlike their workmanship, gaining the experience of making the first tool for themselves may have been more delightful.

And then, Pietro’s mallet was a quality item that could withstand practical use.

– You did it. This experience will come in use.
– Uhehe. It’s thanks to master’s guidance.

Pietro, indeed, smiled joyfully.
Gently brushing, while disheveling, Pietro’s hair, Eiji stood in front of the furnace again.

– Well then, Shall we add some adjustments? Detach the hammer’s grip and lend me its head.

Eiji grabbed the mallet’s head with the firetongs.
The pupils immediately moved and peeked sincerely at Eiji’s hands from each angle so as to steal his skills, even if it was just a bit.

Eiji too, didn’t say anything unnecessary.

Every time the red-scorched iron produced a sound, the mallet was sorted out into the desirable shape.

Because there were no useless moves, the quality of his conduct was precise and faster than anyone else’s.

– Amazing…..it’s forming splendidly….

Katharina murmured, as if being deeply impressed.

But even without that, one can understand how touching something is from its appearance.

Even if one can grasp the beauty of a picture, it doesn’t mean that the person can draw it beautifully.

Pietro, Dante, and Katharina watched, with respectful eyes, how Eiji was sustaining the heat from the furnace and wiping the sweat from his forehead while continuing his work.

– Fuuuu. As expected, I’m tired. Then, should we it try one more time?

– Ahh…..it’s pretty…..
– As one would expect, Master is amazing.

Observing reactions from each of them, Eiji confirmed that their words were most likely genuine.

– A mere and small adjustment of details can greatly influence the flexibility of application. That’s why, by no means should you forget about the small details.

Yes – hearing their nice and vigorous reply, Eiji nodded.
All that he was supposed to say was told, and today’s work concluded.

– How’s that? My hammer. It’s probably magnificent.

–  That’s because it’s a one-of-a-kind-item. It’s just natural for its owner to use it the easiest.

– Ahh……my body is on fire!

Looking at his hammer, Dante put a bold smile on his face, and turned ecstatic.
His posture, which resembled that of a villain raising his voice, on the contrary, looked like that of a child, making Eiji feel pleasant.

Once Katharina clasped her body to her breast, she twisted it in a wriggling manner.

By no means will he lose to such temptation.

It’s because this workplace was a sanctuary for him.
That was unexpectedly close – Eiji thought.

The three other pupils, whose presences were usually low-profiled, were now stirred with excitement.

From now on, they were going to increase their own special purpose tools, as well as their labor.

By teaching them skills that will allow them to possess their own specialization, they will probably be able to separate things reasonably into distinct parts.

Saw smithing, plane smithing, it won’t be strange even if there are blacksmiths categorized by the number of tools alone.
Looks like I can have expectations in them – Eiji thought.

The wind blew.

The river that was proud for its abundance in water continued to flow while generating tiny sounds of water.
The closer you go near the center of the river, the deeper the water level becomes.

Eiji watched the transparent water from the riverside.

The water surface glittered with the reflected sunlight.
Looking deep inside the opposite direction of the river, there was an unfolding forest which didn’t make it seem like one could enter it.

Between them, there was a thin straight path that led to Nazioni city. If one walks it, they could reach the city in several days.

In addition to Tanya, Fernando was standing there.

– Eiji-kun, you really plan to travel with “this”?

– Well, I guess that would be fine. Since it’s the first time, as expected…

– Tanya-chan, you’re too cruel.

Fernando, who was always full of confidence when it came to his job, made a hoarse voice, which was rare for him.

It was a newly built boat used for trading purpose, furnished with sail and oars.

Still, besides the fact that it was their first boat ever, Fernando seemed to be quite worried about its possible sinking and overturning.

He believed in Fernando’s skills to such extent.
Eiji also knew that Fernando had been secretly making many small-sized boats.

The boat was now being loaded with cargo on the riverside.

In addition to their special products, which consisted of a large amount of processed fur items and wool made during winter, the boat was packed with Eiji’s farming tools, anvils, and bellows.
The anvil was just made the other day. Because its inside was wood-made, it was suited for carrying.

Before, Eiji had doubts regarding trading with a cart.

The role of the river water was to ensure that there’s enough of water for agriculture. Despite that, it’s much more efficient to use it for boat transportation.
At first, Eiji’s emphasis on using the boat didn’t receive consents, since nobody in Siena had ever used them. Nevertheless, after a patient explanation, everyone submitted in the end.

Tanya was aiding Eiji from behind.

– Oi, the preparations are done.

– Leave it to me. Again, I’ll do my best to improve my cooking skills and prepare a delicious meal for you. Eiji-san, please take care of yourself so as not to get any injury or fall ill.

– I’ll pay attention.
– Let’s go, Fernando-san.

Eiji embarked onto the boat.

Gigigi – while producing this sound, the boat slowly swayed and advanced little by little toward the downstream.

– I’m off!
– Take care of yourself!

Waving his hand, Eiji continued to watch Tanya, who saw him off for a short while.

Finally, the boat went along the river and changed its course, with Tanya’s figure disappearing from his sight.

Eiji faced forward.

There were no obstructions in the way of the wind which he felt on the river.
On the left and right side, there were riverbeds and sandbars. In front of them, a deep forest continued to unfold endlessly.

Together with the chirps of the birds, the sound of oar rowing in the river was heard from time to time.

Without anyone in the party uttering a word, the boat was advancing steadily.

He planned to visit all the villages near the river.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]:: It’s called nihera smile. Here’s how it looks: http://blog-imgs-61.fc2.com/c/h/a/chain001/140210-0222490148-1440x810s.jpg

[2]: Not sure about this one. Also, this and the later discussion will sound strange. mainly because third party people are interfering(I presume Katharina and some other disciples)

[3]: Same as above.

[4]: Their is a superstition saying that it will rain whenever a bad omen appears. In this case, it’s Fernando worrying.

Chapter end