WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 75: Homecoming (2)

Friedrich and the others soon reached the main entrance of the church facing the square, where Bruno turned to the gathered townsfolk.

"Alright, everyone! From here on, it’s time for family reunions! Don’t bother Friedrich and Yurika any further! We’re dismissing ourselves!"

Hearing this from the very person who had gathered the crowd, Friedrich and Yurika exchanged glances and quietly chuckled. The townsfolk, apparently agreeing with Bruno, obediently returned to their homes and workplaces.

"Well then, Friedrich, and you too Yurika. Before you leave, be sure to say goodbye once more, okay?"

"Got it. Thanks for everything, Bruno."

Watching Bruno depart, Friedrich turned toward the church.

Just then, the doors opened, and out stepped the elderly Sister Alma. She had likely come to see what all the commotion at the church entrance was about. When she saw Friedrich and Yurika, she froze for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise.

"My, Friedrich! Yurika!"

"It’s been a while, Sister Alma."

"We came to see you."

Friedrich smiled gently, and Yurika beamed as they each spoke.

"My, you two have grown into fine young adults... I’m so glad you came."

Alma stepped down the stone steps in front of the door and approached them, her voice thick with emotion as she surveyed them from head to toe in their military uniforms. With arms wide open, she sought to embrace them. Friedrich returned the gesture, and Yurika, like an innocent child, threw herself into the embrace.

A gentle smile softened Alma’s face, and the aura she radiated was warm and tender. She was quite different from the woman they had known two years ago.

Perhaps it was because they were no longer her students to guide. Or perhaps the change came with her own aging. Friedrich felt a pang of bittersweet emotion even as he rejoiced in the reunion.

“Alma. What happened out there—oh, isn’t that Friedrich and Yurika!”

The elderly priest then appeared. As the church’s head and the legal guardian of the orphans, he had once sheltered them. Friedrich and Yurika shared joy at seeing him again.

“Come in, both of you. Tell us all about what’s happened since you left Volga.”

Following Alma’s invitation, Friedrich and Yurika stepped through the church doors. They had returned to the home where they had spent their childhood.

・・・・・・

That day, Friedrich and Yurika spent their time talking endlessly with Alma, the elderly priest, the other nuns, and the orphans. Though they had sent letters to keep everyone updated, nothing compared to the lively conversation that came from meeting face to face.

Most of the talking was done by Friedrich and Yurika. To the people living peaceful lives in Volga, their stories of the turbulent days as soldiers in the Royal Army were deeply fascinating.

When the conversation turned to battles, the orphans delighted in hearing grand tales of valor, while the nuns looked on with worried expressions. Alma’s face, in particular, showed a faint sadness.

They stayed for dinner with everyone and spent the night in the guest rooms of the church. Though the humble meal was simple compared to the manor life Friedrich now knew in the royal capital, sharing it with familiar faces made the plain food taste all the better.

The following morning, they played with the orphans and helped tend the church’s garden—a peaceful, rich time that felt as if they’d stepped back into childhood.

Out of respect for the steward, a direct retainer of the Viscount of Dofen, they were invited to lunch at the steward’s residence. Afterwards, they went around greeting familiar faces throughout the town. Former clients and shopkeepers who had known them welcomed the now respectable ‘orphans turned Friedrich and Yurika’ warmly.

Some self-owning farmers even filled bags with vegetables grown on their land to give as gifts, while a pragmatic pastry shop owner insisted on serving them new sweets. When Friedrich complimented the taste, the owner beamed, saying they would sell it as ‘The sweet which even Friedrich, the hero of Volga, says is delicious.’

The people of Volga remained as simple and good-natured as ever. For better or worse. And that to Friedrich, was something both nostalgic and deeply pleasing.

The abundance of vegetables and sweets they received as gifts were too much to carry back to the regiment’s headquarters, so they donated everything to the church.

Having spent a joyful day together, the next morning arrived. To ensure they would return safely to the viscounty, Friedrich and Yurika set out from Volga early.

Once the preparations were complete, the townsfolk gathered again in front of the church, in the square, to see them off.

"Well then, Bruno. Take care and keep doing your best."

"...Hey, Friedrich."

Just as Friedrich was about to finish his farewell with a quick word, Bruno stopped him.

"Listen... I want to say sorry for a lot of things. Back when we were kids—yeah, I was a pain, wasn’t I? Calling Yurika that 'monster woman' and all. Let me apologize for that. I was wrong."

Though his choice of words was awkward, Bruno’s expression carried sincere regret. Friedrich stared wide-eyed, truly realizing how much Bruno had changed.

"Alright. I accept your apology. I forgive how you treated me in the past."

"I’ll forgive everything too, okay?"

Friedrich replied, and Yurika followed his lead.

Bruno had indeed been a difficult person in the past, but fortunately, Friedrich and Yurika had suffered no more harm than unpleasant insults. When they were very young, Friedrich had sometimes cried when his snacks were taken, but after that, even when Bruno started fights, Yurika had always won, so there was no real damage done.

Now, Friedrich and Yurika stood far above Bruno in rank and status. They had the generosity of spirit to forgive the past, which was why they chose to do so.

“I see. Thanks... If I become a formal heir of the main family, I’m supposed to marry my cousin, meaning the sister of my late cousin. When we have children, I’ll make sure they don’t turn out like the troublemaker I was. I won’t let them bully the church orphans.”

“That’s good to hear. I pray for your success, both in your work and at home.”

“Right. I’ll pray for your safety too. And I’ll make sure to visit the church properly.”

They shook hands, and Friedrich finally finished his farewell to Bruno.

Afterwards, they exchanged parting words with other familiar faces and received greetings from the steward.

At last, they faced everyone at the church. They spoke with the nuns and orphans before the elderly priest addressed them.

“You have both walked your own paths well since leaving Volga. I no longer worry about you... Please, may fortune favor you both in all things. Knight Friedrich Hosenfeld. Knight Yurika.”

“We are grateful, Father.”

Receiving the priest’s words as a knight, Friedrich responded with a light salute. Yurika followed his lead.

The elderly priest nodded deeply and stepped back, while Alma stepped forward to stand before them.

“There’s no need for me to say anything more now. What hasn’t changed is that I think of you both and offer prayers every day. If you remember that from time to time, that will be enough.”

Drawing them close, Alma whispered softly.

“...I pray that someday, once more, I will see you both again.”

Friedrich noticed the weight of age in her words. She looked even smaller, especially beside them.

“We will come again, Alma.”

“We will, without fail. Until then, please take good care of yourself.”

The two embraced Alma gently, then slowly let go.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your warm welcome and send-off. Now then.”

Speaking one last time as a knight of the Royal Army, Friedrich mounted his horse. Yurika joined him, also mounted, and together they departed their hometown.

The people of Volga watched them until the two figures disappeared into the distance.

Footnotes:

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