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

Weapons and Land

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In early August, as the barley ripened beautifully and the season of harvest approached, Mika once again spent his days laboring alongside his people to cultivate the land. They felled trees in the forest, uprooted the stumps, and expanded the flatlands that sustained human life. Thus, his days returned to their busy yet peaceful rhythm.

One day, Ernest arrived, and Mika, as was his custom, welcomed him into the lord’s manor. This time, Ernest had brought two cylindrical components for the threshing machine that Mika had ordered additionally from a workshop in Eltpoli, along with several other supplies that could not be produced within the village. Among these was the very item Mika had been eagerly awaiting.

“Here is the completed repeating crossbow. Please inspect it at your leisure.” (Ernest)

“Oh, I did not expect it to be delivered so soon. I am truly delighted.” (Mika)

Mika’s eyes gleamed as he beheld the crossbow Ernest presented to him.

This crossbow, which Mika had requested the workshop to manufacture as the highest priority among all equipment, was somewhat larger than the standard type and consequently more powerful, though its string was also much stiffer. Typically, to draw such a string, one would use not a lever but a special pedal to wind it. However, Mika could draw it effortlessly with psychokinesis magic. He had already confirmed this at the workshop when handling a crossbow of the same size.

Furthermore, a magazine was mounted atop the platform that held the bolts. The structure matched perfectly the design Mika had submitted, every detail crafted with remarkable precision. It was truly the work of a workshop renowned for providing equipment even to the Yutilainen Household.

“Together with the spare magazine, 20 bolts have been prepared. The workshop confirmed basic functionality, but they reported that loading while keeping the weapon level with the magazine attached proved somewhat difficult. They ask that Your Excellency personally confirm whether it can indeed be fired in rapid succession through magical manipulation, as intended.” (Ernest)

“I see. That is perfectly reasonable. Very well, let us test it at once. We shall conduct a trial in the rear garden.” (Mika)

With those words, Mika led Ernest and Dimitri to the rear garden. In one corner, they set up a wooden board as a target and began the trial.

Mika raised his right hand toward the crossbow, and a pale light gathered within it. The crossbow rose into the air and turned its aim toward the wooden target.

When he extended his left hand, magical light appeared there as well, and the bowstring was drawn back. The hard string was pulled easily.

The bolt, which had not fully descended from the magazine because of the string’s tension, slid neatly into the groove on the platform once the string was lowered. When Mika’s magic hand pulled the trigger, the bolt shot forth with tremendous force, slicing sharply through the air and striking the target dead center. The thick and heavy bolt pierced the solid wooden board as though it were paper.

Mika drew the string again. The next bolt dropped smoothly into place without catching on the string or the magazine’s walls. He pulled the trigger, and the bolt flew. Repeating the process, all ten bolts within the magazine were fired without a single malfunction. When one of the bolts struck the board with particular force, the board split cleanly in two, and the remaining bolts embedded themselves in the hedge behind it. Several even passed through the gaps and flew beyond the manor grounds. Those would need to be retrieved later.

“Mika-sama, here you are.” (Dimitri)

“Thank you, Dimitri.” (Mika)

As Mika recalled the crossbow to his side, Dimitri handed him the spare magazine. Mika removed the used one, expressing his gratitude, and attached the replacement.

The box-shaped magazine had several protrusions that fit neatly into grooves at the base, allowing for simple attachment. By making the magazine interchangeable, one could reduce vulnerability between volleys. Of course, since there were only two magazines and twenty bolts at present, they would need to wait for additional production to sustain prolonged battles.

After replacing the magazine and firing several more bolts at a newly erected board, Mika smiled with satisfaction.

“Yes, there is absolutely no problem. It is, quite simply, magnificent.” (Mika)

Since he did not hold the weapon directly, aiming required a certain amount of finesse. Furthermore, because of the magazine’s construction, only short and flexible fletching could be attached, which limited the range of stable flight. Accurate shots could likely be made up to around twenty meters, a rather short distance considering the weapon’s size.

Even so, when its rapid-fire capability was taken into account, the combat potential it granted a single individual was extraordinary. Logs were excellent as kinetic weapons, yet carrying multiple at once was difficult, and after throwing one or two, they became useless. If used as clubs, one had to wait until the enemy approached within several meters.

This crossbow, however, allowed attacks from a safe distance, enabling swift volleys with numerous bolts. Each strike traveled faster than human reflexes could follow, and a single hit could pierce heavy armor, incapacitating the foe. Mika judged it more than sufficient as both a personal weapon for defense and a support weapon for his subordinates.

“That is most reassuring. Still, witnessing Your Excellency wield such a powerful weapon with such ease reminds me anew of the extent of your strength.” (Ernest)

“Haha, thank you very much. Thanks to you bringing this so swiftly, I am now able to fight far more effectively with magic. It will be an invaluable asset in defending the domain.” (Mika)

Mika responded with a smile to Ernest, who spoke with a faint expression of awe.

“In the last war, I learned firsthand how terrifying it can be when magic alone cannot prevail through sheer force. Beyond developing the domain, I must also strengthen its defenses. After all, if this land were unsafe, you too could not operate here with peace of mind, could you?” (Mika)

“To think that Your Excellency would even consider the concerns of one such as myself humbles me beyond words.” (Ernest)

Ernest bowed deeply. He had already declared his intention to establish a permanent shop within the Valentine domain and to make it his base of operations. His frequent travels between the Valentine domain and Eltpoli had become his principal occupation, and perhaps Mika’s engagement to the young lady of the Hewitt Household had provided the final encouragement he needed to resolve himself to serve the Valentine Household as their official merchant.

“When I arrived, I noticed that land reclamation had advanced considerably once again.” (Ernest)

“Yes, I wish to secure as much flatland as possible while it is still early. Thanks to the villagers’ diligence, the forest has been steadily cleared.” (Mika)

As Ernest spoke while they returned to the manor, Mika nodded in agreement.

In Mika’s plans for the territory’s development, the first major priority was the acquisition of draught horses. The farmland had grown far too vast for him to till alone, and he intended to purchase several horses next year so that the entire area could be properly ploughed.

Once horses were introduced into agriculture and the three-field system was fully implemented, the Valentine territory’s agricultural productivity would reach its peak. There would be ample food and greatly increased income. With that stability, Mika could begin to attract new settlers, thereby expanding the population and further enhancing both agricultural and economic strength. As prosperity grew, so too would the territory’s military capability, creating a self-sustaining cycle of development.

To achieve all this, land was essential. Whether for homes or for farms, nothing could begin without open plains. For that reason, Mika devoted his every effort to land reclamation.

“In the days ahead, as we continue to expand the territory, I expect there will be ever more occasions to seek your assistance, Ernest. I hope I may rely upon you.” (Mika)

“But of course. To be relied upon by Your Excellency is the greatest honor I could hope for as the merchant of the Valentine Household.” (Ernest)

When Mika smiled as he spoke, Ernest returned a gentle smile of his own.

 

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