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

 

 

 

Joy After Battle

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

On the day after the reinforcements led by the Yutilainen army, numbering approximately 150, joined forces with them, a report arrived from the scouts stating that the Mortimer army had begun its retreat. What remained after the marauding army fled were the ruins of a ravaged village and items such as furniture that had likely escaped plunder because they were too cumbersome to carry off in haste.
Now that the enemy had vanished and there was no longer any need to fight, it was time for their own army to begin its looting.

“Oh… what an incredible commotion.” (Mika)

Mika murmured while watching the uproar unfolding in the village.
Militiamen, retainers of the lords, and even some of the lords themselves busied themselves rummaging through the leftovers. Chairs, buckets, doors, and shutters for windows were not valuable items, yet crafting them anew would require considerable effort, so they dragged such objects from the abandoned houses as souvenirs to take home. Since the enemy had prioritized transporting food and the wounded, some camp equipment such as poles used for tents had been left behind. Believing these could still be useful, people gathered them as well.

Everywhere, quarrels broke out over spoils of war. Soldiers who had been comrades in arms that very morning now had no sense of fellowship after the fighting had ended. When someone brandished a weapon, the retainers of the lords would intervene, yet fistfights erupted freely all around. A few of the lords even led their troops onward toward Terezio’s main village, predicting that the larger settlement would hold greater remnants worth taking.

From the perspective of Mika’s previous life, their behavior seemed extremely unruly, yet when viewed through the lens of this world’s norms, it was entirely natural. The gathered lords had not joined forces to save Terezio’s territory but to protect their own lands, united only by mutual interest. After repelling the invaders, any uninhabited village left behind was, by their standards, free for the taking. Even so, Mika had no desire to involve himself in the ruckus. Together with Dimitri, who remained at his side as his guard, he simply observed the scene unfolding before him.

Meanwhile, Jeremy and Fugo had been left behind at the encampment to guard the wagon and thus were not present here.

“Lord Valentine.” (Sandra)

At that moment, it was Sandra Yutilainen herself, who had personally led the reinforcements, who approached Mika.

“There has been a report from the scouts we sent northwest. The Mortimer army is retreating toward their homeland, plundering the small territories along the way. Once they have seized enough provisions from neighboring lands, the growing tension with those around them will make it very unlikely that they will invade this region again.” (Sandra)

“That is fortunate. The threat has passed only because you came to our aid, Lord Yutilainen. I am deeply grateful.” (Mika)

“There is no need for thanks. Our household also wishes to maintain peace in this region close to Eltpoli. Besides, when I learned that my soon-to-be brother-in-law had taken the field, it was only proper that I come to his aid.” (Sandra)

As Sandra smiled, Mika returned the expression. Her explanation about wishing to preserve peace near Eltpoli was no doubt true, yet Mika believed it was not the whole story.

Of the roughly one hundred and fifty reinforcements, over a hundred had been raised solely by the Yutilainen Household. With this mobilization, Sandra had demonstrated to the surrounding minor lords that she could swiftly deploy a formidable army, including professional soldiers and magic users. She had used this opportunity to display the might of the Yutilainen Household.

Moreover, the battle had concluded with the result that the enemy retreated after the Yutilainen Household took action, securing victory. This outcome would only strengthen their influence in the region. The smaller lords surrounding the Yutilainen territory would now see it as a power they could rely on in times of crisis, while those outside the region would hesitate to provoke a household capable of intervening with such speed and force. The Yutilainen Household had become a stabilizing power and a deterrent in this land.

Mika understood that Sandra’s political maneuvering aimed to elevate her households’s influence and establish its position as a regional leader. Considering her objective, Mika had to acknowledge that Sandra’s conduct was exceedingly shrewd.

“There are now less than two months until your wedding with Ayla. I look forward to it.” (Sandra)

“I shall do my utmost to make it a splendid ceremony.” (Mika)

As they spoke, Mika found himself picturing the face of the woman he loved. The war was over, and he longed to return home to see her again.

 

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After driving away the marauding army, and once some had returned to camp with their spoils, a modest yet cheerful victory feast was held. Lords, retainers, and soldiers alike celebrated the preservation of peace in the region, eating and drinking heartily together.

Even the northern hill lords, who were normally rivals, drank with one another in good spirits, exchanging cups of wine.

Such convivial gatherings also carried political value. Even if they could not become true friends, the bond formed through shared celebration might ease future disputes and allow them to reach peaceful resolutions should conflict arise again. Mika joined Lorenz, Sandra, and the other lords in celebrating their victory. Having contributed greatly to the outcome, Mika had earned the goodwill of the northern lords beyond Lorenz, which was a considerable benefit for a newcomer to the region.

After the campaign ended, Mika returned to the Valentine territory. On the following day, having joyfully reunited with Ayla, he called Marcel to the lord’s manor to deliver a detailed report of the recent battle.

“I see. So, in the end, the Yutilainen army arrived.” (Marcel)

“Indeed. From Lord Yutilainen’s perspective, her aid was likely driven by political considerations, yet for us it was a tremendous relief. Frankly, I would have preferred to avoid a second round of battle once the enemy had learned our tactics.” (Mika)

Marcel listened in astonishment to Mika’s account of the fierce campaign.

“Even so, there is no doubt that you were the one who achieved the greatest feat. You forced the enemy to retreat and saved your allies from peril. That is truly impressive.” (Ayla)

“Ahaha, thank you. It was all thanks to the preparations we made, proper equipment and defensive measures for the territory. It seems our efforts have finally paid off.” (Mika)

Mika smiled bashfully at the praise from the woman he loved.

“It was not only me. The three who accompanied me on the campaign also performed admirably. Dimitri protected me from an ambush by the enemy’s physical magic user. I was focused on the enemies in front of me, so it was thanks to him that I escaped unharmed.” (Mika)

“I see. That was very brave of you, Dimitri-san.” (Bianca)

“No, I merely did what was expected of me as Lord Mika’s guard.” (Dimitri)

Bianca spoke with a gentle smile, while Dimitri, sitting beside her, replied with a deliberately stoic expression, perhaps to hide his embarrassment.

From the village square outside the manor, the laughter and cheers of the townspeople could be heard. It was likely that Jeremy and Fugo were regaling everyone with the tale of the great battle. A story of hundreds clashing on the field of war was surely captivating the crowd.

Listening to the sounds of celebration, Mika felt a deep sense of belonging. He had truly returned to the Valentine territory, to his peaceful life.

“The danger has passed. Now, at last, the wedding awaits.” (Mika)

As Mika spoke, he turned to look at Ayla. She smiled shyly and nodded.

 

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