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

 

 

Ambush

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At the very moment when a fierce battle was being waged on the northern side of the village, there were those who, circumventing the battlefield, approached the lord’s manor.

“…We did it. There’s no one here.” (Conscript)

“Just as Lord-sama said. They could not spare any men outside the manor.” (Conscript)

“Hah, but that doesn’t mean simply locking up this shabby old manor is enough.” (Conscript)

A vulgar smile played upon the faces of the three, who were conscripted soldiers.

These three were men broken by crime. Each had committed grave offenses such as murder and, though death was their rightful punishment, Lord Raymond had promised that if they performed significant service in this war, their crimes would be forgiven, and thus they had joined the fight.

The mission entrusted to them was the ambush of the lord’s manor.

In order not to draw the enemy’s attention, they would traverse the battlefield in a small group, penetrate the manor which they anticipated would be lightly guarded, take women and children sheltering inside as hostages, and display them to the enemy men, thereby disturbing the enemy and aiding the main force’s assault. Success in this task would bring not only full absolution and a monetary reward but also permission to go wherever they pleased, though they could not remain within the territory. Furthermore, after victory, they were permitted to indulge in wanton violence against the women and children of the village. For this reason alone, the three obeyed Raymond.

“So, where shall we enter?” (Conscript

“The windows seem difficult to enter. The door will do.” (Conscript)

“That would be easiest, indeed. Such a flimsy wooden door, we shall just kick it down.” (Conscript)

With no one in the vicinity of the manor, the three boldly approached while conversing. The door, which did not appear especially sturdy, yielded immediately after several strong kicks to its handle, the lock breaking with astonishing ease. When they forced their way inside, they found in the first-floor hall dozens of women, children, and elderly folk. At the intrusion of armed men, screams filled the air.

“Heh heh, that was anticlimactic.” (Conscript)

“All the women and children are fair game. Who shall we take as hostages?” (Conscript)

“Why not choose someone who pleases the eye? Then, when the fighting is over, we can do as we please–…” (Conscript)

The conversation abruptly halted. When the other two turned to look, the one who had spoken last was impaled through the abdomen, a wooden spear protruding from him, having been struck straight through from behind.

The one who had delivered the thrust was a hunched old man.

“Wha—!?” (Conscript)

“Y-you…!” (Conscript)

Of the remaining two, one swung his sword to strike the old man but froze with a groan before even making contact. Soon, he collapsed, a short arrow protruding from his back. The last of the three looked toward the direction from which the arrow had been shot and found a crone standing there. In her hands, she held a crossbow, a weapon of considerable value.

“Y-you old hag! How do you come to possess such a weapon?” (Conscript)

“Lord-sama entrusted me with one of the two crossbows in the village… It is my duty to drive out anyone who enters the manor without Lord-sama’s permission, you see.” (Helga)

Saying this, the old woman set the crossbow aside and took up the wooden spear. Determined not to be bested by such elders, the last conscript raised his battle axe.

“Gyaaaaah! Ughhh!” (Conscript)

At that moment, a blood-curdling scream resounded. The old man who had first attacked with the wooden spear was now ruthlessly impaling the conscript through the abdomen, and the man’s agonized screams filled the room as he writhed, soon succumbing to death.

“When I was young, this is how I killed the beasts and magic beasts that entered the village. I even once killed a bear, not that it’s something to boast about.” (Ivan)

The old man spoke thus, his face drenched in blood turned toward the last conscript. When the conscript glanced away, Helga, the old woman, approached with the spear pointed at him. Though both were aged, they wielded weapons with deadly precision. The conscript had underestimated them, thinking the women and children would resist weakly, yet now he found himself facing a dire reality.

“…!” (Conscript)

From among the women who had been huddling away from the intruders, one suddenly leapt forward, clutching a pot wrapped in cloth. She hurled it, and the last conscript instinctively struck it with his axe. The liquid within splashed over him, scalding his head.

“Gyaaaaaah!” (Conscript)

It was heated oil. His face blistered and clothing adhered to his arms, chest, and shoulders; his hands, too, were covered, forcing him to drop the battle axe. Overwhelmed by intense pain, he collapsed to the floor, helpless as the old man and woman approached with their spears.

“…P-please wait.” (Conscript)

He spoke with a gaze toward them with the one remaining unscorched eye.

“I surrender. Please, help me–… help–…” (Conscript)

To his pleas, Helga thrust the spear into his mouth, and Ivan pierced his chest near the heart with his spear. Thus ended the final intruder.

“…Everyone, it’s alright now. All enemies who entered have been slain.” (Bianca)

After having thrown the pot that initiated their victory, Bianca spoke, and relief spread among the villagers sheltering within the manor.

 

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