WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 20: Knight

What Friedrich and Yurika were learning extended beyond swordsmanship and military science. They were also receiving daily instruction from Gregor in horseback riding, a skill essential to becoming a knight.

Yurika, who had already grasped the basics through natural instinct before leaving Volga, had continued to improve at a pace that even Gregor found remarkable.

Now in the late winter of the new year, she could handle a horse with complete ease. Depending on the horse’s build and stamina, Gregor had even remarked that she could likely carry Friedrich on the back and retreat from the battlefield at full speed if necessary.

Friedrich, too, had reached a level where he could manage himself on the battlefield.

Fear had held him back at first as he struggled to control the horse. But once he grasped the rhythm, his natural intelligence allowed him to progress quickly. He no longer lagged behind Gregor or Yurika during ordinary marches, and while terrain still mattered, he had become able to ride at full speed for short bursts without flinching.

"Up to the top of that hill! Keep up! don’t fall behind!"

One day near the end of January, Friedrich and the others were out near the capital for horseback training. Following Gregor’s instructions, they spurred their horses forward. Yurika rode with ease, while Friedrich did his best to keep up, handling his horse with all the focus he could muster.

At last, the three of them reached the top of the hill.

"Well done, both of you. Take a short break."

Saying this, Gregor dismounted from his horse.

Friedrich stroked the horse’s neck, then sat down on the ground beside Yurika.

From the top of the hill, they could see the entire royal capital. Wrapped in the clear air of winter, Sankt Waltrude looked beautiful. And to the north of the city, rising atop the plateau, the royal castle stood tall, solemn and majestic.

"This spot offers the best vantage point for overlooking both the royal capital and the castle. On top of that, it lies to the west of the city and the castle... If a full-scale war were to break out with the Kingdom of Arelia to the west, and the Royal Army failed to hold them back, the enemy would advance to the outskirts of the capital and likely set up camp here. Then they would descend this hill to destroy that beautiful city and the majestic castle."

Hearing Gregor’s words, Friedrich turned to him in alarm. Yurika looked at him aswell with wide eyes.

"That capital is the heart of the Kingdom of Edelstein, and the castle that watches over it is the kingdom’s very soul. The kingdom began from this place, and all that it is converges here... Burn this view into your memory. As the symbol of the nation you are about to protect. Remember it well. Remember why the Royal Army fights. And steel yourselves, for this is what it means to become soldiers of the kingdom."

"......"

Friedrich turned his eyes back to the capital and the castle in silence. Sitting beside him, Yurika gently reached out and took his hand where Gregor couldn't see.

He had come this far because he wanted to become someone. Despite moments of weakness, he had pushed himself through training and grown, even if only a little.

He understood what Gregor was trying to say. But to be honest, he was not joining the military out of some noble sense of duty. Even now, he couldn’t say he had truly made up his mind. Perhaps it wasn’t something so easily done.

Could it be that only by engraving that resolve into his heart would he finally become someone who could leave their name in history, someone whose life had meaning? But how does one truly engrave resolve deep into their heart?

"With this, your basic training is complete. You are still unrefined of course, so I will continue drilling you. However from here on, it will no longer be as apprentice retainers, but as soldiers of the Royal Army. Once you bear that title, it would not be strange for you to face real combat at any time. So I will say this one last thing."

Gregor stood as he spoke.

"Friedrich. Yurika. Above all else, do not die. Survival is always first. Do not waste the chance granted to you by Count Hosenfeld... That is all. We’re heading back."

"...Yes, Captain."

"Yes, Captain."

・・・・・・

The estate of Count Hosenfeld, a court noble, was not particularly large. Even so, it housed all the rooms required of a high-ranking aristocrat’s residence.

Multiple bedrooms. A parlor and dining hall. A reception room. Several guest rooms. The lord’s study. A vault for weapons, valuables, and important documents. And a grand hall used for banquets, audiences, and formal ceremonies.

At the end of February, Friedrich and Yurika entered that grand hall, wearing their freshly tailored military uniforms and carrying swords at their sides.

On the far wall of the hall hung two banners, the flag of the Royal Army and that of House Hosenfeld. Standing before them was Matthias, accompanied by Gregor at his side. Both were dressed in full formal attire, their uniforms adorned with every decoration appropriate to their rank and station.

On the left side of Matthias’s uniform, the crest of House Hosenfeld and a royal decoration awarded by the crown stood out prominently. Upon his shoulder, the insignia marking him as a regimental commander. Today, he stood not only as their lord, but as a commanding officer of the Royal Army.

Today, here and now, Friedrich and Yurika would be appointed as knights.

In the Kingdom of Edelstein, knighthood held a special significance. It was a title bestowed upon those recognized for exceptional martial skill or achievements deemed equivalent, and granted the right to ride into battle on horseback. Regardless of one’s birth, even royalty could not be knighted without meeting the necessary military standards.

And once knighted, should one’s ability or character be judged unworthy, the title could be stripped away.

In Edelstein, the right to confer knighthood was held by members of the royal family, feudal lords, the captain of the Royal Guard, and regimental commanders of the Royal Army.

"Retainer Friedrich. Retainer Yurika. Step forward."

Matthias spoke solemnly.

As witnesses to the ceremony, the battalion commanders of the Ferdinand Regiment stood along both sides of the hall. Between them, Friedrich and Yurika walked forward across a steel-colored carpet.

With both of them kneeling on one knee, Matthias drew his sword and stepped first before Friedrich.

"Retainer Friedrich. Do you swear loyalty to the kingdom, uphold its honor, and thus take upon yourself the mantle of knighthood?"

"I, Friedrich, swear loyalty to the kingdom, uphold its honor, and in doing so, pledge myself to knighthood before the One True God."

As practiced, Friedrich gave the exact words in response to Matthias's question.

"Very well. In recognition of your valor in defeating bandits and protecting the people of the kingdom, I, Count Matthias of House Hosenfeld, appoint you as a knight."

With that declaration, Matthias lightly tapped both of Friedrich’s shoulders with his sword.

"Retainer Yurika. Do you swear loyalty to the kingdom, uphold its honor, and thus take upon yourself the mantle of knighthood?"

"I, Yurika, swear loyalty to the kingdom, uphold its honor, and in doing so, pledge myself to knighthood before the One True God."

Yurika then spoke her vow, just as Friedrich had before her.

"Very well. In recognition of your exceptional skill in combat, I, Count Matthias of House Hosenfeld, appoint you as a knight."

Matthias tapped her shoulders with the sword. And with that, the ceremony was complete.

On this day, in this place, Friedrich and Yurika became knights.

"Both of you, rise."

At their lord’s command, the two stood now as knights.

"It goes without saying, but I shall say it nonetheless. For retainers with no family backing to be appointed knights in such a short time, this is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Friedrich has been recognized for his intellect, and Yurika for her strength. That is why I have chosen to bestow knighthood upon you. However... whether you are truly worthy of the title will be determined by what you accomplish from this point forward. As your lord, I expect great efforts from both of you."

"We shall devote ourselves fully, sir."

Friedrich delivered the salute he had practiced hundreds of times over the past six months. Yurika followed suit.

This was only the beginning. They had accomplished nothing yet.

Footnotes:

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