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

Military Council

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Toward evening that day, the assembly of each household’s army was mostly complete, and a military council was held with the representatives of each army.

This time, the households of eleven lords, including the Valentine Household, had been called upon by Lorenz to form an alliance. Among them, three households refused to cooperate. Of the eight Households that agreed to join, one did not arrive by the deadline set for that evening. It was uncertain whether they had withdrawn at the last moment or simply failed to make it in time.

Including the Meldars Household, eight Households in total had gathered their armies as planned. In all cases, the lords themselves led their own troops.

“The basic tactic shall be a unified frontal assault with the entire army. Regarding the conscripted soldiers, we shall mix the forces of each Household and deploy them together. I believe this will be the most effective approach. What say you all?” (Lorenz)

Under the wide, wallless tent prepared by the Howellz Household, the military council began with each army’s representative gathered together with their guards. Lorenz spoke cheerfully at the opening of the meeting.

“…No objections.” (??)

“Well, in the end, that is the best course.” (??)

“Indeed, with that, we need not fear any army breaking ranks and fleeing first.” (??)

“The enemy is also an assembled force. It is plain to see they will take a similar approach. A clash of strength will be the safest option.” (??)

Since this was an allied army composed mostly of militia sharing only the bare minimum of common interest, complicated tactics were impossible. The soldiers lacked the ability to understand complex orders, and mutual trust among the Households was fragile. Therefore, everyone readily agreed.

“I appreciate everyone’s agreement. Then, the basic tactic shall be the frontal assault. However, in addition to that, I wish to propose one stratagem.” (Lorenz)

Taking control of the council naturally, Lorenz spoke next and turned to face Mika, who sat beside him.

“I believe all of you have at least heard of Lord Mika Valentine. He governs a territory south of the Meldars territory beyond the hills. He is a formidable user of psychokinesis magic and the newly rising lord who became engaged last year to the daughter of the Hewitt Household.” (Lorenz)

At Lorenz’s introduction, everyone turned toward Mika with subtle expressions.

He was a participant from the southern side of the hills, a man with little direct connection to them. An unknown upstart who had accepted without hesitation an engagement with the much-avoided daughter of the Hewitt Household. Mika understood that their discomfort was only natural.

“Lord Valentine’s psychokinesis magic is powerful both in close combat and for support. This time, I intend for him to serve in support. After all, he has brought a ballista with him.” (Lorenz)

As Lorenz said this, he nodded toward Mika, who nodded back and looked behind him.

There stood the ballista, brought in before the council began and covered with a cloth to protect it from rain. When Dimitri, standing guard behind Mika, removed the cloth, Mika activated his psychokinesis magic and lifted the ballista into the air.

A murmur spread through the tent as everyone witnessed the massive, heavy ballista float. The sight of psychokinesis magic being used was rare even among magic. To most of them, it was completely unfamiliar. Even more impressive was its strength, capable of lifting such weight.

“As you can see, I can manipulate this ballista freely with magic, which would otherwise require much time for transport and aiming. As for loading…” (Mika)

While speaking, Mika used his “magic arm” to rotate the handle at the rear of the ballista. The handle, normally turned by two men, rotated easily, drawing back the string in perfect sync. Naturally, no bolt had been loaded for safety, and the ballista’s aim was directed toward empty air.

Once the string was drawn, Mika pulled the cord connected to the trigger. A sharp sound echoed as the ballista dry-fired. That sound alone caused some of those present to flinch.

“As you can see, I can perform these actions far more quickly than by manpower. The range of this ballista reaches several hundred meters, so I can move around the battlefield unseen and strike any part of the enemy formation at will.” (Mika)

As Mika spoke with calm confidence, the others were still frozen in astonishment.

“Lord Mortimer, the enemy commander, will most likely establish his main camp in the rear of his army to direct the battle from there. Therefore, I intend for Lord Valentine to attempt a strike against the enemy’s main camp. If that proves too difficult, then he shall instead attack from the flank. In either case, it will provide strong support and grant us a major advantage.” (Lorenz)

Lorenz spoke while placing a friendly hand on Mika’s shoulder.

“To target a single individual from several hundred meters is indeed difficult. However, by raining bolts upon the direction of the enemy main camp, it should greatly unsettle Lord Mortimer himself. Should I target the enemy flank instead, I will personally incapacitate ten or twenty enemy soldiers alone.” (Mika)

Lorenz’s behavior clearly aimed to display his closeness with Mika, a man who could serve as a powerful individual force. For the Valentine Household, showing amity with the increasingly influential Meldars Household on the northern side of the hills would also be beneficial. Therefore, Mika simply allowed it and smiled.

“Our main force shall engage the enemy directly from the front, while the smaller detachment led by Lord Valentine shall provide support. I ask everyone to agree upon this plan of battle. What say you?” (Lorenz)

When Lorenz asked the assembly, no one raised objections. Indeed, his proposal appeared the most effective among the options available to this coalition army.

“The plan of battle is acceptable, but who shall serve as the supreme commander?”

The question came from the lord of a Household whose territory lay to the west among the northern hills, and at his words, tension spread through the tent.

“…Do we truly need a supreme commander?” (??)

“Of course we do. Each lord cannot simply issue orders as they please.” (??)

“Indeed. Someone must be designated to command volleys from archers and slingers and to signal the charge.” (??)

Once the necessity of a supreme commander was confirmed, discussion ensued, but it proved difficult.

Although these households had united for mutual interest this time, they were not on friendly terms. Some had past disputes, others had fought before. Naturally, no one felt entirely comfortable fighting side by side with such rivals. Deciding on one person to serve, even nominally, as supreme commander entangled many conflicting intentions.

No one wanted to see their rival gain that title. Each time a candidate was proposed, objections arose. The exchanges grew sharp, and sarcasm and veiled jabs were exchanged, some of which Mika, unfamiliar with the northern lords’ politics, could not even understand.

“Everyone seems to be having a hard time.” (Mika)

“Yes, they seem to be.” (Dimitri)

As one from the southern hills and commander of a separate detachment, Mika had no part in the supreme commander selection. Watching the futile debate from the sidelines, he spoke quietly, and Dimitri nodded expressionlessly beside him.

Mika personally did not care who became the supreme commander. If anything, he only hoped it would not be someone from the Howellz Household, whose predecessor he had fought against last year, even if the new head had since adopted a more cooperative stance. However, since the Howellz Household’s relations with neighboring lords were poor and its power had greatly waned, no one nominated its head. Once Howellz himself suggested it, he was immediately rejected by all.

“…In the end, would it not be best to entrust the position to Lord Meldars?” (??)

After a while, one lord sighed tiredly and spoke.

“Indeed, that seems the best choice.” (??)

“Yes, it is the least objectionable selection for everyone.” (??)

“Moreover, Lord Meldars was the one who first proposed this alliance.” (??)

Though Lorenz’s name had been mentioned twice during the discussion, each time others objected. It was clear they wished to avoid granting him further influence, considering how he had weakened the Howellz Household last year and grown in presence across the northern hills through this alliance.

Even so, now that the debate had reached an impasse, choosing Lorenz, who maintained good relations with nearly every Household, was the least contentious option. One after another, the lords voiced agreement.

The Howellz lord, perhaps still harboring resentment toward Lorenz for his Household’s decline, voiced opposition but was overruled by numbers. Thus, Lorenz was appointed as supreme commander, unanimously in form.

“I am deeply grateful for the honor bestowed upon me as supreme commander. Though our positions remain equal and this role is one of convenience, I shall fulfill it earnestly for the sake of victory.” (Lorenz)

As if he had foreseen this outcome, Lorenz smiled gracefully, having secured the ideal arrangement of being chosen by others rather than putting himself forward.

“Then, my lords, let us fight together to protect our Households, our territories, and our future!” (Lorenz)

With his words, the military council was concluded, and the representatives departed from the tent.

“Lord Valentine, your handling of the ballista earlier was splendid. All were surely impressed by your magical talent and recognized you as a strong lord.” (Lorenz)

“I am honored to hear so. I shall strive to live up to your expectations, Supreme Commander.” (Mika)

As Mika was about to return to his own tent, Lorenz spoke to him, and he answered with a polite smile.

“Ah, I look forward to it. Still, being called Supreme Commander feels rather ticklish.” (Lorenz)

Lorenz said this with a pleasant smile.

At first glance, he appeared kindhearted, yet his conduct was precise and calculating. Lorenz Meldars would surely become a new central figure among the lords of the northern hills. Mika thought so.

 

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