WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 22: Expectation, Delight, and Intent

The following week was spent on individual foundational training and small-unit combat drills. Perhaps to help the new recruits adjust to regimental life, the training was conducted in a relatively relaxed atmosphere.

As Yurika was attached to headquarters and not assigned to a specific unit, she was repeatedly challenged to mock battles by idle knights and squad leaders. Over the course of the week, she fought more than thirty matches and won over twenty of them.

Everyone praised her, saying it was no wonder the regimental commander himself had acknowledged her strength. And because Yurika was often seen close by Friedrich’s side, he too began to be quietly respected, even though he had not yet had any opportunity to demonstrate his intellect.

"Impressive. Purely as a combatant, her strength is exceptional, especially considering her age and how short her training period has been. She is clearly well-suited to serve as a headquarters guard."

Another day, another mock battle. A young knight who had confidently claimed he could win was now being steadily pushed back by Yurika. In one corner of the gathered spectators, Oliver spoke to Friedrich.

Friedrich understood why Oliver had described her as impressive only in terms of individual combat skill. War was fought as a group, and unless it was a minor skirmish, personal prowess rarely shifted the outcome of a battle. Skill in combat was something to take pride in as a warrior, but it was no more than that.

Regimental Commander Matthias was also known for his fearsome strength, but he had once grumbled, ‘By the time you become a commander, you hardly fight on the front lines. Strength like this only serves as a way to keep your subordinates in line.’

"Damn it... I can't beat her!"

At that moment, the mock battle came to an end. The defeated young knight dropped to his knees and shouted.

"Hahaha, that wasn’t even nearly close."

"Told you already. No way you were ever going to beat Yurika."

The young knight who had made bold claims and then lost was teased by everyone, while the victorious Yurika accepted the praise with a look that showed she was rather pleased.

"If it comes to this, then I’ll challenge Friedrich!"

"Huh? What are you even saying?"

"Yurika’s said it more than once, right? That Friedrich’s more amazing than she is. So if I beat Friedrich, that’s basically the same as beating Yurika! What do you say, Friedrich, will you take me on!?"

Pointed at with a wooden sword and suddenly in the spotlight, Friedrich gave a response while letting his gaze drift awkwardly.

"...If it’s a written exam or a tabletop simulation, I’ll gladly accept."

"No good! I know I’d lose!"

Hearing that, the knight collapsed to his knees again with a groan, and laughter erupted around them.

"Hahaha, what are you yelling about all by yourself?"

"You’re decent with a sword, but you’ve got no head for anything else. That much is obvious after that exchange."

“No way you’re beating Friedrich, not when even His Excellency praised his intelligence."

As the young knight was laughed at by the others, Friedrich joined in with a smile and opened his mouth to speak.

"Somehow, this feels... surprisingly—"

"Like the regiment’s really starting to accept you?"

Caught off guard by Oliver reading his thoughts aloud, Friedrich gave a small nod.

"Everyone places absolute trust in Count Hosenfeld. And that Count personally recognized you and keeps you at his side. Naturally, people assume you have the talent to match. On top of that, you’ve got a clear achievement, the bandit suppression. Whether you realize it or not, expectations for you within the regiment are high. Of course, one major mistake could shatter that in an instant."

"...Then I’ll have to do my best. If only to avoid damaging everyone’s trust in the Count."

"Yeah, do your best. Now then, I’ve got duties in the capital today. His Excellency has ordered that you two accompany me. So come with me."

With that, Oliver turned and called out to the gathered group.

"Alright everyone, that’s enough spectating. Back to training! Yurika, come here a moment!"

・・・・・・

Friedrich and Yurika left the Royal Army headquarters, accompanied by Oliver.

"The place we’re heading to now is one of the Ferdinand Regiment’s designated suppliers."

As they walked along the streets of the capital, Oliver explained. Friedrich and Yurika listened as they walked side by side behind him.

The Kingdom of Edelstein’s Royal Army was a massive organization with several thousand members. In both wartime and peacetime, its operations required large quantities of supplies,everything from food to horse fodder.

Transporting supplies was the duty of the logistics corps, but the procurement of those supplies relied heavily on the cooperation of civilian merchant associations. Friedrich had learned in his academic studies that the capital hosted many such government-contracted suppliers that worked directly with the military.

"Each regiment has its own designated merchants for military supplies. Official payment requests go through the main headquarters, but to streamline the process, peacetime supply orders are placed by each regiment, and the goods are delivered directly to their bases. It’s not the kind of task that can be left to soldiers, so it’s an officer’s duty. Since you’re stationed at headquarters, you’ll likely be sent on errands like this often, so you’d do well to learn how it’s done now."

"Understood. I haven’t been much help yet, so I’ll do my best."

As he spoke, Friedrich only let his eyes wander around.

The military uniform of a Royal Army officer was of course, something every citizen of the capital would recognize. The steel-colored uniform and jet-black cloak stood out. With a single glance, any passerby could tell that the three of them were officers of the Royal Army.

There were people who gave them slight nods as a sign of respect, children and teens looking at them with admiration, and small children pointing and whispering, "So cool!" All in all, the stares they received were mostly warm and positive.

Friedrich held his expression in check, trying not to let a grin escape.

Matching steel-colored uniforms. Jet-black cloaks fluttering from their shoulders. Friedrich had seen Royal Army officers a few times in the capital of the Dofen Viscounty and had found them impressive. Men from the Kingdom of Edelstein's military, often depicted in books set in the modern era — to think those were real. He had once looked at them with admiration.

Now, he was the one wearing that uniform, walking through the city. The respect and admiration he once felt were now being directed at him.

He knew it wasn’t the most admirable feeling to bask in, and he did feel a bit guilty receiving admiration when he hadn’t done anything yet as a proper soldier. Still, he couldn’t help but enjoy it.

Walking around with a goofy smile would ruin the image of a dignified soldier, so Friedrich did his best to keep a composed face as he walked through the streets of the capital.

・・・・・・

It had been several weeks since Friedrich and the others enlisted. By now, even the new recruits had settled into their respective squads, and full-regiment training was being held regularly.

Formation building across the entire unit. Then formation shifts and offensive maneuvers, simulating combat against an enemy army. Aside from these combat exercises, several times a year the regiment would be deployed near the borders even in times of peace to conduct field drills. It also served as a show of force against the Kingdom of Arelia, with whom they were in dispute.

“Friedrich. Here we’ve got infantry at the front, archers right behind them, and cavalry waiting on the right flank. The enemy’s got a thousand infantry and two hundred archers. Very few cavalry, positioned to the rear. Their formation has archers spread on either side of a central infantry line. How would you attack? Screw it up, and your unit will be wiped out. A lot of lives will be lost. Think carefully before you answer.”

During yet another round of simulated battle training after enlistment, Friedrich was observing the regiment from the command center alongside Matthias when the sudden question caught him off guard. Still, he gave it some serious thought.

Both sides had chosen conventional formations. They were outnumbered in infantry, but they had the upper hand in archer count. The fact that the enemy lacked a sizable cavalry force was also an advantage.

A frontal assault would be overpowered due to the difference in infantry numbers, but if they could hold off the enemy’s advance for a while, their cavalry’s destructive power could be decisive. With that in mind, Friedrich began to speak.

"…Spread the infantry and archers wide across the line, then meet the enemy infantry head-on. Have the central archer company provide arcing fire to support our frontline, while the left and right archer companies target the enemy archers on either flank. We'll use our superior archer numbers to hold the line. While they buy us time, send the cavalry charging into the enemy's left flank."

"Very good. That follows the fundamentals of military strategy. And you answered quickly."

Matthias gave a small nod of approval, then turned to explain the simulated scenario to the entire regiment and issued commands to each unit.

The archers from each company fired training arrows in high arcs toward their designated targets, simulating enemy positions. The frontline infantry all raised their shields in unison and leveled their spears forward.

Soon after, the cavalry unit began to move. Simultaneously, orders were given to the archer companies to cease fire. The cavalry swept forward in front of the infantry, right through where the enemy lines would be in a real battle, cutting across in a dramatic charge. With that, the training ended under the assumption of their victory.

“......”

Though it was Matthias who gave the direct commands and timed the charge and the halt of archer fire, the overall plan for unit movements had been Friedrich's judgment. It had been a safe and sound decision. That fact gave Friedrich some relief. When he glanced to the side, he saw Yurika smiling at him, and he returned the smile.

"Friedrich."

Matthias called his name, and Friedrich quickly straightened his expression, turning his gaze back to him.

"To make a decision that moves a force of a thousand is no small task. Even a capable officer, when placed in a general's seat and faced with judgment, often freezes up or makes clearly poor choices out of panic or pressure. In that regard, you did well."

"I'm honored, sir."

"But do not let it go to your head. In real battle, it's rare to face an enemy of similar numbers on an empty plain with no tricks or formations, coming at you head-on. War is more complex than that. It's quite unpredictable."

"I'll take that to heart."

Friedrich nodded solemnly to the hero's words.

Lately, Friedrich had been receiving direct instruction from Matthias like this. Not the fundamental skills and knowledge Gregor had drilled into him, but the wisdom and experience of a general passed down firsthand from the hero himself.

Friedrich pondered the meaning behind this. What purpose lay in these lessons? What was the hero's intention? He thought about it every day.

Footnotes:

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