WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 78: A Dignitary from a Friendly Nation (3)

After they had spent some more time conversing with the other guests, and things had settled down a bit, Count Matthias Hosenfeld and Friedrich Hosenfeld were approached by the host of the evening, Crown Princess Claudia.

“My, how unusual. You of all people, stepping out into the center of the hall of your own accord. And dragging Friedrich along with you.”

“…I was chastised by Marquis Dahlmeier. He told me not to linger too much in the corners.”

Standing silently beside him, Friedrich gave a polite bow while Matthias replied with his usual calm expression. A slight wry smile rose to Claudia’s lips.

“In that case, it can’t be helped. Coming from him, I’d wager his reproach stings far more than anything I could say.”

Surrounding her were a few individuals, including her direct escort, Viscount Gustav Eichberger, and several others.

They were dignitaries from the Rigald Empire, accompanied by their attendants.

“Well, well, the hero. I never thought I’d see you again… with your heir in tow, no less.”

Among them, a man dressed in particularly extravagant finery and exuding an imposing aura spoke with a fearless grin. Matthias responded without the slightest grimace, offering a courteous nod as he spoke.

“I am honored to present my heir, Friedrich Hosenfeld, to Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Following his adoptive father's lead, Friedrich lowered his head, and in doing so, he came to understand just who he was facing.

Edwin Rigald, the Crown Prince of the Rigald Empire. The man destined to inherit the great nation that ruled over the entirety of central Ludna continent and held dominance over the modern continent as a whole. If Friedrich remembered correctly, he was currently in his early thirties.

This was Friedrich’s first time meeting him in person.

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Friedrich Hosenfeld—”

“I just heard your name. Spare me the stiff formalities… When I heard that Count Hosenfeld had taken in an orphan and made him his heir, I was surprised. Even a solitary hero, it seems, desires an heir once old age begins to creep in.”

Edwin cut Friedrich off and spoke.

“But still, you picked quite the dainty one, didn’t you? Is he strong? This one?”

Edwin stepped up to Friedrich, who had just raised his head, and stared at him with a brazen gaze as though observing some exotic creature. As the crown prince of a powerful neighboring empire, he was far beyond reproach. Friedrich’s face tensed as he silently endured it.

Yet, despite Edwin’s behavior, no one else showed the slightest shift in expression. Even Matthias regarded the prince’s conduct as natural, and spoke calmly.

“He is not strong. However, he is sharp. When it comes to tactical thinking, he surpasses me. He also possesses more than enough nerve. With more experience, he may well become a greater commander than I am.”

“What’s this? He might surpass the living hero of Edelstein? Will I get to witness that from next door when I ascend the throne? That sounds amusing. Friedrich, I’m looking forward to it.”

“...Your words are far more than I deserve, Your Highness.”

“Haha! Such modesty. What a delightful fellow. If you weren’t the hero’s adopted son, I might’ve taken you back with me!”

Though caught off guard by Edwin’s uninhibited manner, both for better and for worse, Friedrich managed to muster a smile.

He paid no mind to how his words or behavior affected others. He accepted it as only natural that he should be at the center of conversation, the star of any gathering. And yet, rather than coming across as arrogant, his conduct exuded a confident, uninhibited ease.

So this is the Crown Prince of the Empire, Friedrich thought, beginning to understand Edwin, whose commanding presence as a ruler was no less extraordinary than Crown Princess Claudia’s, albeit expressed in an entirely different way.

“Lord Friedrich is now one of the most important young nobles in the Kingdom of Edelstein. I too am delighted to have the chance to speak with you again.”

The man who spoke beside Edwin was Marquis Christopher Langford, the imperial ambassador to the Kingdom of Edelstein.

Despite being in his mid-forties, he gave off a youthful impression. He wore a gentle smile typical of someone whose duties revolved around foreign relations, and beside him stood his wife. Having married later in life, the marchioness was a full decade younger than him, and like her husband, she too wore a warm smile.

Friedrich had exchanged greetings with this ambassadorial couple at a banquet the previous year.

“I am honored, Marquis.”

“When I heard of your achievements in suppressing the recent rebellion, I was even more surprised than I had been last year. As expected of the talent discovered by the hero, Lord Hosenfeld. Knowing that a warrior such as yourself will shoulder the future of the Kingdom of Edelstein is truly reassuring. As someone enchanted by this kingdom, I find it immensely heartening.”

So said Christopher as he began to speak at length, showering the Kingdom of Edelstein with praise.

“The brave soldiers who repelled the armies of the Kingdom of Arelia with such might. A kingdom that, despite adversity, maintained its peace and now welcomed a bountiful summer, brimming with vitality. The royal family continues to protect the land and its people without change, bringing about such peace and prosperity.”

His grand hand gestures and poetic tone might have sounded like empty flattery to an outsider, but everyone present understood that his words were genuine praise. Precisely because of that, a slightly exasperated mood hung in the air, and even Edwin could only shake his head with a wry smile.

Christopher was known as a dyed-in-the-wool pro-Edelstein idealist—famous for it both in the Empire and the Kingdom of Edelstein.

Following in the footsteps of his father, who also served as ambassador to Edelstein, Christopher had spent his formative years in the kingdom, accompanying his father and becoming captivated by the country. By its food and architecture, its literature and art. By its vast forests and plains, the countless hills, rivers, and lakes that made up its beautiful landscape.

Even after returning to his homeland, he continued to study and deepen his affection for Edelstein. About ten years ago, after succeeding his family title, he was appointed as ambassador to Edelstein himself.

He brought his newlywed wife with him at the time, and though she returned to the empire for childbirth, a few years ago he summoned her back along with their child, saying he wanted his young daughter to learn the wonders of Edelstein as well.

He was the kind of man who would only improve the atmosphere between two nations with complicated circumstances, never worsen it. Friedrich had once heard this exact assessment from Matthias himself: that Christopher was the perfect person for the empire to appoint as an envoy.

“As expected of Lord Langford, whose knowledge extends deeply into scholarship and the arts. Your praises tonight are worthy of being transcribed and bound into a book. At this rate, it would be most appreciated if you could follow up with a declaration of military support.”

“I believe Your Highness is already aware, but precisely because I am such an idealist and staunch supporter of the Kingdom of Edelstein, my liege has granted me no authority beyond that of a mere messenger. It is truly unfortunate.”

When Claudia said this, Christopher responded with a bow. His theatrical mannerisms, almost like those of a stage actor, were somehow free of any unpleasantness, instead exuding an endearing charm.

“Of course. If he were granted any freedom of discretion, this soft-hearted fool would eventually hand over the Rigald imperial throne to the Kingdom of Edelstein.”

Edwin interjected with a snort, inserting himself into their conversation. His joke, rather bold coming from the Crown Prince of the Empire, drew bitter smiles from those around them, even Matthias.

With that, Edwin and Christopher continued their conversation with Matthias, the living hero. While her adoptive father attended to the important figures of a friendly nation, it was Claudia who quietly stepped closer to Friedrich, who had been standing quietly a little ways off.

“If your adoptive father is so popular, that must be quite a burden on you… No, I suppose now the attention is on you as well. You performed admirably in the recent battle. Allow me to thank you again, Friedrich.”

“…I am unworthy of such praise, Your Highness.”

Friedrich replied with a soft smile to the crown princess of his liege house, whom he could now face without any particular nervousness.

“The whole incident began with a failure on the royal family’s part, and the Ferdinand Regiment bore a great deal of trouble in the aftermath. I’m sorry for that.”

“Not at all. The hardship Your Highness has endured due to this recent tragedy is beyond anything someone of humble origins like myself can presume to comprehend. As one of Your Highness’s vassals, I have only done my utmost to be of service in any small way I can.”

No doubt she spoke to him like this because he was on course to become a key vassal during her reign. As Friedrich responded with that thought in mind, Claudia let out a small chuckle.

“You’re still as skilled as ever at weaving your words gracefully… A tragedy, yes. That’s exactly what it was. But the blame lies with me. If I had noticed what was in his heart, being his closest family, I wouldn’t have had to arrest my own brother as a traitor and send him to the executioner’s block with my own hands.”

Claudia spoke the latter part in a quiet murmur, almost to herself.

“But once the rebellion had begun, his execution became a necessity. To protect this country, inherited from our founding mother, and the people who live within it… Ah, but here I am speaking of such grim things in the middle of a banquet. Do forget I said anything.”

As she looked back up and attempted to compose her expression, Friedrich gently shook his head with a calm look on his face.

“Please, think nothing of it, Your Highness.”

Perhaps because she was speaking to a young retainer still unburdened by entanglements, she had let her true feelings slip without thinking. And in those words, Friedrich felt he had glimpsed the unwavering conviction she held as a royal.

Footnotes:

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