WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 49: The March Begins

The year turned to Unified Calendar 1009. The mild winter drew to a close, and the day of Prince Konrad Edelstein's departure finally arrived.

"You’re so gentle and kind-hearted, I never imagined the day would come when you'd face your first campaign."

"You exaggerate, Sister. This is no great war I'm marching to. A duty of this scale? Even a novice like me couldn't possibly fail."

In a corner of the royal castle, Claudia spoke with Konrad before the royal carriage, already prepared for departure. He stood clad in traveling attire.

"Yet worrying is what elder sisters do."

"Your concern is unnecessary. I'm a grown man now, after all."

"Age means nothing. You'll always be my precious little brother, no matter the years. So I'll worry as I please."

Claudia roughly tousled his hair, drawing a wry smile from Konrad.

"My, how you've changed... Once you trailed after me, so small you barely reached my back..."

In their childhood, the siblings often played together. Though still young herself, Claudia would act the elder sister, indulging Konrad in games of pretend, playing knights or kings. As he grew older, she read him stories, and later still helped with his studies.

Born as the king's second child, Konrad stood in stark contrast to his bold and courageous sister. A quiet, somewhat timid, yet kindhearted boy. His gentle nature extended even to servants and retainers, endearing him to all.

Claudia's growth into a crown princess capable of protecting both royal family and nation owed much to Konrad's existence. The desire to shield her gentle younger brother drove her to hone both blade and mind, that resolve eventually expanding into a vow to safeguard the entire kingdom.

"Yes, thanks to my sister's protection, this once-small child has grown tall indeed. So now I go to fulfill duties worthy of an adult royal. Before my marriage, I must prove myself capable to set your mind at ease."

"...Right. Of course."

As Konrad said, he was no longer merely that quiet, gentle child. No longer someone Claudia could simply dote upon as a sister. He stood now as a royal adult betrothed, with responsibilities to bear.

Kindness alone could never fulfill the roles awaiting him. Precisely why he now marched to war, to prove himself more than merely gentle.

Not that the mission posed extraordinary danger. Yet any battlefield bore the risk of death.

As crown princess managing affairs of state, sending her own brother to war, though necessary, brought no joy.

"Please don't make that face, Sister."

Konrad's slightly troubled voice alerted Claudia to her own expression, one of profound loneliness.

Indeed, in childhood, Claudia had been the needier one, always keeping her dear brother close. Kind Konrad had humored her, joining games and studies without complaint.

But as crown princess, her responsibilities swelled. These past years managing state affairs in their father's stead left little room for such memories.

"My apologies. I'll be fine. Your clever brother will surely succeed. Still, should troubles arise, rely on the Ferdinand Regiment I've stationed in reserve."

"I understand... Though truthfully, even this backup seems excessive. Forcing the living legend Lord Hosenfeld and his men to idly stand by, what mind-numbing duty we've given them."

"Insurance for both our borders and my beloved brother. Never excessive. Lord Hosenfeld understands this well."

"Then I'll at least ensure their vigilance proves unnecessary by fulfilling my role flawlessly."

With his usual gentle expression, Konrad then straightened his features.

He's grown capable of such dignified bearing, Claudia thought.

"I shall take my leave now, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

"...Indeed. Fulfill your duties well, my brother."

Konrad nodded and boarded the carriage.

Officially, this was an inspection tour of the Bachstein Duchy. Accompanied by several supply wagons and a guard detail of one royal guard platoon, Konrad's carriage departed.

Claudia released a small sigh while watching it go.

"Letting go of one's brother proves harder than expected."

・・・・・・

Early spring. The Kingdom of Edelstein's Ferdinand Regiment departed the capital to serve as rear support for Prince Konrad Edelstein's advance force.

The prince's delegation had already left for the duchy under the pretense of an inspection. A simultaneous departure might have alerted the Kingdom of Arelia to military intentions, hence the regiment's week-long delay.

"So it went well? She's born safely?"

"Now I've got to work twice as hard for my little girl."

"Right. Gotta earn your knighthood quick and become a father she can be proud of."

During the march, Friedrich, Oliver, and Gunther exchanged these words. The topic was Gunther's first child, a daughter born safely this winter.

Even Gunther's rough features softened when speaking of his beloved child.

"A winter spent with one's newborn, the very pinnacle of happiness."

"And how did you spend your winter, Lord Friedrich?"

"...Training and studying as the heir. Otherwise, reading in the estate's study."

A faint, wry smile crossed Friedrich's face at Günter's question.

The Hosenfeld estate boasted an impressive study, its collection dwarfed even the church library in Volga where Friedrich had grown up.

Better yet, as a military noble family's study, its shelves focused on histories and campaign records rather than the religious texts that had dominated his childhood reading. A far better match for Friedrich's tastes.

As heir, he enjoyed free access to both study and library, all would be his eventually. For Friedrich, this ranked among adoption's greatest personal perks.

"I read too, but doesn't holing up with books get dull?"

"Not for me. It's been my only real hobby since childhood. Honestly, I spent most free time that way."

"Hah! Figures." Oliver laughed.

"...Thought all you nobles blew coin on flashy amusements," Gunther muttered beside him.

"Some do, but luxuries never interested me. Besides, as a newly adopted heir, squandering the family fortune would be unthinkable."

"Hold on, books are expensive luxuries too, you know? A private family library isn't something every noble possesses. Spending all winter holed up in one sounds plenty extravagant to me."

"...Well, I suppose you're right when you put it that way. The collection was apparently gathered over generations since the founding lord's era."

"Friedrich, you'll probably plow through that entire library in under five years at this rate."

"A century's worth of books read in less than five years? What'll you do after that?"

"...Perhaps start on a second reading. Deeper understanding comes with repetition."

Yurika eventually joined their casual banter as the regiment marched steadily onward, a thousand-strong column advancing ceaselessly down the highway.

Their first destination was Ostburg Fortress, located near the royal territory's border with the Bachstein Duchy, a two-and-a-half-day march from the capital. Situated along the highway connecting the royal capital to the ducal seat, this fortress served as a vital supply hub for northwestern border defense.

After resupplying, they would march further northwest. Their mission: reach the Edelstein side of the Elzass Corridor as Prince Konrad's Bachstein ducal forces advanced from the opposite end, standing ready for emergencies like a potential retreat.

The plan was simple. Advance through the Elzass Corridor, the northernmost passage with sparse Arelian defenses shortly after winter's end. The enemy would never expect a mere few hundred troops, allowing complete surprise. Then withdraw before overextending.

The chance of failure seemed minimal. Likely, the Ferdinand Regiment would merely stand by in reserve. Every soldier assumed this.

Until—

"My Lord! A hawk approaches! Likely from Ostburg Fortress!"

A falconer attached to regimental headquarters pointed skyward. Those who heard looked up to see a hawk descending toward the signal flag, one of the emergency messenger birds stationed only with key fortresses and regiments. Trained to fly predetermined routes and land at the first matching banner.

"...All forces, halt."

"Halt! All forces halt!"

Gregor bellowed Matthias' order through the ranks. Unit leaders echoed it, bringing the entire column to an abrupt stop.

Though barely afternoon on their first march, the unscheduled interruption sent murmurs rippling through the troops.

"Uh, What does this mean?"

"Messenger hawks deliver urgent reports fastest, but they're extremely valuable, not to be used lightly, and can carry limited information. That Ostburg sent a hawk instead of a courier means something unexpected and serious has occurred."

Friedrich furrowed his brow as he moved closer to Matthias with Yurika and Oliver.

"...But this makes no sense. Prince Konrad's forces shouldn't have even departed for the corridor yet. What emergency could have reached Ostburg already?"

All eyes turned to the falconer as he removed the message from the hawk's leg. Gregor took it, then passed it to Matthias.

"...Report from an Ostburg garrison knight on routine patrol: Approximately three hundred Bachstein ducal troops spotted advancing toward the fortress. Attempted to request explanation at a distance but came under arrow fire. Withdrew immediately. Ducal forces expected to reach the fortress by nightfall."

Beside Matthias as he read the message aloud, Friedrich stood stunned. He turned to see Yurika equally shocked, one eyebrow raised.

Even Matthias narrowed his eyes sharply at the contents, while Gregor beside him wore a grim expression.

Those who heard relayed the news through the ranks, spreading disbelief and murmurs like wildfire.

"Ducal forces attacking royal knights? This can't be mistaken fire..."

"Right,no chance they'd misidentify royal knights within our own territory. Sending an entire battalion toward Ostburg too..."

"You mean the duchy has turned against the crown? But how could they hope to… Wait! Unless—"

Friedrich nodded grimly to Oliver's widening eyes. 

"...They must intend to invite Arelian forces through the corridor."

"Friedrich. Give me your assessment."

Friedrich gathered his thoughts before speaking at Matthias' command.

"...With the Bachstein Duchy's assistance, Arelian forces could invade Edelstein territory and march on the capital before we're prepared. That's why the duchy saw this as winnable—why they conspired with Arelia to betray the crown. What the duke gains from victory remains unclear... But the timing, acting only after Prince Konrad entered their lands forces us to consider his possible complicity. Perhaps he intends to rule as Arelia's puppet king after their victory?"

Friedrich paled at his own horrifying conclusion.

"That possibility cannot be dismissed. Though still conjecture, we must prepare for the worst... Fetch two messages. One for the hawk to return to Ostburg Fortress. Another to send to the royal capital with our own bird."

Without agitation or hesitation and only calm precision, Matthias issued orders to the falconers.

Footnotes: 

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