WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator: Abood
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Friedrich's Battlefield
Chapter 57: Handling the Prisoners
Prince Konrad Edelstein and Duke Ernst Bachstein’s conspiracy is now beyond doubt. Prince Konrad is undoubtedly a traitor who has betrayed both the royal family and the kingdom.
Multiple knights captured during the recapture of Ostburg Fortress testified that their ultimate goal in this rebellion is to seize the throne.
Upon receiving this report via messenger hawk, Claudia showed no immediate reaction. She fell silent, lowering her gaze, and a heavy silence filled the Crown Princess’s office.
“...I need to be alone for a moment. Everyone else, please leave.”
“As you command.”
When Claudia whispered the order, Captain Gustav Eichberger of the Royal Guard responded. Prompted by him, the ministerial aides who had been present for the report quietly exited the room.
After confirming that Gustav had left and closed the door, Claudia leaned back in her chair and sighed deeply, staring up at the ceiling.
“......”
She had prepared herself to receive such news. Yet at the same time, she had hoped for a report denying Konrad’s involvement. She had sincerely wished it.
She wished it to be true, that Konrad was deceived and coerced by Duke Bachstein, now held captive in the duchy. That if rescued, her beloved younger brother would return to her. She wished it so desperately.
But that hope was now impossible. Konrad had become a rebel.
“This is… wrong. Just why, why did you do such a thing, Konrad...”
Covering her face with both hands, Claudia whispered in a voice full of anguish.
Waldtrude Edelstein, the founder of the Kingdom of Edelstein, was born a commoner. Rising from a commoner to become a noble’s wife, then the head of her house, and eventually the mother of the nation, she declared: A country is its people. The people do not exist for the country, but the country exists for the people. The people do not serve beneath the royal family; rather, the royal family stands supported by the people.
Rulers must be guardians.
Konrad aims to usurp the throne. To do so by enlisting the aid of the Kingdom of Arelia means that an Edelstein ruled by Konrad would become a puppet state or at best, a vassal of Arelia.
The ones who will suffer because of this are the people. While the nobility might survive by submitting to Arelia, preserving their status and wealth, the common folk will bear the brunt of the hardship. Their peaceful lives will be stolen, and cruel days lie ahead.
It will not only be the heavy taxes that burden them. Eventually, the soldiers and citizens of Edelstein may be forced to fight and die to satisfy Arelia’s ambitions, just as the soldiers and people of the former Kingdom of Loire are now being made to fight in the invasion of Edelstein.
That is why they must never yield to the Kingdom of Arelia. As long as there remains any chance to protect the country and its people by fighting, they must fight. The Edelstein royal family, descendants of the founding mother Waldtrude, bear the duty to protect the people of this land.
Yet, Konrad betrayed the royal family and the people. There is no longer any room for defense…
As a ruler, I must protect both the nation and its people. I must defeat, capture, and judge our enemies, including the foreign armies that have invaded and the traitors who invited them.
That is the duty of the Crown Princess. It is also the responsibility I bear as a sister who failed to rightly guide her beloved younger brother.
Taking a few deep breaths, Claudia lifted her face. The weakness that had lingered moments ago had completely vanished.
“You’ve kept me waiting. Everyone, come in.”
At Claudia’s summons, the door to the office opened immediately. Gustav led the retinue back inside.
They said nothing upon seeing Claudia’s change. All understood that now was neither the time nor place for words.
The aides lined up before Claudia, and a tense silence filled the room.
“This report also contains great news. It is fortunate that the recapture of Ostburg Fortress has been achieved. Isn’t that right, Gustav?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The enemy had likely planned to use Ostburg Fortress as a bridgehead to advance into the royal territory. With its recapture, they will be forced to significantly revise their plans. Thanks to the Ferdinand Regiment’s efforts, we have gained a considerable reprieve.”
Gustav answered calmly in response to Claudia’s question.
“We cannot afford to waste this reprieve. We will continue preparations for our assembly, setting the recaptured Ostburg Fortress as our rally point. Our army will use Ostburg Fortress as a bridgehead to invade the Bachstein Duchy... Then, we will expel the Arelian forces that have invaded our land and defeat the traitorous Duke Bachstein and Prince Konrad.”
When Claudia called those who betrayed the crown “traitors,” including her own younger brother Konrad, the tension in the room sharpened even further.
“My resolve to lead the army myself remains unchanged. The news of Prince Konrad’s betrayal will inevitably spread throughout this castle and the capital. While I am away, you ministers are the ones I must rely on. Can I entrust the maintenance of order to you?”
“Absolutely, Your Highness. Please face the battle without any worries, and fulfill the justice that the royal family must uphold.”
The solemn voice came from Helmut Dahlmeier, Marquis and Minister of Finance. As the highest-ranking civil official, he was a serious and somewhat strict bureaucrat, somewhat difficult and sensitive, but undeniably competent.
The other aides nodded in agreement with Helmut’s words.
“That’s why I rely on my closest aides. I trust you all.”
Claudia spoke with a satisfied expression, then dismissed them. Only Gustav remained, saying he had matters to discuss regarding upcoming operations.
After the others left and a brief pause, Claudia spoke again.
“Use only those in the royal guard whom you trust most to investigate the court nobles.”
Gustav’s expression remained unchanged as he received the order.
"Not everyone inside the castle is a traitor. If that were the case, by now both my father and I would have been poisoned or assassinated in our sleep. But I find it hard to believe that Konrad on his own secretly maintained contact with Duke Bachstein and carried out the betrayal plans while keeping it hidden all this time. That brother of mine simply doesn’t have that kind of cunning. There are likely one or two accomplices. Those people will either try to relay our movements to Konrad or wait for the right moment to flee."
"Then I shall act immediately."
“Indeed, I’ll be counting on you.”
・・・・・・
The day after the recapture of Ostburg Fortress, in the late morning as the sun climbed higher:
On the road several hours’ march northwest of the fortress, the captured prisoners from the Bachstein Duchy army were lined up.
Their number was roughly two hundred. Including the severely wounded, all had their hands tied with ropes, and even their feet were bound. They were gagged, unable to move or speak.
The soldiers of the Ferdinand Regiment who had escorted the prisoners to this point moved them under the direction of Knight Oliver. Those placed awkwardly or too far from the group were dragged and repositioned so that the prisoners formed as much of a single cluster as possible.
Perhaps irritated by the rough treatment after yesterday’s battle wounds, some prisoners moaned or cried out softly.
No matter how they gathered them, it was impossible to fit so many on the road alone, so many prisoners were placed spilling off onto the plain beside it.
“Knight Franziska, are you truly certain about this?”
Friedrich, who was entrusted with commanding this mission, asked Knight Franziska while waiting for the prisoner placement to be completed. She too was among the prisoners placed here.
“You were once a battalion commander and a relative of the Bachstein Duchy. Moreover, though not life-threatening, you are seriously wounded. Surely, someone like you could be kept protected at Ostburg Fortress until the day the royal judgment is passed, allowing you to live in peace.”
“…No, I appreciate your concern, but that is not something I can accept.”
Franziska, her shoulder wrapped in bandages soaked painfully with blood, answered immediately after Yurika, Friedrich’s guard, removed her gag.
“I am the commander of this battalion. I bear full responsibility for our defeat and for my subordinates being treated like this. Because of my birth, I cannot be the only one to rest warmly inside the fortress.”
Hearing her, Friedrich let out a faint, wry smile.
“As expected, that is what you would say. Even though you are on the enemy side who betrayed the kingdom, you are an admirable knight. I truly mean that.”
“…To be praised so by the living heir of a hero is an honor.”
Franziska spoke with a complex expression.
The higher one rises in rank, the less personal hatred exists between enemies, even in war. Friedrich who was educated by Matthias, especially held this mindset.
Moreover, from what Friedrich had heard the previous night, Knight Franziska had not been informed of this rebellion by her clan’s leaders until just before it happened. By the time she was told, the Arelian forces had already entered their lands, and war had already been declared on the royal family. She had no choice but to resolve to fight.
Because of this, Friedrich felt sympathy and personal respect toward her.
When Friedrich gave a subtle nod, Yurika silently agreed and replaced Franziska’s gag.
At just that moment, Oliver approached them.
“Friedrich. The task is complete. Everyone is lined up.”
“Understood. Good work. Now all that’s left is to release him.”
Friedrich nodded to Oliver and walked through the prisoners who were either sitting or lying scattered around the area.
At the destination stood Knight Roman. Despite being thrown by Gunther during yesterday’s battle, Roman had been fortunate enough to escape without serious injury. Now, with Gunther standing guard beside him, he remained frozen in a fearful expression. Among the prisoners, he was the only one whose hands were bound but whose mouth and feet were free.
“Now then, Knight Roman. I have one more favor to ask. This will be the last.”
Friedrich stood before Roman and spoke gently to avoid frightening him. Still, Roman looked tense and swallowed nervously.
“Gunther.”
“Yes, sir.”
At Friedrich’s prompt, Gunther drew a dagger and grabbed Roman’s arm.
“A—”
Roman turned pale in shock at whatever he imagined, but when the ropes binding his hands were cut, freeing him completely, he looked at Friedrich in confusion.
“Ah, uh, what is this...?”
“You’re going to run to the main force of the duchy troops in the capital city Remcheid and seek help to rescue the prisoners here. We’re entrusting you with this role because we recognize your ability as a messenger.”
Roman’s expression began to show understanding of the situation at Friedrich’s words.
“The Ferdinand Regiment doesn’t have the capacity to care for two hundred prisoners at Ostburg Fortress, so they’ll be left here. It’s a harsh measure, but since this is a critical war that could decide the fate of the nation, our options for consideration toward the rebel forces are limited. Do you understand?”
Friedrich narrowed his eyes as he asked, and Roman nodded repeatedly, sweat beading on his forehead.
It was early spring. Nights were still cold. If left here for days without water, food, or even cloaks, there would surely be deaths, even the uninjured might not survive. The seriously wounded would be doomed.
Other dangers existed as well. Wolves or bears might be drawn from the nearby forest by the scent of blood from the wounded. In that case, the prisoners who are unable to fight back or flee would face a brutal, one-sided death.
Though leaving the prisoners in such a state was cruel, considering their own position, Roman could not protest that it was inhumane.
"How many of your comrades will survive and return to Remcheid depends on your efforts. The faster you deliver the report to Remcheid, the sooner the main force of the duke's troops can rescue the prisoners, and the more lives will be saved. So... run with all your might."
Understanding the importance of his role, Roman nodded with a weary yet resolute expression.
Friedrich handed him a satchel.
"This contains water and food. Use it to maintain your strength and spirit... And one piece of advice. Before you report to the rebel leaders, tell as many soldiers as you can about your comrades being left defenseless out on the plains. The word will spread quickly. Once that happens, Duke Bachstein and the others will no longer be able to abandon the prisoners. The soldiers will not allow it."
Lowering his voice, Friedrich spoke to Roman, who nodded firmly in response as he accepted the satchel.
"Well then, Sir Roman. Run."
At Friedrich’s words, Roman took off like a shot.
He bolted northwest down the highway, running so fast it was almost worrying given how far he still had to go. His figure quickly receded into the distance.
“…Farewell, Roman! Thank you for your tremendous service!”
Suddenly struck by the thought, Friedrich shouted after him. Laughter rippled through as Gunther, Yarg, and the other knights and soldiers all burst out laughing. Yurika giggled, and Oliver let out a mildly exasperated smile.
Thrown from his horse, freely cooperative during interrogation, the perfect projectile in the fortress assault, and now sprinting with all his might as part of this new operation. This young knight Roman, enemy though he was, had certainly made a significant contribution. He was a man worth thanking.
Footnotes:
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