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

 

 

Winter Passes

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The third winter since Mika became the lord of the Valentine territory passed while he attended to training in horsemanship, martial arts, and magic, as well as labor for the expansion of the territory.

During the labor, both the long-established settlers and the new settlers, including Joel, worked to their fullest capacity. They cleared the forest to build houses in which they would live and to prepare farmland where they would work. Workshops for artisans were also constructed.

The food they consumed was provided from the reserves stored in the lordly household’s warehouse. Mika maintained a stockpile of wheat and dried meat sufficient for 30 people to survive until the next harvest in case of emergencies, so even supporting Joel and the others left a surplus.

Thanks to the energetic work of the new settlers and Joel’s earth magic, the ability to move earth and stone at will using mana, considered especially effective for civil engineering tasks, the various labors progressed swiftly. By the latter half of winter, the smithing and woodworking workshops were already complete, and the artisans had begun their work. While the manufacture of iron products awaited the import of iron ore, maintenance of farming tools and production of wooden goods became possible.

One day, after feeling immense satisfaction at the rapid development of his territory, aided by fortunate encounters from the outside world, Mika and Dimitri returned to the lordly residence at the end of a day’s work to be greeted by their wives, Ayla and Bianca, who appeared with joyful smiles.

“Welcome home, Mika.” (Ayla)

“Thank you, Ayla… You and Bianca seem cheerful. Did something happen?” (Mika)

When Mika asked, Ayla deepened her enigmatic smile and nodded.

“Look at this.” (Ayla)

Saying so, Ayla twirled in place. Her long, lustrous black hair swayed gracefully, and the ribbon tied in her hair turned toward Mika.

“Ah, the new ribbon you were making this winter. It is finished. It is truly beautiful.” (Mika)

In this era of the world, men usually bore the burden of outdoor labor, while women often managed indoor work. Spinning thread and making cloth were considered essential duties for women. In a small territory such as the Valentine territory, the lady of the household also took on work similar to that of the settlers. During this winter, Ayla had devoted herself to cloth-making alongside administrative work and gradually advanced her hobby of creating decorative items. Mika occasionally asked her about her progress and had been shown ribbons in progress.

The ribbon, now apparently finished, was adorned with intricate lace along the edges and possessed an exceptionally delicate and beautiful appearance.

“Fufufu, thank you. I must say it has turned out wonderfully. I could almost call it my masterpiece… And I was not alone in making it.” (Ayla)

Ayla turned her gaze, and Bianca also looked back, revealing that her hair was adorned with a ribbon.

“I made it while learning from Ayla-sama. It is not as delicate or beautiful as hers, but… Dimitri, what do you think? Does it suit me?” (Bianca)

Dimitri, asked by Bianca, turned to Mika with a slightly troubled expression. Mika prompted him with a look to praise his partner, and he then nodded toward Bianca.

“Ah, yes. I think it suits you very well. Bianca made such a finely patterned ribbon herself. That is remarkable.” (Dimitri)

“Really? I am so glad you praised it. I am happy.” (Bianca)

Though his words of praise were somewhat clumsy, Bianca smiled as if a flower had bloomed, clearly pleased.

“My ribbon caught Bianca’s interest as well. So, we worked together on it this winter. I wanted to surprise you by showing our ribbons together.” (Ayla)

“I see. It is good that there are now others who love ribbons as much as you do.” (Mika)

Ayla nodded joyfully at Mika’s words.

“Yes. Now Bianca is my comrade. Next, we decided to make a ribbon together to gift to Helga.” (Ayla)

“To have such a beautiful ribbon made by you for such an old woman is quite an honor.” (Bianca)

“That is not true. Helga is a girl at heart as well.” (Ayla)

Helga, hearing Bianca’s words, said with a smile, “Oh my, such a thing”, though she did not seem displeased. Ayla, Bianca, and Helga. The women living in the lordly residence always shared a warm companionship, which Mika, as the master of the house, found delightful.

Thereafter, the custom of adorning hair with ribbons gradually spread within the Valentine territory. Not only hair but also the neck and wrists became places to wear ribbons. This trend slowly extended to surrounding territories, eventually becoming one of the distinctive cultural traits of the region. However, this was still some time in the future. Ayla remained unaware that her attire was helping to establish a new culture.

 

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At the end of February, just before the end of winter, Mika traveled to the neighboring Fontanier territory for social purposes.

The lord of Fontanier, Pierre, while somewhat nervous by nature, was known to be sensible and intelligent. He was also recognized for his familiarity with literature. Pierre sent an invitation to a late-winter gathering for reciting poetry. Once every year or two, he would convene local lords for such an assembly.

Mika gladly accepted the invitation and, upon visiting the Fontanier territory on the appointed day, saw some familiar faces. Pierre appeared to invite lords whose territories were within a day’s walk. Among them were Lorenz Melders, Douglas Colette, and a lord whose territory bordered the eastern side of Melders, with whom Mika had fought alongside the previous year.

After the attendees gathered in the hall of Fontanier Castle and were served tea and food, the poetry recital began.

“Then, I shall recite… On an early morning in early spring, in the clear twilight floats the memory of my childhood. Those nostalgic days are now far away beyond the horizon and beyond the flow of time. Though I cannot return to that scenery, the new spring consoles my heart.” (Mika)

Gathering the attention of all, Mika recited his own poem with a slightly nervous expression.

“Ah, wonderful. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and suits this season perfectly. Lord Valentine possesses not only magic but also the talent for poetry!” (Lorenz)

Lorenz, a personal friend of Mika, offered this high praise, and Mika returned a shy smile. Other lords also offered compliments in turn. They appeared sincere, and Mika could not help but feel pleased.

“Indeed, it is excellent. The clear atmosphere of the early morning at this time of year, combined with the nostalgia for the past, is vividly conveyed. Moreover, the sense of longing for one’s distant homeland alongside memories of the far past evokes a feeling of homesickness. This is a poem only Lord Valentine, from the distant north, could write. The positive ending, linking the arrival of spring to hope for the future, is particularly admirable.” (??)

“I am honored to receive such evaluation from Lord Fontanier, whose knowledge of literature is profound. Though this poem was composed by an amateur attempting imitation…” (Mika)

“No, this is truly a fine work. I sincerely think so.” (??)

Pierre, the host, spoke while appearing to ponder briefly before continuing.

“Lord Valentine, I am compiling an anthology of poetry, and I would very much like to include this poem of yours, along with your name as the author. What do you think?” (Pierre)

“That is… a great honor. I would be delighted to have my name and poem included in a literary work.” (Mika)

Mika raised one eyebrow slightly in surprise, a smile on his lips, and responded.

“Then, I shall permit it… Next, let us hear Lord Colette’s poem.” (Pierre)

At Pierre’s words, all eyes turned to Douglas seated to Mika’s left.

“Ah, it is finally my turn. Then, I shall recite… The breath of spring awakens the earth. After the frozen winter has passed, the grass, flowers, and crops growing skyward feel the arrival of spring most strongly. Watching such vigor, I am reminded of what lies between my legs–…” (Douglas)

Douglas’s poem caused shock in various ways. While Mika choked on his tea, Lorenz laughed heartily. Others either laughed, frowned, shook their heads, or maintained an unnatural blank expression. Pierre, the host, sighed in exasperation.

Douglas’s poem never appeared in the anthology, but it remained in the memory of all present.

 

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