SKM – Chapter 42.2

Translator: ShimizuA, manshiro Editor: Arocks Proofreader: – TLC: –

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New Arc: Eiroku era, proceeding to the capital

Early January, 1568

Part 2

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Surprisingly, after slapping his face in disbelief because Shizuko said ‘take as much of it as you want,’ Kyujiro only took as much as his original asking price from the wooden box.

“Hehehe, a typical merchant might have taken it all, but this Kyujiro won’t do such lowly behavior.”

Kyujiro closed the wooden box’s lid with a shady smile that, no matter how one looked at it, didn’t convey such admirable thinking.

“Excuse me. I still have another business after this, so I thank you for your time. Well then Shizuko-sama. If you need anything else, please feel free to contact this Kujiro.”

Still with his shady-looking smile until the end, he excused himself and left with the boy. They passed the gate of the village and after Shizuko’s village was out of their sight, the boy –who had been silent– opened his mouth.

“Kyujiro-sama, is it really okay? There was a lot of money in there…

“Ah? Don’t ask such nonsense. It must have been a test for me.”

Looking at the boy as if he just said something stupid, Kyujirou answered his question.

“Let’s think what would happen if I took all that money and left. That woman would remove me from the next new business she is starting. Then, if you forcibly tried to take a bite, you would be watched by the Lord of Oda. Being excluded from good offers because of being greedy? I don’t want that. Only the Sakai guys do such stupid things.”

“O-Okay…”

“Listen here, Doing business doesn’t mean just selling and buying on the spot. Sometimes you need to gain your partner’s favor before thinking about your loss and gains. The investment at that time would later turn into a lot of money and stumbled its way into my pocket. In short, you need to lose money to get profit, that kind of thing.”

“Is that so?”

“Just ‘is that so’…are you really my kid? Try to at least understand the basics of doing business. From today on, you will repeat the ten Omi merchant precepts, and then Sanpo Yoshi¹, you blockhead!”

Kyujiro spared a glance at his son who was frightened by his voice and then walked away with a big stride. The son was left behind, but after his mind caught up he hurriedly followed after Kyujiro.

On the other hand, Shizuko, who bought the rock and “a certain something”, spoke to Keiji and others while holding the rock in one hand.

“This, this rock is a mineral called kaolinite”

“Kaolinite…?”

“Yes, it’s a raw material for making porcelain. It’s valuable because it’s not available in Owari and Mino, and other provinces haven’t discovered it yet.”

Kaolinite was a single white soft rock that is the raw material for porcelain. However, it was not available in Owari and Mino. There are some Kaolinite veins in the vicinity (Hattori and Kawai veins in Ishikawa province, Kiyomi, Inishi, Shibukusa veins in Gifu prefecture, etc.). However, both are outside of their territory. So she couldn’t just go and dig them. To begin with, its excavation won’t begin until the Edo period, so it was seldom seen in the Sengoku period.

Furthermore, even though it’s not a metal ore, a lot of people would be needed to mine it. However, it would be much cheaper than an ordinary tunnel mine since it could be mined with an open-pit mine. Open-pit mines are suited to mining Kaolinite since deposits are often close to the surface and large in size.

But there exists an unavoidable issue. Something as flashy as mining in another country’s territory would surely draw the ire of the country’s ruler. Doing something unnecessary that could affect Nobunaga’s plans before he takes the capital would be a problem. When Shizuko wondered what to do, Kyujiro must have heard of it and gone there himself to dig up the ore.

“He did well to stay beneath the notice of that territory’s ruler… that ruffian.”

“This is something fundamentally different from iron, copper, silver, or gold. Unless you process it, this is as Katsuzou-kun said: ‘just a random stone’. A statesman probably won’t care if a merchant digs up something worthless. Maybe he also paid some bribes.”

Either way, if this truly was Kaolinite, they could make porcelain in Hinomoto. Historically, the beginning of white porcelain in Japan came during the Edo period when the raw materials for it were found on Mt. Izumi northeast of Arita in Saga prefecture, which was processed into Arita porcelain. The porcelain at the time was entirely white. Having been used to the porcelain from China that had perfected porcelain production techniques in the 8th century, the Japanese didn’t want monochrome, all-white porcelain, which soon led to the production of porcelain with pictures and decorative patterns on them. In an instant, monochrome porcelain died out as craftsmen produced Japanese tableware with various patterns.

The reason Shizuko wanted to produce porcelain was simply due to her desire to experience the process at least once. She also thought that, since Nobunaga wasn’t simply a brute mountain ape, but instead a highly educated and cultured individual, she could appeal to him with the porcelain. Although, in the end, the main reason was still a Shizuko-typical “she wanted to try making it”.

“Well, after processing it into something usable, I guess I’ll leave it to the craftsmen to make something out of it. Although I want to try making one piece as well.”

“Hohou, is pottery your hobby Shizucchi?”

“I don’t have such a cultured hobby. It’s simply a good opportunity, so why not experience it myself once? Well, I first have to process it into clay anyway. Aya-chan, please prepare a wooden bucket and the soil from Seto for me.”

“As you wish. The soil from Seto is that which the potters from Seto are using, correct?”

“Yes, please get those for me. I’ll process the Kaolinite after you have the wooden bucket ready, so that’s fine for now. I’ll carry this wooden box to my room, okay? I’m tired, so inspecting its contents can wait until later.”

With these words, Shizuko picked up the other wooden box. It was surprisingly heavy, but she managed to somehow leave the room with a normal expression on her face.

“Ah, you can disband for now if you want to. I don’t have plans to meet with anyone else.”

Shizuko said while leaving, gauging their reactions. They didn’t seem to be suspicious of her actions. This made Shizuko internally sigh a breath of relief.

“See you later.”

Finally, Shizuko left the room behind and returned to her own room. She placed down the box near the center of the room before making sure all openings to the room were tightly closed. After making sure once more that she could feel nobody around, Shizuko turned to the wooden box once again. Softly lifting up the lid, she confirmed the contents once again. Sitting inside was still the same thing she had expected.

(… Why did Kyujiro-san have this…? No, rather, why is a modern item that doesn’t belong to me in this era…?)

The item inside the wooden box was a black sports bag made from synthetic fibers.

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The sports bag was fairly large in size with a length of around 80 cm. Furthermore, it wasn’t just an ordinary sports bag. The bag was tattered and muddy enough to tell that the owner had been using it for many years with great care. In contrast to that, a tremendous amount of blood had stained the bag. She couldn’t tell if the blood belonged to the owner or someone else. Shizuko opened the zipper on the bag with trembling hands. It contained a large quantity of small plastic bags, a few things that looked like saplings, as well as a diary-looking thing.

And while Shizuko was interested in the plastic bags and the saplings, she decided to read the diary first. She was a little bit reluctant to read someone else’s diary, but the information about the bag’s owner was more important to her than that feeling. Wanting to get the most recent information, Shizuko started reading from the end.

[June 15th

At long last, the time has come for my daughter to leave this house. No, leaving is not quite correct. She got married and joined that family. But, the wedding ceremony sure blindsided me. It’s unfair that she brought out that outfit she made for her when she was still in kindergarten. Even though I decided not to cry, I cried like a waterfall. And when that stopped, she said this to me: “Even though my mother died while I was still young, my father loved me twice as much, so I didn’t feel lonely at all. I am proud to be my father’s daughter.” At that… I cried rivers again. What should I do? Did I get the photo of my late wife drenched in salty water? I can’t show her the photo of our daughter in her bride’s dress like this.] [ August 1st

My daughter and son-in-law periodically come to visit. And while it keeps me from becoming lonely, am I not putting a burden on them like this? Since it made me feel mushy, I decided to talk to them about it. It seems they really were worried that I’d feel lonely all on my own. My son-in-law suggested that I should come live with them, but I refused. First of all, there’s no point in it if the both of them can’t build a family themselves.

From what I’ve seen on the internet, a lot of parents scheme to live with their children in order to be taken care of later, but I don’t want to stoop down to the level of these vulgar people. That’s why I told my daughter and son-in-law: “I’m very happy about the offer to live with you. But daughter, your family is the man standing beside you, not me. Thank you for considering an old man like me, son-in-law, but rather than me, take care of my daughter. It’s okay, I’m still a long time away from growing senile. And lately, probably because of all the gardening work, I think I have lost a bit of blubber.” In response, both of them smiled while also crying at the same time. Papa will take those as tears of joy, daughter of mine.

[August 7th

“Why don’t I just plant some fruit?” was what I thought about how to use my spacious garden effectively. A long time ago, my daughter asked me why we have such a spacious garden. At the time I lied and said that I wanted a parking garage. In truth, I want to grow a home garden with my wife, growing flowers together as we get older.

But it failed at the first step.

Hmm… maybe I should grow flowers my wife liked alongside the foodstuff my daughter and son-in-law like.”

[August 8th

I was nervous because I rarely called them from my place. But why was the one who answered the husband? That was what I thought, but I found it convenient. I wonder if it looks weird for a man listening to another man listing his favorite food. Well, I was wondering what I should grow in the garden, so I think it would be fine if I just say that I growing my relative’s favorite food.] [August 10th

For a young man, my son-in-law surprised me a little when he said he liked vegetables. The newcomers at the company usually answer with meat… oh well, I think I have heard the boss blabbering that there was an agricultural expert in his acquaintances, so let’s ask him to introduce me to them tomorrow.

Umm, my daughter likes spinach, napa cabbage, oranges, watermelons, and rice. And for his husband was mustard spinach, white flower beans, snap peas, potatoes, lemons, and umeboshi…Are they really youngsters? They sound like what a countryside grandpa and grandma would like. There is a mix of fruit and vegetables, so maybe I should contact the expert soon. For starters, let’s call the boss.] [August 13th

The boss’s capability and swiftness always amaze me. My paid leave was approved the next day after I called, just how… oh well, it doesn’t really matter. But, you know, the countryside is amazing. They took just a few days to get things ready after I called. Rural networks are amazing.

They said that it wasn’t an F1 species, but an inbred one, but… what does F1 mean in the first place? What‘s the difference? By F1, do they mean that Formula 1 race? I don’t really understand. Let’s Google it later to find out.] [August 14th

I thought that my place was already the countryside, but the appointed place was more country than that. When I learned that there was only one bus per DAY, not per hour, I couldn’t hide my surprise. Since I need to bring back the saplings, I brought a sports bag that I used on a business trip…would it be okay?

As expected, my first impression of the agriculture expert was that he was a stubborn old man. However, I have brought a secret weapon with me.

After greeting, I gently give something to the old man. The boss said that the old man likes chestnut yokan from Minna-do. Sure enough, the old man’s attitude changed drastically. The effect is outstanding!] ² [August 15th

I stayed overnight at the old man’s house because I missed the bus. The old man was pleased that he was able to drink delicious sake for the first time in a while.

I need to check what kind of seeds and saplings I have received. The seeds are spinach, napa cabbage, mustard spinach, white beans, snap peas, potatoes, okra, and watermelon. The saplings are oranges, lemons, and plums. They also added some unplanned varieties such as red perilla for pickling plums and oats seeds for green manure. Also, they pushed me some beans that will go well with beer.

The rice was a Tomohonami cultivar or something, but I don’t really know since it was so obscure. In the first place, I only know rice varieties like Koshihikari and Akitakomachi. The other one was…what was the name again… I think it uses difficult kanji… Oh well.

Oops, I need to confirm the flowers as well. Insect repellent chrysanthemum, sunflower, cosmos, aloe vera, kidachi aloe³, golden barrel cactus, French marigold, strelitzia, margaret, laurel …that’s all of them. Still, she might be my wife, but what’s with this lineup? I’ve known her since we were kids, but I still can’t understand her.

Now that I listed them like this, there’s sure a lot. Well, with this many, I won’t have time to be sad.

The saplings were wrapped in towels or paper to prevent damage and seeds were placed in the remaining space. The saplings are big, but even if there are hundreds of seeds, each one is small, so they’re more compact. They didn’t take as much space as the saplings. Unexpectedly I can pack them all, even with a little room to spare. But I said that too early.

When I thought that the old man has suddenly returned home, he immediately returned with a paper bag in one hand. When I asked what was that, he said that it was a snack pineapple⁴ sapling. Apparently, the old man received the seedlings from an acquaintance, but he didn’t feel like raising them. So, it seems that he was eager to push it to me. Oh well, if it turns out to be impossible, no harm done. I thanked the old man and left his house. The bus’ shaking makes me sleepy, so I’ll end today’s entry here. Good night.]

Perhaps because of what happened after that, the letters written next were totally different, and they were written quite messy.

[ ?? month ?? day

Where am I?! It’s so strange… I only fell asleep on the bus… how did I end up in the midst of a forest! D-Did the Bus driver just dump me somewhere in the woods…? No, that can’t be it. There’s nothing in it for him, plus I still have all of my belongings. But where am I…? It should be Japan… right? And I just noticed, I’m holding the sheath of a sword. But I don’t remember having packed something like a sheath….?]

(Sheath…? If I remember it correctly, didn’t the old woman tell the lord that the “Sword” would bring the “Bastard of Time”… does this have something to do with that?)

Thinking that she might understand something more, Shizuko continued reading the diary.

[ ?? month ?? day

Cosplaying robbers? Or Slashers? Some strange guys with top-knots carrying Japanese swords chased me around. If you’re enacting a historical drama, please leave me out of it. Or so I thought and ignored them, but then they suddenly started attacking me. Realizing that they weren’t joking or doing a play, I ran away as if my life depended on it, but they seemed to have the advantage and easily cornered me. I’m going to die! Or so I thought when one of the men pointed at me and talked to his friends. The words being used were extremely scary, but I listened intently anyway. Could it be that you guys are homos? I asked, but they only looked at me as if they didn’t understand what I was saying. But, seeing as they were stripping off their underwear? Fundoshi? my bad hunch seemed to be spot on. No, stop, I don’t swing that way! My chastity was in danger! At that time, one of the guys got cut in half. Behind the robbers stood a man. I seriously thought a god had appeared right then and there. That man cut down the thieves in a split second. Pathetically, I passed out from the horrific scene in front of me, foaming from my mouth.] [ ?? month ?? day

The man who cut down the robbers? took care of me for some reason. Anyway, I thanked him for saving me. I then asked him why he had saved me. I’m just a plain old man with no hidden talent or anything like that. I don’t carry any money and possess nothing worth bragging about. So I couldn’t believe the man’s words at first. But several pieces of circumstantial evidence didn’t allow me to deny his words. Even someone as slow on the uptake as me can understand it. I still can’t really believe it… that someone with a mediocre and average life like me could be thrown into a situation like a protagonist in a sci-fi story.] [ ?? month ?? day

Day three since coming here. I’m currently working with the guy who rescued me. But no matter the modern or Sengoku era, money is important. Can’t do anything without money. And I noticed that this baggage is quite a nuisance. I feel bad for that old man, but I’ll sell the bag along with the seeds and saplings to a merchant. But since this bag is so worn out, I was worried whether someone would buy it… and that worry was spot on. I was refused so many times that I felt my heart breaking until a shady merchant agreed to buy it. But that shady merchant took an interest in my possessions and bought them for quite a bit of money. It’s a mystery to me why he did so even though I didn’t open the bag even once. But I thought that asking might be insensitive, so I sold it to him silently. I took the pictures of my wife and daughter, as well as my wallet, mobile phone, and a can of drops for emergencies from the bag. I will leave this diary inside the bag. I don’t want to stand out badly by continuing to carry it with me.]

That’s where the diary cuts off. The last entry was probably written just before it was put into the bag.

Thinking this, Shizuko leafed through the remaining pages, finding a page that had something written on it.

[To the person reading this diary. Please take care of the seeds and saplings inside this bag.

I know this is a selfish request. I don’t mind if you throw them away if you can’t do it.

But if you think you can manage it, raise them… please.]

“Fuuu—….”

With a big exhale, Shizuko put the notebook into the bag.

Putting the lid back on the wooden box, Shizuko laid down next to it. Absorbing all that information at once had exhausted her.

(If what is written in this diary is true, there are two other people who traveled back in time with me. I wonder, borrowing the old woman’s words, if we are all “Bastards of Time”?)

At least the owner of this bag was a ‘Bastard of Time’. Since he used a notebook and pencil there was practically no room for error there. But the man who told this person about the reality of the situation was quite vague. Seeing as he told him about the Sengoku period and the time travel, thinking of this man as a Bastard of Time would probably be fine. But something didn’t quite fit. The man somehow didn’t feel like he was a simple time traveler. She didn’t have any evidence for it, but a strange feeling.

(….that’s it. It’s strange for him to be able to cut down other people without hesitation and for him to be as knowledgeable about the Sengoku period.)

In the modern era, cutting down people will get you caught by the police and punished in accordance with the law. He might have been a killer, but then he would have had no reason to save the owner of the notebook.

(This person is someone to watch out for. If he has high combat ability as well as knowledge of the Sengoku era… he will be troublesome.)

If you don’t know whether he’s a friend or an enemy, a troublesome person like that is extremely dangerous. If he becomes an ally, everything is well. But if he becomes an enemy, he’ll need to part with the world of the living as soon as possible. He isn’t scary because he knows how history will play out. Since he knows history, he’s likely to take evasive action against dangerous situations that come close to affecting him. That might lead to changes in the flow of history, potentially erasing some events completely. And she can’t deny the possibility that this might have a big impact on the Oda camp.

(Anyway, information about that man is a top priority. I’ll need to collect that information…)

A ‘Bastard of Time’ like herself, and the uncertainty of not knowing whether he is friend or foe profoundly struck Shizuko’s heart.

1. http://sanpoyoshi.net/what_en/
2. Arocks141: Mysterious Guy used Minna-do. It was super effective! Old Agricultural Expert fainted!
3. A type of Aloe arborescens, the krantz aloe (tree-aloe)
4. https://okinawaclip.com/en/detail/976
   A type of pineapple that you can tear off to eat.