WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 89: The Marchioness and Her Daughter

They arrived at Kelra Village, a small farming settlement with a population of about fifty. Coincidentally, it was the very place Friedrich’s group had planned to search next.

Led by the village chief, Friedrich and the kingdom knights entered the village, watched from a distance by the wary residents. Some of the village men stood by with hoes and mattocks in hand, clearly not for farm work. They must have been told about the Marchioness’s situation and were doing what they could to arm themselves in case of another attack.

“The Marchioness and her daughter are resting in my home. The knight is being treated in another villager’s house.”

He guided them to the largest house in the village. Though it belonged to the village head, it wasn’t particularly large. Friedrich, Gregor, and Yurika, being a woman, entered first.

At the back of the house, in what seemed to be the guest room, the chief called out at the door. A short delay, then a woman's voice responded, “Please wait a moment.” Not long after, they heard, “You may come in.”

Inside, a woman sat on the bed, and a small girl lay asleep beside her. Friedrich immediately recognized the woman. It was indeed the Marchioness. Which meant the sleeping girl could only be her daughter.

“Pardon the intrusion. We are knights of the royal ar—”

“Oh, you’ve come to rescue us!” the Marchioness interrupted before the village chief could even finish introducing them.

Her clothes were stained and worn. Her bare feet, likely injured during their escape, were wrapped in bandages, but she still had the strength to raise her voice.

“Marchioness Melinda Langford. Lady Claire Langford. We have come to ensure your safe return.”

The Marchioness, who appeared to be in her early thirties, more than a decade younger than her husband, looked toward Friedrich. Beside her, the young girl stirred at her mother’s voice, sleepily sitting up. Friedrich offered them the formal bow used among nobles.

He’d chosen that over a military salute to avoid making the moment feel too rigid. Beside him, Gregor followed with a respectful bow, and Yurika did the same.

“Thank you. You're Lord Hosenfeld’s son, aren’t you? I remember the two behind you as well. You were both part of the Hosenfeld household at that banquet. Truly, thank you for coming… Ah, I can finally breathe again.”

Overcome with emotion, Marchioness Melinda rushed forward and nearly embraced Friedrich, gripping his shoulders as she offered her thanks again and again, face just inches from his.

Once she finally let go, she picked up her daughter Claire who still looked a bit confused by the situation and whispered, “Help has come, darling.”

Friedrich turned slightly to glance at Yurika, who was standing to his right. Her expression was subtle, but her eyes were fixed on the spot where Melinda had grabbed his shoulder.

Seeing that reaction, Friedrich gave a faint, awkward smile, knowing full well it wasn’t the time or place.

・・・・・・

By the latter half of autumn, the days had grown short. By the time Friedrich’s group arrived at Kelra Village, there were less than two hours until sunset.

Thanks to the messenger they had sent ahead before arriving, Oliver’s squad who had been searching nearby managed to regroup with them just around dusk.

From there, they coordinated with the villagers to set up sentries around the perimeter, using the village chief’s home as their base of operations. As they shared a meal offered by the villagers, they began discussing what to do next.

“I sent a runner north when we headed to Kelra. Once the report gets through, other units should start making their way here. Should we just stay put in the meantime?”

“Yeah. If the enemy numbers are around ten or so, and we’re already on alert, another ambush wouldn’t be too threatening. The Marchioness and her daughter are both exhausted, it’d be better not to move unless we have to.”

Oliver nodded, speaking between bites in the village chief’s sitting room.

According to Melinda, the attackers on the roadside had numbered just over a dozen. The ambush started with a sudden strike from the edge of the highway. Several of her escorting knights were taken down instantly, and the coachman was killed by a single crossbow bolt.

The attack halted the group’s progress, and in the chaos that followed, their route forward and back was cut off. Amidst the confusion, the commander of the Imperial knight unit made the call, they would hold off the enemy to buy time, while Melinda and Claire fled on foot.

One servant and three knights went with them.

While fleeing through the forest, one knight stayed behind to hold off the pursuers. Then, as they exited the woods, another knight and a servant acted as decoys.

Wearing Melinda and Claire’s cloaks, they made sure to be seen and led the enemy away. Thanks to their actions, Melinda and her daughter were able to gain some distance and keep moving.

Later, they ran into one of the attackers who had split off to track them. The last remaining escorting knight fought him off and managed to kill the man, but not without suffering serious injuries himself.

Even so, he continued to protect Melinda and Claire as they moved. That effort seemed to have taken a toll, and by the time Friedrich’s group reached the village, the knight could no longer speak and was in critical condition.

The clear, detailed account Melinda had given came from that knight himself. When he could still speak, he had instructed her on what to tell the royal forces. Thanks to that, they now had accurate information: the remaining enemy force was likely around ten men.

“Everyone…”

As the discussion continued, Melinda entered the room with Claire at her side. Her steps were stiff, likely due to the injuries on her bare feet from fleeing through the woods.

Seeing the Marchioness and her daughter, Friedrich and the others paused their meal and began to stand.

“Oh, please—don’t get up. I didn’t mean to interrupt your meal or your discussion, I just wanted to thank you again properly.”

With a warm smile, she looked around at everyone in the room and gave a deep bow.

“Thank you for coming to save us. As the wife of the Imperial Ambassador, I offer you my heartfelt gratitude. No matter how many times I say it, it won’t be enough. Just when I thought all hope was lost… the relief I felt when you arrived is beyond words.”

At her prompting, the young Lady Claire who’s only seven years old bowed as well. “Thank you, everyone,” she said, her voice still a little unsure, her pronunciation not quite perfect.

Since someone had to respond, Friedrich stepped forward to speak on behalf of the group.

“…We’re honored. As soldiers of the Kingdom, we’ve simply done our duty. Please rest assured as we will protect you both.”

“My, what reassuring words, as expected of the hero’s heir. You’re every bit as dependable as a royal knight.”

It was meant as praise, though comparing Edelstein knights to Imperial ones was, diplomatically speaking, a little awkward. Still, Friedrich gave a polite, measured smile, making sure not to let his discomfort show.

“And you as well. Johan, wasn’t it? It’s thanks to your village’s protection that we’re still alive. You gave us shelter, a room to rest in, food… truly, thank you for everything.”

“…It was nothing, truly. I’m honored to have been of help.”

Village chief Johan, who had remained quietly in the corner of the room, gave a brief reply before fading back into the background.

Just then, Claire stepped away from her mother and tottered over to Friedrich. She looked up at him and tilted her head.

“Hey hey, Friedrich, are you gonna stay with us?”

She seemed to have regained a bit of energy after her nap earlier in the day. Apparently unfazed by strangers, she’d already spoken to most of the knights over the past few hours, and of them all, she had taken a liking to Friedrich.

Most likely, in contrast to the large, stern, or scarred knights around her, Friedrich’s slender build and gentle features made him seem the kindest and most approachable in her eyes.

“…Yes. Until you’re safely back with your father, Lady Claire, we’ll be right here by your side to protect you.”

“Yay! Thank you, Friedrich!”

Friedrich knelt down to match her eye level as he answered, and Claire beamed with joy. She seemed to love his deep crimson hair too, and began stroking it with both hands like she was petting a cat. Treated more like a pet than a person, Friedrich couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Glancing over at Yurika, he saw her giving him yet another subtle look. Friedrich wondered, half amused, if she was really jealous not just of the Marchioness, but of a little girl too.

Then, Lady Claire turned toward Yurika. As if sensing the tension, Yurika hastily adjusted her expression, trying to keep composed. Claire simply stepped toward her without a second thought.

“Thank you too, Yurika!”

“…Yes, Lady Claire.”

For some reason, Claire seemed to like Yurika as well. Beaming, she threw her arms around her. Unused to dealing with noble children, Yurika hesitantly returned the gesture, gently patting the girl in a stiff, unsure manner.

Then Claire asked to be picked up. Caught off guard, Yurika complied without resistance. With Claire now in her arms, grinning and giggling in delight, Yurika wore a rather bewildered expression that drew warm laughter from those around them.

“Claire, dear, the knights didn’t come all this way just to play with you. Don’t cause them too much trouble. Come back here and—”

At that moment, Gunther came running into the village chief’s home.

“Friedrich. The Imperial knight has passed— I mean, Sir Knight of the Empire… has passed away.”

Gunther corrected himself after noticing the Marchioness and her daughter were present.

With that report, the warmth that had filled the room moments before vanished completely.

“…I see.”

“Mother? What’s wrong? What happened?”

As Friedrich responded to Gunther, Claire, now in her mother’s arms after being handed back by Yurika, asked her quietly.

“Sir Harold has passed away… Ah, to think he’s gone too. I had hoped that once we made it back alive, the Langford family would properly reward him for all he did.”

“I see… everyone just keeps dying.”

Though too young to fully grasp the weight of the situation, she still understood that something was deeply wrong, and that death was something to mourn. Her voice carried a quiet sadness as she looked down, echoing her mother’s grief.

“Marchioness.”

Melinda looked up. Her face was pale, dark circles visible under her eyes.

She had clearly been doing her best to appear composed in front of the royal knights, but there was no hiding her exhaustion. That was only natural. A noblewoman from the capital, unaccustomed to war or wilderness, had fled barefoot with her young daughter through forests, over hills, and across open plains for more than a full day. Of course she was worn down.

The fact that she hadn’t fallen into panic already spoke volumes of her inner strength.

“Please… stay strong. You and Lady Claire making it safely back to Lord Langford will be what gives meaning to the sacrifices of the fallen. It’s only a little longer. Most likely, by tomorrow, reinforcements led by my foster father, Lord Hosenfeld, will arrive. Then this tragedy will be over.”

“…Yes, you’re right. I have to hold on. If not for myself, then for this child.”

“It’s because of you all, because you came to rescue us, that we’re still alive. The sacrifice of our servants and guards will not be in vain. I don’t even know how to properly thank you… If I could, I’d ask His Majesty the Emperor to grant you the title of honorary Imperial Knights.”

Friedrich responded with a slightly awkward smile to that.

The room shifted into an odd silence, subtle but unmistakable. Melinda, however, didn’t seem to realize her words were the cause of it, and continued speaking.

“May I… see Sir Harold’s body? I’d like to thank him and pray for his peace. I know it’s only for my own comfort, but still…”

“…Of course. I’ll serve as your escort.”

“I’ll guide you to the home where his body is being kept.”

Oliver volunteered to take them, and together with the village chief Johan, he escorted Melinda and Claire out. Perhaps unable to bear the awkward tension in the room, the village chief’s wife quietly slipped out as well, leaving only the knights behind.

“Well now… the Marchioness really has the imperial airs down to an art, doesn’t she?”

Yarg said with a smirk, half-laughing in a mocking tone.

“Of all things, she offers us honorary Imperial Knighthood? That’s the last thing I’d want.” Oliver added, sighing with a wry smile.

The title of Honorary Imperial Knight was granted by the Emperor to those who showed exceptional loyalty or service to the Imperial family or the Empire itself. In other words, it was a badge of utmost devotion to Rigald.

But for knights who had sworn allegiance to the Kingdom of Edelstein who served the royal army and fought for their own sovereign, it was a burden more than a reward. Accepting it would raise serious questions about their loyalty. How would they even face the royal family afterward?

Melinda’s offer, spoken as if it were the highest honor imaginable, carried all the marks of what could only be described as imperial thinking.

That assumption that they were the most privileged citizens of the most privileged nation, that their empire was the center of the world, and that everyone else naturally admired and respected them. She’d spoken with the unshakable confidence of someone who truly believed that.

“Let it go. She’s clearly exhausted. Her mind’s probably not all there right now.”

“I see. So that’s why her true thoughts slipped out, the ones she usually keeps hidden as a proud master of her allied pets..

“Oi, watch it.”

Even if it was sarcasm, Yarg’s words were sharp, perhaps too sharp. But Gregor’s attempt to caution him was half-hearted at best. Both of them belonged to the generation of Edelstein natives who harbored deep-rooted resentment toward the Empire.

“Well… let’s just assume she meant well by adding ‘honorary’ to the title.”

Friedrich said as Yurika gently patted his head, trying to steer the mood elsewhere.

If she had offered them the title of full-fledged Imperial Knights with no ‘honorary’ to soften it, things would’ve been far more complicated. That would’ve meant asking them to betray their homeland and fight for a foreign power. At that point, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to demand an apology for the insult.

In that sense, the ‘honorary’ part was at least a gesture. However small, it showed Melinda had tried to be considerate, acknowledging that they were soldiers loyal to another sovereign. If they strained to see it in a positive light, they could at least say that much.

“She doesn’t seem like a bad person though.

“…No, she doesn’t. That’s for sure.”

She was exhausted, and the words had slipped out carelessly. But that didn’t mean Marchioness Melinda Langford was hiding any malice, nor was she deliberately looking down on them.

And that’s what made it harder to swallow.

It was a reflection of the imbalance between a great hegemonic power and its small allied nation. A handshake extended across a gap that would never fully close, that was the reality they lived in.

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