WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 77: A Dignitary from a Friendly Nation (2)

Matthias and Friedrich turned around to find two court nobles standing there. One was Helmut Dahlmeier, the Marquis holding the position of Finance Minister, a man at the pinnacle of the civilian officials in the court society. The other was Count Alphonse Barten, the Foreign Minister. The voice that had just spoken belonged to the former.

“Now, now, Lord Dahlmeier, please don’t say that. For those of the military class, today’s gathering isn’t exactly enjoyable.”

“That may be true. However, just because it’s not enjoyable doesn’t mean you can sit silently in the corner of the banquet.”

Alphonse said this trying to calm the situation, but Helmut’s cold tone, choice of words, and sharp gaze did not change.

The military nobles, uncomfortable in social situations, remained quietly in the banquet hall’s corner, which Crown Princess Claudia did not mind. However, Helmut seemed to care. Known as a seasoned politician who had maneuvered in court society for years, he was strict about aristocratic manners and order.

For Friedrich, it was the first time he had encountered such an openly hostile attitude from another noble at a social event. Beside the stiffened Friedrich, Matthias kept his composure.

“Well well, this is quite harsh.”

“Harsh, you say? Is that so? But I would have you understand that I too find your recent conduct to be harsh... Military funds do not flow endlessly from the treasury. Neither do the supplies for military operations. Food, horses and their fodder, weapons, and soldiers, none of these can be consumed without limit.”

Matthias, standing beside Helmut, spoke firmly, and Friedrich, standing next to Matthias, understood the reason behind Helmut’s stubborn attitude.

Soldiers do not concern themselves with how battles are fought. More accurately, they have no luxury to do so. They do not actively consider ‘saving’ on training frequency, camping days, or troop losses in terms of military expenses.

To the civilian officials and especially Helmut, who holds the critical financial authority, this would at the very least be displeasing.

Although military campaigns by royal order are unavoidable, the commanders on site wield their granted authority freely, consuming funds and supplies as they please. They increase training citing the wartime situation, thus further inflating already heavy military expenditures. While Helmut might not outright accuse them, it is not strange that he harbors such suspicions.

“The recent stationing on the borderlands is no exception. I understand the necessity of the deployment, but was it really necessary to conduct training so frequently during the garrison? Every time a training of several hundred soldiers occurs, a large amount of supplies is consumed, further draining military funds. A great general such as yourself surely understands this well.”

“Lord Dahlmeier, your words from the court’s core are deeply humbling. As the commander entrusted with the royal regiment, I shall once again reflect on my conduct and give it careful consideration.”

“Lord Dahlmeier, since Lord Hosenfeld agrees with me...”

When Matthias showed a sincere attitude for the time being, Alphonse followed suit. As the minister of foreign affairs, he was known for his approachable demeanor, which suited his role well.

“…I am not saying that the Ferdinand Regiment should be defeated or weakened. However, never forget that behind the scenes where you soldiers fight freely, there are civilian officials who worry deeply and work hard to maintain that environment. Especially going forward, funds and supplies must be invested in rebuilding the former Bachstein Duchy.”

“Of course. I will always keep that in mind.”

Matthias nodded solemnly on purpose. He, too, fully understood the situation Helmut had described.

The former Duchy of Bachstein had been stocked with enough supplies to sustain several thousand troops for a few weeks in case of emergency. Almost all of these had been taken away to the Kingdom of Aleria. Moreover, much of the funds stored in the ducal manor for the administration of Bachstein this year had been seized.

Additionally, a considerable amount of wheat that was supposed to be exported to the royal domain was lost. The imminent harvest would not be realized, making a prolonged unstable situation inevitable.

While the royal domain had priority for food supplies, it was impossible to simply seize the wheat that was supposed to be consumed by the ducal subjects. 

These people would still need to work as laborers in the granary region next year and beyond, so starving them or deepening distrust and resentment toward the royal family was out of the question.

Restoring emergency stockpiles, replenishing funds for ducal administration, and importing the lacking wheat, such expenses piling up inevitably strained even the royal family’s finances. It was only natural that the finance minister came to lay down the law.

“My point is made… Now, do enjoy this banquet to the fullest, living hero of Edelstein.”

Without waiting for Matthias’s reply, Helmut turned on his heel and left. Alphonse gave a polite bow with a smile to offset Helmut’s brusqueness before following. Matthias then spoke.

“Friedrich, Marquis Dahlmeier is not our enemy. Though our roles and factions differ, he is still a fellow noble of the kingdom. His words hold truth as well.”

“I understand perfectly, Your Lordship.”

Watching the backs of the ministers alongside his adoptive father, Friedrich answered. Just as soldiers have their own logic, politicians have theirs. The country is maintained by balancing and sometimes compromising between many differing logics and positions.

Friedrich, having been taught this, understood Helmut’s point, even if how much the royal army takes heed of it is another matter.

“Then so be it… Now, after receiving a direct reprimand from a minister holding a marquisate, we cannot just remain stuck in the corner of the hall. We must show at least some sign of enjoying the banquet.”

Saying this, Matthias began to walk, likely without much enthusiasm inside. Friedrich followed. As the hero moved toward the center of the great hall and showed a willingness to mingle with the other attendees, someone new called out to them.

“Count Matthias Hosenfeld. It has been a long time.”

Matthias and Friedrich turned around when called, and standing there was an elderly man.

His attire resembled that of the nobles of the Edelstein Kingdom, yet it clearly belonged to a different cultural sphere. Adorned with a white wolf fur cloak, a decoration unique to the northern regions. The attendant standing beside him was also dressed in a manner befitting someone of considerable rank. From these clues, Friedrich guessed his status.

“King Oscar of the Novakia Kingdom,”

Matthias bowed deeply, and Friedrich followed suit, confirming his assumption was correct.

Novakia Kingdom, one of Edelstein’s allied nations, was represented by its current king, Oscar. Although around the same age as King Sigismund, Oscar was still vigorous, with nearly white hair and a straightened posture that gave him an imposing presence.

“How many years has it been since we last spoke? It pleases me greatly to meet again the finest warrior of Edelstein.”

“I am deeply honored by your generous praise. It is also my honor to meet once more the great warrior who leads Novakia.”

Oscar reached out amicably for a handshake, which Matthias returned. Oscar clasped Matthias’s hand firmly with both of his own, lightly patting his shoulder in joy at their reunion.

The title of ‘warrior’ is a distinctive honorific specific to Novakia, carrying a meaning beyond that of a mere fighter.

Because Novakia Kingdom lies somewhat northward in the western continent, its climate is rather cold, and its terrain is mountainous. Farming is not very widespread there; instead, hunting is actively practiced. Also, many of its people earned their living as mercenaries in their youth.

In such a Novakia Kingdom, the term “warrior” holds special respect when addressing someone. The successive kings have been regarded as ‘leaders of all warriors,’ and to gain the right of succession, one must pass a rite of passage that involves single-handedly hunting down a white wolf.

Friedrich had acquired this knowledge from books even before receiving his education in the Hosenfeld household.

Matthias’s formal words to Oscar were natural protocol, but Oscar calling Matthias “Edelstein’s foremost warrior” was a clear sign of high praise.

“Is the young man behind you the adopted son I’ve heard about, my lord?”

“Indeed, that is Friedrich.”

Turning his gaze toward Friedrich, who was named by Matthias, Friedrich placed his right hand over his left chest and spoke.

“It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Friedrich Hosenfeld. As one who bears the name of knight, it is truly a great honor to meet His Majesty King Oscar of Novakia, the renowned warrior of the western continent.”

“Ho, I’ve heard you came from an orphan’s background, yet that was a very composed and proper greeting. Seems the talk of your intelligence is true after all.”

The gaze that King Oscar directed at Friedrich, the living hero’s heir, was for the moment, calm. It was unclear what first impression he had formed of Friedrich, who by no means looked like a robust man.

“This Friedrich, though still relatively new as a knight, has already earned two military merits. On the battlefield, he has shown not only wisdom but also courage. I am convinced he is worthy of inheriting my title as Count Hosenfeld.”

“…Is that so? For the living hero of Edelstein himself to say that much…”

Upon hearing Matthias’s words, Oscar raised an eyebrow slightly.

Rumors of martial feats coming from a neighboring country were naturally subject to embellishment or exaggeration. Hearing the direct assertion from Matthias himself, Friedrich sensed that Oscar’s opinion of him had been newly solidified.

“Our kingdom and Edelstein are comrades standing against the tyranny of King Arelia. It is reassuring to have warriors like you and your heir in our allied country. I hope we continue to maintain good relations.”

“I sincerely agree, Your Majesty.”

Matthias and Oscar continued their conversation for a while longer. Friedrich was occasionally drawn into the discussion and replied with caution. When the time seemed right, Oscar took his leave, offering Friedrich a thorough greeting once again before departing.

“…I was somewhat surprised.”

The kings of Novakia have traditionally been proud and rarely mingle closely with foreign royalty and nobility. The current King Oscar was no exception. The Kingdom of Novakia itself, following the royal family’s spirit, did not build deep political ties with neighboring countries.

This was what Friedrich had learned from books and other sources. Compared to that knowledge, Oscar’s attitude seemed quite friendly and openly aimed at closing the distance with them.

Friedrich quietly spoke of his surprise at this, his words few and low, given they were still in the midst of the banquet.

“That is understandable. That country is currently in a situation even harsher than ours.”

Matthias answered in a similarly subdued tone and with measured words.

In terms of national power, the Kingdom of Novakia could not match the Kingdom of Edelstein. They relied on terrain advantages and the strength of their troops to defend the border, but with the Arelia Kingdom’s full-scale offensive beginning to focus on them, a harsher conflict was inevitable.

That said, Novakia was even less able than Edelstein to easily seek aid from the Rigald Empire. Before bordering Arelia, Novakia and the Empire had poor relations, including border skirmishes.

Thus, cooperating with Edelstein was Novakia’s best chance for survival. It was only natural for King Oscar to try to shorten the distance with Matthias, one of the most important figures in the Edelstein army, and his heir Friedrich.

Friedrich nodded in full understanding of his adoptive father’s explanation.

Footnotes: 

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