WeTried Translations

Translator: Nemui

Editor: Nemui

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 164: A New Age

──────

The living hero of Edelstein, Count Matthias Hosenfeld.

The military funeral dedicated to him was wrapped in a solemn atmosphere from beginning to end.

Though it was a military funeral, when the funeral procession marched through the streets of the royal capital, many commoners gathered on their own to watch the final march of the hero who had protected the kingdom for so long. After that, prayers were offered by the patriarch of Allusionism at the central church of the royal capital, and Friedrich, his heir, Queen Claudia, the kingdom nobles, and several hundred kingdom soldiers saw the hero off in silent prayer.

There was no lavish presentation, no speeches meant to stir sorrow. Only quiet. Only solemnity. It was a splendid funeral in anyone's eyes, one suitable to offer to a proud and taciturn hero.

The following state funeral of the previous king, Sigismund Edelstein, was also held in a majestic atmosphere that symbolized his dignity. In the cathedral of the central church. Along the roads of the royal capital. Before the sound of bells rung at the same time in churches across the entire kingdom. From nobles to commoners, everyone prayed in their own way and bid farewell to the great king.

Some time after the two funerals ended, the last event held was the victory banquet.

In the great hall, where luxurious dishes were lined up, expensive wine was served, and lavish decorations displayed the authority of the kingdom, Claudia opened her mouth before the gathered attention of the attendees.

"Nobles of the Kingdom of Edelstein. And neighbors of our friend nation who fought with us. First, I thank you for gathering here at this banquet tonight. I am truly glad to have reached this day together with everyone present."

As she spoke, Claudia looked around the great hall.

Near Claudia stood the direct retainers of the royal house. Heavyweights among the civil officials, beginning with Marquis Helmut Dahlmeier and Count Alphonse Barten. And the generals of the kingdom army. Marquis Joseph Obsidian, though retired from the army, now stood firmly on his prosthetic leg without relying on either a chair or cane.

The new hero, Count Friedrich Hosenfeld, stood alongside the other two regimental commanders, quietly listening to Claudia's words.

A little distance from them stood the imperial representatives. Crown Prince Edwin Rigald, with his secretary waiting beside him. The imperial ambassador, Marquis Christopher Langford. Viscount Chester Carlisle, invited as a representative of the knights.

Farther back, the other court nobles and lord nobles stood with cups of wine in hand.

After sweeping her gaze over them, Claudia faced forward again and continued.

"At the same time, I also think of those who could not reach this day with us. The knights and soldiers who died in the many battles beginning with the opening battle on the Northern Plains, and in the conflicts before that. The living hero of Edelstein, Count Matthias Hosenfeld, who fell before the decisive battle... and my father, the previous king, Sigismund Edelstein. At this banquet celebrating our country's victory, I want to believe that my father too is watching from God's side together with all those who became sacrifices of the war."

Saying that, Claudia turned around.

Displayed at the front of the great hall was Sigismund's portrait. The previous king looked down over those gathered at the banquet while radiating the same dignity he had possessed in life.

"My father was a great king. In his youth, he fought together with the many people who supported him, walked together with them, and brought a great age to the Kingdom of Edelstein... I too have people who fight with me. People who walk with me. People who support my reign. That is why I was able to bring victory to this country as queen. This is not my victory alone. It is not the royal house's victory alone. It is a historic victory seized by the hands of everyone gathered here, everyone living in this country, and our reliable neighbors of a friend nation."

Claudia raised the golden cup in her hand toward everyone.

"The age continues beyond victory. It is an age we will build together. We will connect the pride inherited from our ancestors to the future... Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein!"

When Claudia declared that clearly, everyone raised their cups and echoed her. The exhilaration of victory and expectation for the future filled the great hall.

Then the banquet began. Everyone talked, drank, and celebrated victory.

The victory banquet was also a turning point. For those who had survived the harsh war, it would become a great turning point from which they could face tomorrow and begin walking.

When the banquet ended, a new age would come. Tomorrow's dawn would be the opening curtain of that new age.

It would likely not be a bright and pleasant dreamlike age. New hardships would await. New battles would occur.

But at least today, in this moment, let them celebrate the eve of the new age.

Watching over the gathering as queen, Claudia smiled.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried