WeTried Translations

Translator: Nemui

Editor: Nemui

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 181: Old Ties

──────

After defeating the rebel unit it had faced, the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Edelstein began advancing farther west and soon joined with a unit sent by Countess Cecilia Fargier.

Its size was fifty knights and one hundred rangers. Excess cavalry strength for officers in a defensive siege, and ranger strength better suited to guerrilla warfare in the field, had been entrusted to Friedrich.

"I have been appointed by Countess Fargier as the nominal commander of this joining force... I am Acht, knight and commander of the Barony of Welek's army. I serve as chief retainer of House Welek."

The one who saluted and introduced himself before Friedrich was a young man whose appearance marked him as a northerner.

From the clothing of the young man named Acht and the rangers under him, it was clear that they were the ranger unit from the northern continent with whom the Ferdinand Regiment shared old ties. Even before that, Friedrich recognized the face of the young man in front of him, who carried a bow and crossbow.

Friedrich realized that this was the close aide who had fought beside the terrifyingly strong ranger commander who had killed his father, Count Matthias Hosenfeld, in a surprise attack, and who had then been slain by Yurika and Gregor.

He remembered that the arrow that pierced his father had been fired by this very young man.

Acht seemed to sense that as well, and he was plainly tense. His expression was stiff, and sweat stood on his forehead.

The rangers waiting behind him also seemed to share his tension. Furthermore, the fifty Arelian knights seemed awkward before the living hero of Edelstein, whom they had fought on the battlefield last time.

The officers and soldiers of the Kingdom of Edelstein, beginning with the Ferdinand Regiment, read those emotions from their attitudes, and their own posture became somewhat stiff. The knights of Friedrich's headquarters guard, beginning with his adjutant Gregor, and the commanders such as the battalion leaders, even showed hints of wariness in case something happened.

In that clearly heavy air, Friedrich dismounted, quietly walked up to Acht, and held out his hand.

"I am Friedrich Hosenfeld, commander of the Ferdinand Regiment of the Edelstein Royal Army. From the previous war, I know well the strength of the Barony of Welek's army and the knights of the Kingdom of Arelia. It is truly reassuring to stand in the same line of battle as warriors such as you. I ask for your cooperation."

Friedrich said this with a smile and a calm voice.

Soldiers fought because it was their duty, and there was no room for personal feelings in that. One should not rejoice over killing anyone in war, and one should not bear hatred over anyone killed in war. His late father Matthias had taught Friedrich that. That teaching still lived within Friedrich.

Friedrich had once told that story to Cecilia as well. That was why he understood that she had entrusted Acht and his men to him despite their considerable ties to the Ferdinand Regiment, prioritizing their value as fighting strength. There was no way he would fail to answer the trust of his sister by blood.

"...It is an honor, my lord."

Acht's expression softened, and he answered Friedrich's outstretched hand. Those who had each lost a deeply indebted person to the other now shook hands as allies.

With that ritual, the tension drifting between the two armies eased.

......

That evening, a camp was set up beside the road. Tents were lined up, and preparations for dinner advanced.

Meanwhile, in the command tent, the leaders of the Ferdinand Regiment gathered around Friedrich, along with the commanders of the noble territorial forces and mercenary units, and the leaders of the units that had joined from the Arelian side. After the unit commanders of the Edelstein and Arelian sides were introduced to one another, they outlined a plan for the future advance and the battle afterward based on the information currently known.

The Arelia royal family's army led by Countess Cecilia Fargier was conducting a defensive siege at Chatellerault Fortress near the boundary between the old Arelian territory and the Caruna region. The current state of that battle had been reported by scouts sent out. As of several days earlier, Chatellerault Fortress was holding without danger.

Friedrich believed that Cecilia would hold until the reinforcements arrived. He had no doubts about the strength of his sister by blood, who had stood before him as a terrifying enemy in the previous war.

Even if they wanted to hurry, there would be no meaning if the officers and soldiers were exhausted when they reached the battlefield. Therefore, it was confirmed that from tomorrow onward, the reinforcements would not rush excessively, but would not waste time either, and would steadily continue advancing.

A general policy was also decided for how to fight once they approached Chatellerault Fortress, and the war council ended for the time being. As everyone returned to their respective units, Knight Oliver, cavalry battalion commander of the Ferdinand Regiment, called out to a certain person.

"Excuse me, Lady Alembourg."

The one who turned when called was the commander of about fifty Arelian knights who had joined them. She was Baroness Mathilde Alembourg, one of Countess Fargier's trusted confidants.

Once, in the opening battle of the war against the Kingdom of Arelia, there had been the battle on the mountain road. She was the daughter of Baron Vincent Alembourg, the enemy commander Oliver had slain there. She had succeeded her father and now served as the current head of House Alembourg, a martial house, as a female knight.

At the earlier introductions, Oliver heard her family name and realized that she was Vincent's daughter. Mathilde too had heard Oliver's name, seen his face, and looked as if she had realized something.

If so, Oliver thought it would be difficult for them to trust and work together as cavalry commanders while leaving their old tie untouched.

"Before we go into battle together, I thought I should speak with you once..."

"...Thank you for calling out to me. I felt the same."

Mathilde smiled faintly and answered. Oliver felt relieved inside that she had not answered with a hard attitude rejecting conversation.

"...In the previous battle, I..."

"You are the knight of the Edelstein Royal Army who slew my father Vincent, correct?"

As if cutting off Oliver, who was trying to continue despite his awkwardness, Mathilde spoke first.

"...That is correct."

"I thought so. If I ever had the chance to meet you, there was something I wanted to ask."

Saying that, Mathilde turned her whole body toward Oliver.

Oliver felt tension as he braced himself. Behind Oliver, Knight Jaag, and behind Mathilde, an Arelian knight who seemed to be her adjutant, subtly brought their hands close to their sword hilts in case of the worst.

"Was my father strong?"

That was Mathilde's question. After a brief pause, Oliver nodded.

"...Yes. He was an incredible opponent. Though he was an enemy, he was a magnificent knight. In the end I won and survived, but it was more likely that I would have been the one to die."

That was not flattery, but Oliver's true feeling. In order to make her understand that it was his true feeling, Oliver looked straight at Mathilde and spoke without looking away.

"Together with this scar on my face that I received from his sword, I have carved Baron Vincent Alembourg's strength into my memory. I will never forget it in my life."

Mathilde lowered her eyes as if savoring Oliver's words, then eventually raised her face. There was joy in her expression.

"...I hope you continue to distinguish yourself and become a great knight. If you do, perhaps history may record that my father, who wounded you, was a strong knight. And this time, I am honored to fight alongside you, the man who slew my father."

Mathilde asked for a handshake as she said this, and Oliver answered.

"The honor is mine. I am grateful to fight alongside the daughter of a strong knight."

As if showing each other's pride as knights, they exchanged a firm handshake.

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