WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 42: New Recruit (1)

"By the way, the matter of you being adopted by Count Hosenfeld has become quite the rumor among the townspeople. It seems to have spread through members of our regiment and noble connections."

Several days after the social event at the royal castle. While waiting at the military headquarters' training grounds, Friedrich was spoken to in this manner by Oliver.

"...What kind of rumors are circulating?"

"For the first week or two, it appears only the facts were spreading. The story of how you falsely claimed to be His Lordship's illegitimate child while suppressing bandits, and had your talent recognized by him. Then how you distinguished yourself in the recent battle and were adopted by His Lordship."

As Friedrich inquired with slight unease, Oliver answered while touching the scar on his cheek - a permanent wound from the previous battle that had become his new habit to occasionally touch.

"...And after that?"

"In recent weeks, people have begun mixing in their own wild speculations. Your origins as a former orphan are sometimes discussed with surprise, while others doubt or mock whether such a person is truly fit to be a hero's successor. Some even say, 'It's suspicious for someone so capable to have been an orphan - perhaps he really is the hero's illegitimate child after all.'"

"Ugh, they'll say anything, won't they?"

Friedrich couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

Even if Crown Princess Claudia's promised royal "propaganda" were to spread, it might slightly change the townspeople's gossip, but no immediate effect could be expected.

"Don't worry about it. That's just how common rumors are. If it gets too extreme, Count Hosenfeld's house or the royal family will likely take measures."

"...You're right. There's nothing to be done now. Ultimately, all I need to do is grow and achieve deeds worthy of my position."

"That's the spirit."

Oliver gave Friedrich's shoulder a familiar pat as he sighed quietly.

Even after Friedrich's adoption into House Hosenfeld and his new status as Matthias' heir was made public, the distance between them remained unchanged from before.

If anything, having overcome crises and survived life-threatening situations together had brought them even closer, creating the easy camaraderie of true comrades-in-arms.

"Hey Friedrich, looks like they're here."

At that moment, hearing Yurika's voice beside him, Friedrich turned to where she was pointing. Oliver likewise shifted his gaze in the same direction.

Into the training ground where Friedrich and the Ferdinand Regiment members had been waiting, Gregor and several knights were leading dozens of soldiers.

"...Those are the recruits?"

"From this distance, they don't look completely hopeless. Considering they came from the training unit."

"Yeah, they don't appear utterly useless. That's a relief."

Friedrich, Oliver, and Yurika observed the new soldiers and exchanged thoughts.

In the recent battle on the Northern Plains, the Ferdinand Regiment had suffered thirty-eight fatalities. Additionally, there were about twenty severely wounded who had no choice but to retire from the front lines, men who had lost limbs or were left with lasting disabilities.

Though they had achieved victory, the Ferdinand Regiment had taken losses incomparable to their previous skirmishes with the Kingdom of Arelia. As a result, replacements were being drawn from the training units to replenish their ranks.

At present, there were no signs of any major movements from Arelia. While their total military strength, combining the royal army and noble forces amounted to roughly twenty thousand, this figure included defensive forces stationed in the kingdom’s historic heartlands, as well as occupation troops maintaining order in annexed territories. The forces that could realistically be deployed for an eastern invasion were estimated at around eight thousand, consisting of troops from the former Kingdom of Loire and the Kingdom of Myurei, supplemented by central reinforcements.

Even these eight thousand had to be spread thin, keeping watch not just over Edelstein but also the Kingdom of Novakia. In terms of the immediate forces at hand, Edelstein was by no means outmatched.

Barring a desperate conscription of civilian forces from other regions by Arelia or a sudden collapse of Novakia, their shared adversary, Edelstein was unlikely to face imminent peril.

Yet war was unpredictable. Even if the situation seemed stable now, there was no telling how it might change in a few months. That was precisely why reorganizing their forces now while they still had breathing room, was a crucial task for the Ferdinand Regiment.

"Then we should begin the welcoming formalities,"

As he spoke, Oliver walked toward the waiting knights and soldiers, calling them to assemble at the front. Friedrich and Yurika moved to the center of the training grounds' main area..

Gregor hurried over to Matthias, then saluted and reported.

"My Lord. I have brought fifty-five replacement soldiers from the training unit to reinforce the Ferdinand Regiment."

"Well done, Gregor. Have them line up here at the front."

"At once!"

Gregor barked orders at the recruits, his voice carrying across the field as the new soldiers formed a straight line. Watching them assemble, Friedrich remarked to Gregor.

"They seem physically capable enough, but their training appears somewhat lacking.”

Gregor answered while watching the formation with a furrowed brow.

"Remember, these men were only assigned to the training unit this past spring, with less than six months' experience."

Friedrich had only recently grown accustomed to Gregor's formal speech toward him.

"The training unit captain said they managed to drill them on basic unit coordination and minimal ethics training at least. For anything beyond that, he asked us to train them while actually using them as new recruits in the regiment."

"...Ethics training?"

"Not drawing swords on comrades they dislike. Not massacring surrendered prisoners. No pillaging or violence against civilians, even enemy ones. That kind of education."

Hearing this, Friedrich's face showed clear dismay.

"If they needed that kind of education..."

"They're former mercenaries. And not the type from reputable companies with proper discipline - men who might as well have been bandits. The captain said when selecting recruits who could be combat-ready quickly, this type inevitably made up most candidates. Frankly, it's concerning."

Nodding in agreement with Gregor's quiet remark, Friedrich made a complicated expression.

While he himself lacked much military experience, he felt uneasy about whether he could properly lead recruits who barely understood discipline, if that.

"Using men like this requires know-how. But if you understand that and use them well, they'll become reliable forces."

At this, Friedrich turned to look back at Matthias.

"Know-how, you say?"

"Exactly. The key is not letting them look down on you."

Matthias smiled and nodded at his adopted son, who tilted his head slightly in thought.

"Officers hold soldiers' lives in their hands. That's why soldiers don't respect officers based on rank or status alone, and this is especially true for ex-mercenaries. These men come from a world where the strong rule, and those who are underestimated get dragged down from their positions... You'll need to work hard to earn their respect without being looked down upon, and build proper trust with them. The beginning is particularly crucial."

"...I see."

Friedrich responded with a faint, wry smile.

・・・・・・

The assembled recruits and the gathered regiment stood at attention. Matthias ascended the platform as regimental commander, flanked by his officers, Gregor as adjutant, the battalion commanders, and Friedrich at the end of the line.

"Recruits, you are fortunate to join the royal army proper after less than six months in training, a wartime exception. But understand this, you are not yet fully capable soldiers. You are mercenaries no longer. You are now soldiers of the kingdom. Carry that pride and devote yourselves to your duty."

Matthias began, his voice calm yet carrying undeniable authority as he surveyed them. His gaze swept across them, the weight of his words settling like armor.

"That is all. Welcome to the Ferdinand Regiment."

"Salute the regimental commander!"

Gregor's voice rang out, and the recruits saluted in unison.

While their salute could hardly be called perfectly synchronized, at least their respect for the regimental commander was evident. After all, those who deliberately chose to enlist in the Edelstein Kingdom's military could hardly be ignorant of Matthias Hosenfeld, the living hero.

With this, the regiment's formal welcome for the recruits concluded, and the assignment of the fifty-five newcomers to their respective units began.

"Those with less than three years' mercenary experience, over here! Quit dawdling!"

"Anyone skilled with bows, gather here!"

Though lacking the swift precision expected of royal soldiers, the recruits moved with considerably more efficiency than raw conscripts would have.

"Any of you capable of mounted combat? Step forward if so."

This call came from Oliver. Several recruits assembled in response.

"We'll test your skills first. You, start us off."

Oliver proceeded to assess each man's horsemanship individually.

He evaluated their posture in the saddle, their rein control, whether they could spur their mounts to full gallop, wield weapons while mounted, and accurately strike targets with a single blow from horseback.

After completing these technical assessments, Oliver deemed only one of the gathered recruits qualified.

"Recruit. Your name? Where did you learn cavalry skills? Why join the royal army?"

"Gunther, sir. My old man was an ex-mercenary, so he taught me how to ride and handle weapons. I'm a farmer's third son with no land to inherit, so I left home to become a mercenary. Moved between a few small mercenary bands, but then I got a woman, and now there's a kid on the way. Figured I'd settle down in this kingdom and become a proper soldier."

Recruit Gunther was built like a bear. Even larger than the relatively well-built Oliver, his massive frame was covered in mountain-like muscles. His face looked as fearsome as an angered bear's.

"Recruit Gunther. Do you want to become a knight?"

"If someone like me can."

"...Very well."

Gunther answered with a somewhat defiant attitude, to which Oliver responded with a grin.

"Right now, we need every skilled cavalryman we can get. I'll take you into my squad but as a knight apprentice. You'll be at the bottom of the cavalry ranks, treated no differently from a regular soldier except for being allowed to ride."

In the previous battle, three knights had died between the main and detached forces. Two of those spots could be filled by noble-born replacements, but one remained vacant. Thus, if any promising recruit was found, they would be selected as a knight apprentice. Having lost Knight Noela, Oliver had been given the authority to choose an apprentice for his own squad.

"Strength alone won't make you a knight. If I judge you worthy, I'll recommend you to Count Hosenfeld myself. Understood?"

"Understood."

When Gunther gave a straightforward reply, Oliver nodded in satisfaction.

"I'm Knight Oliver Falke. Pleasure working with you, Gunther... Hey, what's wrong?"

Upon hearing Oliver introduce himself, Gunther furrowed his brow. Oliver in turn gave him a puzzled look, prompting Gunther to speak with his face still scrunched in displeasure.

"No, I thought for sure you were... wait no, you're Lord Friedrich, Count Hosenfeld’s adopted son?"

Hearing this, Oliver let out a short laugh.

"No, I’m just a regular knight. Friedrich is... well, that crimson-haired guy over there."

"Huh?"

Oliver pointed to Friedrich, who happened to be passing by. Friedrich stopped and turned.

"...This scrawny-looking guy is the adopted son of the hero Matthias Hosenfeld?"

Gunther’s eyes widened, his expression oozing disbelief and even a hint of irritation.

Footnotes:

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