Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 68

Chapter 68 – The Saw and The Plane

A short while passed after the horse racing had concluded. Dylan returned back to his home with a slightly exhausted face.
His wife, Chiara, who entered together with him, brought them a dinner consisting of bread and cheese.

– Oh my, as one would expect, starting a feast is pleasant, however, tidying up is quite troublesome.

– Don’t be silly. There’s no way for us to let guests help.

It seemed that Dylan distributed the bet’s shares after taking care of the horses.

Despite each share being small, the distributed amount was probably quite sizable when put together.
snap snap – next to Dylan who was snapping his neck, Chiara lined up the meal.

– I’m back.

– Oh. Today, we're having a feast, right? Bon appetit.

– O-Oh. Sorry.

Fran, who had returned home, faced toward the meal and reached out her hand as fast as she could.

Dylan lowered his head toward Eiji and Fernando.

– I apologize. I’ve tried to teach her manners for a while but it doesn’t appear to be working.

– She does nothing but exorbitant things, you see. The villagers won’t mind since they’re already used to it, but as expected, it’s inexcusable toward guests.
– Please don’t worry about it.

At the time the cooking was fully set, the meal began.

Certainly, parents who have a child must be feeling like this. – Eiji thought.
Chiara, who watched over Fran with her gentle eyes, opened her mouth.

– Eiji-san, Fernando-san, could both of you please tell us more about yourself?

– Yes. It’s rare for people from so far away to visit us, you see.
– That’s right. It’s the first time for someone to arrive from Siena.

After Eiji explained about him being a blacksmith, and about his wife soon giving the birth to his child, both Dylan and Chiara became astonished.

– She was still single at that age? That’s was pretty late.

– Well, truly, a human’s life is really full of surprises.
– Yes, truly…

There was no way for Eiji to tell them about him living here for a bit more than a year since his arrival on this island.

As they continued to talk, Eiji became a little bit worried about the situation in his village.

And on their return trip, it will probably take more time as they go back upstream.

From there, going upstream will have to be relied on animals’ power, and perhaps, they can’t wish for a desirable speed.

Not to mention, Tanya-san is still pregnant. It would be nice if she didn’t overwork herself – Eiji was concerned.
Perhaps, it should be fine since there’s Jane and Pietro taking care of her, still…

– Whatever the case may be, hopefully a healthy child will be born safely.
– Truly, the first delivery is always difficult, isn’t it?

At the words of Chiara, who seemed to be experienced, Eiji nodded.

What’s more, there was a worry about puerperal fever.

There was no way to deliver a child in a place which had a livestock hut built jointly.
Eiji asked various things regarding childbirth.

– Boiling hot water continuously and properly, and being prepared for a long delivery. What’s more, a husband can’t lose his presence of mind. Back then, I could rest at peace thanks to Dylan sticking firmly to those points.

– Despite that, it was fine. After all, giving birth is a woman’s job. What I hate the most is when a husband oddly butts in, or becomes flustered.

– Oh my, it was quite embarrassing. I was unable to collect myself, you see.

Apparently, Fernando was thrown out of his house after becoming a nuisance during his wife’s childbirth.

Still, it will probably become another experience for him.
Listening to the examples of one’s failure and success, Eiji thought that it would at least help him prepare mentally.

– By the way, Eiji, might your place be selling scythes and hoes?

– How about plows?

– I guess it would be so…You know, there are lots of horses in my village, so it will be helpful if we have many plows.

– Is that so? I’m saved!

– How about woodsmen and carpenters in your villager?

Eiji intercepted Dylan’s words as he spoke ahead of him.

Bullseye.
Being guessed right, a smile surfaced on Dylan’s face without him realizing.

-……How do you know that?

– I guess so.

– Oh my, you’ve observed well. Then, the thing about carpenters?

– I see, well done.  We too, had a carpenter before, however, once he died from an illness without leaving a successor, it has been problematic for us.

Perhaps, that wasn’t just the case. – Eiji thought.
On this island where the technology standard is low due to carpentry tools falling behind, cutting out nicely a single plank or a single beam is already a complicated task in itself.

Probably, scraping a single plank beautifully with neither a plane nor saw is quite a challenge.

– That’s right, actually, we have a single carpenter here, but… there’s no way for him to make a house building request this swiftly, you see.

– In that case, I’ll make you carpentry tools. Let’s try it out in practice tomorrow.

– It will be fine. You probably won’t be able to create splendid items, but I think you should progress well in making a fence. Fernando-san, I’d like for you to show them how it looks in practice tomorrow.
– *Nod* leave it to me.

The suggestion went smoothly together with Fernando’s nod.

No matter how it will turn out, these tools will probably become worthy as they have been never used before.
Eiji looked forward to tomorrow’s negotiations.

———–

The next morning. After finishing their breakfast, Eiji and Fernando went together with Dylan to the front of his house.
Fran too, tagged along til the entrance.

– Well then, Fran will be going out for a bit.

– For a little morning run with Gyusu. We are running til the slope. Eiji-san, want to join us as well?

– Is that so? Tell Fran whenever you feel like wanting to run.

Fran left. It seemed that in front of them, horses were allowed to run free inside a fence.

This time, the majority of the items were left on the boat.
However, Eiji was lucky to have the saw packed.

– Well then, as for cutting trees, can I have you bring me to a place with good wood?
– This way. Come with me.

The place to which Dylan took them was a deserted house.

There was no way for the wood itself become a waste.
As long its surface is carved, it will probably still be utilizable.

– Then, please watch carefully. This is the saw that I’m going to introduce you.

– Ah, it’s dangerous, so please don’t touch it.

– Then, Fernando-san, please show them!
– Why are you putting on airs?

Despite making a wry smile, Fernando placed the saw on the log and moved it forward and back.

Once the edge of the blade reached the equilibrium, the saw will move swiftly and rhythmically after that.
Small wood chips flew away as the sound from the blade continued reverberating.

– Ooohh! the log is being cut straightly, isn’t it?!

– Of course. How pleasant will the work become after you learn of such an item?

– The one who thought of and made it is this hard-to-understand blacksmith. I can only use it skillfully, you see…..eh, just as you can see, the log split in half.

– After using the saw, the cross-section of the split wood will be still considerably rough. Well, Fernando-san.
– Therefore, making the surface neat and smooth is the job of the plane.

A piece of lumber will shine beautifully with a gloss once the plane is applied on it by an expert.

It would be ideal to use the file for numerous and different purposes; nevertheless, there’s no problem in displaying it for just a single purpose.
Watching the surface being adjusted, Dylan became at a loss for words.

– How…….How……!

– It’s magnificent, Eiji! You, Become my son! If it’s now, I’ll make Fran into your bride!
– Ehhh!?

Just what on earth is this pops saying?

Dylan was a robust person, which didn’t make it seem he would be easily shaken off.

Indeed, the thought of helping someone that is being hugged by a man makes one shiver, nonetheless, being a victim is more unbearable.

Damn, he abandoned me. I’ll remember this!

– Is Fran no good? But, Chiara is my wife, you know. I can’t hand her to you.

– Oh…? Oh, that’s right. If you say so, let’s do as you say.

Dylan, who had calmed down, suddenly loosened his strength.
Escaping from the spot in a hurry, Eiji looked at Fernando who saved him with his words.

– Sorry, it was hard to save you directly.
– No, I was rescued.

What’s more, what he was doing would also become an advertisement for their trades.

The only thing remaining would be for Eiji to do his fine job similarly.

A picture is worth a thousand words.
Dylan stared fixedly at the wooden plank that was previously a log while touching and making a groan.

– You do it like this, you see. Once you become used to sawing the lumber straightly and easily, you will be able to suppress the loss of wood considerably.

– As long you don’t panic or rely too much on your strength, it should be alright.

The biggest concern may be the possibility of bending or breaking the saw.

Putting aside the wooden plank, Dylan raised both of his hands.
It was as if he was trying to say ‘I give up’.

– I planned this from the beginning, but, I’ll prepare top-grade horses for you.
– Please treat me well.

This negotiation as well, was Eiji’s side’s success, is what he believed.

————-

– Oi, for some reason, isn’t there a rattling sound on the boat?

– Of course. Well, go check it anyway. It will be troublesome if they fall into the river.
– I guess so.

It was noon.

Currently, they were sailing downstream.

The horses presented by Dylan were swift ones which also took part in the racing.

Both of them had chestnut coats; nevertheless, only Yan had a white head.
The two horses embarked the boat after following obediently.

Walking on the deck, Eiji headed toward the stern.

Eiji touched a single luggage so as to check whether it wasn’t loosened.
This one seems to be fine. Perhaps, the ones deeper inside? – he thought.

– How is it?

– How about the rest?
– I’m checking.

Passing through the gaps between the cargo, Eiji thrusted his head into.
And then, The sight of the cargo’s inside, which was obstructed til now, appeared.

—A girl was lying upside down while sleeping.

– Eh?

Thinking 'who it could be?', the identity of the person became clear to Eiji after a short while.

It is…..Fran, isn’t it?
Just why is she sleeping in such place?

Once Eiji managed to pass completely through the gaps with a trouble, he observed Fran at his feet.

Was it because she tossed and turned many times? Her healthy belly became completely exposed together with her lovely-shaped navel.
Her girly puffs as well, peeked through, which was much sensational for Eiji.

– What’s the matter?

– I’m steering the boat, so it’s impossible.

– Could it be, that you kidnapped her?
– No way!

This is problematic….
What should I do?

In front of Eiji who was confused at the sudden turn of event, Fran warped her mouth joyfully as she mumbled in her sleep.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]: Not 100% sure about this one.

Chapter end