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

For My Territory

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Beatrice Mortimer had set her sights for plunder on the group of small territories located southeast of Mortimer territory, beyond several minor territories with which she had some degree of interaction but which she had otherwise never been deeply involved with until now.

The people whose farmlands had been burned knew well that at this rate, they would starve. When Beatrice called for volunteers among the militia to take part in the plunder, a sufficient number quickly gathered.

In addition, the mercenaries who had been hired during the household dispute between Beatrice and her uncle joined as supplementary forces. If these mercenaries were carelessly dismissed within the territory, they would likely turn into bandits and attack nearby villages, so Beatrice enticed them to participate in the plunder by granting them full ownership of whatever spoils they obtained.

Upon realizing that by taking part in a large-scale raid they could easily acquire substantial loot, they gladly entered Beatrice’s command. Even the mercenaries who had originally been employed by her uncle, now that their employer was dead, saw no reason to refuse and readily joined the ranks alongside those already serving Beatrice.

With the addition of more than a dozen knights and soldiers in service to the Mortimer Household as officers and guards to command the militias, Beatrice gathered over two hundred troops and began her advance toward the southeast. Since she had already explained the situation in advance, she passed through the neighboring territories without issue, and her army struck its first prey, the Terejio territory.

The main village of Terejio territory, apparently unable to detect the arrival of the plunderers beforehand, was overrun without organized resistance. The militia, driven to madness by the life-or-death situation concerning themselves and their families, and the already ill-tempered mercenaries, unleashed not only plunder but also horrific acts of violence.

Beatrice did not stop them. It had been impossible from the beginning to restrain the rampage of an undisciplined mob of militia and mercenaries. She merely had her retainers take charge of managing the food, the most important of all spoils, and secure a portion of the Terejio Household’s estate wealth as the Mortimer Household’s share, then allowed the soldiers to do as they pleased with the rest.

The fact that even the members of the Terejio Household were killed had honestly been a miscalculation. Beatrice had planned to let them live and escape, thereby spreading the belief among surrounding small lords that even if attacked, members of a ruling household would be spared, thus reducing the degree of resistance. However, the Terejio Household was assaulted in their mansion by the mob of militia and mercenaries and killed after unspeakable brutality. Since they were already dead, there was nothing to be done.

In the same manner, they ravaged the other village within Terejio territory, yet the amount of food was still insufficient. Furthermore, in order to restore the Mortimer Household’s military strength, more valuables were needed as financial resources. Thus, Beatrice naturally decided to continue the raids throughout this region.

By this point, the news of the plunderers’ invasion must have already reached the surrounding small lords. Considering the possibility of resistance, Beatrice wished to further increase her military strength, and so she recruited additional soldiers from among her own people.

Upon hearing of the great success of the first plunder, many of her subjects once again volunteered eagerly. By the time the spoils from Terejio territory were being transported back to her lands, even more soldiers had assembled, and the size of her army was about to exceed three hundred.

Meanwhile, the small lords of the region also began to take action.

“There are signs that multiple territories, beginning with the southeastern Howellz territory, are gathering troops. Since mounted messengers appear to be moving back and forth between the territories, it is likely they intend to unite and resist.” (Knight)

“I see. I had hoped they would remain a disorderly mob, but it seems things will not go that conveniently.” (Beatrice)

Beatrice murmured with a sigh at the report from the knight who commanded the reconnaissance of the surrounding area.

Beatrice had heard as a rumor that the Howellz Household, once the most powerful lordly house in this region, had been greatly weakened the previous year. The fact that only small territories remained as a result had been one of the reasons she chose this area as her target for plunder.

If there had been no powerful lordly house to serve as a core of resistance, and if the small lords had remained disunited and simply allowed themselves to be plundered, that would have been ideal for Beatrice. However, matters were not so convenient.

“It would be better to repel them, would it not?” (Beatrice)

“It is possible to continue plundering while avoiding the enemy army that has gathered, but doing so would restrict our future movements and increase the risk of a surprise attack. Therefore, it is wiser to strike first and repel them. If we crush the enemy’s main force and inflict great damage, the small lords in this region will lose the will and ability to unite against us. After that, we can overrun each fragile territory one-sidedly. After all, they are merely an assembled rabble of small lordly houses. Their size and strength are of no real significance.” (Knight)

When Beatrice, who was not particularly skilled in military affairs, sought his opinion, her close retainer thus replied.

“Then, let us repel them. Once the transport of the seized food is complete, we shall advance upon the enemy’s rallying point.” (Beatrice)

“As you command.” (Knight)

The knight saluted and departed from Beatrice’s tent.

“Haa.” (Beatrice)

Left alone, Beatrice exhaled a weary sigh, her expression heavy with gloom. Since she had set out upon this course of plunder, she had already sighed like this more times than she could count.

She understood well that her current conduct was not something that could be praised. Leading a savage, bloodthirsty band to attack other lands without any just cause made her no better than the leader of a band of thieves.

Even so, in order to maintain the Mortimer Household’s prestige, which successive heads had gradually built up over generations, and to fill the bellies of her own people, there was no other choice. She pitied the lords and commoners of the other territories being targeted, but for Beatrice, her own house and her own territory naturally came first. Being born in a weak territory and having lacked fortune, those who became victims simply had to resign themselves to their fate.

Everyone valued their own matters above all else. In the end, humans were just like that.

 

—

 

The following day, preparations for departure were completed without issue, and Mika, along with his attendants, left the Valentine territory. At the send-off were Ayla, as well as all the retainers and villagers.

“Dimitri-san, please take good care of Mika.” (Ayla)

“Leave it to me. Even if I must use my own body as a shield, I will surely protect Mika-sama.” (Dimitri)

When Ayla spoke with a sincere expression, Dimitri answered in a strong voice meant to reassure her.

“Mika-sama, yesterday, Dimitri-san was calm enough to comfort me while I was worrying. He has made up his mind to be of help to you on the battlefield. So please, rely on him.” (Bianca)

“Of course. Including the child in your belly, I will do my best together with Dimitri to protect everyone in this village.” (Mika)

Bianca, who was likely suppressing her anxiety with all her strength to smile as she sent her husband off, received Mika’s gentle smile in return. Since Dimitri’s duty was to shield Mika with his life if necessary, it pained Mika that he could not promise Bianca that he would surely bring her husband back alive.

After exchanging words with Marcel and the other villagers, Mika finally faced Ayla. Ayla gazed at Mika, stepped forward until they were close enough to embrace, then turned to glance behind her.

“Please. Just for now, for only a brief moment, pretend you did not see.” (Ayla)

The servant of the Hewitt Household, who had been staying in the Valentine territory as Ayla’s attendant since spring until the wedding, silently nodded to her and turned away. Facing Mika again, Ayla gently embraced him. Mika placed his arms around her back in return.

Holding each other tightly, Mika for the first time felt the warmth of her body against his chest. Filled with an indescribable sense of comfort and happiness, he thought that he did not wish to part from her. Even so, he had to separate from her and depart. They released their arms and met each other’s gaze, close enough for their noses to touch.

“Mika. I love you. With all my heart and soul, I pray for your safety.” (Ayla)

“I love you too, Ayla. I will definitely return alive. So that I can become your husband and live together with you from now on.” (Mika)

After expressing their feelings to each other, their lips met of their own accord. The tears that spilled from Ayla’s eyes traced down Mika’s cheek and fell away. Then, Mika departed from the village with Dimitri and the two villagers who had volunteered for the expedition.

The new happiness that Ayla sought to grasp in the Valentine territory was something Mika, as her future husband, must protect. His retainers and villagers under his protection, and the woman he loved. To continue protecting the happiness of everyone who lived in this village. To ensure that this village alone remained blessed. To drive away from it all dangers that threatened that happiness. For that purpose, he now went to war.

In two months, the wedding with Ayla would take place. Thereafter would begin a long and happy life together with her. I will let no one interfere. I will surely return alive and marry Ayla.

Resolving himself thus, Mika stepped forward.

 

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