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

Valentine

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“…Ah? Everyone, what has happened?” (Mika)

Mika spoke as he looked around at the former citizens of the Dondando territory who had suddenly fallen into silence. Each and every one of them, with expressions as though lost in thought, remained uniformly wordless, yet before long they began, one by one, to open their mouths.

“…That is a good idea.” (Villager)

“Yes, indeed, that is the best course.” (Villager)

“Mika-san is gentle, and even in speaking together like this, I can perceive that he is truly a very wise person. He will most assuredly become an excellent lord.” (Villager)

“Above all else, Mika-san’s magic was truly extraordinary. If such a powerful wielder of magic were to guard us, then we could live our lives in peace.” (Villager)

“And Mika-san’s retainer, Dimitri-san, is so strongly built, and he seems both formidable and dependable.” (Villager)

“Indeed, such impressive muscles… I cannot help but feel overwhelmed by such a man…” (Villager)

“Furthermore, Mika-san confronted 50 bandits for the sake of saving us, despite us being strangers to him. There is no one else so noble as he.” (Villager)

“That is true, he is as though a hero from a fairy tale. He is truly a champion of justice.” (Villager)

“Rather than the Dondando Household that fled, Mika-san is the one truly worthy of being lord.” (Villager)

“Dondo abandoned his position as lord of his own volition. That being the case, there is no fault if we ourselves receive a new lord.” (Villager)

“Yes, indeed, and if by chance the Dondando Household should return, Mika-san could surely drive them away just as he did those bandits.”

The words of the people gradually gained force, and the atmosphere of the place grew hot. Mika received this air, however, with bewilderment.

“R-Really…? Is everyone speaking in earnest…?” (Mika)

In disregard of Mika’s confusion, the former citizens of Dondando continued to grow ever more enthusiastic. Watching them quietly, Marcel at length turned his face toward Mika and opened his mouth.

“Mika-san. No, Mika-sama. This is the thought of us all, and so we entreat you.” (Marcel)

At Marcel’s words, the excitement calmed somewhat, and all focused their gaze upon Mika.

“Mika-sama, you told us that you travel in order to obtain a land of your own. Therefore, I beg of you, might you remain in this village as it is, and become our lord? We shall gladly become Mika-sama’s subjects.” (Marcel)

So, saying, Marcel bowed his head. The others, one after another, followed his example.

“…Is it truly, truly acceptable for it to be me?” (Mika)

When Mika gave voice to those words, everyone raised their heads, and once more Marcel began to speak.

“This village without a lord cannot know what fate awaits it. Should some other lord occupy it, then as newcomers we shall surely be despised, and heavy taxes will be imposed upon us, making our lives more difficult than they are now. Or rather than being occupied, we may be attacked and put to the sword, all our property seized, which would be the same as being plundered by bandits. And if several lords should set their sights upon this place, then the village may become a battlefield.” (Marcel)

The predictions Marcel spoke of were in no way exaggerations. For that very reason, Mika’s expression grew grave.

If there was no lord, then the land was utterly defenseless. If there was none who could contend with neighboring lords, none who could negotiate, and none who could unite the people to fight, then there was no option but to be exploited. The right of decision-making, the houses, the lands, the produce, even their very lives, could all be taken as others pleased.

“Yet none of us can imitate the role of a lord. For now I serve as something of a representative, but if told to negotiate on equal terms with the lords of the surrounding territories, I could never accomplish such a task. Still less could I unite everyone for battle. Mika-sama is different from us. You possess the splendid power of mahou, and you have displayed the courage and the high-mindedness to stand against bandits for the sake of people unknown to you. Furthermore, Mika-sama was originally of a distant noble house, and you told us that you studied much in your youth. If Mika-sama were to govern this village, we would feel the greatest reassurance and gratitude imaginable.” (Marcel)

“…” (Mika)

When Mika had first entered this village, he had explained his position to the people. He had told them that he was raised as the youngest child of a distant noble house, that he had set out on his own, and that he was wandering in search of a territory to call his own. As for the name of his birth house, he had not spoken of it, for he had made a promise to his half-brother never to reveal it.

Indeed, to those who had lived their lives as farmers, and intended to continue living as farmers, it would be impossible to suddenly be told to become a lord, and to live in the world of politics and battle.

On the other hand, Mika had originally set out with the aim of becoming a lord, and so naturally he possessed the confidence to live as one. He had observed his father and his half-brother at work, and had gained an understanding of the way of a lord. He had learned various knowledge from the books in his house. He possessed the abilities of reading, writing, and calculation required for governance. Moreover, he had the memories of a previous life in a world far more advanced than this one, and also the powerful weapon of Nen magic. He believed that he could contend on equal terms, or better, with the minor lords who governed the surrounding villages.

Mika thought carefully. This was not land of his own choosing. He could not know whether it was a suitable land to govern for long years and to pass on to his descendants.

However, here there already stood houses, farmland, wells, an oven for baking bread, and a mill by the waterwheel. If he remained here, then he would not need to develop the land from nothing. He would gain a village already complete, with one hundred subjects besides.

And above all…

Mika gazed upon the villagers awaiting his decision. Their eyes were filled with hope, and their expressions implored him earnestly. They truly wished for Mika to become their lord. They wished to live beneath his rule.

“…” (Mika)

A smile naturally came to Mika’s lips.

To be entreated by a hundred people, and to take the seat of lordship over a village already complete. There would surely never again be such an opportunity to begin governance under such favorable conditions. This too was surely a fate bestowed by God, no less than his Nen magic.

Mika, smiling, turned to Dimitri at his side. Dimitri silently gave a nod.

“…I understand. If I am acceptable, then I shall become the new lord of this village. From this day forward, I entrust myself to your care.” (Mika)

When Mika turned to face the people and spoke, a great shout of joy arose. Some leapt into the air. Some embraced one another. Some wept tears of joy. Some, in their excitement, poured ale upon their own heads. Each expressed joy in his own way. Amidst them, Marcel, with a look of relief, exhaled deeply and gazed up at the sky.

“By the way, Mika-sama.” (Dimitri)

After the joyous uproar had continued for some time, it was Dimitri who spoke.

“What family name shall Mika-sama assume henceforth?” (Dimitri)

“…Indeed, that is a matter of the utmost importance. What shall I do, I wonder…” (Mika)

Since the former lords had fled with their entire family, this was no longer the Dondando territory. Mika, moreover, could never again bear the name of his birth house, Carossa. Therefore, a new family name was required. That name would be inherited by his descendants, and it would also remain as the name of this land.

Never had Mika thought that the need for a new family name would arise so soon. Thinking once again, a single word arose in his mind.

“…Valentine.” (Mika)

In his former life, it had been February 14 when he met with the accident. The world was absorbed in Valentine’s Day, yet Mika himself had been wholly apart from such a festivity. He had wondered why he must suffer such misfortune on that very day, freezing to death upon the roadside. And he had prayed that if there were to be a next life, then it might be in a world where his dreams could be realized.

Therefore, when in childhood he realized that his wish had indeed been granted, he believed that some goddess-like being had bestowed upon him the gift of Valentine’s Day, and within his heart he had rejoiced.

As he became gradually absorbed into this world, he ceased to recall such childhood thoughts. Even the word “Valentine’s Day” had entirely faded from his memory. Now, it returned vividly to his mind, as though by divine revelation.

“Valentine, you say… I have never heard that word before. Might it perhaps be from some classical tongue?” (Marcel)

“Ahaha, something like that. I recall reading it in a book when I was a child. I do not remember the details clearly, yet I am certain it was the name of a very fine person.” (Mika)

At Marcel’s question, Mika answered with a wry smile.

“Nevertheless, it has a truly splendid sound.” (Villager)

“Yes, it is dignified, and the word itself is beautiful.” (Villager)

“As the name of a noble house, and as the name of the land upon which we live, it is most fitting.” (Villager)

When Dimitri spoke thus, the villagers also gave their voices in agreement.

“Since it is pleasing to all, then it is settled. From this day I am Mika Valentine. From this day, this is the Valentine territory.” (Mika)

With a calm yet resolute voice, Mika declared it to them all.

On that day, Mika gained a territory of his own.

 

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