WeTried Translations

Translator: Nemui

Editor: Nemui

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 170: Signs of Rebellion

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At the end of July, Friedrich, as commander of the Ferdinand Regiment, received an order from Queen Claudia Edelstein to present himself at the royal castle.

"Count Friedrich Hosenfeld. Thank you for coming to the castle. I am glad you came."

"Your Majesty."

Friedrich entered the reception room and was welcomed by Claudia, who was seated in a chair. After bowing in respect to the queen, he sat across from her at her prompting, while his adjutant Gregor waited silently behind him.

First, tea was served. As they drank, Claudia spoke about the state of politics at the kingdom's center, while Friedrich spoke about the progress of rebuilding the Ferdinand Regiment. After the mood in the room had warmed through conversation mixed with reports, the discussion moved to the main subject.

"Now then, as for why I called you here... I believe you have heard the rumors as well. The situation within the Kingdom of Arelia, especially regarding the Caruna and Muret regions."

At Claudia's words, Friedrich gave a small silent nod.

After the peace, the Kingdom of Arelia was visibly weakening militarily. The Edelstein royal family analyzed that King Samuel Arelia was likely focusing on maintaining the old territory of the kingdom and the Loire region, whose continued rule seemed relatively easy under the circumstances, while the other regions, the conquered lands that had once been independent countries, would be released before too long.

There were also rumors that negotiations toward reindependence were being conducted behind the scenes between the main ruling classes of each conquered land and the Arelia royal family. Duke Julius of Novakia had informed them that, at least regarding the Novakia region, those rumors were true.

Amid all this, the areas where the situation was becoming suspicious were the Caruna region in the south of the Kingdom of Arelia and the Muret region to the northeast.

In the Caruna region, considering the background of the conquest and the harsh rule that followed, it was somewhat unavoidable that signs of rebellion would arise as a reaction. As for the Muret region, given the existence of the mountain nobles, a conservative and militant noble faction, it was understandable that movements suggesting preparation for rebellion were being seen. The current situation that his subordinate Gunther had seen and heard about in the Muret region had already been reported to the royal family.

"Since the end of winter, the royal family has been putting even more effort into gathering information. At times, we have also exchanged information with the Arelia royal family and the Duke of Novakia. Our conclusion is that we must say the possibility of rebellion in the Caruna and Muret regions is increasing. It would be better to think on the assumption that it will happen."

It would likely be difficult for the Arelia royal family to cut off the buds of rebellion in advance. With the Arelian Royal Army continuing to reduce the size of the garrisons in each conquered land due to financial difficulties, they probably could not even fully monitor the societies of those conquered lands. For that reason, even if they could sense ominous signs in both regions, it seemed unlikely that they would be able to grasp the specific members of the rebel forces or the full picture of their plans.

Therefore, Samuel Arelia would likely want to crush the rebel armies after they rose, weaken the military power of both regions, and then proceed with peaceful reindependence for both regions in a form favorable to the Kingdom of Arelia. Claudia explained it that way.

"As for the timing, it likely will not happen this year. If it happens, it will be after the new year. One way to look at it is that the rebel forces in the Caruna and Muret regions may be connected behind the scenes and attempt to increase their chances of success by rising at the same time... That said, we cannot know when or how the situation will move. Even if we call them rebel forces, in the end they will likely be an unstable group made up of multiple nobles and many commoners whose dissatisfaction with the Arelia royal family has grown. It would not be strange for a rebellion to break out suddenly due to an uncontrolled explosion. The Arelia royal family will prepare as much as possible, but we of the Edelstein royal family cannot simply decide to watch from the sidelines."

"Then there is a possibility of intervention?"

At Friedrich's question, Claudia quietly nodded.

"The stability of the western continent is important to our country as well. The Kingdoms of Caruna and Muret, having achieved independence through rebellion, might not stop at independence. They may attempt to expand their power and bring new chaos to the whole western continent. If that happens, the efforts we have made after winning peace through victory over the Kingdom of Arelia, and the daily progress we are making toward further development, may be wasted."

If an armed uprising occurred in a conquered land and the Arelia royal family struggled to respond, that was someone else's problem from the perspective of the Kingdom of Edelstein. As long as reparations were paid, the hardships of the defeated country were none of their concern.

But it would be a problem if the Arelia royal family lost too badly. It would be an even greater problem if they were destroyed. If the Arelia royal family was overthrown before finishing its reparation payments, and if the force that overthrew it rose as a new invader on the western continent, then the previous life-and-death struggle would come to nothing. Friedrich understood that this was the position of the Kingdom of Edelstein.

"Therefore, if the Arelia royal family requests it, the royal family may well provide aid."

"...In that case, the ones deployed would be us, the Ferdinand Regiment."

At Friedrich's perceptive words, Claudia showed a faint wry smile.

"Exactly. Given the nature of the mission, there is no doubt that your rapid response unit is the best suited. That said, it has been a long time since our country dispatched reinforcements to another nation. I would like you to begin the necessary preparations and training from now. The Royal Army and the royal family will provide all necessary support."

"Understood. I will strive to be ready to respond no matter what situation arises."

Friedrich had imagined as one possibility that he might be told something like this. That was why he answered without surprise.

"...Less than two years have passed since the decisive battle, yet I am placing hardships on you."

"With respect, Your Majesty, we are soldiers of the Royal Army. It is only natural that we devote all our strength in every form to protect the royal family and the kingdom. Fighting to prevent the fires of war from reaching the Kingdom of Edelstein is also our duty."

At Friedrich's admirable answer, Claudia showed a gentle expression.

"Well said. Then... intervention is not yet certain, but make every preparation. I am relying on you, living hero of Edelstein."

Called a hero by the ruler of this country, Friedrich answered solemnly with a salute.

......

September. The castle of the Arelia royal family.

In the conference room were King Samuel, Chancellor Emmanuel, Royal Army General Cecilia, and Patrick, captain of the Armor of the King.

The topic was the most important matter at present: rebellion in the Caruna and Muret regions. Naturally, the Arelia royal family had also obtained information that the mood for rebellion was rising in both regions.

The royal family was acting on the assumption that rebellion would occur next year. That said, with the situation still limited to ominous signs, the measures they could take were limited. With national power having fallen, it was impossible to grasp the full picture of the rebel forces, and a preemptive attack would be difficult. If they carelessly struck at some noble without evidence, that itself could trigger an eruption in both regions.

That was why they had to prepare for war on the assumption that rebellion would occur, despite the fact that the wounds from last year's decisive battle had still not healed.

"Duke Julius of Novakia has made a proposal regarding the response to the rebellion."

The one who spoke at the meeting was Emmanuel.

"He says that regarding a possible rebellion in the Muret region, he is willing to cooperate fully in its suppression. He wishes to fully support the Royal Army garrison led by Marquis Mosetti and also mobilize the duke's forces and conscripts from the duchy as reinforcements."

"...Naturally, he will demand something in return."

Patrick said this as if murmuring, and Emmanuel nodded as well.

"The formal withdrawal of the marriage of Lord Novakia's younger sister, which had been left pending after the war. In addition, the complete withdrawal of the Royal Army garrison. On top of that, recognition of the reindependence of the Kingdom of Novakia. He demands that these be carried out within three months after the rebellion is suppressed."

"All of those demands are reasonable, and politically, they are not difficult to grant. After all, it has only been about two years since the Novakia region was conquered. From the beginning, we intended to grant the Novakia region reindependence quickly compared to the other conquered lands."

Following his uncle, Samuel spoke that way.

"If we can obtain Lord Novakia's full cooperation, Lord Mosetti will be able to exert his full strength. If the forces of the Duke of Novakia are added to that... then if we send a regiment-sized force to the Muret region, our numbers should exceed those of the rebel army. Militarily, it is an attractive proposal."

Cecilia spoke from the position of a general. Perhaps Samuel and Emmanuel had expected that, because neither showed surprise.

"If handling the Muret region becomes easier, would we be able to suppress a simultaneous rebellion in the Caruna region?"

"Yes. The rebellion in the Caruna region should at most number several thousand. If we mobilize the main force of the Royal Army along with some conscripts, suppressing that side should not be difficult either."

The estimated population of the Muret region was a little under three hundred thousand. The population of the Caruna region was a little over four hundred thousand. In both cases, the population had declined as people flowed into the central part of the kingdom due to oppression after conquest.

No matter how much the mood for rebellion rose there, there should be a limit to their military strength. Moreover, rebel forces made up of the private troops of multiple nobles gathered together could not become a grave threat. At least, they were nothing compared to the army of the Kingdom of Edelstein they had fought last year. It was uncertain whether their will would even be unified, and if handled well, defeating them one by one should be possible.

That was Cecilia's prediction, and she had confirmed that Patrick shared the same opinion.

"Then, even if rebellion occurs simultaneously in these two regions, it seems we can respond sufficiently... That is because all of you are fulfilling your roles. Thank you."

"You honor us, Your Majesty."

Emmanuel answered Samuel's words on behalf of the retainers present.

The military was working to rebuild its strength, and the civil officials, under the chancellor, were working to grasp the state of the kingdom's society. That was why they had been able to catch signs of rebellion in advance and move forward with preparations to suppress it.

If they continued like this, they could somehow build a new order and preserve the Kingdom of Arelia in the best realistically possible form. It should be fully possible.

Just as Samuel was beginning to feel that confidence, new ill news arrived the following month.

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