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

 

 

Good News and Bad News

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

By gaining blacksmiths, carpenters, and leatherworkers as subjects, the society of the Valentine territory had largely achieved self-sufficiency in terms of functional capability.

During the winter, workshops for the artisans were completed, and in spring, with the necessary tools imported from the Yutilainen Household, full-scale operations began. With this, the freedom to engage in activities for the development of the territory increased substantially.

By mid-April, the repeating crossbows produced in these workshops were presented to Mika by the artisans. This was offered as a token of gratitude for Mika having accepted them without a place to go and for preparing the workshops.

“Then, Your Excellency, please accept this.” (Blacksmith)

In the grand hall of the lord’s residence, the three artisans bowed in unison, and the blacksmith, speaking on their behalf, presented the crossbow to Mika.

“…Yes, this is a fine finish. All three of you are truly skilled artisans who once supported the industry of the Struck territory.” (Mika)

Mika had already tested the performance of these crossbows during the production process, confirming that there were no problems. Observing that the details had been meticulously finished as a weapon for a lord, he smiled and spoke.

The repeating crossbows presented were polished to a smooth shine, coated with lacquer, giving them a sleek tactile feel. The iron components and the leather fittings securing the bow and string were even more carefully crafted than when Mika had observed them during trial shooting. Decorations were also applied, demonstrating the high skill of the artisans. The result was a flawless level of completion.

“We are humbled to receive your praise.” (Blacksmith)

“You have truly done excellent work. Now that we have a second crossbow, I will be able to exert my magic power to its fullest in battle.” (Mika)

Mika’s repeating crossbow could fire ten shots in succession, but it was vulnerable during magazine replacement. Although the task took only a few seconds when performed skillfully, those few seconds could be fatal in combat. However, with two repeating crossbows, this weakness was resolved. By assigning a helper to manage magazine changes, Mika himself could continue to fire arrows endlessly.

Although more personnel were needed to protect Mika and the assistant, including Dimitri, five people would suffice. Yet the continuous rate of one shot per second from a large crossbow justified such an allocation. The resulting destructive power was immense. As the population of the Valentine territory steadily increased, there was enough manpower to assign to these roles during wartime.

Continuous firing would naturally increase the consumption of arrows, but as long as the artisans had workshops within the territory, arrows could be produced daily, eliminating any issue.

“We will continue to serve the Valentine Household and this land faithfully.” (Carpenter)

“I have high expectations for your work. Please support the society of the territory and contribute to the development and peace of our land.” (Mika)

As expected of artisans who had worked under a great lord, the three maintained their polite demeanor. Mika offered them words of encouragement.

In the future, they would produce agricultural tools for the subjects, components necessary for castle and house construction, and equipment for territorial defense. They would increase the production of arrows for Mika’s repeating crossbow and ballistae, and manufacture crossbows for the subjects.

Thanks to the artisans’ efforts, the defensive capabilities of the Valentine territory increased rapidly thereafter.

 

—

 

By welcoming Joel, an earth magic practitioner, as a subject, the efficiency of house construction in the Valentine territory increased dramatically.

Mika used thought magic to transport and place the timber, while Joel used earth magic to dig foundations and secure the timber at the base. By employing magic for heavy labor, the manpower required for construction was reduced to less than half. The freed manpower could be directed to processing construction materials, a task that improved in quality and speed with the addition of carpenters as subjects. As a result, new houses appeared rapidly in the Valentine territory, and the construction of the castle progressed at a pace exceeding Mika’s expectations.

It was not only houses that were being built. In late April of the holy calendar year 1045, a new temple was completed, the first of its kind in the village.

“Oh, this is magnificent. Your Excellency Valentine, I offer my heartfelt thanks as one of the protectors of the Ladesion faith.” (Young Priest)

“Of course. Both as your lord and for the subjects, it has long been our desire for the village to have a temple. We must create the best possible building to fulfill everyone’s wish and to demonstrate devotion to the gods.” (Mika)

Mika exchanged words with a young priest who had volunteered from the temple in Eltpoli to relocate to the Valentine territory.

Before them stood a brand-new wooden temple, more than adequate in size for a minor territory, capable of accommodating future population growth.

Although the Ladesion faith was widely observed in the Dariander region, the Ladesion Church as an organization had significantly weakened during the collapse of the ancient empire that once ruled this world and the subsequent era of turmoil. Currently, its organizational structure consisted mainly of large temples in cities like Eltpoli, loosely connecting smaller surrounding temples.

Nevertheless, because the Ladesion faith underpins culture, history, social order, and the moral consciousness of the people, the influence of temples remains strong. Even without direct secular authority, temples contribute to social stability and the maintenance of noble privileges, maintaining a notable presence.

For this reason, establishing a temple in the territory was an urgent goal for Mika.

“Then, starting this week, we would like to conduct the Sabbath ritual.” (Young Priest)

“Very well. I will attend the weekly ritual as well.” (Mika)

“That is most excellent. The gods surely observe Your Excellency maintaining the faith.” (Young Priest)

The priest said this with a bow before entering the temple.

 

—

 

On a late spring day, Mika returned to the lord’s residence at evening after working in the summer grain fields as he did every year. Ayla, as usual, greeted him, but for some reason, her smile was even brighter than normal.

“Welcome home, Mika.” (Ayla)

“Thank you, Ayla. Did something good happen?” (Mika)

When Mika asked, Ayla smiled even more broadly and nodded.

“We were talking about how this month your moon has been late. Perhaps, we might have conceived a child. Around lunchtime today, I felt slightly unwell, and then Helga-san and Bianca-san said that those were the symptoms of early pregnancy. Considering the absence of the moon, they believe it is almost certain that I am expecting.” (Ayla)

Hearing this, Mika’s eyes widened.

“Th-then, does that mean there is…” (Mika)

“Yes, surely our child is in my womb.” (Ayla)

Ayla answered with a radiant smile, almost to the point of tears.

“Y-Yes! Thank you, Ayla! Truly, thank you!” (Mika)

“Fufufu, it is because we worked hard together.” (Ayla)

Mika embraced her firmly, taking care not to press against her abdomen, and Ayla responded while speaking.

“So, what should I be careful about now?” (Mika)

“According to Helga-san and Bianca-san, there is little need for special caution until my abdomen grows. I am probably only one or two months pregnant, so for the next four or five months I can live normally. Afterwards, as long as I do not exert myself violently, there will be no problem. Many peasant women continue light farm work until just before childbirth.” (Ayla)

“I see. Women are resilient… but this is your first pregnancy, Ayla. Let us avoid strain and live as calmly as possible.” (Mika)

Ayla smiled gently and nodded.

“Yes, I intend to. For our baby, I will take care of my health more than ever and avoid overfatigue.” (Ayla)

Since the pregnancy was currently one or two months along, the birth would likely occur around the year-end. Mika strongly wished for time to pass peacefully and without incident until then.

 

—

 

However, events rarely proceed as wished. In late May, as the work in the fields neared completion, disturbing news reached Mika.

“The Langenbach Household has been calling their vassal territories to assemble troops. Rumor has it that Lord Langenbach has declared his intent to invade the Hewitt territory, situated at the southern end of the Eltpoli economic sphere, north of the Langenbach domain.” (Ernest)

The speaker was Ernest, a merchant who had just returned from Eltpoli. Hearing his words, Mika’s expression grew grave. Sitting beside him, Ayla looked troubled and anxious, clutching her stuffed animal, Amber, even more tightly.

“I see. To detect the enemy’s movements even before they assemble is remarkable, thanks to the intelligence network of the trading city Eltpoli. Still, to think they would attempt a military invasion of your homeland…” (Mika)

“Eltpoli is a crucial trading hub, not only for the Yutilainen Household but for surrounding regions. If Lord Langenbach wishes to expand beyond his own domain, it is understandable that he would target the Eltpoli economic sphere and eventually aim to control Eltpoli itself. However, I am surprised at the speed and audacity of this military action.” (Ernest)

Ernest’s expression and tone were grave. Although such a scenario had been predicted as a possibility, it was alarming that forces from another region were approaching the territory of an important in-law of the Valentine family.

“However, there is good news. The early detection of the invasion has prompted the Yutilainen Household to begin assembling troops to assist the Hewitt Household. Soldiers are expected to gather from the Yutilainen Household and other territories in the southern Eltpoli economic sphere.” (Ernest)

“Then, surely my homeland will be protected. Hewitt Castle is strong, and there are fortresses on the southern boundary with the Langenbach territory. If the forces from other families join with these reinforcements, they should…” (Ayla)

Listening to the report, Ayla spoke as if convincing herself.

“You are right, Ayla. Lord Hewitt and the heir, Glenda-dono, are strong and capable, and Lord Yutilainen will surely lead her troops. We will not lose to invading forces from other regions, and I will also go to provide support.” (Mika)

The Valentine territory lies near the western edge of the Eltpoli economic sphere, somewhat distant from the Hewitt territory. However, Mika could not remain idle before the crisis facing his wife’s homeland. Even without summons, he would go to the Hewitt territory himself.

Fortunately, the Valentine territory possessed forces capable of exerting significant firepower with a small number of soldiers, including Mika himself, making his assistance potentially highly effective.

“Mika… thank you. But please, do not overexert yourself. Hewitt territory is my homeland, but you are my husband and my everything.” (Ayla)

Ayla spoke with eyes wavering between worry and attachment, expressing the complexity of her emotions. Mika gently held her hand, smiled, and nodded in reassurance.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)