Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 72-73

Chapter 72 – The Night and the Return

It was night.

The sound was small, and it wasn’t coming from this room.

That was Fran.

*Gigii* – The sound of creaking, heard directly, was noisy.

Perhaps it was due to Eiji’s eyes being accustomed to the dark, but the outside looked unexpectedly bright for him.

The sounds of waves reverberated in the distance.

And then, the sound of a horse breathing and trembling from the cold followed.
Eiji directed his sight toward the sounds from inside of the darkness.

Fran was riding on Yan under the starlight.

Her eyes were closed, and her gentle expression was spellbound.

It was another side of her, which Eiji hadn’t known.
To think that she was able to make such a face.

– Fran?

– Why are you at outside?

– You can’t sleep? That’s why you are together with Yan and Yun?

– Does it…. also happen when you’re together with Dylan and Chiara?

Eiji asked timidly.

Not wanting to hear the expected answer, Eiji’s throat became dry.

Fran nodded without hesitation.

– When I’m at home, there’s Gyusu next to me.

– It’s fine. Good night, Eiji.
– Yeah, good night.

Usually, there tends to be a barn attached to each household.

However, her reply felt a little bit sad.
Even though Fran was living together with Dylan and Chiara, where did her heart wander?

Provided, she cannot constantly maintain her relationship with humans….

Dylan and Chiara, who had raised her together as their own child, as well as Fran herself, must have it tough.

It was a type of problem to which Eiji had no answer.

Eiji kept silent as he returned back to his room.
Not feeling in the best mood, for some reason, it took him more time to fall asleep.

———–

The next morning.

The direction of the bow was switched and ready to embark on.

– Hey, Eiji-kun.

– No, it’s not like I don’t believe you, but, is it really possible for us to go upstream?

– I guess there were times like that.

– Yeah, I was.

Fernando seemed to be anxious.

Fernando would take control of the rudder and Fran would raise up the anchors.
Eiji quickly spread the sail and operated the oar.

– Well then, we are moving. The wind is okay!

– Raise up the anchors!

As the anchors were raised up, the boat received some recoil from the added weight.

Receiving the wind in its sail, the boat produced a dull sound.
At the beginning, it was really slow.

And then, the boat advanced steadily and favorably.

Despite the terrain being the same, the outlook was quite different.

– Well, we are getting close to Auman.

– We don’t know. The only thing we can do at that time will be to apologize in all sincerity.

– Hey hey, there are some people waiting there again.
– They’re Dylan-san and Chiara-san……

As soon as Eiji and the rest came alongside the riverbank, they dropped the anchors.

There was a considerable distance from the river to the village.

Eiji looked at Fran’s face. On which, there was no sign of surprise visible.

– Fran, can Dylan-san and Chiara-san communicate with horses as well?

– Then, how did they know despite Fran not being here?

– Is it possible to treat a horse’s call as an information about our arrival?

– I do.
– Still, I can’t place my trust on that….

As one would expect, was such a thing possible?

Could it be that a family living together with horses had this much trust placed in their horses?
As soon as Eiji and the rest disembarked, Dylan and Chiara dashed toward them.

– Dylan-san, we are here to return your daughter.

– Thank god…… I’m glad you were safe.

– I’m sorry.

Dylan and Chiara embraced Fran.

Eiji felt like he truly did something inexcusable. Perhaps, he should’ve returned Fran that time.

– I’m truly sorry. I thought about hurrying up with her return after we had finished lodging.

– Once we noticed, she was already with us. We were debating on whether or not we should return her immediately, but, we also had our next destination ahead of us, so……

– I told Eiji that I wanted him to let me sail together.

Once Eiji bowed down, Fran began with her explanation.

It was as though Fran’s body turned stiff within a moment.

– Fran, inform me before you intend to go out.

– Good grief, don’t make us worry.

– After that, you need a good lecturing.
– Auu…..

Chiara showered Fran with her kisses,

However, if possible, he wanted it to happen only this time.

Eiji felt relieved.

————

As soon as their water supply was restored, they prepared to resume their sailing.
With just food and water supplies for their return trip, Eiji and Fernando had no intention of making any long stays.

– See you, Eiji! Fer!

– I tried it out right away, and the work became truly convenient. I’ve already managed to make shelves and a desk.
– Is that so? I’m glad.

Gently waving back toward Fran, who was waving broadly with a smile on her face, Eiji asked for Dylan’s impression about the saw.

Was Fernando thinking about arranging a carpenter for Auman? A hard expression surfaced on his face.

– Regarding a carpenter, I'll figure out something later.

– No, thank you for your consideration, even so, I’ve got lots of things to do. Maybe I should forward you somebody from our village….. perhaps, my subordinate, Thomas? …..Still, I am unable to make a prompt decision.
– Yes, I don’t mind. I'm greatly looking forward to that. Hopefully, I can count on you before my house falls down.

At Dylan, who was smirking, Fernando replied with a smile.
——-

The boat has been progressing for 2 days.

As they continued their sailing from the early morning, they finally reached the halfway point.

– Looks like the wind is gone, isn’t it?

– Who’s going to come down?

– Got it. Stop the boat for a moment.

Eiji landed Yan and Yun from the boat.

He put belts on the horses and tied them with a rope in front. The belts were chest-type ones, called harnesses, used to attach plows and harrows.
The boat and the horses were connected.

– Excellent, let's move forward. Fernando-san, raise the anchors! It’s fine not to spread the sail. If we don't pay attention to small adjustments, it will be dangerous.

– Yan, Yun. I’m relying on you. If you are troubled, don’t hesitate in telling me.

Eiji spoke while looking in their eyes.

Perhaps, they can understand one’s emotions when staring fixedly at that person’s eyes….

Nevertheless, Eiji didn’t plan to be forcible.

The boat once again started to progress

They would take a considerable break every hour.

Anyway, it was essential to return back steadily without wearing them out.

However, this speed was clearly dull.
At this rate, their journey would take them 120% longer.

Were Yun and Yan exhausted from their daily pulling job? – Eiji thought.

As they continued to approach the highlands, the river stream became clearly fast.

Even the river’s flow toward Tal was remarkably quick.
Eiji forgot that the upper river was quite strong.

– Fernando-san, once you can leave the rudder still, please come down and help me.

– Yan, Yun, are you okay?

Wearing leather gloves, Eiji pulled the rope next to him

Holding the rope, he could feel the resistance passing through his hands.
Incredible, so they were pulling a heavy thing like this.

Carrying the rope on his shoulder, Eiji walked forward.

Placing it from his hands to his back, Eiji could feel the profound weight of the boat.

Following that, Fernando dashed over to support Eiji.

– Let’s go, Fernando-san. Fight!

– That was the signal to start!

– Damn, this is indeed heavy.

Could it be that commercial slangs don’t work?
Making a wry smile, he continued to diligently pull the rope.

———

– We have arrived

– You'll probably remember once you see it, it’s the watermill.
– Ah, I’m glad….. Both my shoulders and lower back are already at their limit.

It was a long trip.

Eiji thought that the first part of their trip went a little bit too smooth; nevertheless, it seemed to be canceled out by this.
As much as he would look, Fernando’s face returned to its original shape as well.

They both gave up on approaching near the coast from which they first departed.

I’ll recover it another day. – He thought.

Having the familiar scenery in front of them, they lost strength.
It didn’t look like they would move a step more.

– Finally, we have arrived, haven’t we?

– Good grief.

Eiji felt like agreeing with Fernando.
I wonder if, starting next time, we should cease going together on the trade expeditions. – He thought.

                             

Chapter 73 – After the Return (first part)

Once the cargo was disembarked from the boat, Eiji fully loaded the wheelbarrow with rice bags and advanced his way back to home.

While thinking so, a smile formed naturally on his expression.

Despite saying so, everyone seemed to be busy as he didn’t meet anyone along the way.

Everything remained the same since his departure from the village.

The door of his house was opened wide.

Even though houses were distributed between each household, most of these families were like branches of a larger one.

I wonder if Tanya-san has been doing fine?

Because the door and the louver windows were opened, the interior was bright thanks to the sunlight flowing in.

Compared to one month earlier, her tummy had grown bigger.

Eiji wanted Tanya to start resting soon; nevertheless, despite thinking so, he was the one who had put her in charge of house-sitting, so he couldn’t firmly express what he thinks.

Using her slow movements, Tanya was also taking care of their livestock.

Right now, she was giving food to Button.
While moving her hands, Tanya spoke toward Button.

– Button, Eiji-san is surely late, isn’t he?

– It’s lonesome to sleep alone during night.

– You’re saying that you’re with me? Thank you, but I guess Button won’t become a replacement.

– Did I make you feel down? Sorry for that. I’m glad that Eiji-san strives as a worker, but, feeling lonely just because he can't be next to me due to his job feels complicated.

Seeing Tanya, who was speaking to Button with a gloomy face, Eiji couldn’t bring himself to call out to her.

Eiji felt he wasn't considerate enough.

Keeping silent, Eiji waited for Tanya’s next words.

– This won’t do. If Eiji-san finds out that I’m sad like this, he will start paying more attention. I’ve got to make sure that he can leave home in a positive and relieved mood. After all, protecting one’s home is a woman’s job.

Fine, let’s become lively!

Not being aware of Eiji’s presence, Tanya’s words were most likely genuine.
Were he to pay attention and decide to return back tomorrow, Tanya would probably notice his true motif sooner or later even if she was to be happy at first.

He himself wasn't the type of person that would be glad from becoming someone else's hindrance.

That, should be possibly the best return gift from him towards Tanya’s expectation.

Not feeling like he can leave, Eiji went back to the entryway while hiding the sound of his footsteps.

I’ll pretend that I didn’t see and make it looks like I’ve just returned.

– I’m back!
– Eiji-san?! Welcome back.

Tanya, who was pregnant, rushed over to the entrance with a quick pace.
And then, lightly hugged Eiji immediately after approaching him.

– Welcome back. Thank you for your trouble during this long trip.

– I’ve been doing fine thanks to everyone treating me well.

Hearing the words from Tanya who was acting firm, Eiji felt an unmanageable sensation gushing inside his chest,

Despite that, Eiji fell more and more affectionate toward her.
I’ll make her happy. – he thought.

– Is that so? I was feeling lonely, but…
– Eh? really? So Eiji-san is a person that becomes easily isolated. Still, I really wanted to meet you. Being able to see Eiji-san’s face makes me glad.

Tanya and Eiji embraced each other for a while.

Tanya suddenly noticed the rice bags.

– What is this big luggage?

– Oh my, what’s inside of them?

– I’m looking forward to that. But, is it possible to eat all of these?

Tanya’s concern was understandable.

An amount of rice which consists of 100 kilos is probably not something that can be easily finished.

This much would be roughly equivalent to 80% of a yearly amount for an average person in modern Japan.
In other words, assuming that wheat remains their main diet, they won’t finish off the rice even within a single year.

– Once we know of any delicious food preparation using this rice, shall we share with the people from our neighborhood?

– I wonder about that…

He felt hesitant in his reply.

His only experience of cooking rice with a fire with cooking utensils was his memory of the distant past when he attended his outdoor school.

Even though the rice variety was different, there was probably no food that couldn’t be eaten after cooking.

It’s a job that allows one to move from one place to another, and make things whenever they’re needed.

– As soon as you learn any method of rice cooking, please teach me. I too, will do my best to come up with something and make a tasty food.
– I’m looking forward to that.

Eiji decided to depend on Tanya’s kind proposal.

——————

Later, while having a meal, Eiji talked with Tanya about interesting events that took place during his trip.

I guess, taste isn’t something that can be sensed with just the tongue – Eiji thought.

He lost a lot of stamina from his return by upstream.

Starting from the next time, it will probably be more efficient to set up a stop in their middle way and carry in luggage using land routes.

Again it will require efforts from the villagers, however, for the sake of performing regular trades, it should be incorporated as the next idea for improvement.

Once Eiji slept overnight and recovered his stamina, he moved toward tribal chief’s house.

As soon as this is over, Eiji will finally be able to head toward his workshop and ask for the details from his disciples.

Eiji wanted to finish this bothersome report as fast as possible.

Inside the house of the tribal chief, all the village executives lined up.

And then, this time, Tanya too was participating as a listener.

Indeed, it’s troublesome – Eiji changed his way of looking at things.

– Fernando-san hasn’t arrived yet?

– You just came at just the right moment. Then, let’s begin the meeting without delay. What you exported for the trade were furs; textiles; leather products, such as leather belts and leather boots; iron-made tools; blankets; and woolen goods. Was there anything else besides these?

– I guess it was so. And then, what you obtained were all high grade products, like olive oil, salt, spices, horses, gold and silver tableware, correct? To think that, in this one trip, you would yield the equivalent of this village’s annual revenue in foodstuff alone……..

The other members have probably not yet realized what Eiji and Fernando acquired.

The only ones who were calmly grasping the situation were Bona and Tanya.

– They’re Horses. Wifey, I wonder which ones are more handsome between ours and Jean’s.

– Right right. If we don’t treasure them, it won’t do. Don’t you think so, Ber?

– Obviously, I can.

The horses were the center of attention.

It was decided that once a stable is quickly erected, Bernardo and Giorgio will be looking after the horses.
Bona, who kept a short distance from the hustle and bustle, seemed to prefer observing this village’s affairs with a calm attitude til the end.

– Well then, can I have you tell me about what we need to improve from now on, and what you have noticed? Also, if there are any agreement you have made during your trip, can you report it to me?

– I’ll explain regarding the carpenter’s stuff. About the promises you made, it should be fine for you to report.
– Understood.

Then, what kind of promises did I make?

First, they went to Tal.

After that, they were welcomed at the river by a party of people, and lastly, received a warm reception from the village of Marina.
….Til here, there should be no mistake about the journey.

I guess a piece of paper would be desirable at times like this. – he thought.

Next time, I’ll try asking if there is any ink or parchment.

– The first problem will be whether or not we should tell Tal about the manufacturing method of the distilled alcohol. Provided we do, what will be the equivalent value for that?

– In this village, there are no redundant people. I think I wouldn’t mind telling them on some conditions.

– We could request them to send us a regular amount of foodstuff, like wheat, each year. Or perhaps, we can possibly have them make drugs from the distilled alcohol at the same time and determine Siena as their first trading partner?

– It will increase the population of people in the villages. What’s more, improving living? conditions, as well as decreasing famine and illnesses will be the first step toward strengthening the capacity of the villages.
– Fumu, furthermore, if we alone get our hands on lots of foodstuff, we won’t starve. As for me, I’ve no objections. How about the rest?

Bona looked around to the surrounding people.

On the other hand, Jane was pondering about something, and Mike suddenly raised his hand.

– Yes, yes. I do.

– There’s no problem in us making our own alcohol after telling them the method, right?

– Then, I’ve no complaint.

– It’s fine, Jane, you may talk.

– There is.

– That’s a good idea.

I see – Eiji thought.

It will be as also easier and more natural to impose conditions, so there doesn’t seem to be any problem.

– Understood. Just like Jane-san said, it’s probably better to sell them the still each time.

– No, there wasn’t particularly….ah, there was.

– It’s a talk which puts Nazioni in the center, about the ruler. Because it’s also related to Mostori, I’d like to bring up this whole topic for discussion later.

– Yes

There were lots of issues they had to decide on.
It looks like the meeting will take a while.

                             

Chapter end