WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 64: After the Conclusion (1)

The curtain fell suddenly, too abruptly and too anticlimactically.

While reinforcements from the Hildegard Regiment and conscripted soldiers gathered from the royal territories had joined, swelling the royal army’s total strength beyond four thousand and preparations for organization and advance were underway, a small royal guard unit originally assigned to Prince Konrad was freed from the Bachstein Duchy capital, Remcheid, and returned to Ostburg Fortress.

What they carried from Konrad and Duke Ernst was a letter conveying the Arelian army’s withdrawal and their intent to surrender.

The following day, Konrad, Ernst, and the remaining disarmed forces of the duchy arrived at Ostburg Fortress.

With the royal army prepared behind her, ready for combat just in case, Claudia faced them. She fixed her expressionless gaze on her own younger brother, now an enemy of the royal family.

“The traitor Duke Ernst Bachstein, and… Prince Konrad Edelstein. I hear you intend to surrender. Is that correct?”

“Yes. With the Kingdom of Arelia withdrawing from this plan, we have concluded that victory is impossible. Therefore, we will cease all resistance and surrender to the royal family.”

Surrounded by her royal guard knights, Claudia’s question was answered by Ernst.

“Do you have any excuses to make here?”

“...None.”

This time, it was Konrad who answered the question. His expression was sorrowful, yet Claudia’s face remained utterly impassive.

“I see. Then... seize these traitors!”

Claudia declared loudly. She ordered that her own younger brother, Konrad, be taken into custody along with the others. Following the Crown Princess’s command, the royal guard led by Viscount Gustav immediately sprang into action.

Because Konrad and Duke Ernst were nobles, they were treated with utmost care to avoid injury. The other knights and soldiers were somewhat rougher in their handling. All who had surrendered were swiftly restrained.

・・・・・・

Afterward, the postwar procedures began calmly and systematically.

First, the ducal capital Remcheid was secured and placed under royal control. The surrendered prisoners were escorted to the royal capital to await their fate.

Among the forces led by the royal family, a portion was deployed to block the corridor, keeping watch to prevent any unexpected moves should the Arelian troops retreat and attempt anything reckless.

Manpower was also allocated to maintain order within the duchy, and to assess the damage to the land and its people.

The army of the Kingdom of Arelia, led by Count Cecilia Fargiere, took advantage of their retreat to seize the supplies amassed in Remcheid along with the wagons and horses. They also plundered valuables from the Bachstein family estate and burned as much wheat as they could from the surrounding farmlands. In just a few days before withdrawal, their efficiency was impressive.

The loss of supplies and funds originally meant for future border defense, and the destruction of part of this year’s wheat harvest within both royal and ducal territories was a significant blow. The royal family had to make up for these losses and swiftly restore the Bachstein Duchy, which had lost both its ruling house and its military force, so that it could continue to function as a vital granary region.

Even at this early stage after the rebellion’s end, it was clear this would be a monumental task.

Amid many busy at work, Friedrich also moved about, acting as a messenger for Count Matthias.

“Therefore, until the Albrecht Regiment establishes a permanent garrison, the Ferdinand Regiment will continue to deploy troops to defend the Elzass Corridor. Count Hosenfeld has expressed his hope that within two weeks, a battalion-sized force can be rotated in to maintain the defense.”

On this day, Friedrich, tasked by Matthias with delivering the message, visited the Albrecht Regiment’s command office in Remcheid to report to Marquis Rebecca Eisenhut.

Originally, the Bachstein Duchy had stationed a battalion in the Elzass Corridor to oversee surveillance and security. But with the duchy’s forces no longer reliable, the kingdom’s army must take the lead in allocating defense troops.

At present, the Ferdinand Regiment’s rapid response unit has assigned a battalion of infantry combined with a company of archers, along with nobles’ troops and mercenaries, forming a roughly 500-strong defensive force. However, the Ferdinand Regiment’s main mission is to be ready to deploy swiftly to the two plains in case of emergency. They cannot rely on the nobles’ troops indefinitely, and mercenaries serve only as auxiliary forces.

Therefore, it was decided that for the time being, the Albrecht Regiment which functions both as domestic defense and a reserve force would dispatch one battalion to the corridor to maintain a permanent presence. The practical handover of defense duties will be conducted between the regiments.

“I understand. We have already begun adjusting personnel within the unit and sent messengers to our rear bases. If all goes well, the permanent garrison will be ready within a week. Please tell Count Hosenfeld we won’t keep him waiting long.”

“Understood. I will be sure to convey that.”

Friedrich answered with a straight posture.

“Thank you for your efforts as a messenger. By the way, I heard you performed remarkably well, Friedrich Hosenfeld.”

“...Yes, though I am still young, I did my best.”

Rebecca, known for her usual indifference to others, was caught off guard by the casual tone of conversation and took a moment before responding.

“To say that storming the enemy’s fortress with only twenty men was ‘doing your best’ feels like an understatement. When you put it that way, our Albrecht Regiment, which has few concrete achievements until now, has no room to boast.”

“M-my apolog—”

“No, I didn’t mean it as a slight. Sorry if it sounded odd.”

Rebecca’s words seemed sincere, her expression remained calm.

It was the same gentle smile she had directed at Matthias at last year’s social gathering. Presumably, it was a look she reserved only for those she cared about. And now, it was aimed at Friedrich.

“...The achievements were not accomplished by my strength alone. The knight Yurika who stands behind me, along with many other knights and soldiers, fought valiantly. It was because of their heroic efforts and the sacrifices of comrades who fell in battle that we were able to reclaim Ostburg Fortress. I merely fulfilled my role, just like everyone else.”

When Friedrich responded, Rebecca showed a slightly surprised expression.

“Count Matthias once said something similar. Even if adopted, children tend to resemble their parents… The knight behind you served as your guard at last year’s banquet, didn’t she? I heard you have a childhood friend under the protection of the Hosenfeld family, is that her?”

“Yes. She grew up with me as an orphan in the church within the Viscounty of Dofen… She’s a comrade I trust absolutely, and someone very important to me.”

Friedrich responded with a nod to Rebecca’s question. In this formal setting, he spoke vaguely about his relationship with Yurika, yet clearly affirmed her special place by his side.

Upon hearing this, Rebecca’s expression softened, as if she had sensed the nature of their bond.

“I see. Having someone you can trust completely is precious for nobles. Take good care of her… Sorry to hold you back with unrelated matters. You may go.”

“Yes, we will take our leave.”

Friedrich saluted, and Yurika followed suit. The two then exited the room.

・・・・・・

After a brief pause, Rebecca turned to her adjutant standing beside her who’s a longtime retainer of the Eisenhut Marquisate, serving since her father’s generation, and spoke.

“...That face, and the name Yurika. There’s no doubt.”

“Yes. I never imagined she had survived. Moreover, to see her have grown so humanly, like that…”

The adjutant nodded in response to Rebecca’s words.

Footnotes:

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