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

Aftermath of Battle

 

 

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

When the work of clearing the battlefield had been completed, they held a modest celebration of victory, after which they took a brief period of rest. Thus, by the time approximately one week had passed since the conflict, the Valentine territory had already returned to its ordinary daily life.

Since the lives they had fought to protect must continue henceforth, it was only natural that they must also resume their daily labors. Neither the seasons nor the farmlands would ever pause to suit human convenience, and therefore they could not afford to remain at rest for long.

Thanks to the magic potion, even the gravely wounded had been saved from death, and as no single person had been lost in the battle, the people of the territory were able, also in spirit, to return to daily life with relative swiftness.

In early April, the common folk were hastily sowing clover seeds in the fallow fields. This task should properly have been completed during the days that had instead been devoted to preparing for war. While this work was underway, Mika welcomed the traveling merchant Ernest to the manor.

“To think that such a battle had taken place. That Lord Valentine and all the people of the territory survived unscathed gladdens me most sincerely, as one who counts himself among your close associates.” (Ernest)

“I thank you. For my part, I too rejoice that fortune aided us such that every one of us survived.” (Mika)

Ernest spoke in tones of great astonishment, to which Mika answered with a smile.

“And I have one request of you, Ernest-san. When you speak in places such as Eltpoli about the matter of our victory, I believe you will of course tell of me, a telekinetic magic-user. Yet I would ask you also to speak of how the common folk fought bravely with stones and in hand-to-hand battle. For without their valor, the victory of our territory would never have been achieved.” (Mika)

Not only his own deeds but also the courage of the people ought rightly to be known to the wider world. Mika believed this wholeheartedly. At the same time, he thought also that if rumor spread that the Valentine territory did not rely solely upon its lord, a magic-user, for defense, but that the common folk themselves were a true fighting force, then that would in itself become a new deterrent.

“I understand. I shall make known not only Lord Valentine’s deeds but also the valiant struggle of the people.” (Ernest)

Ernest replied, seeming to perceive even the unspoken intention that Mika had not explained.

After conversing further for a time about the recent battle, Mika and Ernest moved on to their true business discussion. The reason Ernest had come this day was to deliver an item which Mika had ordered through him from a smithy in Eltpoli before the winter. Mika had asked that it be delivered by the end of April, and thus Ernest had once more performed admirably, providing the goods with time to spare.

“Here is the item you ordered. Please confirm that the workmanship is to your satisfaction.” (Ernest)

With these words, Ernest presented a cylindrical device, some 50 centimeters in diameter, with dozens of arched wires aligned along its surface. Its form was somewhat intricate, and as iron had been employed both for the wires and for the central rod running through the tube, the expense of production together with Ernest’s commission had amounted to over ten silver coins, a truly significant sum.

“Yes, there is no problem. The length of the rod is as I ordered, and the strength of the wires is entirely sufficient.” (Mika)

“That is good to hear. As for the intended purpose of this device, you had said you would reveal it after it had been put into use.” (Ernest)

“Indeed. Should it perform as I envision, I believe by summer I shall be able to unveil its true purpose, so please look forward to that time.” (Mika)

To Ernest, whose tone revealed his curiosity, Mika responded with a smile.

 

—

 

As for the home of one villager which Mika had destroyed during the fighting, it was swiftly rebuilt in the aftermath. In this world and in this age, a peasant dwelling was but a simple construction of wooden posts, rough earthen walls, and a thatched roof, so with Mika’s magic and the labor of the common folk, raising a house cost them little effort.

As for the severely wounded of the enemy who were unable to move of their own accord, and whom their fellows had not carried from the field, a dozen or so of them were left behind. They were given the most minimal of treatment, in which their wounds were washed and bound with cloth, before being gathered in the communal storehouse of the village and placed under restraint.

All of them were conscripts, peasants forced into battle against their will, so the people of the territory regarded them with sympathy. Some of the wounded worsened and perished of their injuries, but those who survived were kept safe until they had recovered somewhat. Thus, when roughly two weeks had passed since the battle, Lorenz of the Melders Household came visiting from the northern hills.

At Mika’s request, he had agreed to provide information regarding the state of the Howellz Household in the aftermath of war, and so Lorenz himself had come to speak directly, taking the occasion also to meet with Mika in person.

Mika courteously welcomed his neighbor to the manor, offered him tea, and received from him the tale of the present situation in the northern hills.

“So then, the Howellz Household is now reduced to the rank of a petty lordship owning no more than a single village.” (Mika)

“Hahaha! That is exactly what it amounts to.” (Lorenz)

Mika, speaking in stunned disbelief, was answered by Lorenz with hearty laughter.

What Lorenz recounted was a tale truly astonishing. In the recent invasion, which every member of the Howellz Household and its retainers had thought would bring certain victory, the army under Raymond had suffered a disastrous defeat. Not only had great numbers of their conscripted peasants, who were precious laborers as much as soldiers, been lost, but the physical magic-user, the greatest strength of the Howellz Household, had been slain.

Returning home with nothing gained and such grievous losses incurred, Raymond could no longer claim the right to remain head of his house. His sister, who had remained behind to keep the estate, declared thus, and demanded that her brother accept responsibility for defeat, retire, and yield the family headship to her.

Raymond refused. The result was that, drawing in their retainers, brother and sister fell into bloodshed. In this conflict Raymond and his wife and children perished, and many retainers likewise lost their lives. The fact that Raymond and the single knight who remained loyal to him were both formidable in arms proved, in this case, a curse, for they slew numerous knights and soldiers who had sided with Raymond’s sister.

Though Raymond’s sister emerged from the bloodied struggle as victor and became the new Lord Howellz, the losses were far too great. Taken together with the devastation of the failed invasion, the wounds inflicted upon the household were fatal, leaving it incapable of maintaining its former power. At this point of extreme weakness, Lorenz acted without hesitation.

The lands of Howellz were surrounded by four territories, including that of the Melders Household, whose lords had long watched with wary eyes the expansion of Howellz’s power. Lorenz called upon the three others, urging them to seize without delay the villages of Howellz, save the main village, while that household was yet incapable of raising an army.

The three territories immediately responded, unwilling to waste the chance to eliminate the threat posed by Howellz. Of the four villages besides the main, each house swiftly occupied one nearest to its borders and declared it its own. The Howellz Household made no resistance. Their standing forces were far too diminished, and their peasants far too recently bled, for them to conscript anew. Even the defense of the castle and main village strained their means, and to dispatch troops elsewhere was utterly impossible.

The families Townsend and Pearce, who were kin to the Howellz, remained silent. Each held but two or three villages and having already suffered grievous losses from lending men to Raymond, they had neither the strength nor the will to enter conflict against four territories. For such weakened kin, they would not pay further costs.

Lorenz and his allies also knew well how to draw back at the right moment. If the four houses pressed Howellz to complete ruin, they themselves would fall into quarrels over who should claim the castle and the main village. But if the household was left alive, though weakened, it could serve as a common foe around which the four could unite, avoiding disputes among themselves.

From the other side, the Howellz Household, though greatly diminished, would at least continue to exist. Thus, both sides found their interests aligned, and the new Lord Howellz agreed to the division. The four villages were each absorbed into their surrounding territories. Thus, the Howellz Household, left as though with its head grievously injured and its limbs severed, was rendered powerless, while the Melders Household and the surrounding lords profited greatly.

“Truly, Lord Melders, your skill in this matter is beyond praise. It was a masterful maneuver.” (Mika)

“Not so. I could act so only because you, Lord Valentine, repelled the invasion of Lord Howellz. I merely mounted the winning horse, as they say. I cannot thank you enough.” (Lorenz)

Lorenz spoke in modesty, yet his maneuver had indeed been brilliant.

When calling upon the other three houses to cooperate, he had also provided a justification sufficient to mask their treachery against Howellz. That justification was the recognition of the Valentine Household as the rightful lord of the village once held by the Dondando Household.

By declaring Mika legitimate, the three houses could denounce Howellz for invading another’s land without cause and could strike them as a threat. When Lorenz spoke thus, the three accepted at once. To acknowledge as lord of a small village the wanderer dwelling beyond the hills cost them nothing, while in return they weakened Howellz and gained a village without effort. Such an opportunity none could refuse.

This maneuver brought Mika himself great advantage. With multiple lords declaring openly that they recognized him as rightful ruler, his position in the region was secured with strength and stability. Above all, the death of Raymond Howellz and the downfall of his household to a mere shadow of its former power was news of incomparable delight. For now, and likely for all his lifetime, Mika need never again fear invasion from the Howellz Household.

“No, indeed, it is I who must offer thanks. My territory alone could do no more than repel their host; we could not deliver the final blow. Moreover, the recognition of me as lord by yet more houses is of inestimable aid. In comparison to the benefit you yourself gained, I believe my benefit surpasses yours.” (Mika)

“Is that so? I am glad you say so. Yet I would be troubled if I profited by riding the winning horse only to do nothing in return. Allow me then to aid you in the work of the aftermath. Let the Melders Household serve as intermediary in your negotiations with the Howellz Household.” (Lorenz)

At this proposal, Mika’s eyes shone.

“Truly? That is of immense help. I have been at a loss as to how to open communication with them, and how best to return the wounded peasants of Howellz whom we are sheltering.” (Mika)

“Ah, so you have been tending the wounded of the enemy. Then, we shall also take upon ourselves the task of returning them. To care for the folk of another territory indefinitely would be too great a burden for your people.” (Lorenz)

“You have relieved me greatly. I thank you from my heart, Lord Melders.” (Mika)

In truth, Mika wished to be rid of the peasants of Howellz as swiftly as possible, for as they recovered, they became nothing but idle mouths to feed. Thus, Lorenz’s proposal was most welcome.

“It is well that this matter has brought benefit to us both. Let us be good friends henceforth also.” (Lorenz)

“Yes. I too shall strive that the friendship of our two households shall endure for generations.” (Mika)

Both Mika and Lorenz smiled and clasped hands firmly.

A few days thereafter, the peasants of Howellz were swiftly returned to their homeland. Through Lorenz’s mediation, Mika met in conference with the new Lord Howellz. She, choosing to preserve her household above all, agreed to recognize the Valentine Household as lord, and to conclude peace upon the condition that she pay 20 gold coins in indemnity, in installments.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)