New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Turning Point

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Magic was a rare and special ability that manifested only in a small fraction of humans. In the books Mika had read in his family home, it was written that a magic user was born at a rate of roughly one in five hundred to one thousand.

As for timing, it suddenly manifested around the age of ten, or into the later teenage years. The condition for the talent of magic to reside remained unknown. For instance, being the descendant of a magic user did not particularly increase one’s likelihood of becoming one.

There were several types of magic, the most common being physical magic, which enhanced the physical abilities of the practitioner. Among these, the majority consisted of strengthening the entire body to obtain strength beyond human limits, but there were also those who specialized in enhancing only certain abilities, such as sight or hearing.

The next most common was the magic that manipulated fire, water, earth, and wind. Fire magic had been valued for attacking enemy formations, water magic for supplying water to armies or caravans, earth magic for civil engineering work, and wind magic for protecting positions by deflecting arrows.

Although the proportion became smaller, there were over ten other kinds of magic. Among them was thought magic. Without touching with the hand, one could use psychokinesis to move surrounding objects at will. In Mika’s previous life, it would have been called by such names as psychokinesis.

From the situation, Mika surmised that what had manifested in him was most likely this thought magic. It was an unbelievable matter, but since it occurred before his very eyes in visible form, he could only consider it thus.

As a test, Mika imagined the stone embedded in the head of a mercenary’s corpse rising into the air. Then, the stone moved as Mika thought. With a repulsive sound it detached from the mercenary’s head, dripping blood and brain matter as it floated. As expected, this power seemed unmistakably thought magic.

“Th-this guy is a magic user–…” (Mercenary)

A mercenary standing to the left of the dead one tried to shout, so Mika hastily struck that mercenary with the stone. The stone flew toward him just as Mika intended. It hit squarely in the chest by the heavy stone, the mercenary was blown backward and slammed against a tree trunk, coughing blood before falling silent.

Mika thought he should keep going as far as he could. This time he forcefully sent the stone flying in the opposite direction. It struck the neck of the mercenary standing to the right of the dead one and astonishingly tore off his head entirely.

“This one is top priority! Kill him!” (Mercenary)

One of the mercenaries shouted, charging forward. Mika again controlled the stone, striking the mercenary twice, thrice, before the sword could reach his body. With the final blow his face was crushed, and he no longer moved.

At that moment, while Mika was swinging the stone toward the enemy before him, a mercenary suddenly closed in from directly behind. Turning around, Mika saw a battle-axe about to be brought down upon his head.

It was not good. The stone would not make it in time. In the next instant, as Mika flinched, that mercenary was blown sideways. It was the result of a body slam carried out by one of the defeated soldiers who still retained fighting spirit, a large-built man. Before the struck mercenary could rise, Mika again manipulated the stone, striking him down. His groin was crushed, and after raising a dull scream, he moved no more.

“We can win!” (Mika)

Mika cried out unintentionally. At those words, the four other defeated soldiers, who had frozen in the sudden turn of events, were jolted into motion. Wielding the weapons still in their hands, or seizing those of the dead mercenaries, they attacked the remaining mercenaries. The large-built man who had saved Mika also picked up the battle-axe of the unfortunate mercenary whose groin had been crushed and swung it about.

And Mika continued to fight by manipulating the stone with magic. Flying freely through the air, a large stone of several dozen kilograms assailed the mercenaries, who had no means to resist.

Perhaps seeing no chance of victory, the mercenaries who just moments before had been chasing Mika’s group soon found themselves the ones fleeing. Only three or four escaped alive. When the battle ended, eight mercenary corpses lay at Mika’s feet.

“…” (Mika)

Survived. He had managed to survive. With a dazed face, Mika sank down where he stood. The light in his right hand faded, and the floating stone fell with a dull thud to the ground.

“…Amazing!” (Large man)

One of the defeated soldiers, the large-built man who had just saved Mika, suddenly shouted in a loud voice. Startled, Mika turned toward him, only to find him also gazing back.

“You’re incredible! Thanks to you, we were saved!” (Large man)

“Y-yeah, that’s right. It’s because of you. I thought it was over, but I’m still alive.” (Defeated soldier)

“You’re our savior, thank you!” (Defeated soldier)

“Who would have thought you were a magic user……” (Defeated soldier)

“So that’s why even though you’re just a kid, you were in the war?” (Defeated soldier)

Following the large man, the other four spoke in turn.

“Ahaha, thank you, thank you… In truth, I’m just a passerby. I was traveling as a wanderer and happened to be crossing that plain when I got caught up in your rout. Besides, until just now I wasn’t a magic user. My magic manifested only at that very moment. Even I’m surprised……” (Mika)

As Mika explained while rising to his feet, the five defeated soldiers were left speechless.

“That’s truly…… to encounter such misfortune as a passerby.” (Defeated soldier)

“No, to have magic manifest at the brink like that, that’s fortune instead.” (Defeated soldier)

“Indeed, more than fortune, that’s great fortune.” (Defeated soldier)

“You must be loved by the Gods! That’s even more incredible!” (Defeated soldier)

While the others spoke, the large man grew ever more impressed, repeating “amazing, amazing”.

Thereafter, Mika and the others stripped the equipment and clothing from the defeated mercenaries. For those who lose in battle, having their valuables taken is inevitable. Weapons, armor, and clothes were all no longer needed by the dead, so they were taken. Since mercenaries carried their entire wealth on their person, cash was also obtained in fair amount including copper coins, silver coins, even gold coins.

Around them, the clamor of pursuit had ceased. It seemed both the fleeing and pursuing forces had already moved eastward. Uninterrupted, Mika and the others continued their merry division of spoils. Even when divided equally, the spoils amounted to a small fortune. Yet Mika received nearly half, as the five defeated soldiers pressed it upon him, saying it was thanks to his magic that they had gained it.

“Well then… shall we disband here?” (Mika)

Binding together the spoils, swords, spears, armor, gauntlets, helmets, an amount impossible for one person to carry, Mika lifted them with magic as he spoke. The defeated soldiers, bearing their own shares, each thanked him once more before departing. The only one remaining was the large man who had saved Mika by body-slamming the mercenary. He showed no sign of leaving, and after some moments of pondering, turned toward Mika and spoke.

“Say, magic user. What will you do from here on?” (Large man)

“Me? Let’s see… Originally, I was traveling to cultivate uninhabited land and become a lord. I was heading to the great southern city to earn capital for the undertaking. But with these spoils, I now have quite a sum, and with thought magic I could cultivate with less expense… I think I’ll head east. Since there are fewer large territories in the east, it should be easier to establish and maintain a new domain there.” (Mika)

The Dariander region, surrounded by mountains, grew more developed toward the southwest where the range opened to plains connecting to other lands. Hence Mika had planned to go further south, toward the great city at the border.

Yet if there were no longer need to spend long years amassing wealth, going south, where great lords held sway, had little meaning. Rather, the countryside to the north and east, where small and medium territories stood side by side, would be better. Though he must avoid being too close to his family home, thus east was the best option.

“So that means, if it goes well, you’ll become a lord. No, given how amazing you are, I’m sure you’ll manage it and truly become one… Alright.” (Large man)

Muttering as if making a decision, the large man suddenly dropped to his knees, looking up at Mika.

“Please! Take me with you!” (Large man)

“Eh?” (Mika)

Startled by the man’s sudden action, Mika let out a foolish sound.

“I’m the third son of a poor farmer. Since I was needlessly big and ate much, my family treated me as a burden. When the village had to send men to war, my family offered me up, saying I should go… So, I don’t want to go back. But alone, I don’t know if I can even sell these spoils properly. I don’t think I can manage on my own. That’s why I want to follow you.” (Large man)

While saying so, the man prostrated, striking his forehead against the ground. A bizarre scene arose where a giant bowing to the small and slender Mika.

“I have confidence in my strength. I’ll protect your back, and guard you while you sleep. I’ll do chores, anything. So please make me your retainer. Please!” (Large man)

While bewildered by the man’s plea, Mika considered.

It was not rare that younger sons of farming families, having no inheritance, remained unmarried at home, treated coldly, and worked as servants or near slaves. All the more so with poor farmers. Mika, having also been regarded as a nuisance by his own family, felt sympathy.

As the man himself had said, he was well-built and undeniably strong. He was two heads taller than Mika, with a body broad and thick, arms thicker than Mika’s thighs.

Though Mika could now use magic, he could not see front and back at once, and as a human he needed sleep at night. There would be many times when he was defenseless, and to be protected by such a man then would be reassuring.

“…Yes, that’s fine. Let’s go together.” (Mika)

When Mika answered, the man raised his face, looking up in astonishment.

“R-really?” (Large man)

“You seem dependable. Besides, I was thinking it was time to have a companion for my journey. So, I’ll take you… Let us strive together. If I become a lord, I’ll see that you too enjoy reward as my retainer.” (Mika)

“Th-thank you! I won’t let you regret it, I’ll do my best!” (Large man)

As the man stood up with vigor, Mika smiled and asked:

“By the way, what is your name?” (Mika)

“I’m called Dimitri.” (Dimitri)

“I see. I’m Mika. From now on, let’s work well together, Dimitri.” (Mika)

Mika extended his hand. Dimitri firmly grasped it, and with a solid handshake, the two sealed their bond as master and retainer.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)