WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 82: The Ambassador’s Resolve

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

Christopher’s reply made even Joseph widen his eyes in surprise.

“Of course, I cannot expose my wife and daughter to danger, so they will evacuate to the rear along with the servants. But I wish to stay. By doing so, I want to demonstrate the Empire’s will to remain a steadfast ally of the Kingdom of Edelstein.”

“…We certainly do not intend to let a mere two thousand enemies take this fortress from us. However, I cannot guarantee your absolute safety. His Majesty the Emperor would not expect a civil official such as yourself to go that far. Once again, I strongly urge you to evacuate… I have a position to uphold as well.”

Frankly speaking, a guest remaining in a fortress that is about to become a battlefield would only be a hindrance. If battle broke out without evacuating the ambassador and he were to be injured, it would be seen as their failure. That was why Joseph spoke as he did.

“What you say is entirely reasonable. Even so, I wish to embody my ideals. The original inspection schedule is still ongoing. Even with the Kingdom of Arelia’s forces closing in before our eyes, I intend to carry out the inspection without yielding to their aggression. In doing so, I want to demonstrate the Empire’s dignity to the Kingdom of Arelia.

The fact that the Imperial ambassador did not flee will serve as a testament to the Rigald Imperial House’s unwavering solidarity with your kingdom.”

“……”

Half in disbelief, Joseph looked at Christopher. He truly is an idealist, through and through, he thought to himself.

“Of course, I will do everything I can to avoid causing trouble for you. My person will continue to be protected by the Imperial knights assigned to my escort. I will not request any assistance from the royal army. In fact, once the battle begins, I am willing to have all personnel aside from my direct guard serve in rear support.

I will also prepare a written declaration, clearly stating that I remain here by my own will and responsibility, and entrust it to your kingdom. If necessary, I’ll prepare two or three copies. That way, no matter what happens to me, His Majesty the Emperor will understand that it was entirely my responsibility.”

‘How does that sound?’ was the implied question. After a brief moment of thought, Joseph gave a nod.

“If you insist to such an extent, then I have nothing more to say. Do as you please.”

“I thank you, Lord Obsidian.”

In the discussion that followed, it was decided that Christopher and his team of inspectors, along with twenty knights from his Imperial escort, would remain in the fortress. The Marchioness, the young lady, the maids, and the rest of the servants would retreat eastward under the protection of the remaining guards.

After Christopher withdrew so as not to interfere with the battle preparations, Joseph turned his gaze to Diethelm, who stood at his side.

“I thought he was just some soft politician, but he’s got more backbone than I expected. Don’t you think so?”

“We won’t know that ‘til the fighting starts. When the enemy’s right in front of him, he might end up bawling, wishing he’d run when he had the chance.”

Joseph gave a wry smile at Diethelm’s continued disdain for Christopher, then tightened his expression.

“This means there’s one more… no, two more things we must now protect. The Imperial ambassador, our honored guest, and the honor of the Kingdom of Edelstein that now bears the responsibility of guarding his life. He may speak boldly, but that doesn’t mean we can just let him get killed and shrug it off. Continue preparations with utmost care. Leave nothing to chance.”

“As you command.”

Diethelm saluted crisply as a soldier and returned to his unit.

・・・・・・

Two days later, the enemy forces advanced to a position where they could be seen from Arnsberg Fortress and set up camp. The following day, they began forming ranks even closer to the fortress. From the feel of it, Joseph judged that the enemy was not merely attempting to intimidate, they truly intended to launch an assault.

Originally, the Kingdom of Arelia, which stood against the Kingdom of Edelstein, was estimated to have a force of around four thousand. Half of that number was allocated for defense and maintaining order in the Loire region, while the remaining half was intended for active offensive operations.

Currently, Countess Cecilia Fargiere, commander of the Eastern Front, had taken approximately twenty-five hundred troops northward in preparation for a large-scale offensive against the Kingdom of Novakia.

To fill the gap left in her absence and protect the border region, the Kingdom of Arelia had dispatched Marquis Robert Montesque from its central command, bringing with him an elite force of just under a thousand troops under his direct control. Assigning such a unit, which would ordinarily be tasked with defending the royal domain, to the eastern front was by all measures, a bold decision on the part of King Childebert Arelia.

This time, Marquis Montesque had brought nearly the entirety of his personal command to the plains. Added to that were around a thousand conscripts, and several hundred troops from noble domain armies.

“Even so, they’re no match for Arnsberg Fortress. To attempt a siege with roughly equal numbers, and with nearly half their force made up of fragile conscripts is reckless in the extreme. One can’t help but feel sorry for the enemy soldiers, forced into such an attack for the sake of appearances. All they’ll find in attacking us is their own destruction.”

“Haha, reassuring words indeed.”

Standing atop the western wall of the fortress, Joseph surveyed the enemy forces and explained the situation. Christopher responded with a laugh. Even with the enemy right before him, there was not the slightest sign of fear or distress on his face.

“A single knight is approaching from the enemy camp! Bearing a message, by the look of it!”

The shout came from a soldier stationed in the watchtower. Just as reported, a knight from the enemy side approached under a white flag and was soon received at the fortress gate.

“A letter from Marquis Montesque, the enemy commander… He has also included a message addressed to Lord Langford.”

So said Diethelm as he ascended the ramparts, holding a finely adorned scroll case in hand.

Joseph took the scroll from the case and unrolled it.

A border inspection conducted by the Imperial ambassador — this is an unforgivable act of disrespect against the Royal House of Arelia, carried out by the Kingdom of Edelstein and the Rigald Empire. In response to this foolish provocation, the Royal House of Arelia, under the name of His Majesty King Childebert Arelia, shall administer justice through force.

A full-scale assault upon Arnsberg Fortress shall be the righteous punishment. The Imperial ambassador, being a non-combatant, is advised to leave Arnsberg Fortress immediately if he values his life. A grace period of two hours is hereby granted. This is a mercy bestowed by His Majesty the King.

“Is this not a mistake? It says ‘full-scale assault,’ yet I see no such grand army capable of carrying that out.”

As he deliberately narrowed his eyes and looked toward the enemy camp, both Christopher and Diethelm, along with the knights and soldiers around them, burst into laughter.

“Well then, since it’s written in the letter, I’ll ask all the same: what will you do, Ambassador?”

“Naturally, I will not flee. I have no need for the so-called mercy of the King of Arelia.”

Christopher’s smile did not waver in the slightest as he answered.

“Then our reply is simple… we require no grace period. We care not for lofty declarations. If Marquis Montesque claims he will enact punishment, let him show it not with words, but with force. Tell the messenger that.”

“Ah, and one more thing from me,”

Christopher added, stopping Diethelm just as he was turning to descend the wall.

“It was the Empire that scheduled its visit here first. The Kingdom of Arelia has no right to cut in line.”

Laughter erupted again at those words, and Joseph roared with laughter. Even Diethelm couldn’t help but let out a small snort.

“...Indeed, I shall convey your message.”

Whether it was out of regret for having laughed at Christopher’s joke or simply returning to his usual seriousness, Diethelm quickly adopted a solemn expression and, with those words, finally headed toward the messenger.

・・・・・・

At the Arelian main camp overlooking Arnsberg Fortress, Marquis Robert Montesque listened to the enemy’s reply brought back by the returning messenger. A commanding smile spread across his face, marked by a large scar running over one eye.

“Hmph, both the enemy commander and the Imperial ambassador speak boldly. It wouldn’t be interesting otherwise.”

While some officers showed displeasure at the insolent reply from the enemy, Robert rather seemed to enjoy the situation.

Joseph Obsidian, Marquis and commander of the Hildegard Regiment stationed at Arnsberg Fortress, Robert knew the name well. His military career was even longer than that of the hero Count Matthias Hosenfeld, and they were of the same generation. An experienced veteran who guarded the border with steady tactics and years of service.

And then there was Marquis Christopher Langford, the Imperial ambassador. Robert had heard him described as a kind-hearted idealist, but to remain on the battlefield at this stage and speak so boldly was, in a way, impressive. Whether he truly possessed the courage to match or was merely a naive fool bluffing without knowing the realities of war remained to be seen.

How long they could maintain that confidence from here on out was what Robert was keen to observe.

“My lord, what are your orders?”

The one who asked was Robert’s adjutant, old enough to be his child. Robert’s previous longtime adjutant, who had fought alongside him for years on the battlefield, had retired after his mind began to falter in the peaceful life of the royal capital. The current adjutant was that man’s daughter.

“If no grace period is required, then we need not show any consideration. Let us begin the offensive at once… though I wonder just how far we can push it.”

With a soft sigh, Robert spoke.

He did not believe that a mere two thousand troops could take Arnsberg Fortress. Neither did any of his subordinates surrounding him.

Nevertheless, this offensive, described as ‘punishment,’ was nothing more than a matter of preserving the prestige of the Royal House of Arelia.

Currently, the faction supporting the Royal House consisted of hawkish nobles. They held considerable military and economic power and wielded influence that could not be ignored within the kingdom. They obeyed only a strong king. To keep them as a backing force, the royal family had to maintain a firm stance.

King Childebert Arelia intended to demonstrate his authority through the conquest of the Kingdom of Novakia, but at the same time, he could not simply allow the Kingdom of Edelstein and the Rigald Empire to make a mockery of him. That was why this symbolic offensive on Arnsberg Fortress was ordered.

Originally, it had been expected that the Imperial ambassador would evacuate beforehand, but now that he chose to remain by his own will, there was no reason to hold back.

Robert’s role had not changed. On the surface, he would boldly launch the attack, manage just enough success to claim they had ‘punished the foolish Kingdom of Edelstein and the Rigald Empire,’ and then withdraw.

“Honestly, first I’m sent from the comfortable royal capital to the eastern frontier, and now I’m made to face this dull battle. The young lord certainly knows how to make an old man work.”

Robert grumbled, and his adjutant replied with a wry smile.

Having served as a direct retainer since the era of the previous king and fought alongside him, Robert was both a close aide to King Childebert and his instructor in swordsmanship and military strategy. It was thanks to Robert’s standing that he could speak so freely without hesitation.

“Are all preparations thorough?”

“Yes, sir. The troop deployments and siege engines are all ready as ordered.”

“Good.”

Hearing the adjutant’s reply, Robert closed his eyes with a solemn expression. Naturally, it was only one eye that closed. The other eyelid, buried beneath the scar, no longer moved even if he tried.

Then, he formed a triangle with his hands before his chest, palms pressed together.

“Almighty God, forgive our sins. We are weak, having no way to survive but to fight, no means to protect but to slay… Men, forward!!”

A devout follower of Prophet Allusion, Robert prayed to God as he had done before countless battles. Then, opening his one good eye wide, he issued his orders with more determination than most could muster with both eyes.

Around two thousand troops, excluding the main camp’s personal guard, advanced toward Arnsberg Fortress.

Footnotes:

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