Chapter 303: Hero of the Great Emperor
「Honestly, Nation’s Father, you can’t help but keep adding wives, can you?」
「Don’t be like that, Kaara. I didn’t mean to trouble you.」
After our shipwreck, I ended up making Mearid my new wife, and Kaara hasn’t let me hear the end of it. Apparently, dealing with the aftermath of the wreck was quite a headache.
The great serpent Yamata no Orochi, which capsized the Black Cedar warship, was eventually driven off to the east by Kaara and the others. They managed to rescue the crew from the water and righted the Black Cedar vessel, but most of the weapons and cargo were ruined, and every mast had snapped.
The ship was a complete wreck.
Even with Kaara’s magic, we lack the materials needed for repairs. Unless we dock somewhere for supplies, there’s nothing we can do.
「Well, at least you two are safe and sound, and in good health.」
Is that a dig, or has she just become a bit more casual since giving birth to our second child? She’s been making snide comments like this lately.
「Haha, there’s a conveniently large harbor up ahead.」
「It seems big enough for us to dock, and there’s a town there as well. But this island country is unfamiliar to us. Are you sure we should approach, Nation’s Father?」 「Eh, I think we’ll be fine.」
This is probably Japan, after all.
As soon as we pulled into the harbor in the Black Cedar warship, a flotilla of small boats surrounded us.
「King General, I can’t understand what they’re saying, but it looks like they want to board.」
Mearid says, eyeing the oddly dressed people with amusement.
「Oh, go ahead and let them aboard.」
The odd attire Mearid mentioned was worn by samurai, decked in dark blue haori and hakama, each with a sword at their side.
Classic Japanese samurai.
Of course, no one in our crew understands their language, so it’s up to me and my language skills.
「Greetings!」
「Oh! To think there is one among the foreigners who speaks the tongue of Hinomoto!」
An older, weary-looking samurai brightens at hearing a familiar language.
「I am Uraga, the magistrate appointed to oversee this port, Kando, by the Shogun of Hinomoto. Please, could you interpret for us to the representative of this ship?」
「So, this land is called Hinomoto. I’m the one in charge here.」
The nearby nations have referred to it as Zipangu, but I guess the proper name is Hinomoto.
With the mention of a Shogun and the fact that the magistrate is dressed as a samurai, it seems this country is already under a feudal government.
When I told Uraga I was the representative of this ship, he was visibly startled.
「A native of Hinomoto claiming to be the captain of this massive black ship?」
「Well, not exactly a captain…」
Did he just call it a ‘black ship’?
TN: Black ship(kurofune) – product, person, etc. arriving from the West and disturbing the Japanese market, etc.
Quick as ever, Kaara cast her translation spell and introduced me to Magistrate Uraga.
「This gentleman, Sawatari Takeru, is the King General of the Kingdom of Silesie across the Western Seas, and a hero of Asama. He has come as an emissary from Silesie to your land here in the Eastern Seas.」
「What?! Did you say the hero of the Great Emperor Asama?」
It seems this land also reveres Asama, but they refer to him as the ‘Great Emperor.’
It has a pretty cool ring to it.
「Well, yes, I am indeed a hero of the Great Emperor Asama.」
To avoid any misunderstandings, I also explain that Kaara, though a demon, is part of my retinue.
When I mentioned that a kingdom of demons exists as a friend to the distant western continent, Magistrate Uraga’s eyes went wide, struggling to process all the information.
「It’s hard to believe, but we received a prophecy from the Great Emperor Asama’s own Imperial Princess, foretelling the arrival of the hero. We were instructed to await you. Orders have gone out across the land to guide the Great Emperor’s hero to the capital, the Imperial City of Hinomoto.」
It seems Asama sent word of my arrival in advance. Hm… A shogun and a Imperial Princess… I wonder which one has higher authority here. And more importantly, which one I should approach to secure a trade agreement.
「That’s helpful to know. Is there a chance I could meet this country’s ruler? As I mentioned, I am here as an envoy of the Kingdom of Silesie, seeking friendship and trade.」
「As mere magistrate, I am unable to answer that. For now, may I suggest you spend the night at this port and depart for the capital come morning?」
When I asked Magistrate Uraga for supplies and repairs, he agreed to help with what the port could offer. Their system appears to be a unified nation, ruled by samurai much like the Edo shogunate, yet they trade with nearby countries and haven’t closed their borders.
Perhaps, unlike Japan in the Edo era, this country hasn’t faced the threat of foreign powers. Japan enacted its isolation policy because missionaries spread new religions, merchants engaged in the slave trade, and European powers seemed intent on conquering Japan.
In this world, Asama’s teachings are universal, which likely avoids religious conflicts. This might be an ideal opportunity to establish friendly relations and forge a trade treaty.
As we disembarked at Kando Port, the area was packed with onlookers, all murmuring, ‘Black ships! Black ships!’
It’s like we just kicked off a ‘black ships’ incident. Fortunately, since they aren’t isolated, we don’t have to ask for an ‘opening of the country.’
Seeing the commotion, Magistrate Uraga quieted the crowd and led us through the streets. Tonight, we would be staying at Uraga’s residence.
The magistrate’s mansion was impressive, and though he humbly called it a ‘simple meal’, the lavish feast laid before us was exquisite.
「Forgive me, I hope this wasn’t too humble for a meal…」
Uraga looked shocked as I, eyes watering, sipped the miso soup.
「No, it’s delicious. Thank you.」
The miso soup, packed with fresh seafood, was exceptional. It seems this port has access to spiny lobsters.
「I’m relieved to hear that. The Great Emperor Asama’s hero is, after all, from Hinomoto. It must be a taste of home for you.」
「Yes, it brings back memories of my homeland.」
Ah, the rich flavor of mackerel in miso, the tang of pickled plums—so sour!
Tears flowed freely. Even having soy sauce for sashimi again was amazing!
「Please, eat as much as you like.」
「Well then, I’ll dig in.」
The rice they served, perhaps considering our diverse group, wasn’t the tough, dense style typical of the samurai era but the soft, fluffy rice I was used to. And as I bit into an onigiri stuffed with ikura, the salty salmon roe, I felt a wave of nostalgia—and the tears welling up again.
「Delicious.」
Kaara and the others seemed to be enjoying it too, though I guess my fondness for Japanese food has rubbed off on them a bit.
「Ugh… Nation’s Father, what is this? Vinegar?」
Kaara asked, cringing as she took a bite of umeboshi.
Everyone who tasted the pickled plum was caught off guard by the intense sourness, and most spat it out. It was understandable—they were particularly salty, probably made in the traditional way, even a bit strong for me.
「It’s umeboshi. Good for your health.」
「It does… seem to be.」
I offered one to Kaara, who couldn’t quite hide her discomfort as she ate, her eyes wide and beads of sweat forming as she struggled through it.
「You can spit out the pit if you want.」
「Y-yes…」
Seeing calm, collected Kaara in such a state was amusing, though I suppose I might be a bit mean for finding it funny.
※※※
For our journey to the capital, I ended up riding on Kaara’s back, letting her magic carry us through the skies.
「Thanks but I can fly.」
Said Magistrate Uraga.
I’d been wondering how he’d make it, but it turned out he had access to flying ninjas, who would carry him in a palanquin supported by two of their number. From Kando Port, it was only a hundred kilometers or so to the capital—just a short flight.
「Incredible that such things exist in this country.」
「Oh no, even for a magistrate, summoning a ninja courier is no small feat. It’s only because this is a national matter that I could arrange it.」
A ninja courier, huh? They certainly were messengers, though seeing the ninjas constantly spinning in the air, generating whirlwinds to stay aloft, it looked like an exhausting technique.
Compared to Kaara’s refined magic, their flight method seemed unnecessarily acrobatic. Surely there’s a more efficient way than all those flips and spins.
We arrived at the castle in the heart of Hinomoto’s capital. I’d imagined a towering structure like Edo Castle, but instead, it was a spacious yet low-set castle.
「The land here doesn’t seem well-suited for defense.」
The open plains would be ideal for trade, but if an enemy ever invaded, this place could be in trouble. Even the royal castle of Silesie has more fortifications, with outer walls around the city.
「We live in peace, with no enemies on all sides. The fact that the Imperial Princess and Shogun need not concern themselves with defense is our country’s pride.」
「I see. That makes sense.」
Unlike the war-torn continent of Eura, this region seemed exceptionally peaceful. While the western regions in our world were stuck in medieval times, the far east of Hinomoto seemed culturally advanced, at least up to the Edo period.
-0-
「Nation’s Father, we’re being kept waiting quite a while. Shall I go check?」
「No, no, be patient, Kaara. This is just how it’s done here.」
I wasn’t bored in the slightest, though. While we waited, they served nostalgic treats—rice crackers, mitarashi dango, and other familiar snacks.
It felt like I was on a grand house tour, sipping delicious tea and admiring the beautifully landscaped garden. The tatami mats, with their rich fragrance, were amazing—if only I could take some home. Just as I was enjoying the atmosphere, Magistrate Uraga rushed over in a fluster.
「The Shogun will see you now. This way, please.」
We were led to the ‘Shogun’s Chamber’, a large, tatami-floored room like something out of an old movie. The roju officials were lined up along the edges, and Uraga took a seat at the far end.
In the center sat a man with a sharp, commanding presence. Judging by his stance and bearing, he was the Shogun. His voice was deep and resonant, filling the hall as he addressed me.
「An honor to meet you, Hero of Great Emperor Asama. I am Minamoto no Yoshie, Great Shogun of Hinomoto.」
「Shall I address you as Lord Yoshie?」
At my response, Yoshie promptly stood up, descending from the high dais to approach me, sending the roju officials into a flurry. Poor Magistrate Uraga, lowest in rank here, looked as if he might collapse in shock with the Shogun standing right in front of him.
Apparently, this sort of casualness from the Shogun was unheard of.
「No, just Yoshie is fine. No need for formalities. I hear Sawatari Takeru-dono, captain of the massive black ship, is the King General of the Western Empire. If we are both Generals, then we stand as equals. It gladdens me to know there is another Shogun in the far-off land of Silesie.」
He said, awkwardly extending his hand.
I took his hand, and the roju officials began whispering to each other again. Perhaps he was trying to follow our customs with a handshake.
「Well then, Yoshie, I’d like to request your friendship and trade with my nation.」
「About that…」
As Yoshie was about to respond, the hallway outside the Shogun’s Chamber began to stir. Suddenly, a young girl clad in a resplendent silk gown entered gracefully.
「Allow me to explain that.」
「Imperial Princess-sama!」
The Shogun, who was supposed to be the highest authority here, knelt down before her. So, it seemed that, officially at least, the Imperial Princess held a rank above the Shogun.
Formally, she must be the queen of this country.
The Imperial Princess, a native of Hinomoto,
She has a very bright face that somehow had long, dark hair like black silk, and her skin was a porcelain white. makes me feel nostalgic. Strangely, I don’t think this is the first time I’ve met her.
Although her expression was much brighter than that memory, there was something nostalgic about her—a strange sense that we had met before.
「I am Shizuka, Imperial Princess of Great Emperor Asama. Hero of the Great Emperor, I apologize for seeking you out so soon upon your arrival, but please, I humbly ask that you save our nation.」
With these words, Shizuka, Queen of Hinomoto, bowed her head before me.