WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 19: Enlistment Preparation

Even as winter settled in, Friedrich and Yurika remained immersed in their daily training. Yurika steadily sharpened her swordsmanship, while Friedrich focused on building his stamina and expanding his knowledge.

"That’s it! Hold your ground! Hang in there until help arrives!"

That day, like always, Friedrich was training with Gregor in the backyard of the estate. He held firm against Gregor’s straightforward but powerful strikes, maintaining a solid defensive stance.

There weren’t even ten basic attack forms. On a battlefield where allies and enemies clashed in chaos, even skilled knights rarely used complex sword techniques. As long as one could learn how to block these core attacks, they could at least protect themselves. If the goal was just to buy time, even someone like Friedrich could manage it with enough repeated practice.

"Alright! You held out well! Yurika, move in to assist!"

At Gregor’s signal, Yurika leapt into action. The training scenario simulated Friedrich holding off an enemy to buy time, while his escort Yurika, having just dealt with other opponents, arrived to aid him.

This time, Yurika no longer charged in recklessly like she once did. She fought while keeping Friedrich safely behind her, and just as her wooden sword was about to sweep across Gregor’s midsection, she stopped it a hair’s breadth away.

“That’s the way! The grunts are down! Now comes a knight!"

Gregor stepped back a few paces, shifting into a new stance. This time, his movements were clearly sharper, faster and more precise than before.

Even so, Yurika kept her composure. While her technique was still rough around the edges, she made up for it with her natural reflexes and athleticism, allowing her to parry the attacks effectively.

"Keep blocking! Don’t switch to offense so easily! Stay solid and wait for the enemy to show an opening! Friedrich, don’t let your guard down! If Yurika gets pushed back, you must at least defend against the first strike on your own! She’ll recover in time!"

All the while, Gregor didn’t let up on his assault.

He feinted toward Friedrich the moment he rattled Yurika, trying to break through, but Friedrich held firm in his defensive stance, preventing Gregor from finding an easy opening. That exchange repeated twice.

Then, Gregor launched a slightly overextended strike at Yurika.

She dodged it with ease, saw the gap it left, and swept his legs out from under him. As Gregor hit the ground, she pressed her wooden sword to his neck, signaling the end of the mock battle.

"The enemy knight who was frustrated by the drawn-out fight, went for an all-out strike to finish it. But he overcommitted, missed, and got taken down. Well done, both of you."

Gregor stood up calmly as he spoke. Though he was sweating, his breathing remained completely steady.

Yurika, on the other hand, looked as if she’d just been drenched in water, panting heavily. Friedrich was no better. His breath ragged, and now that the tension had passed, he collapsed to the ground on the spot.

Just then, a towel came flying straight at both of their faces.

“Wipe off that sweat right away. In this weather, if you catch a cold and it turns into pneumonia, we’ll have a problem.”

“......”

Doing as they were told, Friedrich and Yurika wiped off their sweat while trying to catch their breath.

At that moment—

“You’ve been working hard again today, I see.”

It was Matthias, the master of the estate, stepping into the backyard. At the sight of him, Friedrich quickly scrambled to his feet and straightened his posture alongside Gregor. Yurika followed their lead.

“No need for that. Stay as you are. Relax.”

With those words, Matthias turned his gaze toward Gregor.

"How are they doing?"

"...It pains me to admit it, but Yurika is quite impressive. If it were a one-on-one, she could hold her own even against an average knight. As for Friedrich, he’s doing better than I expected. He makes up for his lack of strength with cleverness. At this rate, he should acquire enough self-defense ability by the time he enlists."

"I see. If progress is steady, that’s good to hear... Still, to think Yurika has come that far. It truly is rare to hear you offer praise."

As he spoke, Matthias stepped over to the corner of the yard and picked up one of the wooden swords resting there.

"Allow me to test her myself."

"Are you sure about that, sir?"

"I am. Until now, I’ve been far too busy to assess her abilities in person."

Even when not deployed, Matthias, as a company commander, remained heavily occupied. With his adjutant Gregor investing his time into training Friedrich and Yurika, Matthias had taken on even more responsibilities than usual.

However, since winter began, it seemed his schedule had finally eased. These days, he could sometimes be found at the estate during daylight hours. Just like the rest of the kingdom, the Royal Army also shifted into a slower pace during the colder season.

"I will break through Yurika and aim for Friedrich’s neck. You are to resist with everything you have. There is no need to stop short. Strike with full intent. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

"Yes~”

Friedrich, his expression tense, and Yurika, wearing a challenging smile, both raised their wooden swords.

"Then... here I go."

The moment Matthias spoke, the atmosphere around them shifted.

"……!"

Yurika, startled by the sheer speed with which Matthias closed the distance, managed to block the first strike with her wooden sword. By the time she blocked the second, her stance had already broken down.

"What...?"

After that, Friedrich couldn’t tell what had happened. Yurika’s legs had been swept out from under her, and she spun halfway through the air before hitting the ground. The next moment, Matthias closed in with the speed of an arrow.

Friedrich hurried to raise his guard, but the wooden sword that should have been in his hands was knocked away in an instant. By the time he realized it, a sword tip was already pressed to his neck.

“It’s my win.”

"...Yes."

It was a complete defeat. He had lost before he could even blink.

"Friedrich. Considering it hasn’t even been three full months since you began training, your reaction was not bad. Against anyone less skilled, you would likely survive the first strike. Yurika as well... I see now that Gregor’s praise was not misplaced. I had expected to finish it with the second blow, but to see it blocked… That was unexpected, I admit. Your growth is remarkable."

Lowering his wooden sword, Matthias offered a hand to help Yurika up.

"I’ve heard there are no issues with his academic studies either. At this pace, he can be enlisted as planned, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

At Gregor’s reply, Matthias gave a satisfied smile.

"Both of you, I will be taking you into the city tomorrow. Make sure you are fully prepared."

"Understood, sir."

Friedrich answered with a bow, watching as Matthias returned inside.

・・・・・・

The next day, Friedrich and Yurika left the estate accompanied by Matthias.

Matthias, the two of them, and two servants carrying their luggage proceeded down the main street of the royal capital, Sankt Waltrude. As they walked, Friedrich took in the sights of the city.

Having grown up in the small frontier town of Volga, and even thinking the capital of the Viscounty of Dofen felt like a proper city, Friedrich still found himself overwhelmed by the streets of the royal capital.

Buildings with not just two but even three floors were a common sight along the main road, and even in winter, the flow of people never ceased. Shops of every kind lined the streets, continuing to operate as usual despite the season.

Those walking past weren’t only people of Edelstein. There were figures who appeared to be Novakians from the northwest, draped in white wolf pelts, as well as individuals dressed in the eastern styles of the Rigald Empire. Others had dark skin or pale features, likely from lands even farther away. Here and there were merchants and travelers who seemed to be from the Kingdom of Arelia, with which Edelstein was currently in conflict.

What one might experience in a lifetime in Volga could be found in just a single day walking through the royal capital. That was how Friedrich felt. When walking these streets, he truly believed it had been worth leaving his hometown behind.

“We’ve arrived. It’s here.”

Matthias said this as he came to a stop in front of a shop.

Unaware of their destination, Friedrich tilted his head as he looked at the signboard.

"A tailor...?"

The shop was a large one, but it didn’t appear to be a high-class establishment favored by nobles. A sign hanging on the door indicated that the shop was closed for a private appointment.

"Indeed. Each regiment within the Royal Army maintains its own association with a particular tailor. This establishment serves the Ferdinand Regiment. Today, the two of you shall have your uniforms commissioned. The craftsman here is well-accustomed to military attire. If we complete your measurements today, the uniforms will be ready by the end of winter."

Upon hearing that, Friedrich and Yurika exchanged glances. Yurika grinned, showing her red lips, and Friedrich responded with a small smile.

In the Royal Army, only officers are issued uniforms and not just soldiers, but high-ranking personnel who are expected to appear at formal occasions as knights.

It struck Friedrich deeply. He was finally becoming a soldier of the Royal Army, and not just that, but an officer. This was his first step.

At that moment, a neatly dressed man emerged from the shop and bowed to Matthias.

"Count Hosenfeld. We’ve been expecting you."

"It has been some time, hasn’t it. I am counting on your expertise today... Now then, you two. Let us proceed inside."

Urged on by Matthias, Friedrich stepped into the shop. Yurika followed close behind.

The interior was spacious. Toward the back, a variety of fabrics and leathers were displayed with a small fitting room tucked off to the side. Near the entrance, samples were neatly arranged and most appeared to be high-quality yet practical garments.

"Had you summoned me, I would have come to the estate myself. It humbles me greatly that you went through the trouble of coming here in person."

"On the contrary, I should be the one to apologize for insisting on visiting in person. I thought it might serve as a lesson in decorum for these two... and yet, I seem to have inconvenienced you into reserving the entire shop."

"Not at all, sir. It is my honor to serve you."

After bowing deeply to Matthias, the shopkeeper turned to face Friedrich and Yurika.

"Are these the individuals in question today?"

"Indeed. They are newly appointed retainers of House Hosenfeld. They will be entering the Royal Army come spring."

"I see. Shall I prepare standard-issue uniforms?"

"Yes, that will suffice for now."

"Understood. Then, if I may, I shall begin the measurements right away."

Friedrich was then guided to the fitting room at the back. Yurika was led by a female tailor into a separate room.

The military uniforms of the Kingdom of Edelstein were a shade of steel close to black, symbolizing iron, the source of the royal family’s wealth. Over the back, a pitch-black cloak provided a measure of protection. During battle, those engaging in close combat would remove their uniform jackets and don personal armor instead, wearing the cloak over it.

The fact that a military uniform was about to be made specifically for him filled Friedrich with excitement as he stepped into the fitting room.

Once the two had gone, Matthias called the shopkeeper over to his side.

"I will also be commissioning light armor for both of them. May I have their measurement records later?"

"Of course, sir. I shall prepare them for you before your departure."

"My thanks. Additionally... I would like a crest bearing my house emblem to be made to match Friedrich’s uniform. Prepare a cloak with the emblem as well. Whether it sees actual use remains to be seen, but in either case, I will cover the cost."

"...Understood."

Matthias had spoken the latter part quietly, so that only the shopkeeper could hear. The shopkeeper responded without changing his expression.

Footnotes:

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