"Shimotsuki Kageuchi... Naming it after the Shimotsuki family, is that appropriate?" Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked in surprise. The so-called "kageuchi" actually referred to swords of slightly inferior quality.
Although both of these blades were Great Grade Swords, they were indeed a step down from the demonic sword, Ryuo no Shishitogi. Calling them kageuchi was perfectly acceptable.
"What's wrong with that? Isn't this blade crafted by Shimotsuki Ushimaru of the Shimotsuki clan?" Ren countered. He didn't refuse the two swords; after all, he would repay them with goods of equal value.
Of course, fine swords were priceless and couldn't necessarily be bought even with money. Shimotsuki Ushimaru didn't press the matter further.
Next came the banquet. After the feast, Ushimaru didn't immediately bring up his purpose. Since he had come all the way to Kuri, he naturally wouldn't leave right away and planned to stay for a while.
"My lord..."
"We're both daimyo, there's no need for such formality. Just call me by my name," Ren said. He had never particularly disliked Shimotsuki Ushimaru, and with the two Great Grade Swords given as gifts, his impression of him was even better.
Just like Kaido didn't care much about titles or status with his subordinates or those he valued, Ren wasn't particularly concerned about such things either—provided that person was worthy of such treatment.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru nodded, not making a fuss, and continued. "Mr. Ren, besides wanting to meet you, I also wanted to see Kuri. As you know, Kuri is famous throughout the nation now, having become the most prosperous land."
In reality, Ushimaru wanted to find an opportunity to tour Kuri's agriculture and then casually ask about samurai or how to tame beasts. Using this as an entry point, combined with the favor of the two swords, he felt he might gain something.
However, when he first entered Kuri, he had already sensed how different this place was, especially after entering Eco Town. The various lights on the town didn't seem to be from candles.
Afterward, Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked about Kozuki Oden. Currently, only he and Shimotsuki Yasuie knew that Oden had gone to sea; everyone else still thought Oden was serving in Kuri.
Ren could only brush the question aside.
The next day, Ren took Shimotsuki Ushimaru on a tour of Kuri. After all, the other man was a daimyo, and it would be too rude to only send subordinates to entertain him.
If Shutenmaru were still here, he could have had Shutenmaru guide him—the head of the Tenguyama faction was practically second to none in status. However, Shutenmaru was overseas now.
Following Ren, Shimotsuki Ushimaru observed Kuri. The scenes he had imagined of samurai and fierce beasts farming the fields didn't appear.
Instead, strange machines were constantly moving through the fields. Upon closer inspection, he discovered these machines were actually farming automatically.
"What are these?" Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked with wide eyes. These things were beyond his comprehension.
In his view, they were just strange wooden or iron boxes or toys, yet they were actually moving. And their farming efficiency was quite high.
"These are 'Farming Machines,' just machines, similar to looms," Ren explained. These machines looked a bit like the Ruins Guards, the monsters commonly known as "crabs," but they were literally farming machines with no function other than tilling the land.
"With these devices, the labor and resources needed for farming can be saved. Machines don't get tired and can even reclaim wasteland at night. If you're interested, Mr. Ushimaru, I can give you some."
Although Shimotsuki Ushimaru hadn't stated his intentions, Ren knew his purpose without having to think. Compared to the value of two Great Grade Swords, these Farming Machines weren't worth much.
"Is that alright? This... machine, it must be precious, right?" Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked in surprise.
Ren didn't value these Farming Machines because they were just a byproduct of developing the Ruins series; as many as could be wanted could be produced. But for Shimotsuki Ushimaru, these things were ingenious.
Inanimate objects yet usable for farming, they were like treasures only gods could create. With these, he wouldn't have to find ways to make samurai farm themselves.
This solved the cultivation problem and avoided conflicts, which was a good thing for him. "Mr. Ren, can these machines work even in winter snow?"
"Of course. While the external environment has some effect, it won't stop their function. But if you want to grow food on a large scale in Ringo, the key isn't land reclamation but temperature, is it?" Ren countered.
"That's true. But Ringo has been a land of ice and snow since ancient times. Since that can't be changed, we can only try to reclaim more wasteland, at least to increase production a bit," Shimotsuki Ushimaru said helplessly.
Ringo did have cold-resistant crops, but the frozen permafrost was difficult to dig up. With these machines, the situation could at least improve significantly.
A few days later, a satisfied Shimotsuki Ushimaru returned to Ringo with one hundred Farming Machines. To him, the value of these machines exceeded that of the two Great Grade Swords.
With money, there was at least a possibility of buying Great Grade Swords, but these machines—perhaps only the daimyo of Kuri in the entire world could produce them.
"Yukiko, take this sword," Ren handed the Shimotsuki Kageuchi sword to Yukiko. He wasn't a dual-wielder, so there was no use for him to have two swords.
Besides, the Shimotsuki Kageuchi wasn't a demonic sword, so Yukiko could use it normally. However, Yukiko shook her head.
"Lord Ren, my Yukizome is enough for me. This sword... I think it would be better to give it to Mari. She's wanted my Yukizome for a long time."
"Is that alright? This is a Great Grade Sword."
"Whether it's a Great Grade Sword or a Fine Grade Sword, I think they're the same as long as they're from you, Lord Ren," Yukiko smiled slightly. "Besides, if you only think of me whenever you get something good, the others might think you're playing favorites."
For Yukiko, whether it was a Great Grade Sword or Yukizome, the sentiment behind them was the same. Besides swords, there were also the previous gems and Teyvat—every time it seemed Ren thought of her first, which was enough for her.
As for missing out on a Great Grade Sword, she didn't feel it was a pity. After all, swords and blades were external things; what mattered most was the strength of the swordsman themselves.
A powerful swordsman would not become weak even if armed with just a branch.
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