Friedrich's Battlefield - Chapter 101

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 101: Friendship

“—And so, the joint stand taken by Sir Friedrich Hosenfeld and our own Viscount Chester Kahreil is now known to every noble in the heart of the Empire. Once winter breaks, the story will surely spread to every corner of our vast imperial lands.

I have heard it many times myself, truly a battle that stands as a symbol of the bond between your kingdom and the Empire. It is most admirable.”

“I am honored. If our hard fighting has in any way contributed to the friendship and prosperity of both nations, and to the preservation of peace, there is no greater joy for me.”

It was early March, with the unusually long winter drawing to its close.

At a banquet hosted by the royal family of Edelstein, Friedrich, as usual attending in the company of his foster father Matthias, listened to the remarks of a visiting diplomat from the Rigald Empire, who had made the difficult journey along winter roads. He replied with polite cordiality.

According to the diplomat, Marquis Christopher Langford, upon returning to the Empire, had been maneuvering skillfully to safeguard relations between the two nations.

The recent Arelian raid had stirred resentment and hostility among the imperial nobility, while the joint defense by Edelstein knights like Friedrich and imperial knights like Chester had spread as a celebrated tale.

In the imperial capital and its surrounding regions, anti-Arelia sentiment was on the rise, and support for maintaining friendship with the Kingdom of Edelstein was, for the most part, holding steady.

"Not only the ambassador, but it seems the ambassador’s wife has made significant contributions as well. Throughout the winter, she actively attended tea gatherings and the like, spreading the story of how you and yours saved her.

I hear that not only the heads of noble houses, but also their spouses, are now voicing the view that the Kingdom of Arelia is a common enemy."

"…That is most gratifying to hear."

Friedrich’s smile deepened as he answered, recalling the words Marchioness Melinda Langford had spoken to him at their parting.

"My, my, your exploits truly show no sign of slowing. As expected of the man, the living hero of Edelstein himself has chosen as his successor."

"You flatter me. Personally, I feel the praise I’ve received has been somewhat more than I deserve…"

These words came from a military officer visiting from the Kingdom of Novakia, and Friedrich responded with a slightly bashful smile.

Matthias, incidentally, was engaged in conversation with senior lords of the landed nobility elsewhere in the hall. He had told Friedrich it was time he became accustomed to standing on his own in such social settings.

Thus, with Yurika close by as both guard and attendant, Friedrich was making the rounds and conversing with important figures from allied nations. Finding his counterparts warm and cordial, he thought to himself that it was not as daunting as he had feared.

“They say your reputation has even begun to spread as far as the Loire region of the Kingdom of Arelia. Being the heir to Lord Hosenfeld, it seems you’ve become something of a new figure of fear there.”

“Yes, I’m aware… ‘The Demon of Yudit Come Down from the Mountains,’ isn’t it?”

Friedrich replied with a faint, wry smile, prompting the Novakian officer to give a knowing grin in return, while the imperial diplomat, seemingly unfamiliar with the topic, settled for an uncertain, polite smile.

The legend of the “Demon of Yudit” was told throughout the regions surrounding the Yudit Mountains, crossing national borders, not only in the Kingdom of Edelstein, but also in the Kingdom of Novakia and along the mountain fringes of the Loire region.

Thanks in part to the Edelstein royal family’s vigorous spreading of tales of his exploits, Friedrich was aware that in the Loire region he was becoming known as a dangerous enemy.

The information had reached the royal house of Edelstein through spies and, via Matthias, had been passed on to him.

To the people of the Loire region, the living hero of Edelstein was already a figure of fear. Then came news that this hero had suddenly taken in an adopted son, a former orphan of unknown origins, raised on the remote borders along the Yudit Mountains.

It seemed too far-fetched for some to believe that a man who had been plucked from obscurity and gone on to achieve numerous military feats could really be nothing more than an orphan.

The tale grew that perhaps he was no man at all, but a demon said to dwell in the Yudit Mountains, who had descended into the human world, taken on human form, and been discovered by the hero, who then took him in.

Whether the tellers believed their own words was uncertain, but among the people on the Loire side, such rumors were whispered as though they were truth.

“Being called a demon is something I have my thoughts about… but if being feared serves as a deterrent, then as a soldier, I can’t say it’s a bad thing. All the more reason to keep winning, so they stay afraid for as long as possible.”

“Hahaha, now that is quite the spirited statement.”

“As an ally, I find it most reassuring.”

The Novakian officer said with an amused grin, and the imperial diplomat added, seeming to have grasped the gist of this ‘Demon of Yudit’ talk well enough to join in smoothly.

・・・・・・

"I see… so His Majesty Sigismund has weakened to such a degree."

"Yes. He will be fine for today or tomorrow, but I cannot say what state he will be in a few months from now… The next time you visit, I will likely greet you not as Crown Princess, but as Queen."

The day after the banquet, during a meeting with the visiting Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Novakia, Claudia spoke these words.

Over the course of the winter, Sigismund had declined further still.

Though he could still take meals such as rice porridge and seemed to have the will to see the war against the Kingdom of Arelia through as long as he lived, his waking hours had grown shorter, and it was believed the limits of his vitality were not far off.

Even thinking for too long seemed to exhaust him now. There was no way he could manage even the smallest of governmental duties.

"It is no longer possible to bring new matters before my father. I will hear all, and I will make the decisions. I ask that you speak on that basis."

"Understood. It grieves me deeply that the time draws near to bid farewell to your kingdom’s great sovereign, but I will convey this to my lord and see that the Kingdom of Novakia steels itself for that day."

"Your nation’s respect for my father is deeply appreciated."

The Foreign Minister bowed solemnly, and Claudia gave her reply.

"And how are things along your kingdom’s border?"

"On the frontier between our nation and the Kingdom of Arelia, the enemy forces facing us have not changed since last autumn, roughly six thousand five hundred in total. It seems even for the Kingdom of Arelia, maintaining such a force so far from their central lands is no easy matter.

Judging by their stockpiling of provisions, there is as yet no sign they intend to increase their numbers with newly conscripted troops.

Should they move to the offensive, it would likely be with around four thousand five hundred men, excluding the garrisons keeping order in the Myurei region and their rear reserves.

Even with the addition of noble levies or hired mercenaries, I expect their numbers would not exceed five thousand."

When asked about his nation’s situation, the Foreign Minister explained without hesitation.

"With such numbers, your border defenses can hold, I take it?"

"Without question. Vantor Fortress is our kingdom’s strongest defensive position, integrated seamlessly with the surrounding mountains.

Nearly three thousand troops, royal soldiers, noble retainers, and conscripts combined, now guard it more firmly than ever before. Even if attacked by twice, no, three times our number, we could hold our ground with ease."

"That is good to hear. I had no concerns, given your kingdom’s host of fine warriors… but our stance remains unchanged: your nation and mine are comrades standing against the Arelian king’s barbaric conduct. That truth will not waver."

The Kingdom of Edelstein and the Kingdom of Novakia were allies, but neither had forces to spare. Sending a large detachment to aid the other was not something they could do lightly.

Nor did they wish, if possible, to request direct military aid from the Rigald Empire. To bow their heads and ask for help would mean incurring a massive debt to the Empire.

While the Kingdom of Edelstein, long on friendly terms with the Empire, might still bear that burden, for the Kingdom of Novakia, which had once been at odds with it, this was not a choice to be made easily.

For that reason, both nations had relied on securing their border zones as their means of defense. By showing no opening, they forced the Kingdom of Arelia to split its forces, limiting its offensives and allowing both to survive.

Judging from past invasions, King Childebert of Arelia would, in the final great offensive leading to conquest, always take the role of supreme commander himself and appear on the front lines.

For the less powerful Edelstein and Novakia, that would be the moment to take their chance. If they could strike down the ambitious Arelian king, at the very least the current expansionist drive of his kingdom would come to a halt.

The country, swollen in size but held together only by the leadership of a strong ruler, would be unable to remain united without him. And in time, it would collapse.

That was the shared understanding between the two kingdoms. Each would maintain the defense of its own border through its own strength, holding the current line while waiting for the decisive moment.

Until then, there could be no question of friction between them; thus, the royal houses maintained regular contact, sharing information and working to preserve their alliance.

“It seems that, in different ways, this year will be a difficult one for both our nations.”

“Yes, Your Highness. As an envoy of the Novakian royal house, I sincerely pray that both our countries may overcome the hardships ahead together.”

Claudia gave a quiet sigh at this, and the Foreign Minister responded with those words, bowing deeply.

Less than a month later, in late March, urgent news reached Claudia: Vantor Fortress had fallen, and the armies of the Kingdom of Arelia had crossed into Novakia’s territory.

Footnotes:

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