WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator: Abood
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Friedrich's Battlefield
Chapter 66: Handling the Aftermath (1)
Having completed the immediate aftermath protocol, Claudia entrusted the finer details to the Ferdinand and Albrecht Regiments, then returned to the royal castle accompanied by the Royal Guard.
First, she went to report to her father, King Sigismund.
“…Your Majesty the King. Crown Princess Claudia has returned.”
“Well done, my daughter. Raise your head and rest easy.”
Claudia felt a sense of relief seeing that her father, seated in his favorite armchair and supported by the queen, appeared no different from when she had last seen him before the campaign.
“First and foremost, you did well. By swiftly assembling our forces and driving the Arelian troops into retreat, by suppressing the rebellion led by Prince Konrad and Duke Bachstein and capturing them, and by maintaining defense of the Elzass Corridor, peace has been preserved in the kingdom.”
Claudia shook her head with a grave expression at King Sigismund’s words.
“My efforts are not worthy of such praise... Rather, I bear responsibility for this crisis. It was because I trusted Konrad and placed faith in the Duke of Bachstein that this situation arose.”
Claudia’s fists clenched tightly, trembling. A trace of regret and frustration seeped into her expression.
It was Claudia who had devised the plan to advance through the corridor, appointing Konrad as commander and using the Bachstein Duchy forces as the main contingent. She felt the weight of responsibility for having inadvertently facilitated their rebellion.
“...Sit down, Claudia.”
When Sigismund addressed her by name, it meant he was speaking as a father, not as king. She obeyed and took her seat.
“This was unavoidable. One cannot distrust one’s own blood completely or watch them every moment. Even so, there are limits to preventing betrayal from within beforehand. Such things come with being royal. We must accept it.”
At his words, Claudia opened her eyes slightly and looked at her father.
“Rather, if betrayal by kin is to be endured, this was the best possible timing. Had it happened at a later, more critical phase of the war with the Kingdom of Arelia, the damage and chaos would have been far worse. The Duke of Bachstein who led the rebellion acted in haste.”
Claudia hesitated, unsure how to respond to Sigismund’s faint smile. It was not the smile of a father offering empty comfort.
“However, if anyone must bear responsibility, it should be me... I am still king, and the Kingdom of Edelstein remains under my reign. Therefore, from this point forward, I shall act. It is my duty as king to personally take the stage and purge these traitors bound by blood.”
“But Father, you mustn’t overexert yourself—your health…”
“I am but a dying man; there is little use in protecting me now. Perhaps God has eased my ailment once more so that I might fulfill this role... To deal with traitors, to judge my own kin, and to stain my hands with their blood, this bloody duty is mine alone to bear as I near death.”
Though Sigismund’s voice was calm, his eyes burned with determination.
The resolve of a sovereign who has governed a nation with his own wisdom for years, this fire still lived within him even as his body was ravaged by illness.
“Helmut, as I said, starting tomorrow I will move. I will meet with Konrad and the Duke of Bachstein, pass judgment on the duke and his forces, and conduct public executions. All of this shall be completed within two weeks. While I take the minimum direct action necessary, as the highest civil official, you must coordinate with the relevant parties and make the necessary arrangements.”
Sigismund turned and addressed Helmut Dahlmeier, Marquis and Minister of Finance, who was present.
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Helmut, one of the king’s closest advisors, bowed solemnly. Nodding, Sigismund turned back to Claudia.
“My daughter, this is a decision already made. By the name of Sigismund Edelstein, twelfth king of Edelstein, I hereby issue this royal decree. Regarding this matter, the authority over state affairs that I entrusted to you will now return to my hands.”
“…As you command.”
It was a royal command, Claudia had no grounds to object. She lowered her head in submission and, ordered to withdraw along with Helmut, left the room.
Sigismund then dismissed his guards and servants, leaving only Queen Alexia with him.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard, aren’t you?”
“This is the time I must push myself. The last of my life.”
With a worried look, his consort spoke, but Sigismund replied with a bitter smile.
“If it costs me some hardship, then so be it... I cannot let Claudia bear the curse of judging and killing her own brother.”
・・・・・・
King Sigismund first met with Duke Ernst Bachstein, the ringleader of the rebellion.
Ernst, imprisoned in the royal castle’s dungeon, was heavily restrained and surrounded by the royal guards assigned to watch him as he was escorted upstairs. He was brought into a chamber and seated.
Soon after, Sigismund entered the room and took a seat facing Ernst.
“It’s been a while since we last met, Ernst.”
“...Yes. I never expected His Majesty the King to meet me personally.”
Sigismund’s words were met with a surprised expression from Ernst.
“I still hold the throne. When it comes to cleaning up after a rebellion that threatens the fate of the nation, I cannot simply remain absent… Besides, I wished to speak with you personally while you’re still alive.”
Saying this, Sigismund fixed his gaze on Ernst. Though his body had withered from illness, the intensity of his gaze remained as sharp as when he was at the forefront of the kingdom’s affairs.
“Your motives have been reported to me by the officials who interrogated you. I never imagined that even in these times, a noble would hide behind Lutetian supremacy to twist into anti-imperial thoughts and raise arms against the royal family.”
“Given that I have skillfully concealed my beliefs until this age, I suppose that counts as my victory.”
Ernst smiled defiantly, and a royal guard beside him stepped forward with a stern expression, but Sigismund stopped him with a wave of his hand. He himself did not reprimand Ernst’s insolent words.
“Ah, painful though it is, you speak the truth... You are my childhood friend. As heirs to the royal and ducal houses, and later as heads of our families, I believed we had built a strong friendship.”
Sigismund sighed, and Ernst’s expression shifted to one tinged with sadness.
“I thought so too. At least as individuals, I considered you a friend. No, I still do… But, Sigismund, the justice you uphold and the justice I believe in are different. Fundamentally different. So much so that they can never coexist.”
Sigismund nodded at Ernst’s words.
“If that is so, then it cannot be helped. Every noble has their own justice. They follow it and sometimes fight for it. If you have chosen to fight, then there was no way to avoid battle. I must accept that.”
A silence fell between them. Not a heavy or suffocating one, but a calm silence as they both accepted the outcome of decades of friendship.
“The matter is settled. The next time we meet will be at your execution.”
Supporting himself on his cane, Sigismund stood and began to leave the room.
“Your Majesty.”
Ernst called after him, making Sigismund turn back.
“I regret the turmoil brought to the kingdom. But I have no regrets for my decisions and actions.”
“…Well, after all you have done, I would expect no regrets from you.”
Sigismund gave a wry smile and left the room for good.
・・・・・・
The scene was reset, and the chair where Ernst had just sat was now occupied by Prince Konrad Edelstein.
After a brief recess, King Sigismund re-entered the room and faced his child, one of the rebellion’s masterminds, for the first time since the uprising began.
“When did it start, Konrad?”
Sigismund asked bluntly. Konrad, who had been looking down, lifted his gaze to meet his father’s eyes, still gentle and kind as ever.
“…I cannot even recall myself. Perhaps it was a desire I harbored even before coming of age. No, maybe from even younger.”
At those words, Konrad’s expression twisted faintly.
“But please believe me, my dissatisfaction or doubts were never directed at your reign, Father. You are undeniably a wise and just king, and my sister is a great crown princess worthy to succeed you. I, who have watched both of you most closely, believe this more than anyone else... Yet still, I wanted to be king myself. Once I became aware of that desire, I could no longer control it. It was not that I harbored ambition, I was controlled by it.”
Sigismund did not reply immediately. A heavy silence settled between them, different from the one he had shared with Ernst moments ago.
“...I, too, believed I was a good king. But I was not a good father. I failed to notice your feelings, your inner conflict.”
Konrad remained silent at his father’s words, a single tear slipping from his eye.
“You are wise. You did not make your decision without understanding the responsibility that comes with your actions.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tears had streaked down Konrad’s cheek, but he answered with a resolute expression.
“To satisfy my own desires, I sought the aid of an enemy’s army. Because of my ambition, many knights and soldiers died. I understand that the only way to atone for this sin is through my own death.”
“...That is fitting, my son.”
Seeing in Konrad’s voice and eyes a firm resolve toward death, Sigismund spoke quietly.
Footnotes:
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