Friedrich's Battlefield - Chapter 45

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 45: Field Training (1)

Over a month had passed since the recruits joined the Ferdinand Regiment. As autumn deepened, the unit prepared for a large-scale field exercise, their first major operation since integrating the new soldiers.

Though the Kingdom of Arelia showed no signs of renewed aggression, and this year seemed likely to pass without another invasion, the Eastern Front's Second Regiment who was badly mauled in the last battle still required reorganization.

Thus, the Ferdinand Regiment would conduct deployment drills near the border, demonstrating Edelstein's continued readiness. Their destination: Arnsberg Fortress at the eastern edge of the Beiral Plains, the linchpin of border defense. The mission required arriving within a week, establishing camp, and forming battle formations. Later phases would involve joint exercises with detachments from the Hildegard Regiment, showcasing Edelstein's large-scale combat coordination to Arelia.

Under these orders, the Ferdinand Regiment departed the royal capital, Sankt Waltrude.

"So this is your first time seeing Arnsberg Fortress in person, Friedrich?"

"I've memorized every detail from books, but yes,"

Friedrich replied as they marched at the army's standard pace, leisurely enough for conversation along the highway.

Arnsberg Fortress had featured prominently in countless military treatises he'd studied.

Built nearly three centuries ago during the era when the western Ludna continent was unified under the Luthenian Kingdom, Arnsberg Fortress was constructed as one of many military strongpoints during the kingdom's expansion. Though the Luthenian Kingdom itself collapsed and faded into history, the fortress endured.

Through the chaotic Age of Strife when the western continent fractured into warring noble factions, the fortress changed hands countless times. Later, as the Kingdoms of Edelstein and Loire rose to prominence, it became a focal point of conflict between the two powers, its ownership shifting repeatedly in the turmoil.

Though it had been the stage for countless battles, the fortress never faced complete destruction. Now, having outlived even its primary master Edelstein, it stood watch over the Beiral Plains as steadfastly as ever, its stone gaze unbroken by time.

"So your homeland is in the northern part of the continent's west?"

"Yeah. Family's in the Myurei region, no wait, guess it's Arelia's Myurei territory now. If they're still alive, my old man, ma, and big brother are probably still working their farm."

"...I see."

Friedrich noted the discrepancy, a man whose family lived under Arelian rule, yet who now served as a regular soldier in Edelstein's army. There was clearly more to the story.

"Wasn't anything dramatic. Just a farmer's third son, y'know? Was about to be married off to some tenant family in the village. Hated that idea, so I had a huge fight with my old man. Got disowned and ran away. Figured if I was gonna start over, might as well be somewhere far from that damn place. Warmer climate's better for raising kids too."

Though Friedrich hadn't pressed, Gunther volunteered his past without hesitation.

As Gunther had implied, the northern territories, Novakia and the former Myurei Kingdom were colder regions with poor crop yields. Novakia compensated by exporting fur crafts and mined resources to import food.

Myurei, however, lacked both forests and mines. With a population barely reaching 300,000, the small kingdom stood no chance against Arelia's invasion, ultimately surrendering and being absorbed.

"It seems you’ve been through a lot, but you’re now a citizen of the Kingdom of Edelstein and a soldier of its royal army. Keep this up, and I hope you’ll become a kingdom knight soon."

"Yeah. Do your best, Gunther."

"Y-yes, sir!"

Friedrich chimed in cheerfully, echoing Oliver’s words, but Gunther’s voice was noticeably tense.

"...You don’t need to be that scared of me."

"Hahaha! Well, Friedrich here was quite the force to reckon with back then. Can’t blame him for being shaken after facing that head-on."

Oliver chuckled as Friedrich murmured, his tone tinged with loneliness.

Between these casual exchanges, the training march continued without incident.

・・・・・・

The march proceeded without incident, and the Ferdinand Regiment arrived near Arnsberg Fortress right on schedule.

"...So this is Arnsberg Fortress."

"It's huge."

The closer they rode, the more the fortress's massive scale became apparent. Friedrich and Yurika murmured their impressions as they took it in.

Situated on a modest hill at the eastern edge of the plains, Arnsberg Fortress was naturally defended by dense, treacherous woods to the north and steep slopes to the south, making ascent difficult. A wide, deep dry moat encircled the fortress, while the gates on the western and eastern sides could raise their drawbridges to bar entry.

The walls, towering over ten meters high, were equipped with footholds, watchtowers, arrow slits, and ballistae. With a maximum garrison of around 3,000, the fortress was said to withstand the assault of an army ten thousand strong, provided it had sufficient troops and supplies.

History showed that it had only fallen in a full-frontal clash a handful of times. Most changes of ownership resulted from either dwindling supplies, betrayal among the defenders, or as when the Kingdom of Edelstein seized it nineteen years prior, a well-timed assault during a moment of weakened defenses.

Nineteen years had passed since the fortress came under the rule of the Kingdom of Edelstein. With the establishment of a flexible regiment system and the ability to quickly conscript soldiers from directly governed territories, Arnsberg Fortress was now more impregnable than ever.

At the first sign of an enemy raid, the Hildegard Regiment and conscripts could immediately reinforce the defenses. Should the enemy amass a large army to overwhelm the fortress, the Kingdom of Edelstein would naturally gather its own forces in response, ultimately turning the conflict into a decisive battle on the open plains. As a result, the fortress now primarily served as a garrison, supply depot, and surveillance hub, having avoided direct combat for many years.

The massive fortress's east-facing gates swung open. Several knights emerged and approached the Ferdinand Regiment.

"It seems our welcoming party has arrived... Halt the entire force."

"All troops, halt! Stop where you are!"

Gregor's clear voice relayed Matthias's order to the rear, bringing the thousand-strong marching column to a stop.

The welcoming knights from the Hildegard Regiment halted before Matthias and his vanguard. The lead knight saluted.

"We've been expecting you, Count Hosenfeld. We will guide you in."

"Diethelm. I appreciate the welcome."

Standing beside Matthias, Friedrich realized the young knight before them was Diethelm Brightkreuz, cavalry captain of the Hildegard Regiment.

As the heir of House Brightkreuz whose lands bordered the Northern Plains, and the presumptive next commander of the Hildegard Regiment, Diethelm was counted among the kingdom's most distinguished knights, one of those expected to shape the future of the royal army. True to his reputation, he carried himself with the unmistakable bearing of both knight and noble.

He was no longer young, yet not quite middle-aged, likely around thirty.

"...Then let us proceed."

Just before turning on his heel, Diethelm's gaze shifted to Friedrich standing behind Matthias.

This was no longtime adjutant like Gregor, nor any familiar face among Matthias's usual retinue. An unfamiliar newcomer, conspicuously young for an aide.

Diethelm must have deduced this was Friedrich Hosenfeld, Matthias's adopted son. Or so Friedrich assumed.

"......"

For some reason, Diethelm was glaring at him. Friedrich refused to look away. After a moment, it was Diethelm who averted his eyes first.

Without a word, Friedrich urged his horse forward, following Matthias.

・・・・・・

A defensive stronghold on the scale of Arnsberg Fortress naturally boasted vast interiors. The fortress grounds, lined with sturdy stone buildings, resembled a crude and utilitarian small town.

The central headquarters building housed the command center. Barracks accommodated the garrisoned troops, while a separate mess hall, multiple warehouses, and stables capable of holding dozens of horses stood nearby. Several watchtowers served surveillance and defensive purposes, and even a blacksmith's forge was maintained for equipment repairs.

At the heart of the fortress lay a central courtyard, likely used for training and as temporary lodging for reinforcements. However, "courtyard" was a generous term, it was little more than a cleared square, stripped of weeds and stones.

The Ferdinand Regiment, having been welcomed inside, waited in this courtyard. Meanwhile, Matthias and a select few, including Friedrich, were escorted by Diethelm to the headquarters.

Deep on the second floor of the three-story building, Friedrich followed Matthias through a door, walking alongside Gregor. Inside the unmistakably official-looking office stood a man Friedrich had met before at the royal banquet, Marquis Joseph Obsidian.

"Lord Obsidian. We appreciate your hospitality on this occasion."

"You've arrived at last, Lord Hosenfeld."

Joseph rose to greet them, exchanging casual pleasantries with Matthias.

"I heard you were bringing new recruits, yet you arrived right on schedule. Impressive as ever."

"You honor me. Though they may be recruits, many are former mercenaries. We've spent the past month drilling them thoroughly. They should have no trouble with tomorrow's formation drills."

"Is that so? Well, no matter. Even seasoned soldiers grow weary after a long march. Let your men and yourself relax tonight. They’ve earned the rest."

"Understood. My thanks, Lord Obsidian."

Footnotes:

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