WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 81: Border Inspection (2)

As autumn deepened, the imperial ambassador, Marquis Christopher Langford’s inspection of the border region finally entered its final phase.

Guided by Diethelm Brightkreuz, cavalry battalion commander of the Hildegard Regiment, Christopher visited the western royal demesne bordering the Beiral Plains. After touring its central city, he arrived at the final stop of his inspection: Arnsberg Fortress.

No sooner had he arrived than Christopher took to the podium erected in the central square of the fortress, addressing the knights and soldiers of the Hildegard Regiment, as well as the conscripted militia that had been called up.

Standing beside him were the Marchioness and their young daughter, a clear display that the ambassador of the Empire had brought even his family to the front lines as a demonstration of solidarity with the Kingdom of Edelstein.

“—I have seen with my own eyes the valiant figures before me and I am convinced that the strength of the knights and soldiers of the Kingdom of Edelstein, who once repelled the Loire Kingdom, remains undiminished even now!

You are the great heroes who defended your country and your people from invasion, and it is you who carry that will forward. If you take up your arms, form your lines, and stand firm—why, even the devils of Judith themselves would flee with their tails between their legs!”

When Christopher spoke with such vigor, laughter rose from the square.

The Devils of Judith. They were said to dwell within the Judith Mountains, which marked the border between the Kingdom of Edelstein and the Kingdom of Arelia, evil beings rumored to occasionally descend from the mountains to snatch people away and devour them.

Though merely a superstition widely known around the mountain regions, the details of the legend varied subtly from place to place. Some claimed the devils drank human blood, others that their eyes glowed red like fire in the darkness. Some swore they bared fangs and breathed fire, or that balls of flame burned at the ends of their tails.

In the western parts of the Kingdom of Edelstein, it was common to scare misbehaving children with warnings like, ‘Keep it up and the Red Devil of Judith will come take you away.’ This was a well-worn tactic among locals, both the conscripted militia and the soldiers of the Hildegard Regiment, who were primarily drawn from the western region, had all grown up hearing such tales. Now, many of them were the ones telling the same stories to their own children.

By invoking a superstition that only the locals would truly know, the imperial ambassador on the podium earned a sudden wave of familiarity and warmth from the knights and soldiers. It lent credibility to the rumors that he was a staunch pro-Edelstein figure who understood and respected the kingdom’s history and culture.

“The Empire sees the Kingdom of Edelstein as a most trusted ally. And as long as brave souls like you stand, that fact shall never change. We, the people of the Empire, and you, the people of Edelstein, are eternal friends! The Kingdom of Arelia is our shared enemy.

When your homes, your wealth, and your families face the threat of destruction, I swear to you, we shall come to your aid! Please, never forget the greatness of the Kingdom of Edelstein. Never forget the beauty of your homeland. The dignity of the lives you lead, the proud history and culture you’ve built, and that we are your friends!”

Among those gathered were knights of the intellectual class, soldiers of humbler education, and even conscripted men who could not write their own names. Christopher carefully chose his words so that each group could find something in them to relate to.

At times, he spoke like a storyteller, weaving tales with rich imagery. At others, he showered them with praise designed to stir their pride. He used tone and inflection to speak not to logic, but to emotion.

His commanding speech had undoubtedly captured the hearts of his listeners. Despite speaking at length, all eyes remained fixed on him. Even the commoners who typically disliked boring or difficult topics were absorbed in rapt attention. That alone was proof of Christopher’s remarkable skill as an orator.

“Glory to the Kingdom of Edelstein! And everlasting friendship between your people and ours!”

With those resounding words, Christopher brought his speech to a close, and spontaneous applause swept through the square.

As he stepped down from the podium, Marquis Joseph Obsidian, commander of the regiment, approached him.

“Bravo, truly impressive. As expected of the imperial ambassador representing the mighty Rigald Empire.”

“You are far too kind. I must admit I lack the talent for military or political strategy, but I try to contribute to the friendship between our nations through words and conduct at the very least. If today’s speech did anything to raise the spirits of your border defense, then I consider myself fortunate indeed.”

Christopher answered with a modest smile, quite different from his earlier dignified bearing.

“You must be quite tired after such a long inspection. I suggest you take some time to rest now. This is, after all, a military installation. There’s little we can offer by way of hospitality, but should you require anything, please do not hesitate to let us know.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I’m holding up fine, but my wife and daughter are visibly weary. If you’ll permit it, I shall take you up on that offer and let them rest.”

With those parting words, Christopher took his family and departed for the guest quarters. Joseph saw them off in silence. Beside him, Diethelm stood tall and motionless, the very image of a model knight.

Once the knights and soldiers were dismissed, Joseph returned to his office, taking Diethelm along so he could give a report on the journey thus far.

"Tch. That smug imperial bastard sure knows how to talk."

No sooner had the door to the office closed than Diethelm spat the words out with disgust.

"Oh? Did something about His Excellency’s conduct on the road rub you the wrong way?"

"Nah. From the moment he introduced himself to just now, the guy's been nothing but polite, so polite it’s almost overbearing. He’s been friendly to a fault... too friendly. And that’s exactly what pisses me off. The way he carries himself, like nothing can touch him, like he gets the Kingdom of Edelstein, it just grates on me. He acts like he’s better than us."

The anger boiling in Diethelm’s voice had already stripped away his image as a disciplined knight. He was little more now than a hot-headed brawler with a chip on his shoulder.

"I’m no fan of the Empire either, believe me. But you, lad, you hate them like some grizzled old man with a grudge, not a knight in his prime."

"You know damn well why. Hell, it’s your fault to begin with. You’re the one who threw me in with those bastards and made me live among them for months. Any knight would come out of that hating the Empire."

Joseph let out a chuckle as he watched Diethelm sulk like a child.

Nearly ten years ago, back when Diethelm had still been a young officer, he had traveled to the Rigald Empire as part of a delegation sent to study the Empire’s latest political systems and military structure.

His noble pedigree and promise as one of the Kingdom Army’s rising stars were the reasons he had been selected. And it had been Joseph who’d recommended him.

During his months-long stay, Diethelm had toured various Imperial units and even participated in training and operations. The sheer size and organization of the Imperial military had been a valuable learning experience, but that didn’t mean he’d liked the people.

Even though he was treated with a measure of respect, especially as a future count from a friendly nation, Diethelm saw right through the polite smiles and carefully chosen words of the Imperial officers. Beneath them, he detected a smug superiority they couldn’t fully hide.

To them, the Kingdom of Edelstein was a mere backwater. A tiny country tucked away in the west. A relic of former glory, inhabited by the Lutetian people clinging to a faded dream of continental supremacy. A people who still followed the ancient Allusionist faith.

And in contrast? They saw themselves as citizens of a great power. Denorians who stood tall in the very heart of the continent, masters of the most magnificent capital in the western world. A people basking in the glow of modern supremacy, backed by their state religion of Satraism. An evolved, ‘enlightened’ faith that was now spreading into the northern and eastern lands.

Diethelm had spent months among people who quietly looked down on everything he represented. And from that, he had emerged with a seething hatred for the Empire.

“You know full well, and yet they still assigned me as the guide for the Imperial Marquis… How many times do you think I held back grimacing in front of that guy?”

“When the other party is a Marquis, you need someone of sufficient standing to act as a guide. I told you to endure it when you were appointed. It’s over now. Stop whining like a child.”

Joseph cut off Diethelm’s complaints and ordered him to sit in the reception area of the office. He brought out a precious, aged distilled liquor, poured two glasses, and placed one before him, a small token of appreciation for a subordinate who had completed an unpleasant task.

“Come on, spill the report already.”

Joseph plopped down opposite Diethelm across the table and said, tilting his glass.

“Tch. As you command.”

Diethelm lifted his glass for courage, then began recounting the inspection journey, which held little of note.

・・・・・・

The situation shifted the following day.

A report from a spy came in: the forces of the Kingdom of Arelia, led by Marquis Robert Montesque, had departed from the eastern capital, Toulouse. Their strength numbered just over two thousand, composed of kingdom troops, conscripts, and the noble domain armies.

“Since the report arrived today, the enemy likely left Toulouse two or three days ago. They are expected to approach the Arnsberg Fortress within a few days and prepare for an attack the day after.

It would be preferable if they only show their force to intimidate us, but if they actually launch an offensive, this place will become a battlefield. I strongly recommend that Your Lordship and your family evacuate promptly to the rear.”

Inside the fortress, preparations to face the enemy had already begun. Joseph explained the situation to Christopher, who had come out of his quarters sensing the sudden commotion, and made the suggestion.

Originally, Christopher was supposed to rest today and then spend several days observing the fortress, the plains, and training drills. But with the enemy approaching, continuing the inspection leisurely was no longer possible.

Joseph expected a prompt agreement, but after a moment of contemplation, Christopher slowly shook his head.

“No, Lord Obsidian. I intend to stay here and meet the enemy’s arrival.”

Footnotes:

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