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

 

 

Meeting

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For the time being, Mika explained his origins while concealing his family name. He recounted the circumstances that led him to become the lord of the Valentine territory, as well as the details of the recent battle. Sandra had no doubt already heard rumors, yet rumors are often inaccurate, and therefore he spoke the truth from his own mouth.

“And that is why, for the moment, I believe I have secured a measure of peace for my territory with regard to our neighbors. Thus, I have taken this opportunity to step outside my territory and pay my respects to Lord Yutilainen. Though I am but a newcomer who assumed lordship under somewhat unusual circumstances, and though my house is but a small and humble one compared to yours, since I now hold land within the economic sphere of Eltpoli, I wish to build a friendly relationship with the Yutilainen Household. In that regard, I have brought a small gift.” (Mika)

Having said this, Mika turned to look at Dimitri standing behind him. Dimitri nodded, and from the bag set beside him he drew out the threshing machine and placed it at the side of the long table. At first glance, it seemed a rather rugged contraption. However, it was confirmed by the clerks and knights of the Yutilainen Household, when it was unloaded from the wagon, that it was not a weapon of war.

“This is a device that will dramatically improve the efficiency of threshing wheat. I simply call it the threshing machine. I should like the information regarding this device to serve as the token accompanying my greeting.” (Mika)

As he spoke, Mika turned the handle of the machine, demonstrating its structure and its method of use.

“As you can see, it is not a particularly complicated mechanism, yet I believe its efficiency in threshing is more than tenfold compared to striking with sticks. In fact, before bringing it here, I conducted a demonstration outside the main hall. One of your retainers, standing there now, observed me thresh wheat that I had brought from my own lands, thereby verifying the usefulness of this machine.” (Mika)

At Mika’s words, Sandra turned her gaze toward the clerk waiting in the corner of the room. The elderly clerk, whose attire marked him as a high-ranking retainer, gave a silent nod, thereby indicating that Mika’s statement was true.

“I see. This is indeed intriguing. Threshing is backbreaking labor for the peasants, and it has long been a hindrance to the development of the territory. If it may be improved to such an extent, then it is nothing short of a revolutionary invention. As a gift to accompany your greetings, it is exceedingly generous.” (Sandra)

“I am humbled by your words. If you would take it as evidence that I wish to contribute to the stability and development of this region, and as proof of my desire to establish a long and friendly relationship with your house, then I would be most gratified.” (Mika)

In any case, the existence of the threshing machine would eventually be known beyond his territory, and the knowledge would spread. In that case, it would be better to present it himself to neighboring lords, thereby making it a tool of diplomacy to demonstrate his good will. That was precisely why Mika displayed it before Sandra as well as to the other neighboring lords.

“I understand. It is clear to me that you sincerely wish for friendship with this house. As one tasked with safeguarding the economic sphere of Eltpoli, a friend such as yourself is most welcome. I too desire a cordial relationship with your house. Let us walk together so that this region may prosper all the more.” (Sandra)

“To hear you speak so warms my heart greatly. I look forward to our relationship.” (Mika)

Between the Yutilainen Household and the other neighboring lords, there existed no explicit master and vassal hierarchy. Nevertheless, it was an unshakable fact that the Yutilainen Household wielded great influence within this region, and for that reason Mika had chosen Eltpoli as the last destination of his visits. He sought to establish a connection with the head of the house and to lay the foundation for a friendly relationship.

To have received such a favorable response at this very first introduction could only be considered a success. Thinking thus, Mika shook Sandra’s hand.

 

—

 

When the meeting concluded and Mika Valentine had departed, Sandra watched from the window of her study as he left the main hall of the castle. A faint smile played upon her lips.

“He appears to be a rather promising young man. Would you not agree?” (Sandra)

“Yes, Your Excellency. Not only does he possess strong talent in magic, but he is also an intelligent individual who displayed an extremely friendly attitude. I believe he is a promising, up-and-coming minor lord. It is highly probable that he will become a good friend to the Yutilainen Household as well.” (Steward)

The one who assented to Sandra’s question was the steward who had attended the meeting earlier. He was the most senior of her retainers, having served since the days of Sandra’s father. The elderly steward, responsible for overseeing clerks and servants as well as assisting Sandra in administrative matters, spoke of the young man Mika in precisely the same favorable terms that Sandra herself had felt.

Like many of the lords of the Dariander region, Sandra sought the prosperity of her house. However, she did not desire the barbaric practice of launching invasions against neighboring territories. She believed that to seek expansion through such crude measures, thereby multiplying enemies, would only undermine the influence that successive generations of lords of the Yutilainen Household had established in this region, and would in the end weaken their power.

Instead, she believed the best course was to preserve and further expand the household’s influence in the region, binding the minor lords by compelling their allegiance in exchange for protection, thereby forming a strong alliance. Such was the means by which the household would survive through these unstable times of gradual change and continue to rule this land for generations to come.

In order to act upon this belief, dependable allies and capable subordinates were welcome in as great a number as possible. From that perspective, the young man showed promise.

He had the power to repel armies that outnumbered his own several times over. His management of his territory was sound, for example introducing the plough, as Sandra had discovered when investigating his actions. Yet he did not display aggressive ambition. Instead, he came in person to visit her, the central figure of the region, and offered useful knowledge as a gift, thereby showing a proactive will for friendship with neighboring lords. He clearly understood the necessity of cooperation with his surroundings in order to protect and cultivate his small territory.

If he continued in this way, contributing to the stability and development of the region, the results would ultimately align with Sandra’s own objectives.

Moreover, being the lord of a territory that originally held only one hundred inhabitants, even should he devote his entire life to development and increase that number severalfold, or even tenfold, he would still remain far weaker than the Yutilainen Household. Thus, he was unlikely ever to become a threat and instead would likely prove a source of benefit to the region. Such an individual was exceedingly convenient. Though she had only met and spoken with him once, Sandra judged him, based on the impression she had gained, to be a person well worth welcoming.

“Mika Valentine. I have the feeling that I shall associate long and closely with that young man. For now, it is nothing more than a mere intuition.” (Sandra)

Thus, murmuring as if to herself, Sandra wished that the young man would indeed prove to be a reliable ally in the future.

 

—

 

“It seems that at least I was judged to be a newcomer of some potential. That alone is a relief.” (Mika)

“Yes. Considering the temperament of Lord Yutilainen, who values increasing her allies through negotiation and trade, I would say the meeting could scarcely have gone better.” (Ernest)

Having exited the main hall of Eltpoli Castle, Mika conversed with Ernest as he walked toward the wagon where Jeremy awaited. At his side floated the threshing machine, lifted by magic, while behind him followed Dimitri the guard.

From what Ernest had explained, Sandra Yutilainen was a realist who placed emphasis on the stability and prosperity of the economic sphere centered upon her capital city. Though she would not hesitate to exact fitting retribution with force if her household were insulted, she rarely initiated aggressive measures herself. She certainly would not assail a minor lord. If she were such a person, she could never have maintained a stable economic sphere together with the surrounding minor territories. In truth, it was only natural.

Considering this, Mika had anticipated that, having already been acknowledged by the neighboring lords, he too would be accepted by Sandra. If he demonstrated his will to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region, and to interact with the Yutilainen Household in friendship, offering some benefit as proof, then she would acknowledge the Valentine Household as a new lordly house of the region and treat them amicably.

That prediction had indeed proven accurate. Now that he had been recognized by the Yutilainen Household as a lord, it was unlikely that any neighboring house would target Valentine territory without cause.

Of course, there remained the possibility of invasion from some distant region, but in such a case he would most likely join forces with the surrounding lords to resist. At the very least, the Valentine territory would not be singled out as a target.

“With the most important task of this visit to Eltpoli now complete, from tomorrow onward, hm?” (Mika)

At that moment, Mika noticed something falling from the sky.

Riding upon the wind, it fluttered down to his very hand, which he extended to catch it gently.

“This is…” (Mika)

Looking closely, he found it was a black ribbon.

“Pardon me. That ribbon belongs to me.” (Unknown Woman)

A woman’s voice rang out from far above. Turning toward the source, Mika saw the main tower of Eltpoli Castle, built in connection with the main hall.

When he raised his gaze to its summit, he beheld a black-haired woman gazing down upon him.

 

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