WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 47: Advance Plan

In the late autumn of Imperial Year 1008, Crown Princess Claudia Edelstein issued a summons for Matthias and Friedrich to appear at the royal castle. On the appointed day, the two made their way to the palace grounds.

"Regardless, the main matter concerns me. You need only stand in silence until addressed."

"Understood, Your Excellency."

As they stepped down from the Hosenfeld family carriage before the main keep, Friedrich exchanged these quiet words with Matthias.

Friedrich had been briefed that Matthias's summons as commander of the Ferdinand Regiment likely meant either new movements from the Kingdom of Arelia, or perhaps offensive plans from their own side.

This being his fourth audience with the Crown Princess, Friedrich no longer felt the same tension as their first meeting.

Guided as usual by a royal scribe, they entered the same reception chamber as before. After surrendering their weapons, Claudia rose to greet them in her customary manner.

"Count Matthias Hosenfeld. Thank you for coming."

"Your Highness."

Matthias responded with a bow, while Friedrich silently inclined his head behind him.

"And Friedrich as well. It's good to see you."

"I am deeply honored to be granted the privilege of attending such an occasion, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

When addressed, Friedrich responded with a brief, appropriate greeting.

After all, the royal family's true guest was his adoptive father, he himself was merely an afterthought. He was only permitted to attend as the hero's prospective successor who happened to have earned the Crown Princess's favor. Therefore, he took care not to overstep.

"Please, have a seat for now. I'll have tea prepared."

"Understood."

There was only one chair placed before Claudia. Naturally, Matthias took it while Friedrich remained standing respectfully behind him.

"—Now then, to the main matter."

After some brief small talk, Claudia broached the subject.

During his first audience, Friedrich had been dismissed before reaching this stage. This would be the first time he would directly hear the discussions between the kingdom's de facto leader and its military commander about official matters.

"I believe you've already surmised as much, but the reason I summoned you today is none other than to discuss our next campaign against the Kingdom of Arelia."

Though Claudia's expression remained largely unchanged as she spoke, Friedrich, standing behind Matthias, could distinctly sense the shift in the room's atmosphere.

"To put it plainly, we intend to take the offensive—though not on a grand scale. This would be less about achieving concrete military gains and more a political statement from the Edelstein royal house. We plan a show of force through the Elsass Corridor into Arelian territory, with my brother Konrad as nominal commander and the Bachstein Ducal Army serving as the primary force."

The Elzass Corridor, also called the Northernmost Corrido, was the northernmost passable point along the border between the Kingdom of Edelstein and Arelia's Loire region.

This strategic route bordered the Bachstein Duchy, the largest noble territory in the kingdom. The ducal house maintained a thousand-strong territorial army including part-time soldier-farmers, specifically to guard this corridor and their frontier with the Novakian Kingdom.

"The objectives of this campaign are manifold. First and foremost it is to allow Konrad who’s soon to be wed into House Bachstein to prove himself worthy as the future Duke of Bachstein. As you know, while Konrad is regarded among the nobility as intelligent and mild-mannered, we now require tangible proof that he possesses the courage and strength to defend the border and safeguard the strategically vital Bachstein Duchy. Especially given our current circumstances."

As Friedrich listened from behind Matthias, he reflected on the Bachstein Duchy's geopolitical position.

The duchy had long maintained amicable relations with the Novakian Kingdom across its northern border, while the Elzass Corridor, its frontier with Arelia, had remained peaceful for decades. Even if conflict erupted, the narrow pass could be easily held by the duchy’s thousand-strong army until royal reinforcements arrived.

Thus, for generations, the dukes had been valued more for their administrative competence than martial prowess. The fertile lands of Bachstein, a breadbasket supplying the grain-deficient royal domains, thrived through agricultural prosperity.

But the Arelian Kingdom’s aggressive posturing this spring had changed everything. The Bachsteins’ role as border defenders gained new urgency. The duke safeguarding this frontier, this granary, and this royal kin, he need not be a warrior, but neither could he afford to appear weak.

"Additionally, there is the matter of allowing House Bachstein and its ducal army to demonstrate their capabilities. For some time now, the ducal army has seen little action despite its size, causing its presence to fade. We wish to provide them an opportunity to prove their worth. By having Prince Konrad lead the ducal forces in this operation, we aim to showcase the unity between the royal family and the ducal house to both domestic and foreign observers... And finally—"

Here, Claudia paused briefly before continuing.

"—We intend to demonstrate our resolute stance to the Rigald Empire. Though they are our allies, the Empire has adopted a wait-and-see approach regarding Arelia’s provocations against our kingdom and Novakia. Their focus is inevitably drawn elsewhere, unless circumstances grow dire, they cannot afford to divert their attention solely to the western reaches of the continent."

The Rigald Empire, which controlled nearly the entirety of Ludna’s central region, boasted a population of five million and stood as the continent’s most dominant power. To its west, the kingdoms of Edelstein and Novakia maintained friendly relations with the Empire, while to its east lay the rival Kingdom of Shival.

Shival, the dominant power in the eastern continent, possessed roughly half the Empire’s population. While the Empire held the advantage, the disparity was not insurmountable, complacency risked the erosion of their border territories.

Thus, the Empire’s true priority was to avoid a two-front war by entrusting the Arelian matter to its allies. This was the unspoken calculus of the Imperial family and the nobility that supported them, a strategic reality Friedrich had learned from Matthias.

"Of course, as the Edelstein royal family, we have no desire to rely too easily on the Empire's assistance. Given that the Arelian Kingdom is not as formidable as their population or military numbers might suggest, we would prefer to repel their invasion on our own strength if possible. If we carelessly accept the Empire's help, they'll only grow more presumptuous."

"Quite reasonable."

Matthias's slightly abrupt and emphatic agreement drew a faint, wry smile from Claudia.

Arrogance came naturally to a dominant power. Even as allies, the Empire's strength nearly decupled their own, making any semblance of equal footing impossible. While the Empire avoided overt aggression to sidestep a two-front war, it exerted subtle pressure on the Kingdom of Edelstein in every arena: diplomacy, trade, culture, even religion.

During the early stages of the war against the former Kingdom of Loire, Edelstein had struggled enough to borrow funds from the Empire to muster troops. The debt, burdened with exorbitant interest, had only been fully repaid a mere decade ago.

Matthias, more than the younger Claudia, knew the Empire's spiteful tendencies firsthand.

"Still, it would be just as problematic if the Empire refused aid in a true crisis. That is precisely why we must demonstrate resolve by launching this offensive with royal leadership at the helm. Given our kingdom's resources, the ideal strategy would be to fortify our defenses and crush the enemy if they force a decisive battle. But we cannot expect the Empire's nobles or commoners to always understand our circumstances. A passive stance risks being perceived as weakness. And history has proven time and again that no one rushes to aid a kingdom they deem spineless."

After saying this, Claudia took a sip of tea and let out a small sigh.

"As you can gather from what I've explained, this campaign is deeply political in nature. Yet politics cannot be avoided when defending and maintaining a kingdom. The royal family wishes to settle these political matters now, while the Arelian Kingdom whose initial invasion was thwarted remains quiet... There is no need to occupy enemy territory or crush their army. All we require is for Prince Konrad’s ducal forces to march through the corridor, set foot on Arelian soil, and engage in minor skirmishes, nothing more. The enemy presence across the corridor is minimal. If the ducal army assembles under the guise of training exercises and launches a swift assault through the corridor, our objective should be easily achieved. What are your thoughts?"

When asked, Matthias took a brief moment to consider before responding.

"I concur with Your Highness’s judgment. However, I remain somewhat uneasy about how unnaturally quiet the Arelian Kingdom has been since their defeat in the Northern Plains."

The Arelian Kingdom’s early summer offensive, likely an attempt to seize control of the Northern Plains, had ended in failure with nearly half a regiment decimated. Whether they intend to regroup for another attack on the Northern Plains or muster their full strength against the Beiral Plains and Arnsberg Fortress, it would undoubtedly take time.

Even so, the Arelian Kingdom has been far too quiet. And that, precisely, was what troubled Matthias.

"It may simply be that they are delayed in reorganizing their regiments. They could be struggling to maintain control over conquered territories while assembling forces for a major invasion. Or perhaps they intend to shift their focus from the Kingdom of Edelstein to the Novakian Kingdom... But the problem lies if that is not the case. The current Arelian king is formidable, and Count Fargiere leading their eastern forces is an equally dangerous foe not to be underestimated. At worst, they may have set some trap and are lying in wait for us to make a move. Though the likelihood is low."

"Your concern is warranted. When I consulted His Majesty the King, my father, he said the same. Therefore as a precaution... I would like to have the Ferdinand Regiment standing by as reinforcements."

First, the Bachstein Ducal Army would assemble within their territory under the pretext of military exercises. Then, Prince Konrad, who is set to marry into the ducal house, would join them under the guise of an inspection tour.

After the ducal army and the prince join forces, they would swiftly advance through the Elzass Corridor and, if possible, set foot on Arelian soil. They would either remain there for several days or briefly engage with Arelia's corridor surveillance units before immediately withdrawing.

To prepare for the unlikely event of their forces being routed, the Ferdinand Regiment would stand by as reinforcements. If the Ferdinand Regiment mobilized too early, it might alert the Arelian Kingdom to their plans, so they would depart slightly later and enter Bachstein Duchy territory immediately after the ducal army's advance.

Claudia outlined this operational plan.

"It will likely end with just standby duty, but for the Ferdinand Regiment which has completed its reorganization but still has a high proportion of new recruits, this should serve as valuable training. That is precisely why I entrust it to you."

"Your Highness's judgment is sound. We shall undertake this mission of supporting His Highness the Prince's rear guard with utmost diligence."

Even for a battle-hardened commander, this was an exceedingly simple, almost mundane order, yet Matthias responded with complete sincerity. Claudia smiled in satisfaction at his attitude and nodded.

"I am counting on you, the kingdom's living hero... That said, the timing is less than ideal. The operation will commence after winter passes. For now, focus on maintaining the regiment in perfect readiness to mobilize as soon as winter ends."

"As you command, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

With these words, Matthias bowed courteously.

Footnotes:

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