Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 78

Chapter 78 – Information Gathering

Using a chisel, Eiji opened holes, one after another, in a long metal plank.

The size of the holes continued to change gradually from a big circle into a small one.
The plank was, by itself, thick and unusually solid.

Because of the large amount of carbon inside the plank, its hardness was exceedingly high.

After the holes are opened with the chisel, it’s necessary to adjust them little by little with a file. However, if too much power is applied onto a solid metal, which can't be easily scraped off, it will be more difficult to make small adjustments. In the end, patient, slow operation with the file is the best method.

Once he took the plank into his hands and confirmed the size of the holes with a scrutinizing eye, Pietro followed Eiji’s example as he stared at the plank similarly.

Perhaps, he couldn’t understand what Eiji was doing.

– Master, what are you making this time?

– Is there any relation between wire and this plank?

– I’ll do it!

– Let me do it too.

The disciples probably overheard Eiji’s and Pietro’s talk.

What about your job? – Eiji wanted to ask, but nevertheless, it was a good thing that they were craving for skills.
In the end, he only stared lightly at them.

Since explaining them at once is less time consuming, Eiji thought it was fine.

Dante and Katharina put a wry smile on their faces while getting impatient. Perhaps, it meant that they won’t repeat their mistake a second time and will focus on their tasks from now on.

– Shall I first show you how it's done? After all, this job isn't something that requires unique skills.

– Then, it’s alright for me as well, right?

– Then, I guess it’s my turn now.
– It isn't something that can't be done by anyone, so I'm going to show you quickly.

Saying so, Eiji installed the metal plank onto the pillar in front of the shaft that stretched out from the water wheel.
Once the plank was tightly fixed with screws, Eiji pulled on it so as to confirm it was solidly attached, however, it didn’t move an inch.

– Won’t it move if I use my power?

– Yeah!…..U-Urr…Hurrr

– ….Damn, guess it can’t be helped. I’m wasting my time on this. I’ll tell you, but, I wasn’t using my full power, ok? *sigh*……
– Really, Dante-kun is acting like a funny person, isn’t he?

With his full power, he would probably pull it off.

There was nothing wrong about his strength.
With this much strength, he should probably be fine with most jobs.

Dante and Katharina were exchanging words with each other, but, Eiji continued his task while ignoring them.

Being on good terms is a good thing.
Continue to get along like that, guys. – Is what Eiji thought, but he didn’t utter those words.

The next thing he brought was a steel material.
So as to make a wire thin enough to pass it through the holes, the metal would be flattened using water-powered hammer.

– First, use this. Pass this steel material through a hole in the plank. You see, only its head needs to be barely passed through due to its size. And then, grab it with pliers. Once you do so—pull it with all your strength!

Eiji braced his legs and concentrated his strength into both of his arms.

The steel was dragged out through the hole while being stretched.
By forcibly passing it through the hole, the steel became thinner and balanced in its thickness.

– Speaking of which, once there's a little more than just the tip, use the machine. You tie this up to the shaft’s protrusion in the water wheel and rotate it using the water wheel.

Guon guon – the water wheel generated sounds.

In the past, it would be passed through iron holes, whereas, in the present times, there were methods called the drawing process and wire drawing.

The process would be repeated several, several tens of times, til the steel achieves the desirable wire diameter.

Before it was possible to make use of the water wheel’s power, blacksmiths would do the whole work relying solely on human strength. Therefore, Eiji could do nothing but admire those people's strenuous effort.

The wire continued to coil and become thinner on the shaft, than at the beginning. As soon as Eiji confirmed it was done, he halted the wheel.

The hole this time was next to the previous one, and was slightly narrower.

– With that, well, it feels more or less like this.

– What is it, Pietro?

– Hm? I wonder if it would be good for a bra.

– Right, right. You understood it well, didn’t you? H-Hey, what’s the matter. Why are you giving me that ‘again?’ face?

– Because you’re getting the wrong idea, I’ll correct what I said. A wire can obviously be used not only for that. It has a wide range of usage, such as making light baskets, becoming a building material or a hanger. And most importantly, for making nets! With this you can grill more delicious fishes!

Recently, Eiji had the feeling that his disciple’s respect for him had weakened.

In order to win back his respect, I’ve got to show him my good side from now on. – Eiji thought.

No, I get the feeling that would just worsen the situation.

Actually, the application of the wire doesn’t end with just making a bra or daily necessities.

He wanted his disciples to continue producing raw materials while having them believe that they’re intended for something.
Thinking back on his behavior, was his way of teaching possibly too self-serving?

I’m making myself be hated, I guess. – Eiji thought.

If they at least manage to create useful things for other people by learning this skill, then it’s okay, but…..

At the time Eiji was watching them attentively, his disciples began their practice while striving to be the first to finish.
Despite there only being a slight strength requirement for this type of job, as one would expect, Dante’s strength seemed to be the most suitable for it.

Eiji suddenly thought.

If they had been his disciples, then it would've been fine for them to say a word and enter confidently. There was no need to sneak and peek.

Since there is a distance separating Eiji’s work spot from the door and louver windows, nobody should be able to see exactly what he was making.
The fact that he didn’t know whose presence was it left an unpleasant feeling inside his heart.

————-

As soon as Eiji finished his job and got on his way back home/and started going home, a voice was heard calling him to halt.

He was together with his beloved dogs. Unlike humans, dogs can grow big quickly.
Was it because of Mike feeding the dogs properly? – The two hunting dogs each had a large build, which one could describe as unbelievable.

– Eiji. We will soon begin to cut down on livestock for winter preparations once again, but can we work together on the tallow like last time?

– This year, just as you told us, we have turnips and clovers. That’s why, it seems we only need to make a third of what we made the previous year.
– Will there be enough food for winter?

Because there wasn’t enough fodder to supply food for the animals during winter, til now, they couldn’t help but to decrease the number of livestock, and make them into food.

If the livestock can survive winter, that fact itself will produce less effort, and it will be possible to make animal breeding more prosperous, again.

If one is to consider that in a long-term perspective, the number of livestock will certainly increase a lot; nevertheless, the first 2-3 years will perhaps contrarily result in a food shortage.

At Eiji, who expressed this concern in his question, Mike denied it by waving his hand from side to side.

– Yeah, about that, we have lots of dried cod, so you don't have to worry. If it’s necessary, we will cut down on how many sheep there are, so as to balance the accounts.

– Got it, leave the grinding to me.

Sheep are originally one of the easiest livestock to be raised.

Mike moved with his hand in a way that indicated chopping with a knife.
Nodding decisively, Eiji put his hand on his chest while making a sigh of relief.

– This year, we have lots of olive oil, so we will monopolize it by ourself. We shall save the beef tallow soap, which is easily applicable for industrial purposes, for Nazioni and trading.

– Jane-san's cooperating with us, so she will certainly deliver high grade products to us, I guess. As always, you’re one devoted husband, ain’t you?
– Shut up.

Eiji felt pleasant at Mike, who turned bashful.

The main component of the soap was olive oil, however, depending on what kind of oil is added as a substitute, the qualities of the soap will change.

Starting with the supervision of the disciples, Eiji threw a range of jobs at Pietro. For that reason, there was a risk of him overworking.

Most likely, Eiji have to come up with a counterplan of entrusting the soap making to someone else.

For the time being, he decided to make the soap by himself using the olive oil.

Perhaps it would be fine for him to craft items in the morning and evening time, and work hard on the soap production at noon.

At Eiji, who was thinking about the next plan, a voice from the distance called out.

Looking with a distant view, Eiji couldn’t clearly tell who it was, but nonetheless, the man seemed to be riding on a horse carriage.

As the source of the voice drew nearer, it became clear who it was.

Eiji felt it had been long since he cashed in on the soap.
So it has been a year since that time?

– Eiji-kun, I brought you things you requested.

Jean stopped the carriage while smiling with a grin.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]: Obviously Marseille soap is not. It’s made from vegetables. Author’s ignorance.

Chapter end