Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 87-88

Chapter 87 – Dante’s Past

The place Eiji was led to resembled a reception room.

The room was most likely a resting room for guests who were awaiting their meeting with Nazioni.

Eiji looked around its interior while sitting in a chair.

The beautifully trimmed garden gave a distinct impression from what he had seen on this island til now.
It was taken care of so pointlessly much that it was, so to speak, ghastly.

As Eiji was drinking water from the present jug, the door opened.

It wasn’t that surprising, as this place belonged to Dante’s family.

– Howdy. What’s up? I bet you’re feeling nervous.
– Dante, what’s the matter?

Eiji would lie were he to tell Dante he didn’t feel nervous.

Even though it was for the sake of protecting his beliefs, Eiji knew he was overdoing it a bit.

Not being related to Eiji’s concern, Dante replied smoothly.

– I was appointed to accompany you during your meeting.

– Just wait a little bit. It appears my father is preparing to meet you.

– My father…..? That’s right.

Dante was, so to speak, the closest person to Nazioni in his family.

Dante held his tongue and pondered for a while, but in the end, he started to mutter few words.

– Truth be told, my father and I aren't quite on good terms. Rather than that, I wonder if it’s better to say he won’t even look at me. For him, I’m someone he couldn’t care less about. Well, I’m not the only one who isn’t getting along with my father; my brothers also don't get along with him. Still, because they’re more outstanding than me, it doesn’t look like he has had any expectations in me from the beginning.

Dante began to talk about his story little by little, the content of which made Eiji become astonished.

Naturally, such a thing matters when it comes to fulfilling one’s duty as an heir, however, it should most likely not affect the way one’s treated.

Despite saying so, Eiji too had heard stories from elderly people about households where the eldest son would be adored the most.

If one was to explain why people used to cherish their family business above individuals, then one would probably point at that.

– Then, Dante, what’s your opinion on your father?
– Don’t get me wrong.

Was it something he hated to be asked about?

However, no anger was seen on his face.

– I regard my father highly. Did you know? During the previous war, the city of Nazioni was in the center of wartime destruction.
– No, this is the first I've heard of it.

Nazioni was placed right in the middle of the island.

Back then, Dante could barely remember the view as he was probably still too young.

– This trampled down place began to change once my father took over after my grandfather, who had passed away. Being proactive in making new allies on the west side, he took the advantage and rushed to the battlefield. And then, the war started to shift in favor of the east. Back then, my father seemed to possess a strength comparable with that of a fierce god or something similar. Rumor has it that he wouldn’t sustain even a single injury on the battlefield. With the war being put to an end thanks to his efforts, Nazioni was no longer a village but a governing body of the whole island, and my father has been considered as a hero.

An untold part of the war, the story that had been ambiguously retold by everyone. Eiji felt strange upon learning about it.

However, saying he didn’t incur a single injury on the battlefield sounded absurd.

In ancient times, being able to live through a war without an injury was perhaps quite important for a society.

– After the war concluded, my father, who had been the hardest fighter, became a peacemaker. With his first order, he decided to restore our village. Since Nazioni, at which my father stationed, was the most wasted and declined place, he wouldn’t listen to anyone’s advice. Despite saying so, he strengthened the defense of the city and made sure that no other war would occur. And then, he requisitioned for blacksmiths who specialized in bronze casting from other villages and built up our potential, or so it appears. My father is well aware of the fact that we are being detested by other people for imposing these methods.

– Certainly, it may be true that he doesn’t hold any interest in me, and that I had been doing nothing but bad deeds back when I lived in this city, but, as expected, father is still someone I deeply admire. That’s why, Eiji, I wanted you to know more about him.

Dante laughed while rubbing his nose shyly.

– What? So you’ve finally become aware of your own mistakes?

– If time allows us in the future, let's talk more about smithing.
– Really……?

He asked with a dumbfounded attitude, but, Eiji wouldn’t let Dante off just because he had told him that much.
Nevertheless, being able to reminisce on his own mistakes wasn’t a bad thing.

– Now that I think back on it, father has always been in solitary. Well, I can somehow understand him not taking a liking to me after grandfather died, but I hate those stupid brothers’ attitude of making me a fool of, you see.

– That’s because we have different mothers.

Dante’s mother was a concubine.

However, that would worsen at once after his mother had died from an illness.

No matter what he did, Eiji couldn’t think of treating his and Tanya’s own child that way.

– Being the 3rd son and a potential heir, I thought I could do as I pleased with anyone around me. After all, I was the son of the ruler. Nobody would say anything as nobody would object to me. The only person to speak to me would be someone like Franko. Therefore, at that time, I was truly surprised and annoyed at being knocked down by you, Eiji.

– But now, I’ve come to understand a bit of myself from back then.
– This is what you call being a grown-up, right?

Ahh, well, it was my bad – Dante turned around at Eiji’s words as if trying to dodge the question.
He was most likely feeling bashful.

– It’s about time to go.

– You mean it? I don’t know what you plan to do, but, you have my support.

– Fine, then, I shall guide you. You better follow me!

Standing up, Dante opened the door and went out.

He felt he bore no remaining grudge against Dante from the day they first met.

Chapter 88 – The Meeting with the Ruler (first part)

It was a spacious audition room.

On both sides of its entrance, there were 2 men standing at attention while holding weapons.
And then, there was a splendid throne set inside the room.

So this is the ruler of Nazioni……?!

His hair was abundant just like a lion’s mane and his eyes’ pupils were similar to that of a bird of prey.

The word ‘majestic’ would describe this giant the best.

Eiji was well aware he was Dante’s father.

Nazioni observed Eiji with pleasant eyes.

It was as though a slight chill passed through right after their eyes met.

It seemed that Nazioni being regarded as a hero wasn’t just for show.

They both had yet to exchange words with each other.

Thinking so, Eiji felt like he was losing his strength.

There’s no way for you to submit. – Eiji reconsidered once again.

Following Dante, who had guided him til here, Eiji stood in front of the throne.
He was neither told to sit nor kneel, however, Eiji casted down his eyes so as not to be rude.

– Raise your head.
– Yes.

The one to give him the command was Franko, who stood next Nazioni.

Nazioni made a broad grin.
His big canine teeth, which showed through, resembled that of a wild animal.

– So you’re the blacksmith from Siena named Eiji, right? You have done a great effort by coming all this way. Dante, that’s enough, you can now withdraw.
– No, I’ve already gone through this much trouble, so I’m going to watch.

It was a heavy bass sound which reverberated in one’s stomach just like a rattle.

At Dante’s response, Nazioni laughed with an enjoyable face as if witnessing something unusual.

– For you to take part in government affairs, just what kind of change have you gone through?

– Even I have grown up a bit.
– *Sfx for snorting* Well, fine by me. Just stay close to the wall and don’t interrupt us.

As soon as Dante did so, Nazioni shifted his eyes again at Eiji.

One could sense disdain and cold-heartedness from his voice and look.

Or perhaps, he had already given up on Dante due to his bad behavior?

– Speaking of which, you have been looking after that foolish, useless son of mine, right? It must have been troublesome for you.

– I wonder how much of that is true…. Well, nevermind. I shall hear more on that once we conclude our business. Franko, explain to him the detail of our discussion.
– Yes.

Franko gazed at Eiji as he stood in front of him.

Just how much had Eiji gone through because of that man?

There was no way for him to incur their displeasure.

– Eiji, I would like to express my deepest thanks for your hard work during this time’s tax collection. That being the case, we shall put the offered tools into practice and have you explain their usage. Since it’s much easier to explain in words, this time we have called up each engineer for that.

At Franko’s words, men who had been waiting on standby somewhere else entered the room.
Again, there were tools that had been brought and lined up by soldiers. Carpentry tools were accompanied by wood, whereas, masonry tools – stone. They were all set and ready to be dealt with.

Tidying them up will be quite bothersome, won’t it? – Eiji stood in front of the tools while having such worthless thoughts.

– Here we have a saw, a plane, and a set of chisels. Since carpenters here seem to be more familiar with chisels, I will first demonstrate how the saw and the plane work.

– Nazioni-sama, if you say so, there won’t be any meaning in calling those workmen.
– It should be fine as long I have them line up around me.

It appeared that Nazioni was deeply interested in the new tools.

He was standing and looking at Eiji, whereas, the workmen were observing and studying on their knees.
Good grief, I guess people must feel burdened whenever their superior says something on a whim. – he thought.

– According to what I have heard, you usually use hatchets for shaving wood, right? With this saw here you can keep a straight cross-section when dividing the wood. Thanks to this tool, it is possible to make rectangular pillars with ease.

Placing his foot on a wooden material, Eiji attached the saw’s blade to it.

At first, Eiji sawed gently and carefully, and then, he continued to add more strength into once the saw’s cutting became rhythmical.

Were it to be even, the saw would get stuck in wood immediately after it began to cut, and as a result, become unable to move.

*sfx for saw cutting x2* – Each time the noisy sound of the saw cutting was produced, Eiji understood that the woodworkers and carpenters present there were getting excited.

*sfx for dropping* – a single edge of the wood fell.

– Like this, you can cut off the wood without futility. I shall introduce you the plane as next.

Eiji was fond of demonstrating how the plane works to foreign people.

Eiji set the plane evenly on the wood.

As he pulled the plane before him while matching the rhythm of his body, wood shavings began to come out smoothly just like Katsuobushi[2].

– Ohhh, what’s this?

– Just how on earth is he doing it……? Hey, try to do the same. Just what’s the deal with this transparent-like thinness? What’s more, look at this shaved wood. Isn’t it radiating with light?

– Don’t be stupid. I wouldn’t be able to, even if I were to have a pile of gold.

Shock and amazement could be noticed from workmen’s voices and expressions.

And then, passing them to his colleagues, the latter slowly examined the shavings.
Nazioni talked to Eiji.

– Can I check it?

– Certainly, it’s slippery. This is the first time for me to witness such a smooth wood.

The plane is said to be handed down from China.

For that reason, a Japanese version of the plane had been specially developed.
Again, instead of just processing and lacquering wood, like in foreign countries, the advancement of planes in Japan is said to have been pushed up thanks to its people's love of plain wood.

– Fumu….This is indeed a splendid tool! Excellent, keep on explaining the rest of the tools!
– Understood!

Being in a good mood, Nazioni requested further explanation.

————

The workmen tidied up all the things and withdrew from the audition room.
Only Nazioni, Franko, Dante, and the soldiers were left together with Eiji.

I guess things have been progressing quite smoothly. – He thought.

And judging from Nazioni’s reactions, Eiji felt even more confident.

Obviously, because of that, it was possible his actions would draw unwanted trouble. Nevertheless, by showing how useful he is, Eiji would most likely be able to increase his right to speak.

Eiji was glad to see that its minimum condition was fulfilled.

It appeared that Franko had something to say.

– Well then, Eiji. For now, you have done a splendid work. There is no doubt that your skills as a blacksmith are real, and we are convinced they will play an indispensable role in the development of this island.

– That being the case, we would like to give you a reward.
– A… reward?

So it had finally arrived. By saying ‘a reward’, didn’t he mean Eiji would be forced to face that reality?

Good grief. Have I too become able to read other people’s gestures?
Just one, two years, it was something unthinkable for him to do.

– Eiji, you know that your background is little known to us. Despite that, Nazioni-sama was generous enough to consider admitting you into his clan. I believe you already know about this person as your pupil, but, think of it as courtesy from Nazioni-sama and marry his adopted daughter, Katharina. Once it is done, you shall be officially recognized as a member of the clan.

– Wha……..?!
– Heh?

Franko opened his eyes widely from disbelief at this unexpected response.

Well, it’s now or never and no failure will be accepted.
Bring it on.

Translator and reference notes:

[1]: A term used to describe Japanese planes. For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_plane

[2]: A dried, fermented tuna. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsuobushi

Chapter end