WeTried Translations

Translator: Nemui

Editor: Nemui

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 137: Winter Interlude (2)

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In the Arelian capital of Saint-Victoire, King Childebert met his younger brother and chancellor, Emmanuel, in the royal castle overlooking the city.

The winter preparations had kept both of them busy. After a short exchange of formalities, Emmanuel moved to the main subject.

"Supplies for Arnsberg fortress and the rear base are nearly complete. The proclamation for conscription has been issued. Mercenary recruitment is on target. Army units from the west and south are moving, and the major nobles have all agreed to send their domain forces."

"How many?"

"We should exceed the target of thirty-five thousand."

Childebert nodded with satisfaction.

"And Edelstein?"

"Their morale has risen after the coronation on the battlefield. They may gather more than we first expected. They are also negotiating with the Empire, so they may receive two or three thousand imperial troops. In total, perhaps a little over twenty thousand. More than half will be amateurs."

"The new queen is doing well."

There was admiration in Childebert's voice, though it was the admiration one might give a troublesome opponent.

"A worthy successor to Sigismund. That man remains troublesome even dead."

"Yes."

"But it is still only a little over twenty thousand. A small country is pitiful. Sigismund is dead, Matthias is dead, and Joseph has retired from the front. There is no enemy left for me to fear. With superior numbers, we crush whatever tricks they prepare."

Emmanuel hesitated.

"There is one point of concern. Matthias's adopted son."

"The clever orphan?"

"Yes."

Childebert smiled.

"He may be interesting. But in a battle of tens of thousands, one young man cannot change much. If he survives, perhaps I will have Fargiere take him in. A fellow strategist might find a use for him."

The king's smile deepened. It was not kind.

"Once we win this battle, the west will be unified under Arelia for the first time since Lutetia. Then we will have taken a step toward Father's dream of unifying the continent."

Emmanuel's expression darkened.

Childebert saw it and understood. Their father's dream was not merely a dream to him. It was a ghost, a curse that continued to stand behind the throne.

Emmanuel thought, as he often did, that his brother would never be free of it.

Late winter came to the Edelstein front.

The Ferdinand Regiment had finally been restored to its full strength of one thousand men.

Several dozen soldiers who had recovered from wounds returned to the unit. Around three hundred others were newly knighted men, trainees, and fresh recruits brought in to replace the dead.

Gregor led the replacements to Friedrich.

"They are young," Friedrich said.

"Most of the knights are sons from noble or knight families who should have trained for several more years. The soldiers are volunteers recruited from the royal demesne this winter. Technically, they are all adults."

Oliver, standing nearby, grimaced.

"I joined not long after coming of age, but if thirty percent of the regiment is like I was then, that is harsh."

His tone toward Friedrich had become formal. Friedrich was now Count Hosenfeld and commander of the regiment. Even old comrades could not ignore that in front of others.

The new men were inexperienced. Their formation was rough. Some of the young knights had been considered second-rate, or had been expected to take civil posts rather than battlefield roles. The soldiers had received only a few months of training, and some even less.

Replacing veterans like Eugen and Barthold with them was frightening.

But it was not their fault.

"Gregor," Friedrich said. "Does this remind you of the previous Loire war?"

The old knight looked at the young recruits for a while.

"Lord Matthias, I, Lord Stamitz before you, and Barthold were all promoted because men above us died. We led inexperienced replacements into a decisive battle with poor odds. So yes, it does."

"Our predecessors overcame the same trial."

"They did."

"Then we must as well."

Friedrich stepped before the assembled regiment.

"Welcome to the Ferdinand Regiment."

The recruits straightened.

"I am Count Friedrich Hosenfeld, commander of this regiment. I am the adopted son of Lord Matthias Hosenfeld. I inherited his title and his command. My father has departed, and the living hero is gone."

The words passed over the regiment like cold wind.

"But his will remains. The will to protect our homeland, our homes, our land, and our families, even at the cost of life. I inherited that will. So have all of you who gathered under the army's flag despite the kingdom's hardship."

The older soldiers listened in silence. The new recruits stared at Friedrich with tense faces.

"I am the hero's successor. I bear the name of Hosenfeld and the heroic power entrusted to me, and I will lead this homeland to victory."

He raised his voice.

"You too are inheritors of the hero's will. You are brave soldiers of the kingdom, worthy of standing in the Ferdinand Regiment."

The recruits' faces changed.

"We fight invaders. Our cause, our justice, and God are with us. I swear by the name I inherited that I will lead you to victory."

Friedrich drew his sword.

"Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein!"

"Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein!"

The veterans answered first, then the recruits followed.

"Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein!"

The second cry was stronger.

"Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein!"

By the third, the new Ferdinand Regiment had become one in spirit.

Friedrich sheathed his sword and thought that his mouth had saved him many times.

In the royal castle, Claudia prepared to depart for the front with the Royal Guard.

Alexia came to see her off.

Claudia felt guilt each time she looked at her mother. Alexia had lost her husband and son, and now her daughter was leaving for war while she remained in the capital.

"Mother, I leave the castle and the capital to you."

"Do not worry about them," Alexia said gently. "I was queen for many years. I can handle daily government. You should act as the queen you believe you must be."

Claudia saw strength in those gentle words.

"I will lead the kingdom to victory. And after that, I will continue protecting it."

"I know."

They embraced.

Then Claudia mounted her horse and departed as supreme commander of the kingdom's army.

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