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

 

 

Autumn Harvest

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

In the ninth month of the Holy Calendar year 1043, in the southeastern part of the Dariander region, the Valentine territory, like many other farming villages, had entered the season of the barley harvest.

On the farmland expanded through cultivation since the previous year, the richly ripened heads of barley were being harvested one after another through the cooperative labor of the villagers. The area of arable land had increased compared to the past, and the effects of plowing by means of the plow had added to that, making the total yield clearly greater than usual. The villagers took joy in the busyness of the harvest, throwing themselves into their work with energy.

Meanwhile, Mika Valentine, the lord of this land, was occupied with a different task. He was using psychokinesis magic to plow the fields where the sowing of wheat and rye would take place in late autumn. Mika drew the plow with magic while Dimitri served as guard and assistant beside him, and behind them the villagers took turns supporting the plow. At present, the task of holding the plow was performed by a young, cheerful villager named Jeremy.

“It really feels like a dream. I am not good with complicated calculations, but according to Mr. Marcel’s figures, there will be so much barley that even if we turn it all into porridge or ale, the village alone could never consume it all. Mr. Ernest said we could sell the surplus and exchange it for money, and that every household would probably receive dozens of silver coins. This will be my first time owning that much money. Well, the one managing the money will be my father, not me.” (Jeremy)

“When a large sum of money comes in, everyone’s life will finally become richer. As their lord, that makes me truly happy.” (Mika)

Turning back toward the talkative Jeremy, Mika smiled as he spoke.

In this world, much like the early Middle Ages of Mika’s previous life, each territory formed a relatively self-sufficient community. In the Valentine domain as well, the villagers crafted most of the tools necessary for daily life out of wood, built and repaired their homes with their own hands, and purchased only a few indispensable iron products and similar items from the traveling merchant Ernest during his visits.

Since sources of income had been scarce to begin with, the villagers’ annual use of cash had amounted to no more than a few silver coins per household. For them, even a few dozen silver coins would constitute a fortune the likes of which they had never held before.

“But with that much money, what should we even spend it on? I cannot imagine what wealthy farmers buy.” (Jeremy)

“Well, for example, if you repair or replace your farming tools, your work will become easier next year. If you buy better shoes or cloaks, spending time outdoors will be more comfortable. I think it would be wise to first purchase things that make work and daily life a little more comfortable. However, do not spend it all. Save a little at a time, and you will not suffer even if a bad harvest comes.” (Mika)

Still facing forward and continuing to draw the plow, Mika answered Jeremy’s question.

“I see, so that’s how we should use it. Then we probably shouldn’t buy expensive liquor, salt or sweets, right?” (Jeremy)

“Everyone deserves a small reward for themselves, so it is fine to buy such luxuries too. However, for now, you should limit the money you spend on indulgence to only a small amount.” (Mika)

“Then, I’ll tell my father that when I get home. I’ll say that Lord Mika said so.” (Jeremy)

“Yes, please do.” (Mika)

The villagers of the Valentine territory had until recently lived in poverty so severe that even eating their fill had been difficult.

If agricultural reform continued at this pace, they would earn cash income every year that could not even be compared to what they had before. Yet, as most of them could neither read nor write numbers nor perform multiplication, it was inevitable that they would struggle to manage such a large sum. They would be uncertain about how to spend the money, how quickly, and for what purposes.

Instead of wasting it on luxuries that vanish upon consumption, they should use their money to improve work efficiency, stabilize income, raise the quality of life at its foundation, or prepare for emergencies. Mika realized that it would be necessary to teach them how to spend or save wisely, as well as how to count and manage the much larger sums of currency that would now flow into their hands.

 

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In this world and this era, the spouse of a lord was considered one of the most important members of the household. The role of the lord’s consort was to oversee the management of the manor or residence in place of the lord, who was burdened with the administration of the territory.

This included calculating income and expenditure, keeping account books, managing household labor, and supervising the supply of food and consumables. In smaller noble households with few retainers or servants, heavy labor such as farm work or washing might be delegated to others, but the lady of the house would often engage personally in domestic tasks such as weaving cloth.

Ayla, who would formally become the Lady of the Valentine Household next year, had already begun fulfilling that role by her own wish. Though the Valentine Household was far smaller in scale than the Hewitt Household and had far fewer retainers and servants, she was gradually learning its methods of management under the guidance of Bianca, Helga, and Ivan.

Through this process of learning to manage the household, she had also grown close to Bianca and the others. Mika felt deep relief at how naturally Ayla had already come to fit in with the Valentine Household.

One afternoon, in the lord’s office located on the second floor of the manor, Mika was being shown a neatly stacked pile of papers by Ayla.

“The ledgers are organized in sets of ten years. Please, have a look.” (Ayla)

“Then, let me see. Wow, this is impressive. As expected, everything is perfect.” (Mika)

Confirming the contents of the documents, Mika spoke in admiration.

The ledgers that recorded the harvests of the village and the income and expenses of the Valentine Household had existed for each year since the village’s founding more than fifty years ago. However, since the time of the second head of the previous lordly household, Dond Dondando, the records had been kept in a most disorderly manner.

Though Mika had long wanted to remake the ledgers properly to understand his domain’s history, he had been too preoccupied with cultivation and fieldwork to manage it. When Ayla heard this, she volunteered to take on the task herself.

The ledgers she had recompiled little by little each day were, just as Mika had said, flawless. As one might expect from a young lady educated in a distinguished family, she was exceptionally capable as a member of a noble household. It seemed likely that, in terms of administrative ability, she even surpassed Mika himself, who had grown up shunned in his birth home and denied the opportunity to learn the practicalities of governance.

“To have reorganized so many ledgers in only three weeks, Ayla-san, that is truly remarkable.” (Mika)

“Thank you. I am glad that I could be of help to you, Mika-san.” (Ayla)

When Mika praised her without reservation, Ayla smiled with delight.

Even if each year’s ledgers were not voluminous given the size of the territory, to recompile several decades of records in such a short period was an astonishing accomplishment.

“Mika-san, since you perform cultivation work with psychokinesis magic, I imagine you will have far more outdoor labor than a typical lord. Therefore, I shall do my best to handle as much clerical work as I can, so as to lessen your burden.” (Ayla)

“Thank you. That helps me greatly. To have such a wonderful partner as you makes me truly fortunate. You give me great strength. I love you.” (Mika)

As Mika continued his words of praise and finally declared his love, Ayla’s face turned bright red. After remaining frozen for a moment, she wore a blissful smile.

Ah, how lovely she is, Mika thought.

“Um, Ayla-san. May I ask you something?” (Mika)

“Y-yes.” (Ayla)

“If you do not mind, I would like you to call me simply Mika, without honorifics, and to speak with me more casually. We are already living together under the same roof, after all.” (Mika)

When Mika proposed this, Ayla looked surprised for a moment, then smiled softly and nodded.

“I understand. I am happy to do so. Mika-san, please do the same. Speak with me as a husband would with his wife.” (Ayla)

Mika nodded and took Ayla’s hand.

“Then, let us do so together. Let us grow even closer, Ayla.” (Mika)

“Y-yes. Please take care of me. M-Mika.” (Ayla)

Looking back into Mika’s smiling face, Ayla blushed deeply to her ears and nodded.

A sweet atmosphere filled the space between them as they drew closer, still holding hands. And then,

“Pardon me, my lord and lady, but perhaps that is enough for now.” (Ayla’s Attendant)

From near the entrance of the office came the voice of the maid who served as Ayla’s attendant and chaperone.

Coming to his senses, Mika stepped back from Ayla and turned toward the doorway. The maid, who had been dispatched from the Hewitt Household and resided in the manor, regarded them with a warm yet reproachful look that seemed to say she understood their feelings, but they should wait until marriage. Mika, feeling awkward, offered her a strained smile and nod, while Ayla, overcome with embarrassment, lowered her gaze.

 

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