New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (2/3 chapters)

 

 

To Make This Village Happier

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The next day, an occasion was arranged for Mika to introduce Ayla to the people of the territory. Responding to Marcel’s call, all the residents gathered in the village square, and Mika guided Ayla there.

“Do not worry. Everyone already knows about Ayla-san’s clothing and about Amber. With that understanding, they have all been looking forward to your arrival in this land.” (Mika)

“Yes.” (Ayla)

Standing beside Mika, accompanied by Dimitri and Bianca, Ayla walked with an even more tense expression than the day before. When she faced the square filled with a hundred residents, her legs faltered and she stopped. Mika extended his hand toward her and smiled gently.

“Ayla-san. Let us go together.” (Mika)

Meeting Mika’s eyes, Ayla took a small breath, nodded, and took his hand.

“Everyone, allow me to introduce her. This is my fiancée, Ayla Hewitt. Next year, she will become my wife, and to all of you, she will be your Madam-sama.” (Mika)

“I am Ayla Hewitt. Everyone, I look forward to your kind regard.” (Ayla)

When Ayla gave her name, the residents responded with applause and cheerful voices. Though many looked at her clothing and at Amber in her arms with curiosity, no one frowned or mocked her. Mika’s prior explanation had taken full effect.

“Hey, hey, is that lady a princess?” (Young Girl)

A little girl pointed toward Ayla and asked her mother. The applause and cheers had just subsided, so her words were heard clearly by both the residents and Mika’s group.

“The princesses in fairy tales wear even more splendid clothes than everyone else, right? Then is that lady a princess?” (Young Girl)

“Yes. That lady is this village’s princess.” (Mother)

Smiling at her daughter, the mother replied.

“Haha, since she is a noble lady marrying into the lord’s family, that makes her a princess for certain.” (Villager A)

“If we think of those strange clothes as special garments for a princess, that makes perfect sense.” (Villager B)

“This is wonderful. Our village has received a princess.” (Villager C)

“Welcome to the Valentine territory, Princess!” (Jeremy)

The residents each called out. When Jeremy spoke brightly, others followed, offering words of welcome.

Hearing herself called “princess”, Ayla looked back with a slightly pleased expression. Mika smiled at her.

“Now Ayla-san is a member of the Valentine territory. There is nothing more to worry about.” (Mika)

“Yes, I feel relieved. Thank you, everyone.” (Ayla)

No longer tense as she had been at first, Ayla’s face softened with calm reassurance as she replied to them. Seeing that their first meeting had ended in complete success, Mika thought privately that he would later send a small gift to that little girl.

 

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On the following day, Patrick and the Hewitt family’s party departed. Remaining behind were Ayla, now a resident of the Valentine territory, and one servant who would act as her attendant. Until the wedding ceremony next year, a messenger from the Hewitt family would visit each season to check on Ayla’s condition, and with each visit a new attendant would take turns in service.

At this time of year, the village was entering the barley harvest season. In previous years, wheat for taxation and rye for bread-making had taken priority, but this year the newly cultivated fields bore a vast crop of barley. The harvesting was a busy and lively affair.

“This village, until last year, was said to have suffered a shortage of grain even for the residents to eat. By plowing the land with my magic, the yield per field has increased, and we have been able to expand the total area under cultivation. I believe that as time passes, the lives of the residents will become easier, and the Valentine family, as the lords, will also become more prosperous.” (Mika)

While showing Ayla the farmland and watching together as the residents harvested the barley, Mika spoke.

“I see. To have achieved visible results within only one year as lord is truly remarkable. I sincerely respect you, Mika-san.” (Ayla)

Receiving her gaze filled with admiration and such straightforward praise, Mika smiled with embarrassment.

“I am honored. Nevertheless, this is still a small territory, incomparable to Ayla-san’s family, the Hewitts. I will continue working to develop it further.” (Mika)

“I will also do my best. Your dream is my dream as well.” (Ayla)

Ayla spoke gently and took Mika’s hand. Feeling the warmth of her touch, Mika felt strengthened.

“The next goal is, if I recall, the introduction of plow horses?” (Ayla)

“Yes, exactly. I believe it is of utmost importance to maximize the agricultural productivity of this land and to establish a system that allows my magic to be allocated to other tasks.” (Mika)

As they walked around the fields, they continued their conversation.

“When the productivity of this land increases further and I can devote more time to development work such as cultivating the forest, I wish to welcome new settlers to increase the population of the territory. To make the Valentine territory wealthier and safer, we must enlarge the territory itself, as that will strengthen both its economy and its military.” (Mika)

“Indeed, that is very true. The population within a territory is directly tied to its economic and military strength.” (Ayla)

As they spoke together, now and then the residents noticed Mika and Ayla, bowing to them respectfully, while the children helping their parents waved their small hands with innocent smiles. Ayla, already accepted by the residents, smiled happily and waved back.

“Also, although it will be a small wooden one, I intend to build a castle.” (Mika)

“A castle?” (Ayla)

Turning toward the northern part of the territory and the direction of the village, Mika nodded.

“Yes, a castle. The current lord’s mansion was built by the previous ruling family more than fifty years ago. It has grown quite old, and compared to typical lordly residences, it is small. When the territory develops, it will surely become cramped. Moreover, as an evacuation site or defensive stronghold for the residents during emergencies, it is not particularly reliable. Therefore, I wish to begin preparations to build a castle, little by little. To speak personally, I have longed to have my own castle. Rather than continue to live in a hand-me-down mansion abandoned by the former lords, I wish to dwell in a castle built by my own will.” (Mika)

Mika’s dream was to become the master of a castle that he could truly call his own. Although he had gained a territory, the small and decaying mansion built by others could hardly be called “my castle.” If he were to fulfill his lifelong dream, he wished to construct his own true castle.

In addition to the practical benefits as lord, such was his heartfelt desire that led him to wish for its construction. When Mika concluded with a faint, self-conscious smile, Ayla widened her eyes slightly, then smiled brightly.

“That is a most wonderful thought. Just imagining you having your own castle makes my heart leap. Even being able to remain by your side like this already fills me with happiness beyond measure, yet if we could live together in a castle filled with your aspirations, I believe we would become even happier.” (Ayla)

“I am glad to hear you say that. From here onward, let us continue to become happier together.” (Mika)

As Mika spoke while gazing at Ayla, she slowly nodded, savoring his words. Then, Mika turned his gaze over the land, from the village to the farmlands, taking in the entirety of his territory.

The development of the territory, the construction of the castle, and his coming marriage to Ayla next year were all before him. There were many things to do and many things to look forward to. Surely the days ahead would be even busier, but such busyness was a joyful burden. The responsibilities he bore would grow heavier, but with them came the joy of drawing closer to the completion of his dream.

Mika found himself simply looking forward to the future. Every aspect of it seemed bright and filled with hope. If it were possible, he wished to tell his late parents and his family from his previous life that he was now living each day in this world, in this era, his heart full of dreams.

It was for the sake of protecting this life that he would continue to live. To safeguard his loyal retainers and his beloved residents, to protect the woman he loved, to protect the Valentine territory where they all lived, he would live here to make this village a happier place.

 

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