WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 79: A Friendly Nation to Count On

The day after the banquet ended without incident, Crown Princess Claudia held a meeting with Crown Prince Edwin Rigald in one of the most prestigious reception rooms in the royal castle. Or rather, they faced off.

Inside the room were only Claudia, Edwin, their respective guards, and the Edelstein royal family's chamberlain. Not even Ambassador Christopher was permitted, as this was a private discussion between the heirs of the royal and imperial houses.

After the chamberlain had brewed tea with movements so refined they could be called artistic and then stepped back to the corner of the room, it was Claudia who first opened her mouth.

“So then, Your Highness the Crown Prince. How are you finding your stay in Sankt Waltrude?”

“I’ve been thoroughly enjoying myself. Count Alphonse Barten is quite the expert when it comes to hosting guests. I’m grateful you assigned him to accompany me.”

“I’m pleased to hear that. I’m sure he’ll be glad as well.”

Edwin responded to the small talk, intended to warm the mood, with high spirits.

Claudia felt it had been the right decision to have Count Alphonse Barten, who possessed a natural talent for interpersonal matters and served as Foreign Minister, personally attend to the crown prince.

“What I particularly enjoyed were the Royal Theatre and the Royal Bookstore. I watched two plays in two days and picked up several newly published storybooks from recent years. As always, the Kingdom of Edelstein’s creative culture is outstanding. Likely the finest on the continent… However, there is one thing that caught my attention.”

Known for his love of stories, Edwin furrowed his brows slightly as he said this.

“Even if they are works of fiction, I find it troubling that depictions of slavery still appear in your literature. No matter how fictional the context, I have no fondness for that outdated and barbaric institution. It goes against the current values of our imperial house, and we’re actively working to enlighten the people as well. I would hope your kingdom takes steps to follow suit.”

“…I appreciate the valuable opinion. I shall instruct our writers and artists accordingly.”

While thinking, And which country was it that had been actually practicing slavery until barely a hundred years ago?, Claudia gave a safe and measured response.

Though they were equals in formality as heirs to friendly nations, there was a clear disparity in power between Claudia and Edwin. As a royal of the Kingdom of Edelstein, currently at war with the Kingdom of Arelia, she couldn’t afford to offend the crown prince of a neighboring empire that possessed several times her country’s strength.

And so, while she felt apologetic toward her nation’s authors and artists, there was no choice but to give that answer for now.

“By the way, how is His Majesty King Sigismund Edelstein’s condition? Given the celebratory nature of yesterday’s gathering, it didn’t seem appropriate to ask in detail.”

“…Not well. Most likely, he will no longer be able to appear in public. He may endure through this year, but I’ve prepared myself for the fact that he will not live to see the end of next year with us.”

Claudia answered without letting her expression falter.

It seemed the aftermath of the rebellion had taken its toll on his body, Sigismund’s condition had worsened again, perhaps even more than before.

Now, there were few days when he was well enough to sit in an armchair. On most days, even lifting himself upright was a struggle.

Fulfilling his own wish to personally witness the course of the war for as long as possible, he was receiving every form of treatment they could provide. Yet all of it amounted to nothing more than buying time, delaying the inevitable decline of his vitality.

Even with the liberal use of costly medicine imported from foreign lands across the sea, the doctors believed it was uncertain whether he could survive another year.

“I see. So even His Majesty King Sigismund, renowned as a great monarch, has declined to that extent… I sincerely pray that the days he has left may be peaceful, for both His Majesty and your household.”

“I will be sure to convey your words to my father.”

Claudia gave a slight bow in response to Edwin’s unusually solemn tone.

“But that only makes things even more difficult for you, doesn’t it? Not only His Majesty’s worsening condition, but also the matter of the Duchy of Bachstein—or rather, it’s now royal territory, isn’t it? That issue must still be a cause for concern.”

“It’s exactly as you say. That’s why the support we’ve received from your country has been an immense help. On behalf of the royal house of Edelstein, allow me to express my gratitude once more.”

“No need for thanks. Extending a hand to a friendly nation is only natural. It is the duty of a powerful country, after all.”

Edwin replied with words laced in benevolence, though his tone carried a hint of condescension.

The retreating troops of the Kingdom of Arelia had left behind a trail of looting and arson. Combined with the social disorder in the former ducal territory, agricultural production had temporarily declined. 

To help cover the resulting food shortage, the Rigald imperial house had stepped in. Based on the reports and recommendations from Ambassador Christopher, the imperial family decided to export foodstuffs at prices significantly lower than market value.

As a result, the Kingdom of Edelstein managed to avoid a food crisis in both the royal domain and the former duchy for this year and the next. They even found a path to restoring emergency supply reserves. The associated expenses also remained within what the treasury could reasonably afford.

Though Claudia did feel some bitterness over being indebted to the Empire, she had no room to complain. Even the royal family operated under budgetary constraints. Funds had to be allocated not just to food imports, but also to managing the former duchy and securing the borders. At the same time, they couldn’t risk draining the treasury with an eye toward the future.

To be honest, the Empire’s assistance had been a welcome relief.

“Now then, about Langford, the one who first proposed that support measure. As it happens, the other day he brought me a new proposal. That’s what I’d like to discuss today.”

“A new proposal?”

Claudia's expression grew faintly puzzled. It was unusual after all, Christopher, who served primarily as a symbolic representative of the Empire, didn’t often put forward concrete proposals regarding policy or operations.

“He may be an idealist, but it seems he’s also making a real effort to come up with ideas, especially for the sake of his beloved Kingdom of Edelstein. This time, what he proposed was to tour the border region between your country and the Kingdom of Arelia in his capacity as imperial ambassador. I must admit, I see the merit in it.”

For an imperial ambassador to visit and inspect the borderlands facing the Kingdom of Arelia, short of direct military assistance, it would be one of the strongest symbolic expressions of solidarity the Empire could offer.

Claudia fully understood this, yet her brows furrowed again—this time not in doubt, but out of concern.

“…Is the debate within the imperial nobility over support for the Kingdom of Edelstein really so divided?”

“My, as sharp as ever, Your Highness. You see right through it.”

She couldn’t find it in herself to take any joy in that compliment.

At present, the Kingdom of Arelia had clearly shifted the main axis of its invasion toward the Kingdom of Novakia. For Edelstein, the immediate threat had receded. There was no urgent need for strong deterrent measures against Arelia at the moment.

And yet, at this particular time, the imperial ambassador had proposed a bold move—touring the borderlands. And Edwin had acknowledged its merit. That could only mean that the move’s value was not aimed at foreign nations like Arelia or Edelstein, but rather inward—at the Empire itself.

In other words, there were circumstances within the Empire that made it necessary to demonstrate solidarity between the two nations, even through such a bold initiative. Claudia reasoned that it was likely due to dissenting voices among the imperial nobility, who saw no direct benefit to the Empire in supporting the Kingdom of Edelstein.

Edwin’s response all but confirmed the accuracy of her suspicion.

“King Sigismund’s handling of the situation was indeed impressive. But the imperial nobles are not so simple-minded as to be swayed entirely by the dignity he displayed. It’s only natural that some of them would view a rebellion instigated by a member of the royal family as cause for concern regarding a friendly nation.”

“......”

Claudia found herself in agreement.

With his commanding presence, Sigismund had managed to minimize the damage to the royal family’s reputation caused by the rebellion. But that didn’t mean the crown had emerged unscathed. It was inevitable that some within the Empire would interpret the wounds inflicted on the Edelstein royal family as a sign of weakness.

“When the Kingdom of Edelstein finds itself in crisis in the future, is there any real value in the Empire bearing the burden of its support? If we send weapons, supplies, or even troops to aid our ally, might all that go to waste in the end? 

Wouldn’t it be wiser to take advantage of the time left before they go under, and instead fortify the western border? After all, the unstable Kingdom of Arelia does not presently pose a direct threat, so perhaps it can be left alone for now. 

There are nobles who think this way—not many yet, but they do exist. Still, the imperial family has no intention of carelessly abandoning the royal house of Edelstein. We believe your nation still holds every possibility of repelling Arelia and surviving. 

That’s exactly why we want to act now, before the anti-support faction among the imperial nobility gains momentum.”

Spreading his arms in theatrical fashion, Edwin spoke.

“Langford may be eccentric, but his affection for your nation is genuine. And in true idealist fashion, he's a cultured man who excels at symbolic gestures, exchanges, speeches, public appearances. 

If the imperial ambassador were to tour the borderlands, expressing fondness for the Kingdom of Edelstein and delivering eloquent speeches at every stop, it would serve as a powerful display of solidarity on behalf of the imperial house. Such a clear show of intent should be enough to keep the anti-support nobles in check for now, at least.”

“I see… But if the imperial ambassador were to act so publicly, wouldn’t that decisively worsen relations between your Empire and the Kingdom of Arelia? What is your stance on that matter?”

When Claudia asked this, Edwin gave a fearless smile.

“The Empire is not concerned in the slightest. The current royal house of Arelia is not a force we can coexist with for long on this continent of Rudna… 

Now that Arelia’s aggression is focused on the Kingdom of Novakia, this is the perfect opportunity to make a political display here in Edelstein. No matter how hard Arelia tries, they can do little more than bark to show they’re not weak. If anything—”

He paused there, lifting his teacup and taking a slow, refined sip, as if teasing Claudia by deliberately withholding the rest of his thought.

"—If anything, it would be better for the imperial house if that country mustered troops in a show of force or provoked a skirmish with your kingdom. If the Kingdom of Arelia were to act aggressively despite knowing an imperial ambassador is present at the border, the imperial nobility would be outraged that Arelia dared to show such disrespect. If we can make the nobles despise Arelia, then supporting your kingdom when the time comes will be all the easier."

Edwin's eyes asked, Well? But Claudia didn’t answer right away.

She let the thought sit, turned it over in her mind for a moment, and then nodded.

“I believe your proposal has merit. It would be a mutually beneficial decision for both our royal houses. Naturally, I’ll need to consult with His Majesty the King before giving a final answer, but I trust you’ll receive a favorable reply.”

“Excellent. Then I shall await King Sigismund’s wise judgment… while making a few more visits to your theaters and bookshops.”

When Edwin extended his hand, Claudia accepted it, the smile fixed politely on her face.

She could not afford to be cast aside now, not by so vast, so mighty, and so imperious a friend.

Footnotes: 

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