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

Stones and Fences

 

 

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Lord Howellz’ army numbered slightly over a hundred, of whom 80 advanced to charge. Most were conscripts with crude weapons, though several seemed to be regular soldiers in command.

“Ready the stones!” (Mika)

At Mika’s command, the villagers placed stones into their slings, swinging them with practiced precision. Weekly drills over winter and additional practice in recent days had honed their skill.

“Release!” (Mika)

Once the enemy approached within range, Mika commanded, and the villagers let the stones fly. Hurling from roughly head height, the stones cleared the fences, deliberately kept at chest height to prevent interference. Over 20 stones hurtled with tremendous force, striking enemy soldiers in succession.

“…Excellent.” (Mika)

Observing the first volley’s effect, Mika smiled faintly. Many enemy soldiers were felled or incapacitated; those struck directly in the head lay unmoving. Even those who evaded impact were unnerved, hesitation slowing their advance.

Mika’s right hand glowed as he directed attention toward logs stacked behind him, lifting them into the air. Last year, when dealing with bandit leaders, Mika had hurled logs weighing roughly two hundred kilograms, exhausting him greatly. Now, he wielded logs just over two meters long, approximately one hundred kilograms, akin to wielding a battle axe, spear, or substantial club.

“Next volley, release!” (Mika)

While the villagers readied another stone, Mika hurled a log at the advancing enemy. Spinning through the air, the log struck multiple soldiers, crushing bodies and splitting others in half. The enemy faltered, some retreating, some stopping entirely.

From the rear of the enemy, several drew bows, targeting fleeing conscripts with lethal precision. Knights near Lord Howellz spread outward, pressuring retreating troops to return. Even those who had attempted flight were driven back. Mika commanded a third volley, throwing another log, and more conscripts fell.

“Grab your weapons! Do not let them breach the fences!” (Mika)

Villagers picked up melee weapons from the ground. Over 20 enemy soldiers struggled to reach the fences, with many falling en route. Both sides comprised mostly peasants wielding crude implements, with minimal protective gear. Yet the villagers coordinated in small teams, resisting effectively. Training had borne fruit. Only Lewis remained at the slings, atop the log storage, firing stones continuously to support his comrades.

Mika manipulated logs, striking enemies attempting to surmount the fences. Most evaded, but a few were struck and incapacitated. Dimitri protected Mika, any enemy attempting to strike him was met with axes, sustaining severe injury. Villagers fought to protect their families, homes, fields, and lives, with Mika supporting them under Dimitri’s watchful guard.

“Damn it! They’re breaking through!” (Jeremy)

Hearing the cry, Mika turned to see Jeremy, leading several villagers, defending a section of the fences. He held his arm in injury, facing a concentrated assault by enemy soldiers attempting a breakthrough.

“Take cover, everyone!” (Mika)

Mika swung a log in a sweeping motion, sweeping away enemies leaning over the fences. Five attempting to climb were dealt with, two leapt back, struck and thrown aside, one struck directly in the head and killed. Immediately, a soldier tried to thrust a spear through Mika from a gap in the fences; Dimitri blocked with a wooden shield, then shattered the spear with his axe.

Fierce combat continued. Mika and the villagers denied any breach of their defensive line.

 

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“…Such a cunning style of fighting.” (Raymond)

Observing unexpectedly stiff resistance, Raymond clicked his tongue.

He had not anticipated that every adult male villager would master the sling. The itinerant sorcerer had thoroughly prepared them for defense. The logs, controlled by Mika’s magic, appeared far more potent than Raymond’s knowledge of psychokinesis magic suggested. The first assault failed to shatter the enemy’s morale due to the villagers’ skill and the sorcerer’s powerful magic. The frontal conflict was becoming a quagmire.

“Detach a unit for a flanking maneuver. Attack from the west.” (Raymond)

“Understood.” (Knight)

Three knights, including the physical magician Sergei, and roughly 20 conscripts moved westward to execute the flanking maneuver.

 

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