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

 

 

Only This Village

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The former Dondando territory, a small village with a population of approximately 100 souls, had managed to preserve its independence for over fifty years due to several interwoven factors. Each neighboring territory was similarly diminutive in scale, and any attempt to invade even a small village such as this one carried considerable risk. Furthermore, both the first and second lords of the territory possessed sufficient acumen in worldly affairs to avoid decisive conflicts with their neighbors, thereby sustaining the fragile peace.

However, in the previous year, the second lord had abandoned the territory along with his family, leaving behind his land and subjects, fleeing in pursuit of self-preservation. Subsequently, a wandering magician named Mika had assumed the position of the new lord of the village.

Mika, who lacked any political legitimacy to claim ownership over this land, was compelled to protect both his position and his territory solely through the application of force, and, moreover, to navigate political matters from the ground up. Thanks in part to the deterrent effect of Mika’s magic and in part to his consistently friendly demeanor, the neighboring lords had, for the time being, acknowledged him as the new lord.

Yet, the Howellz Household was evidently an exception to this conciliatory acceptance. Lord Howellz, it appeared, did not regard Mika as the legitimate lord of this territory and sought to claim the village by the principle of first possession, exploiting the absence of an official ruler.

Even if the Howellz Household were to attack Valentine territory, there would likely be no one to publicly condemn them for aggressing against Mika, whose position as lord was uncertain at best. The neighboring lords would not directly ally with him. Indeed, the fact that the Melder family had sent a messenger solely to warn of the impending incursion was, in itself, a matter deserving gratitude.

Thus, Mika recognized that he alone must repel the Howellz Household’s invasion. To successfully defend his territory would constitute a tangible demonstration of effective governance, thereby solidifying his standing as the legitimate lord of Valentine Territory.

“Lord Howells of the Howellz territory, situated to the northwest beyond Melder territory, appears to be leading a military force toward Valentine territory. The size of this force likely exceeds one hundred men, including at least one physical magician. It seems clear that Lord Howellz does not recognize me as the new lord of this village and intends to seize it by force, incorporating it into Howellz territory. He is widely known as an ambitious lord, so I surmise he seeks to expand his lands and intends to employ this village both as a base for strategic operations and as a staging ground for future military endeavors.” (Mika)

At these words, the residents gathered in the central square began to murmur anxiously.

Mika himself believed that he possessed a sufficient chance of victory. He wielded the talents of psychokinesis magic, and he had trained the residents to prepare to the utmost extent possible. The enemy’s trump card was a physical magician, a type of magician common among the ranks of magic. Even if the foe strengthened their body with mana, Mika reasoned that a confrontation with a living opponent could be dominated by psychic magic, thereby securing victory.

The true uncertainty lay in whether the residents, observing the threat, would believe themselves capable of triumph and resolve to fight alongside him. Once, when 50 bandits had launched an assault, the absence of a commanding lord had led to utter chaos, and the villagers were unable to resist. They neither seized weapons nor mounted defenses but instead panicked and fled into their homes, surrendering to despair.

During the winter months, however, they had trained under Mika in the art of collective combat. At that time, they had expressed willingness to defend the village should it come to battle. Yet now, confronted with an invading force not of 50 but of perhaps 100 soldiers, including professional retainers and magicians of a lordly household, would they maintain that same resolve?

Should a force of one hundred occupy the village, the residents would find their homes violated at will where valuables would be plundered, women and children subjected to violence, and any who resisted, regardless of age or gender, would likely be killed. Were the village to be absorbed into Howellz territory, they would face a life of hardship at least as severe, if not more so, than before.

If the village were transformed into a base for the Howellz Household’s operations, both for justifying territorial aggression and for subsequent war, tranquility would be lost. The men would be conscripted as soldiers, forced to fight for Lord Howells’ ambitions.

Yet even if facing such an overwhelming force would expose them to death, fear, and humiliation beyond imagination, and even if a dark and unhappy future awaited them thereafter, Mika knew that should they believe surrender preferable to facing the Howells army, they would be incapable of fighting, regardless of his command. In such a case, Mika would be left with no recourse but to relinquish his lordship and depart, hoping only that the misfortune that followed would not be too grievous. As for Dimitri, Mika could allow him the choice of accompanying him on their wandering journey once more or remaining with Bianca, prepared to endure a harsh future by her side. Both options, Mika knew, would be painful.

Mika wrestled with whether he should attempt to persuade the residents to resolve to fight, or allow them to decide according to their own judgment, when suddenly—

“Are you kidding me?!” (Villager)

“What do you think our homeland is?” (Villager)

“Whether it be 100 men or a magician, we will crush them all!” (Villager)

“Yes! And if they do not retreat after being crushed, we shall kill them!” (Villager)

Bloody cries of defiance rose from the gathered villagers, leaving Mika wide-eyed in astonishment.

“This village was built from the ground up by our own hands! We did it so that our children and grandchildren might live happily! We did not dedicate our lives to allow some foreign lord to do as they please!” (Ivan)

“Indeed! That a homeland we built ourselves should be turned into a war base for the desires of a stranger is unconscionable!” (Helga)

Even normally gentle souls, such as Ivan and Helga, raised their voices in righteous anger. They were the pioneering generation, having cleared forests and founded this village from their youth.

“…Everyone is remarkable, truly. Without hesitation, full of morale.” (Mika)

“Of course!” (Marcel)

Mika spoke with a stunned expression, and it was Marcel who answered, his countenance now revealing indignation where once calm had prevailed.

“Until Mika-sama arrived, we had entirely abandoned hope in our lives. We were all impoverished, our existence remained difficult, and we could not imagine a brighter future. When bandits approached, and the previous lord abandoned us, despair engulfed us… Lord Mika, by becoming our lord and aiding us, changed everything. Mika-sama gave us hope.” (Marcel)

The villagers nodded in strong agreement, as the word hope resonated with Mika, filling him with astonishment and warmth.

“Now we live with hope. Our future is bright. Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, a better life awaits us. We shall live richer and happier lives, leaving such a legacy to our children and grandchildren. We shall not return to the life we once knew. We shall not endure a life worse than before. If an enemy comes to bring us to such a state, we shall fight!” (Marcel)

Upon Marcel’s powerful proclamation, shouts of agreement arose from the crowd.

“Furthermore! Moreover!” (Jeremy)

A particularly loud voice drew all attention. It was Jeremy.

“Moreover, if we cower and fail to fight, if we give up like we did against the bandits, Mika-sama will be killed by the coming Howellz army or driven from this village, returning to his wandering ways, correct? We owe our lives to Mika-sama’s intervention, and we ourselves requested that he become our lord. If we were to abandon him now simply to save our own skins, how could we ever face each other hereafter? I cannot allow such a thing! I was the one who first asked Lord Mika to become our lord! My resolve has not changed!” (Jeremy)

Jeremy, tearful and impassioned, spoke as Bianca, who stood beside him, began to cry as well. Several villagers praised Jeremy’s courage, and Lewis silently patted his shoulder in support.

Once again, Marcel spoke, representing the villagers as a whole.

“Mika-sama, this is the unanimous will of the villagers. For our sake, and for yours, who have been our benefactor, we are resolved to fight. Unlike during the bandit raid, we shall defend our lives with our own hands, fighting alongside you. We await your command.” (Marcel)

Receiving the impassioned declarations, Mika finally smiled gently.

How endearing, virtuous, and precious were these villagers. To be so fully accepted, respected, and cherished by them filled him with a profound happiness. When he had severed ties with his former home and left his birthplace, he had never imagined that he would come to hold lordship over a territory in such a joyous manner. To be loved by one’s people as the master of a castle and lands, he realized, was a fulfillment beyond imagining.

“…Thank you. Truly, thank you all. To be your lord fills me with happiness. I shall continue to be your lord. Let us fight together to protect Valentine territory!” (Mika)

At Mika’s proclamation, the villagers erupted into a fervent cheer.

In the rapture of their collective enthusiasm, Mika thought to himself that these villagers must live in happiness. In this world, far harsher than his previous life, at least this village, under his domain, must be happy. As lord, it was his duty to ensure that their happiness.

This, he resolved, was his lifelong territory.

 

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