WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 85: Battle of Arnsberg Fortress (3)

“Hm. I thought we might be able to take one or two heads, but I suppose not. Their knights are better than I expected.”

Murmuring to himself, Robert watched as his elite soldiers withdrew, their numbers slightly reduced.

If the opportunity presents itself, go for a prominent knight’s head. But don’t force it.

Before the battle began, Robert had given that instruction to a select few among his personal elite.

This offensive had always been political in nature. The Kingdom of Arelia had declared it would punish Edelstein. And if this battle was to be spoken of later, it needed something flashy to anchor the narrative.

If they could take down an enemy commander, or better yet, someone with noble lineage, it would be the perfect propaganda. They could claim to have struck down a key knight of the enemy, delivering a righteous blow to Edelstein.

That was the intent behind the order. But Robert had always seen the odds as fifty-fifty. Now that it had failed, so be it. It wasn’t a result he needed at all costs.

“We’ve put on a good enough show. Any more would only rack up needless casualties. All units, withdraw.”

“Understood.”

The command was relayed by his adjutant, and the troops began to move.

The conscript units pulled back in a scramble, covered by the regular infantry. The trained soldiers urged the conscripts to hurry to the rear, while doing what they could to help the wounded, at least those who still had a chance of survival. Though they had used the conscripts as fodder during the attack, the regulars now showed their discipline, using their superior training and armor to hold the line during retreat.

This too was under Robert’s orders. As a devout follower of Allusion, Robert was willing to sacrifice troops when necessary, but he never wasted the lives of those under his command. Not even conscripts.

The archer units resumed indirect fire to cover the infantry’s retreat. Once the foot soldiers were safely out of range of the fortress walls, the archers withdrew in swift coordination.

“…I suppose I’ll need to prepare the silver coins.”

Robert muttered to himself as he looked over the conscripts retreating, diminished in number, and the bodies left behind in front of the fortress. He fully intended to keep his promise: those amateur soldiers who had fought bravely would be paid.

Then it happened.

The drawbridge of the fortress slammed down, and the gates swung open.

From within, an enemy cavalry unit who’s dozens strong charged out in force.

・・・・・・

“Listen up, don’t overextend! Hit them hard, make them feel it. Now it’s our turn to deliver punishment!”

““Yes, sir!””

Diethelm, now leading a cavalry force of several dozen knights, each on horses that had been stationed at the rear of the fortress in advance, charged out with burning resolve and slammed into the enemy’s rear guard.

His subordinates followed bravely behind.

Infantry in disarray during a retreat stood no chance against a mounted assault. Diethelm’s first target was a conscript soldier, who he trampled beneath his steed. The next was a regular soldier who dared stand his ground, Diethelm drew his sword and took his head clean off.

Even a force of several dozen was more than enough for a pursuit.

The raw power of speed and mass tore into the enemy’s tail, scattering their formation into chaos. The fleeing infantry became a panicked mob.

The conscripts trampled over one another in a desperate scramble to get away. Even the regular soldiers lost their composure. With no time left to aid the wounded, some abandoned the men they were carrying, tossing them to the ground as they fled from the oncoming knights.

It was a direct response, a brutal payback for the fire attacks and headhunting raids earlier. The knights of the Hildegard Regiment slaughtered the fleeing enemy, one after another.

“That’s enough! All units, fall back!”

At Diethelm’s sharp command, the knights halted instantly as if the frenzy moments earlier had never happened. They wheeled their horses around and began a swift retreat to the fortress.

The enemy had attempted to deploy their own cavalry from the main camp to cover their infantry’s retreat. But Diethelm’s withdrawal was fast. Before the enemy cavalry could even get close, every one of his men had already made it back inside the fortress.

・・・・・・

“Sir. Our estimated casualties are 150 dead. Over eighty percent appear to be conscripts. We also have around 200 wounded, roughly the same breakdown.”

“…I see. Within acceptable limits.”

In the Arelia Kingdom camp, now pulled back near their encampment, Robert responded to his adjutant’s report.

Before him, the troops were regrouping. The archers and regular infantry had withdrawn in relatively good order. The conscripts, however, had barely made it back alive and were now being counted by their respective captains.

Treatment for the wounded had already begun. Medical supplies were prioritized for regular soldiers, but the conscripts too received the bare minimum: their wounds were rinsed with water, bleeding was stopped, and basic care was given.

Even so, many would never move again. Some knelt by the fallen, perhaps relatives, perhaps friends, overwhelmed by grief.

Robert lowered his gaze and offered a quiet prayer.

“O One True God. Receive those released from life equally into Your presence. And at the end of their rest, grant them rebirth through the cycle…”

…Now then, the minimum punishment has been delivered. How far we can expand our gains from here… that depends on the work of your kind, doesn’t it? You savages.

Turning as he spoke, Robert faced a man who stood apart even among his own command staff, a figure who radiated difference in every visible way: not just in military affiliation, but in race, origin, and even culture.

His face was marked with black warpaint. At his hip hung a single-edged machete-like blade, completely unlike the weapons used by knights or soldiers of western Ludna.

He wore no metal armor. Instead, over dark green-dyed clothing, he wore blackened leather armor—light and mobile.

His name was Ivar Velec.

A mercenary captain from the far northern lands beyond the great mountain range, now under contract with the Kingdom of Arelia.

“You offered your strength to His Majesty yourself. I assume you’ll now prove it’s more than just talk?”

“…Of course. That was always the plan. However, even we didn’t expect the Imperial ambassador to remain inside the fortress. I can’t say for certain how the unit we deployed will choose to act in response.”

“I heard that yesterday. No matter. It was never more than a gamble to begin with. If it succeeds, we profit. And if it fails, well, the only ones lost will be you savages.”

Ivar met Robert’s gaze as he spoke. Robert responded with a derisive snort.

His contempt was plain, undisguised and deliberate.

Yet Ivar’s expression remained unchanged. Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face. Like the frozen earth of the far northern continent, his silence was cold and unmoving.

・・・・・・

Inside Arnsberg Fortress, the post-battle cleanup had begun. Bodies were being carried away, the wounded treated, and arrows, either embedded in walls or scattered across the ground, were being collected. The fires started by the enemy’s siege weapons had all been extinguished.

Fewer than thirty dead. Roughly twice as many wounded, with relatively few in critical condition. Since nearly all direct enemy incursions had been repelled, and the elite who did break through were swiftly driven back without landing a blow, the damage was minimal.

“What a pitiful fight. No challenge at all.”

Having finished reporting to Regimental Commander Joseph in his capacity as battalion leader, Diethelm relaxed his posture and scowled.

On the wall, all he’d faced were feeble conscripts and soldiers who looked ready to run from the start. Even the pursuit had felt empty, more like hunting sheep than fighting soldiers.

At this rate, it wouldn’t even make for a proper boast when compared to him, that upstart heir to a heroic name, racking up major achievements despite being younger than him.

“You knew it would play out like this before we even fought… Still, their petty tricks with fire and headhunters pissed me off too. Seems Marquis Montesque is more cunning than I gave him credit for.”

They had set Arnsberg Fortress ablaze, reached the top of the wall, and sent a chill down the spines of its commanders. If told that way, it would at least serve to show that the Arelian royal house responded boldly to the provocations of both the Kingdom of Edelstein and the Rigald Empire.

It had been a farce, but Joseph had to admit, the enemy commander had played it well.

“Lord Obsidian. And Sir Diethelm as well. Thank you for your efforts.”

At that moment, Christopher who’s apparently having emerged from the main keep now that the fighting was over, approached the two men.

“I’ve heard you repelled the enemy without issue and even managed a successful pursuit. As expected of the formidable Edelstein Royal Army. A splendid display.”

At the ambassador’s words of praise, Diethelm straightened his expression and gave a polite bow. Beside him, Joseph nodded with calm confidence.

“A trivial matter. I’m glad to see you unharmed as well.”

“Thanks to you, I never felt in danger at any point. By the way, did the Imperial knights I entrusted to you prove useful?”

“But of course. Not just during the battle, but even in the aftermath, they’ve been a great help.”

The Imperial knights, who had focused solely on rear-line support, suffered only one minor injury. Among the conscript-heavy support staff, their superior discipline and efficiency had allowed them to save many wounded.

“I’m glad to hear that. His Majesty the Emperor will surely be pleased to learn of the Imperial Army’s contribution… Now then, I’ll take my leave. It wouldn’t do to impose any further.”

As he watched Christopher walk away with a courteous bow, Diethelm let out a small sigh.

“So, just a few days of ceremonial inspections, and we’ll finally be rid of that ambassador.”

“Indeed. And I doubt the Arelia Kingdom will launch another attack anytime soon. Nothing to worry about… Seems the Ferdinand Regiment was summoned for nothing.”

The report of the enemy’s approach had been delivered via messenger hawk to the Ferdinand Regiment, which had been stationed in reserve at the rear. They were currently en route as reinforcements.

The intent had always been to show their presence and deter the enemy, possibly forcing a retreat just by their arrival. But judging by how things unfolded, even that may have been unnecessary.

Joseph murmured thoughtfully, feeling somewhat sorry for Matthias and his men, who would spend days marching here only to turn right around once they confirmed the enemy’s full retreat.

Then, just moments later—

A sudden dispatch arrived from the Ferdinand Regiment.

The ambassador’s family who had evacuated to the rear had been ambushed by unknown assailants.

They were now missing.

Footnotes:

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