WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 76: A Dignitary from a Friendly Nation (1)

The Kingdom of Arelia appeared to have shifted the main thrust of its invasion entirely toward the Kingdom of Novakia. Along the border shared with the Kingdom of Edelstein, they left behind only a defensive garrison, while the unit led by Countess Cecilia Fargiere relocated its base of operations to the capital of the northern Myurei region.

In the end, nothing of note occurred during the Ferdinand Regiment’s stationing along the western border. By the latter half of summer, they were recalled to the royal capital.

Not long after their return, Friedrich found himself attending a royal banquet alongside Matthias.

There are two kinds of banquets: those one would gladly attend, and those one must attend, however reluctantly, due to one’s station. For Friedrich, the gathering held with his comrades in the regiment that past spring had been the former. The banquet tonight, held in the royal castle, was firmly the latter.

He was still no fan of formal dinners crowded with lords and nobles, no matter how well he might be able to get through them.

“You’ve gotten better at managing your expressions. You’ve grown quite noble-like.”

“It’s been over a year since I became Your Excellency’s heir, and I’ve had some experience with social gatherings in that time.”

As they walked toward the great hall where the banquet was to be held, Friedrich answered Matthias with a composed smile.

Since attending the engagement banquet for Prince Konrad last year, a union that had vanished entirely along with the prince’s life and his intended, Friedrich had gone through several rounds of social appearances. Whenever Matthias was invited to small banquets hosted by other nobles, Friedrich had accompanied him as his son.

It was only enough to barely exceed the number of fingers on one hand, but that alone had been sufficient for the sharp-witted Friedrich to grow accustomed to the atmosphere of courtly society. He had learned to maintain a pleasant expression and carry out greetings and small talk without issue.

“But this time, you’re bound to draw even more attention than before. After all, you were one of the central figures in our recent victory. Don’t let your guard down.”

“…Yes, Your Lordship.”

Friedrich’s expression remained composed, but a trace of reluctance crept into his voice.

・・・・・・

Nominally, this banquet was held to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of King Sigismund Edelstein’s reign.

However, the king himself, the very reason for the celebration, was absent. This event had also been arranged to dispel the gloomy atmosphere left by the prince’s rebellion and his execution at the king’s own hand.

Though his illness had somewhat stabilized, it was known to a select few aides that the strain of reappearing in public had taken a toll, causing his health to decline again. Matthias was among those close confidants, and Friedrich had learned this from his adoptive father.

That said, the other nobles and foreign dignitaries who had not been informed were no fools; most had guessed the situation to some degree.

At the center of the banquet was, as usual, Crown Princess Claudia. The guests were the major nobles of the kingdom and important figures from neighboring countries. By conversing with them, Claudia sought to gauge their attitudes and the distance they felt toward the Edelstein royal family, several months after the rebellion had ended—this was the true purpose behind the banquet.

For the invitees, however, it was simply an occasion to drink, converse, exchange information, and build connections. With the absence of the king, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed, and nobles chatted here and there across the great hall.

Friedrich was among them. After he and Matthias had first finished their greetings to Claudia, Friedrich stood quietly in a corner, trying not to draw attention. Yet it wasn’t long before those quick to spot the living hero of the Edelstein family and his heir began to bombard him with greetings.

“—Lord Friedrich, I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Thank you very much for your kind words.”

Having smoothly handled a greeting from a lordly noble just now, Friedrich exhaled quietly without changing his expression.

“Have you managed to deal with all those approaching you? Well done, Friedrich.”

“...I am grateful, Your Lordship.”

After exchanging greetings in quick succession with more than ten nobles, the onslaught finally began to subside.

Among those who approached were some he had spoken with at previous social gatherings, but even they gave him a thorough greeting anew. Since Friedrich, once regarded as little more than Matthias’s accessory, had now increased in importance, their aim seemed to be to try once again to get closer to him.

“That must have been quite a hassle for you, but still, not as many came as I expected.”

“Perhaps my origins have something to do with it.”

“Most likely. The adopted son of a court count without lands, and a former orphan at that, not exactly someone the well-off nobles are in a hurry to cozy up to.”

Those who approached this time were ordinary nobles of no particular distinction. On the other hand, the well-known influential nobles made no overt moves to come near. Some prominent figures did speak to him, but their purpose was purely to offer formal greetings.

Though his adoptive father was a hero, that fame attached solely to Matthias as an individual. Despite Friedrich’s conspicuous military achievements and high evaluation, his future remained uncertain.

By bloodline, he was a commoner risen, an orphan with no knowledge of his biological parents. Eventually, he would inherit a court noble family without lands. While it was important to become acquainted with him, few were willing to forge deep relationships with a view toward the future.

For example, the ones who sought introductions to his eligible daughters or sisters, hoping to secure invitations to tea parties or dinners, were the small-time nobles who would relentlessly seek connections regardless of the lack of lands or his origins—as long as he was the future count.

It was easy for Friedrich to brush off such blatant advances. Moreover, with the living hero of Edelstein by his side, the nobles couldn’t afford to be too pushy.

As a result, nothing interfered with Friedrich and Yurika’s future. When it became clear there was no chance to make a connection, some even prematurely suggested things like ‘perhaps your future children and my grandchildren might be well matched.’ which admittedly irritated him a little.

“That said, if you continue to build achievements and raise your fame, you can expect some to come calling about second or third wives. If you want to avoid that, then you must break through. Don’t just raise your reputation halfway. After all, I can’t protect you forever.”

“I’ll take that to heart.”

For now, the nobles approaching them were limited and Matthias kept them at bay. If Friedrich truly wanted to keep his love solely with Yurika, he would have to imitate Matthias, who refused remarriage backed by the hero’s title and royal support. But to imitate him, Friedrich would have to earn a position strong enough on his own.

Compared to surviving on the battlefield as his adoptive father’s heir, it wasn’t so difficult. But at the very least, he reminded himself not to forget that awareness.

“However, it sure is difficult when there are so few people I’m familiar with,” 

Matthias muttered quietly as he scanned the great hall. Friedrich silently nodded in agreement.

Because of the current situation at the borders, neither Marquis Joseph Obsidian of the Hildegard Regiment, Diethelm Breitkreuz, nor Marquis Rebecca Eisenhut of the Albrecht Regiment were present.

The senior military officials attending were those stationed in the capital—namely Matthias, the heads of transport and training units, and Viscount Gustav Eichberger, captain of the royal guards. Gustav’s presence was strictly in his role as protector of Princess Claudia.

With most of the military officers tending to remain passive in social settings absent, the great hall was mostly filled with territorial nobles and court bureaucrats who treated these events as their main arena. It was only natural that the Hosenfeld counts felt out of place.

“Count Hosenfeld, as usual, and now even his adopted son chooses to be a wallflower. Or perhaps I should call him a wall sword instead?”

At that moment, a new voice called out. Not a calm greeting, but a cold tone laced with sarcasm.

Footnotes: 

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