WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 106: The Dawn of Upheaval

Having fled, fallen in battle, or been annihilated, the defenders of Vantor Fortress were no more. Into that fortress strode Childebert in triumph, with Cecillia following close behind as his strategist.

“Your Majesty.”

“Well done, Patrick. The results are exactly as I expected.”

Greeted with a bow by the commander of the King’s Armor, who had overseen the fortress’s capture, Childebert spoke magnanimously. His personal guard had once again delivered the final decisive blow, ensuring the enemy’s destruction.

“How is the situation inside the fortress?”

“The enemy was wiped out to the last man. Weapons and supplies have been secured by the King’s Armor, with guards posted to prevent any misappropriation. Consolidation is nearly complete, and preparations to establish the fortress as a forward base for further invasion have already begun.”

At his liege’s inquiry, Patrick answered with calm precision.

“Good, fast work. As expected, you are well accustomed to this.”

“Your Majesty, we have already gained experience in subduing border strongholds and turning them into bridgeheads during past conquests of neighboring states.”

At his vassal’s jest, recalling their shared history of conquest, Childebert allowed himself a brief chuckle.

“Quickly advance the transport of supplies from the rear, and begin requisition within this Novakian territory. Gather militias and mercenaries as well. From here on, we will need numbers.”

As you command.”

At Childebert’s command, one of the attending officials bowed and departed.

Watching him go, Childebert then turned his gaze to Cecillia.

“This has proven yet again that you are no ordinary strategist, Countess Cecillia Fargiere. This offensive shall be remembered in the history of the Kingdom of Arelia as one of unparalleled brilliance.”

“To be so esteemed by Your Majesty, there is no joy greater than this.”

Cecillia’s smile deepened beyond its usual gentleness as she bowed with formality. Within her heart stirred both relief and joy.

Even for the Kingdom of Arelia, which had conquered many lands, this stratagem had been bolder than any before. It was a gamble where failure could not be permitted.

And Cecillia had won. The plan had succeeded beyond reproach.

This achievement more than compensated for her two consecutive failures in the invasion of the Kingdom of Edelstein. Her reputation as a strategist was preserved and indeed raised even higher.

Above all, this victory brought her one step closer to fulfilling her own long-cherished ambition.

“With further victories, I shall see to it that the conquest of Novakia is accomplished, and thereafter establish a bridgehead for the conquest of the Kingdom of Edelstein as well.”

“Hah! I see the great victory has lifted your spirits, but it is too soon to speak of Edelstein. First comes Novakia. We cannot afford to spend long on its conquest, so we must hasten the sweep of the remaining forces.”

“Forgive me. I shall compose myself once more and devote my full strength to serving as Your Majesty’s strategist.”

Even in her reply, her voice carried a trace of elation.

“Your Majesty!”

It was Marquis Angelo Mozzetti, who had been entrusted with command of the vanguard, striding toward them.

From the very beginning of the battle he had stood at the front lines, and at the storming of the shattered gate he had personally led the charge. Cecillia and the others had watched his valor from headquarters.

Though he had never gained glory enough to be counted among the great commanders, he had lived as a seasoned warrior. Now, as proof of surviving the desperate struggle, he appeared before Childebert, his form drenched in blood and caked in soil. Dropping to one knee, he raised high a severed head.

“This is the head of Viscountess Paulina Varienfeld, enemy commander. After a duel, I felled her with my own hand.”

At these words, Childebert did not answer at once. Instead he glanced at Cecillia. He did not know the face of Viscountess Varienfeld, and could not judge if the head presented truly was hers.

Cecillia, however, did know. In the days when she had served the Kingdom of Loire, its adversary was the Kingdom of Myurei, and Novakia, opposed to Myurei, had been though not a close ally, but a friendly nation. In that context, Cecillia had once met the viscountess, a commander of that friend.

“…There is no mistake. It is the head of Viscountess Varienfeld.”

Once, when they had exchanged words, Cecillia had even felt a measure of admiration for her as a senior figure of a martial house. Now she was an enemy commander. Gazing upon her features, now reduced to a severed head, Cecillia spoke in her usual calm voice.

“I see… Lord Mozzetti. For your efforts in bringing about the fall of Vantor Fortress, and for slaying the enemy commander honorably in single combat, your deeds are truly splendid. The result you seized through steadfast devotion to your duty, be proud of it. From this day, you shall be counted among my close retainers, Angelo.”

“…This is my greatest joy, Your Majesty.”

Childebert placed his hand upon Angelo’s shoulder, a mark of trust and favor. Angelo’s reply carried a deep weight.

For over ten years he had been sidelined, and now at last he was recognized as one of the important figures of the Kingdom of Arelia. What he felt within his heart, Cecillia, standing at Childebert’s side and looking down at Angelo, could not know precisely.

“See that the head of Viscountess Varienfeld is preserved so it will not decay. Treat it with care. Depending on how the royal house of Novakia surrenders, it may yet be returned to her family.”

So ordered Childebert. At his words, the head of Viscountess Varienfeld was borne away. Angelo, who had struck her down, saluted and watched it depart.

・・・・・・

Late that same day, just before evening. Once the immediate aftermath within Vantor Fortress had been settled, Ivar and the Velek Mercenary Band, having handed control of Fort Lecoa over to the main Arelian army, moved into the fortress.

“Your Majesty. The Velek Mercenary Band has completed its mission.”

“Well done, Ivar. Step closer. Raise your head.”

In one chamber of the main hall, now serving as the king’s temporary quarters, Ivar knelt near the entrance. At Childebert’s words, he advanced a few paces and lifted his face.

Even though his band had been hired directly by the royal house, he was still an outsider in the western continent, a mere mercenary captain.

To approach the king so closely was a thing of awe. From the air alone he could sense Count Patrick Villeneuve and the other guards within the room heightening their vigilance.

Yet Childebert, unconcerned by such an atmosphere, looked down at Ivar with a smile.

“This time you performed splendidly. None but you and your men could have penetrated Fort Lecoa, rising from such terrain. Your talents were brought to their fullest use.”

“To receive such praise is the greatest of honors.”

To his elated sovereign, Ivar answered with solemn dignity.

“The abilities of you northern jaegers are now beyond all doubt. It is a sovereign’s duty to reward those who prove their worth and achieve results… Ivar Velek. I grant you the barony of the Kingdom of Arelia. From this day, you shall bear the name Baron Velek.

Along with it, I bestow upon you a tract of land at the northern edge of the royal domain. Raise a village there, and make it the new homeland of your followers.”

At Childebert’s words, Ivar’s expression did not change, but the sound of a sharp intake of breath echoed faintly through the chamber.

“The Velek tribe is no longer a band of mercenaries to be cast aside. They are subjects under the protection of Arelia’s royal house. Your kinsmen are the kingdom’s kinsmen. You are no longer a hired captain, you are one of the kingdom’s nobility, and my vassal.”

“…It is a happiness beyond measure. From this moment, we shall serve Your Majesty as loyal subjects of the crown, offering our very lives.”

Ah—

At last, his people had gained a place to belong.

He had led the survivors of the Velek tribe rightly, and brought them to a new land of peace.

Thus he and his descendants could continue to live on, bound by blood, into the future.

Bowing his head once more, a deep relief spread through Ivar’s heart. So great that he felt, should he die now, he would have no regrets.

・・・・・・

Reinforcements from the Kingdom of Arelia arrived in the borderlands between Novakia and Arelia. By some means, their preparations for the march had gone undetected by Novakia’s spies, allowing them to appear in a fashion little short of a surprise attack.

At their head was none other than King Childebert of Arelia himself. This meant the campaign was a royal expedition, and from past examples, it was clear Childebert intended to bring about the conquest of Novakia through this war.

Word of this reached not only Novakia but also the Kingdom of Edelstein. In the royal capital, Sankt Waltrude, Crown Princess Claudia of Edelstein received the urgent report in the royal castle.

For Childebert to come personally to the front lines with such a great offensive, this was not merely a matter for Novakia, but one of significance for Edelstein as well. If fortune allowed, it might even be possible to strike down the Conqueror. Depending on the progress of the war, it could be worth the risk to aid Novakia.

Thus Claudia ordered her retainers to closely monitor Novakia’s situation. At the same time, she commanded preparations for the mobilization of the Ferdinand Regiment and the Albrecht Regiment.

Soon afterward, however, the situation changed drastically.

On the very first day of battle, Vantor Fortress and Fort Lecoa, linchpins of Novakia’s border defense, fell. Novakia’s defending forces were nearly annihilated, and Crown Prince Julius managed to escape eastward with only a small number at his side.

Arelia’s forces had already secured the forts, and were moving forward with their advance.

“…I see. Understood. You have done well.”

An intelligence agent who had hastened back from Novakia delivered the dire news in the audience chamber. Crown Princess Claudia stifled a sigh as she replied.

With a wave of her hand she bade him withdraw. The spy, who had ridden nearly without sleep or rest to deliver the report, was escorted out by two of the royal guard, each supporting him by the arms.

Only her most trusted retainers remained. At that point, Claudia finally allowed herself to exhale.

“For Vantor Fortress and Fort Lecoa to fall so easily… King Childebert and Count Fargiere have outdone themselves.”

“It is difficult to imagine the Kingdom of Novakia overturning the tide now. The army of Arelia, capable of smashing such formidable border defenses, would be exceedingly difficult to halt with the forces Novakia has left.”

The words, harsh yet candid, came from Marquis Helmut Dahlmeier, Minister of Finance and foremost among her civil officials.

“Regrettably, I cannot deny your assessment. As an allied realm, we would wish to believe in Novakia’s reversal of fortune… but in any case, we must prepare our own defenses along the northern border.”

If Novakia could somehow hold on and present a chance to strike down King Childebert of Arelia, then Edelstein must be ready to lend support.

If instead Novakia were to be defeated and submit to Arelia, then Edelstein must be prepared for sudden developments along the border.

No matter how the situation turned, some measure of troops had to be moved northward, that was Claudia’s judgment.

“Then, shall we send the Ferdinand Regiment to the northern border?”

“There is no alternative. The Albrecht Regiment will also be shifted north, and the levies of the northern noble domains will be summoned as well.

Fortunately, with Arelia preoccupied with its invasion of Novakia, the likelihood of them turning to attack our realm now is exceedingly small. That makes it easier for us to concentrate forces in the north.”

So answered Claudia with a grave nod to the inquiry of Viscount Gustav Eichberger, captain of the royal guard and the military officer closest to her side. Her expression was complex, yet resolute.

“Summon Lord Hosenfeld and Lord Eisenhut to court at once. We shall hold a war council and draft a concrete plan.”

“As you command.”

Gustav saluted crisply. Claudia’s eyes then turned toward Count Alphonse Barten, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“And see to it that the situation in Novakia is watched all the more closely. If necessary, we shall increase the number of men devoted to gathering intelligence. Leave nothing unattended. Report everything directly to me.”

“At once.”

Count Alphonse answered with solemnity, setting aside his usual gentle demeanor.

Having given her immediate orders, Claudia turned toward the wall of the audience chamber, where portraits of Edelstein’s monarchs from past generations were displayed.

The tides of the western Ludna Continent were about to shift once more. Whether the Kingdom of Edelstein could endure this upheaval no longer rested upon her father, but upon her own judgment and actions.

“……”

Among the portraits, larger than any other, stood that of the kingdom’s founder, the Mother of the Realm, Waltrude.

Claudia felt as though the woman’s stern gaze was upon her, as if testing her resolve with silent scrutiny.

Footnotes:

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