Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 60

Chapter 60 – The Tribal Chief of Mostori, Pierro (first part)

Departing from Tal Village, Eiji and Fernando boarded onto the boat once more.

The sail, which received a considerable amount of wind, swelled out and continued to progress forward vigorously.
Unlike the short cruise from Siena to Tal, today’s was a long one.

On their way to Mostori, they passed by 3 villages.

Judging from Girolamo’s perspective, the fact that he could just tell them to trade with the nearby villages meant that he prioritized Eiji’s interest.

Even though there was a need to popularize iron tools, it didn’t mean they had to negotiate directly with all the villages.
Creating gaps while promoting will probably result in rumors being more effective just like an expanding ripple on the water.

The view from the boat was monotonous.
Despite it giving Eiji a fresh experience at first due to him not being familiar, as expected, one would grow tired of watching the same scenery for many long hours.

Gazing absentmindedly in the advancing direction, Eiji changed the direction of motion from time to time.

Based on Girolamo’s information, they were probably going to reach Mostori village soon.
Fernando, who stood on the bow, seemed to spot something.

– Oh! Eiji-kun, Look. Isn’t that the village of Mostori?

– You can’t see from this distance? Looks like your eyes are slightly bad. You’ll understand once we draw closer, from the city’s splendid rows of houses.

What Fernando pointed out in front was still small, blurry, and impossible for Eiji to guess.

Eiji made a wry smile.

Luckily, Eiji’s eyes weren’t genetically weak, however, since he began to work as the blacksmith, his eyesight fell a bit.

Of all people, Mike, who was a hunter, had undoubtedly excelling eyesight during the day and in the dark. Eiji was surprised at how accurately Mike could guess who was coming despite the target looking like a grain of rice from the distance.
After a while, Eiji could grasp what Fernando said.

– This is, aren’t all of them made from bricks?

– Certainly, there’s quite a difference depending on each village.
– I too, have only gone to Tal village at most, so honestly speaking, I’m amazed.

In front of their eyes, rows of brick-made houses were lined up.

The bricks that were radiating with the light from the evening sun had a much more reddish hue than usual. Their appearance was beautiful and majestic.
Indeed, they are lovely. – Thought Eiji.

The European building structures which Eiji knew were basically made from bricks.

Eiji’s workshop and the tribal chief’s house are rare exceptions that were built using stones, however, some parts of them were still using mud walls. Even Eiji’s home had the holes strengthened with clay at first.

The majority of houses in Tal had mud walls, and the reason for that was because they had no carpenters with outstanding skills like Fernando.

Even from a distant view, he could perceive the detailed texture from the wonderful brick walls.

Fernando caught his breath while staring at the stores and houses with a dumbfounded face, as if forgetting about everything else.

He seemed to receive quite the shock.

Seeing that, Eiji averted his eyes.

– For the time being, should we try dock the boat and pay a visit?

– Same here.

After stopping the boat, Eiji moved toward Mostori together with Fernando.

Except for a single part between the riverside and Mostori, there were no constructed walkways.

Once they went along the riverbank, a small road was seen as their walking slowly became easier.

And then, an unbelievable scenery displayed itself in front of them.

– Eeh…? Fernando-san, this road is paved with flagstone.

– You didn’t know of this?

– No, it will be probably fine.
– I wonder about that. I might be laughed at for being old fashioned in building streets and houses.

Fernando’s face turned a bit pale.

As for Eiji, as far as he knew about the life in modern Japan, there were certainly places everywhere that fell behind in technology.

Why is there such a disparity in technology? I want to ask more details regarding that. – he thought.

A much more solid feeling was received in their feet from the flagstone road when compared to a soil-made one.

If there’s something like this, then even during rainy days, wheels won’t get stuck.

Perhaps, it wasn’t possible to introduce this straight away, but Eiji wanted to pave the paths in Siena with flagstones.

As Eiji walked along the road while feeling admiration, Fernando suddenly halted.

Staring fixedly at its wall, Fernando didn’t move, as if being glued.

– What’s the matter?

– How is that?

– Which method is better?
– ……Well, til now, I’ve followed the methods of our great pioneers. I’ve wanted to try different methods at least once, but…..

Drawing close the house, Fernando touched the bricks repeatedly.

But, for Eiji, who was looking from the side, even if he understood Fernando’s feelings, he couldn’t appreciate them.

Just the thought of being seen like this made him embarrassed.

– Shouldn’t we look for the tribal chief’s house?

– I see.

– No no, in that case, let’s talk with the tribal chief and see the interior of his house.
– I guess, it would be so. You’ve said something agreeable just now.

Having a cheerful attitude, he consented to Eiji’s idea.

This needed more special attention from now on.
At Fernando, who went in a running manner as if wanting to see the house as fast as possible, Eiji made a wry smile while moving toward what apparently was the house of the tribal chief.

The person that came out to greet them was a handsome man with blond hair; big, blue eyes; and a distinctive bridge on his nose.

Not to mention, his neat clothes probably took a part in giving that impression of his.

Exchanging a firm handshake with Fernando and Eiji, the man bore his shining white teeth as he introduced himself.

– Oh my, so you came from a distant place. I am the grandchild of the great tribal chief of Mostori and my glorious grandfather, Pierro, the son of the great Pierro, and again, the person that is this village current tribal chief, Pierro.

– It’s Fernando. I’m in charge Siena’s trade and carpentry. We are sincerely grateful for having you welcome us even though we are the sudden visitors this time. There are no words to describe our gratitude for your kindness. I apologize for this rush, but is it fine for us to leave at least our luggage here?
– Yes, I don’t mind. By the way, the name Pierro is simply the result of my succession to it. It might be puzzling for you, so please forgive me. The name was decided by the consensus of everyone in this village so as not to forget about the great deeds of my grandfather and father. If it suits you, you can call me Pierro the third instead.

Pierro explained, while moving his body in a wriggling manner. His look was of unusual beauty, however, his conduct was somewhat girlish.
The two of them were guided outside the house.

– Actually, unlike other villages, this village has a guest house specially prepared for visitors. You might be troubled as it may not be as convenient as you wish, but I believe the security here is exceptional, and that it’s reasonably comfortable. I hope for you to enjoy your time here in peace.

The place to which Pierro guided them was a house next to his. It was a bit smaller than the tribal chief’s house. Still, it was a considerably spacious 2-story building.
On the ground floor, in the right corner, there was a storehouse for carriages, whereas on its left side, the entrance.

– Well then, I’d like for you to leave your luggage there and have a rest. I’ll prepare a welcome banquet for you.

After Pierro had left the room, Fernando and Eiji took a short rest.
They were already too surprised to breath out a sigh.

– Looks like, this is used for guests.
– Unlike ours, this one is way different, right?….Haha, I can only laugh.

Placing his luggage inside the chest, Eiji looked around the room.

It was probably bright during the daytime since the room had a big louver door installed.

And again, the bed wasn’t a floor-type bed, but the one made from a wooden framework.

Having already spent around 1 year here, Eiji too, had become a bit more familiar with the evaluation of things in this world.

Just pondering about that made his head dizzy.
To think that this many things are intended for visitors who don’t come her every day.

– Eiji-kun, I’m honestly scared.
– So am I.

Being already in a state of total astonishment, the two of them recalled the feeling anxiety.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]: As Ace suggested, the steps are probably the laying order. The steps are alternated so that no two bricks line up on either side. Thus eliminating the potential weak areas and strengthening the infrastructure as a whole.

Chapter end