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

 

 

Good Neighbor (1)

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After that, for about a month, Mika devoted himself entirely to the labor of plowing the fields for this year’s cultivation. Together with the territory’s people who took turns assisting him, Mika drove the plow and overturned the soil of the farmland. Taking into account the amount of mana he possessed and the speed at which he could pull the plow, he set for himself a daily quota of land to till and steadily fulfilled it.

The other residents busied themselves with various tasks, hand-tilling the plots that Mika could not finish plowing, leveling the clearings carved out from the forest, tending to vegetable fields separate from the wheat fields, and other necessary work. Thus, as everyone went about their lives in peace, the season turned to autumn. On one such day, a guest arrived in the Valentine territory. It was the lord of the Fontanier territory, which lay to the east.

It had been more than two months since Mika became lord of this land. By that time, Ernest, the great trading companies of Eltopol who received his commissions, and the craftsmen of the workshops had already spread word of Mika’s presence. It was not difficult to imagine that the lords of the neighboring territories to the east, west, and north were all trying to gauge the character of the man who had replaced the fleeing Dondando Household as the new lord of this village.

To aid their information gathering, Mika had sent letters to them. He entrusted Ernest, who frequently traveled between east and west of Valentine, as well as Marcel, whom he sent beyond the northern hills, with his letters of greeting. In those letters, he explained the circumstances under which he had become lord and expressed his desire for future friendly relations.

Now that it was understood that Mika was not a reckless upstart who might suddenly attack, but rather a man who devoted himself to the steady governance of his territory and even extended greetings through letters, it was natural that the neighboring lords would attempt direct contact.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mika Valentine, the new lord of this land and head of the Valentine family. I sincerely welcome the visit of Lord Fontanier.” (Mika)

“…I am Pierre Fontanier, head of the Fontanier Household. I am grateful for your welcome.” (Pierre)

Inside the great hall of the lord’s manor, Mika spoke with a smile as they sat facing each other across a table. Pierre answered without a smile, appearing somewhat unsettled, likely because the person who declared himself lord was unexpectedly a youthful and small-statured young man.

Pierre seemed to be around 40 years of age. His bearing was composed, but there was a trace of nervousness in his expression. He was of average build, with no remarkable features, yet if one were told he was the lord of five hundred people, he carried a presence befitting the role.

Behind each of them stood a single guard. Pierre’s guard was well-equipped and bore the appearance of a proper retainer of a noble house, but in terms of face and physique, Dmitri, who stood behind Mika, was the more imposing. Since Mika himself lacked outward forcefulness, in such situations the intimidating presence of the brawny Dmitri was most reassuring.

Pierre had brought nearly ten attendants with him, who now waited outside the manor while their lord conducted the meeting.

“I have read the letter addressed to my house. It is unfortunate that the Dondando Household, with whom our territories had maintained friendly relations for two generations, has fled. Yet if a timid lord has departed and a strong lord has arrived in his place, then the people of this village are fortunate.” (Pierre)

“Thank you for reading the letter from one as obscure as myself. Indeed, as you say, this series of events has, in the end, been fortunate both for the people and for me.” (Mika)

As he replied, Mika thought that Pierre seemed willing to acknowledge him as a new neighbor.

He did not know Pierre’s original intentions regarding this village. Yet, even if Pierre had considered something as violent as occupation or plunder, he would surely realize that attacking a small village was not worth the risk if it meant fighting a magic-user who could single-handedly kill dozens. As long as Mika did not make the mistake of provoking hostility, there was some measure of reassurance.

“I heard you hail from a distant noble household, and indeed your manner of speech reflects that. If that is so, then you should have no difficulty governing this land. Regardless of who rules the neighboring territory, what my house desires is but one thing. It is friendship. Just as it was with the previous lords, I wish that as neighbors we may deal with one another peacefully. I came today to convey that.” (Pierre)

“I feel the same. What I seek is solely the peace and prosperity of my territory and the happiness of its people. I humbly ask that we continue to walk together in mutual coexistence and prosperity.” (Mika)

Mika said this and extended his hand. Pierre, after a slight pause, accepted the handshake.

“Ah, there is one thing I would like to present to you.” (Mika)

After saying so, Mika turned toward a shelf placed in a corner of the room and stretched out his left hand in that direction. Light gathered in his hand, and a ceramic bottle upon the shelf floated into the air, drifting toward him. So as not to alarm Pierre or his guard, Mika took care to move the bottle slowly.

“…So, this is your magic. It is the first time I have seen psycokinetic magic, and it is truly an impressive sight. Is this the same method by which you swing those logs?” (Pierre)

“Yes. Though I wish to use magic as much as possible for the peaceful development of the territory, if the need arises to protect the land and its people from enemies, I may employ it in such a manner. This is distilled liquor procured from Eltopol. Please accept it as a gift if you would. Perhaps, as the lord of a land far more prosperous than mine, you may have grown tired of such drink, but…” (Mika)

As he spoke, Mika took the bottle in hand and offered it to Pierre.

Gifts were the foundation of friendship. By presenting such a valuable item, one could inspire greater trust than words alone. Furthermore, it demonstrated that he was not so impoverished as to need to raid surrounding lands.

“No, my house too has expenses commensurate with the size of our territory, and we are not in such abundance. Distilled liquor is not a drink I can casually enjoy. Are you certain I may accept such a costly gift?” (Pierre)

“Yes. In truth, it ought to have been I, the newcomer, who came to greet you in person, yet you, as my senior in lordship, took the trouble to visit me instead. Please accept this both as thanks and as a token of my respect.” (Mika)

“…I see. Then I shall gratefully accept it.” (Pierre)

With those words, Pierre received the bottle.

After exchanging a bit more casual conversation, Pierre and his attendants departed the manor and returned to their own territory. Both sides maintained a courteous attitude until the very end, and thus Mika’s first diplomacy concluded peacefully.

“They left rather quickly.” (Dmitri)

“Yes, indeed. I imagine their purpose truly was no more than a greeting and to observe us.” (Mika)

Watching Pierre’s party depart, Dmitri murmured, and Mika replied.

“Bringing ten attendants, I thought they might try to attack us, but they did nothing.” (Dmitri)

“Ahaha, I suspect they are saying something similar now. If I had truly been dangerous, Lord Fontanier might already be dead. Coming here must have been rather frightening for him. Those ten guards were probably meant more as a means to buy him time to escape in case I suddenly attacked.” (Mika)

If the village had been without a lord, it would have been easy prey for the surrounding noble houses. Yet with a magic-user capable of swinging logs in battle as its ruler, the situation was entirely different. From the perspective of the neighboring minor lords, the Valentine territory now possessed defenses they could not lightly challenge.

That was why Pierre had come to determine whether Mika was truly a friendly counterpart. It had required no small measure of courage. If Mika had concealed a violent nature and attacked them upon their arrival at the manor, it was doubtful whether even ten guards could have bought enough time for Pierre to escape. During the indoor meeting, he could have been killed in an instant, struck down by furniture before he could even stand.

Nonetheless, Pierre had chosen to see Mika face-to-face, which showed courage. It might also have been a determination to demonstrate that he was not cowed by an unknown newcomer.

“Now that we have come to know each other, and since Lord Fontanier seems to be a man of reason, it appears we can maintain good relations with our eastern neighbor. Most likely, in time, the other two neighboring houses will also seek contact.” (Mika)

When Pierre and his company had disappeared into the distance, Mika spoke softly as he returned to the manor.

 

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