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Volume 3 Chapter 6 Part 2

Yoshiharu gritted his teeth angerly.

「*Tsk!*. It’s too troublesome when this damn ero-monkey is around. Come to the onsen with me next time, you hear, Frois? I’ll get my answers then! 」

「O-okay… Um, other than my breasts, is there anything else you want to ask about, Nobuna-sama? 」

「Yes, yes I do, actually. I have not met a missionary for 10 years, so I have a mountain of questions that I want to ask. 」

When the topic of the world at the other side of the sea first came up, Nobuna was as pure and hopeful as a child. Even now, her eyes are just like a small child’s… Even Frois was almost sucked in by them.

How old are you? How many years have you been here in Japan from Portugal? If you fail in promoting Christianity in Japan, will you guys go back to India? Why put yourself in so much risk and come all the way to Japan… those were but a few of the many questions that Nobuna wanted to ask Frois.

Towards Nobuna’s pure curiosity in her glittering eyes, Frois answered patiently:

「Other than promoting God’s teachings to the people of this country, I have no other desires. And before I achieve that goal of mine, I will not be going either back to Portugal or to India. If need be, I have even resolved myself to die here in Zippangu if it is going to be necessary. 」

「Dearu ka. 」

「Please believe in me, Nobuna-sama, and allow us to continue promoting our religion in Kyoto. 」

「I see no problems with it. You may do that. 」

「Actually, you need the approval of the official in charge of religious activities in order to do it… 」

Though Mitsuhide gave a cautious reminder at her side, Nobuna just lightly said:

「For that Himiko who worships 8 million gods, asking her to add in one or two more won’t be an issue whatsoever. The problem is those officials, as well as the various shrines and temples, who are afraid to lose their power and influence over the people. But all in all, It’s okay to not care about the officials. there won’t be any problem if they just acknowledge it at a later date. 」

「It seems a bit rude towards them though. 」

Frois said again.

「Also, Onishi Joachin from Sakai asked me to give these 10 pieces of silver to Nobuna-sama… 」

「If I accept money from the missionary who faced so much hardship to reach this country, won’t I be laughed at by the people in the future!? Keep this money for yourself so you can build yourself more Nanban-jis to spread the teachings of your God. 」

「…Obrigada, Nobuna-sama. 」

「As for this hat, I think I will keep it. 」

Nobuna said with a laugh as she took the peacock feathered hat from Frois and wore it on her head.

Later, at Nijo Castle.

Nobuna and Frois sat facing each other, each giving the other one a smile.

「…It’s lucky that I did not destroy the Namban-ji in Sakai that time. 」

Though Mitsuhide apologised to Frois with a look of guilt on her face, Frois simply laughed and said:

「Please do not take this to heart so much. God would definitely not have blamed you for it. 」

「Such a historical moment, I can be fortunate enough to see with my own eyes! 」

Yoshiharu was so excited that he was shivering, his hair all standing on end… but then Frois began to speak to Nobuna with a slightly ominous expression of things that were not known to Yoshiharu. Even the famous work 「History of Japan 」 that Frois wrote later on did not record this.

「Nobuna-sama. There is something I need to tell you. 」

「…What is it? It does not seem to be anything good, judging by the expression on your face. 」

「We Christian missionaries wish only to promote our faith in God to the world. But there is a hidden reason behind a penniless sister like me being able to come to Zippangu. 」

「A hidden reason, you say? 」

「Portugal and Spain have been searching through different countries for bases to open new trade routes. For someone like me, it’s because of the king’s generosity that I was able to hitchhike a merchant’s ship to come here. 」

「I know about this. Is there any problem with it? 」

「…It is somewhat regrettable… But at the same time the Portuguese and Spanish kings are sending out ships to explore the world, they hold the secret objective of establishing colonies in other countries. 」

Colonies: a term that normally did not exist in the Sengoku era Japan. After carefully considering it, Frois finally decided to use that word.

「What are colonies? 」

「Colonies is the term used to describe overseas lands controlled through given country’s military might. Like in the continent of America, there were Aztec and Incan empires, but under the cannon fire from the Spanish conquistadors, they were both destroyed. 」

「So as to say, Spain and Portugal want to use military might to invade this country as well? 」

「I don’t know. It’s lucky that the warriors of Zippangu are all good in battle, and their engineering skills are all top notch; you needed only a few years to master the imitation and construction of the western cannons. But, the problem lies with the main material of the gunpowder, saltpeter….. 」

Nobuna’s long lashes twitched.

「…We can’t produce saltpeter in Japan, Frois. 」

「If the import of saltpeter is stopped, Japan’s defensive capabilities will be greatly diminished. Though I do not want to think that way, the troops are starting to keep a close eye on the missionary activities… 」

「Create a wedge between Christians and other powers. .. And then, using this chance to intervene militarily, they will finally make this country its colony, right? 」

「There isn’t any hard evidence for it, but this kind of thing had happened many times in other countries before. My teacher, Francis Xavier had asked himself this question: ‘Are my own actions used for the purpose of invading other countries?’ and had been greatly troubled by it… 」

「Francis Xavier… 」

Nobuna’s expression became frozen in an instant, and then, very quickly, she asked Frois:

「Frois. As a Portuguese, why are you telling all of this to me, a Japanese? 」

「Because I love this beautiful ‘Country of Gold’ and its kind people from the bottom of my heart. And God will never forgive invasions through force and controlling other countries. The two ideas of promoting a religion and invading are thoughts that go in completely different directions, and could never coexist together. 」

「But to some other people, they are the same thing. For them, those barbarians who don’t even understand Christian teachings should be under their control… There are a great number of people who think this way. Some exist even among the missionaries. 」

「…Yes. It’s regrettable, but it’s true… 」

「I understand, Frois. Thank you for being able to tell me this. It’s must have been hard for you. 」

Nobuna nodded her head .

「…I have said everything that I wanted to say to you, Nobuna-sama. With this, even if I am chased out of this country, I will not have any regrets. 」

「What silly stuff are you saying, Frois. Don’t you have the mission to spread Christianity here? 」

「Eh? But, Nobuna-sama…? 」

「Whether one believes in God or Buddha, that is their choice. With just us warriors, though we are able to protect and ensure the safety of the people, we can’t save their souls. What I can’t stand are those monks who make use of other people’s faith and incite war while grabbing all the benefits for themselves. But you are different from them, right, Frois? 」

Unbelievable words reached Frois’ ears.

「If you believe firmly that God’s teachings will not lead this country to its destruction, if you believe that this world can be made better with them, then as you wish, spread Christianity to the world! If you are short on funds, just come and look for me! 」

Nobuna stood up from the chair and got onto the horse, the sun behind her slowly swallowing her silhouette. In this instant, in Frois’ eyes, from this person in the eastern-most island of the world, she saw the shadow of the God she had been following.

She was just a young girl…. But Isn’t she also the Queen of Zippangu who will save the people from their life of misery? No. Maybe not only Zippangu, but also…